"Worf, what is the status of the alien ship?" asked Riker.
Worf hesitated for a moment while looking down at his tactical display. "There seems to be minor structural damage. They are venting oxygen."
"Life signs?" asked Picard.
"There appear to be two onboard. The atmosphere is Earth standard," interjected Data.
"Let's transport them to sickbay and we'll figure out the ship in a minute," order Picard. "Medical teams stand-by Worf let's get a security team down there just to be safe."
"Captain," said Work with a puzzled look, "the transporter room is reporting that they cannot establish a lock on the passenger." The captain looked at Data. The android reviewed his scanner results and was able to make a preliminary determination.
"There appears to be some sort of quantum interference which is preventing the transporter from reading their molecular pattern. We may be able to compensate but not in time."
"We can tractor the shuttle into the hangar bay," recommended Riker. He knew the captain would be reluctant but their Starfleet oath did call for them to protect life where possible.
"Mr. Data, does this quantum interference present any danger to the crew?" Picard's concern for his crew was always his first priority.
"No sir. If anything, the crew members on the ship would have had extensive exposure themselves."
"Mr. Worf let's tractor the shuttle in. Please divert security and medicals teams to the hangar bay. Mr LaForge, please join Commander Riker in the Hangar Bay to assess the situation."
The Enterprise moved closes to the alien ship and turned away from it to simplify the maneuvers necessary. A diffused energy beam came from just below the hangar bay door. The Union shuttle began to move in the direction of the hangar bay. The alien ship turned out to be a perfect size for the bay and was lowered onto the floor. Just by being in the bay removed some of the urgency since air was no longer being vented into space.
Dr. Beverly Crusher along with her medical crew arrived with two security guards. Commander Laforge followed shortly and they all evaluated the situation.
"Well, the first problem is how do we get in," said the doctor. She had no idea what the status of the crew was and was anxious to begin her evaluation.
LaForge circled the strange ship. "Look at this!' he exclaimed in surprise. "There are English letters. ECV-197-2."
"There will be time for that later," he heard Commander Riker say. The tall first officer had just arrived. "Let's get 'em out."
Geordi continued to check for entries when he noted a likely entry in the back. There was a panel next to it that was, again, marked in what appeared to be English. He took out his tricorder and quickly identified a sequence on the panel that opened the door. A ramp lowered and Dr. Crusher quickly rushed in. She saw two humanoids from the rear and randomly checked the one on the left. He was human and had minor injuries. He has a possible concussion and showed signs of some trauma from high G forces.
"One human, not critical," she reported to her team and turned to the other occupant. At first, she thought she has seen a Klingon but quickly realized this was a species she had not seen before. She began to scan him with her medical tricorder when the alien opened his eyes. His hand shot out and grabbed neck. He stood up and looked around. The hold was not asphyxiating her but was holding her very much in control. He noted the opened rear hatch. He reached down and grabbed what was most likely a weapon and slowly worked his way to the opening. He was obviously in a hangar bay of some sort but it was a Union design. He was still confused from passing out and with the unknown set of events he was experiencing. He exited the hatch with his weapon drawn, keeping the human female in front him. He saw seven humans or humanoids, tow of whom were obviously armed.
"Where am I?!" He exclaimed. "Who are you?"
"Please," said the doctor, "I am Dr. Beverly Crusher. You are onboard the Federation Starship Enterprise. We just rescued your ship and your friend needs help. I think you are injured yourself. We are not here to hurt you."
The Mochlan's head hurt and he did feel dizzy. He also knew that if these people had nefarious intentions, he was in a poor position to prevent it. He had no intention of harming the female and simply reacted. He released her and lowered him weapon. Immediately a security guard shot him with a phaser set to stun.
"Ensign!" exclaimed Commander Riker, "he was surrendering."
"I am sorry sir, I felt that the Doctor was in danger." The security guard turned red realizing he had reacted poorly in the moment.
Riker gave the young office one last look and decided to have Work talk to him about it. He also had to admit, he did not know for sure that the alien would not have tried something more violent.
"Alright, doctor let's get them to sickbay. What do you know?"
Well," responded the red-haired doctor, "my hair twin is almost certainly human. Our fried here is a species I am not familiar with. I will have to run him through the Federation species database. They both seemed as the suffered some trauma from a high G event. I think they'll both be okay."
"Commander, I believe we have secured the ship. It was pretty easy since all the controls are labelled in English," reported Geordi.
"Geordi, have you ever seen a ship like this?" asked Riker.
"No sir."
"First planets appear out of nowhere and now this. Riker to Captain," said Will tapping his comm badge.
"Go ahead Commander,"
"After a bit of an adventure, we have secured the ship and taken the two occupants to sickbay. I'll explain when I get back to the bridge."
"Belay that commander, report to the observation lounge. All senior officers are meeting."
Commander Riker Entered the observation lounge along with Geordi LaForge. The Captain, Data, Deanna Troi and Worf were already there. The doctor was excused as she was pre-occupied with here patients.
"Mr. Data, would you be so good as to explain our current situation to Commander Riker?" Captain Picard nodded at the android.
"Yes sir," he replied," We have been attempting to contact Starfleet command with our current location and status. So far to no avail. We have also reached out to the Newton and Observer but they appear simply to not be there. Scans of the area reveal that we are in the same system as the Dyson's Sphere but no signs of the sphere itself. As earlier reported, there are two planets in orbit which we have never reported on before."
"What does this mean, Data?" asked the first officer.
"I don't know commander," said Data, stoically as ever.
"The other part of the mystery is the alien ship we brought onboard had standard English marking on it," added Laforge.
Picard put his hands behind his back and wandered over to the viewing port. Something was obviously wrong.
"Perhaps our best bet is to get back into more familiar territory. Mr. Data, let's set a course for Earth and see if things look a bit more normal. In the meantime, all science stations should scan for any anomalies that might explain things. Dismissed," with that the officers went to their posts and the Enterprise set course for home.