Chapter III: Reunited

Kendall feels for the creature. It sucks to have your hopes up - a disappointment that she has felt before. She will creep towards Cass and whisper in her ear:

'Zephyr' locks eyes with the symbiote captain, "Are you sure there are no other options?" They look at each other for a long moment, "Returning to a child's body is suffocating. The feeling of restlessness is unbearable, not to mention the hallucinations!" 'Zephyr' looks at the pale man next to him as if he is searching his face for answers as well, but seems to find nothing.

Alex, upon studying Zephyr you sense a discomposure and anxiety that you had never seen before, in either of Zephyr's forms. It's impossible to say whether this is coming from Zephyr or a projection of the symbiote's feelings however.

He then turns to you Alex and implores, "Please, I'm sorry for what I've done, I was just trying to survive. I'm begging you, don't let them send me back!"

Chain of command. Chain of command. Chain of command.

You can almost hear Alex's train of thought rumbling through her head, given the force with which she presses her lips together to keep from responding reflexively. She looks to Cass, letting the commanding officer take the lead.

And just like that, everyone is looking at Cass. She struggles not to gape like a fish (no offense, Marbo), but she can feel that her eyes, at least, are wide with the surprise of receiving this (punted) plea for clemency. Of all the things she might have expected right now, this hadn't even made the list.

"I deeply regret putting you through this, I really do," she says, something that a few hours ago she would have considered unthinkable. "Our intention is not to be cruel. We simply need the person you've taken as host returned to us. He didn't give consent to be in this condition, and we believe that people have a right to bodily autonomy. That is the main source of conflict between our peoples right now. Your captain and I are attempting to build a foundation of trust and cooperation that I truly believe could lead to your kind and mine working together to obtain willing hosts for all of you. But that journey requires a first step, and I'm afraid this is it. I..." She looks down at the floor, scowling at the general awfulness of the situation, then looks back at "Zephyr." "I'm sorry. Very sorry."

Kendall steps forward: "Permission to speak, commander?"

Kendall waits patiently to share her development, hoping to stifle this situation a bit.

Cass looks at Kendall in surprise. "Granted," she says, hoping she's not making a mistake.

"I may be interested to volunteer to become the host. I would like to understand exactly what that would entail, as well as the benefits. I have seen the strain that hosting presents, but perhaps we can find a solution that would reduce that strain.

"I am open to the prospect, assuming it would allow me to retain some personality and shared control."

"Commander, if I may add something?" asks Alex, though she continues to watch the Zephyr-body while she speaks.

Cass is so busy trying not to gape - again - that she simply nods to Alex to grant permission.

"The idea of an exchange may well be a good one, under certain circumstances," Alex says, looking now from the commander to the alien captain. "With certain assurances."

"First, is the host mind still active and able to communicate with the symbiont? Second, obviously the symbiont can be removed from the host body, but is there danger to the symbiont when it is transferred multiple times within a short duration? Finally, can the host communicate on its own, free with the outside world while the symbiont is present?"

Cass nods at Alex's points. "Lt. Commander Lloyd is right. There are safety factors that must be explored that affect both host and symbiote. For example, here are two others. One: We know that during the process of taking over a host body, the brain stem is severed. Is that a requirement for the process, or have you been doing it as the most expedient way to ensure complete ownership of the host body?

"Two: We know that your occupation of humanoid bodies results in significant damage to them, resulting in them being rapidly 'used up' and eventually requiring the symbiote to take a new host body. Is this an unavoidable feature of host occupation, or is it a byproduct of some other factor - say, the severing of the brain stem and rending the body nonviable on its own?"

She holds out her hands, palms up. "There is so much we don't know about you, but we are eager to learn. As my crew member's expression of interest should indicate, there are bound to be humanoids who would be willing to volunteer for the right incentive. We've noticed that you have the ability to rapidly heal host bodies and make physical modifications. There are humanoids suffering from diseases or physical handicaps who might jump at the chance to share their bodies to gain such benefits."

She sighs. "But all of this is discussion for later. We are here to regain a crew member whose body was taken against his will. Unless he tells me, himself, that he's willing to remain the host for this symbiote, I must request that he be restored immediately."

'Zephyr', while beginning to look hopeful during this discussion, suddenly has a look of uncertainty again.

"It has not been separated, no. If you desire to speak to him, I am obliged to comply. Although I'm not sure I would expect a positive response from him, our internal struggle has been a difficult one."

Marbo stands behind the two female officers, typing furiously and transcripting the whole interaction to a live storage server aboard the Potential, which is also set to beam all data to starfleet in case of an emergency.

Cass steps closer to "Zephyr." "Please let me speak with my friend." It's not a demand, just a heartfelt request.

"Very well."

Zephyr lies down on the gurney in the room with his arms at his sides. A few moments after getting settled, his eyes roll back in his head violently. His body then goes into a very brief period of minor convulsions, and then he's still. A second passes. Then another. Suddenly Zephyr sucks in a gasp of breath and sits bolt upright on the gurney. His pale complexion combined with the shimmering green lighting gives him an almost lurid appearance.

Without hesitation he looks directly at Commander Cassano, "Get it out of me." Zephyr has a very serious expression on his face. Not one of fear, more like disgust or contempt.

Taken aback by the violence of both the transition to the real Zephyr and the emotion he displays in communicating his desire, Cass gasps a little. This is definitely Zephyr, and he is expressing no equivocation whatsoever about his wishes. She maintains eye contact, happy to finally see him in there. "Okay, Zeph. You got it. Hang in just a little bit longer. We're taking you home."

Turning to the captain, Cass says, "I request that you proceed with the operation to remove the symbiote."

Zephyr then turns to Kendall.

"Whoever you are, if you are considering voluntarily hosting a symbiotic life form, I suggest you are allowed complete control over which life form, with no ambiguity. You will not only be sharing a body, but also be sharing thoughts if my experience is any indication."

Zephyr thinks for a moment, seeming to gather himself a bit.

"It is worth noting, however, that I was being held against my will," he says in the rational tone that the Commander has typically known from him. "There is every possibility that your experience would be entirely different than my own. The life form within myself is a vile and disgusting creature that has no concept morality or virtu....AACK!"

Zephyr reaches up and puts both palms to his temples, like he is having sudden migraine.