31
"I've made a mess of things." A young girl said, solid copper arms folded in front of her.
"You're, I think, you're Treve's little sister, aren't you?" Lili asked. "Yimar, right?"
"Yes. And you are a human, right? He's, the authorities have him. They, they explained to me. He's taken up with a human."
"I know her," Lili said.
"I don't even know why he's in custody." the girl said.
"Well, Yimar, I can't begin to tell you," Lili said.
"But you're a grownup." Yimar sighed. "I never wanted this. I am just a kid! But that, that human, she pointed to me at the festival and I ended up in, in charge."
"Then if you're in charge, you can pardon him, right?"
"I don't know. I barely even know what he's done. Polloria had said he had broken laws, but I'm confused. I know that she did. I know that Father did. But Treve? All he did was get away."
"I don't think Polloria exactly has a reputation for truthfulness," Lili pointed out. "Do you?"
"No, I don't suppose she does. And now she's on your side, anyway. I don't suppose what she says should continue to hold any water. Still, I hate that these things are my decision. I feel so unprepared."
"On the other side," Lili said, "my understanding is that it's more like a constitutional monarchy. The High Priestess is more of a figurehead. So they still find it odd that I suggested a multitude of priestesses, but the reality is, the High Priestess isn't a lawmaker at all."
"Huh. There is a government panel here, but I'm supposed to be running it. And I'd rather just be, well, doing anything else. And I'm being approached by men and boys."
"Oh? I think you're a little young for that."
"I know I am." Yimar agreed. "Telling me I'm pretty, when I know I'm not. I'm just a mass of arms and legs, I feel. I bump into things all the time. My mother was, she was graceful and lovely and I'm not that at all."
"I bet she was just as awkward when she was your age."
"You're kind," Yimar said, "I know that Treve had a part in the human woman coming here. But that is our way – plus, I don't think the human woman is too upset about it now. Father, well, Father and Baden, they were a part of harming Mother. Baden is gone to your side as well. It seems that only Father is accepting his punishment."
"They'll be punished on the other side, I'm sure. It's a lot for you to worry about. Maybe trust in the other side's, my side's, system of laws and justice."
"They should dole out the worst punishment to Polloria. I should have done it from the beginning, but I didn't really understand it. I think I understand it now."
"What's your worst punishment? Is it the death penalty?"
"No," Yimar said, "We have, it's funny. When my mother was first being, well, let's call it what it was, poisoned, once the potassium got to a certain level, it had this effect: it cut her off from the night people. We speak to any and all on the night side. As a High Priestess, we often don't have someone special. I think it's that men can be a bit, well, star struck."
"You're famous."
"Yes. I can barely imagine what it was like for her. Do you have famous, famous humans? The kind that you have crushes on and sigh about and think are wonderful but don't know you exist?"
"Sure we do. Artists, baseball players, that kind of thing. About ten years ago, I met Lefty Robinson at a ballgame. I was looking for his autograph. He looked at me with these big, green eyes and asked me who to write the autograph to. And I babbled and by the time I was able to take a look at the autograph, I realized he'd made it out to 'Lisa' and not Lili." she smiled. "He was far younger than I am and definitely not someone I would have enjoyed really spending a lot of time with, but it didn't matter."
"Well, I suddenly am one of those," Yimar said, "It's a lot to take, and a cacophony of noise most of the time. I, I don't really have anyone to help me. At least, no one I can really trust, and my little brother is too young."
"What about Treve?"
"Maybe. But I think he's got his own concerns now, with the human woman."
"New couples can be so into each other that it's to the exclusion of almost everything else," Lili explained.
"I suppose I should find a way to, to pardon him," Yimar said, "I just need to be able to tell the government panel that Baden and Polloria will be punished on the other side, and know it for certain."
=/\=
There was a communications chime.
"Come in," Doug said, turning off Lili's PADD.
It was Malcolm, carrying a pair of sweatpants. "These are courtesy of Crewman Torres, who says you can keep them."
"Oh. Huh, College of William and Mary," Doug read off the front. "Off to the gym, are we?"
"Yes. Thought it would do us both some good. Waiting around can't be pleasant."
"That's very thoughtful of you," Doug said, changing and combing his hair back.
The gym was not too crowded. Hoshi was jogging on a treadmill. Brian Delacroix was pulling on resistance bands.
"Fancy some boxing?" Malcolm asked.
"Hmm. Let me start smaller. Got a speed bag?"
"Over there," Hoshi said, pointing during cool down.
"Thanks," Doug just thought about everything that had been happening. Every time he'd listened to someone yell at him and took it, every time he'd swallowed his thoughts, every time he'd been worried and hadn't shown it. All of this poured into punching. Over and over and over again, faster and faster. Connecting felt good, like he was flooding it out of himself. On and on, blurry hands hitting the bag, knuckles bleeding a little. He finally heard a loud pop and stepped back, shaking his head to break himself out of the trancelike pattern he'd been in.
The bag was shredded.
"Huh, that's never happ –" he started to say, then stopped.
"You don't know your own strength," Hoshi said.
"Or you can't really control it." Malcolm added.
"I can, I can sometimes control it," Doug said, "It's hard to do that all the time. Uh, sorry I broke it."
"There's another one in the back, I'm sure," Malcolm said, "Have you, have you ever thought of training cadets in hand to hand?"
"Reed, did you not just witness this demonstration?" Doug said, "What if that was someone's face?"
"Then you could demonstrate on a heavy bag." Malcolm pointed out. "You have talent. You could probably fell a Klingon or a Vulcan."
"Vulcans, yes. Klingons are wilier, at least on the other side," Doug admitted. "But, Reed, the thing of it is, I don't want to do this anymore."
"Do what?" Brian came over closer, eavesdropping.
Doug positioned himself between Brian and Hoshi and glared at the smaller man. "Uh, man, I don't think she's –"
"Hayes. Hayes." It was Hoshi.
"Huh – huh?" Mental cobwebs again.
"You were saying before?"
"Oh, yes, uh, hi Del. Um, well, I just don't want to do this anymore," Doug relaxed a little.
"If you ever reconsider," Malcolm said, "I think you could have quite a career doing that."
"No." Hoshi smiled. "I think that now Doug wants to be a lover, not a fighter."
"Yeah," Doug said, "The rewards are a lot better. But, huh, I'll think about it. Maybe it could be something I do sometimes."
"Your counterpart taught hand to hand, and marksmanship." Malcolm pointed out. "I was, I was not so receptive to his instructions."
"Jay was a good teacher." Hoshi agreed.
"Wasn't that, um, Reed, Jay's service record – it's got a warning in it. He was reprimanded for hitting a fellow officer," Doug said, "Someone you know?"
"Yes. That would be me," Malcolm said, "Not our finest hours."
=/\=
The dream changed. "Treve?"
"Ah, you've returned."
"I can't really control where I go," Lili said.
"Oh, well, then I shan't flatter myself with thinking you're here because you're looking upon my proposal with favor."
"No, sorry. I saw your sister."
"Then you know that my daylight self is in a prison. Although at this point that seems hardly fair. Still, being warehoused here isn't so bad. At least no potassium injections. Shutting off the night is a horrific punishment, to make it so that one cannot even dream a prison cell away."
"I talked to Yimar about pardoning you."
"Well, that was good of you, but I do hope they don't want me back and trying for a diplomatic career. I'm finding I rather enjoy living out in the open and bringing down food with my bare hands and a knife. I should tell you, I am here because we brought the human male in for treatment. He was becoming difficult and a burden, and slowing us down, actually. Rather worrisome, that. They let Jennifer see me sometimes – albeit not for very long – and she tells me he is making progress but is still a tad delusional, poor fellow."
"Well, at least he's being treated."
"Yes, that's good. I – the real problem is Polloria and Baden on your side of things. She, at the very least, will be plotting something. I do hope my counterpart is prepared."
=/\=
The wall communicator at the gym chimed. Hoshi answered it. "Doug, it's Dr. Phlox."
"Yes?"
"Just about finished here," said the doctor.
"I'll be there soon. Hayes out." he closed the comm link. "Del, can I ask you to do something?"
32
Baden's dream was its usual beauty.
"Miva!" he called out.
"That's Doctor Miva to you," she said, kissing him. They were a tangle of arms, his silvery scrollwork complementing her coppery arms.
"I know that," he said, "And that isn't exactly news."
"Yes, well, I should be treated with respect."
"I treat you with plenty of respect, my love."
"That's true." she agreed. "We have been together a good forty years."
"Do you remember how we met?" he asked, hands around her waist.
"Of course. We were at the Abic Festival. And everyone was meditating and I was sitting with Ennewev and they were all droning on and on."
"And you were listing the bones of the hand in your head."
"I had exams coming up," she said.
"Me, too. And so I answered you – you were stuck on the bones of the Fep finger."
"That's right." she kissed him. "I can't stay long; I'm dozing off in a patient's room. A human male."
"I love you most of all," he said, "Even more than my daylight wife, when I had her. I know that's not supposed to be, but it's true. You and I are better suited for one another."
"I love you almost the same as Ennewev," she said, "Almost."
"I can accept that," he said.
=/\=
Doug toweled off. There was a communications chime. He covered himself and then answered it.
It was Hoshi. "There's going to be an Exec level meeting in two hours. Can you come?"
"Sure, but I don't work for the Enterprise."
"Captain Archer says it concerns you. It's about when we're leaving the Lafa System."
"I'll be out of uniform," he said.
"Doesn't matter. Main Conference Room. See you then. Sato out."
Doug dressed and then thought better of adding the shirt and jacket. Just the tee. "You're gonna get sick of this outfit, Lili," he said to the empty room.
He picked out clothes for her. Jeans. Socks. Sneakers. A grey Mars Culinary Institute hoodie. Turquoise tee shirt. Plain lingerie. "You don't have a lot of sexy things." he mused. "So that'll be one Christmas present."
Phlox was waiting in Sick Bay. "She's very groggy."
He was right. She perked up when she saw him. "Hey, you."
He bent over and kissed her, then sat on a stool next to the bed. "I brought you clothes for when he springs you."
"Oh, good."
"Not the turquoise hoodie, though. You were, um, you were wearing that when you thought you were gonna break up with me."
"That's right," she said weakly. "We should give it to the poor."
He took her hand. "Whatever you want."
Phlox parted the curtain and came into the bed area. "Lieutenant, ah, I see the problem."
"Problem?" Doug asked.
"Heart rate is up, so is respiration. Maybe, uh, give her some time right now. Hold hands later."
"Okay," Doug said, dropping Lili's hand gently onto the bed. "I'll be back later."
"All right," she said, and closed her eyes.
"Doc, are you still handing out naming rights for the operation?" he asked.
"I suppose so."
"Name it after her, if it works."
"The O'Day Procedure?"
"The O'Day Reversal," Doug corrected.
"It's not exactly a re– that word means a lot to you, doesn't it?"
"Yes. It's about turning everything around," Doug explained.
"The O'Day Reversal it is," Phlox said, walking back to another part of Sick Bay.
Doug sat back and looked at her, watching her falling asleep. He had not slept for the entire time she'd been in danger. It was all too much, and his head tipped back. He was sawing logs soon.
=/\=
There were two women, identical but for the color of their arms. They were each holding a weapon.
"Who are you?" Doug asked.
"We are both called Polloria," said the silvery one. "And it's good that we're finally able to have this meeting."
"We've been waiting," said the coppery one.
"Oh?" he looked around the room but it was bare. It looked like the inside of the Calafan Main Hospital and smelled of the same cleaning solution. He could not yet see where he could gain an advantage or escape.
"Oh, yes," said the coppery, ruddy one. "While you've been busily attending to your lady love, there have been many, many plans made."
"And you're going to be right at the centerpiece." agreed the pale one.
"Plans?"
"Yes, Douglas. Oh, don't look so shocked that we know you," said the coppery one. "When we brought the human female down on my side, and we scraped her brain, we found a great deal of information about you. And that was interesting, and I filed it away mentally, wondering when and how I would use it."
"And then the doorway between the sides was shoved open." added the silvery one. "It provided an ideal opportunity. For being High Priestess was a nice idea and all, but it was a small ambition. Now, our ambitions can become considerably, ha, larger." her eyes lingered over a meter lower than his own. Even though he was fully clothed, he involuntarily covered himself for a second.
The ruddy one smiled. "Well, there's that. The female did mention where and how well you'd spread your seed. But also how you'd spread weapons fire. And that was more impressive. One hundred forty-six dead by your own hands! Let's see, fourteen humans, eighty-six Denobulans – and most of them in one day! How efficient!"
"Eleven Andorians. Two Vulcans. One Xrillian. Four Kreetassans. Two Suliban. Oh and twenty-six Klingons! Most impressive. They are big, powerful beasts." added the pale one. "And that's just the ones you got in person. When we count you pressing a lever or pushing a button and using a Tactical station on any ship, well, the figure jumps to the thousands if not tens of thousands."
The ruddy one said, "And I'm – we're – sure there's more where that came from."
"I don't do that anymore," Doug said.
"You will," said the ruddy one.
"I'll refuse."
"Not so fast. You see, we're in your head. And we can get into anyone's head, including your lady love's," said the pale one. "That's one thing no one's told you about these connections – Calafans can alter them as desired, and we can go where we like and see whoever we wish."
"And most of them, foolish, lovesick ones, they waste their time on sex and socializing." added the red one. "But there's more to it than that. For an inferior species such as yourself, we can control your thoughts. Move you in any direction, lead you around by your noses and pull your strings."
"I'll still refuse."
"Oh? These aren't just dreams. You should have figured that out by now. These weapons we are holding – they can still harm you," said the pale one, shooting.
She hit him in the left arm, just above the elbow. Involuntarily, he made a noise and covered his bleeding arm. The wound was painful but didn't seem to be down to the bone. Still, he was bleeding a lot. He applied pressure.
"You really won't like it if I aim about a half a meter down and to my left." the red one said, "Although it would be a pity to lose that."
"Now, you will begin to understand," said the pale one. "We can do this to you. And we can do this to her."
"It's not a real wound," he said.
"Oh, but it is. Just like you can release seed over from one side to the other, we can release firepower. And, you see, at any time, we can invade your woman's dreams," said the pale one.
"And aim this at her head," said the red one. "Or – oh, this would be delicious – how 'bout if it's aimed farther down? When she's carrying your child, let's say? A shot straight to the abdomen will dispatch both."
"Oh, you know how I prefer efficiency." agreed the pale one.
"What do you want from me?"
"Something rather simple. You go in there. Room 116 of the Main Hospital. And all you need to do is, kill the woman in the bed. It's easy. You've done it dozens of times before. Smother her with a pillow, strangle her, bend your knee over her collarbone and snap it, oh, use your imagination," said the red one.
"I can't get there, even if I wanted to."
"Oh, but you're there already," said the red one. "This is a dream, remember? We can get you anywhere. So go and do away with the High Priestess."
"You said that wasn't a big enough ambition for you," Doug said, trying to think of a way to buy time.
"We did. But this is not so much to take care of her – although it is a nice bonus," said the pale one. "Rather, it's to cement our new partnership. And get you back into the swing of killings. After all, it's been a few years. So a simple assignment to start, and then we'll work our way up."
"What's your – what's your bigger scheme?" he asked.
"You. You're going to be our virus. You see, you take care of Yipran. And that will turn you the way we like," said the ruddy one. "And we'll be able to manipulate you as we ... desire." she grinned at him. "And any human you touch and come in contact with – awake or asleep – will pick up on it. Your lady love – you won't be able to avoid touching her for long. Your doctor. Your friends. Everyone from the captain of the vessel to the girl who cleans the carpets. And that vessel will return to your own space, and spread the infection. It'll go to your home world, to your government and wherever your species is. It'll cross over and affect other inferior species, like Denobulans, as well."
"Why me?"
"You're an ideal vector. Strong and capable and with a difficult to control aggressive streak," said the pale one. "And you're here permanently. See, Calafans can shuttle from one side to the other, but no one else can. You're here, and you're head and shoulders above everyone else. You're already a natural battlefield leader and you have a good level of access. And you will pass the connection on, from person to person, and they will pass it on."
"Like a plague."
"A gift." corrected the pale one.
=/\=
"I think Tripp's doctor is asleep," Jennifer said to Beth. "I'll try to wake her."
=/\=
Lili could not stay awake. She drifted away.
Dr. Phlox, not hearing noises, came to check. He saw Doug's bleeding arm and brought over a bandage, and touched Doug on the arm.
=/\=
Baden and Miva's dream was changing. They were in the hospital. And there were eight people in the room, plus the two of them.
=/\=
"My, this is a lively party." the ruddy Polloria said.
Lili went over to Doug. Phlox followed. "You have the same injury in Sick Bay," he said quietly.
Doug swallowed hard. "You were going to tell me," he said, "what your greater goal is."
"Oh, really. Humans are so stupid." the pale Polloria said, "Again. You do as we require. Whatever that is. And by turning you, we get to turn your entire species, in time. And you won't refuse us because we can get to this one at any time." She smiled. "Enough talk. Time for action."
Doug stood at attention, emptying his mind. Lili stared at him. She could hear voices in her head – both Pollorias. They were debating exactly what to do once Doug was turned. Doug was silent.
Lili looked around. Everyone else was being quiet and doing almost the same thing as Doug, with varying degrees of success. Tripp was holding on to Beth's arm. Jennifer was at attention. Phlox was applying pressure to Doug's arm. Baden was holding hands with Miva. No one seemed to be ... thinking.
Wait, her mind said. Don't empty your mind. Fill it.
Don't empty your mind. Fill it.
She took Doug's hand and squeezed it. Don't empty your mind. Fill it.
With what? he seemed to ask, in her head.
Anything. It doesn't matter.
She stared at the others. It doesn't matter. Just – anything. Anything at all.
'The bones of a normal Calafan hand are as follows', Miva thought.
'Once upon a time, there were three little pigs', thought Beth.
Tripp thought, 'To achieve a stable warp field, you must first ...'
Lili thought, 'Recipe for Rosemary-Walnut Focaccia Bread. First, combine two standard packages of quick-rise yeast with ...'
'Long ago, when the universe was young, there was nothing but Lo.' Baden began to think.
Jennifer's thoughts: 'My first boyfriend's name was Robbie Bashir. He kissed me and told me we'd get married. We were both six at the time. My next ...'
Phlox began naming all of his relatives.
Doug thought, 'How to field strip a phase rifle. The basic parts of a phase rifle are as follows: the trigger, the hand grip, the barrel, the sight ...'
The Pollorias looked at each other. "Get them to stop!" called out the pale one.
"It's a diversion!" yelled the red one. "Stay focused!"
The thoughts accumulated to just so much buzzing. It was white noise, just like Lili had heard during the festival. She barely saw Jennifer moving to her right, slowly.
Doug dropped her hand and moved to his left.
'I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in!'
'The Fep finger has three bones ...'
'Feezal 's children are Fenna, ...'
'Bake for forty minutes or until the top is hard and makes a hollow sound if you rap on it with your knuckles.'
'The intermix ratio should be ...'
'David Stevens, then there was ...'
'Those children can now be seen in our stars ...'
'Place the bolt into the locked position ...'
Doug ran at the pale one. Jennifer and Tripp ran at the red one. A shot was fired in the confusion.
There was the sound of several kilos hitting the floor.
"Help him!" came a woman's cry. Phlox ran over.
"Oh, my love," said the injured man. "If I cross over because of saving you, then it is all worthwhile."
Hand held. Blood spilled. Life drained.
Miva looked up, trembling. "He is lost."
Lili felt an arm around her. It was bleeding at just above the elbow. She could feel a shoulder, a neck. She buried her head into the chest.
"I'm here," Doug whispered to her. "I'm here."
33
When Lili looked up, Beth was standing over the pale Polloria, with a weapon pointed at the Calafan. Jennifer was in a similar stance with the ruddy Polloria, who spoke. "What a rough bit of business it must be for you boys!" she exclaimed. "Watching your women take charge like that. Letting them do your work for you."
"This one," the pale Polloria said, "just treats the sick and injured, a nursemaid and nothing more. This one allows his woman – and it's either, or both of them, I can't be bothered to know which one it is, to do the job while he sits back and trembles, scarred face and all."
"And that one," said the ruddy Polloria, indicating Doug. "He's no snarling beast and certainly no soldier, not any more. A mere family, ha, man. A poor choice on our part. We should do better next time."
"We should get a Klingon next time." the pale one said, "They don't allow themselves to be shackled and collared."
"What makes you think you'll have another chance?" said Beth. "You know, I have no idea what this weapon is set on. It would be a pity if it was set high. Now, let's see. We can see what happens when it's pointed at an arm. What if I point it at your suede head and let it fly?"
"Or that," said the red one. "But your kind are weak."
"I don't see you holding any cards," Jennifer said.
"We're under the Calafan system of laws, not yours." the pale one said, "Killing us just means that you're now subject to our jurisdictions as well. And most of you are already on Lafa II on one side or the other. You'll confess in your dreams. And when you do, you'll be disposed of."
"You're lying," said Lili, finding her voice. "Yimar said you don't have the death penalty."
"For our people, no. But for other species, well. Despite how satisfying it may be to slay us, it merely means you'll be slaying yourselves," said the darker one. "And that one," she indicated Doug, "he's got it in his fool head to stop killing, although it's in his nature. You do have a tight leash upon him! What is it you do, that he is countering his very nature? What kind of pleasures do you offer?"
"They're just trying to get us all angry so we'll make mistakes," Doug said quietly, standing up and helping Lili up as well. "And then they'll try to take advantage. Don't fall for it."
"You," Miva said, indicating the pale one. She had been silently weeping over Baden's body but rose and seemed to be gathering her strength. "You are going to lose your dreams. You'll be pumped up with so much potassium it may even end your miserable existence. You forget that their side knows exactly where you are. You're already rotting in a prison cell."
"And me." The red one smiled sinisterly. "I'm as free as a beast of the air. You see, you stay here," she gestured in the direction of Doug and Lili, "and I go. And no one need be the wiser."
"Lili, wake up!" Doug said.
"I can't." she tried. "I just can't. Phlox?"
He shook his head. "It seems we are being held here involuntarily."
"Yes, now aren't you sad that you didn't do things the way we asked?" said the pale one. "If you had, Douglas, you could be awake when you wished, and enjoying a regular life, such as it would be. But now, so sorry, but you're here to stay. You can't see or hear the waking world now."
Lili dropped Doug's hand and went over to the pale Polloria. "And if we kill you here?"
"We're holding the keys to the prison we've placed you into. Tell you what," said the dark one, "you allow us out, and we'll drop a key for you."
"Or you," Lili said, addressing the pale one, "you go. Only you. But before you do, you tell us where your counterpart is."
"You won't turn us that easily," said the red one.
The silvery one said, "Why should I do that?"
"Because they may not figure out the details, but we'll be searched for. And someone is going to find Baden's body. Isn't he in the same prison as you are?" Doug asked.
"Ye-es," she said cautiously.
"And he's got a large hole in his torso, right?" Miva asked. "Oh, my poor Baden."
"Be tough for them to miss that." Tucker pointed out.
"And if you tell us where she is," Jennifer said, "maybe at least you will be able to keep your nighttime life. What I've learned from Treve is, you're all dependent on it. Not having it hurts you like a death hurts you, because it is a death to you. They could intervene with the government and get you a bit of leniency."
"We could do that," Lili said.
"Don't listen." the ruddy one said.
"I'd say it's your best option," said Beth. "Death here, dream death there, or maybe you get to at least maintain your status quo. Not that that's so wonderful, but right now it's all that you've got."
"Point Abic. The, the dishes." the pale one said quietly.
"It's crowded there, no one will see me," said the red one, beginning to disappear.
Beth just moved her arm over and down and shot. There was a shriek and some drops of blood when the ruddy Polloria had completely departed. "I, uh, don't think they'll miss an ankle injury," she said.
"You said there could be leniency." the pale one said, shaking a little but maintaining her hold.
"Yes," Doug said, "And I promise that we will try."
"Dr. Phlox! Dr. Phlox!" came a voice from far away.
"That sounds like Hoshi," Lili said.
"We can hear the outside world," Doug said, "Thank you," he said to Polloria.
"You owe me." she replied.
=/\=
"Doctor! Doctor!" Hoshi called through the Sick Bay intercom.
"Y-yes?" Phlox shook himself awake. "What seems to be the trouble?"
"You and Doug are late for that meeting. I'll patch you through now."
"Oh, uh, all right," Phlox said, "Hayes!"
"Uh, yes?" Doug shook off the cobwebs.
"We can take it here. Let the Ensign rest a bit. Without dreaming, hopefully." The two of them went through the parted curtain to a different part of Sick Bay. "Ah, Captain!" Phlox said, once he'd gotten the communication to display on a little screen. He took a look at Doug's arm. The bleeding had stopped.
"Good to see you. Just about ready to start," Jonathan said.
"Actually, Captain, we need to contact the surface first," Doug said, "They should check the dishes area. I think they'll find their escaped criminal. And she won't get too far – her ankle is hurt."
"Hoshi, can you send out a message?"
"Yes, of course." Hoshi left the conference room briefly to do as was requested.
"Now, we are meeting in order to assess our condition. Tripp?"
"Everything's workin' except for communications outside the Lafa System itself. I figger it is the sodium vapors that are continuing to give us a hard time. We get past those, I think we'll be good to go."
"Good," Jonathan said, "Doctor, Hayes, I asked you to participate because of Ensign O'Day. How long until everything is, uh, resolved?"
Doug looked at Phlox. "Your call, Doc."
"A little less than two days from now," he said.
"Do you and she still want to settle here?" Jonathan asked.
"Yes," Doug said, "More than ever."
"Seems foolish to just leave and come back." Tripp pointed out.
"A logical course of action would be delaying for two more days." T'Pol said, "We can continue to take readings on the effects of the quadruple star system."
Hoshi came back in. "It's done. And, Captain, once we have communication back with Starfleet, I imagine there will be a lot of letters and reports. We should stagger them a bit."
"Reports? Oh, man, I had forgotten," Doug admitted. "I, uh, Captain?"
"Yes?"
"Can I ask a, a small favor?"
"I'm listening."
"Looking at Jay's records, I know that his, his next of kin was a sister, he had a sister, Laura. I would like very much for her to not find out about me through some press release or other means, other than me just telling her. She doesn't deserve to be traumatized by seeing my face on her view screen, looking for all the world like Jay's back from the grave."
"How do you imagine we'll explain any of this?" Malcolm asked.
"If you want to talk about multiverses and the Calafans, I won't stop you. And I don't want you to lie to Starfleet. Just, um, if you can tell them that there was just this human male, if you have to mention me at all, that he was just here. This system is a crossroads. It's not an impossibility that someone could end up here," Doug said, "I haven't really thought this through, but I think that Laura Hayes maybe shouldn't have to get all the gory details, not just yet, and I know that your regulations would require Starfleet to inform her of, of something if I made it into the official report."
"I'll sleep on it," Jonathan said, "Oh, and Hayes?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Since we have a little more time together, we'd like to do a debriefing with you tomorrow. Can you – would you – tell us everything you remember about the Defiant?"
"I, huh, I was thinking about that, if I owed them any loyalty whatsoever," Doug admitted. "I'm thinking that I don't. They never really did anything for me while I was there. I'll tell you what I know."
"Tomorrow, then. Archer out."
=/\=
The Sick Bay doors opened. It was Brian Delacroix, holding a large bag. "Doc, where do you want this?"
"It rather depends what that is."
"It's your dinner, sir. And the Ensign's, too."
"I didn't ask for – ah, please tell Chef that I appreciate the kind gesture. And you were very thoughtful as well."
"Sir, Chef didn't think of doing this. Lieutenant Commander Hayes did."
"Oh, well, uh, thank you," Phlox said. Brian left. "Hayes," Phlox said, "you did not have to do this."
"I don't have a lot," Doug said, "But I do have my gratitude for what you've been doing. And she needs to eat, right?"
"Something easy," Phlox said, looking in the bag. "Ah, soup for her. Good idea. And a turkey sandwich for me. I don't imagine you knew that I like them. Did the Ensign tell you?"
"No, actually. I didn't think of this until Reed and I were at the gym. I asked Del to just pick out something you liked."
"Let's see if she's up for it." The doctor said.
Lili was. "Ah, chicken noodle. Chef made this a few months ago. Nothing says love like leftovers. It's still warm."
"Here, let me help you," Doug said.
"No, it's okay. I can feed myself."
"You can do a lot of things but right now I think you're very tired. Let me." he insisted.