Lt. Nathan Richards - Worst First Date, Ever...
iamhighgroundyt
((Computer Core, Deck 5, USS Artemis))
oO One hell of a day. Oo
The thought flashed through Nathan’s mind as he slumped against the wall, the momentary lapse in excitement doing little to hold off the (again) growing pain in his chest. The deck plating rose and fell like gentle waves as his vision blurred and warped. Was he having a fever dream? Did he have a fever? His whole body felt like it was on fire. A burning tingle shot down both of his legs and left arm as pressure seemed to build around his spine.
Richards: I think…
He felt himself sliding further down the wall, towards the floor. Things began to become muffled, and he felt like he was actually floating above the deck.
Richards: I think…I need a nap. ::Just before hitting the floor:: Hold me.
Everything was quiet for a moment as Nathan lay on the floor, enveloped in the waves that used to be the floor of Deck 7. Gentle waves crashing against his body, eat seeming to hold the heat of the sun. His body burned and he felt as if he couldn’t do anything about it. He tried to focus on the sound of the waves growing in the back of his mind, like whispers from an unknown source.
Dakora: I’d love to, buddy. :He managed a sarcastic grin.:: But what would Robin say?
A separate crash of waves, a louder crescendo that took the form of Talos’ voice. The distant whispers continued, Nathan being able to catch a word or two within the jumbled voices. *Biological…Distinctiveness…Evolve…Unbroken, Perfect.*
Dakora: Talk to me. What hurts? :He poked at the artificial arm.:: This thing is burning up. Is that normal?
Nathan focused on the louder crash of waves. A question. Talos had asked him a question. What hurt? Everything $^@#ing hurt. His arm…It was hot? Temperature. It was putting off heat. Something was happening with the circuitry to make it put off heat. Something was happening with his circuitry to make his body put off heat.
((Flashback, Exam Room, Medical Center, Amity Outpost))
Richards: Let's hear it, Doc.
Orrey: Good news or bad news first?
Richards: ::Chuckling:: Like a band-aid. Let's get the hard part over with.
Orrey: ::nodding his head:: Well bad news is those nanobots weren’t dead, more dormant.
He turned the tricorder to show the library file match for what he had discovered. Nathan's eyes scanned over the information as it slowly scrolled across the small screen. If he was reading it correctly, the nanoprobes had found their way to the connection point at his shoulder and made a nice home for themselves, moving from one arm to another.
Richards: So, what, now I'm just waiting to be turned into a drone or something?
The regret for touching the assimilated sensor hit Nathan like shuttle…no, a probe. Mostly because he already knew what that felt like.
Orrey: Good news. They aren’t connected to the hive. I am not picking up those micro transmissions.
Silver linings and all that.
Richards: So…::Pausing for a moment before chuckling:: I basically have Commander Seven of Nine attached at my shoulder?
Nathan hoped his humor would land with the Doctor.
Orrey: ::laughing:: There could be worse things.
((End Flashback))
Richards: ::Mumbling:: Need…Sickbay…Nanoprobes…
Nathan had no idea if he was even speaking Federation Standard. The illusion of the waves and whispers faded almost as quickly as it had filled his mind. He blinked a couple of times to find his vision still blurry, but he could see everything around him. The corridor, Talos kneeling over him. He could hear the incoming footsteps. Lately hearing footsteps hadn’t been a good thing. Nathan tried to push himself up, lifting an arm for Talos to take and help him. With his extended arm now around Talos’ shoulders, Nathan was on his feet. Sort of.
Dakora: Looks like I’m going to hold you after all, but nap time will have to wait. ::He strained as he lifted the big lunk to his feet.:: We’ve got incoming Borglings and sickbay is just around the corner. Let’s move.
Nathan’s grogginess very slowly began to fade as he nodded to Talos and did his best to help them both along. His legs still burned and tingled as if they were asleep, but he could move them.
Richards: ::Chuckling, voice still somewhat mumbled:: Worst first date, ever.
It was rather slow going, but the door to sickbay finally came into view. Nathan’s legs had regained a little bit more use as they continued on, but not much. He just hoped that Talos’ own legs wouldn’t give out before they made it to safety.
Dakora: If those doors just open and let us in, I swear to the four I’ll never be late for another check-up…
Richards: Here’s hoping…
But the doors didn’t open. Instead of a sickbay full of friendly faces and medical equipment, there were borglings coming towards them from behind.
Four of Six (Filistrien)/Ten of Ten (Kel)/Other Drones: Response
Definitely not what they wanted.
Dakora: ::Shouting:: Hey! If anyone’s in there, we could use some help out here!
Richards: ::Weakly shouting:: Housekeeping?
Esma: Is your drone damaged?
Nathan recognized that voice. It was possibly one of the last voices he expected to hear during all of this. He turned to see the assimilated(?) Vulcan/Romulan Ensign standing off to the side, holding a chunk of bulkhead up as if it were a worrier’s shield. She also held a flux coupler in the other hand that was covered in blood. oO You’ve got to be kidding me… Oo
Richards: No, no, I’m fine. Move along Esm– I mean drone.
Nathan tried to wave her off with his hand, but it turned into more of a pathetic attempt to even lift his arm than anything.
Dakora: Response
Four of Six (Filistrien)/Ten of Ten (Kel)/Other Drones: Response
Esma: He is impeding your assimilation. He should be disposed of. We can assist you in the process.
She stepped forward and held out the flux coupler. It appeared that getting into sickbay was not going to be easy. Nathan kicked out with his leg, hitting the door to sickbay with a rather disappointing *clung*.
Richards: ::Shouting, His voice a little stronger:: Come on guys!!
Dakora/Esma/Four of Six (Filistrien)/Ten of Ten (Kel)/Other Drones: Response
Nathan looked between Esma and the group of approaching drones. The only thing standing between them and relative safety, was a #*&$ing door. He attempted to stand up straighter, taking his arm off of Talos’ shoulders and turned towards Esma.
Richards: ::To Dakora:: Think you can get it open?
Dakora: Response
Esma/Four of Six (Filistrien)/Ten of Ten (Kel)/Other Drones: Response
Nathan rolled his head and shoulders, trying to loosen up and break away from some of the pain. If anyone got through that door, it should be Talos. This was his ship after all.
Richards: We’ve got this.
Nathan charged forward towards Esma, swinging his arm down towards the flux coupler and angling his shoulder down in hopes of taking her down. It wasn’t a particularly impressive charge. More of a tactical fall into the drone, but Nathan only had his hopes that maybe it would be enough to allow Talos to get to safety.
Dakora/Esma/Four of Six (Filistrien)/Ten of Ten (Kel)/Other Drones: Response
TAGS/TBC…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lieutenant Nathan Richards
Chief of Operations
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1