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.