Disclaimer: This is a fan written work. The copyrights and trademarks of Star Trek are owned by Paramount Pictures, CBS Corporation and their 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 8

Bridge July 6, 2161 0530

"Alpha shift is almost up for duty." Gregory at the science station moaned, "Hopefully they will all be on time today."

T'Pol walked off the turbolift, "Lieutenant Gregory is there something you would like to speak with me about?"

The other bridge crew gave a pitying look toward Gregory, "Ah, no Commander. There is not much to report. We are about to exit Andorian space and leave the Andorian escort,"

"Commander T'Pol." Leonard interrupted, "The Andorians are hailing."

T'Pol nodded, "On screen."

"Vulcan, where is Captain Archer?"

"He is on his way. Do you wish to wait for him?"

"No." Thyv said, with a knife hand gesture, "There is the matter of your guest."

"What is the matter of our guest, General?" Archer spoke from the platform, walking toward T'Pol, and continued on, "Is she a spy? A person of import from an uninhabited moon? Or does she have secrets from the future?" Reed came on the bridge as Archer stopped, back to the screen, and gave Reed a small nod of acknowledgement as he faced the suspicious Andorian General, "General, you are welcome to board and interview our guest, as long as Lieutenant Commander Reed and I are able to sit in on the questioning."

"Alright, Pink Skin. Have it your way. But know this, if we do find something we will be taking your guest under arrest by the order of the Andorian Empire."

Archer nodded, "We expect you in 30 minutes. Archer out." He looked at Reed with that slight smile, "Well, we have 30 minutes before the Andorian guard is here. Better make our guest aware of what is about to happen. Malcolm, you had best get going."

Reed held back a sigh. The shift had barely started and was already in full gear. Another day on Enterprise NX-01, "Should we be ready, if the Andorians do find something?"

Archer gave a disparaging look toward Reed, "Reed get ready for a boarding party of three to five Andorians who have the intent to forcibly take a member of our crew."

"Aye, sir." Reed went back to the turbolift, "Thank you, Captain." Pushing the button to get back to the level of guest quarters before there was a reply.

Guest Quarters 0545

Gouveia was given an Enterprise uniform stripped of markings, looking like a pair of coveralls she got at bootcamp. She took the sea scars patch from the poor torn jacket and placed it on the hook loops of the left shoulder of the new coveralls. Gouveia was in front of the mirror looking at the reflection which she barely recognized, "What I wouldn't give to be back in my own time."

"Careful what you wish for," Gouveia spun around to see Reed leaning against the doorway separating the living area and the bedroom, "It may not turn out the way you thought it would."

"Have any experience? And is it not customary to knock and announce yourself before walking into the quarters of the opposite sex?" Gouveia grabbed her boots before walking past Reed and sitting on the chair to put them on, "What is it? I can tell it's not a social call."

Reed came to spot by the door from last night, hands behind his back, "The Andorians are going to interview you in the conference room in less than fifteen minutes."

"Oh fun, more questions. The Andorians are?"

"Are bound by a code of honor and highly suspicious. They are looking for any excuse to break from the coalition which we have worked hard to build[PG2] . Address the person talking directly. Do not look to me or Captain Archer for reassurance. Stay seated, keep both hands on the table, and everything will be fine."

"Sounds like you don't even believe that." Gouveia stood and gestured for Reed to lead the way, "I don't like the word fine. There are too many feelings hidden by that word. Most people I know use it when they do not want to say what is really bothering them because they do not believe anyone really wants to hear how they are actually doing. I avoided using the word by replacing it with tired when I was younger. At least then it was a half truth." Reed pressed the call button for the turbolift, "Two guards this time. Why the honor?" Gouveia asked as they all stepped into the lift.

"Ms. Gouveia, Sargent Greer and Corporal Kane." Reed made the introductions, "They were part of the away team on the moon."

"Nice to meet you officially," Kane winked at her, "Don't mind us. It is mostly in case the Andorians have anything up their sleeves."

Gouveia pointed at Kane, "You're the corporal from the other day."

Kane smiled as he took Gouveia's pointed finger and shook it as he would the hand, "Yes I am madam, pleased to meet you."

Gouveia smiled back holding a giggle and asked, "Who are the Andorians?" hoping for a better explanation.

"Wound up aliens with bad attitudes to go with their blue skin." Greer commented.

"Sargent!" Reed stopped the lift, "One more word like that and you will be demoted. I will personally see that you will never hold a firearm again. Is that understood?"

"Aye sir." Greer growled out.

"Good." Reed started the lift again.

Gouveia's face was blank, the smile gone, A little harsh. As they stepped out of the lift Gouveia tried to mentally probe Reed's brain.

I suggest you keep your barriers up. Reed's inter voice reverberated in Gouveia's mind and she stumbled.

Kane took her arm as she regained balance, "You all right?"

Gouveia gripped Kane's arm as she shook off the experience, "Only a slight dizzy spell. I'm okay."

"Lieutenant Commander, is there enough time to call Phlox and get him to come and take a look?" Kane asked as both Gouveia and himself dropped their arms and continued forward.

"No. If the strain becomes too much, I will give a reason for the interview to stop. We cannot have the Andorians suspect Ms. Gouveia. You know how they can be."

"I remember how Shran was." Greer grit though teeth, under his breath.

Before Reed could berate the MACO, Gouveia reassured, "I will let you know if I need assistance, Lieutenant Commander. Did you say blue skin?" Kane nodded Gouveia continued, "This is going to be another ordeal. Isn't it?"

Reed stopped before the door, "Yes." He turned to Gouveia, I will be right beside you.

Gouveia's eyebrows rose, Didn't you rattle my brain a few moments ago to warn me to keep my barriers up?

Reed opened the door, "Then I advise you get to it." Reed's wall did go up, Gouveia had not noticed well they were connected until it was gone.

Archer turned toward the door as Reed walked in, "Ah. Good to see you again, Ms. Gouveia. How are you today?"

"I am well. And yourself, Captain?" Gouveia asked as she shook hands with him.

"As well as can be with Andorians aboard." Archer grumbled, motioning Gouveia to move to his left, "They would like to ask you a few questions. God knows what they will think of your answers. Don't be nervous and tell the truth and everything should be fine."

"There's that word again," Gouveia muttered as she walked to the chair.

Reed gave a nod to the MACO's to stay outside the room and post at the door, greeting Archer, "Captain."

"Malcolm. General Thyv will be along shortly." The door opened showing three Andorians coming in a small procession, "Speak of the devil."

Gouveia went stock still. They were a little taller than her 5 foot 4 height, blue skin, and antenna. The antenna was the most surprising part. The disapproving looks were not. Gouveia missed Archer's greeting to the new additions and the cue to sit down. Reed took her elbow and sat her down as General Thyv and his two companions sat across from Gouveia and Archer at the head. Reed stood behind Gouveia.

Gouveia cleared her throat, "Ahm, Hello."

"You will not speak until spoken to." Thyv announced.

"I will not speak at all if you are going to be rude, General." Gouveia crossed her arms, "I was told this would be a simple interview."

"This is an interrogation." Thvy declared.

"Interrogation has a different connotation than an interview. Do you consider me a threat?"

"Yes."

"Why? I have nothing of interest to you."

"I will be the one to decide if you do or do not have interest for the Imperial Guard."

"Well, I would feel more comfortable if you would call this an interview, not an interrogation."

"You are trying my patience."

"I do not mean to waste your time. You called me here."

"Enough!" Thyv slammed the table with an open hand, Gouveia jumped, and Reed took a step forward. Thvy continued, "What was your reason to come to one of our outlier moons?"

"The plane I was in had a malfunction. The pilot and I ejected. I landed on your moon and the Enterprise crew found me. I did not have a choice in where I ended up."

"What type of craft was your plane?"

"It's a fighter jet for air-to-air battles."

"Don't you mean space battles?"

"No. These jets are in case of an attack by another country, not another planet."

Thvy looked to Archer, "Is there a reason to expect an attack from different countries on your planet?"

Archer glanced at Gouveia before addressing Thvy, "No. Not anymore. Ms. Gouveia comes from a time when all nations were ready for an attack from all around the globe. Ms. Gouveia, would you lend me your identification card?" Gouveia took the ID from her left breast pocket and handed it to Archer, who in turn showed Thvy, "My science officers have determined Ms. Gouveia is from Earth's 21st century."

"Is this another type of Temporal War?" Thvy accused.

Archer gave the ID back to Gouveia, "No, General. This was an accident and there is no sign of another spacial anomaly happening in the near future."

Thvy scrutinized Gouveia, "No one will follow you?"

"No. As Captain Archer explained, my people do not have the technology to be in space for long periods of time. What happened to me was a fluke."

"Do you not consider the humans on this ship as your people?" Thvy asked curiously.

"Yes and no." Gouveia glanced at Archer, looking quickly down and away, "They are of my species; however, this is not where I am from." Gouveia was hard pressed to not look at Reed as well.

"Seems you are not part of the Federation." Thyv observed, "Though you have a connection with this crew."

"No. I am not part of the Federation. And yes, I do have a connection to the crew." Gouveia could feel Reed tense.

"You are from Earth a century ago?"

"Yes. Your point?"

Thyv stood, "You will come to Andoria and report to the Superior General." Everyone at the table stood, except Gouveia, and Reed had a hand on his phaser.

Gouveia focused on her hands in front of her as she asked, "Does that mean you will shoot at your allies over a small matter of a report? Why do you threaten so many lives for the sake of pride?"

"It is not pride, but honor. As to threaten lives." Thyv drew his phase pistol. Reed followed suit as did the two Andorians.

Gouveia intercepted Archer's shout for order as she kept her seat with a relaxed attitude, "Pride goes before destruction; humility before honor.* Yes, that is certainly a threat. Though not a very good one." She slowly waved around the room, "A show of force for honor based on pride is a good way to get the person killed, if they are not careful. I am careful not to show my force until it is necessary. Better to be under estimated and take advantage of my foes then to have my bluff be called with dire consequences. So, the ball is back in your court. Will you be shown the door and forever afterwards be known as a blackguard who would hold a weapon on someone whom is defenseless and has taken no action against you, or take what I have said of your own free will and know I speak the truth?" Gouveia stood to attention, "This is my report for the Andorian Imperial Guard to General um, the General. My name is Lieutenant JG Alaine Gouveia, retired, from the Sea Scars command VR-85 of Sand Island Naval Base. Born July 20, 1988 in Provo, Utah. I was in an accident on July 20, 2018 where my aircraft was crashing, and I ejected with the pilot who was lost. I landed on an outlier moon in Andorian space and two days ago the Enterprise crew found me, not a moment too soon from what I understand. I stand before you without family, rank, or affiliation to call my own. I am here as an honored guest of Captain Archer and his crew."

A silent moment passed, Thvy slowly placed the weapon back into his holster. Reed pointed his phaser at the other two who were slower than the general to place their weapons back. Gouveia silently let out the breath she had been holding.

Archer spoke, "General. I believe you have the report you were waiting for. Please allow our guards to escort you to the docking hatch." Archer motioned to the door.

Thvy charged at Archer and pointed a finger into his face, "This is not over. Captain. You and your guest are to immediately leave Andorain space. You have one day to comply before I fire upon your ship." Archer did not flinch, holding his stance. Thvy pointed to Gouveia, "And you, you are not to come back to Andorian space on the penalty of death." Thyv stalked out of the room with his two companions following close behind.

Gouveia sank back into the chair after the door shut, Archer and Reed shared a concerned look.

"Ms. Gouveia." Archer addressed Gouveia, "I would like you to see Doctor Phlox."

"Yes Captain." Gouveia stood, and almost fell back in to the chair, Reed caught her by the elbow, "I don't think I have much strength left."

Archer smiled, "I don't think I would have much strength either after giving such a speech. Malcolm, please escort Alaine to sick bay."

"Aye sir." Reed took Gouveia by the elbow, "Come on, lean on me." Gouveia pulled away, swaying but standing. Reed implored Gouveia, "Please? You can hardly stand."

Gouveia grunted with a grimace, "Captain, I hope never have to go through something along these lines again. If you will excuse me." Gouveia gave a slight nod, to the point of being disrespectful.

"Of course." Archer made an arm gesture to signal Gouveia and Reed to go ahead, "Malcolm, keep an eye on her."

"Planned on it, sir." Reed's voice was serious but gave a subtle wink to Archer.

I saw that. Gouveia muttered silently, eyes closed trusting her feet and Reed to keep her from hitting walls, too tired to speak aloud.

Reed's concern went up another notch.

Calm down, sir. Gouveia hissed mentally, The doc will fix me up right as rain and then I will be out of your hair for a while. I'm so tired.

Reed gripped Gouveia's elbow to correct course and spoke aloud, trying to keep her awake, "Come on Ms. Gouveia. I need you to keep walking straight."

"Can't." Gouveia breathed out, Reed would have missed it if he was not right beside her.

"Are you saying you can survive three days, alone, on a miserable moon, yet you cannot make it to sick bay after a twenty-minute interview?"

"Yes." Gouveia had a little smile in her voice and opened her eyes, "That is exactly what I am saying." Trying to keep her mind off the exhaustion, Gouveia continued talking, "If you recall, I did not make if to sickbay with my eyes open that time either. I do not a have a great track record. Do you think Doc will be disappointed with me for not taking it easy as I promised?"

"Doctor Phlox will be angry with the captain and myself for not getting the interview to stop before you were at this point. Though, this is somewhat unusual. Is it normal for you to tire so easily?"

"No." Gouveia's eyebrows came together in concentration, "Maybe I haven't recovered as well as I thought I did."

"Doctor Phlox will put your vitals through the ringer." Reed grimaced this time.

"What did the doctor ever do to you?" Gouveia asked, "I know you have been to see Fox,"

"Phlox," Reed interrupted.

"Phlox more than a dozen times. Is it the room? The smell? The shots? What's it about sickbay you don't like?" Gouveia had a little more energy when she concentrated on someone else's problem.

"I, I had a bad experience."

"Like no one else has?"

"It is not something I speak of lightly."

"How about a deal? I tell you about the memory you accidently saw and then you tell me about this experience." When Reed did not answer Gouveia sighed, "Or we will never speak of it again."

"Tha ..."

"Ms. Gouveia, Lieutenant Commander Reed." Phlox's stern fatherly voice interrupted whatever Reed was about to say, "I expected you half an hour ago."

Gouveia and Reed both straightened. Reed guided Gouveia with a hand on her back, pushing her gently forward into sickbay, "I apologize Doctor. The interview was a little longer and more stressful than anyone had foreseen."

Phlox had a medical scanner out and doing a preliminary once over before Reed was finished speaking, "Hmph. I see." Phlox took a second to make eye contact with Gouveia and gave a small smile, "Here sit down and tell me what happened." As Gouveia got herself settled Phlox turned to Reed with hard eyes, "You are dismissed Lieutenant Commander. I will contact you if I have any further questions."

Reed nodded to Gouveia and took his leave from sickbay without any further ado.

Gouveia gave Phlox a quizzical glace, "Why are you so hard on him?"

Phlox prompted Gouveia in to a horizontal position, "Mr. Reed is hard on himself and will not come to see me for any preemptive treatment. It is always after the fact." Phlox had been going over her vitals, "Ah, here is a problem. There is a slight difference in your hormone levels. And your levels,"

"Doc," Gouveia interrupted, "Can I call you doc?" Phlox nodded before Gouveia continued, "Why is 'Mr. Reed' so distant?"

"I don't know." Phlox got a mischievous grin, "You should ask him some time. Right now, you should get some rest and I will go over your results in,"

"Doc?"

Phlox was hard pressed not to sigh aloud, "Yes, Ms. Gouveia?"

"Why did the Lord bring me here?"

"Lord? Do you mean the captain?"

Gouveia gave a chuckle, "No. The Lord, Jesus Christ, the savior of the world."

"Hmm. No. I haven't heard of this person."

Gouveia covered her eyes with her arm, blocking out the light, "Doc, is there a bible around. I am need of some guidance."

"Bible? Hm. What is a bible?"

"It's a book. Please tell me you know someone who has it?"

"I'll ask. Is this a popular book in your time?"

"No. Not to most. But it is a very important book to me." Gouveia cleared her throat, "Doc, I am about to cry, and I really don't feel like having any witnesses. Sympathetic or otherwise. Do you mind?"

"Oh. Of course. I'll be on the other side of the room if you need me."

"Thanks doc." Gouveia whispered as Phlox's footsteps faded. "Lord, I don't know why I am here, please watch over my family. Let me know you are there." Feeling more alone then she had been when she was on the moon, Gouveia broke down.

Phlox feigned not to notice the sobbing coming from his patient, knowing this was part of how most human women processed traumatic information after the shock wore off.

*Proverbs 18:12