Persistence of Vision, pt 4

Posted on Tue Dec 25th, 2012 @ 3:52pm by Lieutenant Three of Seven

Mission: Funzone
Location: USS Arizona, Cybernetics Lab

He awoke with a start.

Three wasn't sure there was a way to wake up that didn't involve an anxiety-fueled gasp for air, the panic driven grasping of life, and the fear of having it slip away.

Luckily, he was confined to a metal framework that was holding him upright and secured in place so that this time he didn't wind up on the floor. With the limited mobility that he did have, the drone did go through the process of making certain he had control over his arms, legs, head, and eyes. And ears. The ability to see and hear were two things that Three was very aware could be taken for granted. To be aware, mentally, but blind to all senses was a maddening existence.

Turning his head to the extent that he could, Three found himself looking up at the large form of Senior Chief Frost. Dryly, the drone commented, "I believe that you had inquired as to whether I had experienced any malfunctions..."

"Your cortical array completely rejected the bio-neural interface," the engineer stated, bending down to adjust a detail on the exposed implant around the right eye. "I siphoned out several of your nanoprobes and re-coded them. It seems to have re-enabled the connections between you and the body... but I imagine that was a little frightening for you," the man added, putting the tool away and returning with a tricorder, which purred electronically as he waved it around the Borg's head.

A malfunction during regeneration. That could explain the... unusual experience that had ensued. Perhaps. Quietly, the drone asked, "Did you take any readings of my neural link?"

"We did a complete diagnostic work-up on your cybernetics," Hiram answered with a nod. "Your neural link is inactive. It's still physically in place, but as far as I can tell there's no power running through it."

Pausing, the engineer put aside his tricorder and turned back to the boy-like figure. "Why?"

A good question, for which Three had no good answer. "A... bad dream," the drone decided upon finally.

Nodding, Hiram turned back to his work. "Felt like you were connected to the Collective again?"

"No, but I... met someone," Three began, pausing as he tried to find the adequate words in which to relate the experience. "It would be difficult to explain."

"Well, that was probably just the neural feedback to your cortical node," Hiram rationalized aloud, returning with a padd in hand. "I thought you were going to regenerate?"

The drone just regarded the man strangely for a moment. "I underwent a complete regeneration cycle," the Borg stated flatly.

"Well, your power levels are lower now than they were when you went for your electric nap," Hiram stated, holding up the padd before setting it aside. "You should recharge again. There may be a problem with your regulatory function," the man added, beginning to input the proper sequence to force a regenerative shut down.

"Will you stay with me?"

The question caught the engineer by surprise. "Bad dreams?" the man inquired quietly, before turning back to his work. "I'll be right here," the engineer promised.

Closing his eyes, Three felt a dark chasm opening below him as the familiar words rang out...

"Computer, begin regeneration cycle."

And dreamed once more of electric sheep.