Rating: NC17
Category: Het Feedback: Yes Pretty Please! ([email protected]) Archive: EntSTCommunity, Reed's Armoury, BLT, MEGA, any others, please ask first SPOILERS: Maybe a tiny nod to "The Expanse", but nothing too obvious. WARNINGS: NON-CONSENSUAL SEX, VIOLENCE, CHARACTER DEATH AND SAP Summary: Ex-lovers Malcolm and Rose are re-united. But is the magic still there? Disclaimer: I don't own or have any rights to the Star Trek universe, "Enterprise", or any of its characters they belong to UPN/Paramount. I am making no money from this story.As the remaining water droplets cooled on his body, he shivered and towelled himself more vigorously, anxious to get dressed. It was then that he glimpsed another blemish on his pale skin - this one self-inflicted. Tattooed on his right hip was a rose and the sight brought with it memories of kindness and laughter - things which no longer featured in Reed's life.
The posting to Enterprise had, for Malcolm, been the fulfilment of a dream. He'd been surprised when Jonathan Archer had interviewed him for the Armoury post on the ship and stunned when he got it. Knowing he would be serving under the son of the late, great, Henry Archer, a brilliant man who'd long been a hero of the younger Reed, had made him almost incoherent with excitement. Disappointment, however, soon followed. Although his new job allowed the inventive Lieutenant to perfect several weapons ideas he'd been developing in his previous posting, he largely spent his time trying to protect and defend his shipmates from the dangers into which their inept Captain led them.Jonathan Archer had proved to be the antithesis of his father: impulsive, immature, arrogant and certainly no diplomat. In fact Sub-Commander T'Pol, the ship's Vulcan First Officer, who was often on the receiving end of sexist insults and racist jibes from her Captain, showed herself to have far more leadership ability, dignity, and plain old common-sense, than Archer would ever possess.
Archer's one skill was his charm which, in order to get exactly what he wanted out of life, he could turn on and off at will. He'd used it to gain his position on Enterprise, he'd used it to get his personal chef aboard and he'd used it to have his best friend installed as Chief Engineer. He'd even used it to gradually befriend the shy and insecure Malcolm Reed - but now Reed was discovering exactly what that charm concealed.Relieved to see that no more blood was running out of him, Malcolm stealthily made his way through the ship to the familiar territory of sickbay, deserted now except for Phlox's weird menagerie of pets ostensibly kept for medicinal purposes. Locking himself in, he rummaged for what he needed then, cursing the uncontrollable shaking of his hands, he clumsily injected himself with a hypo of pain relief.
This time had been worse than all the others. The day had already been stressful for Malcolm: they'd encountered a ship from a race of people they'd never previously met, but who had comparable technology and weapons capabilities. His senses had been on high alert when Archer, in his usual, neighbourly manner, had invited a delegation to visit Enterprise - without first considering the security implications. Fortunately, the aliens seemed friendly and trustworthy, behaving immaculately aboard Enterprise and, in return, happily encouraging the Starfleet officers to visit their own ship. Still, the Lieutenant had been relieved when they'd gone. He was summoned to the Captain's quarters just as his shift ended and, even recognising what might occur, knew he had to obey the order. It had been made plain to him from the outset that the penalty for disobedience was severe: Henry Archer's son had friends in high places and destroying the life and career of one lowly Armoury Officer could be achieved without much exertion. When the Captain's door opened, Malcolm had been shocked to find himself facing a group of aliens which Archer had told him, earlier that day, had already left the ship. The Captain smiled "Ah, Malcolm, I'd like you to meet Captain Kreevan and his senior officers from the Torgut. It turns out they have the capability to manufacture some of the engine parts Trip's been anxious to replace since that last pounding we took from the Klingons - and they're more than happy to trade for them."For a moment his heart soared hopefully. There had obviously been a misunderstanding: this summons hadn't been what he'd thought. He was going to be asked to escort them to the shuttle bay - or maybe help them repair some weapons system or other in return for the needed components. It was only when he saw the manacles in the smiling Captain's hands that he realised he'd been right all along. Apparently, Archer's idea of facilitating trade extended to offering his guests the use of his own, personal, living, breathing sex toy. As always, when Archer touched him, Malcolm recoiled. As always, he was then given a direct order to comply with the Captain's wishes. The aliens were intensely curious and, although he tried to detach himself from the unfolding horror and focus his mind elsewhere, he couldn't help hearing them discussing the intimacies of his body as they poked, prodded and explored him.
Archer had then demonstrated his uses and invited his guests to taste for themselves. They laughed as Malcolm, humiliated and in pain, tried to wrench himself away until his wrists, shackled to the bulkhead, were raw. Several times, as their assault progressed, he'd been on the brink of losing consciousness but, with a hypospray of stimulant, Archer had cruelly revived him, relishing his control over every aspect of his subordinate's life. At long last, discretion having been promised on both sides, it was time for the aliens to go. The Captain had released him, ordering him to leave before he returned from escorting his guests off the ship. The consequences of not doing so at the forefront of his mind, Malcolm had, of course, obeyed. Then, carefully avoiding meeting anyone in the corridors, he'd crept back to his quarters, like a wounded animal, and wept. Tears were threatening again now as he fumbled to clean and dress his wrists, wishing he knew how to deal with the deeper harm that had been done to him. Archer had been abusing him for months and he'd grown used to being taken against his will somehow managing to detach himself from reality until the degradation was over. It had made him jittery though: nervous of his male crewmates, uncomfortable with the females, becoming more withdrawn each day.Sessions in the enclosed space of Decon were nightmarish for Malcolm and to his enormous embarrassment the strain of concealing his anguish caused him to revert to an old childhood problem: bedwetting. He'd also begun biting his nails and fidgeting whenever he was required to be inactive for any length of time much to the irritation of Sub-Commander T'Pol. He couldn't begin to imagine how he could discreetly cope with this latest development multiple rape.
Wiping his eyes on his sleeve, he whirled in shock as he heard the sickbay doors swish open. He had locked them with his own security code and only one other person aboard could override that. Jonathan Archer smiled benevolently, if insincerely, as he entered sickbay, re-locking the door behind him. "Ah Malcolm, I thought I'd find you here: you left a little blood on my carpet and I was worried about you."As the Captain moved towards him, Reed retreated backwards, colliding with a biobed, then upsetting a trolley of surgical instruments, before finding himself trapped in a corner with nowhere else to go. Archer continued smiling: "A little jumpy, aren't we?"
Reaching forward, he grabbed Malcolm by the forearm, carefully avoiding fouling himself on the bloodied mess the manacles had made of Reed's wrist. "Come with me, Lieutenant. You're in luck we're having more guests tonight - and guess who's the entertainment."
Unable to even contemplate another round of such brutality, Malcolm dropped to his knees, effectively stopping the Captain in his tracks. Furious, Archer swung round and backhanded him viciously: "Cooperate Lieutenant: that's an order. And you know what will happen if you disobey." Standing back, he waited while his dazed subordinate struggled to his feet, breathing heavily. Malcolm tottered forward then crumpled to the floor, his rebellious legs refusing to hold him. Archer was incensed "Get up, you little shit." He swung a kick at the Lieutenant, connecting with his ribs, then started trying to pull him up by the hair. "You've embarrassed me once today, with your whining and complaining. Don't dare do it again. Now, move!" Groggily, Malcolm made it as far as his knees then, suddenly, he heard weapons fire, and saw sparks at the control panel, as the doors to sickbay opened to admit Commander Trip Tucker.Tucker had previously been a casual friend of Reed's but he was also Archer's best friend and his conflicted emotions showed in his face. He pointed a phase pistol in Archer's direction: "Stay put, Cap'n. Ah don' wanna shoot, but if ah have ta, ah will!"
Archer whirled, beaming. "Trip! Good timing. Malcolm's not himself right now. I don't know what's wrong but he just tried to attack me with a laser scalpel. You'd better call security." Tucker moved a little closer and peered at the injured officer on the floor "Believe me, ah already have. Move away, Malcolm. Its gonna be OK." Reed saw two armed crewmen arrive to stand behind Trip and did as he was told but Archer sprang towards him, snatching up and activating the laser scalpel on his way. Trip fired and the instrument skittered to the floor, closely followed by the Captain's unconscious body. The engineer sighed, shaking his head. "Jeez, Jon. Did ya have ta make it worse? OK guys, guess ya'd better lock `im up." As Archer was manhandled out of sickbay by the security team, Malcolm glimpsed, with some relief, the incongruous sight of Dr Phlox loping towards the door, closely followed by the willowy form of Sub- Commander T'Pol. Trip was beside Reed now and his strong arms were hauling him to his feet, leading him to a biobed where Phlox immediately began his examination. Nearby, T'Pol stood, impassive, silently watching the doctor work - but an eyebrow lifted in enquiry as the Denobulan turned to report to her. "He has internal bleeding but I'll make sure any evidence from his assault is preserved and presented to you by morning." The Vulcan inclined her head slightly then, ordering Tucker to follow her, she exited sickbay. Phlox was already helping Reed out of his uniform and into a medical gown. His investigation was gentle, discreet and, thanks to a sedative, caused minimum distress. In no time at all, his patient was pain-free, and resting quietly while the Denobulan finished taking samples and swabs. Minor surgery, under a light anaesthetic, followed - but within two hours, Malcolm was back inn bed, awake, and startled to see the concerned face of Trip Tucker peeking round the privacy curtain. Speaking was a major effort, but Malcolm needed to try: "Trip? How - how did you know?" Tucker smiled sadly. "Actually, it was all thanks to yer own..." - he hesitated on the verge of saying "paranoia", realising that Reed had good reason not to be very trusting, - " cautiousness. Remember those security cameras ya installed in the Captain's quarters and Ready Room after the incident with our ol' Suliban friend Silik? Yer relief in the Armoury noticed they were still runnin' jus' over an hour after ya wen' off shift. He scanned the recordin' an' called me when he saw what was happenin'. An', before ya ask, ah made sure he won't say nuthin' ta anyone else outside a court o' law." Comprehension flooded Reed's brain. Realising the Captain's safety could be at risk in a situation so full of unknowns, he'd switched the cameras on when the Aliens had come aboard. When his shift ended, and he'd received the summons from Archer, he'd forgotten to turn them off and had, inadvertently, recorded his own humiliation and condemned the captain at the same time.Trip was watching him closely "He's hurt ya before too, hasn't he?"
Malcolm nodded miserably. "It started not long after I had my run-in with the Romulan mine. He risked such a lot for me and I was so grateful " His voice tailed off as the memory of kindness, followed by betrayal, brought a lump to his throat. "The first time he asked me to sleep with him I refused and he didn't like it. From then on, he made it an order, backed up by threats."Squeezing his eyes shut against gathering tears, he continued; "I was frightened, Trip. Enterprise is my home now. I didn't want to be thrown off the ship and out of Starfleet. I - I've nowhere else to go." Suddenly aware that he was not alone in his distress, he turned to the engineer. "Oh, Trip, you've just had to shoot your best friend and its all my fault. I'm so sorry."
"Don' be. He was in the wrong, Malcolm. Anyways, ah should be the one apologisin' fer not seein' somethin' was up. Ah heard rumours at the Academy that Jon had a few ..." he gave a short bark of laughter, " weird sexual proclivities but ah thought it was all jest muck-rakin' `cause he was Henry Archer's son an' folk had ta try ta pull `im down.Despite himself, Malcolm yawned and, abruptly, Tucker stood up. "Hell, ah better get goin'. Phlox said not to tire ya out an' here ah am doin' jus' that. This ain't gonna be easy for either of us Malcolm, but we'll survive. Never doubt it."
Under Phlox's care and counselling, Malcolm recovered well and, with dignity and courage, endured the harrowing process of giving evidence at Archer's trial. As expected, the security tapes were instrumental in securing a conviction and, with T'Pol's resignation from Vulcan High Command freeing her, upon receipt of a field commission, to assume the captaincy of Enterprise, life was soon returning to normal.
The tentative friendship begun by Trip and Malcolm, during their near- death experience on Shuttlepod One, had never really developed - but now, at Tucker's request, the two men began to socialise together often, Malcolm gradually becoming more comfortable in Trip's company. Three months after his final ordeal at Archer's hands, Malcolm accepted Trip's invitation to spend a few days of shore leave with him on Valdor V, an Earth-like planet in the Brivaris System.Although located in what was laughingly referred to as the "asshole of the galaxy", Valdor V had been home to several ancient civilisations and was known for producing fine musicians and artists. It also boasted magnificent scenery and its people had a reputation for friendliness and good hospitality.
Anxious to be rid of their luggage, the two men checked into their hotel first. Predictably, ever concerned with orderliness, Malcolm opted to unpack before heading out to explore the nearby seaside town of Parros. His room had a balcony, with a glorious view of rugged mountains sweeping down to a sparkling sea, and he was enjoying the clean, fresh air at the open balcony doors when the nearby com-unit beeped. "Hey Malcolm, ain'tcha got yer damned unpackin' done yet?"
He smiled at the engineer's impatience: "For goodness sake Trip, I haven't taken very long! I just like to get things on hangers before they crease."
Tucker laughed, "Don' worry `bout that. Ya won't need them anymore anyways." "Trip, don't talk nonsense! Of course I'll need " Malcolm frowned, puzzled, as the channel was abruptly closed while he was still replying. Suddenly, something cold touched his neck. Before he could react, there was brief pressure and a hiss - then his legs gave way beneath him and he crumpled to the floor. Panic seized him as his vision blurred and a creeping paralysis invaded his body: "Trip! Help me " A floorboard creaked and someone leaned over Malcolm and began removing his clothes. "You're wasting your time, Lieutenant: Trip's mine always has been. He knows how to obey my orders and he's done me proud getting you here. Now he's off enjoying his shore leave while we um, finish some outstanding business."Malcolm's heart pounded wildly in response to the voice: Jonathan Archer obviously still had influence enough to get himself out of jail.
Archer ran his fingers lightly down Reed's paralysed body, intruding in his most secret places as of right. "I'm afraid I couldn't find you Captain Kreevan and his officers but, during the voyage here, I met quite a number of guys in Valdor V's merchant fleet who reminded me of them. Now they're really anxious to get to know you, so be sure you make them feel welcome." He turned away for a moment: "Come on in boys: the party's paid for and we're ready to go!"As the door opened and several other individuals entered the room he chuckled, still fondling his captive: "It should be a fascinating experience all round, Malcolm. The Valdorians are all big guys and they have barbs on their dicks - its something to do with stimulating egg production in their females, to aid conception." He leaned closer and Reed felt nauseous: "Kinda sounds like it'll really hurt, huh?"
His limbs limp and uncooperative, Malcolm was dragged across the room and thrown onto the bed. Without preamble, someone carelessly jerked up his hips and forced their way between his legs, roughly wrenching them apart. The savageness of what followed tore the first of many anguished screams from his throat - whilst Jonathan Archer, aroused beyond measure, watched and enjoyed his vengeance.The promised barbs raked at delicate membrane, intensifying Reed's already unbearable pain. His limbs were twisted roughly and his body thoughtlessly thrown around to accommodate each assailant's size or personal preference. As exhaustion and blood loss took their toll, his screams gradually diminished to hoarse, tortured moans. Archer laughed: "What's the matter, Lieutenant? Missing your security cameras?"
Kneeling at the side of the bed, he smiled at Malcolm's pitiful groans: "Nobody's gonna rescue you this time, Lieutenant. Trip had no choice before: he wasn't the only one to see the recording. You don't think he did it because he WANTED to? He's mine, Malcolm has been for years. Mine and only mine." It was well over three hours before the merchantmen tired of their entertainment and began drifting out of the room and back to their ship. Eventually, Archer left too, giving hushed orders to the one remaining Valdorian a brawny youngster who had been made to wait until his elders were finished before being given his turn at using Malcolm. Obviously inexperienced, the boy's assault was clumsy and frenzied but short-lived. At its conclusion, he leaned close to his victim and growled in his ear: "The other human wants me to kill you, but I'm not a murderer. We're going on a little journey, you and me, and, if you do as I say, you might live."Nonchalantly, he picked up the battered officer, threw him over his shoulder then, contacting his ship, was transported to a remote part of the countryside where Malcolm was tossed into a damp, wooded gorge. "There's a human settlement not far to the south. You'd be wise to go there."
As the whine of a transporter whisked the Valdorian youth away, Malcolm surrendered to unconsciousness.A fierce roar of thunder, followed immediately by torrential rain, brought the injured Lieutenant back to awareness. Soaked and shivering, he managed to roll painfully onto his stomach then, teeth clenched to stop himself from crying out, scramble to his knees, using the slender trunk of a sapling to haul himself the rest of the way to his feet.
For a while he just stood there, his head spinning and stomach roiling with nausea. Clutching the tree to keep upright, an odd, warm, stickiness caught his attention and, looking down, he saw fresh blood between his thighs and running down his legs, mingling with the rain. Biting back a sob, he began threading his way upward through the dense, musty-smelling, undergrowth, thorns and jagged twigs clawing at his naked flesh, his only thought to find a place to shelter from the storm, to rest and lick his wounds. Progress was agonising and slow, the ground slippery and his vision blurred by the driving rain. At the top of the slope, he peered at his surroundings, desperate for some sign of habitation and help, but with no clear sight of civilisation he was forced to start forward again. Unsteady, and succumbing to weariness, he only managed another 100 metres or so before losing his footing and tumbling, uncontrollably, back down the incline. Close to despair, he was once more struggling to his feet when a movement, a little way ahead, froze him in place. Among the bushes, and rapidly coming towards him, was a dark shape: an animal of some sort, large and shaggy with a sharp muzzle and sharper teeth visible in its open mouth. Panic swept over him as the beast broke into a run and launched itself forward, knocking him back against one of the more substantial trees.Malcolm landed hard on his hip and, instinctively, curled and threw his arms up to shield himself, peering past them into the gloom. The animal had backed off a little - but he was rapidly losing the will to care. His body was shutting down: fear, pain and blood loss, combined with exhaustion and creeping cold, made him consciously decide to lower his guard and let nature take its course. If he was lucky, his throat would be torn out quickly and he'd know very little of his death.
Suddenly, he heard a woman's voice - cursing vehemently. The beast's head whipped round and it loped off in her direction, leaving him alone and trembling. The rain was getting heavier and he could no longer make out the words but he could still hear her voice. From its tone, it seemed to be scolding, moving nearer all the time, and, a moment later, he was again face-to-face with the beast - but, this time, it had brought company.
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