A/N: Thank you everyone for your reviews, with special thanks to Cha Oseye Tempest Thrain who gave me food for thought.
Chapter 16
Hoshi smiled confidently at Travis across the situation room display table as the senior officers silently studied her summary. She had gone through the database to produce a first stab at an edited version and was pleased with the results. A shiver ran up her spine. It was an incredible idea - to be the person who would deliver the sum of human knowledge back to these humans. She was conscious of the great privilege. How many others would ever have that honor?
The two Ensigns waited in anticipation as Trip, Malcolm and T'Pol evaluated their proposition. Malcolm seemed intrigued, Trip impressed and T'Pol, well T'Pol was unreadable, thought Hoshi ruefully. She would probably give a cool assent and not realize quite how difficult it had been. But that didn't matter.
Trip said, "You've put a lot of effort into this, I see." He scrolled through the database categories as Malcolm looked on.
"Yes, Sir," agreed Hoshi with an undeniably smug grin, pleased with the recognition.
T'Pol said, "You should have discussed this project with us first before you expended resources on it."
Hoshi smiled at her. "I know, but you have all been so busy. I thought Travis and I could just get on with it, then make a presentation when we had a more concrete version to discuss."
Malcolm nodded in agreement at this sensible approach.
T'Pol looked at Hoshi and then Travis. She said, "I admire your initiative, Ensigns. However, in this case, it is misplaced."
Hoshi blinked. "Excuse me?"
"As I said, you should have spoken with us before embarking on this project."
Travis and Hoshi looked at each other and then back at T'Pol.
Hoshi said, "But why? It needs doing."
T'Pol raised an eyebrow. "We cannot give the humans this material."
Trip and Malcolm looked just as confused as the two Ensigns at T'Pol's adamant statement.
Hoshi gaped, and then said, "Why not? I was careful not to include anything after the start of the Second World War."
"This is not our Universe, Ensign."
"I know. I understood what you told us about that. But this is still Earth."
"It is one version of Earth," said T'Pol.
"But why should that make any difference?" Hoshi looked around at her fellow officers for support.
T'Pol said, "This is not the Earth we are familiar with. In our Universe, certain people did certain things. For example, Einstein became an influential scientist. In this Universe, he may have remained an Examiner at the Swiss Patent Office - that is assuming he existed at all."
Hoshi was confused. "I don't understand? Are you saying we can't give them our database, even though I've edited it?"
T'Pol inclined her head. "That is correct."
Aghast, Hoshi said, "But we can't not tell the people about what we know - about Mozart, Shakespeare, Murasaki ... philosophy, the ancient Greeks, all the ancient civilizations..." She tailed off, overwhelmed at the scale of it all.
T'Pol said patiently, "These people and aspects may not have existed here, at least in the same form."
"Oh, come on!" exclaimed Hoshi with some heat, forgetting seniority and rank in the passion for her quest. "This place is so like Earth was two hundred years ago that I can't believe there have been any significant changes!"
T'Pol's mouth twitched at this display of illogical thought. She explained, "We do not know. We have had relatively little interaction here. Certainly we have not studied culture or what passes for history here. How can we possibly know what is the same as it is on the Earth of our Universe and what is dissimilar? Without large scale studies we can have no way in which to determine this."
Hoshi said, "But T'Pol - what you are saying is that we should leave these humans floundering in a new Dark Age! With absolutely no hope of ever regaining what they have lost. Yet we have it easily to hand. It would be wrong to deny them this! Completely immoral."
T'Pol considered. She said carefully, "But it is not the truth. This is not their history or culture. It is that of the Earth from our Universe. It would be a lie to do what you advocate. That is immoral. We might unleash severe repercussions by imposing a false history on these people."
Hoshi said in exasperation, appealing to Trip, "Commander - what do you think?"
Trip ran a hand over his chin as he deliberated. "I can see both sides," he said with an apologetic shrug. "It might not be a problem where music or literature is concerned, but history...?" He shook his head. "That could be a minefield."
Malcolm added, "I agree. Look what changes have happened here already -"
Hoshi interrupted, "But that was because of the aliens. We should try to put that right!"
"Hoshi," said Malcolm. "We are going to stop them -"
"But that is in the future! What about their past?!"
Malcolm said placatingly, "Perhaps we can be more selective - chose the most important works of literature, art, music, that sort of thing?"
Hoshi said, "But who are we to judge that? Do you think you are an expert, Lieutenant?" She gave him a withering look.
Malcolm snapped back, "No, of course not, Hoshi. But there are some works which are generally held to be important."
"Compromise, you mean," said Hoshi bitterly.
"Exactly," said Trip swapping glances with Malcolm and nodding. "T'Pol?"
Before T'Pol could answer, Hoshi said, "With respect, that's not good enough. You can't divorce art from culture or culture from history. You need context... it has to have meaning."
"But T'Pol is right. It isn't this Earth's history... not necessarily," said Trip.
Hoshi glared at him as she realized she was losing the argument.
Travis stepped into the fray. "Uh, could we tell them that?"
"Sorry?" said Trip.
Travis said, "Tell the people that this comes from a parallel world. Say that we offer the information in friendship, but that it might have been different here."
Malcolm snorted. "Do you really think they would believe that?" He couldn't hide the scornful tone to his words. "A parallel world?"
"They might," said Travis defensively. "That soldier I spoke to seemed to believe in time travel."
Malcolm grimaced. "But that was one person. And with respect, one sci fi fan isn't going to convince the world, is he?"
Travis said firmly, "I know it's not perfect, but what else can we do? This world is already damaged by what the Thraxians did to it. It's never going to be how it should have turned out without their interference."
Hoshi nodded. "Yes. And remember, we also need to tell them that the Thraxians are not native to Earth, that they have been using humans for their own purposes. We can tell them about the different Universe in that section. Make it part of the first messages they hear."
Malcolm made a skeptical noise which earned him an annoyed glare from Hoshi.
Trip said thoughtfully, "We do have something else which might convince them. T'Pol and I think we can control the energy we are going to extract from the Thraxians' supply. When we do extract the energy, their virtual space will collapse. The portals between it and Earth will no longer exist. That means that the Thraxians won't be able to come and go any longer. The humans will notice that - will wonder about it. Our recordings will explain what has happened. That will add to our credibility."
Trip looked hopefully at T'Pol and at Hoshi.
"I'm not sure that will stop the aliens completely," said Malcolm, tapping the table top with a couple of fingers. "If there are any left on Earth when we collapse the space, they'll stay here, won't they?"
"Yes," said Trip. "But there will be a limited number of them and they'll be stranded on Earth. However good these Thraxians are, I can't imagine they will be able to re-establish that virtual space very soon. They probably won't want to anyway, because the humans will realize something is wrong. That would put a wrench in the aliens' war games."
Malcolm said, "Mmm. We should have teams standing by to deal with any stray Thraxians." His eyes narrowed. "And I certainly hope that one of them is Rav. What I wouldn't give to deal with him personally." He swept a cold, hard gaze over the company.
Trip sighed. "We won't have time. All our efforts will need to be focused on extracting the energy. In any case we can't do it all for the humans. We can help them by telling them what has happened but how they deal with it is up to them. We won't be here after that. With luck."
Hoshi said, seeing the discussion had slid off at a tangent, "So - does this mean we are going to give them this database? Tell them it's from a parallel world?"
Trip turned to T'Pol. "What do you think about this? I think we should include as much as we can."
All the humans looked at her as T'Pol contemplated the proposal. Eventually she said, "It is not ideal, but I believe it to be an acceptable compromise. Ensigns - please work on the explanatory message we will leave with the inhabitants. That will require careful wording if we are to do our best with this approach."
"Yes, Ma'am," said Travis.
"Thank you," said Hoshi with a tired smile.
------------------
Travis was in Engineering talking to Ensign Walsh. They had annexed a corner away from the warp core and were hunched over some equipment scattered across a workbench. Travis' efforts had yielded a recommendation for the hardware and a suggested dispersal arrangement for the units over the planet. Now they had to put it into practice, starting with manufacturing the units.
"Hey, Sirs!" called a senior Crewman. "Transferring to the dark side?" He laughed.
Travis grinned at him. He recognized the man - Kaveleshi. "Uh huh - no way. I'd like to enlist some help from here, though, Crewman. How do you feel about assisting the army of light, even if they are Helm and Armory?"
Walsh said with mock puzzlement, "I thought the Armory was the dark side?"
Travis gave him an amused shove. Spirits were high throughout the ship. Everyone had something to do to support their mission. The only dampener was the condition of the Captain but even that was tempered by the knowledge that at least he was now returned to them. After all, went the general consensus, Phlox could sort out most problems, couldn't he?
Kaveleshi stepped over to the two junior officers. He said, "Sure, I'll help. Commander Tucker asked me to lend you a hand. What do you want me to do?"
At that moment, Malcolm entered Engineering, spotted the group and made a beeline for them. He was carrying a mean-looking weapon under one arm.
"Oh!" Malcolm sounded surprised as he took in the components on the bench and the attentive Crewman.
Travis looked up. "Sir," he acknowledged. "Is there a problem?"
Malcolm said, "No - not really. I've got everyone in the Armory working flat out on converting these." He held up the heavy gauge weapon. "Nice bit of kit," he said to himself appreciatively as he studied it. The glint in his eye and still evident bruises to his face leant him a roguish air.
Travis and Walsh grinned at each other. 'The dark side' mouthed Walsh as Travis suppressed a laugh.
Malcolm came out of his reverie and said, "Oh yes. I was hoping to draft in extra effort from Engineering but it seems you two have already beaten me to it!"
"It was Commander Tucker's suggestion, Sir," said Travis. "We're getting the database and reader units built."
"Umm. Two equally worthy causes," mused Malcolm. "I wonder if the Commander has anyone else available?" He gazed around hungrily at the uniformly busy engineering team. "I wonder if he would mind if I just..."
"Malcolm? I hope you're not going to steal one of my people?" Trip's voice sounded startlingly close, then Trip himself appeared from a nearby office.
Malcolm grinned unashamedly. "You've got so many, Commander!"
"And you've got all those MACOs," retorted Trip, winking at Travis.
"Umm, yes. I've got them helping with the gear and lined up to test the modified launchers but I really need another pair of hands to help with the mods – someone who knows what they're doing."
Trip said doubtfully, tugging at his ear, "Well, I don't know. I've got to get the engines and ship's systems in the best shape possible."
"It won't take long," said Malcolm. "Honest." He gave a most sincere look.
Trip wasn't fooled. "You swear?"
"All the time!"
Trip laughed. "Okay then. You can have Williamson, but only if you let me steal one of the Armory team for a short while."
"Who?" asked Malcolm raising an eyebrow and unconsciously bringing the launcher to rest across his front, cradling it in both hands.
Trip shook his head a little at the defensive move. He grinned. "You. We need to discuss some sensor modifications T'Pol wants to make."
Malcolm nodded. "That's fine. Give me five minutes to go through things with Williamson and make sure everything's on track in the Armory and I'm all yours."
"We're in the Command Center." Trip gave a wave and left.
Malcolm called over to Williamson. "How about a fun job for a change?!"
Travis and Walsh rolled their eyes and tried not to laugh.
-----------------
Sick Bay was quiet once more. The orderlies had returned to their other tasks, the animals had been fed and were mostly dozing and the sole patient still remained in his private area and under sedation.
Phlox sat next to Archer's biobed and ran through the Captain's vital signs. Some improvement was shown – but not enough – and most disturbingly, there were some indications of deterioration, particularly in the brain tissue. The Captain's face was still unnaturally taut. The burn and other injuries were healing but what use was that?
Phlox frowned as he considered the data. He had run many tests, indeed, was still running some, but the answer remained elusive. Perhaps if he knew exactly what mix of chemicals had been directly administered to the brain he could plan an attack on the cause. As it was, he could treat symptoms but not the heart of the matter.
He stared at the readouts, noting the odd glitches in the data sets. He suspected that the Thraxians had used some active materials, perhaps viral fragments or engineered enzymes, but his tests were so haphazard that without some idea as a starting point it would be a miracle if he hit on the solution.
He stood up and checked the test results continuously arriving at his terminal. They showed no change, which didn't surprise him.
Phlox felt very tired. He knew the rest of the crew were counting on him and he didn't think he could do it.
Perhaps he should awaken Archer?
He squashed that idea as soon as it popped into his mind. He had tried that once and it had been most distressing to all who'd witnessed it, not excluding himself. But it wouldn't help in any case. He couldn't believe the aliens would have explained to the Captain in sufficient detail what drugs they'd used.
No, he would need to find another approach. But what?
---------------
Malcolm stared at the graphs and equations set up on the main display in the Command Center. "I confess I can't follow this, well, most of it," he said waving a hand at the offending items.
Trip pulled up another diagram. "This is our sensor array output."
"Yes, I do recognize that!" said Malcolm, a note of irritation in his voice. "You said you wanted to modify the sensor arrays. How, why and to do what?"
T'Pol picked up a scanner from a desk.
Trip said to Malcolm, "This is amazing! Watch this."
Malcolm grunted, determined to remain unimpressed.
T'Pol said, "This scanner has been successfully modified to discriminate between matter from our Universe and from this one." She held it in front of her to show the display to the others. The display was a matrix of digits. She moved the scanner around and the displayed information remained static.
Malcolm noted that and gave a nod of understanding.
T'Pol bent down and picked up a shoe – one of the pair she had worn when in disguise during their foray into the camp. She carefully placed it on the desk.
She said to Malcolm, "Now, as I direct this at this shoe, obtained from this Earth, the readings change."
Sure enough, several of the digits rapidly altered, finishing at a set of values quite different to those initially presented. "All matter from our Universe has the first signature, and all matter from the current Universe has this signature." She slowly moved the scanner around to demonstrate again.
Malcolm's eyes widened as he watched. "You're right," he said to Trip. "That is amazing!" He turned to T'Pol. "What can we do with this?"
T'Pol said, "I propose using this principle to 'tune into' our Universe using the sensor array in a reverse mode – as a transmitter. In theory, an infinite number of Universes are potentially available when we unleash the energy, but these rapidly diminish in number. We should be able to stabilize at our own Universe, aided by our sensor transmission to 'seed' our quantum signature. This will assist the space around us to become constrained to reform in a manner that gives optimum continuity between the type of matter which constitutes Enterprise, at the heart of the energy flow, and that of the surrounding space continuum. Thus we should be pulled into our own Universe."
The humans looked at her skeptically.
"It is a theory only," conceded T'Pol, "but it provides our best chance of success."
"And if we fail?" asked Malcolm.
T'Pol said, "We may remain in this Universe or find ourselves somewhere else entirely."
"Or," said Trip quietly, "Enterprise might not be up to another journey between Universes. We might not make it. That's why I'm determined to get systems and everything else in the best shape I can."
"We have to try to get back," said Malcolm. "I think everyone on board will be willing to risk it."
"Indeed," agreed T'Pol. "However, I will ensure all personnel are aware of what we propose and its risks."
Trip shook his head, "I don't think you'll get any objections, T'Pol."
Malcolm rubbed a hand over his chin as he considered the practicalities. "I can make the adjustments you want, T'Pol but it will take time. There are directional relays and filters that will need to be swapped around. We won't have weapons' targeting ability after I've made them of course..."
"Let's hope they're pleased to see us when we get back, then," said Trip.
Malcolm nodded. "I know. Each step as it comes."
"Exactly. Do you want someone to help?"
"No. I think it'll be easier as a one-man job. I better get started. To think I once liked being busy," he commented with a wry smile."I'm not so sure about that anymore."
"I'll remember you said that," said Trip. "And for the record, I agree with you!"
TBC
A/N: There's some action at last in the next Chapter.