Standing on deck, I stare at Polaris above, calculating my latitude.

"We should be close," I mumble, squinting at the morning horizon. What's this? A little black spec? At last! After two long, grueling hours, the Island, in all its glory, is within view.

But what's this? My vision blurs. Are these tears? Blepharitis perhaps? Impossible. My facial hygiene is pristine. Could it simply be…

Oh, Island, dear heaven on earth! How I missed you!

Yes, dear vessel, press on. Onwards! To better days.

Swish! Splish! Splash!

Motors shut off, propellors stop moving, the vessel idles.

Oh, what now?

The ship captain's voice blares through an intercom, "Attention all passengers, we will arrive at the harbor in one hour. Please gather your belongings and gather at the deck for unloading.

An hour? That's bogus! From this distance away, it should only take about ten minutes tops. I cross my arms, then rest them on the guardrail, wondering about the cause of the delay.

However, as we idle towards the harbor, I notice some bubbles springing up from the bay. Just below sea level, I spot a huge black bump.

The Guardian.

How interesting, even with the machine out of commission, respect for its power alone makes everyone eerie of crossing over it.

As time passes by, passengers start making their way to the front of the ship. I pull the hoodie over my head and pull the strings tight.

KSSSHHH!

A pressurized hatch opens out of the ship's upper deck, revealing a mechanical stairway. The machine unravels until it attaches to the docks.

"Alrighty folks," the ship captain's voice returns, "Please our security staff by forming a line for the customs building. Thank you!"

Sorry, not gonna' hap'n cap'n.

I slip past the crowd and sink below deck. Running to the haul of the ship, I find the cargo room. Nearby, I find a stack of empty crates they unloaded at the Island.

It's Perfect!

It's Awful!

I've been stuck inside this crate for what feels like forever. Feet tucked, knees bent, head cramped, joints ache, it's just downright… WRAAAAGGGHHH!

Beep! Beep!

It's about time. I hear a forklift approach and feel the crate begin to move.

A voice calls outside. "Hey, boss! This one looks a little busted. Where ya' want it?"

"Oh, I don't know, just take it to the fishery! They can use it to dump fish guts." A gruff voice replies.

Of course, tis my luck. Okay, concentrate. Whenever he drops the load, I'll peek and see if the coast is clear.

Thud!

"Ugh!" My hip!

"Woo-wee! This place smells rancid, better make like a banana and split." The driver comments, before making his getaway.

Creeeaaakkk!

"Wha? Oy! Whose d'ere?" another voice calls.

Must all the wood in the world announce my presence! I shut the lid and keep quiet.

"Yar! Must be seawater in my ears."

Whew!

I peek through a crack between the crate's boards and spot an old sailor dressed in yellow, wearing a duck hat.

Squeak! Squeak!

A little brown rat runs between the sailor's legs.

"Oh, there you are,little fella'! I thought it might be you," he chuckles, digging his hand into his coat pocket, "You're in luck. I brought something special. Blue cheese, your favorite!" He sprinkles it on the ground.

Squeak!

The rat nibbles away.

"Well, lassie, this ol' mate must be goin'. Until next tide." The old sailor walks away.

I gaze upon this species of rodent for a while, watching it devour the delicacy laid before it. The way it twitches its tail side to side while eating reminds me of some peculiar lab rats I once owned. Funny, this one even looks like the breed of…

Wait a sec! Arattus norvegicus?

This isn't just some street rat! This is the species bred at the hospital for lab experiments.

I wait for a few minutes before exiting out of my hiding spot. Upon seeing me, the rat picks up a chunk of cheese, then runs between my legs and heads straight for a concrete pipe, with water dripping out.

"Heading home, eh?" I mumble to myself, following close behind. Might as well activate my infrared vision as well, who knows what could be down here.

Crouched down on my knees, I crawl through the concrete pipes before me. Although damp, the smell isn't too bad. It must be the outlet for all the stormwater drains in the city.

About five meters ahead of me, I spot the rat's heat signature. The little critter is making its way up the pipe before suddenly disappearing.

"What?" I question. Then, I reach the other end of the tunnel.

"A cistern, huh?" I hop down, falling into waste deep water.

Squeak! Squeak!

After another quick search, I find that the rat has already made its way to a dry walkway leading towards a tunnel with a maintenance ladder. The creature hops up along the side of the brick wall, then a rung of the ladder, scaling the climb with ease.

"A nimble one, aren't you?"

Upon climbing up, I find a manhole with a crack on its edge, which the rat slips through. I push up on the manhole just high enough for a peek. Right before me lies the Island hospital, where the rat makes its way.

I can't help but smile.

Lab rats have always been a clever bunch. No matter what puzzles I threw at them, they always figured them out, especially when there was food on the line. The little buggers get into all kinds of nooks and crannies when they're hungry. However, some days, it's not even about food for them. Curiosity alone can get them into trouble.

Into trouble…

I frown as my mind reminisces. If it weren't for your lot, I'd still be in that hospital, in my lab. If your inquisitive nature didn't cause you to push beakers over, then that disastrous virus would have never broken out! I would still be the lead scientist on this Island rather than banished to that forsaken rock called Ooo.

I remember a time when I had the luxury of snubbing your quadrupedal species as you all peddled around in cages. My, how the tables have turned. Now I find myself on all fours, watching in envy as you gleefully run home. You come and go as you please, while I must hide away in the shadows.

It makes you wonder which of us are evolving for the better.

Sigh…

No, pinning the blame for my misfortunes onto simple creatures won't help. Reminiscing is fine; judging is not. I must look for a way out of my current dilemma. I'll wait till nightfall, then search the hospital for solutions.

(Scene Break)

With the start of a new moon, the night sky is as dark as can be. This suits my purpose for tonight well. Still, I keep the hoodie on, just in case.

First, I'll make my way to the experimental wing. There, I'll see if any of my work remains or at least be able to put the pieces of the past back together.

I stride slowly under the streetlights towards the facility's main entrance. In front of the door, I try to prepare myself for the herculean task ahead of me. Security cameras are all over the place, watching my every move.

Think, Think, Think! I don't have a key, I guess I have to pick the lock.

"Excuse me, miss." A Minerva bot steps out of nowhere.

"Oh my gosh! You scared me." I exclaim, turning my head away. Quick! I need to think of another alibi.

"My apologies. Here, let me get that for you." The Minerva bot opens the door. I slap my own face.

It was open the whole time?

"Thank you," I reply, "Uh, excuse me, what are the hospital hours again?" I question.

"The hospital is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week." The robot sings with enthusiasm.

That's new! Where the heck do you find enough staff to service a hospital all the freaking…

My eyes drift towards the Minerva bot, blinking at me, waiting for my next command.

Oh, right.

Upon entry, I see the reception desk staffed by yet another Minerva bot. It's not just robots, though; in the waiting room sit several other guests. Some are sleeping, some are reading, and most are scrolling through their phones.

So much for the stealth approach, oh well, I think I can play the part of a patient quite well.

"Excuse me, miss, can I see a doctor? My tummy hurts." I hold my belly with both hands.

The Minerva bot just gives me an empty stare. "Apologies, miss, but all non-emergencies must take a ticket and wait for their number to be called."

Well, this won't do. Time for plan B. I pop the hinges on my prosthetic arm and let it fall to the floor, secreting red lubricant for dramatic effect.

"Oh, No! My Arm! Blood everywhere! Oh, the pain!" I fall to the ground and squirm.

Everyone stares at me in horror. In a matter of seconds, another Minerva bot pushing a stretcher bursts through double doors and carries me away.

Arriving in the emergency room, another Minerva bot bangs the door open, "Check her hemoglobin levels and have a blood transfusion ready on standby." It demands, turning its attention towards preparing an IV.

The Minerva bot pushing the stretcher now runs over to a phone, "Contacting specialist now for a code red-"

Thunk!

"That won't be necessary," I assure, sinking my taser prongs into the robot before releasing twelve hundred volts. Sparks fly out from the machine, and the lights from its eyes grow dim.

The other Minerva bot rushes over to its short-circuited counterpart and picks it up. "System failure detected."

"How unwise! Touching your metal friend will earn you a shocking surprise." I chime, sending another pulse. Sparks fly once more, and the second bot collapses.

Popping the hinges back into place, I reattach my arm. Ditching the hoodie in a biohazard bin, I pick a nurse's uniform from a rack by the door, covering my face with a mask before heading out the door.

Looking at the carnage on the floor, I look for a way to cover up the mess. Hanging on a shelf, I notice a stack of AEDs. I take two out and lay them in the hands of the robots.

"Somebody come quick! "We got an emergency," I shout down the hallway. A dozen Minerva bots emerge from nowhere and run to my aid.

"What's the emergency?" They ring out in unison.

"Two robots tried using defibrillators on a patient and ended up bumping into each other, frying both their circuits. We need to get them out NOW!"

The herd of Minerva bots stampede past me as I slip away towards the hospital's experimental wing. Inside the lab, I find a desktop computer.

"At last," I plop onto a stool and crack my knuckles, "My search for answers starts now." Clicking on the keyboard, the computer asks for a password. Next, I fling out my USB.

"My dear trojan horse, your time has come. Go forth, and bring me that sweet, sweet data."

The password bar fills in. "Veggie thali and mango lassi." Oh? So, the user is a fan of Indian cuisine, huh? A smile begins to grow across my lips. I know whose computer this is.

"Well, Minerva, do tell me what's happened to you after all these years." I wiggle the mouse over to her files and begin to scroll.

Oh, thank heavens! Folders have been created in alphabetical order, with dates on everyone! Minerva, if you were standing here beside me, I would kiss you. Let us dig in!

What's this? A new file labeled 'Enigma'? This might be interesting.

"(07/15/3297) A new patient arrived at our hospital about a month ago. Upon consulting the patient about her origins, she claimed no recollection of them. Initial testing for amnesia was stopped when the patient demonstrated the ability to recall new information. When confronted with this, the patient's attitude turned aggressive, denying having any memories at all, not even her name. Hereafter, the patient was given the name Enigma.

Further testing was done to rule out brain damage. An MRI scan exposed several benign tumors. In search for the cause of her cancer, a geiger counter showed abnormal levels of radiation. Later, a blood sample revealed unusual amounts of carbon fourteen, suggesting that the patient inhaled or ingested these low beta emitters.

Similar signs of radiation damage results were recorded with Finn and Kara, when they first returned to the Island. Considering how the date of her accident coincides with the founding of the Colony, it's likely she is a stowaway from Ooo."

Another stowaway, eh?

I guess I wasn't the only one looking to escape from that crazy continent. Perhaps we can be of some use to each other. Any normal person who's endured the hardships of Ooo will have a sympathetic ear to hear what I have planned for that place.

Well, Minerva, your new adventures on Ooo are proving to be interesting, but what about your history? How did there come to be so many of you?

Let's see…

Ahah! Project 'Cloud Chamber' dated seventeen years ago.

"(10/10/3280) Dr. Gross has assigned me a team to develop an AI for a new nursing program. Discussions are still being held regarding the scope of the project. But at this point, I do anything to make my mind off recent events."

You poor thing, I tried to warn you that Mertens was a dirtbag, but even I never expected him to be a hider.

"(11/22/3280). The hope is to develop a nursing robot to assist with hospital duties. I do my best to inform the team about nursing responsibilities. However, translating that information into a working digital model is proving to be quite a hurdle. I hope something noteworthy turns up soon. Dr. Gross has been frequenting my office, asking about results."

Gees, I was only curious.

"(02/07/3281) Good news! The AI has been successful in getting the androids to work co-operatively. Today, they managed to walk down a corridor without stepping over each other! Still a long way to go before they are ready to perform any nursing duties, but maybe this will be enough to drag Dr. Gross from her experiments. Lately, she's been obsessed with animal genetics."

Hey! So, what if my hobby is playing Darwin with animals? That's exactly what bioengineers are supposed to do!

"(09/30/3281) Disastrous! The development team of AI quit after Dr. Gross called them useless. Without any software engineers, I thought the project was scrapped altogether. However, the way Dr. Gross looks at those robots, I fear she has something drastic in mind."

Ah, yes, I remember now. My thinking at the time was that if controlling the robots through synthetical means proves too difficult, why not go a more organic route?

"(04/23/3282) This is madness! I was curious when Dr. Gross asked me to acquire a 'Better Reality' chamber all of a sudden, but I would have never guessed her intentions. Wanting to upload one's consciousness to the Island's network? Hah! Putting on a headset is one thing, but to have one's being linked to these machines would require neural implants that far exceed anything developed in the Seeker's program. This is starting to look more and more unethical. I'll have to keep a close eye on the doctor."

Keep a close eye on me!? I always wondered what those noises outside my lab were. I should have known you were spying.

(08/18/3282) Operation Cloud Chamber is complete but remains untested. The chamber acts as a compartmentalized ICU but with special neural link cables that must be injected into the brain, thus forever incapacitating its user. Despite my repeated inquiries, Dr. Gross refuses to elaborate on how, or more specifically, on who, she plans on testing it with. I won't go through with this. Despite the good intentions, it's far too much of a sacrifice to ask of someone. I'm resigning my services from the project."

You were always such a worry wart, Minerva. Believe me, I had no intention of throwing anyone into that contraption. At least not any authentic someone. A clone would suffice, but I had to start small. So, I looked to nature for examples of replicating DNA.

"(12/11/3282) I convinced the doctor to only use the Cloud Chamber as a last resort. However, her interests have taken a far darker turn. She's not authorized to experiment with viruses and judging by the unkept mess that is her laboratory, it's only a matter of time before an accident occurs. When I tried to confront her on this, she denied any wrongdoing. I'm going to inform the Island Council of this."

Who are you to judge? I know what you did to keep your dirtbag husband out of re-education. Yet, you have the nerve to deem my actions unethical. Talk about hypocrisy.

Wait a second; the date on this is only two days before the incident with my lab rat. This means…

OUTRAGEUS! Minerva, how could you? I thought of you as more than a colleague; I thought of you as a friend. Nevertheless, at the slightest bending of the rules, you rad me out the authorities!

"(03/28/3283) The spread of the virus has been stopped, thankfully, and a new vaccine has been developed. For those already infected, however, things are not looking good. All the hospital staff that contracted the disease are no longer with us. With my current condition, I'm afraid I am not far behind. What's more frightening is the question of who will take care of the patients when all the doctors are gone. No, the need is too great. I won't abandon them like Marty abandoned me. If there's a chance I can still be of use, then I'll take it."

Huh, so you offered yourself up to the Cloud Chamber, and it worked?

I commend your sacrifice, but you're not the only hero of that story. Did you forget that it was I who developed the vaccine that prevented humanity's extinction? The accident was tragic, yes, but did I not do everything in my power to make it right?

It's not like you're the only one giving it their all. I've devoted my life's work to improving our healthcare systems, to improving our home on the Island, to improving the human body itself! Yet, both you and your son have kept me from advancing our species' evolution.

You act high and mighty, but you let your emotions carry you away. Your desire to be with your son caused you to leave for Ooo, dragging others along, regardless of the danger.

Are you aware that every summer, it rains down literal knives from the sky? Did you know that, like a fantasy novel, there are wizards, goblins, and vampires creeping about? How about the hostile wolves that, rather than bite you, hug you to death? There's a reason I constructed my old lab to move underground, like some rodent in the dark.

In the dark…

Hmph! All this time, I've been hiding in the shadows, complaining.

Well, no more. I want to walk freely among my people again. I still yearn to improve their lives, even if that means ruining yours. So, Minerva, so, Finn, if need be, I'll become the lab rat that lurks in the dark, causing you trouble for humanity's sake.

But if I'm going to officially return to the Island, then I'll need a pardon from the council.

Scouring the room for ideas, I find a box with a label on it. My curiosity inclined, I read its contents.

"Oh, some new antibiotics heading for the Colony, eh?" I look to my left and find a microbiological cell incubator. "Good thinking, darling; a new land means new germs, and new germs means… well, as a fellow doctor, I'm sure you can guess."

(A/N: There you have it. Dr. Gross has returned, and she's out for revenge!)