Blast From the Past

Trip was happy to be back on Invictus and out in space. He had had enough of speeches and conferences. He was also happy to see T'Pol. He was told that he still could not tell anyone about their marriage, that they were to continue doing what they were doing. In a way this was punishment in itself as they were still required to sneak around.

He dropped his bag on the floor and took her in his arms. "God I missed you!" he said. "Talking mind to mind is better than nothing but it doesn't compare to touching you, to kissing you for real. I mean white room T'Pol is better than no T'Pol, but damn this is so much better!"

"I missed you too Adan," she replied looking in his eyes. "Sometimes it seemed unbearable." Then they kissed passionately. T'Pol finally broke away. "We do not have time, you have a debriefing with the senior staff in 15 minutes."

"T'Pol, haven't you ever heard of a quickie?" Trip asked smiling. "Of course you haven't. But, it's a first time for everything." Then he picked her up and carried her to the bed.

A Week Later.

After a week back in space, Admiral Gardner had commed Trip and told him that a small ship was going to rendezvous with Invictus and given a set of coordinates. Apparently, some aliens had vital intel regarding the war. He was ordered to work with these aliens and treat them as allies. But Malcolm and his team cautioned trip to be very careful as the bounty was still on his head. Malcolm didn't want to give anyone an opportunity.

Trip met the visitors at the airlock along with Carter and three of Reed's best security officers. T'Pol was away on a mission with Victoria and Malcolm was patrolling the area nearby on Tuscany. He didn't want to give anyone an opportunity to sneak up on Trip.

"Did Admiral Gardner give a heads up about these aliens Sir?" Carter asked. "I mean, what can we expect?"

"Expect the unexpected I always say," Trip grinned at her, then gestured for one of the men to open the airlock. "Let's get this done guys. From what I'm told this intel may just turn this war on its ear."

"That good huh?" Carter replied.

"We'll see in a moment," he said. Trip watched as the doors to the large shuttle craft doors were opened. When its inhabitants stepped out, he froze in his tracks. For a moment he couldn't move. He just stood there and stared. He couldn't speak. Carter was saying something to him as the massive forms moved closer to Trip, smiling. One of them reached their large hand out to him. He backed up with each step the alien took toward him. Finally he backed into the bulkhead. Suddenly he started screaming. Carter and the others were stunned at their Captain's reaction. Then he bolted.

Trip ran down the corridor, around the deck and into a turbo lift. He found himself on the bottom deck of engineering. Then he climbed down two sets of ladders and crawled into one of the smallest Jeffries tubes he could find and shut the door behind him. He sat there breathing hard and rocking backward and forwards.

Later that Day.

Carter had commed Malcolm and told him what happened. He beamed over to Intrepid and warned and threatened everyone who had seen what happened in the cargo bay. Then, he began to search for Trip. Hoshi had not been able to locate him with ship's sensors.

Malcolm finally found Trip. After an hour searching for him, he finally located him. He found him still in that Jefferies tube, way down in the bowels of the ship where it was impossible to detect bio signs. Malcolm had just had a hunch, and it had paid off.

"Trip, what the hell are you doing down here?" Malcolm started as he crawled toward his Captain on all fours. "I've been looking all over for you for the last hour."

Trip did not speak. It looked as if he was trying to but he couldn't. When Malcolm realized it, he knew something was wrong.

"Captain! What is it? Are you hurt? I have to get you out of there!"

"M-Mal…" Trip finally got out, holding up a shaky hand as he just sat on the floor of the Jefferies tube with his back against the bulkhead. "J-just… gimme…gimme a minute," he gasped.

"If you don't tell me what's wrong I'm gonna get the doctor down here with a med team in just a few minutes!" Trip looked up at him. Malcolm had seen that look before, it was the look of sheer horror and fear.

"W-where…are…t-they?" Trip stammered.

"The Lisyrians are situated in guest quarters." Malcolm said. If I had known our visitors were Lisyrians I would never have left you alone to deal with them."

"It's not your f-fault," Trip assured his friend.

"What do you want me to do? If you want me to put them back on their shuttle and get them the hell off this boat, just say the word Captain."

Trip shook his head, no. "Mal. They're harmless. I know Kaatia and Malvek. It's just…seeing them…I wasn't p-prepared. I-I just never thought I'd ever see 'em again."

"How can I help?"

Trip hesitated. "I-I threw up on myself," he said feeling humiliated. "A-and I peed on myself. C-can you believe that? I wet my pants!"

"It's alright, don't worry about it. No one will ever know. Let me get you a fresh uniform, then you can come on out."

Trip shook his head. "N-no," he said.

"Trip, you've got to come out of there. I know this is difficult, but you are the Captain of this ship. I can't leave you hiding in this hole."

"I-I know. It's just that…I, I can't move."

"What do you mean you can't move?"

"I can't move Mal. I just can't."

"Alright then," Malcolm said. "I'll have to involve a med team. With T'Pol being away, I must get someone else to help."

"Then get Phlox, not Vramarec. Phlox has seen me at my worst. Maybe he can give me something. You get the uniform. I don't want the crew to see me like this."

"Aye, Sir," Malcolm said and crawled out backwards on all fours.

Fifteen Minutes Later.

Trip heard the Jefferies tube door open and saw Phlox crawling toward him.

"Captain Tucker," Phlox began. "Commander Reed has informed me of the situation. "Are you still unable to move?"

"Yes," Trip said. "What the hell's wrong with me doc?" Phlox sat on the floor next to Trip and ran a scanner over him. "Panic Attack, shock. You will be fine Captain. I'm going to give you something to relax you. It will begin working instantly. Within a few minutes, you should be able to crawl out on your on, and then we can walk to your quarters." Trip nodded yes, then Phlox injected him in his neck. Five minutes later they were crawling out of the tube.

"Here's your uniform Captain," Malcolm said, handing Trip the black slacks and black shirt, along with the red Captain's jacket.

"Thanks Mal," he said and immediately started to change right there in the corridor. He gave Malcolm the soiled suit and he concealed it in a bag, then they started off to Trip's quarters. He tried to look normal and to smile at crew members they passed in the corridor. Phlox chatted on about upgrades in sick bay, trying to sound official and not to look suspicious. Malcolm just wanted to tell onlookers to mind their own business and get back to work! He looked stiff and worried.

Inside Trip's quarters, they all blew out a long sigh. "You should let me give you a stronger sedative now Captain," Phlox said, "and get right to bed."

"I don't wanna sleep doc. I need a shower, then I've got to pull myself together! We've got g-guest onboard. Admiral Gardner said they had useful intelligence a-and t-to treat them well!"

"What? Malcom asked incredulously. "He knew he was sending a group of Lisyrians on board and he gave no forewarning? He had to have known that seeing them might just cause you some anxiety, it would have shaken anyone up."

"Mal it's been three years since all that happened. He probably didn't even remember. But never mind that. I screamed when I saw 'em! I almost passed out in front of everybody! I ran out of the room and hid, and… I friggin'… wet myself!"

"Captain, your reaction was understandable," Phlox interjected. "After everything you suffered at the hands of the Lisyrians, it was a natural reaction. You have not seen them in several years."

"Then someone opens the door of a shuttle craft and out pop your worst nightmare!" Malcolm added. As he was speaking Hoshi commed him.

"Go ahead," Malcolm said over his communicator.

"Commander, it's T'Pol and she's frantic! She's insisting that something's wrong with the Captain…"

"Put her through," Phlox interrupted. "I will speak to her." Moments later T'Pol was on Trip's view screen.

"Doctor!" she said with anxiety in her voice. "There is something wrong with Captain Tucker! Where is he? I haven't been able to reach him and I must speak to him!"

"Commander T'Pol, the Captain is right here," Phlox said moving over to allow her to see Trip lying on his bed.

"Trip!"

"Hi darlin'," he waived, sitting up.

"What has happened? Why wasn't I informed? I should have been notified that something was wrong with the Captain!"

"Commander, try to calm down," Phlox said. "You are no doubt feeling the anxiety he is experiencing at this moment. The Captain has suffered a panic attack and shock. I am treating him and he should be feeling better soon, so should you Commander."

"A panic attack?" T'Pol asked. "I don't understand. It has been many years since he has suffered from those."

"The Captain had a uh, blast from the past," Malcolm spoke up. "Some old friends were sent to us from Starfleet. Apparently they have intelligence that could affect the war. However there was no warning that they were…Lisyrians."

"Lisyrians!" T'Pol all but shouted, her anxiety rising. Trip let out a gasp and seemed to all of a sudden have trouble breathing.

"Commander, calm yourself," Phlox ordered. "You're getting the Captain agitated all over again," as he went over to attend Trip.

"Breathe Captain," Phlox said placing a hand on the small of his back. "That's it, slow, easy breaths. Wouldn't want you to hyperventilate now would we."

"T'Pol, the Captain had just asked me to contact you when you called," Malcolm said. "He wants you, needs you back here to run interference. How soon can you leave?"

"As soon as I can pack and inform our allies at the space station. I will be there in just under 24 hours. T'Pol out." Then she was gone. Trip jumped in the shower, changed into sleep wear and allowed Phlox to give him another sedative.

In a few minutes he was sleeping. "Come Mr. Reed," Phlox said. "Let the Captain rest. He's going to need it in order to deal with our guest."

"I'll pick a few of the senior officers and we will invite them to dinner. I'll make excuses for the Captain."

"I will check on him later," Phlox said as they both looked back at him before exiting the room.

The Next Day. Conference Room, Invictus.

"Why are the Lisyrians interfering in this war?" Malcolm demanded. "It doesn't make sense!"

"It doesn't have to make sense Mal," Trip replied. "They're aligning themselves with the Romulans. We finally make some headway in this war, and now this."

"And you are certain this intelligence is accurate?" T'Pol asked Kaatia and Malvek.

"We would not have risked our lives coming here, if we were not certain," Kaatia answered. "We were safe hidden away on Phalanda Five, the planet we settled on after our encounter with your species several years ago."

"But we did not cut ourselves off from the rest of the universe," Malvek added. "And when we received word that more of our people had come into this area of space, we had to know why."

"We sent spies from our settlement. You know when your ship rescued the slaves from Master Klegg…" Trip visibly cringed at the mention of his name. He blinked hard several times and tried to stay focused, but T'Pol could feel his anxiety. She sent him calming thoughts, but his distress nearly overtook her.

"Many of the aliens who had been taken had no desire to return to their world, some could not find the way," Kaatia continued. "So they settled with us on Phalanda Five. We learned that Lisyrian ships were spotted near the gamma quadrant. They met with Romulan spies, at least that is what we believe."

"So you contacted Starfleet," Malcolm said. "And they determined this intel to be credible."

"Yes," Malvek said. "Admiral Gardner requested a meeting, so we met with him and several other Starfleet officers. It was Admiral Gardner's idea that we come here to deliver this intelligence in person."

Malcolm looked at T'Pol. He was sure Gardner did this to mess with Trip. Little did anyone in the room know, but the very intel they were discussing had been provided by section 31 operatives, via one Travis Mayweather.

"Alright," Trip said, "and we appreciate what you've done. Thank you."

"We were anxious to see you again," Kaatia said. "We were so pleased to hear how well you had done. And we expect to receive more information from our contacts. We will keep you informed."

"That's great," Trip replied. "Now if you'll excuse me."

"We were hoping you would join us for dinner tonight," Kaatia beamed. "We missed you last night."

Trip glanced at Malcolm, then at T'Pol. "Certainly," he said shakily. The last thing he wanted was to have dinner with a couple of Lisyrians. The thought of it brought up memories of having to serve them on Klegg's ship and them consuming live flesh. He thought he would be sick.

"Captain Tucker is something the matter?" Malvek asked. "Are you still not feeling well?"

"I'm uh… Ima…f-fine," Trip stammered. When he rose from his seat he stumbled and almost fell over.

T'Pol and Malcolm rushed over to steady him. "Captain are you alright?" Malcolm said.

"Yeah, I'm okay, just tired I guess."

"You need rest Captain," T'Pol said. "I will escort you to your quarters."

"Will you still be joining us for dinner Captain Tucker?" Malvek asked.

"I will inform you later," T'Pol replied. "Captain." Trip nodded and rose up again, this time very slowly.

When they arrived at their quarters and were inside the door, Trip fell to the floor. He was shaking and trying not lose his composure.

"Trip, it is alright," T'Pol said. "You are safe."

"I know," he replied. "I know Malvek and Kaatia are harmless. They helped save my life… so why do I feel this way? Why am I having such a hard time talking to them, being around them?"

"They are stirring up memories of a very volatile time in your life. It is understandable that you feel uncomfortable around them."

"It's more than discomfort," Trip said trembling. "I-I'm a wreck."

"Come mediate with me, then you should take a hot shower, it will relax you."

Trip took T'Pol up on her suggestion and he felt better afterwards, but he insisted on having dinner with the Lisyrians over T'Pol's protests. Trip felt he had an obligation to their guests however. After all they had risked their lives to bring them some startling but useful information.

Dinner went well. Though the Lisyrians preferred raw meat, Kaatia and Malvek, along with their companions, three male Lisyrians, declined to consume any meat. They only ate vegetables and fruit. So did everyone else. But Trip still struggled all through dinner. Then he had a tumultuous night.

That Night, 0200 Hours.

"Animal!" the torturer shouted, "I asked you- what is your name?" and brought a massive whip down upon his flesh once more.

He cried out in pain and tried to think. "T-Tr..ip," he gasped. "N-name…is..Tr…ip, T-tuck…er."

"That is not your name," his tormentor said as he grabbed him by his hair and looked into black, swollen eyes. "I think you like being beaten! So shall it be!" the vicious host bellowed.

"W-wait!" Trip cried as he lay on the floor and tried to move. "C-charles…An…tho…ny …Tuck…er," he said with everything left in him. "P-please s-stop, now."

"You know you are rare, special," Klegg said. "Do you think I have allowed all of my pets to sit at my feet and sleep in my bed?" Then he laughed and bent down to the floor. He rubbed Trip's face. "There, there, now. Perhaps I should have mated with you from the beginning," and licked Trip's face. "So, so sweet. Perhaps that would have caused you to become more submissive and this disciplinary training would not have been necessary. But I did not think your fragile body could bear it," he said and laughed a loud, viscous belly laugh and raised his whip again.

"No matter, too late for regrets now. I only asked one thing of you today, and you could not obey me. Now I demand that you tell me! What is your name?"

"T-told…you," Trip trembled with fear. "I- did…I told you!"

"Yes, but that is not your name, it is Beautiful One! Yet you refuse to say it!" With that Master Klegg drew back his huge whip and struck is victim several more times. "Now!" he demanded, "say your name!"

"Beautiful One! Beautiful One! Beautiful One!" Trip was screaming over and over again.

"Trip, wake up!" T'Pol said as she tried to shake him out of the nightmare. "Trip, it's alright, wake up!"

Suddenly, he was sitting up, breathing heavily. He looked around. "Screw it!" he shouted and fell back on the pillow.

"It's alright," T'Pol said soothingly, attempting to comfort him.

"It's not alright!" he snapped. "Nothing is alright! Everything is…just screwed up!" He then leaped up from the bed and hurried into the bathroom and shut her out. She sat outside the door after realizing he was not going to let her in, nor was he coming out, at least not any time soon.

The nightmare had shaken Trip terribly. He had actually had it before, and each time it had seemed so real. Perhaps it was more than a nightmare, perhaps it was a memory.

T'Pol reported to Malcolm about Trip's nightmare. When Reed went to see him, he couldn't believe how shaken up his Captain still was and how much he was dreading having to see and talk to the Lisyrians again.

Malcolm left Trip's quarters on a mission. He had to put a stop to this, and that's what he was going to do. It had been only two days and the Lisyrians had not given Trip a break. They had just shown up seemingly wherever he was. They seemed to want his undivided attention, to talk to him and be in his face constantly. They were all very nice, but they towered over everyone and they made most of the crew uneasy. They were lions for heaven sakes, with steely eyes and fangs, standing erect and looking like very powerful creatures. Their mere presence intimidated people, let alone what it was doing to Trip.

Malcolm walked through the corridors of Invictus only nodding slightly as he walked past crew members. When he arrived at the guest quarters, he stood there for a moment, then depressed the come. The door slid open.

"Commander Reed," the gentle voice greeted him. But it was difficult to see anything but the large lion-like creature standing in front of him. "What can I do for you?" Malvek asked Malcolm.

"I was wondering if you and your colleague had a few moments. There is something I need to discuss with you."

"Certainly Commander," Kaatia spoke up from the desk where she was sitting across the room.

"Ladies, we have been grateful for the intel you've been able to provide us with. It has been very valuable."

"We are glad to have been of service," Malvek replied. "But something tells me that you didn't come here to talk about that."

"No, no I didn't. I wanted to speak to you on Captain Tucker's behalf."

"Tri… I mean Captain Tucker sent you? Why would he not speak to us himself," Kaatia asked.

"He doesn't know I'm here," Malcolm replied. "This is a rather sensitive matter and I think it would be best if he didn't know about our conversation." Malvek and Kaatia looked at one another.

"You have our word," Malvek replied. "What is this all about?"

"You know Captain Tucker is an amazing individual. He is a decorated soldier, a brilliant engineer, a highly skilled Captain, and a warrior, one of the best. He is a man of great conviction and courage. He'll put his life on the line in a moment for a fellow officer, one of his crew, a loved one. There isn't anything he's afraid of… that is with the exception of one thing."

"Lisyrians," Kaatia said before Reed could say it.

"You see the experience he had on your ship a few years back left him extremely scarred. He almost lost himself, and everything. He fought like hell to turn it around. He became a different person."

"Now we show up and threaten to undo all he has accomplished," Malvek interjected, lowering her head.

"I am sorry, but, yes, your presence unnerves him. He would never tell you that, but unfortunately several of us have seen the aftermath of his meetings with you. It hasn't been pretty. Therefore I'm going to have to insist that you limit your contact with him. And please, if you must speak with him, contact me first. Allow me to go to him and prepare him for your visit. Then I can announce you and present you to him when he is prepared to receive you."

"We consider him our friend," Kaatia said, "it is unfortunate that our appearance and our very presence frighten him."

"Your presence is very… intimidating. Not just for the Captain, but for others as well." Malcolm explained. "As for the Captain, well, unfortunately, you have stirred up memories from the past. But given time to adjust, he will be able to deal with you being here on his ship."

"Commander Reed, you were right to come to us," Malvek said. "We really do have nothing but the utmost respect for Captain Tucker. We owe him our lives. As Kaatia said, he is our friend and we love him. The last thing we want is to cause him any distress. Therefore, we will limit our contact with him, and we allow you to announce our presence before we approach Captain Tucker." The Lisyrian smiled and looked at her friend. She nodded in agreement.

"And please share this with your other colleagues," The males are even more intimidating to many", Malcolm said thinking of the three male Lisyrians that were even larger than Malvek and Kaatia, with their full manes, serious fangs and gigantic hands.

"Of course," Kaatia said. "Unfortunately, we have heard this before. Other species are distressed by our appearance and presence as well. Sometimes we just forget ourselves. We mean no harm."

"Yes, I know," Malcolm said. "Thank you for understanding." He then nodded, said goodnight and left.

As he walked down the corridor, he felt like a heel. He knew he had done the right thing. He couldn't allow Trip to be thrown into another panic attack, or to trigger the PTSD he had suffered so long ago. They needed Trip to be at his best if he were going to lead the fleet into a major battle in a few days. But Malcolm still felt badly. He had just told two very sweet, pleasant, gentle souls that their presence was unnerving; that they looked like beasts and that they scared his Captain as well as others; that they shouldn't go around sneaking up on people but that they needed to allow folk a chance to adjust to the terror they were capable of striking in people. Sometimes Malcolm was not overly fond of what he did, but he had no problem doing what was necessary.