Infection

In an effort to prevent panic among the medical staff and crew, Anzyl and Two of Three shifted their desperate search into the empty Astrometrics laboratory. A dozen screens displayed the ship's various internal and external surveillance cameras and security sweeps.

"I FEEL them, Sir!" Two of Three adamantly protested, slamming his fists on the counter. His usual cool and collected demeanor had given way to sheer horror and panic. Anzyl's expression conveyed worry for his friend. The man he relied on for composure in times of extreme distress was now visibly distressed, bordering on hysteria. "I believe you, T; we just need to find them," Anzyl said, turning to a screen and tapping his combadge. "Captain Praxas to Tey'un."

A groggy voice responded over the comm, "Ungh… yes, Captain?..." clearly awakened from slumber.

"Report to the Astrometrics lab immediately," Anzyl commanded.

"Astrometrics, sir?...." the groggy voice complained, "do you know what…"

"I said immediately, Chief," Anzyl barked, disconnecting the call. T was holding his head, covering his ears. "They are getting stronger," his voice revealed panic, "closer, and stronger."

A flash of white, and Tey'un materialized, also in his pajamas, briefs, and a shirt. "Yes, Captain… I'm here," he mumbled, barely awake enough to stand.

Anzyl, still focused on scans, didn't acknowledge Tey'un's presence as he stated bluntly, "Two senses the Borg Collective nearby; we can't locate them on internal sensors or scans," typing frantically. The horror in Two of Three's eyes reflected the terror he felt towards the Borg, his usual calm replaced by an uncharacteristic panic.

Shaken awake by the news, Tey'un came to his senses, "Um... Yeah… " With two steps, he cleared the length of the lab and stood at a console, "We need to do a full spectrum internal and external scan, also for any 'Shape Memory Alloy,'" he instructed.

"Ah, yes..." Two said sarcastically, "The main metal compound that all Borg vessels use, and the primary alloy in nanites and what pretty much covers the entire regenerative hull of our ship!"

"Exactly…" Tey'un stated, "Like that!" he said as the screen displayed his find. Extruding from the hull like a black metallic skin tag and tumor, the structure now encased the Pakled vessel and continued to grow outwards. The scan of the Nexus also showed that the Borg structure was boring into the Nexus like a cancerous tumor, assimilating, numbing, and nullifying systems and sensors as it bored deeper and deeper. Two of Three, Tey'un, and the Captain stared in horror as their beloved ship was slowly being consumed by a Borg parasite.

"Captain to all senior staff…" he said hollowly, "Everyone report to Astrometrics immediately."

Within moments, Neil, Veirok, Nolan, Zide'Mok, Heluna, and Eroga stood beside the Captain, Tey'un, and Two of Three.

"Immediate action must be taken," Zide'Mok stated bluntly.

"Agreed," Neil said, pointing to the still small but growing structure, "It's still small enough that a single group can take it out, while the Borg are still manageable. It's tall but thin and narrow, no wider than this computer screen."

"That particular segment of the ship is currently uninhabited," Eroga reiterated, "Upper deck waste management. There won't be anyone the Borg can assimilate nearby, but that won't last long." 

Anzyl nodded, "The fewer who know about this assimilation attempt, the better. The last thing we need is 5000 panicked passengers." Turning to his staff, "Zide'Mok, Veirik, Eroga, and T, we will go and remove what infection we can." They nodded in agreement, "Tey'un and Nolan, prepare to dislodge and disconnect that section and vent it into space if it comes to it. Neil and Heluna, keep the ship quiet, return to the bridge like nothing is happening." The crew nodded in agreement.

"Let's go lance this tumor. Dismissed." Anzyl stated as everyone turned towards their assignments.

—

In a well-lit hallway, Anzyl walked with determination and caution. Now clad in his uniform, four nouliths floated steadily as he moved forward. Veirik, Zide'Mok, and Eroga held rifles, walking beside the captain, well-equipped with melee weapons just in case.

Two of Three hesitantly kept pace at the rear. His heart raced, the usually calm and collected demeanor replaced by horror and panic.

As the party proceeded down the hallways, the lights flickered and grew dim. The once-clean carpet was now tainted with black tubes and wires, slithering and reaching out like snakes and tentacles. The consoles on the wall no longer displayed Nexus information; instead, black screens with green circles and Borg language greeted them.

Two's breathing became heavy, erratic, and desperate.

They reached a door at the end of the hall, with the only illumination coming from the green assimilated Borg portions of the Nexus.

Anzyl nodded at the door, "Zide'Mok, open the door; everyone, get ready."

"Remember, do NOT engage," Veirik stated, "As long as they do not see us as a threat, they will not engage us. We could possibly take out all drones in a single shot if possible."

Two of Three's tubes pulsed and shook, his blood pumping and adrenaline surging through his mechanical veins.

The black door opened, revealing three fully assimilated Pakled Borg Drones. Clad in black mechanical armor, their skin pale white and gray patches, black tubing, and prosthetics replacing their arms and legs, with mechanical lasers and eye patches on their heads.

The team stood their ground, weapons active and ready to fire if necessary.

Two of Three stood frozen in utter terror, muttering to himself, "I'm not going back…" as flashes of memory flooded his mind.

Memories of the day he was assimilated by the Borg.