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.”