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Xrey tried to calm his racing heart. This was not the moment to let his poor condition affect him. The Shinxes had left him alone in his cell, strapped to his chair, with precise orders to follow. He closed his hand around the remote control with which he was to warn them that he was giving Archer the last, dazzling impression, so they could take advantage of his confusion and implement their evil plan. They were so sure of themselves that the idea that he might instead send a warning vision to Reed had not even occurred to them. It was risky, of course. If Reed did not avert the abduction, Xrey and his family would be the first to suffer. But if things went well, instead, his species, the Thers, would avoid the danger of being ruled and oppressed by ruthless thugs. Well, what was done was done. Now he had to summon his last energies and hope that Lieutenant Reed would not fail him…
Malcolm would have preferred to stand behind the negotiating table, where he could keep the diplomats under tighter observation, but there were precise protocols to be followed. Sitting beside Archer, he tried to look interested in the proceedings, while furtively studying the Shinxes and the Ravajas, who were sitting in pairs on each side of them. The formers were short and stout and looked rather too aggressive for his liking. Their jaundiced complexion and eyes as black as pitch undoubtedly did not help. They appeared rather fidgety, which did nothing to ease Malcolm's mind. The Ravajas were also short, but much more graceful in build and bearing. Their faces were rather unreadable. Although they appeared less mercurial, they gave Malcolm the idea that nothing would make them budge from their position. The most peculiar feature about them was their two mouths, one on top of the other. From what Malcolm could tell, they were not interchangeable, but so far, he had not been able to figure out what made the Ravajas use one or the other. Not that he was paying much attention to that. The atmosphere was rather electric.
"Ambassadors, let me reassure you, we are only here to try and help, and we take a totally neutral stance in these negotiations," Archer was saying, at which the Shinx ambassador, on Malcolm's left, let out a grunt, whereas the Ravaja, sitting next to the Captain, did not make a sound.
"I don't see any reason for your presence here, Captain," the Shinx ambassador barked. "We can settle this question amongst ourselves."
"But that's precisely what we haven't been able to do," the Ravaja ambassador countered. "After months of fighting we haven't got anywhere. The loss of life has reached unacceptable levels."
Archer raised pacifying hands. "Gentlemen, please… I would think that there's enough water on this planet for both your needs."
"The Ravajas want to colonize it, to annex it to their world…"
"And the Shinxes? Is it only water they are interested in or…"
The Shinx ambassador jumped to his feet. "Keep your mouths shut!"
In a moment they were all standing, Malcolm included, whose hand rushed to the leg pocket in which he had his phase pistol. This mediation was not boding too well.
Archer narrowed his eyes in irritation. "Gentlemen, I will not have you shouting accusations at each other," he said in a cold and firm tone of voice. "Please return to your seats."
There was grumbling, but eventually they were all sitting down again.
Archer frowned and turned to cast a cutting look around the table. "What did you mean by your last words? What else is of interest to you on this planet?"
Malcolm noticed the Shinx ambassador's eyes hurl daggers at his rival. Both species seemed hesitant to answer, giving the impression that they shared a secret they did not want to reveal. When the Ravaja finally spoke, Malcolm noticed that, for whatever reason, he used his lower mouth.
"Nothing in particular, Captain," he muttered, avoiding Archer's gaze. "The issue is that each of us want this planet for ourselves. For the water, you see."
Archer seemed reluctant to accept that explanation, but eventually he said, "Very well, then, let's hear both your requests." He turned to his right. "Ambassador…"
As if someone had turned down the volume, Archer's voice faded in the background. Malcolm took a quick intake of air, for his sight had begun to swim. It was happening again, the blasted thing! Before his mind's eye was the same negotiation table with the same people around it, but things were happening in slow motion, and he did not like what he was seeing… The two Shinx diplomats were standing up and, out of nowhere, phase pistols had appeared in their hands… They fired… The Ravajas doubled over…
Malcolm's heart missed a beat. He could not risk disregarding this vision, no matter how much he might regret it later. "Lieutenant?" he heard Archer ask, and when he refocused on the present, he found himself already on his feet, phase pistol in hand. Before he could point it at the Shinxes, however, something hit him on the head, and all went black.
"You betrayed us!"
On his haunches, Xrey cowered in a corner of the room and wrapped his arms over his head. "No, I did give him the impression, honestly…"
A foot connected painfully with his side, making him gasp for air.
"You gave it to the other Human! You warned him!"
"No, I targeted the wrong person by mistake, I couldn't see clearly…" Xrey whimpered.
One of the Shinx took a threatening step towards him. "If it was a mistake, why didn't you give us the agreed signal with the remote control?"
Xrey scampered away, "I was confused… I haven't been in water for too long… I'm exhausted… You don't understand what energy it takes to-"
"You almost made our plan fail!"
"But it didn't fail, you have captured the Captain and the other human. Please, let me and my family go!"
The more authoritative of the Shinxes passed a frustrated hand through his hair. "It still might fail. Things got out of hand and Archer has been wounded," he said darkly.
The second Shinx shrugged. "You worry too much. It didn't look like a serious wound."
"You idiot! We don't know anything about these Humans' physiology!" the first one barked. "What if he dies? We need him alive! You had to go and shoot him!"
The other Shinx took an angry step towards his partner. "He was coming at me, after you'd knocked the other one down!" He narrowed his gaze. "We'll make sure Starfleet gets us what we want. Then Archer and the other man can die, for all we care."
After the Shinxes had left, Xrey dropped to sit on the floor, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. His plan had failed. He had not foreseen that Reed would react so improvidently, under the influence of his vision, giving the Shinxes time to take him out. Now there was nothing else he could do. He had spent his very last ounces of energy on that last impression, and even if he had any strength left, what good would impressing anyone now do?
The door opened, and his wife Xaya and son Xrollit were pushed in. As soon as they saw him, they rushed to his side.
"I'm so sorry," he said to them, his voice cracking.
