Disclaimer: This is a fan written work. The copyrights and trademarks of Star Trek are owned by Paramount Pictures, CBS Corporation and there licensee, Pocket Books. The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Chapter 3

Launch Bay 1 Shuttle Pod 1 0755

"Well looks like Lieutenant Hess is going to miss out on an away mission." Sargent Greer observed while checking over his gear.

Corporal Kane looked up from his weapon, "Why do you say that? Lieutenant Mayweather isn't here yet either." Kane eyed the comm panel, "Shouldn't we contact them?"

Greer shook his head, "Only if you want Lieutenant Commander Reed on you for being late as well."

"When you put it like that... I'll only worry about myself and the team who is here in the next five minutes." Kane went back to checking his weapon. "Do you think our weapons will work with the ionization or will it be limited to the scanners?"

"Hmm. Good question. You should ask the Lieutenant Commander."

Kane paled a little, "Yeah?"

"Aw, come on Kane. Mr. Reed isn't all that bad. He's lightened up since we've been on board." Greer looked up as the launch bay door opened, "Well speak of the devil." Greer said under his breath.

Reed walked up to the MACO's, "Well I'm glad to see you two are all set to go."

Mayweather rushed through the doors before it had closed behind Reed, "Mayweather reporting, Sir."

"Not a minute too late." Reed looked at the three crewmen, "Any word from medical or engineering department about their counterparts?"

"No Sir."

"Very Well. Mayweather start the pre-flight checks. Sargent get the gear stowed with Kane."

"Aye Sir." The three went to their various tasks as Reed went to the communication panel.

"Reed to Sickbay"

"Phlox here."

"Is Crewman Ballard due to join us in the launch bay anytime soon?"

"Oh. Yes. Mr. Reed, Crewman Ballard will be joining you in a minute, she was waylaid here for some last minute supplies. However Lieutenant Hess is on medical leave."

"Is everything alright, Doctor?"

"Everything is fine. The Lieutenant is out with the Trarican Flu. She'll be good as new in a few days. Nothing to worry about."

"Thank you, Doctor. Reed out." Reed cut the transmission and started a new one, "Reed to Commander Tucker."

"Tucker, What can I do for you Malcolm?"

"Any replacement for Lieutenant Hess?"

"Oh sorry Mal. I completely forgot to inform you. No I don't have a replacement. I'll let the Capt' know you'll be one short on your mission. Good luck."

"Thanks Trip. Reed out." Crewman Ballard came through the doors at the end of the transmission.

"I apologize for my lateness Lieutenant Commander." Ballard set her pack of gear down.

Reed gave his famous glare, "Crewman Ballard we are already behind schedule. Board the shuttle if you please."

"Yes sir." Ballard retrieved the gear and jumped in to the shuttle pod. Reed shook his head as he got in and seated himself in the port secondary crew station. Mayweather in the pilot seat, Greer at the starboard secondary crew station, Ballard on the port passenger seating, leaving a spot on the starboard passenger seating for Kane as he finished closing the port hatch.

"Mayweather if you will kindly get us out of here. I would like to find this person as soon as possible." Reed ground out as he checked the screen.

"Aye sir. Shuttle Pod 1 to Bridge."

"Archer. What can we do for you Lieutenant?"

"Permission to disembark Captain."

"Permission granted. Be careful out there."

Reed took up the conversation, "You can count on that captain. We will contact Enterprise as soon as we have something to report sir."

"Very well Malcolm. Archer out."

"Well Travis, you heard the Captain. Take us out."

"Aye sir."

The pod left the launch bay without a hitch under Mayweather's steady hand. Reed looked down to the planet noticing blue water and gray clouds, not a sign of green or brown.

"What is the estimated time of arrival lieutenant?"

"About 15 minutes, sir. Though I suggest buckling up before we hit the atmosphere. The ionization is going to give us a pretty rough ride."

"Alright." Reed acknowledged.

"Lieutenant Commander, I, uh, meant to talk to you before we, hm, left."

"Yes, Ballard? Something you forgot to mention in the brief?"

"Well, no. I found this information after I made a few inquiries about the flora on the planet. There seems to be a plant or two which may interfere with our brain. I do not know exactly what we should be looking out for. Please allow me to isolate the plant life before anyone accidentally becomes infected."

"Sir, we are about to enter the atmosphere. Fasten your seatbelts and place tray tables in the upright and locked positions." Mayweather commented.

After Reed strapped in, he answered Ballard's inquiry, "Security is the first priority. If there is not an immediate threat you are permitted to do a limited area search for the plant. Understood?"

"Yes sir." Ballard's voice gave away her excitement in finding a new plant.

"Entering the atmosphere in 3, 2, 1," Mayweather counted. The shuttle rocked. "Nothing I can't handle sir."

"I have no.." The shuttle jerked, interrupting Reed, "Well maybe I have a little doubt in your abilities."

"No offense taken. The turbulence will get worse before it gets better."

"Is it the ionization, or is there something else making it difficult to control the pod?" Asked Keen from the back.

"There is nothing definitive on the scanner. We'll know more when we get to the ground." Reed turned to the MACO's, "Be patient. You will be able to stretch your legs shortly." Easing back into his seat, looking out the windscreen, "There! Mayweather circle around, there is smoke coming from the edge of the forest near the sea."

"I see it." The shuttle pod groaned under the stress of wind. "I'll be able to do one pass, however I suggest we land after that."

"Very well. Just get us close. We need to see if it is a camp or not."

Mayweather sharply nodded as he took the shuttle down for a closer look.

"Sargent take note of all readings," Reed ordered.

"Aye Sir."

Reed did not reply, keeping his breathing in check and eyes to the ground. In the brief glimpse, there was a small structure of wood, twigs, and something yellow and red on top. Smoke came from in front of the structure, though there was not an actual fire detected. Looking down on the camp there was no sign of life. "Anything on the scanners?"

"No sir, there is heat from the fire, not enough to give off much warmth." The shuttle shook as the clouds closed in and visibility became nonexistent.

"Sir, if we don't land soon, we will crash." Mayweather announced as he struggled to fight for control.

"Greer, find us a landing area."

"Already done sir. On the way in I made a note of a clearing 037 mark 010 from our current position."

"Mayweather!"

"Setting course to 037 mark 010 sir!"

"Greer, what is causing this turbulence?"

"From what I can gather by the readings, it's the clouds themselves that are causing the ionization and destabilizing the atmosphere around them."

"How far is it to the camp from the clearing?" Ballard's shaky voice broke the cacophony raised by the turbulence.

"Around three kilometers." Greer grimaced, "not exactly an easy three kilometers either."

"Well we have walked longer than that underground with sheer cliffs, I think we can manage three kilometers." Mayweather commented.

"Mayweather please focus on the task at hand."

"Right sir. Almost there."

Keen leaned forward, "We haven't been underground."

"They must have." Greer nodded to the two senior officers. "Glad I wasn't part of it."

Keen nodded as he braced for landing. The shuttle pod landed with ease and grace which was lacking during the trip down. Reed was the first to jump up and grab his gear.

"We will go in teams of two. Mayweather with Keen, Ballard with Greer, and I will take point."

"With all due respect sir. I don't think that is a good idea of you going on your own." Greer commented as the others looked on with trepidation, "You are the highest priority target out here sir."

"On the contrary, Crewman Ballard is. She is the only one who will be able to give any of us serious medical treatment." Reed took out his phaser, "Our highest priority is finding whomever created the camp." He opened the hatch, scanning the area. "I'll be going straight to the camp, Keen circle to the north; Greer, the south." They nodded. "Move out."

Keen was out first with weapon at the ready and Mayweather with his scanner out. Greer had his phase rifle ready while Ballard followed behind a short distance with her med kit and scanner out. Reed closed the hatch, setting a brisk pace to the east.

'It's been three days since crashing on this island. There hasn't been any aircraft, boat, or people in that whole time. Not even a piece of any sort of human involvement anywhere in the vicinity. No artifacts of any type. There are very few islands in the whole world which haven't had some human on them at some point. Sure, there could have been no trace. However, that is very unlikely. I've been all over this island. Even now when I would probably do just as well to stay in my shelter, if you could call it that, and die from fever. If I could get an actual fire going and not just smoke I might be able to boil a pot of water and try and have some tea. What I wouldn't give for a good cup of hot tea. What was I doing? Right looking for some dry wood, or was I looking for food? Either one would be good right now.' Gouveia was stomping through the forest in a meandering path. Rain was beginning to fall after the brief moment of sunshine. "Oh come on! One hour is all I'm asking for!" Yelling at the sky. Then there, almost impossible, was an aircraft. Not recognizing the configuration she headed the opposite direction, back to camp. There was a more defensible position near there. "At least I'll have a spear, even though I can't use it. I'd fall over before it left my hand." Speaking quietly as she tripped over hidden rocks in the undergrowth. It took longer than she thought, having stopped to rest a few times. 'There, grab the spear, climb the rise, wait for them to find the camp and follow them back to the aircraft. Not a great plan. But if they are not here within half hour, I'll try to find the aircraft.' She snorted, 'Again, not a great plan.'

Gouveia made it to the vantage point on a bluff overlooking the forest and camp, a little more than five minutes before she heard someone coming from the south. 'Please go to camp and not up here. Let this one thing go right.' She let out a sigh as the two people in gray jackets, one with a rifle and the other looking at a GPS like thing, walked below the rise and toward camp.

"I don't, uh, have a clear biosignature of you and, eh, we are only a meter apart."

The one with the rifle grunted, "What good is a scanner if it doesn't even work?"

Two more people came from the north in the same gray jackets. Again one with a rifle and the other looking at a 'scanner'. "Aw come on Greer. Mayweather is having some luck." The one with the rifle spoke and motioned between the dark skinned man and the southern group, "Mayweather, why don't you show Ballard how you tinkered with the scanner to show at least two biosignatures instead of one blob."

A British accent came from the east, "One does not require a scanner with how loud you are Corporal Keen."

'Corporal Keen' gave a shrug, "I thought you would have beaten us here sir."

'Sir, huh. I have seen men in command who are shorter than him. Never met any.'

"I found tracks." 'Sir' came closer to the rest of the group. "They were fairly fresh. Seems we are looking for a biped at least. I haven't seen anything else to give evidence contrary to a single humanoid in the area."

Mayweather spoke from the shelter, "I'll agree with the assessment of one humanoid. Doesn't look like two people could sleep in this small of a shelter. If you could call it that."

"I found where the signal orginated from." Ballard spoke from the south near the ejection seat.

'Do you know how long it took me to find that piece of junk.' Gouveia let out another sigh, 'Maybe I should stroll in to camp.' She examined the people below, 'Ballard and Mayweather don't seem much of a threat. Keen and the other with the rifle definitely are. Sir is a wild card. He has the MA's respect. Should I stay, or should I go, that is the question.' Giving a short laugh at herself, having been more loud than intended when the two MA's and Sir looked up.

"Greer, Keen, do a quick perimeter search. Mayweather, deal with the signal and Ballard do a thorough analysis of the plants in the area. Especially the ones which look to have been consumed by our humanoid."

"Aye Sir." Came from the group.

"I will try and hail Enterprise back at the shuttle pod."

Keen took a step forward, "Sir, are you sure that is such a good idea? I could come with you. Greer is more than capable of watching out for Mayweather and Ballard."

Reed turned and snarled, "And I am not capable of watching out for myself, Corporal?!"

Keen stood to attention, "I apologize Lieutenant Commander Reed. You know what you are doing."

"I should bloody well hope so. Getting through three arduous years with the Romulans would be enough to show anyone how capable I am of watching out for danger." Reed all but shouted.

"Keen, take the perimeter watch." Greer interjected, glaring at Reed, "Lieutenant Commander, are you done?"

"Yes Sargent. Leave here in 20 minutes." Without a look back Reed did an about face and headed to the shuttle pod.

'I don't know what Ron-ul-ens are, but I'll take my chances with the Commander over the two MA's.' Gouveia left the bluff and her spear to follow Reed to the shuttle pod. Giving the camp a wide berth, she quickened her pace. Entering the forest, she caught a glimpse of gray, and ran after it. Trying to slow her breathing, shaking her head to clear her vision a little, followed after the Commander. The clearing surprised Gouveia and she dashed to the side as the man turned around.

"I know you're there. Even with all this rain, I can hear your footsteps." The man turned his hands out in a supplicating manner, "There is nothing to be afraid of. We heard your distress signal, and came to find you." His brow furrowed, "Maybe this might work better." Taking out a cell phone looking device, "this is a universal translator, I am going to ask you to speak into the machine so I can understand you. Of course, if you can't understand me how are you going to know I need you to speak, if you can speak. Where is Sato when you need her?" He ran his hand through his hair.

Gouveia almost laughed at how lost he looked with the machine in his hands. 'Get it together. The aircraft is most likely in the direction he was heading. I need to get there first. He isn't going to stand there forever hoping I'm going to jump up and say "here I am. Thank you for finding me." Lord, please give me cover to get past this man.' She had a clear shot lined up to get past the sharp eared man as long as the right distraction came about. The wind picked up from the north, Reed turned to face it. Gouveia took her chance. Crouching in the waist high grass, ran south of the man. After running for several minutes a dark shape took form in front of her. Slowing to a walk, Gouveia took a long look at the aircraft. It was something she had never seen before. The wings were too short, the engines were wide rectangles without any major intake ports, and the body too wide to be called aerodynamic. Touching where there looked to be a door, the metal had an odd feel to it. "Made it." Leaning in to place her forehead on the aircraft. "Thank you Lord." She would have collapsed where she stood, if not for the sound of a british accent being carried on the wind, "Bloody wind, bloody rain," 'Hide' was all she could think, taking shelter under the short port wing. Reed came into view. Seeing him up close, Gouveia made out how his dark short hair was plastered to his skull, gray eyes matching the sky, and the red stripes on the shoulders, two gold and one silver pin on the collar of his gray jacket. The closer he came the more tense she became. Without being aware of what she was doing, Gouveia pulled her knife from the leg pocket with her left hand and held it at the ready.

Reed stopped in front of the aircraft where Gouveia was a minute before. Turning back the way he came, sighed out, "So close. I know they were right in front of me. Where could they be?"

Faster than Gouveia thought possible in her current condition, she had wrapped Reed's right elbow twisted behind his back, pulling him backwards slightly so the knife in her left hand was pressed against Reed's left jugular. Gouveia pushed her right shoulder into his back, manipulating Reed to be a shield facing the forest and her back to the shuttle pod.

"I'm right here. Lieutenant Commander Reed." Gouveia hissed in his left ear. The hand holding the knife trembled, taking all her strength to keep the blade steady.

"You know who I am, care to introduce yourself?"

"Don't get smart with me Commander. I am not exactly in the mood for jokes."

"What luck. Neither am I." Before Gouveia knew, she was flat on her back, the wind knocked out and head spinning. She could make out Reed kicking the knife to the side, observing her. She guessed he decided she was not much of a threat as he crouched down, asking, "Are you alright?"

"What concern is it to you sir? You are the one who knocked me down."

Reed was pleased she could give a response even if it was not an answer, "I would like to know if you require immediate medical attention? Besides, you still have not told me who you are."

"Honestly?" She looked at Reed who gave a nod, "I most likely do. Need medical attention, that is. Haven't been eating well. And it has been impossible to stay dry." Gouveia raised her right hand to try and block some of the rain from her face. "I just want to know why it took you guys so long." She glanced at Reed, "And why you are wearing gray instead of the orange and white I was expecting." Reed didn't respond right away.

"I apologize for the long wait Miss. Do you think you can stand?"

"It's Lieutenant JG Gouveia." Gouveia said with a glazed over look. "All is forgiven if you can get me away from this awful, wet, lonely island." Feeling out of her depth, looked away from Reed, "I might be able to get up with help. Maybe. If you can forgive me for holding a knife to you?"

Reed gave a small smile, "Yes. I think I can manage that. Lieutenant JG Gouveia, I am Lieutenant Commander Reed of the starship Enterprise." He gripped her arm which was blocking the rain and pulled her to a standing position as he stood, belying the strength hidden in his lithe form.

Gouveia didn't feel ashamed as she placed most of her weight on to Reed as her head started spinning again, "Starship? I know a carrier named Enterprise, but not a starship. Starship? Aren't you with the coast guard, or marines, or, or, or the army?" They were shuffling the few feet to the shuttle pod door.

"No. I'm with Starfleet Command of Earth. Hold on to me while I get the hatch opened. Can you do that?" He placed her right arm around his shoulder with his left around her waist.

"Starfleet?" Gouveia starting to panic, gripped Reed's jacket front with her left hand pulling herself closer to him, 'Maybe this is all a really long dream.' Focusing on Reed's face, decided to accept the unconventional help, "Commander?"

Reed got the door opened, looked down. She noticed how close he was and blushed. Gouveia hoped he would attest it to a fever.

"Yes, Lieutenant JG Gouveia?" Reed got her through the door and started to walk to the port seat, dragging her with him.

"Will you wake me in a few hours." Said as she half fell, half sat down, "I don't think I can keep up anymore." Reed laid her back, trying to free his uniform from her death grip.

He looked into her eyes and gave an unspoken promise of safety,"Yes."

"Thank you sir." Gouveia let go of him then and went straight to oblivion; leaving a very concerned Commander behind.