Surak's Soul - J.M. Dillard [51]
“Keep trying,” T’Pol ordered them both.
As she did, Malcolm Reed looked glumly down at the handheld scanner in his grasp, then back up at Tucker. “Energy fluctuations and fairy dust—that’s what Wanderer’s made of. It doesn’t make sense that engineering would bother it. The engines are sealed tightly enough so they don’t irradiate us—why they should bother something made of radiation…” He clicked his tongue.
“Quit stating the obvious,” Trip snapped, with such force that Reed drew back in mild surprise, eyebrows lifted.
“It’s not my fault, Commander.”
“I know,” Trip growled. “It’s just that there’s got to be something more to Wanderer than our systems are capable of detecting.”
T’Pol had overheard the exchange—why shouldn’t she, with those ears? Trip thought—and turned toward the two men. “I assure you, I accurately recalled the entire range of readings our scanners detected when we first encountered Wanderer.”
The computers—and that information—were of course unavailable now, given the fact that Wanderer had figured out enough about the ship to render the computers, helm, and communications inaccessible. Thank goodness it doesn’t like the warp drive, or we’d be dead in the water…. But T’Pol had listed in detail what the sensors had picked up on Wanderer’s physical composition: various types of radiation, mostly harmless, others from which Wanderer was actually shielding Enterprise; and different types of energy fluxes, most notably electromagnetic pulses.
“I believe you, Sub-Commander,” Trip replied, very seriously. “But I have a suggestion.”
The Vulcan dropped her chin and waited expectantly.
“We’re trying to create a new device that will disrupt Wanderer’s physical form. My question is: Why reinvent the wheel? Why not get a good old-fashioned phase pistol, set it on kill, and take a shot at the creature?” He did not suggest a stun blast, since that was designed to emit a frequency that induced unconsciousness in humanoids. Logically, it would probably do nothing at all to the entity.
“No,” T’Pol replied, with finality.
Trip persisted. “Why not?”
“A phase pistol is designed to disrupt living cells. I fail to see how it would affect radiation.”
“But it might displace an electromagnetic pulse—which might disrupt Wanderer enough to cause a problem. At least slow it down, if it doesn’t kill it. It’s worth a try.”
“No, Commander. I thought I made it quite clear that you and Lieutenant Reed were to design a device that would protect us against Wanderer, not destroy it.”
“Look, I’m not asking you to hurt it. I’m volunteering to go do the dirty work. We both know a phased blast probably won’t be enough to kill the thing. Besides—the captain hasn’t come back yet. You and I both know he’s been gone too long. Someone is going to have to go look for him.”
“The issue of the captain is a separate one,” T’Pol said. “I am the logical choice to look for him, since Wanderer will not harm me. And I believe that there is a more peaceable solution than attempting to kill Wanderer with a phased blast.” She paused. “Continue your work with Lieutenant Reed, Commander. I will go and find the captain.” And without further comment, she exited engineering.
Trip and Reed watched her go.
“A brave woman,” Reed said admiringly.
“Ah,” Trip countered scornfully, “the thing’s got a crush on her because she’s more ‘intelligent’ than we are. It won’t hurt her.” He only wished, of course, that he could be as certain of that as he sounded. He looked sourly down at the scanner in Reed’s hands. “So what do we try scanning for next? The engines don’t emit any radiation to speak of, or vibration, or—”
“Pardon me,” Doctor Phlox said jovially—too jovially, Trip felt, for the situation, which the Denobulan seemed to regard as more of an adventure than a life-threatening event. “I’ve been speculating on how Wanderer feeds…”
“So I’ve heard.”
“…and I have a theory: electricity.”
“Electricity?” Trip blinked at the unexpected. Electricity seemed so primitive, so basic…and his engines certainly weren’t emitting enough electricity