Rebirth

[Semil 0]

Semil Four opened his eyes, drawing breath into a new body.

 

Thick cloning fluid stretched and dripped away from his open mouth as his eyes gaped wide. The viscous blue liquid chilled as it began to evaporate away.

 

Something had happened to him, but he was alive – again.

 

His mind sought out a cache of memories, his last memories, to gain his bearing.

 

Of course, no Vorta could recall the actual end of his prior life; neural patterns had to be stored from a functioning, living mind. At best, he could remember events only from his last “save point”. Dutiful Vorta were careful to make an unfailing mental record at least daily, or more often when events were significant. The refreshed template of his new flesh reached for these last markers.

 

He had been serving as liaison to the Alpha Quadrant allies at their new space station. He had been assigned to coordinate their dealings with the rebellious Founders known as the Hundred.

 

Semil sifted through the memories as if they were his own, which of course they were.

 

His last save point had regarded the interrogation of a traitorous Vorta named Armante. The Federation had captured the Vorta and were using their knowledge of Dominion-made neuralcortical simulators to fool Armante into revealing key information about the Hundred. While the need for this intelligence was important, the Vorta Council had been concerned about sharing other vulnerabilities of the Founders. They had ordered Semil to insist on observing, and they had provided him the codes needed to activate Armante’s termination implant. It was his job to ensure Armante did not survive the interrogation.

 

Semil’s eyes moved from side to side as he searched for more details. There was nothing more. Nothing until this moment.

 

Something had obviously gone wrong. Had he failed in his mission?

 

He turned his weak eyes toward an environment that was not the Rondak cloning facility where he been awakened previously. It did not even appear to be the newer Al’quon facility that held a backup of his genetic code. Of course, he had no way of knowing that both locations had been obliterated by the Scorpiad; his continued existence was the result of over-protective, redundant planning.

 

He looked for the one who would guide him on his return to life – the Vorta who would answer his questions. “I am Vergil,” a familiar face greeted. This Vorta had been onhand for the rebirth of many. He extended his hands to help Semil step from the cloning tube.

 

His mouth formed its first words. “How… long…?”

 

Vergil regarded Semil as he wrapped the newborn in a thermal blanket. “It has been more than a year since the death of your predecessor,” he explained.

 

Semil’s thoughts raced. A year? Why had they waited so long to revive him?

 

Vergil smiled pleasantly, walking him forward. “There will be answers toyou’re your questions. More than you expect,” he promised. “Welcome back.”

[KVorlag 0]

:::interlaces fingers and cracks knuckles::: Let's see how long this one lasts.

Edited July 2, 2006 by KVorlag