Barely a few weeks had passed since Cam’s initial step onto Starbase Bravo’s bustling promenade, yet a whirlwind of events had already swiftly unfolded. What was anticipated to be a memorable Frontier Day – Cam’s first as an Officer – morphed into a chilling nightmare. The echoes of the recent terrorist attack on a Starfleet recruitment facility should have served as a forewarning, but the galaxy-shaking events that followed caught everyone off guard.

His arrival and the preparations for the grand ‘Big Day’ now feel trivial amid the chaos. Alarming reports ripple through the station’s ranks, sparking fear of threats like Borg, Changelings, and even the long-forgotten Jem’Hadar. Born after the Dominion Wars, Cam’s knowledge of these adversaries stems from the tales of war-weary veterans who walked San Francisco’s streets. As a child, he had relished soaking in these stories, when they were merely accounts of a bygone era, akin to the tales of the Klingon Wars.

The instant he was able to, he reached out to his family in San Francisco, and thankfully, they were safe. His brother Ozzy, a first-year science student at the academy, had been at home during the turmoil. “What triggered this?” Cam pondered incessantly over the past few weeks. While his family seemed unscathed, the same couldn’t be said for his academy comrades. Reports came in about his former classmates being assimilated by the Borg; three didn’t survive the ordeal.” Why haven’t I changed? Or have I?” was another question he mulled over. A statement cited transporters and an age cutoff of 25 as factors. Cam figured Ozzy likely hadn’t used a transporter yet, as he could practically stroll to the academy, and the first two semesters were all about introductions and mundane basics. Cam couldn’t help but roll his eyes, thinking, “Ozzy would probably thrive on the basics, he’s such a geek sometimes.”

Even in sector Alpha-Red, tension hung thick in the air. If it were something filterable, the ventilation systems would have choked on it days ago. What had felt like a comforting cocoon mere weeks ago had now transformed into a pit of unease and despair. Lieutenant Hanson’s behavior had shifted drastically; he kept to himself and conducted sporadic docking bay inspections. This change hadn’t escaped Cam’s notice. However, it became all the more apparent when Lieutenant Junior Grade Praga, seemingly out of nowhere, turned to him and asked, “What’s your read on Hanson? His behavior’s fishy. Borg or Changeling?”

“I’ve read that those who transformed into Borg in the Sol System were under 25. Hanson’s around 50, so Borg seems unlikely. Wouldn’t his skin be all greyish?” Cam countered.

Praga’s grin widened as she quipped, “Hanson’s 35. And aren’t you under 25, Solari? Maybe you’re a secret Borg infiltrator. You’ve only been here, what, a couple of weeks?”

“Once more, Lieutenant. The blush on my cheeks disagrees, but I do enjoy being part of a group, a collective one might say,” Cam remarked with a playful tone. He noticed a momentary flicker of surprise on her face before she realized he was joking.

Abruptly, Cam’s com badge emitted a chirp, and the authoritative voice of Commander Carter resonated through the channel, “Carter to Solari.”

Without hesitation, Cam tapped his com badge, responding swiftly, “Ensign Solari here, Commander.”

“Ensign, I require you in my office immediately,” Carter ordered, his tone unwavering. Cam acknowledged the instruction and rose from his station. As he exited the chamber, he caught Lieutenant Praga’s quip, “Perhaps today’s your lucky day, off to helm a geometric shape, maybe a sphere or a cube.”

Shortly thereafter, Cam found himself seated across from Commander Carter, completely unaware of the unfolding situation. “Ensign Solari, your prompt arrival is appreciated,” Carter began, his tone carrying a sense of urgency. He wasted no time in continuing, “New orders have just arrived. You’re temporarily being reassigned under the command of Lieutenant Commander Peri Anya, our Director of Promenade Security. You are to report to her in her office on the Promenade.”

Cam was clearly rattled by this unexpected development. He managed to respond, his voice tinged with confusion “Commander, I mean no disrespect, I’m sure you’ve read in my personnel files that my father is a fight instructor, and while I can certainly hold my own, I haven’t been trained for security roles”

Carter’s retort was unyielding, his tone cutting through Cam’s objections, “I’m not concerned with your opinions on the matter, Ensign. This is a direct order. Report to Lieutenant Commander Peri’s office in sector I-Navy immediately. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Sir” Cam replied, his posture stiffening, the fears that had plagued him in recent weeks since Frontier Day resurfacing.

“Remember, Solari, this is classified information. Not a word to anyone. Understood?” Carter swiftly added before Cam could exit the room.

Hurrying to Sector I-Navy, Cam’s thoughts raced with conjectures like, ‘Are they suspecting me to be a Changeling?’ followed by more rational self-reassurances, ‘No, it’s surely just a coincidence.’ Upon entering the security office, he approached the counter and addressed the clerk, his voice laden with uncertainty, “I’m Ensign Cam Solari. I’m here to report to Lieutenant Commander Peri.”

The clerk gestured vaguely, indicating the direction. Cam embarked on a mild scavenger hunt and eventually discovered a door labeled ‘Interrogation Rooms and Holding Cells.’ He continued his search and, after some minor investigative effort, located a door marked ‘Lt. Commander Peri Anya, Director of Promenade Security.’ With a tentative tap of the chime, he awaited a response, his mind ablaze with questions and curiosity.

The nightmares kept her awake.  The events of Frontier Day were burned deep in her psyche.  They had been sheltered from the insidious transformations that had spread across the galaxy.  Reading the reports of the dead and dying had taken its toll.  The morning had come hard and bright again, and she blinked as the lights of her bedroom brightened jarringly.  She scoffed at past-her, who had made that setting, knowing it was the only way to get Cassidy out of bed.  She plodded into the sonic shower and shouted obscene things at the jolt that was the second thing designed to wake her.  She’d intentionally tweaked the settings to give her a cold temperature shock.

With her uniform on, and hair in place, the coffee brewer chirped, and she filled the thermos with care.  She glanced at the chrono.  0545.  Montgomery felt some pride in getting out of her quarters that early.  Until the door opened as she departed and found Ensign Geraldine Parker standing there with a PADD and her cup of whatever it was.  She greeted her CO brightly, “Good morning Deputy Chief Doctor Montgomery. ”

Cass turned to her and stared her down until she tried again, “Good morning Deputy Chief?”  The not-yet-caffeinated woman waved her approval, and they were off down the corridors as Parker gave her the rundown of the day ahead.  Montgomery sipped at the life-giving liquid in her cup as she listened intently to her assistant.

They entered a turbolift or two; Cass wasn’t sure.  They walked down another group of corridors before arriving in the General Medicine waiting room. “And your next round of physician reviews are in your PADD and on your board to look over.”

The Deputy Chief took a long drink from her coffee cup and relished the notes that slipped over her tongue.  She was starting to feel the encouragement from the caffeine, “Nice work, Parker.”  She was about to return to her office, but Parker mentioned one more thing.  Lieutenant Commander Peri Anya was waiting in her office. “How the hell did you let her in my office?”

“She’s Director of Promenade Security, sir.”

Cass pointedly looked at her assistant, “Next time, call me, and I’ll tell her to wait outside my office.  That’s the only pass you get regarding my office, Ensign.”  She dismissed the girl, noticing her usual smile had faded.  She made her way to her office, stepped through with purpose, and found the stern figure standing in the middle of her officer, hands behind her back.

Standing in front of the Doctor’s desk, a tall brunette with her hair scraped back into a tight bun and a pristine yellow uniform that looked freshly replicated, Lieutenant Commander Peri Anya looked a little annoyed at being kept waiting. With her hands clasped together behind her back whilst clinging to a data PADD, feet shoulder width apart, she was ready to go to battle with the Doctor. And today, she was confident she would win.

Montgomery wondered how this was going to go.  Should she fight inch by inch with the woman at the ungodly hour of 0600 hours?  Or would deference win the moment?  In the mind of the Deputy Director, she was a doctor first.  There was something to be said for bedside manner.  She walked and stood behind her desk, matching the eyes of the director, “You’re up early, Lieutenant Commander.”  She’d spent some time reading the profiles of her contemporaries on Bravo.  Lots of verbs told the story between the lines.  Unwavering.  Focused.  Dedicated.  Relentless.  Cass slipped on her doctor’s lab coat, wondering what had brought Anya to her office this early.

“It’s not uncommon, trust me,” Commander Peri replied, her eyes trained on the doctor from door to desk. “I’ve been set a mammoth task that requires the attention of someone from your department, Doctor.” She released her hands and slipped the data PADD she had been carrying onto the desk, then with her right index finger, she slid it across to Cass. “In my new role as Director of Promenade Security,” perhaps her new title would give her a little sway, “I want the best people on my team, which is why I am here for you.”

Cass chuckled lightly as she accepted the PADD and scrolled through while sipping on her coffee, “No need to throw your title around in this office.  You got one over my assistant, so you’ve figured out how to get your way.”  She tossed back her cup and slipped it under the replicator, where fresh coffee filled the worn cup, “Besides, I’m just Deputy Director around these parts.  I still report to someone.”  She scrolled to the end of the report, “Mammoth is certainly one word to describe the pile of crap they’ve assigned you.”  She gestured to the chairs before her desk, “Inside my office doors, everyone’s equal – I’m not a fan of ranks and titles in this room.  Don’t gotta have pretense to pretend.  We’re all just folks here.”  She sat in her chair, “You’ve got a good team here.  I’ve been called plenty of things in my career…’best people’ isn’t at the top of the list.”

Taking the offered seat, the Bajoran watched the Deputy Director of Medicine closely, listening to her words. While the blue-shirted woman wasn’t a fan of ranks and positions, Peri was. It was about order and hierarchy. “Oh, such as?” she asked, once comfortable.

Montgomery smiled slyly, “A lot of four-letter words, to be honest.  I get the job done…which is why you’re here.”  She asked, “What do you anticipate with the adoption rate for the fix?”

“There is no acceptable number below one hundred percent,” Peri retorted quickly, crossing her right knee across her left and grasping the arms of her chair. “Every single person the age of twenty-five or below on Frontier Day is to undergo the procedure. If there are any refusals, they are to be detained until the issues are resolved. If there are any biological issues preventing the procedure from going ahead, they are to be removed from duty until a solution is found.” The decree probably sounded quite draconian and heavy-handed, but after the shambles of Frontier Day, there was no way they could take any risks going forward.

Cass reflected on the thought about bedside manner that had crossed her mind earlier.  The Director of Promenade Security didn’t appear to have any, at least at first blush.  Perhaps that’s why Anya was Director and Montgomery was Deputy Director.  She wasn’t sure how to feel about that theory.  She tapped at the PADD. Security had to security, she supposed.

“I also need your medical teams to be on standby for any genetic testing that will be required in the event we identify any changelings during this procedure,” Peri instructed.

The doctor sighed, “There are moments when I forget that part.  As if this situation wasn’t bad enough.”  She tapped at her console on the desk, “I’ve got a reliable response team.  I’ll get them up to speed.”  She sent a message for them to meet up in her office within the hour.  She asked, “You and I come from different worlds, metaphorically and literally.  You understand we look at people differently here in medical?  Sometimes we gotta find different ways to get our patients to see what they need to do?”

“And I’ll be relying on you and your people to take care of that,” Peri nodded, “but this, first and foremost, is a matter of Federation security. Starbase Bravo is the largest facility in the fleet. If this place had fallen, Bravo as a whole would have been in pieces.” Shifting forward in her chair, the Bajoran rested her elbows on her knees and clasped her hands together, as if she was pleading for something. “I have to stay clear-minded and focused on this; too much is at risk. You and your people are going to have to deal with the more human side of the situation.”

Cass felt some progress had been made.  “We can do that, Lieutenant Commander.  The nightmare of what could hasn’t really faded for me either.”  She finished her third cup of coffee and stood from her chair, “I’ll start the impulse engines on my side of things.”

Rising from her seat, the Bajoran looked at the Terran, regarding her closely before offering out a hand in thanks. “I appreciate you coming aboard Commander,” Peri smiled at last.

Cass shook the woman’s hand and gave a nod of thanks, and Peri was out the door moments later.  Montgomery sat back in her chair.  The real work was about to begin.

Linha had been sitting in one of the local coffee shops just sitting there staring out the window lost in thought. She thought about everything she had witnessed on Frontier Day, the terror that was taking place on Earth and elsewhere. She had taken a few days off to clear her mind and wrap her brain around everything, she was grateful that Starbase Bravo was shielded by the Paulson Nebula. She couldn’t even begin to wonder what would have happened if they weren’t.

This caused her to shudder at the thought of her becoming a Borg drone and hurting the people she was learning to protect and help. This alone took the largest toll on her mental health; taking a drink of her coffee, she saw something come across her PADD. Raising an eyebrow as she was being summoned to the office of the Deputy Director of General Medicine. She wondered what it could be about; she got up from the table she was sitting at and began to make her way to her office.

Cass sipped at her fourth cup of coffee for the day as the chrono clicked over to 0900 hours.  She was still marinating over her meeting with Director Anya.  The task ahead of them loomed large with ease and challenge.  Ease because, for some, it would be a simple process.  They’d have a lot of first early adopters of the process.  The part that would get tough was the ones who didn’t want to, were afraid of it, or just the stubborn asteroids that refused to move.  She chuckled to herself at the last one.  Professional as she was, her humor ran the gamut from dark to sarcastic.

“Deputy Chief?”  The furrowed brows of her assistant peeked through the door, and she waved her in.

“Ensign Parker.”  She wondered what the young officer needed.  The assistant nervously played with her hands as she seemed to wait for her commanding officer to prompt her.  Cass caught herself before she sighed dramatically and instead led with, “What can I do for you?”

Geraldine played with her hands a bit longer before confessing, “You yelled at me, sir.”  Her eyes were a bit shiny, and her face flushed with emotion.

Montgomery stared at the ensign for a moment before she sighed deeply.  It wasn’t a dramatic sigh.  It was a sigh of annoyance.  “Yes, I did.”  She waited, but the woman remained silent.  “Why did I yell at you?”

Parker pursed her lips and answered, “I let someone in your office.”  She went to explain and stopped as Cass put her hand up.

“Ensign, this office is my sanctuary.  It’s my castle.  My kingdom rests on this place being protected.  The hospital wings, sickbays, and everywhere else on Bravo is where I have to walk with my armor up and my focus always on.  I can take a breath here.  Ready myself for whatever’s waiting outside that door.”

“You let me in here.”  She was processing what the Deputy Director had just said about her office.  It was starting to make sense.

Cass gave a respectful nod, “I did.  And I will continue to do so.  You’re the only person I would accept being in here before me.  I trust you, Ensign.  You endangered that trust this morning.”

There was a silent discussion as they both stared at each other. Parker understood.  “I…I get it, sir.  We’re a team.  And you need your team to always be on the same PADD.”

Another nod from Cass, this time one of acknowledgment, “I’ve been on teams that were not just on different PADDs but on spanners, tricorders, and phasers.   I don’t want to go back to those days. I’ve come too far to get stuck in a repeated timestream.”

Geraldine stood at attention, “I can do that, Deputy Director.”  She accepted the third nod from her CO and reported, “Cadet Linha Varen is here for her appointment with you, sir.”

It was Montgomery’s turn to purse her lips, “Thank you, Ensign.  Show her in.”  She tapped at her PADD and waited for the cadet to enter.

Linha nodded to the Ensign, thanking her before she walked into the office and stood at attention. “Cadet Varen reporting as ordered, sir,” the young Trill said.

Cass gestured to the seats before her desk, “Good morning, Cadet Varen.  Doc Montgomery, Deputy Director…well, you know the rest.”  She sipped at her coffee as the young woman sat in the chair.  “How are you faring with…everything?”  Cass spoke with a tone of concern – officers of a certain age were all getting second and third looks across all stations and ships.  The images of Frontier Fade and the calamity would not fade for quite some time.

“I am doing fine,” Linha responded as she was more level-headed during situations. Though this was the worst situation that could have happened, she felt she did not need to dwell and stress on it. “Though I know others are well worse in that area than I am,” Linha added, looking at her.

Montgomery tapped at her PADD and spoke quietly, the names of the dead and dying a part of her daily reading, “Indeed, there are others in worse times.  Have you used a transporter recently, Cadet?”  She saw a flash of concern on the young woman’s face.

“Yes, sir,” Linha replied.

Another tap at her PADD, “Transporter records show you were onboard a ship you were not assigned to.”  Cass was probing partially due to her curiosity but also because the cadet’s file was scant on information when it came to family.  Unusually so.  That bothered her as a doctor first and a deputy director second.

Raising an eyebrow, “You are correct. I was on a ship that I am not assigned to. Fleet Captain Azras Dex, the Commanding Officer of the USS Saratoga, is my mother.” Linha said, “I was enjoying some time with my parents while they were docked for repairs after the Lost Fleet ordeal.” Linha replied with a smile.

Cass made a note on her PADD and commented, “Everyone’s throwing around titles and ranks these days.”  She waved off the look from the cadet, “I’ve had my share of people dropping connections on me since I started.  My apologies – taking it out on you isn’t particularly professional.”  She frowned, “The connection to your mother is missing from my file.”

Raising an eyebrow confused by her statement, “I am sorry sir?” Linha said.

The Deputy Director chuckled, “I laugh because there are times I wish I couldn’t claim my mother…although your relationship with yours is probably a lot better than mine.” She tapped at the PADD, “Now, why you’re here…”  She handed the young woman the device, moving to stand by the large holoscreen display, “As you’re aware, there is a significant portion of Starfleet officers and cadets of a certain age that the Borg impacted.”  She explained why Bravo had been spared the fate that most of Starfleet’s ships had faced and related information and updates that were more recent.  Some of her details were old news to the cadet, while some were helpful context.  She continued, “The point is…we’re going to need to start inoculating crew…and you were referred to me by the Director of Promenade Security.”

Taking the device she began to read the contents, she figured that she be one of them which unsettled her as it probably did others. “Why was I referred to you by Commander Peri?” She asked but probably already knew the answer due to her age and the likely hood of her having these Borg nanites.

A shrug, “You now know as much as I do, Cadet.  There’s a meeting scheduled…I’ve sent you the details.  You’ll probably be with me for a good part of this adventure.  I also think you’ll probably be a part of getting people to sign up for this.”  She asked the cadet, “You comfortable with that, Cadet Linha?”

“Yes,” Linha replied. “Though I will probably be one of the ones to go through as well,” she added.

Montgomery made another note, “Well, we’ll cross that turboshaft when we get to it.  I’ll see you at the meeting Cadet.  Welcome to the team.”

Nodding she got up to leave, “thank you sir.” she replied.

Cass watched the young woman leave.  This was going to be an adventure.

Walking out of the room she stopped at the door for a moment before heading to where she needed to be. She thought that was a strange meeting but things have been weird since Frontier Day. 

With a blip, Jaso’s console returned to the Starfleet logo. “Attending another staff meeting because a higher rank doesn’t want to,” he said, transferring the minimal information to his PADD. He entered a nearby turbolift, “Deck 55, Section Thirty-Two Alpha,” the lift chimed confirmation and began moving. Jaso was stopped before entering the conference room. “Lieutenant Erdian Jaso, I’m here for the… meeting,” he said, presenting his PADD to the guard. The guard looked it over, nodded, and returned it. The doors slid open and he was greeted with an empty lounge. “At least I’m early… or really late,” he mused. Jaso eyed the replicator and his stomach grumbled in protest. He ordered a small bowl of fruit, glass of water, and took a seat at the table.

A couple of moments later the the door opened and a tall Lieutenant in a red uniform stepped through. Cynndle looked around and then glanced back at his PADD then back to the table. He smiled at the Lieutenant and walked over, “Hi, I’m Cynndle Odin’sun. Guess you are here for the…” he paused and shrugged, “…I am not sure really, my CO was frustratingly vague.”

“That’s at my request Lieutenant,” a stern voice from the port side door filled the room. Entering via the steps and moving to a position at the head of the table, a Bajoran in a pristine uniform placed a number of data PADDs on the table’s surface and looked across at the first members of her team to have arrived. “Names?” she inquired, picking up the PADD on top to start her roll call.

Cynndle snapped to attention and faced the new arrival, “Lieutenant Cynndle Odin’sun Ma’am.” 

“Mine was as well,” Jaso replied to Cynndle, finishing the last of his fruit. “Though it’s… unsettling that it was by design.” This wasn’t a staff meeting, judging by the new information. He turned to the Bajoran woman, “Lieutenant Erdian Jaso.”

“That would answer at least one of my questions,” Ryke said as he walked through the door, catching the last part of the conversation. “Ashfield, from counseling,” he added with a smile, just in case his uniform got him mistaken for a doctor again.

Cass wondered who else was on the list for the team. She knew the medical cadet she had been tasked with approaching.  The rest were a mystery.  She had her PADD checked by the security officers and walked through the door and into the observation lounge as someone finished introducing themselves from counseling.  She gave a nod to Peri and slid into an empty seat.  She glanced around, “Doctor Cassidy Montgomery, Deputy Director of General Medicine.”  She tapped at her PADD and waited for the meeting to start.

Linha had arrived looking around she quietly sat down not saying much of anything, she definitely felt out of place with all the senior officers. She had been requested by Doctor Montgomery to attend the meeting which she nodded to as she entered and noticed her sitting there.

Gideon walked in hurriedly and looked around. He noticed he was a tad bit later than he would have hoped. He looked around the table for an empty chair. He spotted one and walked over to it. Taking a seat he waited for the meeting to start. He wasn’t at all sure of what he had been called here for, as he had only been told to come here two minutes ago.

Cynndle grabbed a coffee from the replicator and took a seat and looked around at the others who had arrived, “Are we waiting on many more people to join?” He was always happy and do whatever work was required of him but wasn’t overly keen on being kept in the dark, especially after everything that had happened recently with the changelings and the Borg.

Peri had been silent during the recent arrivals, listening to the chatter and noting the presence of the newcomers until she heard a question that she assumed was aimed at her. “Ensign Cam Solari,” the Bajoran frowned, pulling out her seat at the table and plummeting into it. “We’ll get started without him,” she told, sliding encrypted data PADDs down the table, PADDs that wouldn’t be unlocked until she released the lockout on them.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she began her briefing, “you have been assembled for a task of monumental importance. A task that, for now, shall remain secret. You are permitted to discuss it only with the people within these walls, or on the encrypted data PADDs before you. Any security breach will be dealt with severely,” she warned, her inflexion on the final word making it abundantly clear as to how serious she was taking this matter.

“If any of you feel unable to commit to such a project or its security requirements,” she didn’t need to finish the sentence, simply gesturing to the two security officers flanking the starboard door to the lounge.

Cynndle face grew serious as he listened. Generally carefree he was deeply troubled by the recent events. He looked around the room and then back towards Lieutenant Commander Peri, “I cannot speak for the others but I am in. Given the recent events Starfleet has gone through, we need to get our ship in order so just tell me what you need and you will have it.”

Cam made his way to the designated room, alerting those inside by chiming the door. It slid open swiftly, revealing a security officer with a stern expression. Despite the surprise, Cam stepped forward with determination. The meeting inside seemed to be in full swing, and now he was the center of attention, seven pairs of annoyed eyes turned his way, including those of Commander Peri.

“Hello,” Cam began, his voice slightly shaky but resolute. “Ensign Camden Solari reporting, and I apologize for the abrupt entrance. Navigating this part of the station is a bit like solving a puzzle blindfolded. The terminal directions didn’t quite cut it.”

Cam persevered, determined to assert himself, “I’m here as instructed by Commander Peri, ready to jump in and assist in any capacity required.” Seeking to inject some levity, he continued, “Just a heads-up, I come with a ‘no tribble transformation’ clause,”

Despite his best effort, his remark was met with the most serious expressions, though he managed to coax a smile from one person. Recognizing the need to proceed with more caution, Cam opted for silence. He found an unoccupied chair nearby and settled into it, quietly committing himself to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing discussion.

Cass was the one who smiled, and she had held back a full-on guffaw.  The young ensign had made the mistake of being late, and what little she knew of their leader, she was likely to have made notes and possibly even demerits to put on the kid’s record.  She was a Director, and Cass wasn’t about to make an ass out of herself in the meeting.  She indicated a nod to the young man, hoping he didn’t take it too hard.

“What you have missed is detailed on the data PADD Ensign,” Peri revealed as she slid the final device across the table to the newcomer. “Perhaps next time it would be prudent to leave somewhat earlier?” she suggested with a raised brow before looking out at the rest of the assembled team for further feedback. With a press of a button on her data PADD, the encryption systems on the others all released.

Ryke bit back his smile at the ensign’s quip. It was always difficult being the last one into a briefing, but it was a tough crowd in here today. He offered Cam a nod as the ensign took the spare seat next to him.

Montgomery spoke up, “I’m still in.  It’s the work that needs doing.  People are going to need to know they’re going to be ok…and we’ve got a lotta people to work with.”  She smiled wide, “Tribbles included, Ensign Solari.”  She quietly ignored the glances she got from the rest of the group and gave a glance at her cadet, “Cadet Varen – I hope you’re still willing to ride on this massive undertaking.”

She looked at the Commander and gave a weak smile and thought to herself that she didn’t have much of a choice. “I am still in,” Linha replied as she looked at Montgomery for a moment before looking at the others. Being probably the youngest out of all those that were in attendance she felt a bit out of place.

Deep into reading his PADD, Jaso’s attention was broken by Ensign Solari’s entrance. He looked around the table for reactions, Jaso himself wore a look of impassiveness. It was a mission of high security that included members from all the departments. And, as he glanced at the collar pips, some were high-ranked members. It appeared the mission was optional, as indicated by the Bajoran woman’s statement. Although Jaso said nothing to indicate acceptance, he made no move to leave his chair.

Cynndle looked up from the PADD where he had been scanning through the mission orders and objectives. He was even more sure now than before he wanted to be here, it was imperative that this was completed. Looking up he made eye contact with Lieutenant Commander Peri, “With the number of transport PADDs on the station we should be able to get all crew through the cycle in fairly short order I would think. Though I am concerned about the civilians, some of them use the transporters and will likely have been comprised as well. It may be worth reviewing the transporter logs for the last few months to ensure we include everyone.” He stopped for a second before continuing, “Do we know when the transporter systems were compromised? If so we could shrink the pool of individuals who we need to work through.”

“I can get that report for you,” Jaso replied to Cynndle. He typed a few commands in his personal PADD. “I’ve put in a priority requisition for the transporter logs and any reports of malfunctioning transporters. It’s not detailed enough to list which are compromised, but enough to make a determination. It won’t arouse suspicion due to the recent increase in post-Frontier Day transporter requests. The incident has, understandably, made people alert about transporter usage.” He paused to look at his mission PADD. “Once it’s up and running, the program shouldn’t be difficult to implement. The problem will be in getting it up and running. The algorithms will take some time and it states the schematics are experimental.”

“Everyone who is on this facility once the procedure is perfected, Starfleet or civilian, is to undergo this process,” Commander Peri warned the team, “no one gets away. No risks are to be taken.”

Cam, who had swiftly scanned through his PADD to catch up, found himself intrigued by the question posed by the tall Lieutenant. Bolstered by the subtle interactions with the two teal-clad officers which restored his confidence, he chimed in, “And what about the Changelings? How can we ensure they won’t tamper with it again?”

Ryke kept his expression level as he read through the details on the padd. He’d been wondering how the situation was going to be handled since it had all gone down on Frontier Day. He’d also wondered why his boss had sent him on down here, but the more he read, the more he realised that, while not an obvious requirement for a mission like this, a counsellor was going to have to be involved at some point. Lots of emotions, running high, and they were going to need to be managed, smoothed or outright dealt with.

He looked up at Solari’s comment. Changelings. Yeah, he wasn’t going to be able to do much with them. He was a counsellor, not a miracle worker. But he kept his thoughts to himself while watching how this new group interacted with each other.

“In the event that one is exposed, changelings will be detained in the brig using all necessary security protocols,” the Bajoran mission commander decreed before moving on. “Is there anyone unsure of what is expected of them? If not, we’ll draw this meeting to a close as there is much to do.”

Cynndle shook his head as his PADD chimed, glancing at his he saw the pending transport log requisition, looking at it he couldn’t help but think it was going to be a rather significant part of work. “I can get started reviewing the transporter logs right away. See if anything jumps out.”

Listening to the remarks, Cam was certain about one aspect of his life – he was exactly where he belonged and he would do anything to make a meaningful contribution to the project. At last, within the expansive confines of the Starbase, Cam found a sense of purpose beyond mere observation. This was the moment when he felt he could reclaim a little control over his life, even if it was for a fleeting moment.

“Should you notice any unusual activity, Lieutenant, I can cross-reference your data with both incoming and outgoing traffic records from flight ops,” Cam stated, addressing Cynddle.

Then, addressing the entire crowd, Cam added, “I will begin actively overseeing all station traffic without delay, simply to ensure precaution. If you require my aid or assistance with anything, feel free to activate your badge without hesitation.

The briefing continued for a short while until the team went their separate ways, leaving Commander Peri to ponder the team she had been sent. It seemed functional enough, for now, but she’d have to keep close tabs on all objectives to ensure the wider outcome of their mission was a success. Freedom depended on it.

Reading the PADD’s information for the hundredth time, Jaso squinted hard. He had gone nearly cross-eyed trying to decipher the instructions for the Borg scrubbing program. Jaso asked for a meeting with Deputy Director Montgomery, telling Ensign Parker it was regarding his physical results. It was an innocuous enough reason to cover for Jaso’s inability to effectively lie. He pressed the door chime.

Montgomery stood in the middle of her office with two holo screens displaying the various pieces of the Borg scrubbing program. She had often worshiped at the altar of Dr. Crusher, and that love had never faded. Now as she examined the overview and details, she was understanding how insidious the plan had been for the Borg and the Changelings to join forces. She was also learning as she read, making notes of various concepts to research on her own later. Parker had let her know the engineering portion of the team had asked to see her, and the chime signaled that he had arrived. Cassidy called out for him to enter as she returned her eyes to the two screens. She greeted him, tapping at her PADD. “Welcome to the greatest and most confusing project of your entire life, Lieutenant Erdian.”

“It’s certainly turning into one, ma’am,” Jaso replied. “It’s like the proverbial onion, the more layers I peel back, the more there are. And the more fetid it becomes.” He paused, “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”

The Deputy Director added a third holo screen to the mix, “Since you asked as a part of my official communication channels, your physical results came back average. You should add some fruit and veg to your diet…and get some exercise in while you’re at it.” She handed him a PADD with one hand while scrolling through a holo screen with the other, “You’ll probably live a very long time, the Borg and Changeling situation now in the rearview.”

Jaso was taken aback by the assessment. “Thank you for that, I’ve been busy with the transfer from the Altai. Does running for one’s life from mechanical spiders count as exercise?” He looked at his PADD and quickly added, “I wanted to collaborate with you on the project, but didn’t want to cause suspicion. I still don’t know who I can trust outside of the meeting attendees.” With a few button presses, he projected his PADD on the third holo screen. “The concept of what we’re trying to do is simple enough. During the rematerialization cycle, the transporter will deny the Borg DNA from exiting through the pattern buffer. The system then considers it a foreign microbe, which it is, and destroys it through the bio-filter.”

He changed the display to a human genome with a few button taps, “The problem lies in complete eradication. As you can see here and here,” he pointed to the display in turn, “the Borg DNA changes its designation during dematerialization, a testament to their adaptability.” He sighed, “And this model is only relevant to humans, there’s no telling how it will adapt to Trill, Bolian, or Vulcan genomes.” He closed the model, “That’s where I need your help Doctor. I need a way to break the latent Borg DNA so the bio-filter can destroy it.” He paused, “I also need a place to work on the transporter component that’s quiet. Do you know of any?”

Cass agreed with his concerns. The Borg had always been wily and adaptable – it was one of their more terrifying elements, especially when they wanted to swallow you whole into their hive mind. As destroyed as the Bog Queen and her facility were…there were worry and whispers of how someone might take control of this now leaderless mass. Which is why they now had to work as quickly as they could to handle the situation. She stepped to the other holo screen and ran through a few possibles until she smiled, “There’s an office down the hall – hasn’t been used in a while. Was supposed to be another deputy director or something. Then everything went sideways, and it’s just me.”

Jaso nodded, “I think that will do nicely.” He tapped buttons on his PADD. “I’m putting in a maintenance request. That should keep people out of the area.”

Cassie moved on, “We’ve also got to sort out what to do with our Cadet.” She thought for a moment, “You send her a message – it’d come better from you than me.” She tapped out a list, “Send her through these scans. I’ll code it all under a primary physical for appearance’s sake but I’ll have the results routed to you and me only.”

Taking the PADD, Jaso looked through the list. He didn’t know what half the scans on the list were. “I’ll set things up in the office and send for her. If you need anything, feel free to visit.”

Just a few days had elapsed since the illustrious meeting on Deck 55, but Ensign Solari’s unwavering diligence had already yielded significant progress in identifying any suspicious activities spanning from one month before Frontier Day to the day prior.

The challenge lay in determining how far back Cam needed to investigate and precisely what he should be searching for. Fortunately, the program he had designed to assist him proved effective, with easily adjustable filters. It was still akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, and much of the data required his personal scrutiny.

Currently, Cam found himself in possession of separate office space, a welcome change that he readily embraced. This development was primarily thanks to his inquisitive colleague, Lieutenant Praga, who had been overly curious about Cam’s activities since he was summoned to the Director’s office and seemed to vanish for a few days.

Up to this point, Cam’s only substantial achievement had nothing to do with the original directive. He had stumbled upon some questionable Ferengi individuals involved in what appeared to be the sale of stolen equipment. Cam promptly reported this to Director Peri’s office, resulting in the Ferengi’s apprehension a few hours later. This accomplishment left Cam feeling rather satisfied, even eliciting a chuckle.

Cam was deeply engrossed in sifting through another list of potentially suspicious activities when his commbadge chimed, and the voice of one of the Lieutenants who had attended the meeting came through.

“Oin’sun to Solari.”    

“Yes, Lieutenant? How can I assist you?” Cam inquired, his curiosity now piqued.

“I wanted to touch base to see how your work is coming along? I have been going over the transporter logs for the last couple of months and have identified a list of all civilians who have used the transporters during this time. I have no idea when the transporter systems were tampered with but there was a slight increase in malfunctions reported across the station around this time. The repair work seemed to be linked to a power disruption so I am not sure they are linked. I have highlighted several ships that had people beam to in the lead-up to Frontier Day. The odd thing is that they were docked so beaming over doesn’t fit. I am sending you their IDs if you could dig up any more information.”

A moment later Cam’s PADD had an alert come up stating an unread message was waiting. 

Cam meticulously reviewed the message displayed on his PADD, making precise adjustments to his search program parameters. 

He then instructed, “Computer, perform a comprehensive cross-reference of the newly added data’s IDs in the period we have established.”

The computer fell into a brief silence, its digital gears whirring as it processed the data. After a moment, it calmly reported, “The result indicates there are eighteen thousand, three hundred and fifty-six potential threats.”

Cam paused in contemplation for a moment before issuing his next command. “Computer,” he began, “now cross-reference these results with the exhaustive dataset we’ve diligently compiled throughout the past week.”

This time, the computer’s brief silence didn’t last as long. After only a moment, it calmly stated, “The result shows two hundred and thirteen potential threats.”

Cam’s sense of progress gave him a glimmer of hope, but he realized that he needed assistance to sift through the extensive records. Without hesitation, Cam swiftly pressed his communicator and uttered, 

“Solari to Oin’sun, Lieutenant, you better get down here.”

Cynndle looked up from the console he was working at and tapped his combadge, “Sure thing.” With that, he got up and made his way to the offices Solari was using. 

About 10 minutes after they had spoken Cynndle walked into the space. “So I guess you found something interesting?” 

Cam eagerly thrust his PADD beneath Oin’Sun’s nose.

“Take a look at this! I cross-referenced the IDs you provided with the data I’ve been compiling leading up to Frontier Day.”

“I gathered, what did you find?”

“These findings represent only two hundred and thirteen results out of thousands! I called you with the faint hope of sorting through it together, but in the short time it took you to arrive, I stumbled upon something,” Cam exclaimed, his eyes brimming with excitement.

Cynndle looked at the young ensigned, “And?”

“Apologies, Lieutenant,” the young Ensign said, continuing, “I observed that these are the same five ships that were docked during Transporter maintenance, every time. What’s more, these dockings were cleared by two different Flight Ops officers each time, which is highly unusual.”

“That is very odd. Something to look into for sure.”

Cam fell silent for a moment and then responded with a grave tone, “Lieutenant Commander Francka and Lieutenant Hanson. I work with them, or rather, I work for them. I don’t know what to do.”

Cynndle glanced back at the door then at the PADD, “Well for starters we should inform Lieutenant Commander Peri about this and about Francka and Hanson. At the very least it is damned odd, at the worst, they could be changelings though I hate to suspect someone based on only a little evidence. We should also pass on the information about the ships so that it can be disseminated to the fleet so they can be tracked down if needed.” 

He paused for a moment, “Either way these are complications that we cannot let slide.”

Their eyes met, and in that silent exchange, they both felt a surge of excitement coursing through them. It was the kind of thrill that came from a puzzle’s final piece falling into place. Ensign Solari’s fingers danced over the holographic controls as he prepared the data for transmission, while Lieutenant Oin’Sun’s sharp gaze remained fixed on the screen, ensuring that every crucial detail was included.

As Ensign Solari initiated the transmission, the information flowed out in a stream of encrypted data packets, like a message being sent across the vast reaches of space. They knew that Director Peri’s discerning eyes would soon dissect the intricate web of connections they had unearthed. Their findings were more than just information; they were a beacon of hope in a complex investigation that had tested their skills and resolve.

With the data on its way to Lieutenant Commander Peri, they shared a silent nod, acknowledging the significance of their discovery. It was a moment that would shape the course of their mission, one they wouldn’t soon forget.

The office door closed as Cadet Varen left the office. She was very apprehensive about the scanning process, but Jaso was able to calm her down. Her scans were automatically forwarded to Dr. Montgomery. 

Jaso sighed and looked around his new work area. The office was sparsely furnished with a desk, chairs, personal transporter, bio screen, and an empty bookshelf. A garish-looking implement hung on the wall as a decoration. Jaso guessed it was a medical tool from a bygone era. He sat at the desk and pulled up the meeting manifest on the PADD provided by Lieutenant Commander Peri. “Ah yes,” Jaso said, finding his intended target. Jaso moved to the desk console and submitted his request.

Cam’s calendar pinged with a sudden appointment notice, directing him to ‘Administration Office 6,’ a place tucked away in the labyrinthine corridors of Sector Hotel-Turquoise. The reason provided was a ‘Bradycardia Orthostatic Respiration Gastroenterology’ checkup, cleverly condensed into the acronym ‘BORG.’ However, Cam had initially overlooked the subtle abbreviation. The true significance of the appointment lay in its authorization by Dr. Cassidy Montgomery, The Deputy Director of General Medicine at the station, whom Cam had encountered during the Illustrious meeting in Sector Alpha-Red. 

While descending in the turbolift, Cam’s thoughts meandered through the past few weeks. He vividly remembered his arrival at the sprawling Starbase Bravo, the bustling hub of interstellar activities. His initial reassignment to this secretive project had left him feeling like a stranger in a foreign land, his insecurity palpable during that nerve-wracking first project meeting. Over the past few weeks, Cam had worked shoulder to shoulder with several team members who, initially, had appeared rather intimidating to him. The memory was a vivid tapestry, with echoes of his rookie anxiety. 

As he approached the door to ‘Administration Office 6,’ Cam stood tall and confident, his crisp uniform bearing the subtle creases of a seasoned officer. The polished rank insignia on his collar gleamed in the soft corridor lights, and his measured steps echoed with purpose. It was a stark contrast to the uncertain greenhorn who had nervously entered that first meeting not too long ago.

With this newfound determination, Cam pressed the chime at the door, prompting a male voice from within to call out, 

“Enter.” 

His curiosity was piqued, the voice didn’t sound like Dr. Montgomery. Cam stepped into the modestly sized office, where a Bajoran Lieutenant sat behind the desk, engrossed in his PADD. Instant recognition flashed across Cam’s face as he approached the officer, saying, 

“Lieutenant Erdian, according to my schedule, you requested my presence.”

“I did,” Jaso said, rising from his chair. “I need scans for your biological profile. That way I can run simulations for the Borg scrubbing program.” He paused, “I apologize for the subterfuge. It would raise eyebrows if an engineer made the request.” Jaso moved to the bio screen next to the transporter and activated the biometrics system. “The transporter has been modified to perform biological scans.” He looked around, “Probably due to the space issues. It’s similar to what would be performed on a biobed, but standing.” Jaso motioned to the transporter pad, “If you would ensign…”

Cam’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the transporter pad. Its rough, uneven surface bore the scars of countless hasty modifications, giving it a distinctly improvised and shabby look. He resisted the urge to vocalize his thoughts, reminding himself to withhold judgment. With a deep breath, Cam gingerly stepped onto the transporter pad.

Under his weight, the pad rocked unpredictably, making Cam’s heart skip a beat. His arm brushed against the cluttered shelves positioned nearby, producing an unsettling clatter of objects that tinkled and jostled in response to the unintended disturbance.

Cam winced, his discomfort evident in the slight furrowing of his brow and the involuntary tightening of his grip on the strap of his bag. He shifted his gaze towards Lieutenant Erdian, his face a canvas of anticipation and curiosity, silently waiting for his guidance. The transporter pad’s ramshackle appearance now mirrored the uncertainty of the journey that lay ahead.

Jaso watched the ensign as he moved into the transporter with trepidation. He understood the reason for Cam’s anxiety. For centuries people have trusted the transporter systems, only to have that trust violated by one of the Federation’s deadliest enemies. And have their bodies hijacked against their will… Jaso closed his eyes to clear his head. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to step into another transporter again either.

“I assure you ensign, the device is safe, despite its… derelict appearance,” Jaso said, typing commands on the bio screen. “I’ve run several systems’ diagnostics and all were well within parameters.” Although he sympathized with Cam, Jaso’s face remained stoic. “Beginning scanning now. Try to breathe slowly.”

Cam’s gaze fixed on the Lieutenant’s impassive countenance, while anxiety churned within him like a tempestuous whirlwind. Once more, his thoughts were engulfed by uncertainty: ‘What if an error occurs?’ and ‘What if he uncovers something?’ he pondered silently.

The transporter came to life as it powered on. A metal band a few inches in width closed around the transporter’s empty space, confining Cam in the device. Several lights came on as it moved up and down Cam’s body. True to its appearance, the device made a loud whirring noise as it moved back and forth. 

Cam’s heart raced as the transporter activated. He’d been through this process countless times, but this instance felt different. The room around him dissolved as the transporter’s characteristic whirring started, a low, ominous hum that seemed to vibrate through his very bones. The pitch slowly climbed, the sound growing more piercing by the millisecond.

As the world around him blurred and shifted, he braced himself for the usual jarring transition into a new environment. However, when the disorienting sensations subsided, Cam’s eyes widened in surprise. It was as though he had never left. The room, Lieutenant Erdian, everything remained unchanged.

The metal band made one final pass and returned to its housing. The transporter powered down. “All right, the scan is done,” Jaso said, pulling up the results on the bio screen. “Please have a seat,” he motioned to one of the office chairs.

Cam’s steps echoed softly as he exited the platform, his mind racing with curiosity. He obediently moved toward the designated chair, his anticipation building.

As he settled into the chair, a sense of apprehension gnawed at him. He looked at the results although they didn’t mean anything to the young pilot. He couldn’t help but voice his doubts, leaning forward to ask, “I couldn’t see any sign of the band in action. Did it do what it was supposed to?”

“It did,” Jaso said, staring at the bio screen. “Admittedly I don’t understand a lot of the intricacies, but it has rendered a biological profile. I’ll forward the profile to Dr. Montgomery to view. She and I will work on the application of the Borg scrubbing program to your profile. Oh,” he typed commands on his mission PADD, “You’ve developed a mild case of gastritis. It’s not fatal, but it’ll require evaluations done. That will be the reason for your frequent trips here.” He offered his hand, “I’m your new gastrointestinal specialist, Dr. Asa Jonired.”

Cam reciprocated Jaso’s handshake with a playful glint in his eyes. He said, “Nice to meet you, Doctor Asa.”

His voice then filled with a mix of relief and humor, Cam quipped “I think my colleagues will throw a party once they find out you’re helping me with my persistent gas problems.” 

The room echoed with unrestrained laughter, maybe a little bit too much, yet this was their first real laugh in a long time. Cam gave a nod when he walked out the door, his departure leaving a sentiment hanging in the air.

Cam sat in his quarters, gazing at his PADD, lost in memories of how much simpler life had been just a few weeks ago. It now felt like ages had passed. Cam had just ended a call with his younger brother Ozzy, much quicker than he had anticipated. He had been eagerly looking forward to the conversation, but once he was in it, he couldn’t hang up fast enough.

While most of the enormous Starbase had returned to a semblance of normalcy, one simple question had triggered Cam immensely: “How are you?” Perhaps it was because Cam had spent the past few weeks working with a special task group focused on detecting, isolating, and eliminating Borg infiltrators. However, he still wasn’t entirely sure who the infiltrators were; he couldn’t help but wonder if anyone around him could turn into a drone at any moment.

Throughout the day, Cam had worked closely with Lieutenant Oin’sun, successfully identifying Changeling infiltrators and pinpointing when things had gone awry. However, at night, he found himself plagued by unsettling dreams of melting into a gelatinous blob or having gray skin with technology protruding from it. Sleep often eluded him, as he was either too afraid to close his eyes or lost in contemplation.

Cam’s attention snapped back to his PADD when he noticed that his personal preference profile now listed Raktajino, a potent Klingon caffeinated drink, as his favorite beverage. Cam knew he had to take action to prevent these haunting terrors from taking a toll on him.

Recalling the first meeting he had attended regarding the task group, Cam remembered receiving a friendly nod from a man in a teal-coded uniform after his awkward entrance.

‘Maybe he could help me, if only I could remember his name,’ Cam’s inner monologue urged.

‘Brock Ricefield!’ he suddenly thought. However, a quick check of the station’s manifest yielded no results.

‘Think, Solari, THINK! His name was… It was… Ike Mashfeld!’ Cam’s thoughts raced, reminiscent of a slow dial-up internet connection.

Unfortunately, this too led to a dead end. But Cam’s unyielding determination eventually provided him with another name.

‘Myke… no, no, Ryke, yes, it was Ryke! Now, if only I knew his last name,’ Cam’s inner monologue was interrupted this time, seemingly by a stroke of divine intervention. He heard a voice that filled his ears.

“Ashfield to Solari.”

‘Ryke Ashfield!’ Cam thought as if he had just discovered warp drive.

Cam quickly responded to the communication. “Ensign Solari here. I was just about to contact you, Lieutenant. What can I do for you?” 

Ryke was surprised to get a response so quickly, but didn’t let that show in his voice. Truth to tell, after spending so long counselling and monitoring their target group, the younger members of the team had been on his mind. Not only did they have the weight of this current mission, but they were also victims of the situation as well as sometimes under suspicion from the older members of the fleet who weren’t affected.

Plus he’d noticed Solari’s beverage habits had changed. Not because he’d been prying, but simply because they used the same replicators and he recognised both Solari’s code and the code for Raktajino ahead of his own order a lot of the time. Which could indicate Solari wasn’t sleeping well…

“It’s just a welfare check,” Ryke said smoothly. “Part of my mandate when I’m on any team with a high-pressure mission. “Do you have a few minutes to spare?”

As Cam scrolled through his PADD, he felt the tension in his shoulders gradually ease. The opportunity to share his concerns in a more natural manner seemed like a lifeline.

“I have some openings in my calendar, and my shift won’t start until oh-six-hundred” he began, his voice steady, though a subtle hint of relief danced beneath his words. He couldn’t help but appreciate the chance to avoid directly asking for help; such vulnerability didn’t align with the image of a Starfleet officer he held in his mind.

“Perfect,” Ryke said, making sure to smile so it came over in his voice. It was the delicate balance that counselors had to tread. Looking after people without being too overbearing, getting them to open up and talk… without prying too much and making them clam up. “Well, I’m free right now if you’d like to grab a chat quickly?”

As the moment hung heavy in the air, doubt gnawed at the corners of Cam’s mind. What if strands of Borg DNA truly threaded through his genetic makeup? Or, in a surreal twist, could he be a Changeling sleeper agent, his true nature concealed even from himself?

He hesitated, caught in the tug-of-war between caution and curiosity. “Maybe I shouldn’t poke the bear… No, no, don’t retreat now,” he whispered to himself.

With a composed exterior but a storm of uncertainty within, Cam finally spoke, “Yes, I’d appreciate that. Where should I report?”

Ryke had paused, padd in hand on one side of the corridor. He looked up and around.

“How about the lounge down the corridor from the mission brief area?” he suggested. It was early enough that no one should be around just yet and the lounge was sufficiently large enough that they could find a quiet corner for a chat.

“I know that spot, I’ll rendezvous with you there.” 

A little while later, Cam made his way into the Lounge. There, he noticed Ryke seated at a corner table, his posture exuding a patient anticipation for Cam’s arrival. Cam acknowledged his presence with a subtle nod before heading to the replicator. 

“Raktajino, hot,” Cam instructed the machine, and it promptly complied, delivering the steaming beverage into his awaiting hand. He carried the drink gingerly, as if handling a fragile artifact, wary of any potential spills. 

Taking his seat across from Ryke, Cam couldn’t ignore the palpable tension he exuded. Seeking to break the ice, he decided to interject with humor. 

“You know, I swear these contraptions are in cahoots to give me an ulcer one day,” he quipped, gesturing toward the cup of aromatic Raktajino with a nervous smile.

Ryke pushed a plate of pastries toward Cam. It was a trick he used a lot. It was hard to eat and be nervous at the same time… something about the body’s autonomic functions when it came to the fight or flight reaction.

“That stuff is definitely ‘no sleep for a week’,” he grinned, and lifted his own in a small salute.

“So, how are things going?” he asked, settling back in his chair and blowing the steam off the top of his mug. His whole manner and bearing was that of just two officers having a catch up before shift, nothing heavy or formal. He’d found it was the best approach with other men, allowing them to talk and ask for help if they needed it without asking for help.

‘How are things going?’ Cam mused inwardly, grappling with the very question that had been gnawing at him. When it came time to voice his inner turmoil, he could only do so in the manner that felt most genuine—honestly.

“I… I’m not entirely sure,” he stammered, his vocalization reflecting the struggle within. Cam, nurtured in an idyllic and sheltered upbringing, boasted a repertoire of knowledge encompassing various skills – from impeccable manners to the art of piloting vintage aircraft and mastering martial arts. Yet, when it came to navigating the treacherous terrain of overwhelming negative emotions, he felt like a novice lost in the dark.

“To be completely honest, I’m… I’m frightened,” he admitted, his stammer persisting as he attempted to articulate the depths of his unease.

“That’s perfectly understandable,” Ryke said, his voice low and reassuring. “A lot has happened in a very short space of time. There’s been a lot of high stress situations. Given your age and your demographic, I’d be a little worried and ordering checks if you weren’t a little scared.”

He leaned back in his chair, taking another sip from his mug. “Is there anything specific that concerns you?”

Cam’s body language spoke volumes about his newfound ease with Ryke. He leaned back, his shoulders relaxed, and his concerned brow lifted as he contemplated his next words.

His fingers traced the rim of his Raktajino cup, tracing the circle over and over again as his gaze dropped. He seemed lost in thought, and then, as if gathering courage, he looked up and spoke in a hushed tone. 

“You know,” he began, his voice tinged with vulnerability, “sometimes I can’t help but fear that I might turn into a Borg drone or become some hidden Changeling agent. It’s this nagging fear that I might unintentionally hurt the people I cherish the most, and I’d be powerless to stop it. It’s like I’ve lost control, and yet, here I am.”

Ryke nodded, a low sound of understanding in the back of his throat.

“Again, that’s perfectly understandable. Most beings fear hurting loved ones as much as the loss of self… as with assimilation,” he said, keeping his voice low and measured to help ease the tension running through the young ensign’s frame. “On that score, we can fight the fear with science. The borg were stopped and we’ll shortly have this whole removal business underway, so even if you do have the genetic changes, they will be removed soon.”

He offered a smile. “And there are protocols in place, Cam. More missions and programs like ours, making sure we all stay safe.”

He couldn’t have told you what they were, they were all compartmentalised for security, but he knew they were happening. One from common sense and an understanding of how Starfleet worked, and two, because he’d seen groups like theirs gathering, crew and personnel outside their normal areas. For a man used to looking for changes in patterns that would indicate problems, it was obvious.

“And for your worry about being a secret changeling infiltrator,” Ryke grinned and took a pastry for himself, offering them to Cam again. “You agreed to meet me in a public place rather than trying to get me alone so you could… do whatever it is changelings do,” he glossed over the facts quickly. “So no, I’m not worried you’re a changeling. Besides, there is a saying that if you worry about insanity, you’re no doubt sane… I’m sure the same is true of being a secret changeling.”

Upon hearing those words Cam let it sink in for a few seconds, his chest expanded with each deep breath he took, and a smile slowly crept across his face. The tension that had coiled within him for so long seemed to evaporate, and he sat there, shoulders no longer weighed down, radiating a newfound sense of lightness and relief.

As Cam glanced around, his eyes flickered with a mix of unease and his newfound relief. “You know,” he began, his words cautious, “with all this cloak-and-dagger stuff surrounding the project and those lingering suspicions, I guess I found myself needing someone to share my thoughts with.”

Cam’s eyes locked onto Ryke, his gaze lingering on the pastries displayed on the table. Their golden crusts glistened with a tempting allure, and he couldn’t resist the urge to indulge. He reached out for one pastry, his fingers trembling with anticipation, and then, without hesitation, he grabbed another. The aroma wafted up to his nose, so inviting that it felt as though he hadn’t savored a proper meal in days.

His mouth was still partially stuffed with the delectable treat, and he fought to communicate, producing a comical, “Tpfabnk PhyOu.” 

Tiny crumbs of pastry escaped, creating a miniature blizzard on the tabletop, and Cam hastily swallowed, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. Through a sheepish smile and a grateful glance, he finally managed to speak, “Thank you, Lieutenant Ashfield. I guess… I just needed to hear that.” 

The relief in his eyes was evermore palpable as if those words had been the missing ingredient in a long-forgotten recipe of comfort.

Ryke inclined his head with a smile. “You’re more than welcome, and it’s Ryke,” he added. “I don’t stand on ceremony. And I do like my coffee in a morning. If you ever need a chat, you’re always welcome to drop me a message or come find me.” 

He waved his mug to indicate the lounge. “This place does a decent, non-pastry breakfast. Unfortunately, duty calls I’m afraid… for both of us.”

FAILURE!

Jaso watched as the word flashed on the holo screen. He closed his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. None of the simulations had been effective. The inclusion of Dr. Montgomery’s assistance didn’t yield positive results. Jaso cleared the bio screen and sat in the chair at the desk, deep in thought with his PADD.

Cam stood before the imposing, sealed door of Administration Office 6. The metallic surface gleamed under the corridor’s harsh lighting, and he felt the weight of every passing second as he waited. The minutes dragged on, marked only by the repeated chimes of the access panel, each one more impatient than the last. The door remained resolutely closed, and Cam’s frustration simmered beneath his composed exterior.

His impatience pushed him to seek an alternative. “Computer, please locate Lieutenant Erdian Jaso.”

The Computer’s response filled the sterile corridor, its synthetic voice cold and efficient. “Lieutenant Erdian Jaso’s current location is Administration Office Six in the medical wing of Sector Hotel-Turquoise.”

Growing worry gnawed at Cam as he cautiously pushed the heavy door open. Inside, the room held an atmosphere of subdued tranquility. His eyes landed on the Bajoran Lieutenant, seated behind a tidy desk, bathed in the soft, muted glow of the room’s lighting. Jaso’s brow was furrowed, his gaze fixed intently on a PADD clutched in his hands.

Cam cleared his throat, a subtle sound that broke the silence like a distant echo. He addressed the Lieutenant, choosing his words with care and trying to keep his tone respectful but firm, “Lieutenant, I believe we had an appointment?”

There was no immediate response, and Cam’s eyes wandered the room, absorbing the orderly stacks of PADDs and the calming ambiance. He took a step closer to the desk, the soft shuffle of his boots on the floor amplifying the room’s hushed atmosphere. He cleared his throat again, his voice carrying a touch of urgency this time, “Lieutenant, I believe we had an appointment?”

Jaso jumped up out of his chair, and quickly to his feet, knocking over the stack of PADDs. He assumed a bladed stance and quickly grabbed one of the few decorations by the desk. Jaso’s eyes widened, probably a result of the adrenaline coursing through his veins, at his would-be attacker. Seeing it was Cam, he closed his eyes and breathed deeply to calm himself. He still held the decoration in a white-knuckled grip.

Once his heart finally slowed down, Jaso frustratedly threw the decoration on the desk. “The door chime!” he jabbed a finger at the door, “It still works, Ensign Solari!” Jaso’s anger uncontrollably exploded out of him. Jaso slowly ran his finger up and down his nose ridges, like his mother did when he was young to calm him. “You’re right, we did have an appointment. I apologize for neglecting it.” He sat in the chair. “For future reference, it’s unwise to sneak up on a species whose only one generation removed from two major militaristic conflicts.”

Cam’s nostrils flared as he struggled to contain his mounting frustration. Standing before the Bajoran, whose rank technically outranked his own, Cam’s clenched jaw betrayed his simmering irritation. His voice, laced with thinly veiled annoyance, finally escaped in a tense, slow drawl. “Lieutenant, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve pressed that door chime. It’s been at least a solid ten minutes, maybe more. I had to resort to questioning the computer about your location. Imagine my genuine astonishment when I learned you were right here all along.” Though he yearned to voice his deeper grievances, Cam opted to swallow them down, his eyes narrowing slightly in a practiced act of restraint.

Jaso reached down to pick up the scattered PADDs, “I had hoped to have the issue with the Borg nano-microbes in your system worked out by the time you arrived. Unfortunately, that hasn’t- Wait a minute,” Jaso looked at one of the PADDs on the floor. “Computer, display the simulation results on the transporter bio screen. Cross-reference the results with the nano-microbe movements and display intersecting occurrences.” The results flashed across the screen until the model was rendered. Jaso quickly scooped up the PADDs and tossed them on the desk. He moved to the screen. “Right there,” he jabbed at the screen with a finger. “Sector 35X-2212Y. The nano-microbes always return to the same origin spot unless they feel threatened. If we apply the biofilter there in sequence, it will catch the Borg microbes!” He typed on the bio screen to power up the transporter. “Mr. Solari, if you would.”

Cam’s heart raced as he stepped onto the Transporter Pad once more, he hoped it worked this time. Cam straightened his back, casting a playful glance at Lieutenant Erdian before jesting, “If I received a pip for every instance you’ve said that, I’d be donning the title of Fleet Admiral by now.”

“I’ll send a recommendation to Starfleet and alert Admiral Belvedere of your promotion,” Jaso said, typing in the start-up commands on the bio screen. “Energizing now…”Then, it happened—a rush of sensations that seemed to cleanse his very soul. Weightlessness overtook him as if the weight of his past sins was being lifted away. The anticipation grew unbearable, and Cam couldn’t resist the urge to open his eyes.

To his astonishment, he found himself in a surreal world. White clouds stretched endlessly in every direction, resembling a sprawling field of plush pillows. Overhead, the sky bore a rich, cerulean hue, and there, suspended in mid-air, was a mysterious, golden circlet.

“Is that really gold?” Cam whispered to himself, the wonder evident in his voice.

Unable to tear his gaze away from the captivating object, he turned slowly. The golden circlet exuded an indescribable energy that washed over him, evoking an overwhelming sense of comfort and belonging.

Gradually, Cam’s eyes lowered, revealing a grand and ornate golden gate rising from the sea of clouds. It stood as a sentinel, commanding his attention, and it hinted at an inviting, meticulously paved road beyond.

The transporter cycle was completed and Cam rematerialized on the transporter pad. “How do you feel Ensign?

‘How did he feel?’ Cam’s heart raced as he grappled with the bewildering events that had just unfolded. How could he convey his confusion without risking becoming the butt of jokes throughout the entire Starbase? Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he contemplated his response. With a forced calmness, he finally replied, “I feel perfectly fine, nothing out of the ordinary,” 

“That’s good to hear. Hold there a moment,” Jaso typed the commands to bring up Cam’s biological profile. He studied the results carefully. “I have good news and bad news.”

Cam’s body went rigid, a paralyzing fear coursing through him at the mere mention of ‘bad news.’ His eyes darted between Jaso and the room, searching for any hint of salvation. 

Desperation etched lines on his face as he leaned in closer, his voice trembling, and asked, “Please, tell me about the good news?”

“The good news is your profile shows no existing nano-microbes. The bad news is I’ve done a miserable job of curing your gastroenteritis,” Jaso gave a small smile.

Relief surged through Cam, and he could feel the tension and terror slowly ebbing away. A genuine smile crept across his face, warming the room as he remarked, “That is good news!” His eyes sparkled with the newfound hope.

Leaning in closer to Jaso, Cam’s voice took on a playful note, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. “Lieutenant, mind doing me a favor?” The anticipation in Jaso’s expression urged him to continue. “How about this for a future strategy: Whenever you’re at your most vulnerable, I’ll mention some bad news to you. Might soften the blow, don’t you think?”

“It’s typically a good strategy to amply the good news with the bad,” Jaso shrugged. “I’m still working on my bedside manner. I just graduated from Starfleet Medical a few days ago, after all.” He smiled. Jaso tapped some commands on the bio screen. “I’ll notify Dr. Montgomery of these results. I need to have her analyze if this is permanent so keep this quiet for now.” He looked at the simulations on the screen. “It’s looking positive though.”

“Apologies, today didn’t start on the right foot – or at least, it certainly felt that way. But I’m sure I can shake off the bad luck now,” Cam confided in Jaso. He continued with genuine appreciation, “Nevertheless, I must say, you’ve done an outstanding job, Lieutenant.” 

“’One must not measure artwork by its first brushstroke’, as my mother would say,” Jaso said. “And I appreciate your patience while I worked out the technicalities of your treatment.” He shook hands with the man.

Jaso watched as Ensign Solari left his office in good spirits. “That went better than I expected,” Smiling, he uploaded the test results to his secured PADD and walked out of the office. Walking down the hall, he came to Dr. Montgomery’s office. Ensign Parker started to rise from her seat, and Jaso raised his hand to stop her. “That’s all right, ensign, I know the way.”

Parker didn’t sit but instead tapped the console on her desk, “Deputy Director, Lieutenant Erdian is here to see you.” The door clicked, and the voice on the other end told her to send him in.

Cassidy Montgomery glanced up from her desk as Jaso walked in, “Ensign Parker is particular because she wasn’t particular once.” She tapped on the console, and his report flickered onto one of the holo displays, “As for the reason you’re here…,” The deputy director’s eyes searched the screen, “This looks…beyond promising.”

“Indeed, it is Dr. Montgomery. Firstly, I’d like to thank you for your annotations and analyses. They were helpful in the solving of this problem. I isolated the nanites to the area mentioned here and here,” He pointed to the bio screen in turn. “They seem to revert to previous locations once the transporter biofilter had passed over it. It was a matter of having them cyclically rotate at random frequencies. It’s not unlike a game of hide and seek; when the hider returns to a spot it believes the seeker would not look again.” 

Cass teased out the lines of the report as he talked until she got to a certain point of the sensor reports, “You’re leaving something out, Lieutenant.” She focused the screen on the biometric readings that had been dumped into the data portion of the transporter report, “There’s a difference from when Ensign Solari entered the transporter to when he came back. And it’s not the nanites.” Another tap, “His heart rate and other stress-related readings were significantly elevated on his return.” Montgomery turned, “That is beyond a curiosity. That’s downright…weird.”

“We did have a bit of,” Jaso cleared his throat, “conflict shortly after his arrival. It could be credited to him internalizing it. We ended up being amicable towards one another.” He looked at the readings Cassidy was mentioning, “I do see what you mean; that is curious. It’s hard to make a clear guess; he appeared fine before and after the transport. Perhaps it could be credited to nervousness? He did appear anxious at every one of our sessions.” He paused, “And rightly so, he was being asked to continually return to the very thing that caused the ailment.” Jaso frowned, “I can’t think of anything beyond that.”

Montgomery remained focused on the sensor reports. “Your background is in engineering, Lieutenant Erdian. Not much is nobler than understanding the complexities of starship and station engineering. I’ve known my share of engineers. Your understanding of how it all works rivals that of a physician.” She worked the holo screen a little more, “I’m a doctor, not an engineer. Where you look for power couplings that have worn out or EPS conduits carrying too much power load…I look at the hearts and minds of my patients for clues to my questions.” She broke her stare on the screen, “I’ll pull Solari in for a consult. Could be nothing…could be something.” The General Medicine Deputy Director saved the data and closed the screen, “It’s impressive work. You’ve found the answer to the night terrors of an entire generation of Starfleet officers here on Bravo, Jaso.” She used his given name without his rank intentionally.

“My intention wasn’t to imply my knowledge of human physiology was superior but to offer an assessment. It was more of a layman’s assessment. I grant it was inferior to a medical professional because, as you say, I am an engineer.” He paused, “On a personal note, I do hope it turns out to be nothing. Ensign Solari is a fine officer and an affable person. If it does turn out to be something, I know under your care, he will overcome it.” He looked at the bio screen thoughtfully, “I appreciate your words, Doctor. It’s not every day someone makes such an impactful difference. I’m honored that I was able to take part in this mission.”

Cass chuckled, “There’s no inferior assessment here, Lieutenant. You could easily pass for a Vulcan with that kinda thinking.” She glanced up, “Not that there’s anything wrong with that – Vulcans are, at times, the envy of many species for their unique and powerful control over their emotions.” She sent the results and the reports of the test up the chain of their project, “Translation – take the compliment you were given. You may not be a medical doctor, but you’ve got an incredible talent for analysis and interpretation. That’s something. I’m fairly confident that Bravo is in capable and knowledgeable hands with you and your team.”

“Thank you, doctor. I take such a compliment in high regard.”

She gave him a nod, “You keep the station together, and I’ll keep the people together. Thank you for your efforts, Lieutenant Erdian.”

“You are most welcome. Since my work is done, I’ll collect my things from the office. It’s been a pleasure working with you.” He nodded and left Montgomery’s office.

She watched him leave and sank in her chair. They had an answer. They had a path.

They had a chance at beating this thing.

Montgomery stood as her eyes searched the data stream from Solari’s successful testing.  She had called for Ensign Cam Solari to attempt to find the answer to the question that had started bothering her when she’d met with Lieutenant Erdian.  She played with the data as she waited.

Cam’s footsteps echoed through the sterile corridor of the medical wing, his shoulders slumped with the weight of familiarity. His journey led him to the unassuming door of ‘Administration Office 6’, a place that had become etched in his memory. With a mechanical motion, he pressed the chimes, an action he had repeated countless times over the past couple of weeks, this time with the same result as the last time – silence.

Furrowing his brow, Cam withdrew his gaze from the unresponsive door and examined his PADD. It was then, as his eyes scanned the screen, that realization washed over him like a sudden wave. He wasn’t meant to rendezvous with Lieutenant Erdian; it was Deputy Director Montgomery who awaited him, hidden on the far side of the bustling wing.

A surge of anxiety rippled through Cam’s veins. He prided himself on his punctuality, a reputation that he couldn’t afford to tarnish, and this wasn’t the first time in the Deputy Director’s presence. Without a second thought, he burst into a sprint, weaving through the busy medical equipment. He even resorted to vaulting over a biobed, his heart pounding with the urgency of his mistake. 

In the chaotic symphony of his thoughts, he muttered to himself, “This is bad; I can’t afford to be known for my perpetual lateness.”

Arriving at the correct office, he halted abruptly, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. His trembling hand reached out to press the chimes, the sound resonating through the still air. The door slid open, revealing Deputy Director Montgomery, her expression quizzical. 

Cam’s voice, laced with a touch of desperation, was quick to fill the void. “My apologies, Deputy Director. I made a mistake and reported to the wrong office.”

Cass gestured to the chairs before her desk, “I’m not the Deputy Director of Promenade Security, Ensign.  I’m not going to give you a demerit for lateness.”  She stood at the holo screen, “I’ve been working through the data from your successful test.  Congratulations, by the way, on being a part of saving our part of the galaxy.

Cam’s gaze met the Deputy Director’s warm countenance, and in return, he offered a soft smile as he spoke, his words hesitant yet earnest. “I… I just don’t want to be that person, you know?” 

He paused briefly, collecting his thoughts before continuing, “Thank you. Even though it’s only been a short while since I graduated from the Academy, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to contribute. Instances like this are precisely why I chose to join Starfleet in the first place.”

Montgomery nearly rolled her eyes but resisted.  There was a lot of pressure on the lower ranks, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it.  She held her tongue on that subject as she pivoted to why the ensign was in her office.  Cass handed him a PADD, “There’s a set of readings there I’ve been trying to figure out.” She explained the unusual nature of his return trip and the physiological readings that had struck her as weird.  She leaned against the desk, staring at the data as if it would tell her something.  “I was hoping you could shed some light on the subject.  Anything you can tell me about your transporter experience would be helpful.”

Cam felt his cheeks grow warm, a flush of embarrassment creeping up his neck as he retraced the bizarre experience from their recent test. The memory of those enigmatic clouds, the radiant golden circlet, and the mesmerizing, otherworldly gate that had unfolded before him played vividly in his mind’s eye. He couldn’t possibly disclose these surreal occurrences; sharing them would undoubtedly invite skepticism, or worse, judgment.

As he responded to Montgomery, his gaze avoided direct contact, his eyes tracing the pattern on the floor as he struggled to form coherent words. “Uh… no… everything went as expected. Nothing… out of the ordinary to report,” he mumbled, the unease in his voice betraying the secrecy of his extraordinary encounter.

Cass scoffed, “Ensign.”  She pulled a spare chair from the wall and slid it up against the one he was sitting in, “I’m a doctor, not a JAG officer.  Unless you’ve suddenly developed a hunger lust for blood or been hiding bodies in the promenade in your spare time…I’m not here to find a reason to bench you.”  She sat back in the chair, “You don’t get to be a deputy director without learning a few things along the way.”  Montgomery studied the ceiling as she spoke, “My office is a judgment-free zone.  There’s enough judgment out there,” she motioned behind her, “for everyone.”  She turned to him again, “If you don’t feel comfortable telling me now, I’ll understand.  I will have to talk to you about this again to get the real answer…because the one you’re selling…no Ferengi would buy it.”

“The real answer…” In a barely audible whisper, Cam’s voice quivered as he spoke, revealing the genuine response that haunted his thoughts. Once more, his mind retraced that critical moment, but the question remained: could he dare to reveal it?

With a cautious glance, he assessed the Deputy Director seated before him. 

‘Would she really pass no judgment?’ he wondered, still finding solace in her kind demeanor.

A subtle shimmer of moisture gathered in the corners of his eyes, catching the soft ambient light in the room, and he fought valiantly to maintain his composure. With a resolute swallow, he harnessed his inner strength, slowly but noticeably quelling the storm of emotions that had surged within him.

Montgomery waited, keeping her eyes on his.  She’d learned a few things over the years from colleagues.  Early in her career, an old doctor taught her about ‘wait time.’  Counselors were really good at it, he’d said, and doctors are therapists of a kind.  Use the wait time; he’d nudged her ever so gently; the silence would draw them out and get them to talk.  So she waited, remaining seated next to the man.  She waited five minutes.  She broke the silence, “There’s an old Earth novel called ‘The Things They Carried.’  She stood and walked to her bookshelf, an unusual sight in most offices.  She continued to speak as she searched, “It’s about the burdens that people carry…the literal and the metaphorical.”  Cass found it and slipped it off the shelf, handing it to the ensign as she returned the seat next to him, “You’re gonna carry whatever this is inside you, Cam…let someone help you share the load before it becomes too much to hold.”

Cam’s eyes locked onto hers, a silent plea for understanding. His lips parted, and he hesitated for a moment before deciding to reveal his unsettling experience in a more vivid manner.

“Something happened,” he began cautiously, his voice quivering with uncertainty, “during the final tests… though, honestly, I’m not entirely convinced it even happened.”

He let out a slow breath, his words painting a picture of his surreal encounter. 

“I stepped onto the Transporter pad, and when the process started it was like the world around me shifted. It was as though gravity had chosen to release its hold on me, granting me a sensation of weightlessness that transcended even the most extravagant of fantasies. But the true wonder lay within; from the depths of my being, I felt a profound liberation, unburdened by guilt, untouched by pain, and freed from every imaginable weight.” 

Cam drew in a deep breath, summoning the surreal world’s image before his mind’s eye.

“Abruptly, I found myself in a realm that openly defied reason and logic. When my eyes blinked open, all I saw were soft, billowing clouds stretching out like an endless meadow of plush pillows. When I looked up… there was this weird, almost golden ring hovering above my head.”

She didn’t react.  Her head nodded along every few sentences, her eyes staying on him.  “Thank you for sharing that with me, Cam.”  She theorized, “As much as we think we understand the universe, there’s still plenty to learn.  It wasn’t that long ago that DS9 opened the great mystery of the Bajoran Faith.  What you’re talking about sounds similar.”  She thought momentarily longer, “The experience could also be tied to removing the Borg nanites. Either way, it’s not as unusual as you seem to think it is.”  Montgomery tapped at her PADD absentmindedly, “Every other reading came back at acceptable levels.  I’ll give you a choice, Ensign.  I can refer you to our counseling team or we can continue this conversation and treatment for a little longer.  There could very well be a medical piece to this puzzle…and I don’t want to discount making sure we check all we can.”

Cam’s eyes locked onto the Deputy Director’s, and in that moment, he couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude. It was as if his concerns had finally found a receptive ear.

“Thank you,” Cam expressed, his voice tinged with a deep sense of appreciation. 

He leaned forward slightly, emphasizing the importance of what he was about to suggest. “I believe it’s crucial that we explore any potential medical explanations. We can’t afford to leave anything to chance, especially with the treatment on the horizon.” 

He paused, a flicker of doubt crossing his face, before continuing, “I’m good on the mental support front; I’ve been regularly engaging in counseling sessions with Lieutenant Ashfield.”

Cassidy understood, “I’m glad you’re working with others.”  She opened her PADD and went to work, “I’ll schedule some follow-ups with you over the next week or so.  We’ll do some deeper scans and investigations. For now, keep me in the loop if you experience anything similar to what occurred.” She stood as the ensign followed suit, “You’re medically cleared with me.  I’ll see you soon, Ensign Solari.”  The young man stood at attention and then left the office.  Montgomery returned her attention to the scans on the PADD.  Whatever was ailing Cam was unusual.  She hoped it wasn’t anything more than that.

Cam’s heart raced as he received the message, and he immediately became a hawk when it came to his schedule. He couldn’t afford to be late this time. As the meeting hour drew near, he darted through the winding corridors of Starbase Bravo, the stress and urgency manifesting as tiny beads of sweat formed on his forehead. With heavy, labored breaths, he finally arrived at the imposing door of the meeting room.

Cam’s trembling hand pressed the door chime, and it creaked open. The same security officer as last time stood there, his expression a curious mix of indifference and annoyance. He didn’t block Cam’s path entirely but made it clear that he wasn’t in a welcoming mood. Cam responded to the icy reception with a forced, nervous smile.

Upon crossing the threshold into the room, Cam’s senses were assailed by the sweet aroma of fresh fruit arranged in a bowl on the table. His eyes darted around, taking in the surroundings. This time, the room seemed eerily devoid of the bustling activity that had characterized his previous visit.

A triumphant grin played on Cam’s lips as he realized he had been the first to arrive. He couldn’t contain his elation. His gaze then shifted to Director Peri, who had occupied her customary position at the head of the table. While heading for the replicator he acknowledged her with a respectful nod and an easygoing, “Commander.” 

Peri had been in the observation lounge for a short while, having opted to take the opportunity for calm in order to complete some paperwork before people began to arrive for their gathering. Peace on the promenade was seldom found, especially in the security office, so disappearing to a quiet space on the command levels was always a welcome retreat. Upon the appearance of Ensign Solari, the opportunity for silent working was at an end. “Ensign Solari. Nice to see you on time today,” the Commander smiled at the young officer playfully.

“…and that’s the rounds list.  We’ve got a tour of medical command officers from the Excelsior II group coming through later this afternoon and the monthly medical staff meeting after that to review.”  Ensign Parker stood before her Deputy Director, PADD in hand.

Cassie Montgomery took a long drink from her second cup of coffee, “I am not looking forward to that tour.  Have I said that already?”

Parker smiled quietly, “Several times, Deputy Director.  In the last hour.”

Cass cackled, “Well, I don’t want us to forget how I feel about it.  I’ve got a meeting in ten.  Anything comes up, tell them to wait in chairs or come back later.”  With that, she was off.  Parker watched her slip through the doors, amused.  She knew Montgomery was always game to be pulled out of a meeting or two.

Cass walked through the corridors and found her way to the meeting.  She gave quiet nods to the security officers and strode into the meeting.  The flight control officer, Cam Solari had made it on time for once and was in conversation with the Director of Promenade Security, Peri Anya. Anya was smiling, and Montgomery wasn’t sure how to interpret it, so she simply gave a “Good morning,” to each of them and took her seat.

Jaso received the meeting notification while wrapping things in his borrowed office. “I will say this about Commander Peri, she has impeccable timing.” He downloaded all of the information onto his secured PADD. Jaso looked around the office space. “We did a lot of good work here.” He smiled as he walked through the doors for the last time.

Leaving the Main Infirmary, Jaso made his way to the nearest turbolift. It didn’t seem that long ago he was here for their initial meeting. Nodding to the door guard, who made no moves to stop him, Jaso entered the conference room. He nodded to Cam in recognition and took his seat, the same one he had last time they were there.

While biting down on an apple he had grabbed from the bowl, Cam acknowledged Jaso’s nod with a subtle nod of his own, his attention shifting to the gradual influx of people entering the room. Recollections of the meeting that had taken place here not long ago resurfaced, painting vivid scenes in his mind.

During that earlier gathering, nearly all the faces currently assembling were strangers to him. At that time, their presence had loomed somewhat imposing, casting an aura of intimidation. But today was a different story. Cam had transitioned from being a mere observer to an integral part of this group. As he watched them filter in, he knew things had evolved. He recognized them, identified with them, and with cautious certainty, could label some as ‘friends.’

Ryke was one of the last to arrive this time, having to hurry from his last appointment, his PADD and notes still tucked under an arm. He grabbed a seat at the end of the table and dropped into it with relief. It had been a long walk from counselling.

Cynndle all but ran into the room and looked around, “Apologies, the damn turbolift got stuck.” As he took a couple quick breaths he made his way to the nearest seat and sat down.

Giving a little cough, the Bajoran security chief looked out across the sea of faces and brought the meeting to attention. “Okay people,” she smiled, “talk to me about our progress,” and she opened the floor to her team.

Jaso looked around as the room fell silent. He wasn’t one to go first in presentations or to give presentations, but someone had to do it. Otherwise, everyone would be sitting around the table looking at one another. He cleared his throat. “Lieutenant Erdian Jaso, I was responsible for modifying the transporters to eliminate the nanites from those affected.”

He tapped commands in his PADD and they projected on the conference room’s main display. “The objective is theoretically simple enough. During the transporter’s rematerialization cycle, the bio-filter would identify the Borg nanites as foreign and deny them from exiting through the pattern buffer.” Jaso tapped a few commands to an animation of this process.

“This was far from simple in practice,” Jaso continued. He tapped more buttons to change the display. “At these points here and here,” markers appeared on the biological profile. “The Borg nanites would change their biological designation and, for a lack of better phrasing, ‘hide’ in the host’s DNA. What we know of the Borg’s history is they don’t act unless they feel threatened. I enlisted the help of Dr. Montgomery,” he motioned to Cassidy. “In our collaboration, we were able to come up with a rotational sequence of elimination.”

The display changed to Cam’s biological profile. “This is Ensign Solari’s profile. If you’ll watch the sequence in practice, the Borg nanites are in gray, the transporter bio-filter scrubbing is in green.” The sequence played out on the display. “As you can see, the nanites returned to where they believed the bio-filter had scrubbed. When the sequence works where the nanites are not, they no longer feel threatened and remain dormant. Watch Sector 35X-2212Y,” the view enlarged. “The scrubber has milliseconds to act, enough time to force the nanites through the bio-filter to be scrubbed.” The simulation changed to one free of nanites. “This is Ensign Solari’s final profile, free of the nanites.” Jaso tapped on his PADD, closing the presentation on the display.

Peri’s face was a picture of calm serenity as she nodded along with the demonstration. The results in the test subject were pleasing to see, but this was just one person. “How many successful courses have been carried out?” she asked of them.

“I just basically exposed myself in front of all of you, shouldn’t that suffice” Cam quipped. However, he soon realized he had pushed the boundaries too far, as Director Peri responded with a piercing, unamused gaze.

“Oh- someone’s in trouble.” Gideon mumbled to himself as he smirked slightly. 

Jaso shot a quick look at Cassidy as if to convey there might be something to her initial assessment regarding Cam.  For her part, Montomgery resisted the urge to shrug.  This wasn’t her office, and the relative safety it offered did not exist here. 

Jaso held up a hand to calm Cam. “I believe I can safely speak for everyone when I convey appreciation for your contribution, Ensign Solari. You were pivotal in solving this dilemma.”Consulting his PADD, Jaso addressed Commander Peri, “Thirty-two simulated, three actual: Ensign Solari, Cadet Varen, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Mevuk. The simulated courses covered the gamut of Federation species of,” he read from the PADD, “Bajoran, Klingon, Andorian, Betazoid, Edosian, Cardassian, El-Aurian, and Bolian. The computer is still running simulations on Tellarite, Arcadian, Talaxian, Romulan, and Reman, although I presume the success of Vulcan in Lieutenant Mevuk could easily be modified to their physiology. The simulations ran variants on biological profiles and locations of nanites. I also ran gender variants in Humans, Vulcan, and Trill just in case.”

Jaso paused, “I know these are problematic times, and this technology is novel. But I’d remind this coalition the algorithms it’s based on are not. They used Commodore La Forge’s original design when he served aboard the Enterprise, releasing Admiral Picard from Locutus and the Borg collective. And later Captain Seven of Nine when she was aboard Voyager.”

“Commander Montgomery,” Peri called out whilst buried in a data PADD of information, “in your estimation, how quickly can we move to full-scale implementation?” Peri enquired, finally looking up from the results shared with her and trying her. She was interested in the assessment of the medical officer, and her opinion would help inform her decision.

Montgomery tapped at her PADD, “We’ve compiled a complete list of the modifications and programming needed. In working with Lieutenant Erdian, he’s reported that implementation would take three days station-wide at best speed and five days at worst speed.” She tapped at the PADD, “I’ve shared the report with you all. I’m a doctor, not an engineer. Once we’ve implemented it, running everyone through the transporter is reasonably straightforward. Medical, Counseling, and eventually security would be involved in addressing the holdouts.  Rough estimates are we could have the entire station clear,” she nodded to Erdian, “I think you had a timetable estimate of 4-6 weeks?  If we run 24 hours, seven days a week.”

Jaso nodded in confirmation, “If we utilize at least seventy-three percent of the station’s transporters, I could conservatively estimate five weeks.”

Nodding again, a smile finally crept upon the team leader’s face. “Excellent work people. I want to thank you for your efforts in this,” Peri was sincere as she looked around the group. “I’ve sent commendations for you all to your department heads. We’ll continue as recommended, with a view to decreasing that estimated time whenever possible. Well done all,” she concluded.

Cass appreciated the gesture.  Now, they would need to get to work.

Ryke nodded as he added the timeline to his PADD. His involvement so far had been very much a support role as the rest of the team had dealt with the technical requirements of their project, but now counselling would be more active, supporting those going through the removal process, and dealing with those who had reservations. It was going to be a busy five weeks, that was for sure.

Montgomery stood and headed to her office, sending information to her department about what would happen next.  She messaged Ensign Parker to meet her in her office – they had much coordinating to do quickly.

Cam’s muscles tensed as he slowly pushed his chair away from the conference table. His gaze swept across the room, soaking in the sight of colleagues who had become very familiar over the course of the project. A warm sense of contentment washed over him, knowing that he had played a meaningful part in this remarkable and essential program.

As he strolled toward the exit, his footsteps echoed the subtle relief he felt. The weight of the project, with its countless hours and intense commitment, had lifted from his shoulders. Now, with an open calendar ahead, his mind drifted to an intriguing offer that had been lingering in the back of his thoughts for a while. An opportunity had arisen to rekindle a treasured part of his life. Cam was going to reclaim his ‘Wings.’

As the meeting drew to a close and the room emptied, the Bajoran sat back in her chair, in no rush to leave the wardroom. Accessing a password-protected file, she began to consider its contents.

“Your transfer request to the USS Buran, Lakota Squadron, has been authorised.”