In Absentia

Posted on Tue May 21st, 2013 @ 6:48am by

448 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: Mission 83 - Recovery
Location: Warrant Officer Talan's Quarters
Timeline: TBD

ON:

The distinctive green glow of a Borg alcove filled Talan's quarters. He was fortunate to have the device retrofitted and installed in his own room where he could regenerate in private away from prying eyes. His bed had been seldom used since his arrival at Starbase 400 as he was still uncomfortable with the concept of sleeping.

Talan had had difficulty with the notion of dreaming. He had a great deal of difficulty processing the thoughts and images and, therefore, often favored regeneration. Tonight, however, would forever change his outlook.

His eyes darted back and forth as he entered REM sleep within his alcove. Dreams thus far had never been experienced while in his alcove. His body began to convulse slightly and he grimaced in false pain and anguish. This was no dream. Talan was having his first nightmare.

Separated from the Collective for years, Talan was initially distraught by the silence. The overwhelming, deafening sound of nothingness led to a tremendous sense of loss and loneliness. When he was reunited with other freed Borg, he began to engage in singular and purposeful communication and felt a sense of purpose and individuality. He was no longer Borg and was better as a result.

Talan's regeneration cycle had ended prematurely. He found himself stumbling to the center of his room. His response to his nightmare had resulted in a curious physical manifestation. His heart rate had increased, his skin perspired abnormally, his eyes watered and he had difficulty catching his breath. He managed to get to his sink where he increased the illumination and splashed water on his face.

As he began to relax, images from his nightmare began to flash in his mind's eye. He saw children screaming as he wrapped his mechanical appendages around them, planets being vaporized, and millions of drones being silenced in the blink of an eye. There were people calling out to him. Their voices were muffled and unclear. He tried to speak but was unable. Talan looked at himself in the mirror and decided to run a diagnostic on his alcove in the morning. Tonight he would attempt to sleep in his own bed.

Talan turned out the lights in his room and was once again surrounded by the green glow of his alcove. He deactivated he chamber and was suddenly embraced by silence and darkness. He remembered a technique he learned to determine one's status in the dream state and pinched his arm. His pain receptors responded. He was most definitely awake.

Then, suddenly, everything changed. The muddled voices of his nightmare were now clear. He heard the familiar voice of legion; a collective and unified summons. "Three-of-Ten. Help us!"

OFF.

RSS Feed