Episode 104: Needs of the One (Part 1)

[Mentat_Tir]

[Away team to Archer, requesting emergency beam-out directly to sickbay.]

[Acknowledged.  Jefferys to sickbay prepare for medical emergency]

Dr. James R. Johansson grabbed a medical tricorder and hit his combadge. “Sickbay reporting ready, captain.”

Three bodies materialized in the sickbay.  Will Brandt and Stirok, their uniforms scarred from weapons fire, held up the limp form of Alia Kenek.  Johansson and his nurse, Candy Marecella, ran to assist them.

“What happened?” asked Johansson.

“We were attacked,” replied Stirok.

“It was a group of Letheans, Doc,” continued Brandt, quickly.  “They appeared out of nowhere.  We managed to stun one of them, but then they rushed us.”

Stirok, Brandt and Johansson lifted Alia’s body up onto the surgical table.  Johansson ran the tricorder over her body.  “She’s in a coma, some kind of neural disruption.  What happened to her.”

“One of the Letheans gripped her head,” said Stirok.

Johansson nodded while attaching a device to Kenek’s forehead.  “The Letheans have the ability to emit a telepathic shock.  Her synaptic patterns are being disrupted.  If I can’t stabilize her condition, we’ll loose both Alia and the symbiot.”

Stirok thought for a moment.  “Doctor, I may be able to help.”

“You’re an engineer, Stirok,” snapped Johansson.  “The best way for you to help is to get out of my way.”

“You do not understand,” replied Stirok.  “I may be able to perform a mind-meld.  I could help stabilize her brainwaves while you repair the damage.”

Johansson shook his head.  “It’s too risky.  We could lose both of you.”

Stirok grabbed Johannson’s arm tightly and looked into his eyes.  “Doctor…I can save her life.”

Johannson paused and sighed.  “Okay, but if things start to go wrong, I’m pulling the plug.”

“Understood,” said Stirok.  He placed his hands on Alia’s young Trill face and closed his eyes.  “My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts.”

Brandt and Johansson stared at the monitors in amazement.  Alia’s chaotic brainwave patterns were evening out.

“Okay, everybody out of my sickbay,” insisted Johansson.  “Candy and I have work to do.”

[Mentat_Tir]

*****************************************

Five hours later, an exhausted Johansson walked out of sickbay.  He was greeted by concerned faces.  Jefferys, Zack, Rhai, D’Aaron, Brandt and Thram all waited anxiously outside.

“How are they?” asked the captain.

Johansson removed his surgical cap and wiped the perspiration from his forehead.  “Looks like their both going to make it.”

“Can we see them?” said D’Aaron.

“Only for a moment,” said Johansson.  “They’re both resting.”

The bridge crew entered sickbay.  There lying on biobeds were the two comrades.  They gathered around, all with the same concerned look.

D’Aaron walked to Stirok on touched his cheek.  She grew concerned that their telepathic link was gone.  She rationalized that after what Stirok had been through, his mental abilities were no doubt exhausted.  As D’Aaron continued brushing his cheek, she saw Stirok’s body stir.  “Doc, he’s waking up,” she said.

Johansson pressed a hypospray to Stirok’s neck.  “How are you feeling, Stirok?”

Stirok looked around at the faces staring over him.  “Where am I?”

“You’re back on the Archer,” replied Rhai with a smile.  “You’ve had a tough day, but you may have just saved Alia’s life.”

“The Archer?” said the Vulcan.  “I’m sorry but I don’t belong here.  I want to go home.”

“Stirok, what are you talking about?” said Zack.

The Vulcan looked around at their faces.  “Who’s Stirok?  My name is Nitza.  Nitza Kenek…”

[Ana Ng]

Everyone exchanged alarmed looks as "Nitza" studied her hands curiously, sitting up.

"What is going on?" Nitza asked the group of assembled officers.  "Is this body my new host?  Why don't I have Jarid's memories anymore?  I demand an explanation!"

"Is this some kind of joke?" D'Aaron snarled at the doctor.

Johansson perceived that Stirok, or actually, Nitza, was in earnest.   As a matter of fact, he could detect nothing of Stirok in the person lying on the bed before him, and the emotions emanating from Nitza were most certainly not the norm for a Vulcan.

"It's no joke, I'm afraid," Johansson said to D'Aaron.

"Is anyone going to answer my questions?  I'm not accustomed to being ignored!" Nitza said impatiently.

Captain Jefferys took a step toward the biobed.  "I'm Captain Jefferys, this is my ship, the Archer.  I'm not sure how to explain this, but... you are not inhabiting your new host."

"Then what is going on, Captain?" Nitza asked.

"We are not certain," Jefferys said, "But that," he pointed to Alia sleeping on the biobed, "is your new host.  Don't you recognize her?"

Nitza stared at Alia for a moment and shrugged.  "No, I don't... But if she is my host, how come I'm in this body?"

"That's what we're going to find out," Jefferys said.  He turned to Johansson.  "Can you revive Ensign Kenek?"

"Yes, Captain," Johansson replied.

"I believe Alia should be able to give us a great deal of insight," Rhai said.

Jefferys nodded.  He turned to Nitza.  "We're going to get to the bottom of this."

Nitza nodded.

Johansson walked over to Alia's biobed and gave her a hypospray.  Her eyelids flickered for a moment, then she sat up quickly, with a slight look of panic on her face.

"Oh no," she said with wide eyes, "Something is very, very wrong."

"Try to relax, Ensign," Jefferys said calmly.

Alia looked at Captain Jefferys and blinked.  "I am... relaxed?"  Johansson sensed solid tranquility within her, despite the confusion she must be feeling.  Vulcanlike calm, he realized.

"Nitza... her memories, they're gone," Alia said somberly.

"What about Stirok?" D'Aaron asked, trying to contain the anger and frustration in her voice.

"Stirok...," Alia said.  "Stirok is a part of me now."

[Tricorder]

Johansson stared at Alia for a moment before making a comment. He couldn't believe what was happening. In all his years at the Starfleet Medical Facility, he had never encountered anything quite like this. Sure, there were the transporter accidents that had been reported in the newly discovered Enterprise logs from the Captain that inspired this starship's name, but this was no transporter accident. It was worse. He then looked at Stirok, or what appeared to be Stirok on the outside and sighed.

"Stirok,", he pointed to Alia. "You're saying, Alia, that Stirok is part of you now? How do you feel? More logical?" He tried not to laugh at this remark as a smile crept between his lips. He turned around to Nitza. "I don't know what to say, Nitza," he said as he noticed Alia wearing a mask of confusion, "but your presence is something I never thought i'd be able to see. I am a fan of your music, but I won't ask you for your autograph, considering what just happened." He chuckled. He sighed again. "Oh hell.."

Then out of frustration, both Nitza and Alia had spoken at the same time. "WHAT DID HAPPEN?". They both looked at each other like some cosmic paradox had happened. "This can't be happening", they both thought silently.

Johansson glanced at Captain Jefferys waiting for an approving look, then spoke: "Well, it's not as easy as it sounds, but you have both apparently become victims to a vulcan mind meld gone wrong." Johansson had a sad look to himself. "It's going to take some time to figure out exactly how it happened so that we can get you back to normal. I just need you two to stay here for a few hours and then you'll be free to roaming around and doing anything you like, and with the Captain's approval, no duty. Perhaps Alia, you'd like to tell Nitza about your adventures in your new host." He nodded to Alia and Nitza and whispered to Jefferys, "This is going to be a long week...."

[Ana Ng]

"Doctor," Alia said, standing.  "I do not see a logi- I don't see why I have to stay here in Sickbay, I must contact my father."

Everyone was slightly amused by the near slip of the "L" word from Alia's mouth.  Everyone, that is, besides D'Aaron, who didn't look pleased at all.

"Ensign, please, I would like to run some more tests.  Just a few more hours," Johansson replied.

Brandt looked at Alia.  "It might be a good idea to let Alia's father know what's happening, though.  He is a Doctor on the Symbiosis Commission."

Johansson nodded.  "I will send a communique."

Alia wanted to send the message herself, but remained silent.  She looked at Nitza longingly.  She felt so empty without Nitza, desolate.  She'd only been joined for a short time, but it didn't take long for a host to become deeply attached to the symbiont's memories.

"Really, Doctor, try not to keep us too long," Nitza said, glancing at her nails.  "I'm having the urge to compose, and I don't intend to do it in a Sickbay."

Alia closed her eyes tightly.  She shouldn't have expected Nitza to remember her, or have any desire to be a part of her again.  Nitza's memories from her lifetime had been transferred to Stirok's body, and only the Kenek symbiont carried memories of Alia.  It was not logical to take offense, she kept telling herself, but she did nonetheless.  Alia shook it off and sat back down on the biobed.  She looked at Johansson and nodded.

"Please acqaint my father with the circumstances.  He has extensive knowledge of symbiont care, he may be able to offer some advice," she said calmly.

"I will, Ensign." Johansson replied.

"I am still quite tired from my attack.  I think I will rest now," Alia said, lying down.

"Good idea," Johansson said, turning to Nitza.  "You should get some rest too, you've been through an exhausting experience."

Nitza pouted, but she did feel fatigue.  "Please, wake me the second you're ready to release me from this hospital."

[Dohlman]

Dayna was so angry she felt like choking someone.  She paced back and forth in sick bay trying to wrap her mind around the situation.  She walked up on Alia, who was laying in her biobed, trying to rest.

"So," Dayna half-yelled.  Alia's red eyes flew open in surprise.

"You're telling me that Stirok's consciousness is in your body?"

"Yes, Dayna," she replied.

"Is there a way for me to speak with him?" she asked anxiously.

"We speak together," said Alia.  "Just ask what you want."

"Oh," said Dayna, crossing her arms and tapping her foot.  "You speak together.  I see.  Well, Stirok, does Alia know?"

"Know about what?" Alia asked innocently.

Dayna leaned over to Alia and whispered into her ear.  "The secret that I would have to kill you for if you knew."

The look on Alia's face illustrated her ignorance of the matter, which relieved Dayna.  The body count was starting to pile up, and Dayna liked Alia.  It would be a shame if she had to kill her.

Alia spoke, a logical tinge to her speech.  "I have isolated those thought patterns which would prove...difficult to explain."

"You'd better be right, Stirok, Alia, whoever.  Because if you're wrong..." Dayna left her sentence hanging, and gave Alia a cold, menacing look.  Dayna had to admit that part of that look contained jealousy as well.

Dayna turned on her heel and left Alia's bedside.  She threw an angry glance at Stirok's body and stormed out of sick bay.

[Mentat_Tir]

*************************
“And this is the bridge,” said Tae Rhai, gesturing from the turbolift.

Nitza stepped out into the command center.  She felt well-rested and changed out of Stirok’s uniform into a casual forest green jumpsuit.  Tae assigned her quarters and gave her a combadge.

“Interesting.  I’ve never been on the bridge of a starship before,” said Nitza, looking around.

Jefferys swiveled in his chair and looked at the speaker.  The sight of Stirok’s face smiling was one he never thought he would see.  Everything about him was different…the way he walked, his gestures, his speech…Jefferys couldn’t help but stare.

“Ah, captain!  It’s good to see you again,” said Nitza, holding out a hand.  Jefferys stood and shook it.  He couldn’t help but think of the first time he met Stirok.  It was in a holodeck surrounded by klaxons and coolant leaks.  But he had to remind himself again that this was not Stirok.

“Welcome...Nitza,” said Jefferys.  "It’s good to see you up and about."

“I was just giving him…err, her a tour of the ship,” commented Tae.

Nitza laughed.  “I guess we’re all going to have to have trouble with our pronouns for awhile.”

Jefferys nodded.  “Nitza, forgive me for being blunt, but I have ta ask…I know you’re in a Vulcan body, but will you know how to perform a mind-meld when the time comes?”

“I think so,” she replied.  “Now that Alia has your Vulcan engineer’s memories, she should be able to guide me through it.”  Jefferys noticed that Nitza felt uncomfortable talking about the subject.

“Doc says that in a worse case scenario that one of the other Vulcans on board can perform what’s known as the ‘bridging of minds’,” said Tae.  “It’s done very rarely, but it could be an option.”

Jefferys nodded thoughtfully.

“In either case, Alia’s condition isn’t stable enough to attempt anything yet,” said Nitza, clearing her throat.  “Captain, I was hoping that you might give me permission to perform a concert.  Nothing extravagant, just an opportunity to let me stretch my wings.  After all, it’s not everyday that a ghost gets to give a live performance.”

Jefferys paused for a moment.  “I don’t see any harm in it, as long as it’s okay with Alia.  Stirok may want to charge rent by the hour.”

Nitza smiled.  “Thank you, captain.  You won’t be disappointed.”

[Andorian_Incident]

Thram sat in his quarters, watching the computer monitor.  He was watching as Stirok, or Nitza, or whoever it was was escorted onto the bridge by the counselor.  He had the audio turned off, so he couldn't hear what was being said.  He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to hear, either.

This whole situation bothered him.  He knew Stirok, and was beginning to be able to trust him--at least as much as he was going to.  But he had to remind himself that it wasn't Stirok he was watching, but that someone that he didn't know was in control of Stirok's body.  It was times like these that he was glad that he had secretly installed the security cameras at various places around the ship.  It was against regulations, but considering his purpose for coming on board the Archer, they served him well at times.  This was one of those times.

As he watched Nitza and Jeffreys talking, his door chime sounded.  Thram was talking off guard.  He wasn't expecting anyone.  He switched off the monitor.  He didn't need anyone to know that he could monitor any section of the ship without authorization.

"Come," he said, standing up from his chair.

The door swooshed open to reveal Zack standing there, with his arms behind his back.  Thram was really caught offguard now.  He hadn't had much contact with the first officer, and for him to now come to his quarters was totally unexpected.  Had Zack found out about his surveillance techniques?  

"Commander, what can I do for you?" Thram asked nervously.

Zack looked around Thram's quarters, looking at some of the unique and exotic weapons displayed on the walls.  "Pretty impressive collection you have here, Thram."

"Thank you, sir," Thram responded.  Zack walked over to a wall, and gingerly fingered a small dagger.  "Where is this one from?" he asked the security guard.

"I got it from a planet in the Gamma Quadrant shortly before the war.  But I hardly think you've come here to discuss various types of weaponry with me."

Thram was getting a little annoyed, but he was also learning to be more subtle while working with this crew.

"You're right, Commander," Zack replied.  "I came because we recieved a communique for you.  It's marked personal, and urgent.  I thought it best if I came down here and gave it to you in person."

Zack handed Thram a disc that he carried.  Thram looked at it uncertainly.  "Thank you, sir."

With that, Zack left so that Thram could see what the message said.

Thram took the disc over to his computer station and inserted it.  A picture of another Andorian came up almost instantly.  Thram recognized the person despite the fact that he hadn't been home in years.  It was the Andorian Prime Minister.

"Thram, Lieutenant Commander, Starfleet, USS Archer," the Prime Minister started out saying.  "Andor recognizes your responsibilities and commitment to the Federation.  However, an urgent situation has come up, and your services are both requested and required on the home front.  I can say no more at this time.  Please make haste on your return trip."

At that point, the image of the Prime Minister disappeared, and the message ended.  Thram didn't know what was going on back on Andor, and in fact had no real desire to know.  But he could not refuse a recall order from the Prime Minister.  At a time when he looked forward to getting to know his fellow crewmates, he would now have to leave them.

[Andorian_Incident]

Thram got up from his station, and made his way to the bridge.  When he got there, the young ensign at his station prepared to turn the station over to him, but Thram signaled him to stay where he was.

"Is something the matter, Thram," Jeffreys asked him.

Thram was hesitant to say anything, but finally figured that he would eventually have to say something anyway.  "If I may have a moment?"

"Certainly."

Jeffreys and Thram went into the ready room.  Jeffreys signaled for Thram to have a seat, and went the replicator.  "Coffee, hot," he said to the replicator.  "Do you want anything, Commander?"

"No thanks."

Jeffreys came back to his desk, and noticed that Thram still had not sat down.  He took a sip of his coffee.  "Is something the matter, Thram?  I realize that the whole situation with Nitza is a bit unsettling, but I have every confidence in you to protect this ship."

Thram hesitated.  He didn't know exactly how to say this. "That is not why I'm here, Captain."

Jeffreys was getting more confused all the time.  "Then..."

"A matter of some importance has come up.  A matter that conflicts with my position aboard the Archer." Thram reached for his comm badge, and removed it. "So, I have no choice but to resign my commission.  It's been a pleasure serving with you."

Jeffreys was stunned.  He definately didn't expect this to happen.  He was so taken back, that he didn't notice Thram turn away and start walking out of the ready room. Thram was almost out the door before Jeffreys recovered.   "Commander, wait....." he began, but Thram was either too far gone to have heard him, or was ignoring him.

[Tricorder]

Nitza's music was blaring. He was very fond of it and wondered what she would think if she were in his quarters at the moment. Then the door chimed.

"Come in," he said. Jefferys came in wearing a smile like he never saw Jefferys have before. He was also taken aback by the music and didn't want to show it.

"Doc", he responded, " I have some great news for you."

"Oh yeah? What is it?", replied Johansson.

"Well, Nitza herself has decided to treat us to a concert of hers, and I figured since you're such a fan of hers, that I'd be the first to tell you."

Johansson raised an eyebrow. "Really? You're not joking are you? Cause if you were, I would swear I would unleash my monkey on you..."

Jefferys laughed in unison with the monkey laughter in the background. "No. I assure you I'm not joking, Doc"

"Well then, when is the concert?"

"In two days, Doc. I figure it's going to give enough time for our guests to arrive."

Johansson was surprised at that mention. "Guests? Why? Nitza is a big enough guest..."

"I'm taking the liberty to invite all the captains and their command staff currently in this sector, Doc.", he said with a twinkle in his eye." Listen, I gotta get back to the bridge. I hope all is preceeding well with your tests on Nitza and Alia."

Johansson nodded, "Thanks Captain."
-----

Back on the bridge, after Jefferys had made his way of course, he barked some orders to the crew.

"Captain?" the ensign replacing Alia at the helm asked.

Jefferys turned towards the ensign. "Yes?

"Can I ask why we are changing course, sir?" The ensign said.

"We are joining the Enterprise."

"Can I ask why, sir?"

"Well, i'm not ready to divulge that info yet, but," He turned to look at his communications officer. "Hail the Enterprise and put it on screen."

The image of another Sovereign Class bridge appeared on the viewscreen, along with that of a female figure looking directly into the screen.

"This is Captain Jefferys of the Starship Archer - "

"Captain Shelby of the Starship Enterprise. Make it quick Captain, I'm in the middle of a Ferengi deal gone bad."

Jefferys raised his eyebrows and smirked. A Ferengi Deal gone bad wasn't something he wanted to deal with. "Captain, this is unformal, but I wish to Invite you, and your command staff to our ship for a concert done by Nitza Kenek."

"Captain, please. I have no time for jokes. You know as well as I do, that Nitza Kenek is doesn't exist anymore. Anymore of this nonsense and I will have no choice but to report you to authorities for keeping me doing my job."

Just like Jefferys remembered from her at the Academy.

"I promise you I am not joking, Captain. Something has happened and she has offered a concert and I am inviting all captains and their command staff in this sector aboard this vessel.... I'll explain further once you are aboard."

Shelby rolled her eyes, "Very well Captain. What time?"

"Two days from now. The exact time is still to be discussed. I'll send it along later."

Shelby nodded."Very well. Shelby out"

Jefferys was caught off guard with Shelby aboard the Enterprise. He thought that Captain Picard would answer, but then remembered that Picard had retired months ago. He also didn't see Riker, and he knew that if Shelby was now Captain, that he had finally taken his due as Captain of his own ship. He'd have to contact him.

[Ana Ng]

"She's what?" Alia asked in disbelief.

"A concert, right here in Ten Forward," Brandt said, taking a sip of his tea, "I'm suprised you haven't heard about it already.  The crew is all abuzz about it."

Alia sighed heavily and leaned back in her chair.  She didn't like the idea, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why she didn't like the idea.

"What's the matter, Alia?" Brandt asked.  "I'm looking forward to the concert, myself."

Alia sighed again.  "I don't know, Lieutenent.  Maybe I'm jealous.  Maybe I just don't want everyone on the ship to be enraptured by the fact that a large part of me has been taken away."

"I'm sure she wouldn't perform if she knew it bothered you," Brandt offered, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice at the prospect of the show not going on.

"Don't count on it," Alia replied.  "Nitza was a force of nature in her day.  She did whatever she wanted to do."  Alia frowned.  She couldn't help but get angry at herself for getting jealous.  Jealousy is an illogical emotion, she kept thinking to herself involuntarily.  She sat up rigidly and blinked.  

"If you'll excuse me, Lieutenent, I think I should go have a talk with Nitza."

Brandt watched Alia walk out of Ten Forward and wasn't sure what to think.  He couldn't even begin to understand what kinds of thoughts were swirling around between brain and symbiont.  He wasn't sure he would be so composed in a similar situation, but Alia had gone through years of training to cope with different personalities inhabiting her body.  Then again, he would never have to be in a similar situation.

Alia stepped inside a turbolift.

"Computer, locate...," she wasn't sure who to ask the computer for.  "Locate Nitza Kenek?"

"Nitza Kenek is in Holodeck 2" the computer replied.

"Then, take me to Holodeck 2," Alia said.

Alia stepped out of the turbolift and approached the holodeck.  She took a deep breath, and opened the doors.

Nitza stood in the middle of a dozen different musical instruments.  Alia noticed an Earth piano and a Bajoran clavion among them.  Nitza looked up and set down a flute.  Alia couldn't recognize what planet it was from.  

"Alia, my dear!" Nitza said, startled.  "I didn't hear you knock!"

Alia refrained from telling Nitza that she saw no need to knock, and walked over to the piano.

"Practicing for your concert?" Alia asked, tapping on a couple of keys.

"Word gets around fast," Nitza said with a grin.  "I had planned to ask you first, but I guess my fans spread the word."

Alia rolled her eyes.  She remembered her symbiont initiate training, and she also remembered the "Kenek crash course" the official from the Symbiosis Commission had given her just before she was joined.  Nitza had been a superstar, but Alia's own personality and mental discipline had helped in keeping Nitza's equally famous ego in check.  Now Nitza didn't even have Jarid's reserve holding her back.  And, it seemed to Alia, everyone in the crew was starstruck, which certainly didn't help the matter.  

"Yes, I wanted to talk to you about that," Alia said, sitting down on the piano bench.  "I'm not sure it's such a good idea."

"Oh, don't kill the party, Alia.  Did you know that Captain Jefferys is inviting the other starship captains in the sector to attend?"

Alia rubbed her forehead.  She silently asked herself if things could get any worse.

"That Captain of yours... quite a dashing man he is, is he single?" Nitza asked thoughtfully.

Alia stood, unable to contain herself anymore.  "Nitza, may I remind you that you are borrowing the body of a Vulcan man.  Be careful what you do with it, and the impressions you make.  It is not yours to freely abuse."

Nitza sighed and picked up a violin.  "Just let me have a little fun while it lasts, won't you Alia?"

Alia squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. She didn't feel like reasoning with Nitza.  

"Enjoy your concert," she said quickly, "I'll leave you to your practice."

"Bye bye!" Nitza said cheerfully, picking up a violin.

Once Alia was outside of the holodeck, she tapped her commbadge quickly.  

"Kenek to Johansson."

[Johansson here.]

"Doc, any idea when we can fix this little problem?  I want my memories back, and Stirok wants his body back."

[I'm still studying the safest way for you to undergo this mindmeld, Alia.  But both you and your symbiont need to recover.  It might be a few days.]

"Please, Doctor, as soon as it's possible, this needs to be done.  Before Nitza decides to go on an Alpha Quadrant tour.  Kenek out."

Alia wrung her hands.  She was hungry, and felt an urge to have a bowl of Plomeek soup.

[Rhai]

After showing Nitza the bridge and giving her a combadge Rhai had returned to her quarters for a little bit of personal time. She took a long ultrasonic shower and carefully brushed through her copper tinted hair.

"102, 103, 104.."

Her door chime sounded. "Just a minute,.." she called out, but evidently the person at her door didn't hear her and walked in. It was Zack. Rahi blushed a beautiful chrimson and turned the other way. "Ah.. let me go get dressed." She said as she clutched her towel against her brazen skin.

"Oh dont mind me, I'll look the other way." Zack chuckled as he walked to her sitting area in her quarters. The door of her bathroom closed and Zack continued to look at the contents of her room. There were many pictures, people of all races and all ages. Hanging above her bed was an interesting piece of art. It was a three dimensional work with several odd medias included. His hand traced over the top of an old look chest that sat at the foot of her bed. He looked to the bathroom door and heard her singing to herself. His attention went back to the chest, his fingers slid around it and found a release button, which he slowly pressed and released. The top opened and Zack saw something that took his breath away... so much in fact, he didnt notice Rhai open the bathroom door.

"Zack.." she said as she noticed his stare into her old chest at the foot of her bed.. she started to laugh. His eyes looked up at her and he chuckled.

"Rhai.. I .. don't know what to say." The XO said as he blushed and closed the top.

"There isnt much to say. The things in that chest were given to me by my friends before I left for the Archer." She blushed and laughed, then took his hand. She led him over to her thin yet comfortable couch and sat down with him. "There is so much I have to tell you, and there is so much I want to know about you.... do you have the time to talk?"

"Actually I thought I would just stop in quick to ask you if you would attend Nitza's performance with me. I figure the crew is talking about it enough.. we might as well let them see for them selves." He said as he put his arm around her. She laid her head on his chest and relaxed.

Zack combadge bleeped and he quickly sat up. Unfortunately for Rhai her earing had caught on his uniform. "OUCH!" she screeched as she wiggled it lose from his clothing.

"Commander Zack here."

[Zack, Captain Jefferies here, could you report to the bridge?]

"On my way Gavin" He said as he ran his hands through Rhai's hair. "I will stop by after my shift, ok?"

She nodded and rubbed her ear. "Maybe we could talk then?"

"Sure" Zack said with a bit of fear in his voice. Sure.. we can talk.. but am I going to tell her what she doesnt want to know? His heart sunk. "On my way to the bridge."

[Mentat_Tir]

Nitza sat alone on Holodeck 2.  She pulled out the stool in front of the Earth grand piano and sat down.  Her fingers did a run up the piano’s keys just as she had done hundreds of times to warm up, but this time her fingers slipped several times.

Nitza sighed and looked down.  She looked at the back of her hands and then the palms.  They weren’t hers.  They belonged to a man…a Vulcan engineer, not her old slender musician’s hands.  She never realized before how her subconscious mind knew where each piano key was so precisely.

“Computer,” she said.  “Can you adjust the physical parameters of this piano?”

The computer chirped.  “Affirmative.”

“Well, if I can’t make my hands, smaller, maybe I can make the piano larger,” she thought out loud.  “Computer, increase the size of the piano, including the keys, by 3 percent.”

The piano before her wavered and disappeared.  It was almost immediately replaced by a piano that was slightly larger.  She completed the same run up the keyboard, but this time her fingers hit every key perfectly.

“Amazing,” she said to herself.  “Computer, enlarge all the instruments in this room by 3 percent.”  Immediately, the other instruments assumed the larger form.

Nitza smiled to herself.  She had never been on a holodeck of this sophistication.  Here, she could make any adjustment she wanted.  Much better than the concert halls she had performed in in the past.  She was a stickler for details and recalled many incompetent promoters who were ignorant of that fact that music must be both seen as well as heard.

“Computer, do you have the layout for the Jacsiosa Concert Hall on Trill in your database?”

“Affirmative.”

“Recreate it here.”

Suddenly the crisscrossed Holodeck walls were replaced by the cathedral-like space of the old Trill concert hall.  Nitza stood, starring at the exact replica of Jacsiosa.  It had always been her favorite.  The large stage, the ornate sculptures, the comfortable seats, even the slight musty smell of the colossal ancient stage curtains…all here in exact detail.  Nitza closed her eyes and believed for a moment that she was actually back on her beloved home planet.

Everything is here except me, she thought sadly.  Nitza walked slowly across the stage, thinking.

“Computer, can you make me Nitza Kenek again?” she said, more to herself than the computer.

“The physical appearance of that individual is on file,” echoed the computer’s voice throughout the great hall.

Nitza looked upwards.  “Explain.”

“While your actual appearance does not change, the holodeck can overlay another individual’s physical parameters over your body.  To others, it would look as if you were the specified individual.”

Nitza put her hand over her mouth and gasped.  “Computer,” she said as if speaking to some unseen deity, “Make me look like Nitza Kenek.”

Nitza closed her eyes.  When she opened them, she looked down at her body.  No longer was it the masculine Vulcan, but she saw her own young, beautiful figure.  She was wearing a long, flowing red gown, the same one she wore when taken in one of her most popular photographs.  She looked at her slender arms, her flowing hair, her shapely legs…all of them as she remembered.

The sound of her own laughter echoed back from the rafters above.  For the first time since she could remember, she felt happy…content….free.

[Tricorder]

"Well, this is interesting...", Johansson said to his nurse candy as he looked upon more closely to samples of Stirok and Alia and remembering the Lethereans.

"What is?", Candy looked up from her tricorder that she was using to treat some crewmen that had come in during the day.

"It appears that this was no accident. Stirok normally would of withstood this and the mind meld would of worked, but there must of been something that the Lethereans did during their attack on Alia and Stirok that made Stirok weak, in other words, somebody knew this would happen. Someone expected it. But who? And most importantly, why?", Johansson replied making Candy look like her frown was stuck.

She went up closer to Johansson as she replied.  "Must have something to do with that Nitza Kenek. If these Lethereans did plan on doing this like you said, they must have a need for her."

Johansson was very interested in hearing what she had to say and turned on his heels for reply, "She has a long and known Trill history, and if these Lethereans know her as well as Starfleet does, then that means they were also expecting her to stage a concert. Of course, thank you Candy! A concert out in the open, but what they didn't expect is for all the Starfleet Captains and their staff to appear as witnesses."  He smiled at Candy. He didn't like what he would do next, but he knew he had to. He didn't want to miss a one in a lifetime opportunity for a concert by Nitza Kenek, but his instincts were telling him that it wasn't going to happen.

He hit his combadge:"Johansson to Jefferys: I think we may have a wee bit of a  problem on our hands, Captain. Shall I meet you in the briefing room with the others?"

[Ana Ng]

Alia Kenek stared dourly at her bowl of plomeek soup.

"Why do I want this? I've never had plomeek soup in my life?" she asked herself internally.  She sighed and picked up the sthingy.  

"This one's for you, Stirok," she said, taking a sthingyful into her mouth.  She resisted the urge to ask the waiter in Ten Forward for some salt.

"Boy, now you're talking to yourself," a voice behind her snickered.

Alia's shoulders sagged as she turned around in her seat to see Ensign Mark Cartwright standing with a satisfied grin and his arms crossed in a satisfied stance.

"Oh great, this makes it a perfect day," Alia muttered, turning back to her soup.

"It's always great to see you too, Alia," Cartwright said, leisurely taking a seat next to her at the bar.  

"Well, you see me in my depressed state, I think you got what you came for.  Now please leave me to my soup," she said bitterly.  Normally, she had more patience for Cartwright, but today was special.

"Actually, I came down here to see how you were doing," Cartwright said, growing slightly serious.  "I was worried about you, you know?  I'm the only person on this ship who's known you before and after you were joined... and even though I liked you much better before," he winked at her, "I know you became a much happier person after you were joined."

Alia set down her sthingy and eyed Cartwright suspiciously.  She smirked.  "Great, Mark Cartwright feels sorry for me and came to give me support.  I think I feel even worse now."

Cartwright laughed heartily and slapped Alia's shoulder cheerfully.  "Great!  Just what I was going for!  See ya around, Kenek!"

Alia watched him go and couldn't help but laugh.  Despite herself, she felt a little better.   Maybe she'd been jumping the gun.  This could be a valuable oppurtunity to get to know Nitza in a unique and new way, similar to the zhian'tara ceremony, in which joined Trills communicated with their previous hosts through a telepathic link with a Trill guardian and a friend.

Alia took another sthingyful of soup, feeling a little better.  Her peace was interrupted, however, by the sound of Captain Jefferys' voice.

[Jefferys to Ensign Kenek]

Alia tapped her combadge and sat back in her chair.  "Go ahead, Captain."

[Please report to the observation lounge, Ensign.  We have a situation.]

Alia stood, eager for a diversion, but slightly worried by the tone in the captain's voice.

"On my way, sir."