A/N: Hi there. I know you might want to skip this bit and get to the fic, but I just want to say thanks for dropping by…this is my first fic, so if you'd like to review…please do. Flames don't bother me, but don't get personal…! All feedback appreciated.
Synopsis: Archer, Reed and Sato attempt to rescue three aliens from a ship that's crashed into a planet's ocean. Trouble is, the aliens don't seem to want to be rescued…
Chapter One"Captain, we're approaching the source of the distress signal. It's coming from a nearby planet."
"On screen," Archer ordered, sparing T'Pol a quick glance.
The screen sprang to life, and, as always, Archer felt the breathless rush that came with viewing an alien planet, knowing than no other human had ever seen or set foot on such a place. It was a large planet, slowly orbiting a nearby sun. It was a blue-grey orb, the surface heavily masked by clouds. Archer spent another long moment staring at it, before turning away.
"Any response to our hails?" he asked.
"No, sir," Ensign Hoshi Sato responded, efficiently, "All I'm getting is the same message repeated over and over. It's not a dialect that I'm familiar with."
"Have you translated it?"
"Partially, sir. I believe it's automated, and definitely a call for help. I can't be more specific."
Archer turned around further.
"Life signs?" he queried.
"My sensors show a large diversity of life signs," T'Pol responded, her slim hands dancing across the controls, "however, I am detecting what appears to be a downed vessel, with three life signs in the vicinity."
"What about the planet's atmosphere?" Archer wanted to know, clearly eager to get down to the surface.
"A rich Oxygen/Nitrogen mix, with trace amounts of other gases," T'Pol replied, calmly, "breathable. However, landing a shuttle pod may pose a problem, sir. Ninety three percent of the planet's surface is covered by water. The ship at the source of the distress signal appears to be floating in one of the vast oceans. Electrical storms are converging upon the area."
"Can we use the transporters?" Archer asked, unwilling to give up.
"For the moment, but I cannot get an exact lock on the position of the survivors."
"Can we beam down and find them?"
"I would advise against it, captain. The approaching storms may interfere with the transporters."
"It's a simple rescue – we'll beam down, locate the survivors, and beam back," Archer announced, decisively, "T'Pol, you're in command. Malcolm, Hoshi – you're with me. Let's go."
Archer took a few moments to collect his away mission equipment, apologising to Porthos that there would be no chance of a walk this time, tossed his beloved pet some cheese, and made his way to the transporter room. Lt. Reed and Ensign Sato were already there. Archer was immediately struck by the tension in the room. Hoshi was eyeing the transporter with a wary eye; Jonathan knew how much she hated using the device, but he also knew that she would be fine as soon as they got down there. Malcolm looked unusually pale, almost apprehensive, and Archer wondered what he was so…oh. His mind suddenly flew back to a recent conversation, both of them in spacesuits, Reed pinned to the hull of the ship by an alien mine…
"I'm scared of the water…"Archer could have kicked himself for forgetting.
"Hoshi," he said, abruptly, "I forgot – we may need a medical kit. Go down to Phlox and get one, would you?"
"Yes, sir," she nodded, quickly, and left at a jog.
Archer glanced across the technician at the transport control panel, judging him to be well out of earshot, before stepping up beside Lt. Reed.
"Lieutenant?"
The younger man started slightly, regained his composure quickly, and came to attention.
"Sir?"
His voice was level; calm and steady – that was a good sign, at least.
"I'm sorry, I forgot about…you know…you and water…? I can assign someone else…?"
"That won't be necessary, sir," Reed replied, quickly, his face colouring slightly, "I'll be fine. We won't be in the water."
"We'll just beam in, locate the survivors, and beam out," Archer assured him, "no problems, and no swimming, I promise."
Reed managed a quick grin. They waited a few moments before Hoshi returned, and they stepped up to the transporter pad. Archer nodded to each of them, and then to the technician.
"Energise."