Ensign Zola, Ensign Keege and Lt. Commander Couchatta were arguing. They were in the lounge/mess hall that the Captain had created just for them. It was a place where they could all get together, informally, to eat, drink, relax or, in this case, argue.

"Kee," Lessa tried to get in, "Kee…Ensign Keege!"

The others present in the room, Doctors Lor and Veersa and Dean Coe, were now also alerted to the argument.

"Ensign, you are out of line." Commander Couchatta chastised.

"But, you can't deny, you've heard the rumors," Kee persisted.

"You hear rumors, Kee," Ensign Zola replied rationally, "You always hear tales and stories of officers that are unusual or quirky."

The doctors joined the other three staff members at the table to hear the continuing conversation.

"Look at Captain Riker? They say he's got some sort of mysterious twin running around." Zo responded. "That was the story on his ship."

"Doctor Lor," Kee called, drawing him further into their conversation, "What is it with the Captain that she requires a personal physician?"

Lor was surprised by the question, "She's the commanding officer. She gets some special treatment, but Andrea has also indicated that any of you may use my services."

Kee sighed in frustration, "That's not what I mean. You're just prevaricating."

"I know the Captain suffers from claustrophobia and sometimes, insomnia. Perhaps that's why she merits a personal physician."

"Think before you speak, Ensign. Is that the kind of information you would want others to know about your commanding officer?" Dean Coe chastised the young officer.

Zo blushed, "No, ma'am. That wouldn't be proper."

Kee refused to give up. "Dean Coe, you were at the Academy with the Captain, weren't you? Did you ever hear stories?"

Dean Coe cast a glance at Veer before answering, "My first year to teach was the Captain's last year at the Academy. Our paths did not cross extensively."

In his very Vulcan tones, Doctor Veersa interjected, "Most of us have known the Captain at one time or another, Ensign Keege, but if you want detailed answers, I suggest you ask the Captain herself."

Commander Jake Long entered the lounge in time to hear Pasha and Veer's statements about the Captain. Joining the others at the table, he questioned, "What do you want to ask the Captain?"

Lessa looked down the table at the Security Officer, "The ensign here," pointing at Keege, "seems to think Captain Thoreau is not human. That she's some type of dinosaur."

Jake flinched at the term, which in some cases, could be classified as true. "Ahh, Ensign Keege, you want to know if the story about the Captain being a holdover from some past decade in history is true, yes?"

"Finally!!" she looked upward as if her prayers had been answered, "Yes, Commander, that's it exactly. That's what I've heard."

"Then allow me to answer the question, Keege." He paused for effect. "It's true. The Captain is not of this time."

The collective silence was deafening. Doctor Lor and Dean Coe looked slightly uncomfortable at the Commander's admission. He saw their looks of concern but forged ahead.

"Look, Pasha…Doctor. They're going to hear all the ugly rumor and innuendo as long as they're under Andy's command. They might as well get the true story from people who know it." Jake answered defensively.

"Don't include us in your 'people', Commander. My knowledge is not first hand and I will not add to the rumor mill." Was Pasha's definitive reply.

Jake smiled, "It's okay. I'll take the responsibility." He looked at the eager girls at the end of the table. "So you want to know about Captain Thoreau? Okay, here's how Andy got to be Andy."

Jake started his story, "Lieutenant Andrea Thoreau's first assignment out of Starfleet was to serve on the prestigious USS Enterprise. Of course, it didn't hurt that the First Officer was her friend and mentor, Will Riker. She had only been on the ship about three weeks when a Security Detail knocked on her door. They were there to arrest our young officer and lock her in the brig."

"Arrest her?" Zo looked surprised, "The Captain seems like such a straight arrow. Why would someone want to arrest her?"

Jake smiled, "Starfleet has a tendency to arrest you and throw away the key when your charged with treason."

The looks on the faces and the stunned silence gave Jake a clear path to tell the rest of the story.