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.