Chapter 67.
Mortal Coil.
(Scott POV)
We were approach a Class 1 nebula which has protomatter inside. Tom. Chakotay and Neelix was going to collect a sample at 1400. Once we get there. Hopefully we can use the Protomatter as a new source of Energy so we aren't using the ZPM's a lot more.
That night. I wanted a Whiskey. But I didn't have any in my Quarters. And Clara and Chloe was staying at Naomi's tonight. After I hugged them as I got back from my shift on the Bridge. I had more in Cargo Bay 3. So I headed there. Starting to see where I put that damn case. When I heard 7 come out of the alcove.
"Oh, Sorry, Didn't wake you did I," I said.
"No," 7 said. "Do you require assistance Captain?"
"No, no, I got a case. I'm trying to get that case. Bingo. There you are," I said. "There we go. Take one of these. Thank god the Kazon didn't threw this out,"
"The Kazon, Species 329," 7 said.
"You're familiar with them," I said.
"The Borg encountered a Kazon colony in the Gand Sector Grid 6920," 7 said.
"Did they get assimilated?" I said.
"Their biological and Technological distinctiveness was unremarkable, They were unworthy of assimilation," 7 said.
"Shame, If one species deserved to be assimilated the Borg don't," I said.
"Why assimilate a species that would detract from perfection?" 7 said.
"Okay you got me there," I said. "I got to get back, See you,"
"Captain, What is that?" 7 said.
"Whiskey, Bushmills 10 year old Matt," I said.
"But that has high level of alcohol in it," 7 said.
"46% is hardly high," I said.
"But you are on duty tomorrow aren't you," 7 said.
"I'll be fine, Night," I said leaving the Cargo bay and went back to my quarters. It was the one night I can't get asleep so. I Just played on my Red Dead Redemption 2 Storyline save. Which I got good progress in But I wasn't doing the main mission's
XXX
I was on the Bridge as Chakotay, Tom and Neelix was in the shuttle inside the Nebula.
But we got a distress call from Chakotay.
"Captain's log Stardate 51449.2. After Receiving a distress call from Commander Chakotay. We've sent a beacon into the nebula and we're in the process of Tracking down the away team. End log," I said.
"Captain. I'm detecting a shuttle," Harry said.
"Hail them," I said.
"No response," Harry said.
"The Shuttle's primary systems are off line," Tuvok said. "Life sign only 2,"
"2," I said. "Are they within Transport range,"
"Affirmative," Tuvok said.
"Beam them directly to sickbay, Harry put a tractor beam on the shuttle, Kat you got the Bridge," I said. Then Headed down there.
"I ran a complete post-mortem analysis, There was nothing you could have done," Doc said.
"I knew we were too close to the protomatter, I should have said something," Tom said.
"Nobody could have predicted this, Tom," Chakotay said.
"How shall I proceed?" Doc said.
"The Talaxians mourn their dead for a full week in a specific burial ceremony, And that's just what we're going to do," I said.
"I'll inform the crew," Chakotay said.
"I'll check Neelix's Personal database, see what I can find out about the ceremony We'll have it in the mess Hall," I said. "Somehow that feels appropriate,"
"Neelix is Dead," 7 said.
"Afraid so," I said.
"His neural pathways are they intact?" 7 said.
"Yes." Doc said. "But there's no metabolic activity,"
"How long has he been dead?" 7 said.
"7," I said.
"How long," 7 said.
"It's been 18 hours," Chakotay said.
"Then it's not too late to reactivate him," 7 said.
"What are you saying," Tom said. "That you can bring Neelix back to life?"
"That's precisely what I'm saying," 7 said. "The Borg have assimilated species with far greater medical knowledge than your own, We are capable of reactivating drones as much as 73 hours after what you would call death,"
"Neelix wasn't a borg drone," Chakotay said.
"We will adapt," 7 said.
"What does this procedure involve?" Doc said.
"Nanoprobes are used to reverse cellular necrosis, while the cerebral cortex is stimulated with a neuroelectric iso-pulse," 7 said.
"But there's nothing left to stimulate," Doc said. "His brain functions are gone,"
"By your narrow definition perhaps, but not by mine, you will extract 70 micrograms of nanoprobes from my blood stream I will modify them to match his Talaxian physiology, His function in this crew is diverse, If you wish to salvage him we must proceed immediately," 7 said.
"I say we let her try," Tom said.
"Hold on a minute Tom," I said. "No one's ever been resuscitated after being dead for 18 hours, if this procedure does work, What are the chances that Neelix would come out of it unaffected,"
"He's right," Doc said. "The Damage to his cerebral cortex was severe,"
"The Nanoprobes will compensate for any cellular degradation," 7 said. "Captain, a decision has to be made, quickly,"
"Do it, Doc, Give 7 whatever assistance she needs," I said.
"Captain," Doc said.
"Do it, If there's a chance we can revive Neelix, We've got to take it," I said. "Keep me informed,"
As we left.
XXX
It worked and we were down there.
"Dead," Neelix said.
"For 18 hours, 49 minutes and 13 seconds," Doc said. Congratulation's Mr. Neelix, You've just set a new world record,"
"That's impossible, You mean, I lost consciousness, I was, I was in a coma," Neelix said.
"No, you were dead," 7 said.
"I'm stunned, I'm amazed, I'm grateful Thank you Doctor," Neelix said.
"Actually you can thank 7, The procedure was her idea," I said.
"Yours?" Neelix said.
"The Borg assimilated the technique from Species 149, I simply modified it, But you are welcome," 7 said.
"Am I good as new?" Neelix said.
"That remains to be seen," Doc said. "There's no way to tell if your body will successfully take over the functions the Nanoprobes are serving,"
"Nanoprobes," Neelix said.
"It was Necessary to repair the necrotized tissue," I said.
"Until I'm certain the damaged tissue can function independently you'll have to be injected with nanoprobes on a daily basis," Doc said.
"Well, As long as I don't start uh, assimilating the crew or sprouting Borg implants, I'm sure I can live with it," Neelix said.
"I'm releasing you to your quarters, Your body's been through quite a shock," Doc said. "So try and get some rest, Report to Sickbay tomorrow morning at 0800 hours for your next injection,"
XXX
"The shuttle mission was it a success?" Neelix said. "Did we get the Protomatter,"
"I'm afraid not, The sample you collected destabilized before it got back to Voyager," I said.
"Ugh, The Containment field needs to be reinforced next time," Neelix said.
"If there is a next time, I've asked Chakotay to find out exactly what caused the accident, And unless we can take additional precautions, I'm not sending another team into that nebula," I said.
"I could help with that investigation," Neelix said.
"No, You are taking some time off, And that's an order," I said.
"No Captain Please," Neelix said. "I don't need any special treatment,"
"Neelix you've just returned from the dead, Go easy on yourself," I said.
"I suppose you're right," Neelix said. "But you can't as me to cancel the first night of Prixin," Neelix said. "The celebration is in 3 days,"
"Oh, I almost forgot," I said.
"I've been aging fruit compote in moolt nectar for weeks now," Neelix said. "I can't just let it go to waste,"
"Only if you feel up to it," I said.
"Oh," Neelix said.
"But could you not ferment those compotes so long this time Because Last year I got a little lightheaded," I said.
"I'll make the necessary adjustments," Neelix said.
"It's good to have you back," I said.
"It's good to be back, Captain," Neelix said.
"Get you in there," I said. As I headed on.
XXX
We were in the Mess hall With my girls' And Chakotay.
"No seriously, You I threw a ball so hard it ripped through the goalie Lacrosse racket net line," I said.
Then Tom got everyone's attention with the old Glass and spoon trick.
"Thank you," Tuvok said. "Welcome to the first night of Prixin, The Talaxian Observance of familial allegiance, This Year, Mr. Neelix has requested that I commence the Celebration with the Traditional salutation. We do not stand alone, We are in the arms of Family, Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Father's father, Father's Mother, Father's Brother, Mother's Brother, Suffice to say the list is extensive, We gather on this day to extol the warmth and joy of those unshakable bonds, Without them, we could not call overselves complete, On this day we are thankful to be together, We do not stand alone,"
"Indeed, We do not," I said.
"Here, Here," Chakotay said.
"A few days ago, We almost lost a member of our family, I don't know how the rest of you feel, But it scared the hell out of me, Neelix, You still don't know how to make a pizza, But I'm glad you're here," Tom said.
"So am I, Here's to you, Neelix," I said.
"Well, Thank you, Everyone, Well, Enjoy," Neelix said. "Computer Music,"
As I went over to 7 as Chloe was with Clara.
"Having fun," I said.
"No," 7 said.
"That's probably because you've been standing here by yourself," I said.
"I don't understand the rules and procedures for this type of social occasion," 7 said.
"The Rules are simple, Choose a group of people, Listen to their conversation Then when you feel like you have something to contribute, Chime in," I said.
"Chime in," 7 said.
"You say something, Join the discussion," I said.
"I will try, Captain," 7 said.
XXX
I was in Sickbay after something happened with Neelix.
"His issue began rejecting the nanoprobes, Causing Spontaneous necrosis throughout his body," Doc said.
"We modified the Nanoprobes to compensate and it appears to be working, Neelix is Stable for now," 7 said.
"How do we know this won't happen again," I said.
"We don't. I've designed a monitor for Neelix to wear that will alert us at the first sign of Necrosis, And we'll continue with the daily injections, Beyond that, I'm afraid it's a Matter of Maintenance, he may have to live with this condition for the rest of his life, He wants to speak with you, Commander," Doc said.
XXX
I was on the Bridge when.
"Captain, Someone's trying to initiate an unauthorized transport, It's Neelix," Harry said.
"Where's he going," I said.
"Looks like he's trying beam into the Nebula," Harry said.
"Stop him," I said. As Chakotay went. "McCall to Neelix, Neelix Respond, Neelix, I order you to disengage transport,"
"He's found a way to block the abort sequence, transports' in progress," Harry said.
"Override it, Get him back," I said.
"It worked," Harry said. "Bridge to Chakotay, We've blocked his transporter signal, Captain, we got another problem, Neelix has made a site to site Transport. I won't be able to override it,"
"Chakotay to the Bridge," Chakotay said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"Everything alright. Neelix stopped," Chakotay said.
"Confirmed, The Signal for the site to site is gone," Harry said.
"Nice One Chakotay whatever you said to him must have worked," I said. "Tom Resume course for home,"
"Aye Captain," Tom said.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!