Stardate: 70616:1145
Title: Insight
Author: Tally Cochran
Time: Current, noted below
Scene: Virtual world / Horizon's bridge


*Not again...* The white glow faded into a cathedral, and Tally's eyes peered across the chamber to see himself looking back.

*It's different this time.* A familiar voice flowed from an exact reflection of Tally. *Your mind is shaping the essence of this virtual world into a form you can understand. I have to say though, I didn't know you were catholic...*

*I'm not.* Tally finally recognized the voice. *I did practically grow up in this building though, Jeffery Kutter.*

Kutter's head twisted sideways as he searched the Ensign's face for clues to a puzzle neither had time for him to put together. *The others are keeping the sphere busy, but we still don't have much time, and we've wasted a lot already.*


=/\= The Bridge : Before and after the preceding =/\=

Just as the systems came back online there was a bright flash and then Three was gone.

"Report. Where is Ensign Sparky?" The Captain demanded.

"Sir, I am picking him up inside the Sphere's control room. He seems to be interfaced with the system again. What could he possibly be doing?"

"Trying to help us, I hope," the Captain responded.

A moment passed as the Bridge crew reflected on what had just happened, only to be interrupted as Tally fell lifelessly to the ground.

"Medical team to the Bridge!" Autumn yelled to the computer as others ran to his aid.

"No!" Tally's eyes shot back to life.

"Ensign?!"

"There's no time! We have to act fast..." The bridge fell quiet as Ensign Cochran fought to stand back up.

"Talk fast, Ensign," Captain Deadilus ordered.

"The short version? Corren's alive, the planet people are dying, Sparky's whipping the computer's ass and, if he wins, we'll automatically be ripped apart!"


==================
Ensign "Tally" Cochran
Helm
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
==================