Don't Judge A Book…

By Antares *Star

Chapter three: A Shoulder To Cry On

*Disclaimer and other info located on first chapter

*Note: Wow!! The feedback is excellent! You guys all rock! Whew, I wouldn't be posting this so soon if it weren't for your reviews! They really make me write faster. Today was my birthday!! Yay, so here's a present for you all! Hope you like!

The Ansian carefully entered the dark cell. Archer and Hoshi jumped up, ready to intently listen. Malcolm tensed and brought his hand down towards his leg where the phase pistol was holstered. He hadn't told his crewmates about it, in case they were being monitored. It might be their only hope for escape, and they couldn't risk losing it. Trip merely sat, unable to stand.

Archer immediately recognized the Ansian as Capena, the first Ansian Enterprise had encountered. He felt himself growing infuriated. This was the man who had set the trap and lured him onto their planet.

Capena felt a bit uncomfortable, but masked it well as he began to talk. "I'm sure your wondering why we have captured you." He looked around to meet four angry gazes. A bit flustered he continued "well, the Commander of this base has given me permission to tell you outright. We are in the middle of a war with a very dangerous enemy. We're losing.

"We need your help. Although most of your technology is inferior to ours, we have detected that certain useful systems are superior. While you and I had our little chat, Captain, our scanning facility scanned most of the systems on your ship. Life support, sensors, logs, crew manifests, you name it. There were two systems, however, our scanners couldn't seem to process. They were weapons and your hull plating. Our sensors couldn't scan them because they are obviously superior to ours. We have never seen anything like them. Your people must have a very violent past, to have developed such extensive martial machinery."

Trip clenched his fists in response to the blunt insult. Reed felt a bit of pride about their superior weaponry, but was also miffed.

"So what do you want from us. You want us to fight a war for you? Sorry, we refuse." Archer said as evenly as his temper would allow him.

"Oh!" Capena laughed a cheery laugh, out of place in the prison. "No, no!! We want no such thing, although we will find use for your ship. We were thinking more along the lines of--"

Trip began to laugh. A dry, humorless laugh filled with irony, when juxtaposed to Capena's. "How do ya expect to take Enterprise when we have the better weapons?"

"I see your brain is another system inferior to ours." Capena threw at Trip, his words laced with ice.

"Now wait just a moment!" Trip made a gallant effort to rise, leaning against the wall and balancing on his left foot. "What does that have to do with anythang?"

Capena seemed pleased that his words had insulted the human. He grinned with those perfect teeth and continued. "If you were indeed as clever as us, you would have figured it out by now."

He held out his slender hand and ticked off fingers as he spoke. "One, we find out your ship has extensive weaponry. Two, we are in the middle of a failing war. Three, we have four officers from this strong ship in our clutches. Four, in order to get the ship we must have the better weapons. So," he paused leering around. "anyone know five?"

Archer looked exasperated and turned to Hoshi who shrugged. Malcolm's voice rang out in the hollow room. "I know." He admitted, his polite accent full of hatred. "You intend either to use us as hostages, and force Enterprise to fight. Or, you will make us construct our better weapons for you."

"Very good human." He glanced at Reed, who was painfully sitting up against a wall. He turned to Trip, "Perhaps injury increases you human's intelligence." He studied Trip's bloody foot. "Than again, maybe not."

Trip gritted his teeth and audaciously lunged at the alien, who quickly stepped out of the cell. Archer leapt forward, intent on beating the life out of his captor, but ended up pounding his fists against the bars as the door was slammed shut in his face. "Until we meet again humans."

Archer growled in frustration while Trip yelled imprecations at Capena's retreating back. Hoshi sank down next to Reed, feeling utterly defeated. She buried her head in her hands and felt defeat swelling up inside. Reed placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She leaned into him and felt tears seeping through her eyelids.

"Its ok ensign." Hoshi couldn't stop the tears. She tried to even her breathing, but found her breath erratic and halting. "Hoshi, I'm sorry. We'll get out of this, don't worry." Reed felt extremely uncomfortable with her crying on his shoulder. Although, the awkward feeling wasn't as bas as it would've been with anyone else.

Trip hobbled over and plopped down by Hoshi, looking sympathetically at her. Archer sat across from the group, but couldn't speak through his antipathy. Hoshi managed to get her emotions under control. She raised her swollen eyes, totally embarrassed at having broken down.

"God, I'm sorry. I'm so weak." Hoshi whispered. "I just feel like there's no way out."

"Don't talk like that Hoshi, don't even think that. That's an order." Archer urged.

"Captain, you know when you asked me for my most embarrassing story, and I said I didn't have one." Archer nodded, confused. Hoshi rushed on, "Well, I do. I have a lot actually. One was on my first away mission, captain. With you and Malcolm. When I saw the alien corpses." She shivered. "And I screamed and panicked. I just broke down, just like right now. I've always been like that, my whole life.

" I steadily dated a very charming guy during collage. Once a fire broke out in the academy during class, and had to be evacuated. I fainted just like a little kid. The thought of burning up in scalding flames scares me half to death. Well, my boyfriend carried me out of the school. He broke up with me the next day."

Hoshi looked around. Her crewmates were avidly paying attention to her. She took a breath and continued. "I went on a date with another man, as a junior. We went out for a walk and I saw a rat. Big fat ugly thing. I screamed and tried to climb up him. Never heard from him again.

"Right after I graduated, a week before I joined the crew, I heard the news about the incident with the Klingon. I've stayed away from farms since." She sighed sadly, "I'm just doomed to be a fraidy-cat. And right now, I can't help thinking we're done for."

"No Hoshi, those things would scare most people. The crew of Enterprise is inexperienced, but extremely brave, you included." Archer stated

Trip laughed. "I think your story is better than all of ours! You win Hoshi." Hoshi smiled, Trip always had a way of cheering her up.

Malcolm smiled at her and squeezed her shoulder. Reed then looked around, and beckoned everyone to gather around him. They pressed in, curious of what he had to show them. Once sure that his leg was blocked from view of any guards or cameras, he slowly pulled out the pistol.

Archer felt a wave of relief and Trip barely managed to contain a gasp. "I managed to hide it. I believe we are no longer 'done for'"" he sardonically said, glancing at Hoshi. She smiled in relief.

"Good job Lieutenant!" Archer praised.

"We'll need an escape plan. Those of us who are injured will need to be helped. This will slow us down dramatically." Reed whispered, gripping his side.

"We don't know when those Ansians will come back for us, so we better be careful." Hoshi added.

So, the four brave crewmembers--some more than others, but all brave-- sat in a circle and began to plot their escape.

~*End of chapter three*~

Sorry so short, but I really wanted to get this up. The next chapter will focus on what's happening on Enterprise and T'Pol, as well as Aldovia. Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite for CHAPTER Four….

One of the Ansians pulled Reed from the ground. Reed gasped in pain and began to cough harshly. Archer rushed forward angrily shouting, "He told you he was hurt! Don't you listen?"

"We don't care if he dies, as long as he helps us build the weapon." Coughs continued to wrack Malcolm's body, and he noted fearfully that the hand covering his mouth came away bloody. The only thing keeping Reed standing was the guard hauling on his singed arm.

Trip steeped forward, trying to look dangerous from between the two Ansians that held him. "And if we refuse to help you?" he sneered, favoring his leg.

Commander Korsca grinned. "Then your Captain and Woman die."

Excited?? I hope!! I'll have it up ASAP.

Antares*

Thanks to all of my stupendously wonderful reviewers of chapter two!!

*Aeryn Alexander- Well!! Hoshi had lots of humiliating stories! I wrote them just for you!!

* *Arwen- Glad it was still good. Don't worry, Malcolm will NOT die by my hand!!

* *Kim- Thanx!! Yes, major ass kicking is the upcoming attraction. Possibly a slight Malcolm/Hoshi, Hoshi had humiliating stories, and four is coming up! YES!

* *PJ in NH- Thank you! I hoped it was good. But don't get me wrong, I don't support full Hoshi/Malcolm. I prefer a great friendship, not anything too serious.

* *Sion- Whew! Glad I got it right

*Technitium- thank you! I lOVE to hear those two small words!!

*David- Wow!! Thanks. That's, like, a huge compliment to a Reed lover, That I write him well!! Wow!!

* *CJSpooks- I know, my brain cells are knocked around by that too! Thanks, it makes me feel better that I have a bud and fan here. Can't wait for your next chapter to come out! You ever gonna finish that story where Hoshi's dreams about Malcolm come true?? That was one of your stories, right??

*Byrdgirl- Thanks ya! I hope this chapter was clean too. I know it was short, but I tried!

*F- Ohh, don't worry! Malcolm isn't going anywhere!

* *Rae- thank you! Wow, your nice words make me want to go write another chapter right now!!!

*Suzanne- Thanks, I really am trying to keep things even. The next chapter will have T'pol and Enterprise in it!