Chapter 1

"Niki's coming here?" Malcolm was really surprised.
"Yes, I was informed a few minutes ago. Adm. Gardner says you know her, I was wondering if you can tell me more, 'cause I didn't receive details about her, yet."
"I thought she had left Starfleet, but now I know it isn't true." he mumbled "Or maybe she came back."
"What about her? Is she suitable for these tests?"
"She's one of the best pilots I ever met ... and she's good in team work, with a strong sense a duty" he paused "... maybe too strong sometimes ..."
"What do you mean?" Archer knitted his brow.
"Maybe it's best if I start from the beginning." he sighed "About 10 years ago, Nikita Parker was the World Champion of Rhythmic Gymnastics, a very talented gymnast, out of the common run. Suddenly she left her promising career, changed completely her studies and made every possible effort to enter Starfleet. And she made it."
"It doesn't seem so strange to me. Maybe she realized what was her real passion in life." he grinned.
"Passion. You said "the word". She didn't have any passion for this. She made it because SHE HAD TO. And even if she wasn't happy, she shut everything and everyone out of her life just so she could be the first."
Archer stared at him in amazement. Those words sounded very familiar ... he remembered his friend A.G. telling him the same thing years ago.
"Captain? Something wrong?"
"No ... just thinking." Archer shook his head "I understand you were friends"
"Good friends, nothing more, Captain" Malcolm grinned "She just needed a confidant, so did I. The last time I had news from her was before we left to the Expanse. She was thinking about leaving Starfleet. Now I know she didn't. I'm happy to see her again." he smiled. "Maybe when you will see what she's able to do ... you won't let her go."
"Good." Archer stood up. "She should be here in a couple of hours, would you like to come to say hello to her?"
"Gladly."
"Bridge to Capt. Archer"
"Go ahead"
"Adm. Gardner asks if there's room for a third test shuttle ... Lt. Parker will pilot it to the Enterprise."
Archer looked at Malcolm questioningly.
"No problem Sir, we have room enough" he nodded.
"Hoshi, confirm we can receive it."
"Agreed"
"3 shuttles for testing ... she's got a lot of work to do" said Archer thoughtfully.
"Oh she never worries about hard work" Malcolm grinned

Two hours later Archer met Nikita Parker in launch bay.
Nikita came to attention: "Permission to come aboard, Captain"
"Permission granted, Lt. Parker" he smiled at her "Nice to meet you"
Archer was amazed at her. She was slim and brown-haired, with the most incredible blue eyes he had ever seen. The card stated she was almost 30 years old, but she looked younger.
"It's a privilege to meet you, Captain. Did Adm. Gardner send you the details about the test schedule?"
"He did." he paused. Her look had left him speechless, so he cleared his throat "I think you will be happy to meet a friend"
"Mal!" she hugged him. "It's been a long time"
"I'm happy to see you, Niki."
"So, I think you have a lot to talk about. Malcolm, would you please show the quarters to Lt. Parker?"
"Of course, Sir"
"Good. I would be pleased to invite you both to dinner this evening, would you?"
"With pleasure Captain" she smiled at him. Archer left and she couldn't see his delighted expression.
"So, you didn't leave Starfleet, after all, Niki."
"I did ... for almost one year ... then I changed my mind."
"Why? I remember you told me this is not the life you dreamed of."
"I think it's my duty to serve Earth, Mal ... and do the best that I can."
"I don't really understand ..."
"You never will ... I have my reasons."
Nikita took Malcolm's arm: "Now stop questioning and show me my quarters, Mal" she gave him a wink "I want to know all about your adventures!"

T'Pol felt a little uncomfortable. The Captain looked excited.
He had shown her the card with all the details about Lt. Parker: her record of service was excellent, she had to admit that, but the Captain seemed to show more than just a professional interest towards her.
They were sitting in Captain's mess-hall: they all seemed to enjoy the conversation, while T'Pol remained silent, just watching them. Archer was particularly gracious with that girl, hanging on every word she said.
Niki was fond of water polo too and told him about the exploits of his favourite team.
Then Malcolm asked to Niki: "You didn't tell me where have you been during your leave of absence, Niki."
Archer added: "I'm curious about that, too."
"I just needed to take a break ... I went to Nepal to recover my balance. Yoga and meditation helped me a lot."
T'Pol raised her brow. Niki turned to her: "I know that Vulcans meditate every day ... I was wondering if you know about yoga techniques."
Archer said: "T'Pol you have something in common!" he grinned "Maybe you could share ..."
T'Pol interrupted him roughly "You seem to have more in common than me, Captain."
There was an embarrassing silence. T'Pol tried to explain: "Vulcans don't talk about their meditation methods gladly."
Niki looked her gently: "I'm sorry, I had no intention of invading your privacy, Subcommander."
T'Pol said: "If you don't mind I'd prefer to retire, Captain ... I have a slight headache."
Archer nodded: "Sleep well, Subcommander"
After T'Pol left the mess-hall, Archer sighed, then smiled and said:
"So, I want to know everything about Rhythmic Gymnastics, Malcolm told me you won the World Championship some years ago!"

T'Pol reached her quarters. She felt unsettled and a little ashamed.
She didn't understand why Captain's behaviour towards Lt. Parker was disturbing her.
What was happening? Why she felt like loosing ... something?
She lighted the candles and sat on the floor, taking a deep breath.
Then she closed her eyes and tried to push away all those uncomfortable emotions.

It was late night. Niki stole in launch bay and then entered in the third shuttle.
She digited a code on a hidden keypad. A panel slided and showed a cell unit: behind the glass, Arik Soong's face.
He was in an induced coma. Niki checked his bio-signs on the cell display. Everything was in order.
She whispered: "The isolation works well, father, they didn't detect you. They won't. Sleep well."
She sealed the panel and left launch bay silently.