Wavelengths
05 Oct 2023Ryuko Ntsikana
Part Thirteen.
Wavelengths
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Xochitl, Rex, Yatziri, and Avery converged at the ship's infirmary simultaneously, finding Monty lying unconscious amidst a web of monitors spewing data. The medical android aiding the doctor signaled them to approach.
"How's he doing?" Xochitl inquired, eyes fixed on Inspector Gladsen.
"It seems Inspector Gladsen has been drained by more than just his duties," the doctor observed, pointing to a monitor. Its display was a mystery to Xochitl.
"In simpler terms," the doctor began, "when we're awake, we see a surge in beta waves. As we drift into sleep, theta waves dominate. During dreaming, brain activity mirrors wakefulness, accompanied by rapid eye movement. But here, we're witnessing an abnormal spike across all frequencies."
Xochitl arched an eyebrow, "Dumb it down a bit more for me."
Without missing a beat, the doctor elaborated, "I compared these readings with the ship's databanks and found a match in the universal cartographic section."
Avery interjected, "Those signals, while unique, aren't unheard of. They were marked important due to our frequent hyperspace jumps. However, their origin and amplitude are curious."
Rex studied the monitor and then turned to face both the doctor and Avery. "What makes these significant? Should we be worried?"
The doctor looked between Avery and Rex, answering, "It's not a direct threat, especially not to the ship. However, its closeness to our brain's frequency was concerning. But, for some reason, only the Inspector's affected. Why? I can't say without more tests. Right now, we've shielded the medical bay, and he seems to be resting peacefully."
Xochitl, sidling up to Monty's bed, posed a question, "Could this be a side effect of his previous encounter with that entity? Or a potential way for it to remotely influence him?"
"There is no part of it within any of us, so it can't control either him or me, but it can communicate with whomever it chooses, if the current theory proves to be fact and not something else," The doctor said to Avery more than anyone else present.
Avery nodded, "Your experiences align with my research. What intrigues us now is this potential communication method. Our systems are fortified against the entity, but this might be its loophole. That brings us to the crux: Why Monty and not you? Both of you had encounters."
All eyes landed on the doctor, who held Avery's gaze, "If our theory holds, the Inspector might have the answers. We'll know more once he awakens. For now, I'll confine myself here, as a precaution."
Xochitl interjected, "No. When you're not needed here, I want you out in the open. If the entity within Zooey is trying to communicate, we need to hear it."
"We should stick to our current security measures and set up frequency-safe zones," Avery suggested, earning a nod from Xochitl.
In the operating bay, the medical android positioned itself defensively between Zooey and the recovering surgeon. As the surgeon started to sit up, a voice echoed in his mind, "For your safety, acknowledge silently. Full introductions can wait. Just know you're in danger."
He saw Zooey sitting on the operating table and the android between them.
"I've healed you, and no, you're not hallucinating."
As he attempted to stand, weakness consumed him, his vision blurring.
"We don't have time. I need your body and expertise. The rest will unfold as we move."
He tried to voice his confusion but was silenced.
"This next part will hurt. Brace yourself."
Severe pain engulfed him, and he felt as if his very skull was tearing apart. Overwhelmed, he shut his eyes, plunging into darkness. Horrific visions and a torrent of information overloaded his senses. The realization dawned that the voice wasn't his, but something larger, shared, connecting him, the android, Zooey, and the entire facility.
Grasping the full scope was daunting. He was in imminent danger from his patient — a patient at the heart of all of this. This shared bond between each of them had a singular mission to protect her, and for that, it needed him.