Chapter Eleven

Upon Data's arrival Beverly immediately began to fill him on what she had in mind.

"You want me to build the posatronic brain for the artificial symbiont Dr. Enar and I have been working on."

"I didn't know you been working with her on a project."

"Yes we started the project two months and six days after she came on board."

"How far did you get?"

"The artificial heart has been built."

"What about the brain?" Beverly asked the excitement clear in her voice.

Data moved to a computer station, "She informed me at the reception that she had sent me schematics, some of which she based on your research concerning cybernetics." Data quickly read through the information on the screen. "It's promising."

"I don't need promising I need to know if it will work."

"Yes, as long as the majority of her body systems are being kept alive by other means, the artificial brain should be able to interact and sustain her for a limited time."

"How long to build it?"

Data did a very quick calculation. "Five hours."

Beverly glanced at the monitor for the symbiont, "I don't think she has five hours." Then went to a nearby cabinet and pulled out a neurolink. "Data if I hook this up to you would you me able to act as a temporary symbiont brain as you build the posatronic one."

"I would have to be careful to limit the information I send to her, and I would not suggest maintaining the link for any longer than possible. But yes I can do it, however to accommodate the range of the neurolink I will need to bring some equipment from the cybernetics lab to do so."

"Bring whatever you need."

As Data went to make arrangements Beverly looked over the schematics, very impressed with what Tenaya had done with her ideas.

Although she would have preferred not to, she awoke Tenaya. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, and although she smiled Beverly could tell she was in pain.
"How is it you can look tired and beautiful at the same time?" Tenaya asked in weak voice then reached out for Beverly's hand.

"That's more your trick than mine."Beverly laughed and leaned in closer to Tenaya, she then filled in Tenaya on the situation with her symbiont and the choice she needed to make.

Tenaya released Beverly's hand, then placed her own hand on Beverly's cheek and then guided her mouth towards her own; the kiss was soft, slow, and gentle. When it was over Tenaya said, "I like living." She then drifted off into unconsciousness.

An hour later the symbiont was dead, shortly thereafter Beverly had placed Tenaya on life support, and she was still on the Benzocy to raise her isoboramine levels up.

"Are you ready Data?" Beverly asked holding out the transmitter.

"Yes, and I am a little ahead of my estimation concerning the posatronic brain."

Beverly placed a neurolink onto Tenaya's forehead then placed the other on Data's forehead.

A curious expression soon over came Data's features, "Interesting." Data said then looked at Beverly in a mystified and then almost loving manner. "Doctor I believe Lt. Cmdr Enar has some very strong feelings…"

"Which are private, so you should probably turn your emotion chip off." Beverly requested in a soft tone.

A hurt expression crossed Data face, "Yes I should." His head made a slight jerk and a blank expression returned to his features. "Thank you doctor that was an amazing experience."

Beverly wasn't sure what to say as a reply, but Data didn't seem to expect one, he simply turned and went back to work.

Hours later Data had finished, the brain fit easily in the palm of his hand, Beverly attacked into the symbiont pouch and then disconnected the neurolink from Data, she placed a modified transmitter on Tenaya in order to interact the posatronic brain, the computer noted a drop in brain wave patterns and then they returned to normal.

With tears in her eyes Beverly sank down into the chair beside Tenaya's bed. "You're going to make it Tenaya."