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Reed walked to the armoury in a daze. His arm was throbbing and his head was spinning, but worst of all he felt empty inside.
Three hours ago he had been standing watch outside a hall on what looked more or less like a routine mission on a friendly planet, and now he was in the middle of a diplomatic incident in which he was suspected of treason.
Well, it bloody well served him right. He should've known better than to take orders from Harris instead of trusting the Captain, that time. Now he was paying for his mistake. He couldn't really blame Trip for taking his involvement with Covert Ops into account, under the circumstances.
Yet he couldn't deny that it hurt him deeply. Trip was probably the person that, in all his life, he had allowed to get closest to him. He was his friend. Malcolm's thoughts flashed back to the beginning of their mission: he had been reticent to fraternise with him then, but eventually the warmth of Trip's outgoing character had melted his icy reserve, and he had committed to the bond. Committed to the bond. He mulled the words. Indeed, like with anything else, he had taken their friendship very seriously, expecting the same in return. To think that Trip could even consider the possibility of him… As Acting Captain he has to, he sternly reminded himself.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he found himself in front of the armoury almost without knowing. Another distressing notion made his chest constrict: if the data had not been faked and the explosive used was indeed Starfleet, someone on Enterprise must be a traitor, and only one other man had gone down with him to the planet.
He brought a weary hand to his eyes. He was proud of his team. In the Expanse his men had showed a degree of loyalty and self-sacrifice that had made him feel honoured to be their CO. Could he have been so blind as to not see a traitor among them? What reasons could Brown have for putting a bomb in that building? Didn't the man see he would inevitably be suspected? He heaved a deep sigh and entered.
Alerted by the sound of the door opening, Müller turned to him, a warm and concerned expression clear on his face. "It's good to see you, Lieutenant," he said. "How is your arm, Sir?"
"It's fine, thank you, Ensign." Malcolm replied. He felt at ease with Müller. He found the man had the right balance between affability and reserve.
He saw Brown busy at a console in a corner of the armoury and went up to him. "I'd like to have a word with you, Ensign," he said flatly.
"Aye, Sir," Brown replied unflinchingly. He turned away from the console and faced him, standing at parade attention.
Reed studied the young man before him. For someone who might have just thwarted Earth's new diplomatic alliance with the Raans and endangered Enterprise's command structure he looked incredibly unperturbed.
Brown, as he recalled, had signed on just before their mission in the Expanse. Malcolm realised he didn't know much about him, his command style being based on mutual respect rather than closeness, but he knew he had never had anything bad to report about him. The ensign had always carried out his duties diligently. Reed had noticed that the man hadn't mingled much with the rest of the people on Enterprise, but when he was on duty he interacted with everyone in a very professional way. And Malcolm wasn't exactly in a position to criticise introversion.
Müller was at the other end of the armoury, out of hearing range, so Reed decided they had enough privacy to talk right there.
"Ensign, as you know the bomb that caused the explosion on Raan has been found to have a Starfleet signature," Malcolm said, looking Brown straight in the eye. "Any idea how that might be possible?"
Brown's gaze did not falter. After a moment he simply replied, "No, Sir, no idea."
"The only two people who went down to the planet, aside from the Captain and First Officer, were you and I, Ensign," Reed said directly. "And you volunteered. I imagine you can't fail to see that you are a primary suspect."
Brown clenched his teeth, but that was the only small indication that the man may be feeling some pressure. Malcolm had to admit he was impressed with his coolness. Innocent or guilty, he was being suspected of treason here.
"Yes, Sir," the ensign calmly answered. "But I didn't plant the explosive. The data show the bomb was in the hall where the talks took place, and I was never inside it."
Malcolm silently finished the sentence for him, but you were, Lieutenant Reed. He felt a wave of dizziness and clenched his teeth in turn. He would hate to faint in the middle of the armoury right now.
"Are you suggesting that I did it, Ensign?" he asked outright, in a low voice.
Brown raised his eyebrows. "No, Sir. I am simply explaining why I cannot be considered responsible for the explosion. It is not my place to suggest who might be," he replied with cold politeness.
Malcolm wished he could cross his arms; it gave him a sense of self-assurance whenever he was confronted with a difficult situation or a problem to solve. But that bloody sling was in the way.
He settled for jerking his head to one side and shooting Brown a meaningful look. "If anything that may help us solve the mystery should come to your mind, Ensign, I expect you to report it immediately."
"Aye, Sir," Brown answered unfazed.
Reed nodded and turned to leave. I plan on finding out all I can about you, he thought. But first he needed to put something in his stomach or he'd collapse. With all that had happened he couldn't even remember when he had last eaten, and his body was beginning to protest.
Admiral Gardner looked quite upset. He hadn't taken the news very well, as was to be expected.
"After the Xindi attack, as you know all too well, there have been very strong feelings against aliens; I don't think I need to remind you of that, Commander. Many people have become of the opinion that Earth shouldn't be so eager to make contact and form alliances with other species," he stressed. "It's possible that some of Earth's xenophobic factions may be behind the explosion. That of course would mean they have infiltrated Starfleet quite invasively," he added thoughtfully.
"Unfortunately that's what it looks like, Sir," Trip replied.
"If only two people, aside from Captain Archer and Commander T'Pol, went down to the planet, perhaps they should be kept in confinement until it can be ascertained which one of them is our traitor, Commander. Although for the moment the information in your possession points only in one direction, really."
Trip flinched. The idea of locking Malcolm in the brig was not one he was ready to consider. "Sir, assuming the data we were given is genuine and the explosive was indeed planted by someone from Enterprise, I'm not sure it would really help. It might be better just to keep a close eye on them, put them under pressure and perhaps cause our man to make a false move."
Even through the screen Trip could see that Gardner was studying him closely.
"Lieutenant Reed is not new to doing things behind his Captain's back," Gardner said meaningfully, and Trip cringed. "I know about his past connections with Covert Ops. Captain Archer tried to minimise the Lieutenant's responsibility when your CMO was abducted a few months ago, saying that Reed had been put in an impossible position and that in the end he showed his loyalty to Starfleet," Gardner continued. "But this time it looks like he may be beyond rescue, Commander."
"Sir, I've known Lieutenant Reed for a few years now and I won't believe he's a traitor until crushing proof is before my eyes," Trip replied firmly. "Besides, if I may, something isn't right; it's too obvious. Lieutenant Reed would never do such a poor job. I think someone is trying to frame him. I would appreciate if you could help us dig up information on the other man who went down to that planet, Sir, Ensign Timothy Brown."
"Of course." Gardner paused. "I see your point Commander, believe me, but I also happen to know that you and Lieutenant Reed are good friends. I urge you not to let this cloud your judgement."
"I won't let friendship interfere with duty, Admiral, I promise," Trip replied tiredly. It would be a difficult thing to do, but he knew he had to manage somehow.
Gardner nodded. "Buy time with the Raans; make a formal apology and try to restore friendly relations." After a moment he added, "I'm afraid that if no conclusive evidence is found, I will have to order you to confine Mr. Reed and bring him back to Earth where he will face a court martial."
Trip clenched his jaws. He hoped it wouldn't come to this. "Aye, Sir," he replied.
"Keep me apprised of the situation, especially of any changes in Captain Archer's and Commander T'Pol's conditions. I wish you good work, Commander." Gardner nodded and the screen went blank.
TBC