STAR TREK: Enterprise - The Expanse
Page 19
“Phew.” Trip’s nose crinkled. “No offense, old buddy, but I think you could use a bath.”
Point well taken; Archer made a mental note to wash the dog. With sudden intensity, he realized just how badly he had missed his talks with Trip; maybe it had been a mistake, after all, to give up the socializing, the pleasantries. Maybe he needed all those things to make this experience bearable. He took a gulp of the Scotch, winced slightly at the alcoholic fumes that rose in his nose and gullet, then said what he’d been wanting to tell Trip ever since they’d discovered the destroyed planet. “I’m sorry, Trip. We failed this time around.”
“What’re you apologizing to me for? Besides, we haven’t failed.” Tucker set down his glass. “We simply haven’t gotten where we’re going yet.”
“That’s one way to look at it.” Archer let go a tired sigh. “It’s just that we seemed so close.”
A long pause ensued, then Trip drew in a deep breath; his voice lowered, softened. “I was wondering ... there never was any kind of memorial service for Lizzie. I know the timing’s off, and you didn’t know her ...”
Archer didn’t leave him hanging for an instant. “I’d be honored to conduct a ceremony.”
Tucker looked relieved. “Nothing formal, you know. Lizzie wasn’t into formalities. ... She wouldn’t want a fuss. ...” He swallowed hard, then added, “I thought just a small group. Reed, Hoshi, Mayweather, T’Pol ...”
The Captain nodded. “We can set something up as soon as you’d like.”
Trip set a hand on the portfolio, then asked, a bit shyly, “Have I ever shown you a picture of Lizzie? Any of her work?”
“No,” Archer said. “I’d love to take a look.” He scooted over on the bed, making room for Trip to sit next to him.
Tucker opened the portfolio to reveal the hologram of a beautiful, smiling young woman. “This is my favorite one of her,” he said. Archer looked down at the picture, and smiled himself.
Outside the window, alien stars streamed past.
About the Author
J. M. Dillard grew up coddled in the wilds of central Florida. After leaving her mother’s sheltering arms, she left Florida to reside in various locales, including Washington, D.C., Vermont, and—for the past twelve years—southern California. She herself now coddles a two-hundred-pound husband and two ninety-pound Labradors, all of whom are well-trained but persist in believing themselves to be lapdogs. She is the author of a plethora of Star Trek® books; as Jeanne Kalogridis (her evil alter-ego), she is the author of the acclaimed Diaries of the Family Dracul trilogy, and the historical fantasy The Burning Times.
About the e-Book
(JAN, 2004)—Scanned, proofed, and formatted by Bibliophile.