Don't Judge A Book…

By Antares *Star

Chapter four: Sunlight and Taken

*Disclaimer and other info located on first chapter.

*Note: omigosh! I can't believe how great you all are! I've never had so much wonderful feedback. Every single review has been kind and supportive. You all are GREAT!!! I'm sorry it takes so long to get new chapters up, but I'm really busy. I'll really try to get one up at LEAST once a week!!
There's some scientific stuff in here, and I know some is probably wrong, but go with me here, I try. Anyway, it my story so I can do whatever I want! YEAH! OK, now, on to the story, enjoy…

*This chapter of Don't Judge a Book, is dedicated to CJspooks, my awesomely talented friend. Hey, if ya haven't read her stuff, you should. Especially Malcolm and Hoshi fans! She is great at writing them. On to the story!!!

Enterprise sat silently in space, silhouetted against Aldovia's bright sun. The little alien ship was slowly spinning, red still erupting every now and then from its hull. It was badly damaged. Johannes had tried hailing them, but there hadn't been a response. Either they couldn't respond, or they wouldn't.

Phlox had worked with Cutler on examining the Ansians. With merely a recording of the Captain's conversation, they had discovered only one noticeable difference between Humans and Ansians. The Ansians had a green tint to their skin. Evolutionary speaking, this trait defiantly had a purpose.

Phlox had decided that the reason for their green hue was that they probably had a large amount of Chlorophyll in their bodies. This would mean they performed photosynthesis, instead of eating solid food. This would also explain their especially bright sun, and slim bodies.

Phlox, Cutler, and the remaining senior staff were now discussing the options ahead of them. "We now have a major difference between the away team and the indigenous species of Aldovia." Cutler said.

"Yes, this will allow us to scan for the Captain. If we can get through there dampening field, we should be able to locate them." Phlox grinned widely.

T'Pol quirked an eyebrow. "An admirable effort we will make, Doctor. But you're assuming they're still alive. We have no such evidence to prove this theory."

"Yeah, but if they are alive, we've gotta help them!" Mayweather pressed. "We better hurry too. They may be alive now, but not in a day or two. If they don't consume food, they may not have anything for the team to eat. They could starve!"

Phlox shook his head. "We did detect signs of animal and plant life on the surface when we first scanned. More than likely some of them are eatable to humans."

"Very well," T'Pol stated stoically, inwardly cringing at the thought of consuming animal flesh. "We will continue our efforts."

The meeting was over and everyone departed. Cutler gently pulled Phlox to one side as they left. Then, remembering his dislike for physical contact, she quickly let go. "Hey, they're showing a movie tonight, a real classic!"

Phlox smiled grimly, "I believe I am needed in the medical bay. Time is running short."

"I'm sure they can spare you for a few hours Doc, C'mon. Please! It'll be fun."

Phlox looked kindly at her, then nodded. Cutler grinned and said happily, "Oh, you'll love this one! Its called 'The Matrix.' Twenty-first century classic. What happens is AIs control Earth, and we're just their……"

***

T'Pol had been most intrigued by their attackers. They were at war with a advanced culture, even more so than humans, yet their weapons and protection were severely lacking. One shot from Enterprise had almost destroyed them. It hadn't even been a good shot! Reed's second couldn't shoot half as well as he could, yet the ship was disabled. T'Pol had ordered countless scans to be made on the ship, and they had discovered something amazing.

The ship had highly advanced systems, but it's weapons were extremely low grade. They could be compared to Earth's firing ability two hundred years ago. The aliens must be in their first war, which is why they were so jumpy. If they had been experienced, they would have tried to get Enterprise on their side, instead of attacking them.

Johannes was still trying to raise the creatures. She cried out in surprise when she got a response. "Sub-Commander T'Pol! They're responding to our hail."

"Put them on screen Crewman." T'Pol ordered. The repulsive creature appeared again. He was bleeding black blood from a nasty cut and looked extremely pissed.

"Your weapons--very advanced. We could use friend like you with us. What say you?"

"We are neutral in this war." T'Pol stated.

"If you be good people, you would help the Tauners. We did no start this war. We were peaceful, until Ansians came. They be violent, take our planet and strip it of all resources. We now be poor and our planet be a wasteland. You help, huh?"

T'Pol turned to Johannes. "Crewman, can you fix the translator so the grammar is correct." Johannes nodded and set to work while T'Pol turned back to the Tauner. "I wish to hear more about the Ansians."

***

The away team had been busy planning an escape. With a phase pistol, this would be so much easier. "We have to assume they never found your pistol, Captain, or else they would already know about our weapons." Reed stated logically.

Trip nodded and was about to say something, when Capena came to their cell door. He was flanked by three buff Ansians, and an extremely tall, thin one dressed in dark green. Capena peered through the bars, large green eyes dancing. "We are ready for you."

Archer stood up and walked over as the door was slowly slid open. "All right, lets go."

Capena laughed and said "No, no, no, Captain! I would have thought we didn't strike you as that stupid! You are not the weapons officer, or the engineer. We only need you here for one thing!"

"How do you know I'm also not the engineer of my ship? How do know if my weapons officer is even here right now?"

"Ahh, you humans are a bit lacking in intelligence." He threw a glance at Trip, then smiled as one of the large guards stepped between the angry human and himself. "As I said earlier, when we scanned your ships we downloaded everything, including crew manifests." Hoshi glared at the tall Ansian with utter hatred from beside Archer.

He glanced at her, amused, then pulled out an ornate PADD and scrolled down. His voice was mellifluous and musical. "Commander Charles Tucker III, better known as Trip. Chief Engineer. *Born August ninth, in Alabama. Has two sisters, and five letters of recommendation. Owned a Tabby cat when he was six, and his favorite food is Southern fried catfish."

The tall Ansian grinned and continued, "Lieutenant Malcolm Reed, Armory officer. Majored in weapon engineering, and hull plat design. Born, September second in England. One sister, one brother. Joined starfleet one year earlier then usual. Second highest GPA in his class."

Capena took the PADD from the Ansian and tucked it away "Come along now Trip, Malcolm." They both bristled at him using their first names, like they were best friends or something. Trip stood and backed away, a maverick glint in his eyes. Two guards strode forward and roughly grabbed him, one holding each arm in a deathgrip. Trip struggled but ceased at Archers glance. It would be no good, they were outnumbered. The tall Ansian seemed highly amused.

"I know a lot about weapons, take me." Archer asked.

The tall Ansian grinned and said sweetly, "We said we only needed you for one thing, Captain."

"And what is that?"

"A bargaining chip." He smiled a sugary grin. He looked directly at Malcolm. "Come, Malcolm Reed."

Malcolm attempted to stand, but was in too much pain. He collapsed and stated, almost politely "I'm injured. I'm afraid I'll be of no use to you."

Capena snorted and motioned to the remaining guard. He barreled over and 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 weapons." The tall Ansian said evilly. 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 leaned forward, trying to look dangerous from between the two Ansian guards that held him. "And what if we refuse to help you?" he sneered, favoring his leg.

The tall Ansian grinned. "Then I, Commander Korsca, will kill your Captain and Woman." Capena grinned up at his commander, and led the guards and crewmen out of the cell. Korsca glared at them through the bars as he slid the door closed. When they were all finally gone, Archer collapsed. "God, they know everything about us. I hope Malcolm holds out, he isn't looking so good."

Hoshi seemed preoccupied with her thoughts. She slowly slid down the wall next to Archer. "What is it?" he inquired.

She snapped her head around and simply stated "I didn't know Malcolm had a brother."

*I don't know if all this info on Trip is right, I was just making it up. It has hardly any absolutely true statements, same with Malcolm.

Well, I hope that was ok. Sorry about no action, there will defiantly be some in the next chapter, so stay tuned!! Please lease please review! It would make my day! I read every review carefully and thankfully, I really do. Thanks to the people who reviewed chapter three…

* * *CJspooks- You are too awesome! Thanks so much girl. Looking forward to your next update! Thanks for wishing me happy bday! Wow, I'm 15 now!!!

* * Aeryn Alexander- Thanks! It was a great day. Hope the agony is over. I really do try to keep everyone in character!

*Cally- don't worry, Malcolm is my favorite too! I won't hurt him, too badly!

*StarMatrix- Thanks ya so very much!!! Was this chapter ok too? Hey, awesome pin name! Stars rule, don't they??!!

*Fiona- I'm going ASAP! Thanks! Merci Beuacoup. Danke. Tuk I'll try, but if I write it too fast, you won't have anything left to read!!

*Sky Fire- Thanks! I'm trying to stay in character! Your awesome! Thanks for reviewing.

* *Suzanne- Ya like the teasors??I thought it was a little mean, but now the suspense is over! MORE MORE MORE is coming!!

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* *Iverson- YEEEAAHH! I got my all-star reviewer back!! I can always count on you for a great review! You are so absolutely totally obsessed with those stars! Awesome. Did ya see, at the end of my other story I thanked you all again, and apologized for sometimes forgetting the stars! Right now your tied for first, let the race begin!!!

Thanks again. Now, please review! Bye, until next chapter!!!

Antares *Star