"So yer tellin' me that all these glitches of yours aren't just bad programin', but the work of the bad guys?" Trip asked in disbelief. The command center had become rather crowded, with seven people grouped around the wall of display monitors. The bridge crew had spent the last half-hour listening to and debating Jordan's theories. Trip's wasn't the only face to show disbelief.
"Trip, even you have to admit that the only people who know these systems better than me are back on Earth," Jordan replied, exasperation coloring her voice. "I know that our systems have been tampered with."
"Yet you conclude that this tampering is the result of temporal sabotage," T'Pol said. "Surely there are more logical explanations that do not require time travel."
"Such as?"
"Any number of technical difficulties. Damage from the ion storm could…."
"No, it couldn't and you know it!" Jordan snapped. "Damage from system overload would be more widespread, which is exactly what you'd get from an ion storm. That's basic physics, T'Pol."
"Basic physics also state, Doctor, that time travel is impossible, yet you leap to that conclusion."
"Please, don't tell us again that the Vulcan Science Consulate has determined that time travel is impossible. Given the fact that you're still here, it obvious that you're not listening to them anymore, either."
"Alright, that's enough," Archer broke in. "We're here to discuss the problem with the ship systems, not get into a scientific ego festival. Dr. Mallory, since you are convinced that our temporal enemies are responsible, just how do you propose we deal with them?"
"Call in our temporal allies."
"You mean try to contact Daniels?" Hoshi asked.
"That's right."
"Ensign, is there any way you can accomplish that?" Archer asked.
"I don't think so, sir. I'm not sure how I could configure our communications devices to transmit to the future."
"Of course not. I meant is there some communications trail we could leave behind that anyone monitoring our time would be sure to pick up."
"Excuse me, sir," Reed interjected. "Wouldn't such a signal also be visible to our enemies?"
"Good point."
"Actually, Captain, I do have an idea," Mallory broke in.
"Yes?"
"We could use the engines."
"Pardon me?" Trip asked, slightly dumbfounded.
"Well, as you know, warp drive works by altering the space around it, hence the name. In effect, you are manipulating the space/time continuum. Therefore, it should be possible to manipulate the warp field in such a way that it could send up a sort of temporal flare."
"Which could also be perceived by our enemies." Reed said.
"True."
"And could blow up the ship if you didn't rig it just right," Trip said.
"Well, yes, there is that small complication."
"Captain, I believe there is an easier way to achieve your objective, assuming such a thing is possible," T'Pol broke in.
"Explain," Archer replied.
"If, as you hypothesize, members of a future faction are monitoring the space/time continuum, then any major alteration in our actions would be detected."
"So?"
"It would only be necessary to change your course of action in such a way as to attract attention, without arousing the suspicion of this hypothetical enemy faction."
"What do you suggest?"
"Reverse our present course and return to Earth."
"But that would mean surrendering to the Xindi!" Reed exclaimed.
"Not if Dr. Mallory is correct. Such an action would certainly attract the notice of this Crewman Daniels. If such a creature exists, he would likely come immediately to investigate."
"I like it," Archer said. "Especially since it avoids the risk of destroying the ship. Hoshi, send a transmission to Star Fleet Command indicating that we are returning to base due to system failure. After that, make sure we're out of communication for awhile."
Hoshi frowned for a minute, then grinned as she saw a solution, "Captain, have you received my reports on the problems we've been having with subspace communications? I wouldn't be surprised if we lost them altogether."
"Excellent, Hoshi, that's just what I had in mind. Carry on," he replied, dismissing her. Travis, reverse course. Take us back to Earth."
"Aye, aye, sir," Travis replied, leaving the command center.
"Trip, Malcolm, I don't really know what to expect. So I want you two to return to your stations, and be prepared for basically anything. And Malcolm, get the MACOs ready, too."
"Aye, sir," they responded, leaving for their duty stations.
"T'Pol, I want you to take the bridge. Monitor the situation from there."
"Aye, sir," and she left as well.
"Which just leaves us, Captain," Mallory said.
"I hope you don't mind that I decided against your cosmic flare."
"Not at all, although I could have done it without damaging the ship. You see, all I would have to do is re-compute .."
"Never mind, Doctor," Archer interrupted her as she started to call some figures up on the main screen. "Let's just get down to business."
"Which is?"
"We're waiting for Daniels."
"You sent for me, Captain?" a voice said from behind them.