In A Cloudy State Of Mind

Chapter I

Doubts

And everything started on a friendly planet called Tenndaria. Shore leave was always very welcomed by the most part of the crew. Jonathan Archer who never truly enjoyed being on a leave made his way slowly to the Shuttlepod. It had been an interesting day but it was enough, he didn't deny having fun on the planet but he didn't feel so comfortable either. Trip for one did not understand his captain and friend, what was the point spending shore leave on the Enterprise when you actually could have a lot of fun down on the planet? He shook his head meeting Malcolm's gaze as Shuttlepod one left the surface. Hoshi and Travis where already at the newly localised bar and he couldn't wait but to go there.Trip turned around to see where Malcolm had gone. Only a couple of meters behind him the Armoury officer walked his eyes locked on a pad.

Trip let out a heavy sigh, "What are you doing? Don't tell me that's a pad because then I..."

He pointed a finger at Malcolm who just chuckled.

"Don't threaten your Armoury officer when he is carrying a phase pistol Commander. We are not finished with our calculations down here you know."

Right, it wasn't only shore leave there was a hatch, Trip rolled his eyes at the thought. Captain Archer and the government of Tenndaria had agreed that the crew could have shore leave on the planet if his best officers could help them with an enemy of theirs. Basically they wanted more of the alloys they already had stored away somewhere and Trip couldn't understand why, some alloys wouldn't help the Tenndarians if the tendencies with their enemies increased. That wasn't the only thing that bothered the Commander, one thing that really got him wonder was why they never mentioned the name of their enemies.

He waited for Malcolm to move up beside him before he went any further.

"There's something strange with this place."

Lt. Reed watched him for a moment.

"Usually I am the one that is called paranoid."

" Nah, just forget it. Come on let's find that bar should we?"

"This one is delicious".

Hoshi said fascinated with the culture of the planet as she smutted on her soft red drink.

"I like this one better."

Travis smirked as the bartender handed him another big bright yellow drink. She laughed at him as she put down her own glass.

"You know Phlox would probably call it unhealthy."

"Well he isn't on shore leave is he?"

He glanced upon the door as some familiar faces entered.

"Ah Lt. Nama, Ensign Carrie."

"So it is here the bridge crew are enjoying themselves?"

"You are right about that!"

Trip shouted through the noise as he and Malcolm popped through the door.

"I wondered when you two should drop in." Hoshi let in.

"Uh Hoshi, why are there only males in here except you?"

Trip asked curiously looking directly at the ensign.

"Oh there are plenty of girls in here."

Travis said chuckling.

"Girls? What are you a gay?"

Nama burst out in laughter then suddenly rose from his chair.

"Ensign Carrie lets go and order something...or maybe not."

He added looking at Travis.

"No, there are plenty of girls in here Trip!"

"How do you know that?

Malcolm gave him an odd look.

"The reason I do know is because I..."

"Go on you..."

rip waved his hand eager to hear him out.

"It's because I scanned them."

"You what?"

Malcolm bit his tongue not to laugh out loud at expression of Trip's face as he pulled out a chair to sit down.

"I think I will need a drink."

"So, T'Pol and Ensign Cutler are doing research at the city hospital".

Travis tried to switch the subject.

"Poor Liz, our Vulcan friend would probably never let her go. Oh maybe her soldier will come to her rescue?"

"The one with a hypospray in his hand?"

"Mmm, you know what?

Trip said cheerfully as their big drinks came in.

"Why don't we take a photo of these and send to him on the ship?"

"You are evil commander."

"Against who Travis? Phlox is probably going on at us for it in weeks!"

"Malcolm's right."

Hoshi added while emptying her bottle.

"Well then I save it for myself."

He said, suddenly snapping a photo of his surprised friends.

Back on the Enterprise Captain Archer sat in his ready room finishing up reports as Phlox entered. He frowned at his hopeless captain.

"Is there something I can do for you? Shore leave would do everyone good captain."

"I am relaxing doctor."

"Really you seem more tense than you have for weeks."

Phlox said glancing at the captain. Archer leaned in on his desk looking up the doctor.

"What do we know about the Tenndarians?"

"Well, they seem quite harmless I spoke to T'Pol earlier about our laboratory research and she didn't mind them."

"If my Vulcan science officer don't seem to mind them I assume they really are harmless." "You could check in on Comdr. Tucker and Lt. Reed perhaps they are of a different opinion." Archer just smiled.

"You could need some food since you obviously have been working hard the whole afternoon."

"I guess I could follow the doctor's orders for once."

Jonathan stood up.

"That might be a good idea captain."

Ensign Jolena Carrie sat on the bench outside the bar waiting for Lieutenant Andy Nama. She closed her eyes for a second enjoying the breeze from the distant water. It was so peaceful down here. She froze as someone suddenly grabbed hold of her hand. Andy placed a finger on her lips.

"Don't do that you are scaring the hell out of me!"

"I am sorry Jolena." He took her other hand and she giggled. Meeting up with some other ensigns and crewmen he turned to look at her meeting her dark brown eyes stunned by her beauty.

"You wouldn't mind doing a little bit of exploration around here would you?"

She gave him a big smile, handing him a scanner.

They reached for the forest stretching down to the lake sharing each others smile unaware of that someone was watching them.