Stardate: 70425:1900
Title: Virtual Lives, Part 2
Author: Ensign 'Sparky' Three of Thirteen
Time: Following "Virtual Lives Part 1"
Scene: In the Virtual World


*You do not belong here. Leave or be removed,* came a hollow voice.

"I cannot do that. I am here to determine what it is you seek and why you have taken control of several members of the crew of the ship that is orbiting the planet inside this sphere. I am not here to cause damage unless you force me to," Three responded.

Like most virtual worlds, Three never really spoke. His thought patterns were interpreted by the system and translated into language in a form of telepathy.

As Three continued to talk he quickly learned the system and adapted to it.

*You are not like the others. They are not able to enter me unless I bring them here. What species are you?*

The attacks had stopped and they were replaced with a vague sense of curiosity.

"I am no species that you have encountered. I was once called 'Borg' - they are a species of semi-organic, semi-mechanical beings that desire to reach what they call perfection. They do this by forcing other races to join them by way of a process called 'assimilation'. I was once one of them, but I was rescued by a group called the United Federation of Planets. They are a collection of many species that desire to explore space and meet new species; they do not believe in attacking others unless it is to defend themselves or those that are unable to defend themselves."

*They are like those that were once on the ship that crashed into the planet below?* The system queried.

"I am not sure. I have not seen any information on those that were on that ship. If you allow me access to those files I will determine if they are or not. May I access those files?"

There was a long pause, but finally Three saw the image of a large window appear before him.

*This contains all information on those that were on the ship below and those that now live on the planet.*

Three began to access and download the information as fast as he could.

"I must show this to those that are in your control room. I will return shortly."

And with that Three disconnected from the System.


=/\= Sphere Control Room =/\=

The CSO was standing right next to Three monitoring his vital signs when Three suddenly turned towards him.

"Ahhh! Damn it, don't do that!" Came the startled response of the CSO.

"I am sorry, Sir. I have some information that may prove useful to you."

With that, Three uploaded all the information he had accessed on the ship below and it crew.

"How did you get all this?" Vaebn asked.

"I asked the system for it. How else does one retrieve information from a computer?" Three responded neutrally.

There were a few snickers from the away team, but they were quickly cut off by a glare from the CSO.

"Very funny, Ensign. What else have you learned?"

"I believe that this sphere's computer system is advanced enough to actually download parts of itself into the brains of other living organisms. I believe that may be what has been affecting the crew. I am not fully sure yet how it can do this. I must return to the system now and continue with my discussion."

"Discussion? What discussion? Now wait a minute. Your nose was bleeding a few minutes ago, why?" Lieutenant Kehn considered not allowing Three to re-enter the computer.

"That was caused by the system's security protocols. I was deemed an intruder and was attacked as such. I have since explained my presence to the system. You need not worry about my safety."

Before the CSO could say anything further, Three reconnected and was back into the system, leaving the CSO and the away team to go over all the information Three had given them.


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Ensign 'Sparky' / Three of Thirteen
Tactical Officer
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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