The Batty Engineer Chapters 7,8
Dec. 22nd, 2010 08:02 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
auswitcheroo151
Seven
The bat seemed to pick up on Phlox's intentions, for he launched himself off his wrist and preceded him to Junction FH-Ninety. By the time Phlox reached the junction himself, the bat was perched on the Doctor Malcolm Reed's shoulder and chittering away at high speed. Malcolm nodded as if he understood. Next to Malcolm was Trip Tucker, who was scanning the narrow crawlspace with a hand scanner. Trip swore and slapped the scanner with his hand.
"Whatever gremlin this is has affected my equipment too," Trip groused. He glanced at the bat. "You think he can help us?"
"Sonar," was all Phlox said, and Trip gave him a wide grin.
"Damn, why didn't I think of that? Phlox, you're a genius!" The armory officer glanced at the bat on Malcolm's shoulder. "You get that, little guy? We need you to find Holloway, okay? She might be hurt or unconscious and we're depending on you. Got that?"
The bat rustled and chirped in response. Malcolm chuckled and mused, "I feel like a falconer on a fox hunt. All right, go find Crewman Holloway."
The bat gazed at the open hatch, then took off so abruptly that he knocked Malcolm off balance. Trip caught the doctor before he ended up on the deck. Phlox took a deep breath and squeezed his way into the crawlspace. It was a tight fit, but he scrambled forward to keep up. He counted himself fortunate that he wasn't claustrophobic; getting stuck was a real possibility. High-pitched echoes bounced off the walls and he closed his eyes to hear better. There, to the right. He pushed a stray cable out of his way and followed the sounds. Then he came to a split in the tunnel and jumped as Malcolm ran into him.
"Which way?" Malcolm asked.
"One moment, Doctor." Phlox strained to hear the bat. "Over there, to the left."
"I hope she knows where she's goin'," Trip commented from behind Malcolm. Then the three men fell silent as they continued the pursuit.
The conduit began to widen, then ended at a grate. The mesh wire covering the grate had been sliced or ripped open and Phlox peered through it. He recognized where they were. "Gentlemen, I believe we're just outside a turbolift shaft, F-seventeen A."
"Holloway's in a lift shaft? If the power comes back on—"
"I'm quite aware of that, Charles." Phlox inched forward, then heard a distinct clanging sound. "Crewman Holloway! It's Commander Phlox! Can you hear me?"
Holloway sounded shaken, but she was alive. "Chief? I'm clinging to the emergency ladder, but I don't know how long I can hold on. I think my ankle's broken. The lift cable's down to a thread...I figured I'd better get the hell out before it decided to snap and take me with it...and I think your pet got out of Engineering, sir."
Her words came out in a rush and Phlox couldn't help but smile at the show of bravery underneath them. "He's the one who went looking for you, Crewman, and I'm glad he found you. Give us a moment and we'll get you out of there. Lieutenant Commander Tucker and Doctor Reed are with me."
"Thanks, Chief. I appreciate it."
Phlox banged on the remains of the grate until it bent enough for him to remove it, then poked his head cautiously and looked around. Holloway was somewhere below him, but out of sight, and the bat squawked and flapped his wings. He shone his flashlight and caught a glimpse of the lift cable. Holloway hadn't been exaggerating about how threadbare it looked. They neededto get her out before either the power went back on or the cable snapped. If either happened, Holloway and the bat would be crushed.
He gauged the distance between himself and the ladder and swallowed hard. Too bad he didn't have wings like the bat! Cautiously, he wriggled through the grate and reached up and to his right. Phlox grasped the rung tightly and pulled himself the rest of the way out. His feet flailed in open space until they banged against the rung below him; Phlox gently settled his feet down and sighed in relief. Carefully, he eased his way further down the lift shaft.
"Chief? Am I glad to see you!"
The cone of light from Phlox's flashlight rested on Holloway's pale face. Her dark brown hair was a tangle around her shoulders, her white-knuckled hands clutched the rungs and her muscles trembled with effort. Her right leg was twisted in an odd angle; Phlox thought that her injury involved more than just her ankle. The bat occupied the rung directly above Holloway and he blinked owlishly in the light.
"Good job, Little One, you've found her. Now go and alert Captain Sato. Go on, now." The bat chittered in response and launched himself upwards and disappeared in the blackness above Phlox. The engineer climbed down until he was above Holloway. "Crewman, can you wrap your arms around my waist and hang on? We're not too far away from a hatch."
"My arms are pretty stiff, but I'll try. If you could lower yourself a bit further, Chief—"
There was the sound of commotion, then Travis Mayweather's voice came from above them. "Phlox? I've got some people up here on the landing and I'm gonna throw a rope down to you. Can you wrap it around Holloway's waist, so we can haul her up?"
"Excellent idea, Commander." There was a whistling sound, then the rope bopped him on the head. He winced, but managed to get a hold of it. Then he closed the gap between himself and Holloway. "Did you hear Commander Mayweather?"
She nodded, her eyes betraying her relief and her pain. "I tried to move my arms, but I'm afraid my muscles are so stiff I can't."
"It's almost over, Crewman, don't you worry." He managed to maneuver himself enough to tie the rope one-handed around Holloway's waist. Phlox felt the trembling of her muscles with the effort of just hanging on to the ladder. A crackling sound above them told Phlox that he'd better hurry. Gently, he pried her hands away from the rungs and wrapped them around the rope.
"Phlox?"
"Yes, Charles?"
"I'm hangin' right between you and Travis, just to make sure nothin' happens to Holloway. The doc's on the landin' with Travis and the others. Soon as she's up, you get your butt back up here. I don't like the sound of that lift cable."
"Believe me, Charles, I'll make great haste in getting out of here." He double-checked the rope and gave Holloway a reassuring smile. Then he raised his voice. "We're ready, Commander Mayweather!"
Trip relayed his message with, "All right, haul 'er up, slowly and carefully!"
With a final smile, Phlox tugged on the rope twice, then Travis and the others began pulling Holloway up. Phlox watched as she disappeared out of sight, but overheard Trip greeting her and reassuring her again that everything was all right. Then Phlox started to climb upward, rapidly catching up to Trip, who was doing the same. To their relief, they both made it to the platform safely and were back through the hatch.
Malcolm was already fussing over his patient, who now lay in a stretcher, and Phlox traded looks with Hess. "The emergency bulkheads never activated, Anna," he told her, "and that worries me. We'll have to engage them manually before we repair the cable."
Hess nodded, but she shared her boss's concern. "We'll take every precaution, Chief."
"Thanks, Anna." Phlox glanced down at Holloway; the crewman gave him a weak smile and he patted her shoulder in reassurance. "Now, you follow whatever Doctor Reed says and I'll see you back in Engineering before you know it."
"Thanks, Chief. I will." At Malcolm's signal, a pair of orderlies activated the anti-grav stretcher and floated her away with Malcolm walking alongside it.
Trip frowned at Phlox and he said, "You're right; the safety measures never kicked in. We'd better make that our first priority, Phlox. If they're not workin' in a crisis, it could be deadly."
"My thoughts exactly, Charles." Phlox sighed and rubbed his cranial ridge. They had this problem, on top of all the other malfunctions. It was going to be a LONG day.
The bat squawked and assumed his place on Phlox's shoulder. "You've earned more than your keep, Little One. You're entitled to as many blood flies as you want."
Trip managed a grin. "Y'know, we oughta call him Sonar. Or Squeaky. Or Fang. Or Torpedo. Or..."
Travis snapped his fingers and added, "How about Flyer?"
"Little Dracula?" piped up another engineering crewman.
"I kinda like Rosebud," Hess said.
"Rosebud?" said Travis, Trip and everyone else. Phlox tried to remember the reference of the name and it came to him.
"Ah, 'Citizen Kane' and Orson Welles." He gave all of them a wide Denobulan grin. "Rest assured, I will take all of your nominations under consideration. Come, Lieutenant Commander Tucker, we've got plenty to do."
Trip nodded and said, "Right behind ya, Commander."
When they were out of earshot, Phlox added, "Thank you, Charles."
Trip's smile became sober as he answered, "Something to keep their spirits up. I got a bad feeling that when we find the cause of all these mechanical screw-ups, it ain't gonna be pretty."
"Agreed." Phlox was also serious, "and I'm not eager to inform Arthur or Admiral Archer about our hardships, either."
*****
"You mean to tell me that this strange radiation is still affecting the ship's systems, despite all of our precautions?"
Phlox nodded wearily and touched his screen. Travis Mayweather and Trip Tucker crowded behind him and watched silently as the engineer highlighted the pertinent information on his screen. "Yes, it seems that this new form of radan is capable of disrupting mechanical and electrical systems, unless we can develop some kind of protective shielding to dampen its effects. Unfortunately, we do not yet have the technology to do so. And if these recent readings are correct, it's also breaking down at a phenomenal rate. The effects are causing havoc with the ship's failsafes, the internal and external sensors---"
Hoshi scowled as she listened to the conversation. "So, the samples we brought from the surface are the cause of our malfunctions."
"Looks like it, Cap'n," Trip confirmed. "We're gonna have to get rid of every trace of radan from the ship, and I mean every trace of it."
Malcolm shook his head and added, "The effects of the radiation has already begun to affect certain personnel. Lieutenant T'Pol was beginning to show signs of lethargy and lapses of memory; she seemed extremely susceptible to the effects. Kov as well."
Trip glanced sharply at him. "They gonna be okay?"
"They're in decon right now, and I've treated them both for the residual radiation sickness." Malcolm raised an eyebrow at the Armory Officer's reaction, but said nothing.
Phlox saw the glance that passed between Hoshi and Travis; some sort of unspoken communication passed between the two. Malcolm went on before Trip could comment further."Anyone else who's been in direct physical contact with it will also need to go through a cycle in decon and undergo the same treatment for radiation sickness immediately."
Phlox winced; Decon wasn't on his list of favorite places, but if it was necessary, he would go. "That includes myself, Lieutenants Hess, Kelby and Rostov, Ensign Masaro---"
"Us too," Travis said as he nodded at Trip."What about Sebastian?"
"Sebastian? Who's Sebastian?" Trip asked, confused.
Hoshi chuckled at her Armory officer's expression. "Phlox's bat. Lieutenant. Cutler won the ship's naming contest."
"Like the Disney character? The crab?"
She grinned and shrugged as she replied, "I think the name fits him, though I doubt he'll be conducting an underwater orchestra anytime soon." There were chuckles around Engineering, then she sobered as she refocused on the problem at hand. "According to Malcolm, Sebastian seems immune to certain types of radiation, like radan, and the delta radiation from the warp core, so he's fine."
Travis nodded in confirmation. "Makes sense. He's originally from deep underground and his species adapted to the radiation. We'll have to return the samples back to where they were found, and that means we'll need to take Sebastian with us. Phlox, you'll need to bring him."
Hoshi sighed and rubbed her temples, then straightened up as she gave her orders. "All right. Travis, Phlox, you two secure all the radan for immediate transport. Jon, I want you to contact Thala and Mylene and explain the situation; they might want to get their Rangers checked out for radiation sickness as well."
"I'd like to start sending some of my people into Decon," Travis said, "and avoid the rush."
"Go ahead. Phlox, I want your engineers to have a turn as soon as all the radan is off the ship. Trip, your people too." She nodded at everyone. "Let's be about it, gentlemen."
The senior staff went to their assigned duties. Phlox sighed as he accepted the modified radiation counter from Travis and he began to scan every part of Engineering. As he expected, the room was saturated with radan radiation; not high enough to kill anyone, but enough to cause some problems.
"Commander, we'll have decontaminate Engineering, but I believe we're equipped for that. It will take some time."
"Do what you have to, Phlox. I'll do the same with the science labs. And the radan that Lieutenant T'Pol gave you?"
"Locked away in a triple-shielded box, based on your and T'Pol's design. As long as it remains in there during transport, it should be all right."
"We'll have to use a shuttlepod. We can't risk taking it through the transporter; the last thing I want to happen is have some sort of accident while someone's atoms are in the pattern buffer. Of course, that means decontaminating the pod too." He sighed and shook his head. "What a pain."
"I'd rather be safe than sorry, Commander. We've already seen what kind of effect it has on the ship's systems."
Travis nodded in agreement. "All right. I'll bring the box to Shuttle Bay Two and collect the others. As soon as I'm gone, send whoever you can spare to Sickbay and begin decon procedures here."
"Gladly, Commander." Phlox handed Travis the box and the Science Officer left Engineering with it. Phlox raised his voice to address everyone else. "All right, let's do this, ladies and gentlemen. The sooner we've begun, the sooner we're done."
*****
"Remarkable," Malcolm murmured. "It seems that your Rangers are immune to the radiation."
Thala nodded in agreement and replied, "Many of us are second or third-generation. Our parents and grandparents must have adapted and passed some sort of immunity to us."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to get some samples from you and Mylene. We might be able to formulate a counter to the radiation; it would help with healing patients in the future."
"Certainly." As Thala relented to his ministrations, she said, "I assume you haven't had a lot of experience around animals, Doctor? Hence your remark about not being a veterinarian?"
He chuckled dryly. "My family moved around quite often when I was a child. I'm afraid I never had the opportunity to take care of a pet."
"Ah, understandable. Some of our animals produce healing byproducts; since your ship will be here longer than expected, I'd be happy to show you."
"That would be marvelous, thank you."
She nodded and went on, "It seems that your engineer gets along with animals quite well. First, the moon hawk, then the bat. We have a word for people who are attuned to our wildlife, den'nai. If Commander Phlox was not needed on your ship, I would request that he be reassigned to assist our refuge."
"Yes, it seems rather strange that Phlox gets along well with the bat, but Denobula---the planet he hails from---is rather crowded and he's used to people and animals in such a confined space. That is why he doesn't mind long stretches of time in Engineering."
"A pity. I believe he of all people would benefit from fresh air and sunshine. You would as well."
Malcolm raised a eyebrow at the implicit invitation. "Once I've taken care of the crew, I may be able to find some time to rejoin you on the surface."
"I would be honored, Doctor Reed."
He smiled a little. "I think we're all finished here, Thala. A little sticking plaster and you should be good---" The walls shook abruptly and the lights dimmed before returning to full intensity. Malcolm hit the intercom. "Reed to the Bridge."
Hoshi replied, "We've got some visitors, Malcolm. Red alert; you might be getting some patients soon."
"Acknowledged, Captain. Reed out." He looked at Thala. "I'm sorry---"
"That's all right, Doctor. If I can help you in any way---"
He nodded. "We could always use another pair of hands."
Eight
"They're comin' around for another pass, Cap'n," Trip reported from the Tactical station. "Firin'." The ship trembled slightly, but, "No damage."
"They're Nausicaans, ma'am," added Lieutenant Ellen Varianis from the science station. "Three ships, two directly to starboard of us, the third on the other side of the planet."
Hoshi nodded grimly. "Looks like word's spread about the radan, and the Rangers are going to have a stream of unwanted visitors. Jon?"
Archer shook his head and tapped his board. "They're not replying to hails, Captain. I don't think they're interested in talking to us."
"The two are trying to distract us while the third does some old fashioned claim jumpin'," Trip said.
"Disable them as fast as you can, Trip. Jon, keep trying to get through to them. I want to avoid an all-out brawl if we can help it."
Varianis raised her eyebrows and said, "Transporter activity from the third ship. I think they've sent their people down."
"How close to Commanders Mayweather and Phlox?"
Varianis scowled and shook her head. "Fairly close, ma'am. About fifty meters away from their previous position."
Hoshi looked over at Jon again. "Alert Travis and Phlox, then get me Mylene. The Rangers definitely have some unwanted visitors now."
*****
"That should be the last of it, Commander Mayweather." Phlox lifted the last of the radan out of the protective chamber and put it in the niche carved into the cave wall. Sebastian squeaked and waved his wings as Phlox did so. His tiny claws didn't puncture the EVA suit, although Phlox hoped it would stay that way.
"Good. I feel a lot better with it off the ship." Travis frowned as his scanner beeped a warning. "We've got company, Phlox."
"Lieutenant Commander Tucker's men?"
"Nope, not Human. Nausicaan. Seems like word's spread about the radan." Travis muttered a string of curses under his breath. His family had tangled with Nausicaan pirates before; Phlox knew the young man's opinion of their hospitality. "You and Sebastian get under cover. Lieutenant Trace?"
Trip's second-in-command nodded and waved the three security men behind stalactites, just in time before several beams of lights came from the end of the tunnel. Phlox heard the Nausicaans' guttural language as it echoed off the walls. They strode into view, five of them, all armed with heavy blasters. The leader pointed at the glittering crystals that Phlox had set in the wall. One of his cohorts eagerly reached for it, but was soundly thumped by the leader.
"Dan'qui ran thyu pas!" The Nausicaan smirked as he picked up one of the multi-faceted crystals---then howled in pain as he immediately dropped it. The smell of burnt flesh wafted past Phlox's nose and he stifled a cough.
"Cha' aru ba na ti!" spat the second man. He took a drawstring bag out of his belt and used it to scoop the radan from the floor. "La'ran pas!" The others abandoned their injured leader to take some of the spoils for themselves, but they were very careful not to touch the crystals with their hands. The new leader smirked as he attached his full bag prominently on his belt, against his right leg.
Phlox realized Sebastian was being unusually quiet. He would have made some sort of noise to give away their hiding place, but he remained calm. He automatically reached up to pet Sebastian, but then another howl of outrage froze his hand in the air.
"Ka'kucha!" The crystals had burned through the makeshift bags and scorched anything---and anyone---it touched on its way back to the floor. Some of the Nausicaans stumbled as their feet were hit; others rolled around in agony, clutching their legs, their sides, and other sensitive areas.
"Greed does not pay," Phlox murmured. He exchanged nods with Travis and Lieutenant Trace, and stood up from behind his stalactite. Unfortunately for the Nausicaans, no one was in any shape to mount an effective defense against the Starfleet team. Trace and his Security men didn't even have to fire their phase pistols.
"I think they've learned their lesson," Travis said, with grim humor. "C'mon, let's get them topside."
*****
Chief Engineer's Personal Log, March 8, 2154
We have remained in orbit around Pyrithia for the past week, as efforts to decontaminate the ship from radan radiation are concluded. News of the unfortunate Nausicaan raiding party has spread through the Boomer network, courtesy of Commander Mayweather. There have been no more attempts to land on the planet; I'm not sure exactly how Travis has phrased the report, but it seems to have been effective.
Radan may yet become an energy source in the unspecified future, if its disastrous side effects can be avoided. Lieutenant T'Pol and I have agreed to study and work on the problem as a side project. Her experience working with Vulcan Space and Ship Operations has already made the initial design plans easier. In fact, she has consulted with some contacts in the VSSO and is awaiting a reply.
In the meantime, Commander Mayweather, Doctor Kov and the science team continue to study the flora and fauna of Pyrithia Colony, while Doctor Reed discusses the potential medical uses from some of those same flora and fauna with Ranger Thala. The Ranger seems a bit (ahem) enamored with the good doctor, but I am not certain the feeling is reciprocated. Reed actually seems embarrassed by the attention.
As for Sebastian and I, we've settled into a comfortable routine aboard Enterprise. I believe he will enjoy Enterprise as his new home.
*****
"We've put a small breeding case in your doctor's Sickbay, Phlox, so you won't run out of food for Sebastian" Mylene told him, "and Thala has thoroughly briefed Doctor Reed and Doctor Kov on his care. It looks like your little friend has adapted quite well to your ship, more than I had expected." She scratched Sebastian under the chin, then gave him a blood fly. The bat snapped it up as if Phlox hadn't already fed him three times that morning.
"He's already assisted us in saving a fellow crewman. Sebastian has proven himself a worthy addition to the crew," Phlox told her, as he gave his pet an indulgent smile. "It seems that Sebastian's instincts are better than anyone expected."
"Well, I am glad he is an excellent companion to you." Mylene's smile faded and she shook her head. "Will Earth take over Pyrithia because of this 'radan' element? Our scientists think it may have more uses than just aesthetic, but will this compromise our mission as a wildlife refuge?"
Phlox shifted uncomfortably; Mylene's question had touched upon the core of the controversy. "I would say that Starfleet and Earth's government have a greater interest in your planet, Mylene. What they ultimately will decide...I cannot say."
"Our animals live from day to day. I suppose that is the best advice for these unsettled times."
"That may be the best advice," Phlox agreed, but he didn't voice the increasing concern he felt for Pyrithia, for Enterprise and the rest of Earth's interests. Judging from Mylene's expression, he knew the Ranger thought the same thing.
Phlox and Sebastian walked Mylene and Thala to the transporter room and Phlox personally activated the controls. Both Rangers smiled and saluted Phlox as they vanished from sight. Phlox tapped the comlink. "Phlox to Bridge. Our guests are safely home."
"Thank you, Phlox," Captain Sato replied. "Helm, take us out, warp two."
"Yes, ma'am," said the helmsman—not T'Pol, Phlox noticed. He retraced his steps back to Engineering.
"Chief, Lieutenant T'Pol is waiting for you in your office," called Kelby.
"Thank you, Richard." He hurried to his office to find the Vulcan seated in the chair across from his desk. Sebastian settled into his regular perch as Phlox greeted her. "What can I do for you, Lieutenant?"
"I have Assistant Minister T'Jal on a secured channel. She is eager to talk to us."
It took Phlox a moment to remember who T'Jal was: she was an important official in the Ministry of Vulcan Space and Ship Operations. If T'Pol knew her, then T'Pol had connections that Phlox was unaware of. "By all means, we shouldn't keep her waiting."
T'Pol nodded and activated the screen. An older Vulcan woman appeared, her glossy black hair touched with silver and hard lines at the corners of her mouth. Despite the stern demeanor, T'Jal's eyes sparkled with genuine humor. T'Pol split her fingers in the Vulcan salute and Phlox did his best to copy her.
"It is an honor to finally meet you, Commander Phlox," T'Jal said, her Standard English as clipped and precise as Malcolm Reed's,
"The honor is mine, Lady T'Jal," he replied graciously. "Thank you for taking the time to talk with us."
T'Jal gave T'Pol a look that Phlox didn't know how to interpret. "T'Pol has told me about your equipment trouble, caused by the radiation from the radan. I must admit that the situation, while grave, does not completely surprise me."
"Indeed?"
"My words are not meant as an insult to Henry Archer, for I consider him a brilliant designer and a more than competent engineer. I know that the ones he must obey have the same unfortunate mindset as the ones here at VSSO. What were Henry's words? 'If it isn't broke, don't fix it'?"
Phlox sat there, stunned by T'Jal's blunt words. He glanced at T'Pol, whose eyes sparkled with suppressed humor at the deadpan delivery of Henry Archer's words, though that humor was muted.
He kept his tone even. "I have heard the phrase before, Minister."
"I must admit that such rampant paranoia is more widespread here than your Starfleet realizes." T'Jal's tone became more ironic. "Especially within this family, I am ashamed to say. T'Pol, you must know that it has become dangerous to defy Soultek's wishes concerning this matter, so I must be brief."
T'Jal re-focused her attention on Phlox and raised her hand to the screen. He saw a datadisk within her fingers. "I have gathered every scrap of information that I judged pertinent to your problems, Commander. Please prepare your viewer to receive."
His fingers tapped the commands into the computer, then he nodded. T'Jal slid the disk into her terminal and after a few moments, the information winked on a secondary screen. "My utmost gratitude, Lady T'Jal. This will help us tremendously."
The assistant minister nodded. "I am sorry I cannot do more to help, but it is perilous to defy the clan elder, Soultek. T'Pol, it pains me to say this, but you cannot risk contacting me again, more for your sake than mine."
T'Pol bowed her head. "I understand."
"Peace and long life to you, niece-in-law-to-be, and to you, Commander Phlox. Vulcan Space and Ship Operations, out." T'Jal's image disappeared from the screen.
Phlox sighed and scrolled down the first page of T'Jal's information. "A brave woman."
"Yes. Not every member of my fiance's family follows Soultek's edicts," T'Pol said. "They find ways to follow their own consciences. I only fear that ones like T'Jal may suffer for it."
Phlox frowned and shook his head at her words. "And you? Are you in any danger?"
"Not directly." Her smirk was tinged with bitterness. "Thanks to Lieutenant Commander Tucker and Captain Sato, Soultek believes I am loyal to his clan, as befits his son's fiancee. As long as that is true, my mother will not be harmed." She shook her head. "My original mission was to keep watch on Doctor Reed. Now Kov has that responsibility."
"And now you are supposed to watch Lieutenant Commander Tucker." Phlox shook his head as she looked sharply at him. "I have seen you around him. An engineer must be observant...and sometimes discreet. Does he know?"
She hesitated and said, "I have not told him, but I suspect he knows anyway."
Phlox nodded to himself and murmured, "That would not surprise me at all." He sat there, silent for a moment, then added, "Should you need additional assistance against your fiance's family, I am willing to give it."
T'Pol stared at him. "I cannot get you involved in this matter. Denobula has no quarrel with Vulcan."
"As it should be. It will not be possible for me to support you overtly, but this---" he indicated the information from T'Jal, "---puts me in your debt. Denobulan families seem casual, but we are not. We do take certain things seriously." He held her gaze. "And mine is one of them."
She seemed to consider that, then she nodded slowly. "Very well. It seems that this crew is becoming more than just a group of spacefarers, and we have barely begun to know each other."
Phlox chuckled as Sebastian flapped his wings. "Honestly? I find that not surprising at all."
The bat seemed to pick up on Phlox's intentions, for he launched himself off his wrist and preceded him to Junction FH-Ninety. By the time Phlox reached the junction himself, the bat was perched on the Doctor Malcolm Reed's shoulder and chittering away at high speed. Malcolm nodded as if he understood. Next to Malcolm was Trip Tucker, who was scanning the narrow crawlspace with a hand scanner. Trip swore and slapped the scanner with his hand.
"Whatever gremlin this is has affected my equipment too," Trip groused. He glanced at the bat. "You think he can help us?"
"Sonar," was all Phlox said, and Trip gave him a wide grin.
"Damn, why didn't I think of that? Phlox, you're a genius!" The armory officer glanced at the bat on Malcolm's shoulder. "You get that, little guy? We need you to find Holloway, okay? She might be hurt or unconscious and we're depending on you. Got that?"
The bat rustled and chirped in response. Malcolm chuckled and mused, "I feel like a falconer on a fox hunt. All right, go find Crewman Holloway."
The bat gazed at the open hatch, then took off so abruptly that he knocked Malcolm off balance. Trip caught the doctor before he ended up on the deck. Phlox took a deep breath and squeezed his way into the crawlspace. It was a tight fit, but he scrambled forward to keep up. He counted himself fortunate that he wasn't claustrophobic; getting stuck was a real possibility. High-pitched echoes bounced off the walls and he closed his eyes to hear better. There, to the right. He pushed a stray cable out of his way and followed the sounds. Then he came to a split in the tunnel and jumped as Malcolm ran into him.
"Which way?" Malcolm asked.
"One moment, Doctor." Phlox strained to hear the bat. "Over there, to the left."
"I hope she knows where she's goin'," Trip commented from behind Malcolm. Then the three men fell silent as they continued the pursuit.
The conduit began to widen, then ended at a grate. The mesh wire covering the grate had been sliced or ripped open and Phlox peered through it. He recognized where they were. "Gentlemen, I believe we're just outside a turbolift shaft, F-seventeen A."
"Holloway's in a lift shaft? If the power comes back on—"
"I'm quite aware of that, Charles." Phlox inched forward, then heard a distinct clanging sound. "Crewman Holloway! It's Commander Phlox! Can you hear me?"
Holloway sounded shaken, but she was alive. "Chief? I'm clinging to the emergency ladder, but I don't know how long I can hold on. I think my ankle's broken. The lift cable's down to a thread...I figured I'd better get the hell out before it decided to snap and take me with it...and I think your pet got out of Engineering, sir."
Her words came out in a rush and Phlox couldn't help but smile at the show of bravery underneath them. "He's the one who went looking for you, Crewman, and I'm glad he found you. Give us a moment and we'll get you out of there. Lieutenant Commander Tucker and Doctor Reed are with me."
"Thanks, Chief. I appreciate it."
Phlox banged on the remains of the grate until it bent enough for him to remove it, then poked his head cautiously and looked around. Holloway was somewhere below him, but out of sight, and the bat squawked and flapped his wings. He shone his flashlight and caught a glimpse of the lift cable. Holloway hadn't been exaggerating about how threadbare it looked. They neededto get her out before either the power went back on or the cable snapped. If either happened, Holloway and the bat would be crushed.
He gauged the distance between himself and the ladder and swallowed hard. Too bad he didn't have wings like the bat! Cautiously, he wriggled through the grate and reached up and to his right. Phlox grasped the rung tightly and pulled himself the rest of the way out. His feet flailed in open space until they banged against the rung below him; Phlox gently settled his feet down and sighed in relief. Carefully, he eased his way further down the lift shaft.
"Chief? Am I glad to see you!"
The cone of light from Phlox's flashlight rested on Holloway's pale face. Her dark brown hair was a tangle around her shoulders, her white-knuckled hands clutched the rungs and her muscles trembled with effort. Her right leg was twisted in an odd angle; Phlox thought that her injury involved more than just her ankle. The bat occupied the rung directly above Holloway and he blinked owlishly in the light.
"Good job, Little One, you've found her. Now go and alert Captain Sato. Go on, now." The bat chittered in response and launched himself upwards and disappeared in the blackness above Phlox. The engineer climbed down until he was above Holloway. "Crewman, can you wrap your arms around my waist and hang on? We're not too far away from a hatch."
"My arms are pretty stiff, but I'll try. If you could lower yourself a bit further, Chief—"
There was the sound of commotion, then Travis Mayweather's voice came from above them. "Phlox? I've got some people up here on the landing and I'm gonna throw a rope down to you. Can you wrap it around Holloway's waist, so we can haul her up?"
"Excellent idea, Commander." There was a whistling sound, then the rope bopped him on the head. He winced, but managed to get a hold of it. Then he closed the gap between himself and Holloway. "Did you hear Commander Mayweather?"
She nodded, her eyes betraying her relief and her pain. "I tried to move my arms, but I'm afraid my muscles are so stiff I can't."
"It's almost over, Crewman, don't you worry." He managed to maneuver himself enough to tie the rope one-handed around Holloway's waist. Phlox felt the trembling of her muscles with the effort of just hanging on to the ladder. A crackling sound above them told Phlox that he'd better hurry. Gently, he pried her hands away from the rungs and wrapped them around the rope.
"Phlox?"
"Yes, Charles?"
"I'm hangin' right between you and Travis, just to make sure nothin' happens to Holloway. The doc's on the landin' with Travis and the others. Soon as she's up, you get your butt back up here. I don't like the sound of that lift cable."
"Believe me, Charles, I'll make great haste in getting out of here." He double-checked the rope and gave Holloway a reassuring smile. Then he raised his voice. "We're ready, Commander Mayweather!"
Trip relayed his message with, "All right, haul 'er up, slowly and carefully!"
With a final smile, Phlox tugged on the rope twice, then Travis and the others began pulling Holloway up. Phlox watched as she disappeared out of sight, but overheard Trip greeting her and reassuring her again that everything was all right. Then Phlox started to climb upward, rapidly catching up to Trip, who was doing the same. To their relief, they both made it to the platform safely and were back through the hatch.
Malcolm was already fussing over his patient, who now lay in a stretcher, and Phlox traded looks with Hess. "The emergency bulkheads never activated, Anna," he told her, "and that worries me. We'll have to engage them manually before we repair the cable."
Hess nodded, but she shared her boss's concern. "We'll take every precaution, Chief."
"Thanks, Anna." Phlox glanced down at Holloway; the crewman gave him a weak smile and he patted her shoulder in reassurance. "Now, you follow whatever Doctor Reed says and I'll see you back in Engineering before you know it."
"Thanks, Chief. I will." At Malcolm's signal, a pair of orderlies activated the anti-grav stretcher and floated her away with Malcolm walking alongside it.
Trip frowned at Phlox and he said, "You're right; the safety measures never kicked in. We'd better make that our first priority, Phlox. If they're not workin' in a crisis, it could be deadly."
"My thoughts exactly, Charles." Phlox sighed and rubbed his cranial ridge. They had this problem, on top of all the other malfunctions. It was going to be a LONG day.
The bat squawked and assumed his place on Phlox's shoulder. "You've earned more than your keep, Little One. You're entitled to as many blood flies as you want."
Trip managed a grin. "Y'know, we oughta call him Sonar. Or Squeaky. Or Fang. Or Torpedo. Or..."
Travis snapped his fingers and added, "How about Flyer?"
"Little Dracula?" piped up another engineering crewman.
"I kinda like Rosebud," Hess said.
"Rosebud?" said Travis, Trip and everyone else. Phlox tried to remember the reference of the name and it came to him.
"Ah, 'Citizen Kane' and Orson Welles." He gave all of them a wide Denobulan grin. "Rest assured, I will take all of your nominations under consideration. Come, Lieutenant Commander Tucker, we've got plenty to do."
Trip nodded and said, "Right behind ya, Commander."
When they were out of earshot, Phlox added, "Thank you, Charles."
Trip's smile became sober as he answered, "Something to keep their spirits up. I got a bad feeling that when we find the cause of all these mechanical screw-ups, it ain't gonna be pretty."
"Agreed." Phlox was also serious, "and I'm not eager to inform Arthur or Admiral Archer about our hardships, either."
*****
"You mean to tell me that this strange radiation is still affecting the ship's systems, despite all of our precautions?"
Phlox nodded wearily and touched his screen. Travis Mayweather and Trip Tucker crowded behind him and watched silently as the engineer highlighted the pertinent information on his screen. "Yes, it seems that this new form of radan is capable of disrupting mechanical and electrical systems, unless we can develop some kind of protective shielding to dampen its effects. Unfortunately, we do not yet have the technology to do so. And if these recent readings are correct, it's also breaking down at a phenomenal rate. The effects are causing havoc with the ship's failsafes, the internal and external sensors---"
Hoshi scowled as she listened to the conversation. "So, the samples we brought from the surface are the cause of our malfunctions."
"Looks like it, Cap'n," Trip confirmed. "We're gonna have to get rid of every trace of radan from the ship, and I mean every trace of it."
Malcolm shook his head and added, "The effects of the radiation has already begun to affect certain personnel. Lieutenant T'Pol was beginning to show signs of lethargy and lapses of memory; she seemed extremely susceptible to the effects. Kov as well."
Trip glanced sharply at him. "They gonna be okay?"
"They're in decon right now, and I've treated them both for the residual radiation sickness." Malcolm raised an eyebrow at the Armory Officer's reaction, but said nothing.
Phlox saw the glance that passed between Hoshi and Travis; some sort of unspoken communication passed between the two. Malcolm went on before Trip could comment further."Anyone else who's been in direct physical contact with it will also need to go through a cycle in decon and undergo the same treatment for radiation sickness immediately."
Phlox winced; Decon wasn't on his list of favorite places, but if it was necessary, he would go. "That includes myself, Lieutenants Hess, Kelby and Rostov, Ensign Masaro---"
"Us too," Travis said as he nodded at Trip."What about Sebastian?"
"Sebastian? Who's Sebastian?" Trip asked, confused.
Hoshi chuckled at her Armory officer's expression. "Phlox's bat. Lieutenant. Cutler won the ship's naming contest."
"Like the Disney character? The crab?"
She grinned and shrugged as she replied, "I think the name fits him, though I doubt he'll be conducting an underwater orchestra anytime soon." There were chuckles around Engineering, then she sobered as she refocused on the problem at hand. "According to Malcolm, Sebastian seems immune to certain types of radiation, like radan, and the delta radiation from the warp core, so he's fine."
Travis nodded in confirmation. "Makes sense. He's originally from deep underground and his species adapted to the radiation. We'll have to return the samples back to where they were found, and that means we'll need to take Sebastian with us. Phlox, you'll need to bring him."
Hoshi sighed and rubbed her temples, then straightened up as she gave her orders. "All right. Travis, Phlox, you two secure all the radan for immediate transport. Jon, I want you to contact Thala and Mylene and explain the situation; they might want to get their Rangers checked out for radiation sickness as well."
"I'd like to start sending some of my people into Decon," Travis said, "and avoid the rush."
"Go ahead. Phlox, I want your engineers to have a turn as soon as all the radan is off the ship. Trip, your people too." She nodded at everyone. "Let's be about it, gentlemen."
The senior staff went to their assigned duties. Phlox sighed as he accepted the modified radiation counter from Travis and he began to scan every part of Engineering. As he expected, the room was saturated with radan radiation; not high enough to kill anyone, but enough to cause some problems.
"Commander, we'll have decontaminate Engineering, but I believe we're equipped for that. It will take some time."
"Do what you have to, Phlox. I'll do the same with the science labs. And the radan that Lieutenant T'Pol gave you?"
"Locked away in a triple-shielded box, based on your and T'Pol's design. As long as it remains in there during transport, it should be all right."
"We'll have to use a shuttlepod. We can't risk taking it through the transporter; the last thing I want to happen is have some sort of accident while someone's atoms are in the pattern buffer. Of course, that means decontaminating the pod too." He sighed and shook his head. "What a pain."
"I'd rather be safe than sorry, Commander. We've already seen what kind of effect it has on the ship's systems."
Travis nodded in agreement. "All right. I'll bring the box to Shuttle Bay Two and collect the others. As soon as I'm gone, send whoever you can spare to Sickbay and begin decon procedures here."
"Gladly, Commander." Phlox handed Travis the box and the Science Officer left Engineering with it. Phlox raised his voice to address everyone else. "All right, let's do this, ladies and gentlemen. The sooner we've begun, the sooner we're done."
*****
"Remarkable," Malcolm murmured. "It seems that your Rangers are immune to the radiation."
Thala nodded in agreement and replied, "Many of us are second or third-generation. Our parents and grandparents must have adapted and passed some sort of immunity to us."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to get some samples from you and Mylene. We might be able to formulate a counter to the radiation; it would help with healing patients in the future."
"Certainly." As Thala relented to his ministrations, she said, "I assume you haven't had a lot of experience around animals, Doctor? Hence your remark about not being a veterinarian?"
He chuckled dryly. "My family moved around quite often when I was a child. I'm afraid I never had the opportunity to take care of a pet."
"Ah, understandable. Some of our animals produce healing byproducts; since your ship will be here longer than expected, I'd be happy to show you."
"That would be marvelous, thank you."
She nodded and went on, "It seems that your engineer gets along with animals quite well. First, the moon hawk, then the bat. We have a word for people who are attuned to our wildlife, den'nai. If Commander Phlox was not needed on your ship, I would request that he be reassigned to assist our refuge."
"Yes, it seems rather strange that Phlox gets along well with the bat, but Denobula---the planet he hails from---is rather crowded and he's used to people and animals in such a confined space. That is why he doesn't mind long stretches of time in Engineering."
"A pity. I believe he of all people would benefit from fresh air and sunshine. You would as well."
Malcolm raised a eyebrow at the implicit invitation. "Once I've taken care of the crew, I may be able to find some time to rejoin you on the surface."
"I would be honored, Doctor Reed."
He smiled a little. "I think we're all finished here, Thala. A little sticking plaster and you should be good---" The walls shook abruptly and the lights dimmed before returning to full intensity. Malcolm hit the intercom. "Reed to the Bridge."
Hoshi replied, "We've got some visitors, Malcolm. Red alert; you might be getting some patients soon."
"Acknowledged, Captain. Reed out." He looked at Thala. "I'm sorry---"
"That's all right, Doctor. If I can help you in any way---"
He nodded. "We could always use another pair of hands."
Eight
"They're comin' around for another pass, Cap'n," Trip reported from the Tactical station. "Firin'." The ship trembled slightly, but, "No damage."
"They're Nausicaans, ma'am," added Lieutenant Ellen Varianis from the science station. "Three ships, two directly to starboard of us, the third on the other side of the planet."
Hoshi nodded grimly. "Looks like word's spread about the radan, and the Rangers are going to have a stream of unwanted visitors. Jon?"
Archer shook his head and tapped his board. "They're not replying to hails, Captain. I don't think they're interested in talking to us."
"The two are trying to distract us while the third does some old fashioned claim jumpin'," Trip said.
"Disable them as fast as you can, Trip. Jon, keep trying to get through to them. I want to avoid an all-out brawl if we can help it."
Varianis raised her eyebrows and said, "Transporter activity from the third ship. I think they've sent their people down."
"How close to Commanders Mayweather and Phlox?"
Varianis scowled and shook her head. "Fairly close, ma'am. About fifty meters away from their previous position."
Hoshi looked over at Jon again. "Alert Travis and Phlox, then get me Mylene. The Rangers definitely have some unwanted visitors now."
*****
"That should be the last of it, Commander Mayweather." Phlox lifted the last of the radan out of the protective chamber and put it in the niche carved into the cave wall. Sebastian squeaked and waved his wings as Phlox did so. His tiny claws didn't puncture the EVA suit, although Phlox hoped it would stay that way.
"Good. I feel a lot better with it off the ship." Travis frowned as his scanner beeped a warning. "We've got company, Phlox."
"Lieutenant Commander Tucker's men?"
"Nope, not Human. Nausicaan. Seems like word's spread about the radan." Travis muttered a string of curses under his breath. His family had tangled with Nausicaan pirates before; Phlox knew the young man's opinion of their hospitality. "You and Sebastian get under cover. Lieutenant Trace?"
Trip's second-in-command nodded and waved the three security men behind stalactites, just in time before several beams of lights came from the end of the tunnel. Phlox heard the Nausicaans' guttural language as it echoed off the walls. They strode into view, five of them, all armed with heavy blasters. The leader pointed at the glittering crystals that Phlox had set in the wall. One of his cohorts eagerly reached for it, but was soundly thumped by the leader.
"Dan'qui ran thyu pas!" The Nausicaan smirked as he picked up one of the multi-faceted crystals---then howled in pain as he immediately dropped it. The smell of burnt flesh wafted past Phlox's nose and he stifled a cough.
"Cha' aru ba na ti!" spat the second man. He took a drawstring bag out of his belt and used it to scoop the radan from the floor. "La'ran pas!" The others abandoned their injured leader to take some of the spoils for themselves, but they were very careful not to touch the crystals with their hands. The new leader smirked as he attached his full bag prominently on his belt, against his right leg.
Phlox realized Sebastian was being unusually quiet. He would have made some sort of noise to give away their hiding place, but he remained calm. He automatically reached up to pet Sebastian, but then another howl of outrage froze his hand in the air.
"Ka'kucha!" The crystals had burned through the makeshift bags and scorched anything---and anyone---it touched on its way back to the floor. Some of the Nausicaans stumbled as their feet were hit; others rolled around in agony, clutching their legs, their sides, and other sensitive areas.
"Greed does not pay," Phlox murmured. He exchanged nods with Travis and Lieutenant Trace, and stood up from behind his stalactite. Unfortunately for the Nausicaans, no one was in any shape to mount an effective defense against the Starfleet team. Trace and his Security men didn't even have to fire their phase pistols.
"I think they've learned their lesson," Travis said, with grim humor. "C'mon, let's get them topside."
*****
Chief Engineer's Personal Log, March 8, 2154
We have remained in orbit around Pyrithia for the past week, as efforts to decontaminate the ship from radan radiation are concluded. News of the unfortunate Nausicaan raiding party has spread through the Boomer network, courtesy of Commander Mayweather. There have been no more attempts to land on the planet; I'm not sure exactly how Travis has phrased the report, but it seems to have been effective.
Radan may yet become an energy source in the unspecified future, if its disastrous side effects can be avoided. Lieutenant T'Pol and I have agreed to study and work on the problem as a side project. Her experience working with Vulcan Space and Ship Operations has already made the initial design plans easier. In fact, she has consulted with some contacts in the VSSO and is awaiting a reply.
In the meantime, Commander Mayweather, Doctor Kov and the science team continue to study the flora and fauna of Pyrithia Colony, while Doctor Reed discusses the potential medical uses from some of those same flora and fauna with Ranger Thala. The Ranger seems a bit (ahem) enamored with the good doctor, but I am not certain the feeling is reciprocated. Reed actually seems embarrassed by the attention.
As for Sebastian and I, we've settled into a comfortable routine aboard Enterprise. I believe he will enjoy Enterprise as his new home.
*****
"We've put a small breeding case in your doctor's Sickbay, Phlox, so you won't run out of food for Sebastian" Mylene told him, "and Thala has thoroughly briefed Doctor Reed and Doctor Kov on his care. It looks like your little friend has adapted quite well to your ship, more than I had expected." She scratched Sebastian under the chin, then gave him a blood fly. The bat snapped it up as if Phlox hadn't already fed him three times that morning.
"He's already assisted us in saving a fellow crewman. Sebastian has proven himself a worthy addition to the crew," Phlox told her, as he gave his pet an indulgent smile. "It seems that Sebastian's instincts are better than anyone expected."
"Well, I am glad he is an excellent companion to you." Mylene's smile faded and she shook her head. "Will Earth take over Pyrithia because of this 'radan' element? Our scientists think it may have more uses than just aesthetic, but will this compromise our mission as a wildlife refuge?"
Phlox shifted uncomfortably; Mylene's question had touched upon the core of the controversy. "I would say that Starfleet and Earth's government have a greater interest in your planet, Mylene. What they ultimately will decide...I cannot say."
"Our animals live from day to day. I suppose that is the best advice for these unsettled times."
"That may be the best advice," Phlox agreed, but he didn't voice the increasing concern he felt for Pyrithia, for Enterprise and the rest of Earth's interests. Judging from Mylene's expression, he knew the Ranger thought the same thing.
Phlox and Sebastian walked Mylene and Thala to the transporter room and Phlox personally activated the controls. Both Rangers smiled and saluted Phlox as they vanished from sight. Phlox tapped the comlink. "Phlox to Bridge. Our guests are safely home."
"Thank you, Phlox," Captain Sato replied. "Helm, take us out, warp two."
"Yes, ma'am," said the helmsman—not T'Pol, Phlox noticed. He retraced his steps back to Engineering.
"Chief, Lieutenant T'Pol is waiting for you in your office," called Kelby.
"Thank you, Richard." He hurried to his office to find the Vulcan seated in the chair across from his desk. Sebastian settled into his regular perch as Phlox greeted her. "What can I do for you, Lieutenant?"
"I have Assistant Minister T'Jal on a secured channel. She is eager to talk to us."
It took Phlox a moment to remember who T'Jal was: she was an important official in the Ministry of Vulcan Space and Ship Operations. If T'Pol knew her, then T'Pol had connections that Phlox was unaware of. "By all means, we shouldn't keep her waiting."
T'Pol nodded and activated the screen. An older Vulcan woman appeared, her glossy black hair touched with silver and hard lines at the corners of her mouth. Despite the stern demeanor, T'Jal's eyes sparkled with genuine humor. T'Pol split her fingers in the Vulcan salute and Phlox did his best to copy her.
"It is an honor to finally meet you, Commander Phlox," T'Jal said, her Standard English as clipped and precise as Malcolm Reed's,
"The honor is mine, Lady T'Jal," he replied graciously. "Thank you for taking the time to talk with us."
T'Jal gave T'Pol a look that Phlox didn't know how to interpret. "T'Pol has told me about your equipment trouble, caused by the radiation from the radan. I must admit that the situation, while grave, does not completely surprise me."
"Indeed?"
"My words are not meant as an insult to Henry Archer, for I consider him a brilliant designer and a more than competent engineer. I know that the ones he must obey have the same unfortunate mindset as the ones here at VSSO. What were Henry's words? 'If it isn't broke, don't fix it'?"
Phlox sat there, stunned by T'Jal's blunt words. He glanced at T'Pol, whose eyes sparkled with suppressed humor at the deadpan delivery of Henry Archer's words, though that humor was muted.
He kept his tone even. "I have heard the phrase before, Minister."
"I must admit that such rampant paranoia is more widespread here than your Starfleet realizes." T'Jal's tone became more ironic. "Especially within this family, I am ashamed to say. T'Pol, you must know that it has become dangerous to defy Soultek's wishes concerning this matter, so I must be brief."
T'Jal re-focused her attention on Phlox and raised her hand to the screen. He saw a datadisk within her fingers. "I have gathered every scrap of information that I judged pertinent to your problems, Commander. Please prepare your viewer to receive."
His fingers tapped the commands into the computer, then he nodded. T'Jal slid the disk into her terminal and after a few moments, the information winked on a secondary screen. "My utmost gratitude, Lady T'Jal. This will help us tremendously."
The assistant minister nodded. "I am sorry I cannot do more to help, but it is perilous to defy the clan elder, Soultek. T'Pol, it pains me to say this, but you cannot risk contacting me again, more for your sake than mine."
T'Pol bowed her head. "I understand."
"Peace and long life to you, niece-in-law-to-be, and to you, Commander Phlox. Vulcan Space and Ship Operations, out." T'Jal's image disappeared from the screen.
Phlox sighed and scrolled down the first page of T'Jal's information. "A brave woman."
"Yes. Not every member of my fiance's family follows Soultek's edicts," T'Pol said. "They find ways to follow their own consciences. I only fear that ones like T'Jal may suffer for it."
Phlox frowned and shook his head at her words. "And you? Are you in any danger?"
"Not directly." Her smirk was tinged with bitterness. "Thanks to Lieutenant Commander Tucker and Captain Sato, Soultek believes I am loyal to his clan, as befits his son's fiancee. As long as that is true, my mother will not be harmed." She shook her head. "My original mission was to keep watch on Doctor Reed. Now Kov has that responsibility."
"And now you are supposed to watch Lieutenant Commander Tucker." Phlox shook his head as she looked sharply at him. "I have seen you around him. An engineer must be observant...and sometimes discreet. Does he know?"
She hesitated and said, "I have not told him, but I suspect he knows anyway."
Phlox nodded to himself and murmured, "That would not surprise me at all." He sat there, silent for a moment, then added, "Should you need additional assistance against your fiance's family, I am willing to give it."
T'Pol stared at him. "I cannot get you involved in this matter. Denobula has no quarrel with Vulcan."
"As it should be. It will not be possible for me to support you overtly, but this---" he indicated the information from T'Jal, "---puts me in your debt. Denobulan families seem casual, but we are not. We do take certain things seriously." He held her gaze. "And mine is one of them."
She seemed to consider that, then she nodded slowly. "Very well. It seems that this crew is becoming more than just a group of spacefarers, and we have barely begun to know each other."
Phlox chuckled as Sebastian flapped his wings. "Honestly? I find that not surprising at all."
