Scientists buzzed around the giant test tube in the center of the room, some looking at notes on clipboards and some perusing read outs on the computer screens.
A scientist would briefly slow down their pace every few minutes to sneak a glance at the tube but only for a few seconds before they resumed their work. What was inside floated passively in amber liquid. The glances were of those ensuring it would remain that way until the right time.
"How is the subject?" one scientist, a red haired woman asked, resting a hand on the back of a chair and leaning over to stare at her companions computer screen. "Any change?"
"No," the male scientist told her, his eyes glued to images. "Vitals are stable. I think this one will be able to endure the data transfer."
Her brown eyes lit up with satisfaction. "When is the sample being brought in?" the woman asked.
"Within the week if things continue to go well," he told her, clicking the mouse to open another screen. "I'm rather surprised this one has hung on so long, what with the mixing of genetics to create the body. The previous ones haven't lasted for such a duration. The splicing seems to have made it more durable, at least this time."
The female scientist smiled. "Well last time the bodies didn't have enough of the right DNA in the system. They used a bigger sample this time." she looked at the tank. "We might not know what species it is but a least we know it's a pretty hearty one."
"It should be," he said, taking off his glasses to rub his eyes. "After all the times it's been killed but able to revive itself. We wouldn't have even been able to get this sample if we hadn't sent in a crew after the devastation of the planet. It was a lucky find seeing as most everything else got vaporized in the explosion. When she does a job she sure is thorough about it."
"Yes, she is..." the woman agreed. She walked over to the tank and placed her hand on the cool glass. "That's the beauty of it all, hon," she said, refering back to the creature they'd been discussing previously. "Nothing else but the brain has managed to hold up against the Hunter for so long." she turned back to her partner. "It will be great to know how he managed it. If the data transfer is successful we'll have another ally on our side."
He smirked, it seemed a little mocking. "That is if the violent part of it doesn't get transfered along with the intelligence."
The female scientist turned away from the tank and rejoined her companion. "I think our technology has advanced enough to deal with that sort of inconvenience." she confidently. "and if it does.. well we have ways of dealing with it. This project must be successful, it's the only way we will be able to win."
"The body has managed to remain vital through the entire process," the red haired female scientist told the Federation Commander as he followed her down the hall of the research facility. "While it is technically brain dead and lives through artificial means it has not expired. It is ready for the transfer."
"Good," the man said, nodding his head with satisfaction. "Preparations have already begun. If all goes well the mind will be moved into the body within half an hour."
The woman had a small worry that had been growing steadily since her conversation with her companion the previous day and she voiced it to him. "Are you sure transfer this mind into a human body is a good idea, given the violent nature of the original spe-"
He waved a hand to cut her off. "Of course," he told her, obviously not wanting to argue about it. "This is why we are using a human body over a copy of the original species. The human body with it's many limitations will ensure it cannot do anything destructive."
The woman thought that over briefly then nodded, completely reassured. "Very well then sir, please follow me."
"Okay, transfer begins in T-minus ten seconds!"
The scientists moved quickly around the room as they readied their equipment for the final stage of the experiment. In one tank was the head of the alien being whose mind they intended to move and in the other was the body that had been readied to receive it.
The main female scientist stood beside the commander, watching her fellow scientists ready the machines, arms folded and face a mixture of intense concentration and dread. They only had one chance to get this right, if they failed the past few months of work would be for nothing.
"Three... two... one... Okay. NOW!"
A male scientist pulled a lever on the wall behind the tanks and stepped back as the tanks lit up, allowing a full detailed view of both the objects resting inside.
As all the workers in the room except for the few watching the monitors stepped away to watch, sparks of electricity began to burst from the tanks as the body and the alien head lit up. The main female scientist turned her focus on the monitor workers. "Status." she said.
"Everything good so far," the man at the screen said. "Twenty five percent and climbing. No problems. Thirty... thirty five... forty..."
"Looks like your worries were unfounded after all," the commander said, turning his attention to the woman. When she looked at him, he said. "It seems we're going to succeed."
She nodded, her eyes on the tanks. '"Yes, it seems that we are..."
"Ninety.. ninety five.. ninety six, ninety eight , ninety nine..." the monitor worker held his breath as the last bit of information seemed to take forever to transfer. "One hundred! Transfer complete!"
Relief. Sweet relief. "Power down!" the female scientist barked an order. "Don't let it be over stimulated!"
"Affirmative," the man wrote out a command on the screen as the other male scientist rushed over to pull the switch. "Powering down!"
But just as he attempted to grab it, there was a powerful shock of electricity that knocked him off his feet. He landed in a heap in front of the others and, as one female leaned over to check on him and make sure he hadn't been hurt too badly, there was another flash of electricity and then the power went out.
"What happened!?" the commander demanded as the room plunged into darkness.
"I don't know." the woman said, that dread from before returning in full force. Of all the time for things to go bad! "Someone restore power!"
There was the sound of running footsteps then a moment later the lights came back on. As everyone blinked in the sudden light, the main female scientist rushed over to the tank holding the body, dreading what she would see. She could feel a wave of disappointment rushing over her. All that work and they had failed!
She stood in front of the tank and rested her hand on the glass as she looked inside.
She could make out the body floating in the amber liquid, it was still hooked up to the life support cables. She leaned forward, squinting at the body, taking in its features. It seemed as lifeless as before-
The eyes suddenly opened. She gasped and moved her head back as the two orbs, glowing a poisonous yellow, locked onto hers. She blinked and leaned forward again. The eyes held her gaze and, as she stared, she was sure they were studying her, taking in every detail of her face and body, calculating. It made her feel uneasy.
A hand on her shoulder made her jump. She jerked sideways and turned her head, staring right into the face of the commander, eyes wide. He looked less professional, his face a mask of concern.
"Dr. Ivory?" he said, sounding uncertain. "What is it?"
She looked back into the tank. Those eyes were still open and they continued to study her. Her attention then returned to the commander. "Call your superiors," she said, her voice wavering even as she tried to control it. "Tell them we have succeeded."