Knowledge is Power

Looming through the streets of New York, a figure not entirely human stalked it's prey. 'The Gifted is close, but wherever he is it is well fortified. I must retrieve him to complete my mission. The commander will be most upset if it is not done soon.'

Continuing it's arduous task, the creature stayed to the shadows and slithered throughout the alleys and crevices of the once living city.

(Back to Archer)

'I wonder if they made seat belts in this era, this truck could sure use it.'

Touring around the remains of the state of New York was not the way Archer envisioned his welcoming home. Although luckily for Archer he had no idea that he was in New York, otherwise he might have keeled over from the surprise.

"So you are American? You American's always make good movies, very pretty ladies, but this is no movie."

Utterly disgusted by the sorry excuse for a human sitting right across from him Archer didn't even deem him worthy of a remark. That is until the Nazi draped his arm around our intrepid hero, shrugging of the advances of the strange German, Archer went over his current situation.

'I am stuck in a Nazi Germany, with the worst bunch of people imaginable. I'd say that this could not get any worse.'

To those who wish for salvation comes only sorrow, but Archer was an exception to that rule. An explosion up ahead alerted Archer to the sudden realization that maybe some of the Allied troops had come to take back their motherlands. Bullets whizzed by his head and Archer ducked down to escape their lethal touch.

"Don't stop driving, they are just rebels, we are trained soldiers. Take them out." The rebels may be disorganized, but they were more than a match for a prize soldier and his team of idiotic commando wannabes. With a few placed bullets the colonel and his team consisting of 25 men were destroyed in under 15 minutes.

Sensing that the time was right Archer lurched from the back of a transport vehicle and headed into the woods. Hoping to find some way back to his ship, but one thing troubled Archer, no matter how much he ran he did not seem to tire. 'It must be all the adrenalin pumping through my veins, it's keeping me going until I can find my way home.'

Although Archer was a good runner and gifted with the speed of a man half his age, he could not hope to outrun the trucks and cars that were moving up alongside him. Feeling the muzzle of a gun pointed toward his skull, Archer did the most logical thing, he surrendered, hoping that by the time that they found out who he was he would be long gone. What Archer didn't expect was the swift blow that sent him into a blanket of darkness.

(2 hours later, in the heart of Brooklyn.)

Feeling like a truck rolled over his head and two dozen elephants had stampeded across his body, Archer was in no mood for any complications.

"Ugh…where the heck am I?"

"You are in my home, now lie down."

Turning to where the voice had originated Archer found a stunning beauty, "I must go, I can't be here ma'am."

"That is enough, with that blow to your head you won't be up for another 2 hours."

"I feel fine ma'am, but if you could kindly return my shirt I would be much obliged." Not knowing whether to laugh or frown, Archer's host instead just shook her head and gathered his things together.

While she gathered his clothing, Archer took the time to admire her pristine beauty and also her almost angelic grace. "Here are your things stranger, but I don't think you are going to be going anywhere soon."

"And why would that be?"

"Well, for one thing you seem to be the type that the German's are looking for, secondly you seem to be ill-equipped to deal with any conflicts, and lastly you are guest in my home."

"I understand the first two but what does the third have to do with anything?"

"Well, I would not be a good hostess if I did not provide my guests with some form of nourishment before they got on their way." Smiling at the kindness radiating from the woman who had cared for him in his time of need, Archer could not help but compare her to all the other women on Enterprise.

With his headache gone Archer thought it more prudent that he left before the Germans found out where he was. Unfortunately, his host would not let him go for some reason that did not coincide with her given reasons.

"I thank you for your hospitality, but I must be on my way."

"But you have not even introduced yourself, it is considered rude to stay the night and not exchange pleasantries."

"I am sorry, my name is Jonathan Archer. And you are?"

"My name is Alicia, Jonathan is it? Well, I wish to treat you to supper before you head out there."

"That is very kind of you, but I must be on my way. If you could please tell me which city we are in I will be on my way, my guess would be Berlin."

"I hate to burst your bubble, but we are not anywhere near Germany. I remember this used to be a decent neighborhood, even for the colored. It seemed surreal, but with the first tanks rolling down the Brooklyn Bridge it came full circle for me."

"Brooklyn? New York City? Impossible…how did the German's come this far?"

"The leaders kept saying that we would persevere, but they were the first to run away when the Germans invaded."

Shaking his head in disbelief, Jonathan could not come up with one coherent thing to say about this horrid situation. "The Germans have installed a curfew for the whole city, anyone seen later than 10 p.m. will be shot on site."

Taking a seat at the kitchen table Archer tried to go through all the information he had received in the past 10 minutes. 'Okay, the U.S. lost WWII, Nazi's rule the world, and aliens are ruling the Nazi's, how could this get any worse?'

Hearing a knock on the door Archer jumped up and looked for a place to hide, 'If the Germans see me they will return me to their home base. I can't let that happen, plus they will kill Alicia for housing me.'

Alicia opened the door to reveal a two men dressed like a bunch of gangsters, pin-striped coats and wide brimmed hats, looking much like the videos of Al Capone and his shady gang. "They took Vince, they are looking for him, I want to know who you are and what they want you for now."

"I am sorry but I can't tell you that."

"I will make you tell me, so let's do this the easy way it will be much less painful for you." Making good on his threat the smaller of the two men extracted from his jacket a good old-fashioned gun.

"That is enough of that Sal, he won't tell us so let him be. Now what happened to Vince?"

"Fine, but he better get to talking soon, I won't be held responsible for what happens if he doesn't. Vince got nabbed at the corner of 42nd and Main, he was minding his own business when the whole mob of German freaks mobbed him in broad daylight."

"Do you know where he is being held?"

"No clue, but I know he can't handle the torture and when he cracks all our plans are going up in smoke. That's why we need this putz to tell us what we need to know about the Germans."

"I am terribly sorry about your friend's condition but I cannot divulge any pertinent information without proper permission."

"I know your kind, the army thinks all this secrecy will save the world but they were the first ones to up and leave when we needed them. Now only the gangsters and other rebels can stand against the German invaders."

Fed up with the lack of information he was receiving from Archer, Vince motioned for his companion to leave. "We'll inform you if we find anything out about Vince, you just keep Mr. Secret here where we can find him later."

Without another word the two gangsters left the apartment and descended the stairs to the waiting abyss below.

"Don't mind Sal, he is more bark than bite. He's just angry that Vince got nabbed right under his nose. How bout something to eat Jonathan?"

Seeing no reason to argue with the ebony beauty Jonathan nodded his consent. "That sounds like a good idea, but is it true I am a prisoner here?"

"Would you be angry if you were?"

"Well, no one in their right mind would want to be held against their will. I am not saying that your apartment or your hospitality are improper, it is just I have a mission that needs to be accomplished and I wish to return before it is severely damaged."

"I'm sorry, but it would seem that your mission will have to be postponed for a day or two. At least until we can find what really happened and why the Germans want you so bad."

Resigning himself to his fate, Archer could not help but sigh in relief that he had such a gracious warden to spend his time with. 'I hope T'pol and Hoshi are alright wherever they are.'

(back on the battle worn Enterprise)

"Report Ensign, how are the repairs coming?"

"They will be done in approximately 2 weeks Sub-Commander."

"Very well, patch me through to Commander Tucker and Ensign Mayweather."

"Yes, ma'am"

"This is Commander Tucker, Enterprise do you read me?"

"This is Sub-Commander T'pol, what do you have to report Commander?"

"We have tried to contact Star Fleet but it seems a lost cause, there is no response from any of their main bases."

"That is most disheartening Commander, continue your observations and report back to me when you receive any type of communication."

"Yes, ma'am. Tucker out."

Staring at the view port T'pol could not erase the images of Archer and herself locked in a passionate embrace. 'It is illogical that I should imagine such things, he is my commanding officer and it is highly inappropriate. There is also the obstacle that he is deceased and developing a relationship with a dead human is most unbecoming of a Vulcan.'

Shaking such thoughts out of her head T'pol turned to Ensign Sato for a routine check of all equipment and communications.

"Anything out of the ordinary Ensign?"

"Perhaps ma'am, it seems we are being hailed by a unknown caller, I cannot pinpoint it's location."

"Very well, open a channel."

"Go ahead ma'am."

"This is Commander T'pol, of the star ship Enterprise, identify yourself."

Static greeted T'pol's remarks, "Is the connection stable Ensign?"

"Yes, ma'am. There is something hailing us, but it has just not responded as of yet."

"Commander T'pol is it? It is very nice to make your acquaintance, but we are not looking for you, if that is all good day."

"The signal has been shutdown, it seems they are searching throughout the ship with their sensor arrays. Particularly the bridge and living quarters of the crew, how should we respond ma'am?"

"They seem intent on finding something, if they contact us again notify me immediately Ensign. I will be in the Ready Room."

"Yes, ma'am." Ensign Hoshi Sato continued her observations of both Commander Tucker's space pod and the recent transmissions from the unknown ship. 'It doesn't make any sense, why would they hail us if they did not want to speak to any of us? Unless, they were hoping to speak with the Captain, too bad for them he has left this world.'

"I will miss you sir, wherever you are I wish you the best of luck and happier days ahead."

(Back to Archer)

"With the Germans rationing meat again, you'll be lucky if you can get any food for people's children. Here Alicia, when they start the rationing this block of meat will be worth it's weight in gold."

"Thanks Donny, I will make some beef stew, you should come over and have some."

"I would love that Alicia, you know how much I love beef stew."

"Why are they rationing the supplies? Is it due to all the recent rebel activities?"

"Yep, they are trying to act like the heroes, supplying the poor in hopes of catching us, the Rebels."

"Cruel but effective, soon the whole city might turn against you people."

"Don't I know that mister, but what can we do?"

"Hey Donny, you used to talk about a person in the German army with weird things…do you remember?"

"Oh, you mean the freaks? Yeah, I heard it off a hobo that Sal knows, why do you ask?"

"I have seen this same person, it might be the same, at least I hope."

"So the army let you have permission to speak?"

"No, it is just that I want to know if what I saw was true or not."

"I don't know, I mean I have to talk with Sal, but it should be no problem to get the guy to you."

"Thanks Donny, you're a good guy."

"Don't mention it Alicia, but make sure your army friend here doesn't blab it all back to his buddies in the service."

"I promise, on my life, that I will not tell another soul about this. Thank you Donny."

"Whatever, it's nothing, anything for Alicia here." With that the fatter of the two Archer met made his way through the perilous streets to find Sal.

"Nice guy, but I think he has a crush on you."

"Oh stop it Jonathan, don't go making mountains out of mole hills. Now let's get this meat home before it rots and we have to eat potato's again."

Walking through the streets of New York City was something Archer always dreamed about, 'Seeing the city of the 1940's, would have been one thing I would have gladly given my right arm for. Unfortunately, this is not the world I came from, nor is it similar to what I read in books and journals. This is just a land tainted with the rotting corpse of Fascism and it's racist underlings.'

Looking up ahead Archer spotted two German soldiers looking in their direction, or more accurately in the direction of Alicia.

"Just keep on walking and keep your eyes down, hopefully they will let us pass."

But it seemed that harassing women was how these soldiers got their jollies, "What are you doing with the colored, hey buddy?"

Trying his best not to deck the self-absorbed prick, Archer continued to walk and moved around the despicable duo. "Are you using her, eh buddy?"

Feeling the silent rage clouding his judgment, Archer was about to unload a flurry of punches onto the unwitting German when Alicia squeezed his arm and reminded of the position he was in. When they were far enough away Alicia spoke her piece, "Like I said, it used to be a decent neighborhood."

Shaking his head Archer continued to escort Alicia home, and hoped with the help of Donny and Sal that he would be going home too.

(3 hours later)

'Wake up Jonathan, don't forget what we expect of you.'

Startled awake by the image of a man who seemed to see into his very soul, Archer could not help the shivers that ran down his back when he thought about the apparition. 'There it is again, what expectations is he talking about?'

"Oh, so your awake, well Sal and Donny should be here soon. Although they have never been know for their timing."

"That sounds fine, how long have I been out?"

"Oh, not that long, about an hour, hour and a half tops. You must be really worried about your mission if it scares you awake like that." Troubled by the knowledge that Alicia had seen him jump up in fright as he awoke Archer tried to reason his actions. While formulating his thoughts he lost track of Alicia, but soon located her on the balcony overlooking the city below.

"It's not the mission that scares me, it's what happens if I fail that haunts my dreams."

"Dreams? Dreams are a wonderful thing, they can take you places where only the mind can imagine. But in the end, everyone must come back to reality, even us common folk."

"Well, I didn't mean to phase it like that…"

"Don't worry about it, it's just a woman's ramblings in the night. I have a lot of time to think when curfew starts, and before the next morning comes and brings with it another day of misery and despair."

Having nothing to say about her remarks, Archer just stood gazing upon her beauty, "I wanted to say…"

Before he could finish his thoughts there was a knock at the door, "Alicia? It's time."

With a determined glint in her eyes Alicia lead the way and soon found Sal and Donny at the bottom of the staircase.

"You want to talk to the guy who has been telling me about the freaks?"

"Yes, Sal I wish to speak with the man."

"Alright, but it better explain the reason why the Germans want you so badly."

Walking down the street Archer stood to the rear of the group, walking one step behind Alicia, "Don't worry Jonathan, Sal will get us there. Although, you will be the one that we all turn to when the explaining needs to happen."

Troubled by all the lies that he has told Alicia and Donny, Archer just wished that he could get through this in one piece so he could explain to them the truth.

After about 30 minutes of walking the group came to an alleyway, where upon they found a man hunched over trying to stop the cold from nipping at his chest.

"Who are all these people Sal?"

"Don't worry about it, their friends, now tell him what you told me."

Feeling uncomfortable but even more afraid of Sal, the man told Archer what he saw. "And I couldn't really see him, but one time I got a glance. It wasn't that long, but all I remember is the red eyes, thing was like a demon from hell."

"Intriguing, I want to meet him."

"Whoa…I wasn't informed about any meeting."

"Just do it, I'll cut your debt to me by 20 how bout it?"

Taking a moment to calculate the offer, the man soon lead Archer to the place where he usually meet with the mysterious demon.

(15 minutes later)

Archer sees a cloaked figure walking toward him, even through the darkness he can plainly see the red eyes that gave the impression of a demon from hell.

The figure approached Archer, believing it was there to meet with the other man. But when Archer came into view, the stranger tried to run away. Until that is, he found 4 guns pointed straight at his head.

"Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way, which is it going to be freak?"

Not receiving an answer Sal removed the stranger's hat and coat. "Holy mother…"

"What the hell is that thing?"

"Who are you and what have you done with the U.S?"

"I know you, you're the person were searching for, I won't tell you a thing."

Sal believing torture was a acceptable means of interrogation shot the stranger in the arm. "Now talk."

"Ugh…fine, we came here to make sure that the humans would not interfere."

"Why? What do you have planned?"

"I don't know that much, I am just a grunt. Now let me go."

"I think you know more than your telling me, so if you don't want my friends to drill you full of holes I advise you to tell me what you know."

"I don't know anything, plus I don't believe you have much time left, Agent."

"Agent? What are you talking about?"

"Your clothes don't fool me, I know who you are human. I just want to tell you one more thing, you will not win, we will destroy your pitiful race. Along with that ship hanging above the atmosphere, we know it is from your time Agent."

Having had enough of the alien's attitude Archer started searching around the alien's pockets, 'Maybe he has some form of communicator on him. I got to contact the Enterprise, I can't believe they got transported here too.'

Finding what he was looking for Archer motioned for the group to leave the alien be, but it seemed Sal had other things on his mind. With 5 point-blank range shots the alien was reduced to a mass of blood and guts on the floor of the dirtiest city in the U.S.

"What the hell did you do that for?" Grabbing Sal, Archer meant to throw him against the wall.

"Just say the word Sal, and I will pop his head." Although Sal had no remorse over killing the freak he knew that not everybody felt his way.

Motioning for Donny to put away his gun, Sal removed himself from Archer's grip.

"He would have squealed to his other freaks, maybe even the Germans, what was I supposed to do?"

Disgusted by the whole process Archer just shook his head and headed down the alley. That is until he heard gun shots fired from behind him, ten heavily armed Germans dashed down the opening of the alley in hopes of capturing or killing the curfew breakers.

"Hightail it, I'll keep them busy."

Acknowledging Sal's sacrifice, Archer took Alicia's hand and ran down the opposite direction. Shots were fired from the back of them, Sal had taken down 3 of the soldiers before he was hit in the right shoulder.

Donny took out 5 more, but was also hit in the right shoulder. Feeling pity for the two gangsters Archer hoped to come back for them soon, but for now he had to find a way to contact his ship and get himself and Alicia out of here.

"Archer to Enterprise, can you read me?" Turning the dials so that he would have a general frequency Archer tried again.

(On the Enterprise)

"Report Ensign."

"Nothing to report ma'am, there seems to be no sign of…one moment ma'am…we are receiving a signal. It's very weak, but…oh my god…"

"Archer to Enterprise, can you read me?"

T'pol could not believe her ears, it was the captain's voice, "Set up a channel Ensign."

"Yes, ma'am."

"T'pol to Captain Archer. We read you sir."

Unfortunately, for Archer he was kind of busy, dodging bullets while talking to someone can make anyone a little agitated. "I need a pick up for two T'pol, lock onto my signal."

"Yes, sir."

"Ensign?"

"Already accomplished ma'am, initiating transport now."

"Drop your weapons and come out."

Archer and Alicia came out from their hiding place and faced the last four soldiers, but they seemed to have been commanded by one of the aliens that Archer had been speaking with.

"We will have to investigate you more thoroughly this time, you will not be getting away again."

Feeling the transport commencing Archer had just a few words for the alien, "Maybe next time." And with that both Alicia and Archer transported onto the ship, at first Archer had to get his bearings but soon he was comforting the stunned Alicia. "It's alright, this is my ship, the Enterprise. We are safe, I will speak to my crew then we will get you situated somewhere."

Walking through the hallways of his ship once more, Archer felt more alive than he ever had before. 'I can't believe it has been only 5 days since I have been away from this ship, it feels like forever. I can't wait to see Hoshi and T'pol again, I wonder if Malcolm is still as strict as when I left?'

Finding his way to the elevator, Archer pushed the button for the bridge. On the way he was thinking of what to say when he got there, 'Hmm…I should probably start out with a joke, kind of break the ice, then…oh what am I thinking? This is my crew, I don't have to be shy around them, I mean how bad could the reaction be?'

When Archer stepped onto the bridge he was greeted with absolute silence, 'So it didn't go as well as I hoped, at least their not tossing fruits at my head.'

"Captain!! It is so good to see you." Hoshi could not stop the emotion running through her veins, she grabbed Archer into a tight embrace. Lost in the moment, Hoshi also took the time to give Archer a peck on the cheek.

Blushing profusely, Archer was flabbergasted at the actions of his linguistic officer. "Thank you for the warm welcome Hoshi, I can't tell you how wonderful that felt."

Turning a shade of red to rival the Captain's, Hoshi had the sense to return to her station before it escalated further. 'Why the hell did I do that? What must he think of me now? I mean, I must seem like a schoolgirl who hasn't seen her boyfriend for the past 2 months. What am I going to do?'

While all this was going on T'pol, was standing like a deer caught in the headlights of a 18 wheeler. "Umm…Sub-Commander? T'pol? Are you alright?"

The captain's attempts to alleviate some of the shock running through T'pol system seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. 'She looks like she got shot by a hunter, put in a cage, and then rescued by another hunter. I have really got to find some better metaphors, even in my own mind they seem kind of strange.'

Feeling the direct approach would expedite the situation, Archer lead T'pol to his Ready Room. Once they had entered the sanctuary of his office Archer tried once more to awaken the shocked Vulcan.

"T'pol? Are you okay T'pol? Would you like me to get Phlox?"

Sensing the change in her surroundings T'pol awakened from her daze, "Captain, I am sorry, please forgive me. I seemed to be caught unawares by your presence in the bridge."

"There is nothing to apologize for, I mean with the amount of times I have been captured, it would scare most individuals."

"Fear is an emotion Captain, I was not scared as you put it. Though I am pleased to see you once again Captain, the crew had doubts that you were lost to them."

"I see, well I am sorry to have troubled the crew. As you can see, I am just fine, a little bit worst for wear but other than a few bruises and burns I am fine."

"That is good to hear sir, will you be staying on the ship this time?" Surprised by the amount of hurt coming from her voice Archer sat stunned for a moment, "I will be staying on the ship, but there is business that needs to be attended to first." Taking a step toward the bridge Archer soon found him arm in a vice like grip, "T'pol is something wrong?"

The Vulcan had taken a hold of Archer's arm, with her Vulcan strength Archer could not move a muscle toward the bridge. "I am sorry Captain, for what I am about to do."

Fully accepting the return of her Captain, T'pol embraced him much like Ensign Sato had done. Unfortunately for Archer, T'pol was applying more strength then was necessary, almost as if she would not be willing to let go anytime soon. With one final squeeze, T'pol released the man who caused so much hurt in her life.

"Ahem…there is no need to apologize T'pol, it was a most pleasant experience for me as well. Now onto other business, I have a woman who just arrived with me, she may need some medical attention. I must go to her."

With a nod of her head T'pol did something that surprised both her and her superior officer. Gently cradling the Captain's face in her hands she caressed it, then lowering her lips she nipped lightly at his lips. With one final motion T'pol captured Jonathan's lips and caused a wave of emotion to wash over the battle weary captain. Slowly releasing the captain's lips, T'pol exited the Ready Room with one final look at the Captain's face.

'Okay, that was rather odd, deliciously sensuous, but still very, very odd. Where did she learn to kiss so well? Do I even want to know?'

'Well you could always ask her?'

Searching frantically around the room the Captain found no one to accompany the voice in his head. 'Who's there?'

'Don't worry so much Jonathan Archer, I am just here to remind you of the expectations we have for you, nothing more. Now I must bid you good day.'

"Wait, don't go, what expectations are you talking about?" But it was no use, the voice had already gone, 'I think I really need to lie down, I am starting to think that the mission has gotten to me. But first things first, I must make sure that Alicia is alright, I would not want her to feel all alone in this strange new world.' The Captain left his Ready Room, but if he had stayed a moment longer he would have noticed that the place where he was standing started to fill with a luminous light. 'Soon Archer, soon.'

Author's Notes: So how was the second installment? I had a lot of time to write this, I am happy it turned out so well. Anyways, please remember to Read and Rewiew, Peace, I'm out.