In Angels We Trust
Theme Song:Manasthan - Angels - Raasa Raasa Unnaivachu (A song from India)
Has References To: The Andorian Incident. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Las Vegas)
Disclaimer: If Enterprise and it's characters were mine I'd be rejoicing but I'm not I don't own them and there is no profit being made on this what-so-ever. Leanne Tristal, Cano Ran, Aaron Burton and Kaara Willows however are my characters so therefore copyright only to me.
Falling
Kaara was happy. It was her 25th birthday and she was being transferred to Enterprise. Their security was dwindling in their numbers due to attacks by unknown races.
There were four other people joining her, all anxious as she was. A fifth man, whose accent was evidently Russian, was sitting at the helm, piloting the craft. The craft was noticeably bigger than that of a normal Star Fleet issue Shuttle Pod and it even had it's own name. USS Bumblebee, and she was a very sturdy craft.
"I hear Lieutenant Reed's quite vigilant"
"Don't make it worse Leah"
The one called Leah shrugged,
"Personally, I can't wait to meet the man. He's re-known back home"
Kaara looked at them and rolled her eyes.
"Well, he'll be even more vigilant when he hears you've been talking about him"
She joked, running a hand through her jet-black hair and straitening some of the loose strands behind her ears. The others paused, and didn't continue to speak for some time afterwards. One that had been quiet until now spoke. His voice was deep and spoke with a thick Texan accent.
"We all know what you really are Willows. What was it again? Tonaren? Well, we know. You're a freak to mankind"
Kaara looked at the man who had spoken long and hard till he had to look away. She had hoped no one would know what she really was and she also knew she wasn't a favourite back in her hometown. Even going through Starfleet Academy was tough for her because of the immature bullies. The only one she could really trust was Leah and had made special friends with Admiral Forrest. She had made friends with him long before she joined Starfleet. She liked the Admiral and had joined him for many dinners.
She was the only trainee allowed to call him Max. He felt it right at the time. He didn't care about what she was. All he cared about was her personality and for whom she was. She respected him and hoped Captain Archer would be the same, like Max said he would be.
She was to hand him a padd when she boarded. It would inform him of what she really was and only the bridge crew and Dr. Phlox would know about it. Admiral Forrest and herself felt they had the right to know.
Leah, whose real name was Leanne but everyone called her Leah or Tris spoke with clarity in her accented voice.
"Shut up will you? It doesn't need to be rubbed in her face. Keep your remarks to yourself, slime ball"
The man who spoke growled slightly but said nothing more. He continued to make little looks at Kaara and Leanne from time to time.
Kaara smiled wanly. She knew many people would make hurtful comments but it was water off a duck's back to her. She got them regularly enough.
"What's our ETA?" She asked hopefully
"2 hours and 34 minutes" the fifth man, called Aaron replied. He was the pilot of the USS. Bumblebee
The time passed silently and quickly.
USS Enterprise soon came up on the view screen, looking immaculate as ever.
"Isn't she magnificent?" Leah let out, voice filled with awe.
"Yeah. And she's still looking like that for a ship that's been through a lot" Aaron agreed.
Just then the console beeped, indicating a hail was coming through for them. Aaron, the pilot answered the hail with his usual deep Russian accent.
"This is Lieutenant Aaron Burton. I have four security members for which you requested Sir"
"This is Captain Jonathan Archer. Thank you and you have permission to dock with us"
Twenty minutes later they had successfully docked. Aaron had said his goodbyes and left.
"Welcome to the USS Enterprise. We hope you enjoy it here. Lieutenant Reed will show you to your new quarters"
The four replied with apt attention.
"Yes Sir!" The Captain smiled broadly
"This way crewman" Reed stated.
They nodded, leaving with lieutenant Reed; Leah paused to take Kaara's bag for her. Kaara stayed where she was
"Ah'm gonna get back to Engineering"
"All right Trip" Trip nodded and left, going in the direction Malcolm had went. "Crewman?"
"Sir. Could I talk to you in private please? It's very important."
"Sure. We can discuss it in my Ready Room if you like"
Kaara nodded and smiled. Her eyes twinkling in the light, causing Archer to smile in return. They headed for Archer's Ready Room, with Archer slightly in front leading the way.
"So, what's your name Crewman?"
"Kaara Willows Sir"
"Yes. I remember Admiral Forrest telling me a little about you. You've been great friends with him for some time"
"Yes Sir. He's been like a second father to me"
"That's good to hear. I also hear you have something to tell me?"
Kaara handed him the padd.
"I would rather tell myself Captain. I prefer it if people heard it from me and not from a padd Sir"
"I agree Kaara. May I call you that?"
"Of course Sir"
They entered the Bridge but entered the Ready Room strait away. Archer went to the window and turned slowly
"So, what would you like to tell me?"
"What race do you think I am Sir?" Kaara asked with a slight smile.
"What? Human, why?" Archer looked at Kaara quizzically. 'What kind of question was that' he asked himself as he took a step towards Kaara
"You're half right Sir. I'm half human and half Tonaren. I look human and speak English exceptionally well" Kaara answered
"And?" Archer prompted with a raised brow
"But I also have Tonaren capabilities Sir" Kaara informed him. She shifted her weight not entirely sure how he would take to the news. It was hardly expected.
"Explain"
"Well, Tonaren's are capable of special powers. What they can do determines what career they do. Mine for example, my ability to change into any living being, prehistoric or present, I like would make me suitable candidate for the Army or Security Sir"
"That's quite useful" Archer nodded whilst smiling a little.
"It would be if people could just get used to the idea but I don't blame them for it either. They just don't understand it all yet"
"I can imagine" Archer replied softly.
"Sir, I don't really want the crew knowing until I'm ready for it but I understand that it's important for your Bridge crew and Doctor Phlox to know about it. After all, it's your right."
"Thanks for telling me Kaara"
Just then Kaara decided to change her eye colour, from brown to a baby blue. They transformed, the brown lightening rapidly into the desired colour. The blue eyes worked well with her black hair. Archer looked at her, mouth open but the edges tinged into a slight smile at the corners of his mouth
"Are you all right Sir?"
"What?" Archer stuttered, caught off guard.
"Are you all right? You look like a cat's got your tongue" Kaara asked, fully concerned. After all, she had only changed her eye colour
"Oh…I'm sorry. I couldn't help but notice that you changed your eye colour and…well, you know"
"Yeah. Kinda" Kaara smiled.
"Sorry" Archer looked at the floor. He reminded Kaara of her cousins' toddler named Jack. He often looked at the floor, not because he thought he'd done something wrong but because he loved to look at the ground for insect life. Kaara knew he would make a fine exobiologist one day in the near future.
"Don't be Sir" Archer looked up at hearing this and nodded
"Right. I have a feeling the Bridge crew and Doctor Phlox would rather hear it from you but it can wait until tomorrow."
"Thank you Sir. I appreciate your understanding" Kaara nodded in return.
"It's my job. More or less" Archer smiled at Kaara.
Kaara smiled
"Can I just say something personally? Not just as a Captain"
"Sure" Kaara replied looking at her new Captain curiously
"Can I just say that you have very beautiful eyes, not only beautiful but interchangeably beautiful they are too?"
Kaara blushed, the redness going right up to her ears.
"I…I…Thank you Sir" Kaara managed to get it out in the end, opting for the easier answer.
"No problem. Would you like me to get Malcolm to show you where you will be sleeping?"
"Sure. I'd like that" Kaara nodded. Archer went to the wall by the door and pressed the COMM button.
"Archer to Lieutenant Reed"
"Reed here Sir" came the apt reply. Kaara knew he was British and wondered what part of England he came from.
"Where are you at the moment'?" Archer asked, his ear faced the panel.
"Heading back to the Bridge Sir"
"Right. Crewman Willows will be waiting for you to show her Quarters on the bridge." Archer told his Armoury Officer
"I'm on my way"
"Why don't we go onto the bridge? Then I can introduce you"
"Yes Sir. If you want, you can tell them now or when Lieutenant Reed gets there"
"Are you sure?" Archer asked, looking at the security officer opposite him
"Yes, I'm sure Sir" Kaara replied, looking into her CO's green eyes
"All right then. Let's go on the Bridge and I'll introduce you. I have a feeling you're going to be on a lot of away missions" Archer smiled his response.
Kaara laughed openly and smiled. Not a fake smile either Archer noticed. They walked out boldly onto the brightly lit Bridge. Few heads turned and those who did turned back to their stations. Reed was quick in his return, the turbo lifts' doors opened and he walked through. He relieved Ensign Hughes from Tactical and sat down.
Archer addressed the Bridge crew and they listened respectfully. A link was put through to Phlox and he told them that crewman Willows had something very important to tell them.
Kaara sighed gently and started to speak.
"Well, I'm half human and half Tonaren. I inherited the human looks and was brought up to speak English only. I do not know the Tonaren language. Tonaren's usually have special abilities. Some can understand any language they come to hear immediately or are psychics etc. The ability they can do determines what job they do. So take me for example"
Kaara paused, brushed back her loose strands of hair and continued
"I have the ability to change into any living being, prehistoric or present there is. The jobs I could have done would have involved Science, Palaeontology…"
"Palaeontology?" Trip interrupted. Kaara looked to where the voice came from and smiled at the Commander.
"Yes Sir. Like Archaeology, the excavation of humans and their artefacts, Palaeontology is the excavation of Dinosaurian bones and prehistoric plant and insect life"
"I see. Please, continue"
"Palaeontology and other area but the one I went for and thought more appropriate was Security. That's why I joined"
No one spoke for a while; they just sat there looking at Kaara who then became uneasy because of the silence.
"I'm surprised Admiral Forrest has let you join Starfleet" T'Pol broke the silence. Kaara looked at the Sub-Commander and raised one eyebrow.
"He and I are good friends," Kaara stated matter of flatly.
"So you bribed him?" T'Pol raised an eyebrow as she spoke
"No Ma'am. Bribery I don't take for. But what is that Vulcan motto? Infinite diversity…"
"In infinite combinations"
"And what is diversity, but the celebration of differences" Kaara smiled in return. Glad she remembered something from Vulcan, or from her Vulcan teachers at Starfleet Academy. She couldn't remember which.
"I see your point. I apologise." T'Pol replied with a small nod.
"Thank you Sub Commander"
Archer then broke into the chatter. He rested a hand on the rail behind his chair
"I don't want this to be spread around the ship just yet. At least not until Crewman Willows is ready for it. Understood?" Archer asked his loyal bridge crew.
'Yes Sir' was murmured through the bridge crew.
"Malcolm. Could you show Kaara where she will be staying? Thanks"
Reed gave a nod. Kaara smiled and nodded in thanks. She followed the Lieutenant into the turbo lift. This was going to be one interesting mission she thought.
Archer smiled and turned to the Sub Commander, resting a hand on the rail behind the Captain's chair.
"What do you think of her T'Pol?"
"I think she may turn out to be a very successful security officer. A fine addition to Lieutenant Reed's team. She seems eager to work to her best and to please her superiors"
"That's good to hear. She has courage for what she's going through. Being able to change into other life forms is something that humans on earth would have taken likely to"
"I'm not sure if I understand what you mean Captain" T'Pol asked.
"Well, Bullies. Even in the Academy people got bullied. Either for what race they were or what they were. People like Crewman Willows. But she's no different than us. She's human"
"Half human" T'Pol corrected.
"Yes but that still makes her human T'Pol" Archer replied.
"I see what you mean"
Archer smiled once more and settled in his chair.
Willows was silent as they walked through the cheery corridors that she was to now call home. She thought more on the man called, Jonathan Archer. He was a kind man, not unlike Admiral Forrest. And she found he had the most wonderful green eyes.
They stopped at a door on deck seven.
"This will be your quarters. Looks like you'll be sharing with a Crewman Leanne Tristal. This is your code to get in" He quickly showed her.
"Thank you Lieutenant"
"No problem at all. I'll see you tomorrow"
"Yes Sir" Kaara nodded.
The Lieutenant left and Kaara entered her new residence.
Leah who was reading her book on the top bunk but when she heard the door open, she strained her neck to see who entered.
"Kaara?" She asked
"Yes Leah?"
"What a pleasant surprise" Leah raised her eyebrows, lowering her book on her lower abdomen.
"Probably" Kaara sat in the chair by a desk in the small room.
"Something up?"
"No Leah. Nothing's up. When's your first shift?" Kaara asked, smiling slightly
"Tomorrow morn. So is yours. Sorry, I kinda read yours as well."
"Thanks" Kaara laughed out. Leah was always like that.
"No problem"
Kaara smiled as she got up from the chair and laid down on her bed thinking about earlier that day. Was Archer flirting with her when he mentioned her eyes, and how beautiful they were? She wasn't sure
"Does the Bridge crew know yet?" Leah suddenly asked
"What?"
"You know" Leah prompted, slightly impatiently.
"Oh. Yeah. They know" Kaara said, running a hand through her hair
"What did they say?"
"They were actually ok about. Though the Sub Commander thought I had bribed Admiral Forrest into letting me join Starfleet by being great friends with him. Admiral Forrest wouldn't let me bribe him anyway, and I wouldn't do such a thing."
"You may have problems with her then" Leah told her friend of five years
"I don't think so somehow" Kaara said thoughtfully
"She comes at you saying that then it's evident she dislikes you Kaara"
"Come off it Leah. I sense things, and what I sensed off her wasn't a bad one"
"Ok" Leah backed down
"Good. I'm gonna have a shower ok?"
"Cool with me" Leah picked up her book and began reading.
"Always is"
"Not always"
"Leah. Cut it out"
"Cut what out?"
"You know what. As I said, I'm having a shower now, I'll leave you to ponder shall I?"
Kaara smiled and opened her bag that Leah has brought with him earlier. She took out a towel, and her shampoo and conditioner. She headed towards the shower in the cramped space that was their quarters. Her shower was alarmingly refreshing.
The next day was busy with helping Reed out in the Armoury.
Reed was very impressed on how efficient Willows was in her work. He went up beside her.
"You're doing very well Crewman"
"Thank you Sir" Kaara replied, looking at him.
"Need any help?" her CO asked.
"I don't think so Sir. These targeting scanners just need a little re-aligning, that's all."
"It can wait. I need help with the torpedo's and I'm asking you to help me out with it"
"Sure Sir. Anything to help" Kaara smiled
"Good. Come with me" Reed nodded and turned.
Kaara followed the Brit to the Torpedo Bay. Once there, Reed fiddled around with the troublesome torpedo whilst Kaara read out what the reading told her. Half an hour later they finally got the number back to what it should be.
"Very good Crewman" Reed commented, smiling slightly.
"Thank you Sir"
"No problem. What's your first name again?" He asked as they went back to the Armoury.
"Kaara. Kaara Willows"
"Nice name"
"It's Tonaren. My father felt it right at the time" Kaara told him.
"I'm sure he did. So, who's Tonaren in you family?"
"My Mother Sir, why?"
"Just wondering"
"That's all right then Sir" Kaara smiled back at her CO.
Reed chuckled
"I think you'll do very well in Starfleet"
"You do?" Kaara answered, surprised.
"Yes" Reed answered with a small nod. Kaara could have sworn he had smiled.
"Thank you Sir"
"You know, you remind me of a younger me but only female" Reed suddenly stated
Kaara blushed and dipped her head slightly
"I don't know quite what to say" Kaara managed to say. She was never that good with complements. She was too used to receiving insults and criticisms
"Don't say anything. You don't have to"
"Ok Sir" She smiled back at him.
"So what are your other skills apart from Weapons and Security?" Reed asked, glancing at her.
"I did a little bit of engineering in my spare time. My Father was an engineer in Starfleet, so he taught me how to fix engines and stuff like that" Kaara informed him.
"You should tell Commander Tucker about your capabilities Kaara" Reed told her, amazed at her skills. Of course, he didn't know if she was telling the truth or not but she seemed the sort to tell the truth and no lies.
"I don't know"
"I'm meeting him for lunch. We always do. Why don't you join us?" Reed invited, looking at the young woman
"Sure. Why not?"
"Great. I must go; otherwise I'll be late for Bridge duty. See you later" Reed informed her, nodding slightly
"Yes Sir"
Reed left the Armoury after smiling. Kaara went back to her previous engagement but not for long as she was interrupted by a call from the Bridge.
"Archer to Willows"
"Willows here Sir" Kaara replied quickly
"Could you come to the Bridge? There's someone here who seems to know you" Archer's voice came through loud and clear over the COMM.
"I'm on my way" Kaara replied, turning towards the Armoury doors.
She cut off and headed for the Bridge. The walk took unusually a long time but she got there in the end. She exited the Turbo Lift and entered the bridge that she had visited the day before.
"Ah. Crewman Willows. Do you recognise this man?"
Kaara looked at the alien on the screen. She noted the changing eyes and the greenish scaly skin. He had a leather necklace round his neck with a metal pendant hanging from it. Indeed she did recognise the man before her.
"Yes Sir. His name is Cano Ran" She told her superior
"Cano Ran? It didn't sound like it" Archer replied, looking at her.
"That's because his race says it differently" She answered, looking at the man called Cano Ran
"Is he Tonaren?" Archer asked curiously.
"Conaren." Kaara corrected "We have similar anatomies but they don't have the abilities and are born the way they are Sir"
"So what would he be?"
"The eyes give him away. They are reptilian so it's safe to say Sir, that he's of reptilian origin."
"Hmmm. Trouble is though. All we can recognise of what he's trying to say is your first name, Kaara. Do you know his language by any chance?" Archer asked, looking from Kaara to Hoshi and back to Kaara.
"Some of it, yes but not a lot."
"Try it" Archer asked gently.
"Yes Sir" Kaara nodded and faced Cano Ran.
"Hoshi, if you please?"
"Yes Sir"
Cano Ran spoke again in his own language, his faces recognising that of Kaara's.
"Gru na grunt fin to la fva sir Nion" (Good greeting old friend of Nion) Cano Ran bowed towards Kaara.
"Er, sir dan grunt fin to la Cano Ran gru na" (The same to you Cano Ran) Kaara replied, taking a few moments to remember the language being spoken.
"Fi la non ma trona mint se la moger" (I have something to tell you about your mother) Cano said grimly.
"Wan te mint Moger?" (What about my mother?) Kaara replied sourly. She couldn't care less about her mother. All she did was to argue with her father.
"Ge deah" (She's dead) Cano Ran stated, his eyes were full of sadness. Kaara could understand that. Cano Ran and her mother, K-ta were great friends.
"Wan?" (What?) Kaara answered in disbelief.
"Ge deah yond de not nto" (She died naturally)
"Fi der" (I see) Kaara nodded.
"Fi mok te tra" (I have to go now) Cano Ran looked into Kaara's eyes.
"Inka Cano Ran" (Okay Cano Ran) Kaara nodded
"Hundra mon" (Goodbye) Cano Ran nodded at Kaara and at Captain Archer.
He left the screen which went black after he went
"What did he want?" Archer asked.
"He wanted to tell me that my mother died" Kaara answered him, facing her Captain.
"I'm sorry"
"Not your fault Sir. I never really knew her; she left my father with me when I was 3" Kaara explained.
"Oh."
"Frankly, I'm not surprised, Sir" Kaara stated strongly. Reed could almost hear the anger in her voice.
Archer nodded.
"Was your Father close to her?" he asked.
"Them? No Sir. They rowed almost every day, and it was usually me who stopped them, cos it made me cry. That's Mothers flaw. She couldn't abide to see me cry" Kaara said softly
"You may return to your duties Crewman" Archer said to her. Kaara nodded in return.
"Yes Sir"
She smiled and went to the Armoury to carry on what she previously was doing. She didn't care that her mother had died, and knew her Father, Steven, couldn't care less, but she knew he would want to know. She would send him a note later that evening.
The time passed till it was eventually lunchtime when she stopped. Another crewman who had been on the ship longer than she had been came up to her and tapped her on the shoulder lightly. Kaara turned towards him. He had orangey red hair, which was cut short. He was quite tall, but not as tall as she was.
"Hi" He said. He spoke with a Welsh accent.
"Hello" Kaara replied, smiling slightly at him
"I'm Chris Maunder" Chris told her, grinning.
"Kaara Willows"
"You do know that you've worked straight through break?" Chris said with a laugh.
"Have I?" Kaara asked, slightly shocked.
"Yep" Chris gave a nod.
"Didn't know that I was that engrossed with my work here" Kaara muttered back, her ears reddening slightly
"Ha! That's just like the Lieutenant. He worked through break as well" Chris boomed.
"Really?" Kaara replied with raised eyebrows
"Yep. He's real dedicated. Hey, weren't you meant to be meeting him for lunch?"
"Oh yikes! I was. How did you know?"
"Sorry, I was kinda eavesdropping" Chris admitted.
"I better go" Kaara turned to go.
"Yeah, bye"
"Bye" Kaara threw over her shoulder as she left
Kaara quickly left for the Mess Hall. It would be her first time there, she thought as she hurried through the grey corridors. She eventually reached the Mess where she saw the Lieutenant and whom she recognised as the Chief Engineer. She got herself some lunch, which happened to be Macaroni Cheese before heading for their table.
The Commander saw her coming.
"Invited a friend along?" He asked with a big smile
"I hope you don't mind?"
"Course not"
Kaara reached the table and smiled
"Mind if I join you Commander, Lieutenant?"
"Not at all. Have a seat," Trip indicated to a seat with his hand, smiling up at the young Crewman in front of him.
"Thank you Sir"
"Call me Trip" Trip told her softly.
"Okay, Trip"
Kaara sat between the two men and started to eat.
"Had a good day Kaara?" Trip asked, whilst eating his own meal, which was his favourite. Meatloaf.
"Yes Trip. It's gone well" Kaara smiled back at him
"Good" Trip nodded, pausing to take a sip of his milk.
Malcolm opened his mouth to speak and looked at Kaara who was making steady progress though her Macaroni Cheese.
"Will you be telling your Father about the death of you mother?" he asked.
"Yes" Kaara affirmed, looking at the Lieutenant
"What's this?" Trip asked, looking up at Malcolm and then Kaara
"We received a hail from a ship. The man was asking for Kaara to tell her about her mother. To tell her that her mother died from natural causes," Reed explained. He took a sip from his drink and set the glass back on the table.
"Oh. I'm sorry Kaara"
"It's not your fault Trip, and frankly I don't care. She caused my father enough agony" Kaara replied silently. She wasn't looking forward to having to tell Steven. She was never good at sending bad news.
"Oh"
Kaara smiled, wanly.
"Enough about me. How did your day go Trip?" Kaara asked, looking at the southerner next to her
"It went well. I don't think the engine's been in a good shape since she left space dock a week ago"
"That's good" Kaara nodded.
Tucker smiled, after taking a long mouthful of his usual cold milk, set his glass on the table. His electric, blue eyes glistening in the surrounding light. He looked up, only to find Kaara staring out of the window at the other end off the hall.
"Kaara. You sure you're all right? You look kinda pale"
Malcolm also looked at her and noticed the paleness of her skin. Kaara realised she was being spoken too and turned her head, rather sharply.
"Sorry Trip. I'm more used to seeing dead bodies than space travel. Call me a greenhorn if you will"
Trip's eyebrows raised an inch.
"Dead bodies?" Trip said slowly, raising his eyebrows at her.
"Yes."
"Uh…I see" Trip said, a little uneasily.
"My uncle on my father's side was a Crime Scene Forensic Investigator. Showed me quite a lot, so naturally I chose to do Biology and Chemistry at school, among other things' Kaara's eyes glinted in the light. She smiled, dimples forming at the edges.' After I had passed through schooling and after going and passing through the academy I first went to apply for a job in the Crime Lab that my uncle worked for. Las Vegas if I remember correctly. Anyway, after I completed a few years, which was straining me a little my Father contacted about a job that was going in Starfleet and suggested I should take it up. I read the job description and decided after a few days that would apply. I applied and here I am"
"Wow" Trip breathed.
"Pretty much"
"So, what other areas did ya study?" He asked, deadly curious.
"Err…Engineering, Weaponry, Martial Arts, Forensics, Biology, Chemistry and Security Training"
"Did you say engineering?"
"Indeed I did' Kaara paused and looked at Malcolm, who was slightly smiling 'my father was an engineer. Retired though"
"Steven Willows is your father?"
"Yes but everyone calls him Steve" Kaara told the now curious engineer.
"Yeah, he was renown back home. Miracle worker he was. He eventually became a Professor about a year before he retired. He taught me a few times."
"I never knew that. I was too busy in the Crime Lab, solving cases," Kaara said softly.
"Never mentioned me at all?" Trip asked, surprised.
"May have done. If so, I don't remember"
Kaara smiled revealing pearl white teeth. Tucker didn't fail to notice the slightly elongated canines on the upper set.
Lunch seemed to go slowly with all the chatter that was going on. Crewmembers bustled with their lunch routines and talking about their morning shifts.
Kaara looked out the window at the "moving" stars. She thought they were very beautiful. As a small child she used to look at them on the bright nights of summer. The always seemed to shimmer and glisten in whatever light. She always wanted to explore the stars. Too see them up close. Another reason why she joined.
The noise of a chair being moved backwards brought her back to the Mess Hall.
"Well. I'd better get back to my shift. I'll see you two later," Reed said.
"Sure thing Malcolm"
"Bye Sir" Kaara nodded up at her CO.
Malcolm nodded and left, only stopping to put his glass in to the collection point. Kaara noted the time, registering that she had half an hour to go before she was on duty again.
"So. You fiddled with Engines?" Trip asked.
"Something like that"
"Did ya find it easy?"
"Sometimes. Depending on the mood and the complexity of the engine itself" Kaara smiled, remembering the good old days when she was a child and helping her father outside the garage fixing the car. It had a broken axle.
"I see. Want to have a look at the engine? I don't suppose you've seen a warp 5 engine yet" Trip offered, finishing his meatloaf.
"No…although I once saw the schematics, but I vaguely remember them."
"So, your Dad told you about the Warp 5 Program then" Trip asked lightly
"Yes. He did but he retired soon after. He's been in Starfleet for quite some time and he wanted to get back touch with his favourite past time. Restoring things and making them too."
Tucker grinned. His blue eyes seemed to soften.
"Come on. I'll show her to ya"
"All right" Kaara smiled.
Trip got up from the table, with Willows following suit. They put their dishes and cutlery in the corresponding points, their rubbish going into a dispenser.
They left the Mess and hurried through the corridors towards Engineering. Tucker was happy and Kaara was enjoying the quick pace that they were travelling at.
They passed several other crewmembers that were going about their daily duties. They eventually reached the Engine Room. Trip had a surprisingly big grin plastered all over his southern face.
"Ain't she beautiful?"
"She sure is Trip. She sure is. You've done well with her" Kaara commended
"Thanks" Trip nodded, glad he gained approval for the engine.
"No problem"
Tucker smiled at her and felt his ears turn beetroot. Kaara didn't appear to have noticed and she advanced further to Tucker's pride and joy, the engine. It's rhythmic hum wavering in the background. Kaara liked it. She stopped to gather herself. Am I falling for three men or one here? The hum interrupted her thoughts along with Tucker's presence. His breathing caught up with hers.
"Somethin' wrong?"
"No. Nothing's wrong Trip. Just admiring the view," Kaara told, covering her lapse of thought.
"Really" came the sarcastic remark but Trip made no further point of it.
"What's the time?" Kaara asked, turning towards the engineer.
Trip ran his tongue over his dry lips and moved over to a nearby console. His fingers expertly darted forth and back over the panel. "Ah. Time for you to return to duty"
"Thanks Trip. For showing me your engine' Kaara smiled for she knew the double meaning, but then scolded herself for thinking of such things. 'I'd best be going. It wouldn't do to be late on the first day"
"Nah, it wouldn't. See ya"
Kaara smiled and turned away from the southerner, she walked up the steps and out into the corridor, occasionally nodding to select few crewmembers, giving some of them a small smile. She knew she would be finally happy with her new job and with the people around her.
After her long afternoon shift, did she retire to bed. She lay on her bunk and thought. She got up and moved to the panel on the desk in the room. She opened a new message and wrote:
Dear Papa,
I should thank you for the application thingy you sent me a few years back, I never did. So I am thanking you Papa from the depths of my heart.
I am enjoying my stay so far; the people have been warm and welcoming. Just like at the CSI lab. I enjoyed the company of a man called Lieutenant Malcolm Reed. We got on well; well at least I think we did. He hardly showed any emotion apart from the occasional smile. I can see you smiling and that comforts me greatly.
There's another man. I met him first. Everyone loves him as their Captain and Friend. They've been through a lot with him. You know him Papa. Everyone on Earth does. Captain Jonathan Archer was a man I felt comfortable with. Hmm…just like Max cept Captain Archer was more relaxed. More…go easy. I bet his command style is the same.
Lieutenant Reed introduced me to Enterprise's Chief Engineer, Commander Charles Tucker the third. Trip. Trip says you knew of him and taught him when you were a professor shortly before you retired. You must've mentioned him to me once when I was back on Earth…but of course I was busy with that Crandall case that I wasn't obliged to tell you about.
His eyes startled me. Bright, electric blue they were. Lieutenant Reed's, as I recall were a stormy blue going on grey, Captain Archer's were funky, and they were green. I like green remember?
There is a point to why I am contacting you Pap. Cano Ran contacted Enterprise today. I think we met him on a recon visit but he knew Mother greatly, not that this would bother you greatly but Mother has passed away. She's caused you enough grief as it is but I hope you attend the funeral Pap. I really think you ought to go. Try to show you care. For me? Promise me you'll attend. I know what you're like. You never gave her presents since my 28th. Nor any cards for that matter.
Well Pap. I hope things are well at your end and I can't wait to see you again. Do tell me if James gets up to more of his stupid tricks again won't you?. And please do write back Pap.
Luv
Kaz (Kaara)
Kaara sent the message hoping it would reach Papa in time. She stood from the seat and left the quarters, bumping into Leah in the process.
"Hey Kaara. You weren't in the mess" Leanne grinned at her friend
"I had something to do first Leah, I see you've eaten your fill already"
"How on Earth did you know?" Leah asked, surprised.
"Maybe the remains of what you had is on your lips' Kaara laughed let Leah pass, she chuckled and went past her
"I can always count on you to make those remarks"
"Get some rest Leah"
Kaara smiled again and went to go and get her own dinner. She reached the Mess two and half minutes later, She didn't see Archer creep up behind her. Kaara sighed and smelt the air around her.
Work. Dog. Dog she thought. Who would be the one to own a dog on this ship? Kaara smiled and turned to face the man called Archer who smiled in return, but there was also surprise
"Heard me?" Archer asked eyebrows raised.
"Smelt you rather Sir. Am I right you own a dog?" Kaara smiled.
"Yeah, a beagle. Porthos. Charming as long as you give him cheese, then he'll be your friend for life" Archer said beaming.
They laughed. Archer's facial expression dropped slightly. He was obviously thinking of something but what Kaara asked herself.
"Kaara, seeming as you're new round here, um, would you like to join T'Pol, Trip and myself for dinner?"
"Um…I would love to Sir" Archer smiled, obviously relieved at her answer.
There was something more to those green eyes of his Kaara thought whilst she was looking up at him. He was taller than she was.
"We're off duty so I think we can drop the rank. It's Jon to you" Archer said with a smile.
"Okay, Jon. I think I can remember all these nicknames" Kaara said, jokingly.
"Trip?" Archer figured it would have been his but he played along the joke.
"Yup" Kaara said with a flick of her head, strands of her black hair swirling round her face.
Archer laughed and put his arm round Kaara's shoulders. She didn't seem to mind. He led her to the Captain's Mess still merrily laughing, along with the crewman at his side.
Please R&R.
TBC…. Chapter 2 "Fallen" coming soon!