"Alright, it's time you told your story," said Dr. Affity, facing the Vulcan girl Genevieve. Earlier, just before embarking on the mission, Dr. Affity had found Genevieve stowed away in a rather clever hiding place. Until now, she had refused to say anything to the doctor, or anyone else for that matter.

"What story? You found me.... can't you figure anything out? You ask that as if suggesting that I owe you something. " Gen looked around uneasily. She crossed her arms and turned away. "I may tell you something.... if we can speak in a more private area."

"Well, forst, you do owe me something. You hid in my sickbay and are taking up my time. But if that's the only way you'll talk, let's go into my office." Gen nodded and followed Dr. Affity into a small secluded area of the sickbay.

"You want to know why I'm here? That is fine.... but I must ask which story you want to hear."

"Well, I generally prefer the true one." Celeste rolled her eyes. This kid is going to give me trouble, she thought.

"I am, as you can see, Vulcan. But I was born slightly different, and my parents were both fanatic Symmetrists so I wasn't exactly welcome. They left me on some nameless, non-Federation planet. A very hostile one, I might add. In human terms, I am approximately 14. I was seven when I was abandoned. I spent my time on the planet stealing, and avoiding the marauding rape gangs. As soon as I could, I hid myself on board a small departing trading ship which more resembled a bucket of bolts. I was discovered near the end of the voyage, and sold to some idiotic Ferengis. I was ten at the time. I was taken back to Ferenginar, and stowed away on yet another ship, one where I was not discovered. I hid in some cargo boxes that byn some twist of fate arrived on earth. Earth being a very safe planet, I had a bit more freedom of things to do. I started looking up family ties, with more revenge in mind than geneology, and soon discovered who my parents were. They are both dead now.... some terrorist attack. I also found that I was a distant relative of one very famous Symmetrist scientist who's son I have stowed away on this ship to find, I beleive he is my fourth cousin or something like that. "

"Who would this be? And how did you know what we were doing?" Dr. Affity asked, although she was not totally sure of th last part herself.

"I won't tell you who it is.... you will find out. And how did I know? Come on. Life on the street... well, you learn skills you generally wouldn't learn anywhere else. Just say i have my ways and leave it at that. I did some favours, and got knowledge in return." Genevieve was silent for a while.

Dr. Affity said at length, " Favours?"

"It doesn't concern you. I should think you would be grateful that I told you anything. Now, if you would please escort me to my sleeping quarters.... And might I add that you are very patient, I am surprised I wasn't just loaded into the torpedo bay and launched."

"The day is young. And about sleeping quarters, you would have to talk to our captain aabout that, and she has better things to do. So for now... I think a nice patch of floor works fine. Although you are just a kid...." Trying to control her urge to blast the little brat halfway to the Q-Continuum, she did what her best morality told her to do. "There is room in my quarters. But don't bother me, and I hope you don't mind low gravity. One more thing.... Call me Celeste, and don't complain. Okay?"

Gen was obviously surprised. Celeste told Gen her room number.

"How frightening. And what are the consequences of braking your little rules?"

"You keep your secrets, and I'll keep mine."

Gen left the office and headed for her room. But her story had left Celeste with mixed feelings. Gen had obviously had a hard life, and was not used to any show of kindness. But what could she do woth her on a Federation starship on a classified mission? And who was this cousin, this famous Symmetrist? Hadn't the Symmetrists been stopped a while ago? She sat in her office for a long time.