The Miles That Lay Ahead- Chapter 29

The Miles That Lay Ahead

by Gabi

Genre: Action/Adventure/Angst

This chapter is rated PG-13

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Chapter 29

Trip peered over the rotten tree trunk behind which they were hiding. He couldn't see anyone, but from time to time he thought he could make out sneaking shadows in the distance. From his current position, he wouldn't be able to hit them, though. They couldn't afford wasting their phaser energy. The weapons were almost empty as it was. Malcolm had given him one of the old pistols and had explained its functions to him, but Trip wasn't so sure he would be able to handle it. At least not at this distance.

Tasur's men were waiting, maybe considering what to do next. Perhaps the guards didn't know exactly where the fugitives were hiding, and didn't want to give away their own whereabouts. Sporadically, they fired a few shots from different directions, but they never hit anything. But it wasn't going to stay that way for long. The brushwood Malcolm had piled up was still concealing them from view, but the guards knew that they were somewhere out here. If Tasur's men decided that they had been waiting long enough and began to search for them, they wouldn't stand a chance. There was no way they could get away from this place. And Trip knew only too well that it was because of him that they couldn't make their escape. Like Malcolm, he was racking his mind for a way to get away, but there wasn't any. Behind them, there were only a few trees between them and the open desert and Tasur's men had surrounded them on the other three sides. Maybe his friends would have a chance trying to break free, but not if they had to drag him along. Although Jeren didn't look like he could run, either. Exhausted, the Renelan doctor lay beside him on the ground, his eyes closed. Worriedly, Erianna laid a hand on his shoulder. Trip felt his forehead. Since he had learned that Renelans had a lower temperature than humans, he was sure that Jeren was running a fever. Which wasn't surprising after the efforts of the last hours. While she had been carrying him through the forest, Erianna had told him softly how they had found Jeren and what Rassik had done to him. Chalk up another disaster which had happened only because of him. He had felt so guilty about it that Erianna had tried to comfort him, but she hadn't been able to convince him that it wasn't his fault. If it wasn't for him, all this trouble would have never even happened.

"There's a way to escape, y'know," he said.

Malcolm looked up. "What would that be?"

"I could try to negotiate with the guards. I'll tell them I'll come peacefully if they let you go."

Erianna shook her head vehemently. Awkwardly, Jeren sat up with his sister's help and Malcolm just stared at Trip. "Do you really think we'd turn you over to these murderers, Commander? What do you think they'd do if they got a hold of you? Let you go?"

"But it might save your lives."

Jeren shook his head. "We appreciate your offer, Trip, but even if we agreed to let you go they would never negotiate with us. They would turn you over to Dorsik and then chase us anyway. Your sacrifice would be senseless."

"I know why you're doing this," Malcolm said so softly that only Trip could hear him. "If I was in your place I would suggest the same thing. But if you think about it you'll have to admit that Jeren's right. They can't afford to let us go, no matter if they've got you or not. Stop blaming yourself, it's not your fault that we're in this mess. It's the planet and its policy, not you."

"But I feel so damn guilty, Malcolm. It's a matter of fact that we're trapped here only because of me."

"Is it your fault you can't walk?" Malcolm raised his eyebrows. "If one of us were in your place, would you turn them over to Tasur's men?"

Frustrated, Trip shook his head and sighed deeply.

"See? So don't ask the same thing of us."

"But it's my fault that Jeren and Erianna got involved in this. We have to at least try and save them. The three of you could run into the desert and along the edge of the wood to find another hidin' place."

"It would make no sense, Trip. They're still patrolling the area out there. They'd detect us at once. And stop talking as if we're going to leave you behind. I told you, we're not going to do that."

Trip closed his eyes. "I'm so fed up, Malcolm," he whispered, barely audibly. "I'm so damned fed up with all of this."

Malcolm laid a comforting hand on his arm. "I know, Trip, I know." He raised his hand to cover a yawn. Truth be told, he was fed up, too. He was so tired he felt as though he could go to sleep this very moment. He'd been on his feet for more than thirty hours now and it didn't look as if he was going to get some sleep soon.

The two men startled when a bullet hit the rotten tree in front of them.

"Damn," Malcolm cursed. "Was that just luck or have they discovered us?"

"The latter, I'm afraid," Trip muttered, searching for cover when more bullets started to whiz past their heads.

Malcolm peered over the tree trunk. Tasur's men were closing in on them, always searching for cover so they wouldn't become a target themselves. "Here we go." He checked his phaser. "Let's kick their arses. Don't forget these pistols have a drift of at least ten degrees to the left." He fired his phaser and the first of the attackers crumpled to the ground. Two of the men pulled their colleague out of the line of fire while the others seemed to fire their guns at once. In a hard staccato the bullets hit the surrounding bushes and trees.

Erianna suppressed a scream and tried to protect Jeren with her body when the bullets sent the dust around them flying. Horrified, she looked at Trip and Malcolm, her face a pale mask. She might have been hoping to find another way to escape, but now she knew for sure they were standing with their backs to the wall. There was no way out.

Still, it didn't take her long to get a grip on herself again. "Give me one of the weapons, Malcolm. One of those pistols, maybe. I can handle it. Harek showed me how they work when he joined the guard."

Malcolm considered her request. She was a brave woman, but would she be able to kill a person if necessary? He didn't feel comfortable with the thought. "You can't set these weapons on stun, Erianna. But perhaps Trip will give you his phaser."

Trip agreed, knowing what Malcolm was thinking. He handed Erianna his phaser. Then he fired two bullets from his pistol when he saw a movement behind a tree. A cry of pain told him that he had hit his target.

Malcolm gave him an approving look. "Good shooting, Commander. It's not easy to hit with these old-fashioned things."

"Guess it was only by accident." Somewhat frustrated, Trip looked at the crude weapon.

"Nevertheless, my compliments. Look out!"

Trip couldn't react fast enough when suddenly three men emerged in front of the tree trunk. Neither Malcolm nor any of the others had heard them approaching. Erianna, however, raised her weapon at once. She fired, not taking the time to aim, but she couldn't miss at this short distance. Malcolm placed a hit with the phaser, too, but Trip missed the guard he had aimed at when the man jumped out of harm's way and went for cover.

Malcolm lifted the two unconscious men off the tree trunk where they had fallen, taking their weapons. "Only a few shots left," he said after checking them.

"Better than nothin'." From his place on the ground, Trip looked up to Malcolm and grimaced. "Even though I keep missin' my targets."

"I told you these things aren't easy to handle. You're doing fine." Malcolm handed Trip one of the two weapons, trying to look confident. But he couldn't fool Trip who knew that they weren't going to last much longer.

As if to confirm his thoughts, they suddenly heard some loud yells when about a dozen of Tasur's men started an attack.

"Fire!" Malcolm exclaimed.

They kept shooting until the ancient weapons were almost empty. They couldn't really hit anyone because of the distance, but they managed to drive back the guards who, startled by their vehement reaction, retreated back into the underbrush.

"Malcolm!" Jeren suddenly exclaimed.

They whirled around when they were suddenly attacked from both sides. A bulky man crashed into Malcolm and the lieutenant lost his weapon, but he was able to defeat his opponent in hand-to-hand combat. Trip managed to shoot a bullet into another man's leg and Erianna stunned a third one with her phaser.

Trip raised his weapon again when another man attacked him, but there was only a faint click when he tried to fire the old-fashioned gun. The man grinned and kicked the weapon out of Trip's hand. Trip tried to dodge the blow when he saw the man's fist coming, but his motionless legs pinned him to the ground. He blocked the hit, but only a split second later he received a painful blow in the ribs. Suddenly, however, the attacker's eyes rolled up and he dropped down onto the ground beside him. Behind him, Trip could see Jeren who was holding the weapon he had used to knock out the guard.

"Thanks," Trip murmured.

"You're welcome." Jeren was panting. "You okay?"

Trip nodded and looked around. Erianna had knocked out another attacker and the guard with the injured leg seemed to have lost consciousness as well. Trip turned to Malcolm who had managed to render two more guards unconscious, and was now searching their pockets. "Damn."

"What's up?"

"They don't have any weapons."

Trip grimaced. "They didn't want to provide us with more ammunition. The other ones were only distractin' us while these guys were supposed to surprise us. Probably thought that it would be child's play, six of them fightin' the four of us in hand-to-hand combat. All the more so since two of us are barely able to move."

"Seems they still haven't learned not to underestimate us."

"But we won't be able to hold off the next attack." Trip checked the weapons. "They're all empty." He asked Erianna for his phaser and checked the energy level. Seeing that there was hardly any power left, he shook his head in frustration.

Sighing, Malcolm looked at his own phaser. Tasur's men still had a healthy respect for the phase pistols, but that would change soon when they noticed that the phasers' energy was gone and the outworlders weren't able to defend themselves any longer. Well, but that was no reason to give up. Malcolm was determined to fight until his last breath and he was sure Trip felt the same way about it. But what could they do, four people against a bunch of trained security guards? Trip couldn't do much with his paralyzed legs and Jeren wasn't very fit, either. Erianna was brave and determined, but she was inexperienced in combat. So it was his job to defend them. He didn't even know how many adversaries he would have to face. The more they managed to knock out the more they seemed to get.

One of Tasur's men gave up his hiding place, charging towards them, firing and shouting. Fortunately, he wasn't one of Tasur's better shots, and hardly any of the bullets he fired came anywhere near them. Trip raised his phaser and fired.

"Nice shooting," Malcolm complimented him when the man stumbled and sprawled on the ground, unconscious. "Keep up the target practice, and I'm going to seriously consider adding you to my security team."

"I'll stick with Engineerin' for the time bein', but thanks anyhow. Besides, I don't think I'll be able to practice much longer." Trip aimed at another man. "My phaser's energy is at minimum. How about yours?"

"The same. I only have a few shots left." Malcolm focused on a small group hiding among the bushes and fired in their general direction. Once again they had managed to fight off the attack. The men retreated, but kept firing from the distance. Malcolm snorted derisively. These men just seemed to lack the motivation to carry through a well-planned offensive. If they had only taken the time to think of a proper strategy and showed more determination while attacking the enemy, they would have won this unequal match long ago.

But their adversaries seemed unable to agree on one strategy, attacking only in small groups or even individually. With grim amusement, Malcolm thought that perhaps he should have accepted Tasur's offer to join the guard. He would have whipped them into shape before they knew it. He cursed silently when his next shot missed its target. Lousy strategists or not, in the meantime it did seem as though Tasur's men were going to win this one.

Suddenly Trip looked up, straining his ears as he listened. Almost drowned out by the whistling of the bullets, there was another sound that seemed vaguely familiar. He raised his head to concentrate on the sound.

"Take cover," Malcolm yelled. "Or do you want to lose your head?"

Trip ducked down into the grass. "D'you hear that, Malcolm?"

"Yes, of course, they're getting better. Never got so much practice before, I guess."

"That's not what I mean. Listen."

Malcolm strained his ears. Looking at Trip, he suddenly held his breath, shaking his head in disbelief. "That can't be," he said hoarsely. "It just can't be."

"What's that?" Erianna asked who had also become aware of the steady humming. "Doesn't sound like one of our vehicles."

"It's one of ours. Our second shuttlepod. Enterprise's here." Trip closed his eyes and a silly grin spread on his face.

"We're not out of here, yet, Trip," Malcolm warned him.

"Right." Trip propped himself up on his elbows. "I guess they've located the emergency signal in your arm pocket, but they can't take the shuttle into the forest. You've gotta go out there, Malcolm, so they see where we are and can come to get us out of here."

"Okay. You'll manage?"

Trip glanced at his phaser and forced a confident smile. "Of course. Hurry up, but be careful that they don't see you."

Malcolm turned around and crawled into the direction where the trees thinned out, using every cover he could find. But there were only a few trees standing here and there, and hardly any grass which would provide additional cover. The forest ground was already showing signs of the nearby desert, covered here and there with small patches of sand that had been blown in by the wind. Malcolm took a deep breath and left his cover. Keeping his head down, he ran to the edge of the woods, zigzagging in order to spoil his enemies' aim. He was just passing the last tree when he heard a shot and something hit his side, sending him stumbling. He staggered along for a few more steps, then stumbled and fell, sprawling on the ground.

"Malcolm," Trip yelled when he saw Malcolm going down. For a moment he forgot about his paralyzed legs, not thinking as he tried to jump up and to run to his friend. He almost lost his balance as his legs refused to obey the orders of his brain, and had to grab hold of the tree trunk to keep himself steady. Jeren laid a comforting hand on his back. "Stay calm, Trip, there's no use in getting upset." Frowning, he stared over to where Malcolm lay. "He's alive, Trip, he is moving. We're going to try to get over there and help him. Erianna?"

His sister nodded. "What about your phaser, Trip?"

Trip checked the charge. "I have two or three more shots left, at the most."

"Okay, give me covering fire, I'll check on Malcolm."

Trip was going to object, but Erianna had already turned around, disappearing into the brushwood. Trip threw a glance around. The guard had ceased fire for the moment, but maybe they were keeping an eye out for suspicious movements. Okay, he could provide for that. Trip picked up a branch from the ground and threw it as far away as he could.

In an instant, weapons' fire flashed behind the trees and the branch bounced around, hit by several bullets.

"Damn, they're gettin' better," Trip cursed, aiming at a guard who had left his cover. The man dropped to the ground, unconscious. Trip succeeded to hit another one but had to take cover again after doing so. He turned around. Erianna had managed to get to Malcolm and was pulling him to his feet. He didn't seem to be severely injured. Trip exhaled in relief. Supporting him, Erianna guided Malcolm out of the forest while she fired his phaser several times to keep their pursuers at bay.

Trip looked over to Jeren. "I'm gonna try and distract them. You go and try to get to the shuttle."

Jeren shook his head. "I won't leave you behind, Trip. It's both of us going, or I'm staying here."

Trip considered their chances. The men had retreated to their cover, not realizing that he had energy for only one more shot. They had to try and escape now, or they wouldn't stand a chance.

"Okay," he nodded. "Go on, I'll follow you."

"You can't crawl the whole way, Trip. The ground's much too uneven. Your feet would get caught in the roots all the time."

"But you can't carry me. Don't tell me you're not in pain. I can see it on your face."

"I'll manage," Jeren objected.

"Not with these injuries. You can hardly stand on your own legs."

"We don't have time to argue, Trip. Just give it a try. Hold on to me." Jeren slid his arms under Trip's upper body and his knees and awkwardly picked him up. He inhaled sharply when a stinging pain shot through the cuts on his chest and back, but he didn't let go. Holding Trip against his chest, he began to walk taking slow, unsteady steps.

"Stop, Jeren!"

Recognizing the voice, Jeren stiffened for a moment, but then he went on.

"Jeren! I said stop! Don't force me to shoot."

"It's Harek," Trip whispered.

"I know. But he won't shoot."

"You sure?"

"He used to be my best friend, Trip. You don't shoot your friends." Jeren made an effort to pick up his pace.

"Jeren!" Desperation seeped into Harek's voice. Then a bullet whizzed through the forest. Trip felt Jeren wince when the bullet hit him, felt him sway and lose his balance. The engineer tried to block the fall with his shoulders as he hit the ground, but without his legs it was an exercise in futility. He looked back at Jeren who lay about three meters behind him. Next to his shoulder, a puddle of blood was spreading. Awkwardly, Trip turned around and crawled back until he was at his friend's side.

"No, Trip," Jeren whispered with a voice full of pain. "You can't help me. Leave me behind, look after yourself. You have to reach your shuttle."

"No way, I won't leave you behind." When Trip looked up he saw Harek approaching, carefully and with his weapon at the ready. At least ten of his colleagues were waiting in the background, keeping a respectful distance. When Trip became aware of just how hopeless their situation was, he felt anger well up inside him. Here they were, only a few steps away from their shuttle, but neither he nor Jeren would ever reach it. Trip raised his phaser and with the last remaining bit of energy that was left in the weapon, he shot Harek.

It's over, he thought when the rest of the guard wouldn't retreat despite the fact that their leader lay, unconscious, on the ground. They walked around Harek, getting closer. Trip pulled the trigger once more, but the phaser didn't react. It was empty.

Suddenly, he saw two legs next to his head and a tall figure positioned himself protectively in front of Jeren. It was Ensign Hanks, armed with two phasers which he was firing continuously. Trip's eyes filled with tears of sheer relief.

The men of the guard retreated in a hurry. They couldn't adapt to unexpected situations and didn't know what to do. Several of them had already dropped to the ground, which caused a major commotion among the rest of them. There were several good reasons why Hanks was part of Malcolm's team, one of them being that he was a very capable shot. With nearly every phaser beam he hit one of the guards. The men seemed at a loss what to do. As fast as possible they ran for cover behind the trees, firing from the distance.

A moment later, Travis Mayweather knelt down beside Trip. "Commander, you okay?"

"Yes. Can you take my friend to the shuttle, Travis?"

"But, Commander..."

"Take care of him. That's an order, Ensign. I'll manage on my own."

"Okay, sir." Travis grabbed Jeren under his armpits and dragged him out of the forest.

Trip looked after them then glanced up at Ensign Hanks, who had protectively positioned himself in front of the engineer, carefully scanning the forest with his eyes.

"You'll be alright givin' me coverin' fire, Jason?" Trip asked.

"As long as necessary, Commander." Hanks didn't look down at him, still firing well aimed shots into the wood to keep their pursuers at bay. From time to time, a bullet whizzed past his ears, but the ensign seemed perfectly calm. "You'll manage?" he asked.

"Sure, I'll be fine." Trip turned around and began to crawl over the uneven ground. Jeren had been right. His feet did indeed get caught in the roots, he couldn't move as fast as he had thought. He had only covered a few meters when someone's outstretched hands appeared in his field of vision.

"Let me help you."

Trip smiled at the familiar voice. Relieved, he grabbed the captain's wrists and allowed him to drag him over the ground.

Protectively, Archer shielded Trip with his body when some bullets hit the brushwood around them. "What do they want, anyway?"

"Me, mostly," Trip panted. It wasn't very comfortable to be dragged across the forest ground, but with all the bullets that were still fired in their direction it was best to stay close to the ground.

"What did you do this time?" Archer wanted to know. His breathing became labored with the effort of bringing his friend out of danger as fast as possible.

"You're not gonna believe it, Jon. They're pissed off because of my paralyzed legs."

"Come on, Trip, I'm not buying that." As soon as they had reached the open desert, Archer let go of Trip's wrists and bent down to pick him up.

"It's the truth, Jon." Trip peered back at the forest, and a moment later, Jason Hanks appeared behind them. In the meantime, most of the guards had stopped shooting. Tasur's men weren't willing to give up their safe cover, and none of them dared to follow them into the desert. Hanks kept covering them with his body, though, never taking his eyes from the edge of the wood.

-###-

Travis was surprised when a few meters before he had reached the shuttle, the young woman showed up whom they had already met a few minutes ago, when she had been helping Malcolm make his way out of the forest. Smiling apologetically, she took the unconscious body of Commander Tucker’s alien friend out of his arms.

"Um…" Travis opened his mouth to say something, but she had already turned around making her way to the shuttle and carrying the tall man like he weighed nothing at all. When Travis turned around, he saw the captain pulling the commander out of the wood and Ensign Hanks bringing up the rear. They seemed to have the situation under control. Travis nodded and returned his attention to his primary task, bringing the shuttle away from this hostile place as soon as everybody was safely on board.

When Jon tried to hoist Trip into the shuttle, Erianna was immediately at his side and took the engineer from him. Trip smiled at her when she effortlessly set him down on the bench beside Malcolm. The lieutenant leaned against the bulkhead with his eyes shut, pressing a bandage against his bloody left side.

"Hey Mal, how are you?"

Malcolm opened his eyes. "The bullet only grazed the skin. A small bruise, no reason to worry. What about Jeren?"

Trip looked over at the other bench where their friend lay on his stomach. The red stain on his shoulder was still spreading. "Harek shot him."

"Harek?"

"That's right. Looks like he doesn't care much about old friendships. And Jeren was so sure he wouldn't shoot."

Erianna sat down beside them when Ensign Hanks closed the hatch. "We're ready," the young security guard told the captain.

Archer nodded to Travis who boosted the engines at once. Trip smiled. What a beautiful sound. He closed his eyes, feeling immense relief wash over him.

They had gained only a few meters of height when suddenly a vehicle with a glittering sign on both sides appeared in front of the shuttle.

"Now what?" Travis asked, irritated. "Are they going to try and ram us?"

The captain leaned forward to look out the window. "Looks like they are. Could they be a danger to us, Ensign?"

"With this rust bucket?" Travis sneered.

"I see. Anyway, evasive maneuver, Ensign."

Travis tried some maneuvers, but the other vehicle stayed on an intercept course, still trying to ram them.

"I'm beginning to get just a little tired of them," the captain growled. "I don't need another ruined shuttlepod. Bring the weapons online, Travis. A direct hit into their engines should be enough."

Travis powered up the phasers and hit the rear section of the governor's flitter with a well aimed blast. Her eyes wide, Erianna watched the flitter go down and crash onto the ground, hard.

"Your shuttles are equipped with weapons?" she asked incredulously.

Trip ran a hand over his stubbly chin. "They only work when the computer's online," he smiled.

"Wow! I like that." Erianna grinned. "You know what? This shuttle's a great deal better than the scrap heap you've landed with."

"Scrap heap is the right word." Captain Archer sat down in front of them, giving Trip a mock scowl. "Could you tell me, Commander, what the hell you've done to my shuttlepod?"

Trip grinned. "It was Malcolm, Cap'n. He was at the helm." He felt Malcolm stiffen beside him and laid a hand on his friend's thigh. "It's okay, Malcolm, relax, I was just jokin'." Trip looked at Archer who had difficulties hiding a grin. The captain was immensely relieved to have his two officers back unharmed. Sobering up, he met Archer's eyes. "It's a long story, Cap'n." He was far too tired to relate everything that had happened during the last week to the captain, at least not right now.

"I bet," Archer grumbled. "In any case the two of you won't be getting your hands on another shuttle for quite some time. Bring the grappler online, Travis. We'll take the shuttle with us when we cross that clearing. Let's just hope it's not going to fall apart."

Trip looked around. He could hardly believe that they finally had managed to escape. Once again, the captain had done the cavalry thing and gotten them out of a hopeless situation. And not a minute too soon, either.

"What's been taken you so long, Cap'n?" he asked.

Jon smiled. "That's a long story as well. I'm sure it's not quite as long as yours, but I guess it can wait until we're back on Enterprise."

"Agreed." Exhausted, Trip closed his eyes. His adrenaline level was slowly coming down again, leaving him feeling tired and worn-out. Yawning, he forced himself to open his eyes again. He couldn't go to sleep right now. Not when Erianna was looking so vulnerable as she was anxiously watching her brother.

"He'll be okay," he tried to comfort her. "You'll see, our doctor can remove the bullet in no time."

"That's not the point, Trip," Erianna whispered and when she looked at him he could see plain fear in her eyes. "It looks like his shoulder is broken. You know what that means."

"You can't be sure of that, Erianna. Just wait and see. And even if it is broken, our doctor has worked some miracles before." Furtively, Trip tried to suppress another yawn. "I'm sorry."

Erianna laid her hand on his back. "It's okay, Trip," she said gently. "Just relax."

Trip sighed, laying his head on her shoulder. The last thing he saw was the surprised expression on the captain's face, then he was asleep.

Archer started. "What's the matter with him?" he asked, alarmed.

Smiling, Erianna looked at the sleeping man whose head rested on her shoulder, gently stroking a lock of blond hair out of his forehead. "He's only sleeping, Captain, and he is in urgent need of rest."

"Who isn't?" Malcolm muttered beside her. The lieutenant's eyes were also slowly drifting shut. He hated the idea of falling asleep, feeling he had to hold on the last few minutes until they would be aboard Enterprise, but there was nothing he could do about it. After he had spent so many hours awake and alert, the last days were finally taking their toll. Even his aching side couldn't stop Malcolm from falling asleep.

TBC

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