A/N: Anaya is pronounced: 'long a – neigh – short a' and means: 'one like us.'

Present

Day 3

Noohra

What have I learned from observing my crewmates? Never dismiss a skill's usefulness. Even when its application seems of little value. Chris once said, 'You never know what unique combination of skills and circumstances will come together into what is needed.'

With eyes closed, Aalin listened. Taken as a whole the encircling sounds were like a natural symphony brimming with musical threads. Methodically, as trained to do, she began isolating each unique melody.

Buzzing ahead … bees?

Slowly moving water to the left … creek?

Leaves rustling in the wind.

Chirping … to the left … crickets?

Scurrying behind … an animal like a squirrel?

Cooing to the right … two different pitches … a pair of doves? Considering their vocalizations probably mates. That thought triggered a smile which immediately faded.

And something else … faint … farther away than the birds …

Aalin turned to her right and walked for ten steps.

Maybe I imagined it.

She took ten more steps. And twenty more.

Words? Words! Mixed in with the birds' calls.

As she ran towards the song the lyrics became clear … this old man, he plays five, he plays knick knack on his hive …

The terrain in this area of the mountain passes was mostly rocks and thorny scrub with a few trees rising above three-foot-high brush. In a quartet of these trees two children sat while another stood watch. Reaching them, Aalin sank to her knees in front of five-year-old Sera and her six-year-old brother Uri. She then reached her hand out to a pacing Omer, beckoning him closer.

All three children talked at once. "Anaya…" "Sera hurt her foot …" "It was my fault …" "We fell behind …"

Aalin gathered each into her arms. Even Omer, who at eight believed he had outgrown overt displays of affection, accepted and fiercely returned the hug. "One at a time. Quickly," she said while examining the little girl's clumsily bandaged foot. A circle of blood the size of a quarter coin caked the fabric.

"We were playing, and I chased Sera off the path," Uri said. His hands trembled and his eyes were watery. "She's my sister, I promised Mama I'd take care of her."

"Nope, I followed a butterfly," Sera countered.

"Blame isn't important right now," Aalin said in a soothing even tone as she pulled the large thorn out letting the wound bleed freely for a couple of minutes. Sera yelped as the sharp barb slid out of her foot, and then whimpered.

Throughout the ordeal, Uri tightly held his sister's hand and whispered to her, "It's going to be OK now. Remember what Mama used to say …"

Sera burst into tears and kept repeating, "I want Mama. I want Mama."

Aalin sat beside the brother and sister; Omer remained standing continuing to act as guardian. She lifted Sera onto her lap and smoothed the child's hair. When Sera reached up with open arms, Aalin wrapped hers around the child and said, "You were very brave." She kissed the top of Sera's head as the little girl snuggled against her chest.

"Do you still have a Mama?" Sera asked between sniffles.

"Yes. But she is far away, on the planet where I live," Aalin replied.

"Then who hugs you when you are hurt?" Tears waning, Sera scrunched her face and added, "I bet Captain Pike does. Do you think he would hug me? I'm going to ask him when we get to the city."

They are so confident we will make it, so trusting, Aalin thought. Her anger at the soldiers as well as the Aschaski who orphaned these children piqued.

Omer explained, "When I couldn't see them, I backtracked to look. Maybe I should've told you rather than going off on my own. But you were so far ahead of us … I decided … better find them fast."

"You made the right choice," Aalin reassured smiling at him.

Uri started, "Omer remembered Isak's stories, and we did that …"

Sera interrupted, "Stay where you are!"

"Rather than try to find your way back," Uri finished.

"Unless there is danger," Omer reminded.

"That's right. And do something to get attention," Uri continued.

"Something the people looking for you will recognize," Omer amended.

"So we sang our walking song!" Sera said clapping her hands and humming a verse. "And it worked."

"And get water. Omer found water. When he looked for it, he didn't go in too many directions, and he knew his steps!" Uri said the hero worship in his voice evident.

Omer scuffed his foot on the ground. "Uri means Isak told us the best way to find your way back is to only turn left or right once and to count your steps."

After settling Sera back onto the ground, Aalin stood and faced the eldest boy. "That was very grown-up thinking. When he hears what you did, that you listened, remembered, acted with purpose rather than haste, Isak will be proud of you. As I am."

Omer blushed. "Do you think … someday … I can be a protector like Isak?"

Aalin placed a hand on his shoulder. "You already are. As well as a leader, like Captains Pike and Georgiou." She gave the boy a few second to internalize her comments before asking, "Is there any water left?"

Using a small amount of the precious water, Aalin cleaned Sera's puncture wound and rebandaged it. Squatting with her back facing the young girl, Aalin said, "Omer, help her onto my back. Sera, wrap your legs around my waist and your arms around my neck. Right. Like that. Feel secure?"

Sera nodded. Uri translated, "Yes."

"It's going to be dark soon, we need to get back to the others." Aalin held out a hand to Uri and Omer. "And we need to stick close to one another." Neither boy protested as each clasped one of her hands.

ooooo

Present

Day 3

Enterprise Holding at Station Near Noohra

With the children no longer on the expected path, Pike had considered his options and chose his next move. We will no longer play by the Aschaski's rules. He mobilized his senior officers and discussed his plan with Georgiou. The Enterprise and Shenzhou crews quickly sprang into action.

Glancing up from his desk in the ready room Pike said, "Number One if you have concerns, if you object, now is the time."

Una raised an eyebrow. "Object sir? No. And I intend to be in the landing party." When Pike started to reply, she waved her finger at front of him. "No. Don't. Do not even think about leaving me behind. I won't allow you to go unaccompanied to a planet currently at war with its neighbor … I assume you plan on beaming down?"

"Yes. The decisions of how far to push their government, of whether enter the war on the side of Noohra rest with me."

"Very well. I concede on you joining the landing party … but I am coming with you," she reiterated firmly. "You are a high value target, and I don't trust the Aschaski."

"I imagine Isak will echo your intentions." Pike rubbed his chin. "This situation could escalate and turn hot at any moment. If so, I want you on Enterprise. Isak can accompany us or send a deputy. His call."

Una frowned. She thought, A deputy? Not likely. If possible Isak will be even more unhappy about Chris beaming to the planet than I am.

"Isak and I have survived numerous missions together," Pike said.

"As in the ones where you ran towards the phaser fire?"

"That was the operational objective," he reminded.

She snorted, "Perhaps you will keep in mind this time that is not the goal … or at least remember to duck."

Pike chuckled. "Duly noted." He handed her a PADD. "The list of personnel transferring to Shenzhou for the duration of our visit to Aschak Prime. Shenzhou will continue monitoring ceasefire compliance to the extent she can. We can't risk ship to ship communications except for quick random squirts using the new protocols Saru, Mann, and Nicola developed. Boyce will be my liaison to Georgiou …"

"That's convenient for him," Una remarked dryly.

"Matt, Chapel and two doctors will join them in case hostilities resume and emergency medical services are required. Louiver has a rough idea for disguising scans of Noohra's surface. He's sending an engineer with those details. Lucero and two of her specialists will work with Commanders Saru and Burnham on locating and tracking our group of orphans. Thoughts?"

"I agree with your selections. Keeping Spock on Enterprise may be for personal reasons, but it is the right choice. This is no time for a forced reunion with his estranged sister. That reaction earlier when Captain Georgiou delivered the news … Spock's never before asked to be excused from a briefing. His emotional control, which in my opinion was already wound too tightly for his own good, almost broke."

"Losing Aalin ..." Pike abruptly stopped and looked to the side. His body tensed. His brow furrowed.

Witnessing his sad expression Una thought, I haven't seen Chris look this pained … this vulnerable since … since … The harsh truth coalesced. Since Talos.

Pike rapped the desk with the tip of his middle finger, as if the gesture were a reminder talisman. After inhaling deeply and slowly he began again, "Losing Lieutenant Matthews is a real possibility." He leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Maybe even probable. Nothing prepares you for the first time that happens to a crewman under your command."

Una murmured her agreement.

Pike continued, "If they are captured it's likely we could bargain for the orphans' safe keeping and eventual liberty. If the Aschaski let Matthews live, and that's a stretch, it will be as a prisoner of war with demands for her release purposely beyond anything we can agree to." He selected a PADD from the desk and pushed it towards Una. "Shenzhou's security chief's report on the conditions in the prison camps. It's not pretty."

Una skimmed the document. "Matthews has no training in resisting interrogation …"

"No," he replied, his voice quiet. "Will they believe she knows no secrets of use to them? Or keep pushing her, keep hurting her …" Pike straightened and tugged down his uniform jacket. "Speculation is useless. We'll keep an eye on Spock but for now give him time and space for working through this in his own way. Go to a standing yellow alert, up that to red at any provocation. Prepare for departure in ninety minutes. That's all," He ordered as he stood.

Una kept her seat and tilted her head.

Pike returned to his seat. "Or not. What's on your mind?"

"You."

"More specificity please." Pike leveled her with that stare, the one which turned the lower ranks to jelly. It worked on the higher ranks as well, including Admirals.

However, Una was immune. She steepled her fingers. Cleared her throat. Admitted to herself, I'm mostly immune. The Captain's about face and then deliberate use of their interpreter's rank and last name rather than her given name had not escaped his first officer's notice. Una decided, This isn't the time to push Chris into expressing his feelings for Aalin. It is too much to ask of the man who holds in his hands her life as well as the immediate fate of one hundred orphans, as well as the long-term future of the populations of two worlds. She lifted her chin and, with an almost imperceptible nod and smile, held Chris' gaze. With this silent message of support delivered Una said, "All will be ready." She quietly left.

ooooo

"Spock?" Lynne Lucero prompted. With no reply she then said, "Lieutenant."

Pushing aside lingering distraction, Spock looked at his direct superior.

"Evan Connolly and his team of geologists have completed the preliminary mineralogical analysis of Aschask Prime based on the limited scans conducted over a decade ago. There isn't time for me to present their findings to Captain Pike before I leave. So that's on your plate now."

"Excuse me?"

"Our commander needs to be briefed. You need to give him the briefing. Connolly tends to ramble. That should be avoided when the Captain's patience is running thin," Lucero explained in her usual straightforward manner. She didn't miss Spock's slight frown.

"I shall see to it."

"If there is a landing party, be on it. Stick to Captain Pike's side. He's going to want information analyzed quickly and explained concisely. And the useless minutia sifted out. As acting chief while I'm on the Shenzhou you are the funnel and his filter." A month into his assignment on Enterprise, Una and Lucero began grooming Spock for the future role of chief science officer on the flagship.

"This is illogical. I should go to Discovery," Spock protested. "Enterprise needs her lead scientist; your interpretation of our data findings may stop a war." His shoulders drooped. "Duty assignments should not be at the capricious whim of personal issues."

Lynne pointed to the chair at her side. Spock followed the suggestion. PADDs littered the conference table in front of them. Lab One also functioned as an informal office for her. "When the situation permits, Captain Pike always considers the personal. He leads from the heart as well as the head, it's who he is. Don't dismiss the wisdom of that. Learn from it. Decide if it has a place in your own command style."

"I was not … brought up … to consider the personal relevant when it comes to the needs of the many."

"No. I imagine you were not."

Spock raised an eyebrow. "You disagree?"

Lucero glanced down at the PADD in her hand, returned a message from Louvier, and then looked back at Spock. "Let's just say I see no reason for inflicting emotional pain or choosing sacrifice until other options are exhausted or proven untenable. You are as qualified as I for supporting the Captain during this mission."

"And I shall endeavor to meet and exceed your expectations," Spock replied in a monotone devoid of his usual confidence and intensity.

"Alright. Listen up. There is nothing about this situation that doesn't … well for lack of a better term … suck."

Tilting his head and looking confused Spock stated, "I am unfamiliar with how that term applies in this …"

"The situation is really bad," Lucero amended. "Children are in peril as well as one of our own. We are bystanders in a vicious war. Questioning your decision which placed a crewman in danger is appropriate in the after-action review. Right now Lieutenant Matthews and those kids need all of that elegant brain of yours dedicated to helping them reach a safe harbor." She paused. "I promise focusing forward helps." She grinned. "Or as Isak says, Ruminating on the past gets you killed."

"I believe the exact quote is, Chew too long on the past and you miss the bullet in front of you," Spock corrected in a pitch perfect Australian accent.

"Yep, that sounds more like our beloved security chief, especially after watching one of those ancient westerns he and Boyce foist on us during movie night. So capiche?" At Spock's blank stare she said, "Ready to move on?"

"Affirmative."

ooooo

Pike entered the bridge at precisely 18:00. Sitting at the helm Number One reported, "Personnel transfer complete. Shenzhou signals they are holding at station. Ready to get underway sir."

"Set course for Aschask Prime. Take it slow and easy, give their military and civilian sensor nets time to analyze our course and scan our operational stance. Double check and confirm all of Enterprise's weapons are offline. Nicola, ask for vector and heading approach for a high geosynchronous orbit," the Captain ordered.

The Aschaski's answer was immediate. Nicola relayed it, "Denied."

"Ask again. Nicely," Pike said.

"Space command warns should Enterprise enter the planetary defensive grid, it will be considered hostile and a threat," Nicola reported.

Pike turned to tactical, "Anything in their offensive or defensive arsenal our shields can't handle?"

"No sir."

"Very well." Pike glanced at Spock who stood facing the viewscreen staring intently at it, back ramrod straight communicating dedication and purpose, arms folded behind his back. For a moment Pike indulged his feelings and their accompanying heady rush. Yes, I'm in love with her. Then he locked those feelings tightly away. For Aalin's sake and in the best interests of my crew.

The flagship's commander continued, "Nicola, inform the planetary leadership our inquiry for vectoring was not a request."