A Cube. A Drone. A Doctor. Part 2

[knlwtchr 0]

The hallway is dark. It isnt just any hallway. The walls were separated at even measure with openings to perpendicular hallways that seemed to run forever. The darkness interupted intermittently by flashing strobes, console panels, and large hyroglyphic green circles in alcoves.

 

The deckplates groan and clatter with each measured step. The next three paces will bring the drone to its assigned alcove. With a measured turn, it steps up and hitches itself automatically into a port.

 

Beyond the drone, the hallway extends and then suddenly opens up into a massive control center. One of many, this particular space is reserved for defenses. Several drones are working without pause about the panels and green flashing consoles that cover the scaffold.

 

A panning of the room reveals several visages caught in the consoles of the main computers. The drone advances towards the reflections. As the other drones around it clear a path, its image becomes larger and clearer. Slowly, it reveals the detailed image of the biosuit it wears and apendage attachment.

 

The drone takes another step closer, until it is almost nose to nose with the image. An assimilated hand reaches up and gingerly touches its face. A shudder of fear resonates through its body, and consequently through all the others around it. Suddenly, it realizes who it is. An assimilated Andrea Knlwtchr falls backwards in horror...

 

 

The Arcadia's Chief Medical Officer jolted her head and shoulders from her desk and took a quick look around the room. The padds that were stacked immediately next to her rested arms were now sailing across her office floor.

 

As reality slammed home, Andrea realized where she was and what she was not. With a long sigh of relief, she stood and looked over at the chronometer. It read 04:21 hundred hours.

 

As she shuffled off towards the exit, she realized the incredible dangers she would encounter if she sought to retrieve her family. For the first time, she was actually afraid of them, of what they had become. Did she really have it in her to pursue this? Did she have the courage to possibly face the Borg? To see her Uncle and Brother assimilated?

 

Right now, she wasnt sure. But she had to find out. She had to focus on preparing herself for the medical challanges first, then worry about the emotional challanges when and if the chance arose.