Dissimilar

Dissimilar

by Action Kate

Rating: PG (only because G makes no sense)

Genre: Drama

Spoilers: Similitude

Summary: Fallout.

Paramount owns 'em and makes money off 'em; I don't. Bitte beta und bunny 'bat.

Repairs update, security log, progress of translating the Xindi database, conn report, final metallurgical analysis of the material which had been stuck to their hull, CC medical file.

Medical file?

Archer requires reports and updates from his department heads weekly, although in the Expanse he's been getting them daily, sometimes hourly. Phlox submits a roster of patients and prognoses, or the results of the occasional experiment. But for the captain to receive a copy of a medical file means a crew member has voluntarily changed personal information.

He opens it.

Update: Reed, Malcolm T.

A stiletto slides beneath his sternum into his heart. Trip -- Trip, you don't understand --

We thought he was going to survive the operation --

Even if it means killing me.

Even if it means killing you.

There wasn't any other choice --

You're not a murderer.

Don't make me one.

The mission. We have to complete this mission. Earth needs Enterprise and Enterprise needs you -- he said it himself, he didn't want what happened to your sister to happen to anyone else --

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

If you truly have all Trip's memories, you know the answer to that.

They had been like brothers once, or an old married couple. Finishing each other's sentences. Orders in shorthand. Scribbled specs only half filled in with no need for explanation. Thoughts unspoken, understood.

He realizes he hasn't eaten with Trip in months.

"Archer to Tucker."

A pause, before the answering chime. "Captain, Ah'm a little busy right now."

Captain. Not "Cap'n" any more.

"It'll keep. Archer out."

He breathes deeply, closes the message, moves on to see if Hoshi has gleaned something new.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world --

It will gain him a world. Their world. Their home. That's his job, to save their world. And if he has to lose his soul to do it, so be it.

He sips his coffee, his hand perfectly steady. The stiletto wound is already cool, and growing numb.

It isn't like they have much to talk about at dinner anyway.

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A handful of people have made comments

mmmmm started out very cool... i don't think the wound would be cool so fast... no i think it would continue to seep.

but oh yes i do see Trip changing from Jon to Malcolm... for many reasons... one he doesn't want what happened to happen again for Sim's sake, his sake, Jon's sake. two he doesn't want Jon to be placed in that position again... good reasons and hurtful reason he'd do it cuz he's pissed at what Jon did.

Oh a very thought provoking piece ... just don't think that wound is cooled and numbed... its weeping and maybe a bit infected.

nicel shared and done!

Excellent. My thoughts exactly. Nasty, brutal, short and wonderfully well done.

This was quite good. I love your breakaways to quotes, and perfect quotes you chose as well. Not sure about the wound numbing though... did you mean ARcher had gotten over it already (Trip changing to Malcolm) or numb like shock? Personally, I think the numb like shock works better, but the other is still good.

I am not sure I could say "very nice", because the piece isn't a "nice" one. Cold and somewhat brutal, but it is very well done, and I can see this sort of thing happening as a result of the choices that Archer made. I wish the shows writers would deal with it as a well.

I liked it, Thats all I have to say, it was Archer who made the decision and obviously Trip didn't like it.