A/N: Oh, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed writing that last chapter! And since I love Malcolm as much as Archer (just not so much as Trip!), I had the same pleasure in creating his Xyrillian counterpart. I hope you enjoy getting to know him too. And any similarities to a certain tactical officer are purely intentional ;o)
Violations
Chapter Sixteen - Allies And Enemies
Yes, they had them. All of them. Trena'l. Ah'Len. His whole damn crew. All now safely in custody. And there was no doubt in Jon's mind now, that none of them had a hope in hell of getting away.
The Kerren's commanding officer had made that clear, as soon as Hoshi had transferred his call to the privacy of his ready room. As chief aide, and tactical officer, to Governor Sha'len, Major Tol'ren took his job seriously. More so, even, than Malcolm.
The more he studied him, though, the more Jon understood the cause for that oddly familiar sense of no nonsense directness. Not just anger against the fugitives he'd been pursuing for so long, but guilt for their actions too. If this had been Malcolm in the same position, having to face the victims of those they'd terrorised – yes, Jon had no doubt that his head of security would have felt the same degree of embarrassment.
"On behalf of my Government, Captain, we owe you our thanks, and our apologies," he said at last, adding to the one that Sha'len had already given him, Jon noted, with the same sincerity. "We have been pursuing Trena'l for some time, but he has always managed to evade capture."
Despite his anger at what Trip had gone through at the Xyrillian's hands, Jon still managed to smile. There was a world of difference between Trena'l and the security officer who'd taken him into custody. It made speaking with him, and forging this vital relationship of co-operation, just so much easier.
"I can understand that. By using that cloak on us, we found out ourselves how resourceful he is."
'…not to mention a sick son of a bitch, who's put one of my crew… my friend… through total hell.'
For the sake of their new alliance, Jon kept those thoughts behind a mantle of polite understanding. With Trena'l now safely out of harm's way, he could relax a little, and also satisfy his curiosity – noting with wry gratitude that Major Tol'ren had almost anticipated his still carefully tactful questions.
"Governor Sha'len told me that before he became a fugitive, he was a genuinely renowned scientist?"
"Yes, Captain, that's correct. He and Ah'Len headed the original project for our survival program."
Jon knew his reaction must have betrayed him now, since the face in front of him grew awkward again. As he'd expected, from speaking to Sha'len earlier, his aide's voice also betrayed the same, helpless sadness.
"I'm afraid our world has been left uninhabitable, Captain, by a sequence of natural disasters. The greatest hazard, regrettably, of our planet's location. Radiation has stripped away the protection of our atmosphere, leaving our population exposed to its worst effects."
With what he already knew, and from what Trip had been put through, Jon simply nodded this time – putting the pieces together for himself, while Tol'ren completed the full, tragic picture.
"We've managed to re-locate most of our people to other planets, but… I'm afraid for some of them, it will be too late."
Again, Jon nodded, in sympathy for the Xyrillians' plight, and their Government's desperate fight to save them. Relocating their entire population to other planets would take time, that many of them didn't have. That explained the massive ship, which had left its latest run to help them take Trena'l into custody.
But as its commander now sadly told him, its size couldn't change the awful need for its purpose.
"In many ways, Captain, we have superior technology, just as advanced as yours. But in others, we are still so very fragile."
"With some exceptions, I don't know many civilizations who aren't," Jon agreed just as softly, pulling himself out of these sober thoughts so that he could listen properly to what Tol'ren said next.
"Thank you, Captain. Your empathy for our situation is much appreciated, especially with the situation you and your crew have been put through at Trena'l's hands. There can be no excuse for his actions. Using the program intended to ensure the survival of his own people, for his own, self serving purposes… well, Captain, I share your anger towards him. Such actions are reprehensible, and beyond forgiveness."
From Jon's quiet nod of agreement, the anger on the Xyrillian's face turned back into awkwardness. His voice into a further, quiet apology
"I am just sorry that your Commander Tucker was among his victims. I hope he will recover, and… well, that he won't see us as I know he will see Trena'l and his crew. We are a peaceful people, Captain. I can only hope that, in time, Commander Tucker will regain enough trust in us to believe that."
Another sincere apology - answered with an equally grateful smile.
"He'll be fine… and he knows Trena'l was acting against your Council's orders," Jon assured him, driven by more than curiosity to make the request that a still vulnerable friend couldn't make himself. "All I would ask is that whatever punishment your tribunal imposes on them will fit their crime."
For the first time since they'd made contact, the Xyrillian mustered up a brief but satisfied smile. His demeanor, and quiet, measured responses reminded Jon so much now of a certain tactical officer. It was, he mused through a grateful smile, an increasingly reassuring thought - especially when he saw, and heard, the resolve in the Major's eyes.
"You can depend on that, Captain. For all the crimes they've committed, they will be punished. As I said before, we are a peaceful people. But there are those, such as Trena'l, who abuse our laws and customs. Our penal colony on Hellia has been specifically built for such… purposes."
Again, Jon felt a rush of approval, and relief, run through him. Not just at what Tol'ren had said, but the way he'd said it. If Trena'l and his crew were expecting an easy ride, or any kind of pardon for what they'd done - well, they were clearly in for one hell of a shock. It made the Major's next words even sweeter.
"I assume that, at some point, you will wish to speak to the prisoners?"
Inwardly, at least, Jon had to smile as he considered his two instinctive responses to Tol'ren's offer. Talk to Trena'l? Yes, he was strangely looking forward to that. Finding the slightest reason to shove his fist down his throat? Yes, he was definitely looking forward to that.
"For Commander Tucker's sake, and mine… yes, Major. I'd appreciate that," he said at last, still smiling to cover up the delay in answering the Major's question. "But first, I would appreciate it if I can bring my team on board, to examine their ship. For my report to Starfleet, and… well, for whatever action you take yourselves, I'd like to collect as much evidence for what happened to Commander Tucker as possible."
With uncanny speed, Tol'ren was already nodding, in anticipation for what he'd asked. 'More and more like Malcolm' Jon thought, through a broadening smile.
"Yes, of course, Captain. If you wish to come now, I will ensure that all of your requirements are met."
Breaking the connection, Jon sat for several moments, in more serious thoughts toward his tactical officer. He'd need Malcolm's help, for sure, to find that crucial evidence. He was equally sure, too, that his security chief was just itching for some payback against Trena'l himself. And the sooner they did this, the sooner he could get back to Trip, and devote his time and support to the person who really deserved it.
Rising to his feet, he left his ready room, and strode the short distance to the Bridge. Just as he'd expected, Malcolm was at his station, meeting his eyes with a quizzically hopeful glance. A smile, and nod, was all he needed to get to his feet, patching a call through to his team, while Jon cast his approving smile to Hoshi.
"Hoshi, please contact Major Tol'ren again. Tell him we're on our way."
Watching her place the call back to the Kerren, Jon returned each one of the encouraging glances that followed him and Malcolm into the lift with his best attempt at a smile. The expression on Malcolm's face told him why those glances had been needed. God knew what they were about to face. About to find. But all of them knew what it had led to. And all of them knew that it wouldn't be good.