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Chapter 6

Archer entered Sickbay wearily. The way this week was going he was not sure he wanted to know what was going on. He could see that Phlox, Trip, and Reed were behind the curtain staring at whoever occupied the beds.

Archer stepped forward and pulled back the curtain. He started to speak but stopped when he recognized the forms on the bed.

"What the hell?" he asked stepping forward.

Travis lay on the bed unconscious. His face was swollen and bloodied and his breathing was shallow. There were machines surrounding him, making beeping noises and giving out readings that Archer didn't understand. Nearby, Crewman Sanchez lay in a similar condition.

Archer's heart contracted painfully.

"What the hell happened to them?" Archer said turning back to the three men.

They shifted uncomfortably, not meeting his eyes.

"I asked a question and I expect an answer."

"We don't know exactly, Cap'n. I found them this way, laying outside in the corridor." Trip said stepping forward. He placed a hand on Travis' shoulder.

"What? You found them?" Jon stepped grimly toward Malcolm. "You're the only damned security we have around here. You want to tell me what is going on?"

Reed glared defiantly at him. "They were apparently attacked around 0330 hours. The attacker or attackers were rather large, from what I can see. Whoever it was took out the security cameras before they attacked."

Dr. Phlox spoke. "Captain, Ensign Mayweather and Crewman Sanchez had recently been diagnosed with the ailment. In fact everyone I have tested so far, except for T'Pol and myself, has tested positive."

He picked up a PADD and handed it to Archer. "This is a rapidly advancing epidemic. What I originally thought was something harmless has progressed in a disturbing direction. The disease appears to have altered in human chemistry. It now induces hormones experienced during anger or fear—causing extreme aggression. It seems to be affecting the waking mind as well. I believe the condition will continue to expand until it causes all of you to lose your hold on reality. "

Archer stood silent for a minute, watching Travis. Looking back at Phlox, he said, "How long do I have until I will no longer be able to handle command?"

Phlox sighed and said "Not long. Perhaps a week."

Trip spoke "Then I guess we better find a cure, huh doc?"

**

Malcolm made his way back to the armory thinking about the Captain and Hoshi.

What an odd pair they make.

Standing behind a console, he brought up the schematics he has been working on earlier. He looked up when he heard approaching footsteps and saw Trip heading toward him with a bag.

Trip said, "What do ya want me to do with these?" He gestured toward the bag.

Malcolm shrugged indifferently and nodded his head toward an airlock.

"Put them out there." He went back to his console.

Trip walked over pulling out two shirts covered in dried blood. He grimaced as he looked at them and mumbled, "Fuckin' Travis. Bleeds like a stuck pig." He shoved the offensive material out the airlock.