Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

A/N: Again, thank you for the reviews - they are much appreciated. As promised, here is a part of the answer to the puzzle.

Chapter 7 A Revelation

Archer and T'Pol entered Sick Bay in silence. Simit lay unconscious on a biobed on the far side of the room, covered by a light sheet leaving only his head visible. Phlox was busy at a terminal at one side of the room. He was thoroughly engrossed in his work and emitted a humming sound while he tapped away on the keys. Archer winced as Phlox hit a particularly unfortunate series of notes.

Archer cleared his throat, "Doctor."

Phlox swiveled to face them, a widely unnatural smile on his expressive face. "Captain, Sub-Commander, thank you for coming so promptly. How are the repairs to the ship progressing?"

"Everything's on schedule," said Archer. "How is our visitor?"

"See for yourself, Captain," said Phlox, waving an arm in invitation.

Archer stepped over to the side of the biobed, looking up at the incomprehensible overhead charts detailing the vital statistics of the occupant. He had a strong stomach, but still took a moment to brace himself. He hadn't been able to put out of his mind Simit's horrific burns.

Prepared, Archer glanced down quickly, trying to look at Simit without taking in too many details.

It was not what he had anticipated. Archer performed a rapid double-take and studied the patient properly this time. Extraordinary! Simit's face showed no sign of the extensive burns that only a relatively short time ago had so disfigured him. His previously luxuriant hair had gone, but that appeared to be the only evidence of his intimate encounter with the ship's high power systems. Archer's already high opinion of Phlox's skills skyrocketed.

T'Pol had moved to the opposite side of the biobed and silently gazed at Simit, a single raised eyebrow the only sign of her perplexity.

Phlox joined Archer at Simit's bedside. He commented in a conversational tone, "Well, well, Captain. It seems Mr Reed was correct after all."

That calmly delivered statement hit Archer like a phase rifle bolt at full power. He felt sick in the pit of his stomach as a cold numbness washed over him. A Suliban! What mischief had he been up to while on board? He stared apprehensively at Simit, innocent in his insentient state. Why had he ignored Malcolm?!

"He's... he's a... Suliban?" Archer forced out, his throat suddenly dry.

Phlox was amazed, "Oh no, Captain. Far from it!" He smiled as he folded his fingers together over his stomach. Clearly, he was not intending to add to that comment.

Archer gritted his teeth. "I don't understand."

"It appears that Mr Simit is in disguise. He is not what he purports to be! He has been subjected to some extremely advanced genetic manipulation. Quite masterful and far beyond what we have seen with the Suliban. I would not have detected it at all if I had carried out my normal scans. It was only due to my need to go much deeper into his genetic code for treatment that I discovered it." Phlox stood admiring his patient and muttered to himself "Most remarkable..."

A bleep from Phlox's terminal announced the end of some task. Phlox gave a quick nod to the Captain and T'Pol, and bustled over to it, eager to see what it had produced. Archer was left staring after him in utter frustration. T'Pol swayed a little but betrayed no other sign of impatience.

Phlox became absorbed in his terminal display, drawn there despite his Captain's presence. His Captain required more information, however.

"Doctor, what is he then?"

"Hhmm...?" said Phlox, still concentrating on his terminal.

"Doctor!"

"Oh, Captain. Please forgive me, but I've never seen anything quite like this before," replied Phlox, his voice brimming with excitement. He returned to the biobed and peered solicitously at the Captain. "What did you need to know?"

Archer bit his lip, and said with unnaturally tight control, "If he's not Suliban, what is he?"

Phlox gave another outrageously broad smile. "He's human!"

"Human?!" gasped Archer. Even T'Pol was for a moment taken aback and was guilty of letting a breath escape as she stared wide-eyed at Simit.

"Yes! Quite amazing!" Phlox beamed down at the miracle.

"B... But..." stuttered Archer. He rubbed a hand over his face, took a deep breath and started again. "How can that possibly be? There are no humans out this far, and how could such a disguise be used, or why?" He shook his head.

Phlox said, "Well, Captain. I have been considering this point. Could our visitor be connected with Mr Daniels, perhaps?"

"From the future?" wondered Archer, comprehension dawning. That would certainly make sense, given the enhanced genetics.

T'Pol sniffed disdainfully.

Archer rounded on her, his voice carrying an edge supplied by his unease. "Do you have any better ideas?"

T'Pol gazed at him composedly. "No, Captain, but there is no logical reason to suppose a connection with Daniels, or with time travel." She managed to say 'time travel' in such a way as to leave Archer in no doubt that it was an incredible notion. Archer considered the newly-revealed human. Why go to all this trouble? Who was he? He had to find out - he needed to talk with him.

Tearing his eyes away from the patient, Archer asked Phlox, "How is Simit? Will he survive?"

"Yes, Captain. I have administered a sedative, which is why he is asleep. Physically, he is now in good health despite his immersion in active circuitry. His genetic code apparently includes a repair mechanism for circumstances such as this. It is remarkable!" Phlox looked fondly at the wonder before him. A fascinating study indeed. He gave a pleased grunt as he decided that this would make an excellent subject for a paper. Perhaps he should consider working for a doctorate in Comparative Genetic Architecture?

Archer frowned at Simit. He was no longer merely a pleasant companion. Simit had deceived them. Could he be a threat to the ship? It was imperative he found out what was going on. "Are you able to revive him, Doctor?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Very well. Go ahead."

T'Pol stirred. "Captain, I urge caution. We have no idea who this person is or with whom he is aligned. Reviving him could prove dangerous."

Archer considered this point. It was good advice. "Agreed. Doctor, please apply the restraints before we revive him."

Phlox moved to comply, and Archer took the added precaution of ordering Malcolm to sick bay, "... and Lieutenant - come armed."

Aye, Sir came the acknowledgement over the comm.

Archer studied the patient. He could discern his human nature now he knew what he truly was. He scowled down at Simit, involuntarily closing his hands into tight fists. It was happening again! Why had his ship become so embroiled in that damned temporal cold war? He hated the idea of being a pawn, but with so little information available to him, he was pretty much powerless to take the initiative.

The doors swished open and Malcolm walked in, his phase pistol on his hip. He placed himself at the foot of Simit's bed, noting the restraints.

"Captain?" said Malcolm, exuding professional efficiency.

"Malcolm," acknowledged Archer who was more than a touch embarrassed. "It seems I owe you an apology. Mr Simit is not what he seems to be." Archer waited for Malcolm to exhibit a moment of triumph, but to his surprise, it didn't come. No hint whatsoever of 'I told you so'.

Malcolm regarded Archer steadily. For his part, he was not surprised at Simit's duplicity - his instinct was usually right. Indeed, he actually felt some relief that it had proven accurate this time also, so he didn't feel inclined to gloat. He waited patiently for the Captain to fill him in. "Sir?" he prompted, wondering what else there was to come.

"He's not a Suliban, though. He's human," explained Archer, frowning down at Simit and still not quite able to believe it despite the evidence.

"Human!" exclaimed Malcolm, regarding Simit with astonishment. He hadn't deduced that!

"He has undergone genetic enhancements, according to Phlox," continued Archer. "More advanced than the Suliban, apparently."

Malcolm cocked his head to one side as he considered Simit and what this revelation might mean. "Why would he do that? How did he get here? I don't understand," he confessed.

"Frankly, neither do I," answered Archer. "We were..." he looked at T'Pol and amended his statement, "I was wondering if he could be connected with Daniels. Once he's revived I'm determined to get some answers."

With all precautions now in place, Archer asked Phlox to administer the means to revive Simit. As the doctor leant forward over his charge to deliver the hypospray dose, Archer, T'Pol and Malcolm moved in around the foot of the bed in a curious semi-circle. Even T'Pol had an air of anticipation about her. With a hiss, the drug was dispensed at Simit's neck. For a moment, nothing happened. Then Simit's eyelids flickered and a tremor passed through his frame. He gave a groan. Slowly his head turned and he focused blearily on Phlox.

"What happened?" he said weakly, his voice no more than a whisper.

Phlox smiled comfortingly down at Simit. "There was an accident on the bridge. I'm afraid you suffered some severe burns from the circuitry. However, your... somewhat unique... physiology has carried out remarkable repairs to your body."

Simit lay still and sighed in relief. "I remember now." Then a look of alarm crossed his face. "Doctor... what did you mean by my unique physiology?"

"To treat you, I had to carry out detailed scans and these revealed the... ahh... modifications you have undergone."

"No!" protested Simit as he tried to sit up, in vain because of the broad webbing straps lashing him to the bed. Distractedly he tried to free himself before realizing that it would do no good and falling back exhausted. "I don't understand. Why are these necessary?" He pulled against the restraints with disgust. "I am no threat to you."

From the other side of the biobed, Archer said, "You have not been straight with us, Simit. Until we know what we are dealing with, I think it quite reasonable to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of my crew and this ship."

Simit turned his head to Archer. "No. You don't understand," he moaned. "How could I be a danger to you? It is quite the contrary." He swiveled his head round to see who else was in the room. "I appeal to you, please let me go. I promise I will not harm you."

Archer regarded him through narrowed eyes, weighing the options. He said, "Then you must tell us who you are, and why you are here."

"I can't," whispered Simit miserably. "I fear I have already caused a problem. I am not permitted to reveal more." He bit his lip and seemed almost ready to cry, blinking furiously.

Archer contemplated the man before him. In his weak state, he wouldn't be able to do anything. Perhaps if he eased up on him, Simit would talk? He didn't appear to be a particularly strong-willed individual. He nodded to Phlox. "Let him go, please, Doctor. Malcolm, keep your eyes on him."

Malcolm drew his pistol, checked its setting, and directed it with a steady hand at Simit. Phlox removed the restraints, giving Simit an encouraging nod.

As the straps were released, Simit relaxed his tense muscles, grateful for the concession. He eased himself up and gingerly swung his legs over the side of the biobed. Phlox urged caution, but Simit assured him he was feeling stronger by the second. Phlox didn't doubt that, given what he had already observed of his metabolism. He glanced up at the biobed readings. Good! They were still recording.

Simit certainly didn't seem like a menacing presence as he sat slumped on the biobed, naked except for the sheet gathered around his waist. He ran a hand over his now hairless head.

"I'm sure you will soon have a healthy head of hair again, Mr Simit," assured Phlox.

"Thank you, Doctor, for everything," said Simit with a wan smile.

"Not at all! As I said, your recovery is almost wholly due to your own body's repair system."

Archer glared at Simit and said sternly, "Now we've made you more comfortable, I expect some answers. What did you mean when you said you had caused a problem?"

A small moan escaped from Simit. "I recall falling into your communications housing. Was there much damage?" A hopeful gleam lit his expression, but it was rapidly extinguished by Archer's reply.

"I'm afraid so. We have internal communications but our external circuits are off-line, and are likely to be so for a day at least. They need to be re-built."

Simit swallowed hard and met Archer's glare, his golden eyes sorrowful. "I'm sorry, Captain. I don't know what to do. That could change everything. It wasn't meant to happen." Then to himself, barely audible to the concerned officers, he said, "I wish I had never done this. Damn! What a mess."

The four crew were standing facing Simit and watching him intently as he fretted. In the circumstances, it was not surprising that they nearly hit the ceiling when from behind them, which by all rights was empty space, a quiet voice came: "Yes. What a mess, indeed."

TBC

A/N: Chapter 8 reveals all! My next posting will finish the story.