The Good That Men Do - Andy Mangels [28]
Archer wondered exactly what trouble the Andorian had really gotten himself into, and exactly how much danger Enterprise’s crew was going to be in if they helped him out of it. And yet, despite the occasional scuffles, diplomatic errors, and Ushaan battles-to-the-death, Shran had always seemed to come out on Archer’s side.
Archer could only hope that this time would prove no different.
“And I thought things must have gotten complicated for the Vissians, who had three genders,” Trip said, putting his elbows on the table in the captain’s mess, which had just been pressed into service as an impromptu conference room. “I’m sorry, I’m still stuck on the four sexes thing. Why is it we didn’t already know about that?”
Shran, accompanied by an Aenar male whom Shran had introduced as Theras, had docked their small, battered civilian vessel with Enterprise approximately fifteen minutes earlier. During the last ten minutes or so, they had attempted to explain to Archer, Trip, T’Pol, and Malcolm the general mechanics of the Andorian marriage bond, in addition to the more urgent issue of the mass kidnapping of Aenar from their subterranean city on Andoria.
Four sexes to mate. Thaan, chan, zhen, and shen. Bondmates. Shelthreth ceremonies. Archer’s thoughts were spinning as Theras spoke awkwardly, as though unused to using his voice, but nevertheless refraining from making telepathic contact out of deference to his nontelepathic hosts. All the while, Shran looked on with ill-concealed impatience.
“Wait,” Archer said, putting up his hand. “You said that Jhamel was your bondmate, Theras, and that the other two were your third and fourth.”
The albino Aenar turned toward Archer, his sightless eyes staring in the direction of the captain’s voice. “Yes. Shenar and Vishri.”
Archer turned toward Shran, puzzled. “Forgive me, Shran, but the last time I saw you and Jhamel, I got the distinct impression that the two of you…” He paused, embarrassed as he realized that he had strayed onto a subject likely to offend both his guests.
Theras surprised him by smiling. “Do not fear offending us, Captain,” he said. “All of Jhamel’s bondmates are well aware of the feelings she and Shran have for one another. Since we’re all telepathic, such emotions would be rather difficult to conceal. Therefore we do not begrudge them.”
Shran, however, appeared to have far less equanimity about his relationship with Jhamel than did Theras. The Andorian looked guilty for a moment, his antennae drooping to either side. When he finally spoke, his voice was low. “I fell in love with Jhamel, Captain. But the biology and culture of our people- Andorian and Aenar alike- dictate certain realities. Jhamel had long ago been promised to a shelthreth group, and for the continuation of their family line, she needed to be there. But that didn’t make our feelings for one other any easier to deny.”
He looked over at T’Pol. “Vulcans have arranged marriages as well. Even certain human societies have had them. But sometimes, love between two beings can transcend what society or biology dictates, whether it’s taboo or not.”
Archer saw T’Pol stiffen slightly in reaction, but his first officer registered no other visible sign that Shran’s words had had any effect on her.
Trip was less controlled in his response, sitting back in his chair, crossing his arms, and looking away with his jaw clenched. Even blind Theras can see that Shran just hit Trip where he lives, Archer thought. And that’s without the telepathy.
Archer leaned forward and attempted to redirect the subject before it made the mood in the room even more tense than it had already become. “I think we understand what you’re saying, Shran. Now tell us more about this Orion attack.”
As the Andorian told the story of the interrupted shelthreth ceremony at the Aenar city, Archer watched his officers. Trip still seemed distant, and T’Pol stoic, but Malcolm seemed- not surprisingly- to be listening eagerly and expectantly.
After a few minutes of explanation, Shran finally