THREE

"Nothin', sir," said Trip. "I've run every test I can think of, and there's nothing wrong with the warp engines. I can't explain why they suddenly kicked in like they did."

"Mr. Tucker is correct," interjected T'Pol. "My diagnostic also failed to reveal anything wrong with the engines. They are operating at optimal efficiency."

"Just another glitch?" asked Archer, annoyance in his voice. "I refuse to accept that. First the torpedoes malfunction and now the warp engines. And there's no discernable problem with either system."

"I do not believe they malfunctioned," said T'Pol.

"You just said . . .," started Archer.

"I said," interrupted T'Pol, "that the engines were operating at optimal efficiency. However, Captain, if you will recall, Ensign Mayweather also reported a change in course just as the warp engines engaged. And it was no random course, either. It was a course directly for the nebula."

"Does that mean something?" asked Tucker.

"I believe it does," said T'Pol. "The heading was precisely the same as our original heading into the nebula before we encountered the plasma storm."

"Maybe it was just a coincidence," suggested Archer.

"Vulcans do not believe in coincidence," said T'Pol. "If the heading was the result of a malfunction, it should have been a random heading. But, as I have stated, it was the exact course we were previously on.

"I do not believe that is coincidence. It suggests a deliberate act by an intelligence. I believe that someone altered our course and engaged the warp engines. To take us back into the nebula."

"Who?" asked Archer. "If one of the crew had done it, they must have known they could have been killed if we sustain any more damage. Are you suggesting that someone on the crew is deliberately sabotaging the ship?"

"No, sir," said T'Pol. "I have served around humans long enough to know that most do not have what you would call a death wish. I do not believe it was a member of this crew."

"You think we got a stowaway?" asked Trip.

"That is one possibility," said T'Pol. "I do not believe it is out of the realm of possibility that someone could have boarded the Enterprise without out knowledge."

"But you don't believe that," said Archer.

"No, sir, I do not," said T'Pol. "The energy spikes I have been encountering. I have analyzed them and there is a discernable pattern to them. This would not be the case if they were random energy spikes as I first suspected."

"A pattern?" questioned Archer. "What does it mean?"

"I believe," said T'Pol, "that it is quite possible that someone outside the ship is attempting to gain control of the Enterprise remotely."

"Remotely?" questioned Trip. "I find that unlikely. We have dozens of safeguards on every system in the ship. I don't think it would be possible for anyone to take control of the ship from outside."

"Mr. Tucker's disbelief notwithstanding," said T'Pol, "there is a chance, however remote, that it is possible. A sufficiently advanced race may possess the necessary technology to accomplish it. We have encountered races with technology superior to both humans and Vulcans."

"That might make sense, sir," interjected Malcolm. "I remember thinking at the time that the torpedoes that were fired resembled the test firing of the launchers the first time we used them. I didn't give it much thought, of course, because it didn't seem likely at the time."

"Is there anyway to determine who's doing it and where they are?" asked Archer.

"Perhaps if we finish analyzing the sensor readings there might be a clue," suggested T'Pol. "I would also suggest a thorough scan of the surrounding space. Even if there is a race with this type of technology, they would have to be relatively close to utilize it."

"Get on it," said Archer. "And let's recheck all systems. If someone can gain access to our systems from outside, they might plant some sort of control mechanism in the computer system. T'Pol, I want you to see if you can design some sort of protection against future occurrences like this."

"Yes, sir," said T'Pol.

"Everyone let me know what you find out," said Archer.

Everyone immediately went to work. Archer was unsettled that anyone or anything might be able to take control of the Enterprise from outside the ship. Even with all the dangers they encountered in space, the Enterprise was always a safe haven to him and his crew.

In the three hours since the ship had suddenly jumped to warp, a complete check of every system had been made. Nothing seemed amiss. Everything seemed perfectly normal. That is, it seemed normal until Archer got a call from Trip.

"What is it, Trip?" asked Archer.

"Cap'n," responded Trip, "I think you'd better get down to sickbay. We've got some more malfunctions down here and the doctor has some information."

"On my way," said Archer.

Archer headed for the turbolift, T'Pol close behind. Archer didn't have to tell her he wanted her with him in sickbay. As the science officer, she was the best equipped to decipher what was going on. And to design a safeguard against it.

They exited the turbolift and headed for sickbay. Trip and the doctor were already there waiting for them. Trip was busy working on one of the machines in sickbay as Archer and T'Pol entered.

"What's the problem?" asked Archer as they entered.

"A few moments ago," said Dr. Phlox, "the equipment in here suddenly began to come on. It was a most unsettling experience. I contacted Commander Tucker who came right down."

"It's just like the rest of them, sir," said Trip, walking over from the machine. "There seems have been a power surge in here just like on the bridge and the torpedo bays. But I can't find anything wrong. It's like nothing happened."

"Another test?" questioned Archer. "I'm getting a little sick of this."

"Perhaps I can be of assistance, Captain," said Phlox. "One of the machines which activated was my medical scanner. It allows me to do a detailed scan of most humanoid life forms much more efficiently than a hand held scanner."

"Yes, I know," said Archer.

"What you may not know, Captain," said Phlox, "is that the scanner is programmed to automatically record any readings it gets."

"I'm not sure I understand," said Archer.

Phlox walked over and activated the scanner. The monitor activated and showed what appeared to be life signs.

"This is what the scanner recorded when it activated," said Phlox. "Now, most of these readings make no sense whatsoever. I don't know of any life form that would exhibit this combination of readings."

"It was just a power surge," said Archer. "I wouldn't want them to make any sense."

"Ah, yes," said Phlox, "that's what Mr. Tucker said. However, look at this reading here." He indicated a line that looked to Archer like the readout for an E.K.G. "This reading indicates the patient's E.E.G., as you humans call it."

"Brain wave pattern," said Archer. "I don't understand."

"As I said," said Phlox, "I know of no life form that would exhibit this combination of readings. No corporeal life form, anyway. Most of the readings are well outside what is considered normal for any humanoid life form I know of.

"However, this reading is not. The brain wave patterns of most humanoid life forms is extremely similar. Each is unique and distinctive, of course, but they are also all similar in many respects. This one falls well within the normal boundaries for all humanoid life forms."

"I'm not sure what you're saying, doctor," said Archer.

"What I'm saying," said Phlox, "is that I do not believe we are dealing with a power surge, as Mr. Tucker has described it. I believe, Captain, that we are dealing with a life form within the systems of this ship."

Archer just stared at Phlox.