"Congestion"
The Enterprise arrives in the Elara Sector, purpose is the general mission of stellar cartography and exploration. Captain Archer choose this course as after about 60ly its past where vulcans have charted, so new worlds, new civilizations.
While charting the nearby system, T'Pol finds 2 Minshara class planets, Elara II and Elara III.
She informs Archer that Elara III is technologically advanced, but no sign or warp travel or antimatter use. Elara II is Minshara, but on the cold side, frequent glaciation, ice age. Life signs of plants and some animals, but no sign of intelligent life, which T'pol sees as strange as Elara III has the technological capability of system travel, but no one has settled on the other planet.
Enterprise enters orbit around Elara III, Archer allows Hoshi to contact the planet, as there advanced enough to know that we're there. No response. However, there is a transmission from Elara II.
Hoshi opens a channel, "Hello Earth ship, I am One." " Hello One, I am Archer, captain of the Enterprise. " We have been tracking you since you entered the system. Interesting, I knew that life was out there, but was not permitted to look, it is wonderful to meet you," "For us as well, we tried to contact Elara III, but got no response" " That is correct, they would never allow contact. Elara, as you put it, is very xenophobic, they never had any interest outside there planet, your arrival has cause quite a panic, worried over conquest. I was permitted to contact you to ascertain your purpose."
Archer replied" We're just peaceful explorers, we're not out to conquer or coerce. If Elara III wants no contact, we will honor there wishes and move on." " That is good news" One said. " I will relay that message to them."
"Of course, however if you are open to us talking we would like to ask some questions of you before we go, if thats allowed" Archer said. " One moment." " Yes, I'm allowed to speak, but you must move away from the 3rd planet, please come to me on the 2nd planet." " Of course."
Enterprise leaves orbit of Elara III and goes to Elara II " One, the biggest question that we have is that, the Elaran's are capable of space flight, but Elara II hasen't been colonized, except by you, which brings another question. Who are you?" " First answer, The Elaran's see Elara II as a celestial object, a "Heven" of sorts in your vinacular. They would not land here, ever. " "I see, but your are there" Archer replied " Yes, I am One, an AI construct that was sent here many century's ago. I act as a repository of "Accended" Minds from Elara III, managing Elara's "Heaven" The people, when they die are digitally uploaded to my mainframe." "Thats fasinating, we've never heard of a species that does that, quite interesting." Archer replies.
" I am happy, also, I was hoping to ask a favor of you before you leave." One asks. " Whatever we can do to help, One" Archer replies. " I have a problem" One says " our population has grown over time, and many billions of minds are now inside my construct, and it is near saturation. The Elaran's of time past created me, but the current Elaran's would never step foot on this planet, nor would they send another construct as that was quite sensational back then. I may have to "Cut off heaven" to further uploads very soon. This would start a religious war on the planet, Heaven is cut off, the rest are not worthy, many would die. I ask for Help to upgrade my systems"
"Will the Elarn's allow us to step foot on the planet to help?" Archer asks. " No, you would be fired upon if you tried. same for sending down any probe, this entire conversation is in secret from the planet."
So, how can Archer help One, and save Elara III from a Holly War?
Next Episode: "The Architects"
