Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 7 Jan 2004 13:52:22 -0800 In: alt.startrek.creative From: jeanette_slinn@yahoo.co.uk (Hoshissis) Title: "Did I Just See A Mermaid" 6 Author: Hoshissis Series: ENT Rating: PG-13 for swearing Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek and I derive no financial gain from this story. Codes: Tu, A, T, Ma, S, R, P, angst, friendship, humor, action/adventure Summary: This story is set before Season 3 when the mission is one of Chapter Six Captain Archer was looking at the view screen, he couldn't believe his eyes, this was the very woman that Trip had described to him before – although from where he stood it didn't look like she had a tail. She was called Marina and her species were the Aquarians. They had lived on this planet for centuries, although up to 200 years ago this had been above the water on the surface. They had only evacuated below the surface to live in huge domes under the water in order to avoid a catastrophic meteorological event, which had befallen their planet. Having got used to this way of life they remained, despite living conditions becoming hospitable once again over the passing years up above. To look at the Aquarians from a distance you would think they were human, close up you can tell that their skin had more of a shimmer to it that made them glimmer under certain light conditions. They look like normal bipeds with two legs, but once in the water, web like folds in the skin spread out and conjoin. This gave the impression of scales and fins – hence a mermaid's tail, which helps them glide through the water with ease and speed. Marina went on to explain that her species were isolationists, they had the technology to communicate outside their species but chose not to, preferring to live a simple and peaceful life instead. They had been aware of Enterprises excursion into their space a week ago, but up to known they had been content with just observing the humans on the surface in their exploration of the planet. This had changed however when Commander Tucker had been assaulted by the orphoid, a dangerous creature that lived outside the domes praying on their food supplies. Up to now, the Aquarians had managed to keep these creatures at bay, hunting them down whenever they had strayed into their territory. Unfortunately the creature that attacked Commander Tucker had slipped by their defences. Feeling very guilty and hoping to avert any hostilities that may arise if anything happened to Commander Tucker, they had deciding to initiate contact with Enterprise and offer assistance since they were well aware of the poisonous nature of these creatures. "You have an antidote that will neutralize the toxin," queried Captain Archer, unsure whether to trust this new species. "Yes!" answered Marina, "We have had many fatal encounters with these creatures over the years. It took a while, but now we have the upper hand and we are able to keep them at bay thereby protecting our population. They still pose as threat, but it nowhere near as significant as it previously was." Captain Archer still looked apprehensive and unsure about the whole deal. What little they knew of the Aquarians was what he had just been told. He had offered unconditional trust to new species in the past, which had gotten them into quite a number of sticky situations. Even though Trip was a valued officer and a friend who he cared for deeply, he still had the safety of the whole ship to look out for. "If your mission is one of exploration, isn't trust one of the most defining points?" asked Marina. "Yes, I'm sorry!" answered Captain Archer. "It's rare to find someone who doesn't have an ulterior motive or wants to shoot us first, then asks questions later" "I quite understand it's one of the many reasons why we decided to isolate ourselves" replied Marina. "Bring your officer down to the surface; we will then transport you inside our dome." "You have transporter technology," queried Captain Archer. "Yes, don't worry about it, it's perfectly safe. We use it as a way to get around our bio spheres. I believe you have something similar onboard your ship," replied Marina. "You scanned our ship!" said Captain Archer, in a surprised voice. "It seems you don't take trust at face value also." "So it would seem!" replied Marina looking sleepily back. --------------------------------------------------------- After much deliberation, Phlox agreed to let Commander Tucker be shuttled down to the surface under his care and watchful eye. It wasn't that he was distrustful of the Aquarians or doubtful of their medical technology, he just didn't like moving him in his present state which could cause him further distress. Captain Archer also accompanied them down leaving T'Pol in charge of the ship. Once the shuttle had set down, Captain Archer turned round to Phlox who was adjusting Commander Tucker's drip; he was just about to ask him a question when they began to feel the familiar tingling feeling that went with being transported………… "Phlox wha…!" was all he could shout out before everything went black. -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCL/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:ASCL-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. From ???@??? 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