Chapter 4

Meanwhile, Archer, T'Pol, Trip and Hoshi met on board Enterprise to discuss their preliminary findings on the planet's surface. They gathered, along with Malcolm and Travis, in the command center, to assess the situation.

"The energy levels are faint on the outskirts of this area." Archer pointed out on the map of the city.

"That still does not help in finding out who or what is creating these readings." Malcolm answered. "For all we know, the planet could be emitting some form of radiation."

"If it did," T'Pol began. "Then everyone would have been exposed, including us."

"T'Pol's right," Trip agreed. "We don't even know if these people have the technology capable of producing this type of energy. For all we know, they could be running some type of experiment or somethin'."

"What did you get from the residents?" Archer asked Hoshi.

"Nothing much," she replied. "They talked about several things, but nothing to indicate that they're building highly advanced technology."

Archer looked at his crew.

"We have to find out what is going on here," he concluded. "For this society, it seems abnormal for them to be hiding something like this. Either they have help or somebody is here that shouldn't be." He looked at the landing party. "We're heading back down there to find out what is going on. Dismissed."

"Yes, sir." his crew responded to him.

The Enterprise landing party arrived back onto Medja 3 around nightfall. Just as they had done the night before, they split up, looking for any clues concerning the high energy readings and the intentions of who was trying to use them.

As Archer and Trip walked down one of the main streets in the city, they observed the revelry that many of the residents were participating in. Bright colors seemed to adorn many of the shops and other forms of businesses.

"Must be a holiday," Trip observed.

"Seems that way," Archer agreed.

As both men made their way through the crowds, the Challenger landing party had also split up their forces. Colin and Steve were looking to find out any information from the locals, while the Captain and Michael were trying to find the energy readings. Sure enough, the Captain and Michael were involved in trying to avoid the same celebrations that Archer and Trip were trying to as well.

"Is this what they are like every day, or is this just a one day deal?" Michael asked.

"According to the locals, this is a once a month occurrence for them," the Captain responded. "Something regarding giving thanks to the gods for what they have and some stuff."

"Sounds like some of our ancient civilizations," Michael determined. "Wonder if they do any sacrifices."

"Michael!" the Captain exclaimed. "Leave the sacrificing talk back home please. That's one part of many things that we as a people have tried long and hard to forget about."

"Just an observation, Capt'n," Michael suggested. "I was only kidding." The Captain rolled her eyes and dragged him through the raucous crowd.

Just then, Michael's communicator began to go off. With all of the noise that the celebrations were making, the sound of the communicator seemed almost unnoticeable to the general population.

"Capt'n," Michael whispered. "Colin and Steve have found something. They want me to check it out."

The Captain sighed. "Go ahead, Commander. I'll be alright."

Michael left to find his way towards the other half of the landing party.

"If I can find a way to get out of this crowd," the Captain muttered to herself.

End of Chapter 4