Captain Archer had barely gotten to the mess hall when he was aware of a familiar figure standing by the window.  After blinking in surprise, he said, "I'll never get used to your transportation, Dhal."

"Nor I yours, Captain.  I had…what you would call a nightmare last night.  With my race, such things are to be taken more seriously.  I fear I must return to my homeworld once more."  He unconsciously started pacing the floor.

Archer flashed a wry grin.  "That shouldn't be too hard?  Just a door away…" he faltered at Dhal's apathy.

Dhal shook his head absently.  "I can't do that, Captain.  Did I not tell you I banished myself?  Ah, I grow short with the undeserving; I apologize.  I need someone's help to do that, and I cannot communicate with my own people.  Indeed, I have spent nearly all of the last 2 years trying to find someone with the capability to help me."

"And to think one of us on the Enterprise has that!" Trip called out from behind.

Archer nearly jumped.  "Since when did you get up this early?"

Trip grinned.  "Since things started getting interesting."  He tilted his head in Dhal's direction.

Archer jumped again when he turned back around.  Dhal was gone.

***

Hoshi sat up quickly.  Something wasn't right.  Dressing herself, she hurried out of her door to get to the bridge.

She stepped out into an arena of sorts.  It had the image of the bridge, but was surrounded by a molten moat.  Archer turned to her.  "Morning, Hoshi.  Your shift's not for another 3 hours…what's wrong?"  Suddenly he stiffened and a relaxed look came into his face.

"Captain!" Reed shouted, pulling out his phaser.  Behind where Archer had fallen, a being of unholy proportions snarled.  Hoshi had never seen anything like it before.  It was still dripping with the slime of life, the very embodiment of biological evolution.

A phaser bolt slammed into the creature, causing it to flinch.  Reed almost dropped his phaser as he looked upon the wound.  Severed tendons and skin congealed to close the wound almost instantly.

Hoshi heard a thin, raspy voice in her head.  "Why do you stand doing nothing, Underling?  Do you not realize the power within you?  Do you not—" he punctuated his next word with a jet of acid, striking and horribly twisting Mayweather's body, "realize it?"

Hoshi knew nothing but rage. Unaware to her, a line of blue-white light was forming outside her clenched fist.  With a mental scream she struck out at the creature.  A white haze filled the room and she knew no more.

***

Dhal passed his hand over Hoshi's sweaty face and incanted.  She visibly relaxed and awoke.

Hoshi unconsciously recoiled from him.  "What was that thing?  What did it say to me?"

A look of amusement crossed Dhal's face.  "You think that because I have the power to probe people's minds, I do?"

Hoshi looked away guiltily, "I guess I did."

"Well, this time I did not have to read your thoughts to know what you experienced.  Think of me what you will, but I created this vision for you.  You had to understand…you had to comprehend…"

Hoshi looked at Dhal and spoke frankly, "Is that what your people really look like?"

Suddenly the room grew dark and Dhal's face contorted with rage.  In an instant it passed, and he said, "Can you not recognize my, your, worst enemy when you see it?  That was a Zagh."

Hoshi's eyes teared a little and she whispered, "I'm sorry…I didn't know—" she stopped herself short.  She looked up at Dhal in fascination—she hadn't said a word.

            Dhal smiled as if relieved.  "So, you passed your first test.   There will be more like it.  With each test completed your powers grow, but so does the magnitude of the tests.  Eventually, the Zagh will once again test you, but not with my control.  Then you must be ready."

            Hoshi nodded in understanding.  "What should I tell the others?"

            Dhal shook his head.  I cannot give you all the answers, Hoshi.  Only you know what is right for you, now that you have passed.  I must leave you for a time, but I will be back as soon as possible; by then, you should be ready."

            Hoshi nodded once more.  As Dhal disappeared, Hoshi straightened out her uniform.  Time to get back to work.