SIX
The pathway to the communications console had been open for ten minutes with no movement by the entity. Archer was worried that, perhaps, the entity had not been compatible with the warp core's energy. He was concerned that upon entering the warp core, the entity might have been absorbed or destroyed.
"Captain," said T'Pol, "I am detecting an energy surge moving along the pathway. I believe the entity is moving toward the communications console."
"Hoshi," said Archer, "activate the console and universal translator."
"Yes, sir," said Hoshi.
The bridge crew waited as the entity moved along the pathway and entered the communications console. As soon as it entered the console, the intercom crackled to life.
"Energy restored," came the voice over the intercom. "Transporter need. Return home."
"We have the transporter ready," said Archer. "We're going to open a path to the transporter so you can go home. Do you understand."
"Understand," said the entity. "Long time gone. Home return must. Transporter ready."
"Yes," said Archer. "T'Pol, close the pathway to the warp core and open one to the transporter room."
"Yes, sir," said T'Pol.
"Entity," said Archer, "we are opening a pathway to the transporter. As soon as you are in the transporter, we'll beam you back into the nebula."
There was no response from the entity. T'Pol announced that the entity was moving along the pathway toward the transporter room. Archer, with T'Pol close behind, headed for the turbolift. As they entered the transporter room, Trip was standing to one side of the console. As if of it's own accord, the console was actively running.
"It started a few seconds ago," said Trip. "It suddenly started running in diagnostic mode. I think our friend is learning how to operate it."
"You think it's going to beam itself into the nebula?" Archer asked T'Pol.
"That is one possibility," responded T'Pol. "It is also possible that this is a normal reaction to the entity entering the console. As a creature of pure energy, it may simply activate whatever equipment it enters. As if the equipment were suddenly activated."
"Okay," said Archer. "Let's wait and see what happens."
They stood and watched as the transporter ran through it's diagnostic mode. When it finished, it began to run the diagnostic mode once again.
"Curious," said T'Pol. "Always before, the equipment ran the diagnostic cycle only once. You may be correct, Captain. The entity may be planning to beam itself back into the nebula."
"Not if these readings are right," said Trip, looking at the console. "According to this, it's not beaming anything out into the nebula or anywhere else outside the ship."
"What do you mean?" asked Archer.
"Well, sir," said Trip, "according to the setting on the console, it looks like it's going to reintegrate itself right on the pad."
"Most interesting," said T'Pol. "I suppose that theoretically, it should be possible to reintegrate an energy being in matter form. However, I am dubious of the results."
"Come on, T'Pol," said Trip. "We do it all the time. The transporter turns matter into energy then reintegrates it as matter at the other end."
"Yes," said T'Pol. "However, they are matter to begin with. Integrating energy into matter is much different. To my knowledge, it has never been accomplished. Even the protein resequencer begins with matter and converts the matter into a different form."
"I see your point," said Tucker. "Cap'n, it might not be a bad idea if you had the doctor here when our guest materializes in the chamber."
"Too late," said Archer, looking at the console. "The reintegration process has already begun. Stand ready, Trip. We may have to get our guest to sickbay as quickly as possible."
The three stood and watched as the transported beam engaged in the reintegration chamber. It was a sight that they had witnessed before. However, instead of equipment, the form of a humanoid creature began to materialize in chamber.
When the reintegration process finished, they stood looking at a humanoid creature, apparently male. He was as tall as Archer, and his ears were pointed, like T'Pol's. He had no hair and had a spiny ridge that crossed from one temple, across his forehead, to the other. He had only three fingers and was dressed in what looked like some type of uniform.
As he materialized on the transporter pad, he collapsed. Archer and Tucker rushed over and picked him up. They hurried him to the sickbay where Dr. Phlox immediately began to examine him. After a few moment, Phlox walked over to Archer.
"He appears to be in some form of shock," said Phlox. "His electrolyte levels seem to be low, but I cannot be sure if this is normal for his species. He will have to remain in sickbay until I can stabilize his condition, Captain."
"Okay, Doctor," said Archer. "Let me know when he's out of danger."
"Yes, sir," said Phlox.
Archer, Tucker, and T'Pol returned to the bridge. T'Pol continued her analysis of the sensor readings from the nebula while Trip manned his engineering station. Archer sat in the command chair wondering if their guest was going to survive.
"Captain," said T'Pol, "sensor readings indicate a small planet on the other side of the nebula. It appears to be Earth like, but the nebula is interfering with the sensors."
"There aren't any reports of a planet in this area," said Archer.
"Nevertheless," said T'Pol, "sensors clearly indicate a planet. It would appear that the diameter of the nebula masks the planet from this side. I do not believe that any ship has ever investigated the other side of the nebula."
"How far away is this planet?" asked Archer.
"At warp four, approximately four hours," said T'Pol. "Captain, it is possible that if this planet is inhabited, they may have some information regarding the energy beings in the nebula. It is logical to assume that they wold have had contact with them at some time."
"You might be right," said Archer. "Travis, lay in a course around the nebula to that planet. We may need their help if the doctor has any problems with our guest."
"Aye, sir," said Travis.
The Enterprise went to warp and traveled along the perimeter of the nebula. Travis was careful to keep them far enough away from the nebula to prevent encountering another plasma storm. They had been traveling for nearly an hour when Dr. Phlox called Archer to the sickbay.
"Ah, Captain," said Phlox, as Archer, T'Pol, and Tucker entered the sickbay, "our guest has been stabilized. He is conscious and was asking to speak with you."
"So you didn't have any trouble stabilizing him in a matter form," said Archer.
"That's why I wished to speak with you, Captain," said Phlox. "I've had a chance to talk with out guest. The form we saw in the transporter is his natural form. He was also able to give me a great deal of information about his normal biological functions. That is how I was able to stabilize him."
"What do you mean it's his natural form?" asked Archer.
"I mean, Captain," said Phlox, "that the energy form we first encountered him in Is was not his natural form. It seems he's not an energy being as we suspected. He is very much matter; flesh and blood, I believe you humans call it. He was converted into an energy form because of a transporter accident."
