Unexpected - Chapter 6

Unexpected

by Orion9

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

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Chapter Six: First Signs

The Conservatory, The Royal Zenandrian Palace Grounds
Zenandria
1400 hours

Trip looked curiously about him. Unlike the balmy cool atmosphere of the planet, the air in the dimly lit building was warm and damp.

“Where are we again?”

A few metres away, Xanindra was flitting like a giant butterfly from one flowering plant to another, her tiny antennae moving energetically up and down.

“The conservatory,” she called back over one shoulder.

“Oh. Interestin’ sort o’ greenhouse you have here.”

“Green house? No, it’s too dark to see it in here but the walls are actually grey.”

“What? No, that’s not what I meant,” Trip shook his head, amused. “Back on my world, a greenhouse is where we grow plants that need a lot of heat, sunlight and protection from the weather like wind and rain. It’s usually made out of glass.”

“Oh …This is very much like your greenhouse then.”

Trip looked around dubiously. There were hardly any openings for light to come in. The huge metal building, consisting of two levels, was crammed with a confusing clutter of unusual plants of various shapes and sizes. It had two large main doors, one on each side, and three sets of steps leading up to the second level.

“Are yer sure? Seems kinda hard for these plants to get some light, doncha think?”

Xanindra laughed.

“Oh no, they don’t need that much light, only warm damp air. They were gifts from a neigbouring system years ago. Since the conditions there were slightly different from ours, Father had this built specially so that they could grow here too. Beautiful, aren’t they?”

“Yeah,” Trip agreed as he peered at one of the plants near him. It had yellow leaves and long tube-like flowers that changed colours when viewed at different angles.

“Oh, by the way, don’t touch …”

A startled yelp made her look up to find the Commander sucking on his right index finger, a disbelieving look on his face.

“… anything,” she finished faintly.

“The flower just bit me!”

He frowned accusingly at the offending plant.

“Sorry, I forgot to warn you. Some of these plants feed on insects and stuff.”

“Stuff?” he repeated, taking a cautious step back. “Are ya sayin’ you have carnivorous plants in here?”

“Yes...”

She stared curiously at him as he muttered under his breath about flytraps, sundews and flesh-eating vegetation.

“What’s a … flytrap?”

“Huh?” He was still glaring at the plant and her query made him look back at her in surprise, as if he had forgotten that she was there. She repeated her question. His brow cleared and he grinned sheepishly at her.

“We have plants on my world that eat insects too. A Venus flytrap is one of ‘em. Not as striking as your … uh … plant here though.”

“Oh, it sounds nice.”
“Depends on whether yer the plant or the insect, I s’pposed,” he said dryly. He took another look at the plant, this time making sure he did not touch any part of it. The flower that had closed on his finger was slowly opening again. Straightening, he turned to Xanindra.

“Uh… remind me why we’re here ‘gain?”

“Oh! I almost forgot!” She grabbed his hand once more and pulled him to the second level. They stopped in front of a huge pot. “I wanted to show you my favourite. It only flowers once a year and according to Kr’iar …”

“Who?”

“Kr’iar … the head gardener,” she explained before continuing excitedly. “Anyway, Kr’iar said that it should happen around this week. Maybe it’ll be today and we can both see it!”

Trip hesitated. Although he enjoyed her company, he could think of better things to do rather than to sit around waiting for some flowers to open. The several huge colourful bugs that suddenly crawled up onto a leaf beside him made things all the more easier to decide. He was just about to suggest that they return to the main palace and have something to eat when she plopped herself down on a nearby bench. As if sensing his reluctance, she turned a small hopeful face towards him and quickly patted the empty space beside her.

“Let’s wait a while, okay?” she said, her eyes wide with mute appeal. “Please?”

He sighed. He knew when he was beaten. They really should start including ways to deal with these sorts of things in their survival training exercises …

“Sure, why the heck not …”

He gingerly moved a few leaves aside and sat down beside her, keeping a watchful eye out for insects that may be interested in more than the usual plants and flowers. He shuddered inwardly. Flesh-eatin’ bugs … Just the thing to make this trip complete …

Beside him, Xanindra cast the engineer a puzzled glance but didn’t say anything about the weird look on his face. They passed the next few minutes lost in their own thoughts.

“So, you come here every day to check on them?” Trip asked finally, breaking the comfortable silence.

“No!”

He raised an eyebrow at her abrupt reply. She flushed and ducked her head, looking at her hands.

“Er … well … actually, yes, but only since the beginning of this week. Father thinks it’s too dangerous to come every day.”

“He’s right, you know,” Trip said as he contemplated the building’s location. “It is kinda isolated. Why was it built so far ‘way from the main palace?”

“When we were first given the plants, some of the officials were worried that the pollen from the plants may be dangerous to our people as some did not react well to them. So Father had the conservatory built at the edge of the palace grounds in case they were right.”

“Couldn’t you’ve just said ‘no thanks’?”

Xanindra cocked her head to one side.

“I’m not sure ... I think it had something to do with diplomatic ties between our worlds.”

“Humph … figures. So, were they right?”

“No. Only a very small number of our people had a reaction to the pollen. By the time the scientists found that out, the plants were doing so well here that no one wanted to take the risk of moving them again. We had lost quite a few when they were first replanted here.”

“Oh.” Then a thought hit him. “Hey! How’d y’know I wouldn’t have an allergic reaction as well?”

Xanindra giggled at his expression as he scrunched up his nose at her.

“You’re funny,” she said, her eyes bright. She shook her head. “I waited until the doctors told me it was all right to bring you here. I was afraid they wouldn’t get the results back in time. Luckily they worked fast.”

Trip nodded, remembering the blood sample that they had taken from him on his first day here. He wasn’t too happy about it at the time but now he was glad that he had agreed to it. He leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs as he studied the unusual plant that had bright orange and purple leaves. Several of the tiny blue buds were already starting to open.

“Are these carnivorous as well?”

“No, but I could show you those that are if you like. I could also give you some samples to take back to your ship.”

Her enthusiasm was so infectious that Trip had to smile despite the slight apprehension he felt at her suggestion.

“Err … thanks for the offer but I don’t think the Cap’n would be too happy ‘bout me bringin’ … uh … unusual specimens back to Enterprise…” he trailed off. Might as well get some bugs while I’m at it …

Again, Xanindra puzzled over the expression that crossed the Commander’s face.

* * * * *

He cursed fervently under his breath when he saw two additional guards outside the building. The Royal Zenandrian Guards. His eyes narrowed. This meant one of the suitors was around somewhere, most likely inside the conservatory with the girl. She was earlier than expected. Moreover, she was not alone, unlike the other times. Never mind. They would just have to deal with the fool if he got in their way. First, however, he needed another plan to get rid of the second set of guards, if they were still there when the time came. Silently, he signalled his men and they swiftly disappeared back into the forest.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Mess Hall
Enterprise
1430 hours

“Room for one more?”

Hoshi and Travis looked up in surprise to see Malcolm hovering behind them with a tray of food.

“Sure, Lieutenant,” Travis answered, scooting aside to make room for him. “Have a seat.”

“Thanks,” Malcolm said as he sat down. He normally ate alone but since Commander Tucker had been encouraging him to mingle more with the crew, he had decided to join the ensigns when he saw them at the nearly deserted mess hall. At least he did not feel uncomfortable when he was with them; trying his best not to grimace as he remembered the time he had breakfast with Captain Archer.

“I thought I was the only one having a late lunch,” he remarked, mentally shoving the memory away.

“I’ve just finished my shift,” Travis explained cheerfully as he forked a piece of chicken from his plate.

“I wanted to complete the linguistic database update,” Hoshi said with a graceful shrug. “Once Commander Tucker’s back on board tomorrow, we’ll be on our way. I doubt I’d have the time then.”

Malcolm nodded. He had lost track of time himself while completing the recalibration of the phase cannons and updating some of the records in the armoury.

“Do you know what happens at the ceremony tomorrow, sir?” Travis asked.

“No,” Malcolm shook his head. “I wish I did.”

“Oh, are we still on for target practice later?” Hoshi asked after a short silence.

Malcolm didn’t answer. His eyes had taken on a faraway look as he frowned distractedly at the other end of the room.

Hoshi caught the helmsman’s eyes. Travis shrugged slightly in reply to her silent query.

“Lieutenant Reed?” he asked hesitantly. He had to stop himself from waving a hand in front of Malcolm’s face. He raised his voice.

“Sir?”

“Hmm? What?” With an effort, Malcolm focused his attention on them again. “Sorry, I was wool gathering a bit there.”

Travis ventured a guess. “Is it about tomorrow’s ceremony?”

“It’s probably nothing,” Malcolm said as he turned back to his food.

“What is it?” the linguist asked, concern colouring her voice.

Malcolm sighed. He put down his fork and gave up any pretense of eating.

“Well, it’s just that a solar flare is projected to occur at the very same time as the ceremony tomorrow.”

“How long is it expected to last?” Travis asked.

“At least three, four hours … could be more. We don’t know for sure.”

“We don’t?” Hoshi repeated, her fork suspended over her forgotten pasta.

“Well, predicting when a flare is going to happen is easy but there’s no way of telling the duration of each one.”

“There’s one happening right now. It started about an hour ago,” Travis said.

“Yes, we couldn’t even get through even if we wanted to,” Malcolm made a face. “And having most of the senior officers down there tomorrow…”

“Oh, Lieutenant, you worry too much” Hoshi teased, trying to cheer him up. “It’s not good for you, you know.” She lowered her voice, “It increases frown lines …”

“So I’ve heard,” Malcolm responded, smiling despite himself. “But it is an alien planet and we could be cut off from Enterprise for a long while. I’d rather be prepared all the same.”

“I’m sure everything will be fine,” Hoshi said reassuringly as Travis nodded his agreement.

Malcolm picked up his fork again, his smile fading. He took a stab at his fish with a little more force than necessary.

“I sincerely hope you’re both right.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Conservatory, The Royal Zenandrian Palace Grounds
Zenandria
1520 hours

“Heck, look at the time,” Trip exclaimed in surprise. He gently replaced the tiny pot that he had been inspecting back on the table beside him and stood up.

“I’ve gotta go now if I want to make that meeting with your sister. It’s a pretty long walk back to the palace.”

“Okay,” Xanindra said as she hopped off the bench as well. She walked towards a wooden cupboard. “I’ll be staying a while longer. I need to get Mother some flowers for her vase.”

“Yer sure?”

“Yes, don’t worry. I’m usually here about this time anyway,” Xanindra replied as she took out a clipper. “Besides, the guards are just outside.”

Trip nodded.

“Be careful, ‘kay? I’ll see you later.”

* * * * *

He was wrong. There was no one in sight. When he didn’t see them within the building, he had assumed the guards would be waiting for him on the outside. He frowned, biting his bottom lip, as he stood a few steps away from the conservatory. Something’s wrong. Py’lr and Go’rn had never once let him out of their sights for the past three days. He seriously doubted that they would start now, not with the ceremony so close at hand.

“Py’lr? Go’rn? Where are you guys?”

T’pol’s warnings of danger came suddenly to mind and his hand instinctively went to his belt for his phase pistol before he remembered that he was unarmed. Trip swore softly. He wished that he at least had some kind of weapon with him. A long thick branch on the ground caught his eye and he bent down to pick it up. He looked critically at it for a moment. After all the advancements we’ve made, I’m back at mankind’s first weapon. Might as well get me a rock to go with this …

His mouth curled up slightly at the corners in sardonic amusement at the thought. It was, however, better than nothing. The branch firmly in hand, he walked on, peering into the thickly wooded forest enclosing the conservatory. His uneasiness grew with every step.

“Fellas? C’mon, guys, ya know this isn’t funny.”

The muted sounds of the forest surrounded him but he saw no sign of either man. After a few more steps, he stopped and stood still in the middle of the narrow pathway, his nerves on edge. I’ve a really bad feelin’ ‘bout this …

He flipped opened the communicator but there was only the now-familiar static. He glanced up. The thick canopy of leaves above him blocked out most of the sunlight except for sporadic areas, where shafts of bright light shone through. He could hardly see the sky from where he stood.

Abruptly, he turned on his heels and headed back towards the conservatory. Perhaps Xanindra’s Imperial Guards would know what was going on. If they didn’t, he might be able to warn them before anything happened. As he neared the domed building, a muffled scream filled the air. Trip’s breath caught and he froze in mid-step. It had come from within the conservatory.

“Xanindra…”

He broke into a run for the nearest door.

TBC

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