Slings and Arrows 01_ Sea of Troubles - J. Steven York [12]
Data stopped the display and reconfigured the components, swapping out a set of chips from the workbench. Picard took the opportunity to examine the scorched memory module now resting next to the hull. The high-tensile materials, designed to withstand extremes of temperature and pressure, were curled and blackened. They had come close to destruction in the heat and pressure of the plasma blast.
“I was not satisfied with that answer,” Data continued as he resumed his scan. “So I continued to analyze the logs for any kind of anomaly. I found several, none of them directly related to technical issues or the EPS system. However,” Data’s voice rose, betraying the strain he felt, “six hours before the Samson was destroyed, the computer shows tactical officer Ensign Zane Laumer asleep in his bunk, but at the same time, there is a visual recording of Ensign Laumer entering main phaser control. There are several other instances during the period I have investigated of duplicate personnel appearing on the ship.”
Picard felt a cold dread run up his spine. “A Changeling infiltrator?”
“It appears likely, Captain.”
“Then the Samson was sabotaged!” Dread turned to anger as Picard recalled the image of the Samson, and the death of her crew.
“That also appears likely. However, I do not believe a Changeling would have unnecessarily destroyed itself. It is possible the intent was not to destroy the Samson, but only to disable it. If one assumes deadly intent, however, then it is probable that the Changeling escaped the Samson before it was destroyed.”
“Our intelligence reports indicate that at least some Changelings are capable of traveling independently through space by assuming the form of spaceborne life-forms. Could the Changeling be out there, hiding in the nebula somewhere?”
“I do not believe that even a Changeling could survive the radiation this close to a Mira variable star. They would require the protection of a ship, at least until they could reach deep space. It is more logical to assume that the Changeling came aboard the Enterprise during our crew transfer. Since all cargo and baggage were subjected to routine phaser sweeps, it seems very possible that the Changeling arrived in the form of one of the transfer crew.”
“They were all subjected to blood screenings. I observed it myself.”
“Unfortunately, blood screenings are far from foolproof. Most such screenings use a simple visual inspection of a blood sample. If the sample were from a Changeling, it would revert to its protoplasmic form.” Data’s voice dropped, the faintest hint of an emotional reaction quickly suppressed. “However, if a Changeling were able to store a quantity of blood, or even a similar appearing liquid, inside its body, it could easily pass such a test. There are countless possible methods to fool a blood test.”
“Then we are in very serious trouble, Mr. Data.” Picard frowned. The idea of a Changeling aboard his ship, threatening his crew, was unthinkable. Yet, he could find no other explanation.
“I suggest calling an intruder alert.”
Picard shook his head. “No. That would alert the Changeling and send it to ground. It would be wiser to act quietly. We are in a unique situation here. If you are correct, the Changeling is contained on the Enterprise, and so long as we remain in the nebula, it cannot endanger the ship without placing itself in mortal peril.” He considered for a moment. “Computer, can you locate the eight new crew members that beamed aboard earlier today?”
“Affirmative,” the computer replied. “All eight are in stellar cartography.”
“Excellent. They must still be with Mr. Hawk. Mr. Data, program holodeck three for-let’s see-a historical overview of the various ships named Enterprise. There’s probably something existing in the library that you can use. The exact subject matter isn’t so important as the length. We need to keep our new transfers