Stardate 3199.73
Malachi hadn't slept much in more than a week. Blattner, Ramos and many of the other officers were in the same boat. Doctor Ghazoul was on them to get some rest. They refused, for the most part, to comply.
He told himself would sleep when he got the chance. Since the vast majority of the work was being done by lower ranking officers and enlisted personnel, Malachi made sure they got more rest. He didn't want mistakes being made on the repairs because of a tired crew.
The intercom beeped. It was Lloyd who was at the communications station.
"Mr. Malachi, message coming through."
"Can you patch it down here?"
"Mr. Chin believes you should come up here for this."
"On my way."
Malachi turned to Ramos, who was busy organizing the repair crews. Every crew member that could be spared was working with the engineering staff to complete the repairs. The Sargon wasn't the only ship in the area working on repairs, but the other ship was Klingon.
"Tony, how are things going?"
"Slower than I would like, but I rather be thorough than fast, especially since we have to wait for the Murdoch to arrive."
"It also gives us a chance to keep an eye on the Klingons. I have to go up to the bridge. Finish your shift and get some shut-eye. You're no good to us if you are so tired you're making mistakes."
"The same goes for you," Ramos said. "When's the last time you had any sleep?"
"I'm alright," Malachi said. "I'll get some when Blattner gets back on duty in a couple of hours." He lied. He really didn't want to sleep and feared he couldn't if he tried. He fought to keep thoughts of his wife and child from intruding into his consciousness. He feared it would inhabit his dreams while he lay in the arms of Morphus.
"You better," Ramos said. "We need you on the top of your game as well."
"I will, mother." Malachi started to walk away. "Hopefully, this will be Starfleet."
In a few moments, he was walking on to the bridge. Chin got up, allowing Malachi to sit in the captain's chair.
"Put the message on screen," Malachi said.
Instead of a Starfleet officer, a Klingon admiral's face appeared on the screen.
"Sargon," the Klingon said, his mouth moving like a character in an old Godzilla movie thanks to the computer translator. "This is the Klingon Imperial Warship Kamin, Admiral Ul'Rict commanding. Who am I addressing?"
"Lieutenant John Malachi in command. What do you want?" Malachi wasn't in the mood to chat with the people who killed his wife, captain and many of his fellow officers.
"Where is your captain? Why does he dishonor me by forcing me to address a junior officer," Ul'Rict said, his scarred and ancient drawn up into a frown.
"I am in command of the Sargon," Malachi countered. "Our captain died during the battle."
"Your captain was a great warrior," Ul'Rict said. "His tactics during the battle were nothing like I have seen during my many years of battle. Many captains would have succumbed in a battle outnumbered four to one. His family should be honored to have such a warrior."
"Captain Rice died on the Starbase you bastards destroyed," Chin shouted. "Mr. Malachi commanded the ship during the battle." Chin hoped the fact that the Klingon admired the tactics of someone he believed was an equal, but was, in reality, a lower ranking command officer would be shameful to the honor of the Klingon officer.
It wasn't.
Malachi shot her a look that told her to keep her big mouth shut.
"You were in command during the battle?" the Klingon asked, a bit amazed. "You fight like an older warrior for one so young."
"I'm sure you're not calling to complement me on my battle tactics," Malachi said. "What do you want?"
"You are correct. To make an offer and to ask a favor," the Klingon said. "Our repairs are complete and since, in the days since the battle, no Starfleet vessel has appeared, I thought I would offer any assistance or materials you might need to assist in your repairs."
"I don't believe we are in need of anything at the moment, but I will check with our engineering staff," Malachi said. "What do you need?"
"We do not have transporter capability and haven't been able to repair it," Ul'Rict said.
"We are not going to give you any of our transporter technology," Malachi said curtly.
"No, and I do not ask for it. What I am asking is for a favor. Would it be possible for your ship to transport the bodies of our dead near your vessel to our cargo bay? Their families should have a body to grieve over."
Since they couldn't fight, Malachi thought he would accept the olive branch and provide assistance to the Klingons. He knew there would be some on the Sargon who would be angered, but since Ul'Rict made the first move, it would be ungentlemanly not to accept the Klingon's peaceful offer.
"Chin," Malachi said. "Get a list of supplies we need and have it sent to the Klingons." He turned to Ul'Rict. "If you can supply any of it, let us know. Meanwhile, send us the coordinates of your cargo bay and we will begin to transport bodies to your ship."
"Thank you. You are a man with honor," Ul'Rict said. "May the next time we meet be over blood wine. Kamin out."
The screen went dark and Malachi realized that every eye was on him.
No one said anything. Finally, Chin spoke.
"What the fuck! Are you out of your fucking mind? They killed the captain! They killed Lisa! And you are fucking helping them!"
Malachi got up in a fury raced across the bridge until his nose was only an inch from Chin's.
"Mr. Chin," he hissed. "I am your superior officer and if you ever address me or any member of this crew in that manner again I will have you court martialed.
"Secondly, who are you to question my orders? I am in command of this ship until Starfleet says otherwise. My orders are to be followed without question. Is that understood?"
Chin said nothing, just nodding her head in agreement while attempting to keep her eyes fixed on Malachi's.
"Lastly, I don't need you to tell me what the Klingons did. I know they destroyed Starbase 4. I know they killed the captain. I know they killed…." His voice trailed off and he gulped hard. A tear trickled from his eye. "I know they killed Lisa. I don't need you to remind me."
It was obvious that the pair of officers — who were very close friends — were at the breaking point. Their lack of sleep and the stress of the past few days had taken their toll. Leitter had already contacted Scott Blattner and the plan they discussed with Chin and the medical staff was put in motion.
As Malachi was finishing chewing out Chin, Dr. Williamson appeared on the bridge.
"OK, Chin, time for sleep," he said. "You have been up too long and now it is obvious you need sleep."
"No, I'm fine," she said in protest.
"Mr. Malachi, if you could assist me in taking Mr. Chin to her quarters, it would be appreciated," Williamson said.
"Sure," he said. "I'm going to engineering anyways. Mr. Lloyd, you have the conn."
Chin complained loudly as the two superior officers escorted her to quarters. Malachi threatened to have security drag her to her quarters if she didn't cooperate.
When the trio walked in, two orderlies grabbed Malachi while Williamson put a hypospray of sedative to his neck.
"What?" Malachi asked, surprised. "What are you doing?"
"Sorry, John," Chin said. "But you haven't slept in days and this was a good way of getting you to lie down. Repairs are proceeding and we can get along without you for a few hours. Don't worry; we'll follow your orders in regards to the Klingons."
Malachi was trying to argue, demanding, groggily, that an antidote be administered.
Soon he was asleep.
"Give me a hand getting him into bed," Chin said to the others. They lifted the limp body of their commander and placed him into bed. Chin removed his boots, shirt and pants, leaving only his boxers.
"That should keep him out for a while," Chin said. "He'll thank us later." It was then she felt the hypospray being used on her.
She spun around to face Williamson.
"Sorry Mr. Chin, but Ghazoul ordered you to sleep as well and we might as well kill two birds with one stone."
"You fucking bastard," she said as the drug started to take effect. "I am so going to kick your sorry ass…." She started to fall to the floor and was caught by the orderlies.
"Where should we put her?" one asked.
"Put her in the bed," Williamson said. "They're going to be out for a while."
Stardate 3205.69
Chin woke up first.
Her head was on Malachi's chest. She could smell his scent, which was very powerful since he hadn't taken any time off for days, even to shower.
That's when she took a whiff of herself. She wasn't any better, having been on duty for the most part of six straight days. Everyone was pretty much in the same boat — showers had become rare among the crew. It's something that happens when people work long hours and get minimum sleep. Crew members just learned to deal with the stink and do their jobs. But since things were going well, Chin reasoned, might as well freshen up a bit.
"Up and at 'em, I guess," she said, getting up. Thankfully, Williamson didn't take her uniform off before dumping her in the bed.
She looked at Malachi as he slept.
Her heart ached for him. She couldn't imagine what he was going through. She didn't have a boyfriend and her last one was over four years ago. She told anyone who asked — particularly Lisa Malachi — that there wasn't anyone on board who interested her. But she was lying.
She was in love in John Malachi.
Of course, she would never tell anyone. She figured that eventually, one of them would be transferred from the Sargon and the feelings would go away as the distance between them increased.
He was her friend, helping her when she needed it both on duty and off, before he was her commander. His wife became one of her closest friends. She didn't want to love him, but she couldn't help herself.
He was one of the nicest people Chin ever knew. He was a strict but fair officer.
And the way he treated his wife made many of the female members of the crew wish they had someone who treated them the same way. He was gentle and caring towards Lisa. Chin had no trouble imagining being treated the same way by him.
She also imagined he was great in the sack. Though Lisa never directly said her husband was a great lover, it was obvious to anyone who saw the couple during their off-duty hours that Lisa was very strongly attracted to her husband physically. That spoke volumes as to his talents.
Now he was in Chin's bed.
She gazed at him. His chest, while not overly muscled, was toned and lightly covered in hair. His brown hair was tussled and he needed a shave. He wasn't what one would classically good looking, but he wasn't bad looking by any means. He just was a decent looking man. And did he need a shower.
He was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
She grabbed a robe and headed for the shower. She decided she was going to take a water shower as a treat to her tired body.
The hot water cascaded down her back, easing the tension in her muscles. She took a small step back, allowing the water to flow down her shoulders, across her breasts and down her legs.
It wasn't as good as a good, long soak in a hot tub, but she wasn't going to complain. She enjoyed it a minute before starting to wash.
It was only as she started to clean her most personal region did she remember that she hadn't taken her pills for nearly a week.
She didn't take them in order not to get pregnant — she hadn't had sex for nearly five years — but to keep herself regular and keep the cramps to a minimum.
"Damn," she thought. "I'll have to get something from sickbay before the cramps start."
She was almost finished with her shower when she heard his voice.
"Eh, hello? I kinda hafta use the head."
"I can stand it if you can," she called back. "I have to finish up, but if you can't wait, go ahead, I promise I won't peek."
Since he had been asleep for nearly 14 hours, he couldn't wait. Faced with the choice of watering the plants or relieving himself in front of Chin, Malachi buried his modesty and used the head.
He was tucking it back in, when she opened the shower doors and stepped out, wearing nothing but a thick, warm robe.
"Why don't you take a quick shower," she suggested. "Williamson left a note telling us that we have been ordered off duty for 24 hours. We have at least nine hours left. You might as well enjoy a hot shower. I'll get you a robe. Besides, you smell like holy hell."
"You're probably right," he conceded. "I probably should go back to my quarters."
"It would be a good idea," she said. "But do you want to go back there yet?"
"No. No, I don't."
She left to get a robe while he climbed into the shower.
After hanging the robe in the bathroom, Chin ordered a carafe of coffee from the replicator and sat down on the couch to relax. While she was mad at Williamson for what he did, she had to admit she felt better than she had in days. Malachi probably did as well. It's amazing what a few hours of shuteye will do when you need it. She looked at her legs and wished she would have shaved.
She was tempted to contact the bridge to see how repairs were going, but resisted the urge. She only had a few hours off duty left and she was going to try to stay away. Besides if they needed her, they only had to call.
After about 20 minutes, Malachi came out of the bathroom. Chin's robe was a tight fit. She was tall, but not as tall as he was, but he definitely was much stockier than her.
He took a seat on the couch and poured a cup of coffee.
Neither said anything. The tension soon became thick.
"John, I'm sorry," Chin said. "I shouldn't have talked to you that way, even if you weren't in command."
"It's ok."
"No. No, it isn't. She was your wife and my friend. There isn't anyone on this ship I am as close to as I am to Lisa and you. It hurts me John. It hurts me also because it is hurting you.
"If that wasn't bad enough, it was disrespectful to you as an officer, my commander and my friend and I'm sorry. I should have trusted that you would do what is best."
He didn't say anything. Chin thought he was mad at her. That's what I get for trying to help, she thought.
She looked over and saw that he was crying.
She slid over next to him and put her arms around him.
Malachi started to sob. Chin held him and cried.
He hadn't thought of what happened, but now he had no choice. He didn't want to walk back into their quarters, the memories, he thought, would be too much for him to bear. Talking to Chin opened the way for the pain to go and it was going. He tried not to cry, but there was no stopping it now. Besides, he found it comforting to be held by her.
After a while, he stopped and looked up. Chin looked at him, their faces close. She tilted her head slightly. He moved a bit closer and stopped. Chin moved towards him until her lips met his.
Their lips met for only a few moments before she pulled back.
She looked into his eyes, but said nothing. He, likewise, was quiet.
Chin reached up, placing her hand on his cheek and kissed him again, this time with more feeling. Her mouth was open, but he didn't react, so she did, slipping her tongue into his mouth. He didn't fight it.
She was ready to melt when they broke off the kiss.
"Ah, Amy…" he said.
"Sorry, John, I just thought you might need something," she said.
"It's ok," he said, kissing her, slipping his hand under her robe, taking comfort in touching her and in her touch.
Blattner looked at his watch.
Malachi and Chin were late and they were never late.
"Computer," he said. "Locate Malachi and Chin."
"Lts. Malachi and Chin are on Deck 33, room 20," the computer said.
Blattner opened a channel to Chin's quarters. "Morning you two, you're 15 minutes late," he said.
"Sorry," Malachi said. "We'll be there in a few after we get some clothes on. I mean I have to get some clothes from my quarters."
Heads all over the bridge turned with that comment.
"Don't worry sir. I'll have a yeoman bring you your uniform."
"Thanks, Scott."
"You better hurry. The Murdoch will be here in about a half an hour."
"We'll be on our way as soon as we can," Malachi said before shutting down the channel.
He turned to Chin, who was still naked and snoozing.
"Amy! We're late for duty."
She bounced up.
"You better get dressed quick, there's a yeoman coming with my uniform."
"I know, I know," she said as she fastened her bra. She quickly got the rest of her uniform on and dashed into the bathroom to check her appearance.
Meanwhile, Smith came with the uniform.
Malachi was putting on his boots when she came out of the bathroom.
"John, about what just happened. I'll understand if you want to act like it didn't happen," Chin said.
"No, it happened. I'm not one to duck from these things. I just can't help feeling like I'm cheating on her, even if I'm not, technically."
"I feel I have betrayed a friend, but sometimes making love is exactly what someone who is grieving needs," she said. "If you need to again, I would be willing." She couldn't believe she was saying that. Sometimes, she thought, I need to keep my mouth shut.
"I might take you up on that sooner than you think," he said. "I have a lot to think through still, but thanks."
He gave her a quick kiss and the pair left her quarters for the bridge.
Her pills remained untouched in the bathroom.
When Chin and Malachi walked on to the bridge, every eye was on them. Malachi didn't notice, or at least didn't give the appearance that he did. Chin couldn't help but notice. She looked at Wanda Thorne and was greeted with a glare.
"Great," she thought. "It will be all around the ship in minutes and the gossip will taking a life of its own."
Because the crew works, lives and plays together, they become close. Since there were only a few hundred, everyone soon learned everyone's business. The look that she got from some of the bridge crew told her what they thought.
But they didn't understand. They weren't there. Besides, some were probably jealous. She would just have to ignore them and do her job.
Chin didn't care what they thought of her, but what the crew thought of Malachi was a different matter. He was in command and had to have the respect of the crew. So she would deny that anything happened to protect him.
"Protect him?" she thought. "Man, I must be head over heels for him." Deep down she knew she was. She felt like a little girl after her crush gave her a kiss, except she and John shared something much more intimate.
While she felt better — and definitely more relaxed — than she had in weeks, Chin knew she had to concentrate on her job and not think about it. She wondered if he would have the same problem. She hoped he did.
"The Murdoch is hailing us, Mr. Malachi," Thorne said.
"On screen."
The screen lit up to reveal a blond haired woman sitting in a captain's chair.
"This is the USS Sargon, Lt. John Malachi commanding."
"Greeting, Sargon. This is the USS Murdoch, Commander Ashley Anders in command."
"Greeting, Commander Anders and the crew of the Murdoch, and welcome," Malachi said. "Have you orders for us? Perhaps a commanding officer?"
Blattner looked at Malachi. The ship had a commander, why was he asking for another? Of course, he knew. Malachi felt he was raw, in spite of the battle, and didn't have the rank to command a front of the line starship. But he probably didn't realize how the crew viewed him.
He was fast becoming a god.
His willingness to fight and toughness under fire earned the respect of everyone. His care for the crew members' well being during and after the battle showed that he valued each and every member of the crew. He was already well-thought of by those who worked directly with him. Those who didn't were learning what his closest officers and crew members already knew — John Malachi was an officer you wanted to serve with and work for.
"Our orders are to assist you in repairs, to act as a communications rely until the crew arrives to rebuild the Starbase and to put any bodies in stasis until we can return the bodies to earth," Anders said.
"After we have completed our repairs, please transfer the bodies of our officers to our cargo bay," Malachi said.
"Sorry, our orders are to take the bodies to earth," Anders said. "Besides we have the equipment to store that many bodies, you don't."
Malachi knew she was right, but he still wanted the crew to have some closure. He would have to accomplish that some other way.
"Since you haven't been in command for long," Anders said. "I'll send over some of the duties you will need to do as commander, particularly everyone's favorite — paperwork and reports."
"Thanks," Malachi said. He was beginning to feel lost, particularly when it came to the paperwork. There weren't any senior officers on board to coach him through that maze. It was good that Anders was willing to help out. "Our engineering staff will contact yours to help us finish up."
"If there are any supplies we can provide, just let us know," Anders said.
"Actually, the Klingons gave us the few items we didn't have," Blattner said.
"You accepted supplies from the Klingons?" Anders asked, surprised.
"They needed assistance in transporting their dead to their ship and they offered to give us any supplies they could spare," Blattner said. "They even sent over a bottle of blood wine."
"Since they were willing to bury the hatchet, so to speak, I thought we should be willing to do the same," Malachi said. "Though some members of my crew were angered by my decision, I believe it was the right thing to do."
"That happens sometimes." Anders said. "Welcome to command. I take it those who were angry were able eventually to agree with your position?"
"I'm sure she was along with a number of other positions," Thorne whispered to herself, loud enough for Chin and Blattner to hear. Chin shot her a dirty look. There wasn't much more she could do given that Thorne, technically, outranked her. Blattner, however, could do something and he intended to later.
"Yes. Everything is kosher. I'll have our engineering staff contact yours."
"Aye," Anders said. "Murdoch out."
The screen went dark. Malachi turned towards Blattner.
"Mr. Blattner, put Lts. Malachi and Chin on report for reporting to duty late,"
"You're putting yourself on report?" Blattner asked.
"Yes. Rules are rules and they apply to everyone, including me.
"How are repairs proceeding?"
"Mr. Ramos believes we should be ready to go in about a day."
"Good," Malachi said, getting up from the chair. "I'm going to check on his progress. Afterwards, I'll be in sickbay explaining to the good Drs. Ghazoul and Williamson that they are not to drug officers on this vessel. You have the conn, Mr. Blattner."
Malachi walked off the bridge.
After the turbolift doors shut, Blattner turned to the communications officer.
"Mr. Thorne, please contact the Murdoch for me."