FOUR
"A life form?" questioned Archer. "Inside the ship and it's systems?"
"Yes, Captain," said Phlox. "Although I am unaware of any species of energy beings, I believe it is possible for such species to exist. Matter is simply a form of energy. I believe that we picked up what you humans might call a hitch hiker."
"That's crazy," said Trip. "You got all that from some random readings on a malfunctioning scanner?"
"Perhaps not malfunctioning," said Phlox. "And it is much more than one reading from a single machine. The brain wave pattern is only part of the reason for my belief. I've checked all the equipment in sickbay. Every one of them went through their normal self diagnostic. As if someone were attempting to learn the functions of that equipment."
"Just like the torpedoes," said Archer. "Malcolm said it reminded him a test firing of the torpedo launchers."
"When the ship went to warp," interjected T'Pol, "it engaged only at warp one. That would indicate a test of the warp engines. And the course into the nebula would have been the last course listed in the computer. That would indicate a test of the ship's propulsion and maneuverability systems."
"You buyin' this, sir?" asked Trip. "Some sort of energy creature bouncing around in the ship?"
"I'm not sure, Trip," said Archer. "But it's worth checking into. So far, the evidence would seem to indicate that. No one's been injured. And all of the so-called malfunctions were diagnostics. Trip, how many of the systems that have been affected are interconnected?"
"None, really," said Trip. "The propulsion and navigation systems are connected, of course. But the rest aren't."
"Is it possible to get from one system to another," asked Archer, "even though they aren't interconnected?"
"Yeah, I suppose," said Trip. "Assuming this mythical energy creature really exists, if it got into the computer system, theoretically, it could jump to just about any system in the ship."
"Okay," said Archer, "assuming we do have some sort of entity in inside our computer system, how do we locate it and get it out?"
"It's actions so far would indicate a relatively high degree of intelligence," said T'Pol. "Which would also indicate that it has some purpose in mind. I can program the computer to locate the energy surges which I believe is the entity. Once we locate it, it might be possible to communicate with it."
"That's a good idea," said Archer. "Maybe we can find out what it wants. How long before you can locate this . . . whatever it is?"
"Unknown, sir," said T'Pol. "We will have to wait until there is another surge to get a fix on the entity. I would assume by now it has left the sickbay and is probably negotiating it's way to another system."
"Okay," said Archer. "Notify all personnel. The minute they have trouble with any system, I don't care how minor the problem, they are to contact Sub-Commander T'Pol immediately."
"Aye, sir," said Tucker. "I still think this is crazy. Looking for an energy creature in the computer system."
"Humor me, Trip," said Archer.
"Yes, sir," said Trip.
Everyone returned to their duty stations. There was little they could do except wait for another power surge. T'Pol began a systematic search of the ship in an attempt to try and locate the entity, though she expressed doubt at her attempt. The Enterprise sat in space outside the nebula silently in space.
Two hours passed with no energy surges. Archer was beginning to think they had been mistaken. If there was an energy creature in their computer system, and it was testing the ship's system, he would have expected it would have moved to another system quite soon. Suddenly, the ship's cook contacted the bridge.
"Sir," said the cook, "we were told to report anything unusual. I'm having some problems with the equipment in here, sir. I've never seen anything like it. Everything seems to be shorting out. They keep turning on and off by themselves."
"Understood," said Archer. "T'Pol?"
"Already on it, sir," responded T'Pol. "There does seem to be an energy surge in the galley. I believe I can isolate the surge. One moment, please."
"Don't do anything that might cause it any damage," said Archer. "Once we isolate it, can you transfer it?"
"I believe so," said T'Pol. "If I shut down all connected systems it should be possible to direct it to a specific system by opening only certain circuits."
"Good," said Archer. "Try to get it into the communications system. Hoshi, disable intership communications for right now. If it is an energy creature, it might attempt to get away through a subspace radio signal. Tie in the universal translator and isolate your console from the rest of the ship."
"Yes, sir," said Hoshi.
T'Pol announced that she had isolated the power surge. She gradually moved it through the ship's systems by locking out all but specific pathways. The surge seemed to follow the open pathways without hindrance. Finally, she announced that the surge had entered Hoshi's console.
Hoshi activated her console, locking it out of the rest of the system. There was no place for the surge to go. It moved around inside her console, apparently looking for some point of egress. Suddenly, Hoshi announced that the universal translator had come online by itself. Everyone listened intently as the intercom crackled to life.
