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After the incident in the Romulan
minefield, Enterprise is in need of repairs. Archer sends out a
general distress call, and receives a jumbled response from a
Tellarite freighter, containing the coordinates of a repair
station. When the crew arrives at the station, it appears to be
abandoned ... until one of the docking ports lights up and
reconfigures itself to fit Enterprise. Still, there don't seem
to be any lifeforms onboard. Once inside the station, Archer,
T'Pol and Trip locate a sort of diagnostic center that contains
holographic schematics of the ships, with the damaged sections
clearly highlighted. Somehow, the station has managed to scan
the ship and anticipate the crew's needs — the schematic even
highlights Reed's recent leg injury. A computer voice addresses
the trio, asking them to select a method of compensation for the
repairs. Archer offers some warp plasma, and the station
accepts, saying the repairs can be completed in less than 35
hours. Though he is wary of the automated nature of the station,
Archer accepts the terms, and the station begins the repairs. In
the station's recreation room, the trio is impressed by the
amazing technology on display — a food replicator delivers both
cold water and Trip's favorite fried catfish.
Back on the ship, the station's
technology has managed to fix Reed's leg injury, and is
repairing Enterprise in record time. Archer, however, can't help
but be suspicious — it all seems too good to be true.
 Meanwhile, Trip and Reed are enjoying replicated meals in the
station's recreation room. Like Archer, Trip can't help but be a
bit suspicious of the station — especially since he has
calculated that the station's computer must be impossibly small.
He convinces Reed to go with him and attempt to explore the
station further and track down the computer. Unfortunately, they
are detected by the station's computer and transported back to
Enterprise. The duo is reprimanded by Archer, but the captain
can't help but be curious as to what they found onboard.
The captain's concerns are put aside for the moment when tragedy
strikes — Ensign Mayweather is found dead. While the crew
attempts to cope with his death, Archer heads to the station's
computer to determine a cause of death. The computer doesn't
recognize his queries, and Archer grows even more frustrated.
Meanwhile, Phlox performs the autopsy and discovers that the
body is not Mayweather, but a nearly perfect replica.
Archer devises a plan: Archer, T'Pol and Reed make their way
through the station's intricate passageways while Trip attempts
to distract the station's computer with the crew's payment of
plasma. When Archer and T'Pol reach the station's computer core,
they discover a horrifying sight: 40 humanoid
 bodies, pale and
desiccated, suspended from harnesses, with electrode-like
devices attached to their skulls. T'Pol notes that the vital
organs of the bodies appear to be functioning, but they've
suffered severe neurological damage. Their synaptic pathways
have been integrated into the computer core, giving the station
the knowledge of many different species. As they begin to free Mayweather, the alien station begins overriding commands onboard
Enterprise, effectively holding the ship hostage.
Archer and T'Pol bring Mayweather back to the ship, but Enterprise is close
to shutting down completely. With time running out, Archer
instructs Reed to deliver their final payment. Reed pulls out a
small detonator and activates micro-charges that were attached
to the plasma canisters Trip left behind. The ensuing explosion
and a final torpedo launched by Reed destroys the station, and
Enterprise's command functions return to normal.
Phlox determines that the station was essentially tapping into
Mayweather's brain, using his knowledge to enhance its
processing power. This explains the station's incredible
capabilities. The crew heads out, believing the station
permanently destroyed. But in the distance, it ominously begins
to repair itself ... |
