TWO

"Most curious," said T'Pol. "There seems to be no opening in the exterior of the asteroid. Whomever is inside that asteroid seems to have been sealed inside of it."

"Travis, alter course," said Archer. "Bring us along side that asteroid."

"Altering course," said Travis.

"Why would someone seal a person inside an artificial asteroid?" questioned Archer.

"I can think of only one reason," said T'Pol. "It must be some form of prison."

"Very effective prison," said Malcolm, "No way out and no where to go if you could get out."

"These readings do not make sense," said T'Pol. "They indicate the asteroid has been in space for approximately 3,961 years. But I am unaware of any life form with a longevity of such magnitude."

"Maybe there was more than one at one time," offered Hoshi. "Maybe it was a multi-generational prison."

"I don't think so," said Travis. "The interior of the asteroid would be pretty cramped for more than two or three people. It's interior is hollow, but it's relatively small, no larger than one of our cargo bays."

"What about the bioreadings?" asked Archer. "Anything unusual about them?"

"No sir," said T'Pol. "It appears to be a life form similar to humans. The atmosphere inside the asteroid is a standard oxygen-nitrogen mixture. I'm also reading some mechanisms within the asteroid. One seems to be remarkably similar to the life support systems of the Enterprise. There is also an artificial gravity generator."

"Well, if there's no opening," said Archer, "is there anyway we could make an opening?"

"Inadvisable sir," said T'Pol. "Any breach in the exterior of the asteroid would be similar to opening an airlock on Enterprise. It would cause the immediate evacuation of the atmosphere of the interior of the asteroid. The occupant would surely die within seconds."

"Well, if there's no way to make an opening," said Archer, "I guess the only way to get the occupant out is by using the transporter."

"Is that wise, sir?" Malcolm questioned. "I know we've used it to transport people before but we really don't know what long term affects transporting living tissue might have on a person. Especially on an unknown life form."

"There are other considerations as well, Captain," said T'Pol. "If it is a prison then removing the occupant might well be a violation of the laws regarding that prison. It is inadvisable to interfere with the inner workings of another society."

"We don't know that it's a prison," said Archer. "And there aren't any planetary systems nearby. So whomever created that asteroid is a long way off. Besides, I'm curious. Why create an asteroid and then imprison someone inside it? I can't think of any crime that would warrant such punishment.

"Hoshi, let Trip know what we're going to do. Have Phlox meet us in the transporter room. That occupant may be in need of medical attention. You and Malcolm will accompany me to greet our visitor.'

"Sir," said Malcolm, "I suggest we maintain a security alert until we're sure of the situation. We know nothing about that occupant or why he's there."

"Very well," said Archer. "But I don't want a bunch of security men in the transporter room. Bring a phase pistol but keep it out of sight. Just in case there's a problem."

"Aye, sir," said Malcolm, pulling out the phase pistol he kept at the tactical console on the bridge.

"Set it for stun," said Archer. "Travis, keep an eye on the sensors. Just in case there's someone else out here that we haven't detected yet."

"Aye sir," said Travis.

"T'Pol, you have the bridge," said Archer as he, Hoshi, and Malcolm headed for the turbo lift.

Trip and Phlox were already in the transporter when Archer and the others arrived.

"I understand we're about to have a guest," said Phlox smiling.

"That's right, doctor," said Archer. "I want you to make sure he's not carrying any communicable diseases."

"Understood," replies Phlox.

"You sure you want to do this, Cap'n?" asked Trip. "We really don't know how transporting a living creature affects it."

"Those of us who have done it seem to be okay," said Archer. "I don't think there's any real danger."

"Okay, if you say so," said Trip. "I have the coordinates ready to transport on your order."

"Let's do it then," said Archer.

Trip activated the transporter and the mechanism began to hum. The beam took hold of the life form and it began to materialize on the transporter pad. Within seconds, a male alien appeared on the pad staring at the crew in the transporter room.