"Suck Beam sequence is complete, sir", ANDA advised.
"Thank you Mr. ANDA", Number Two replied. "Has Dr. Egan prepared the cryogenic transport unit?"
"Affirmative, sir. He is presently en route to the Salvage Bay along with several corpsmen."
"Very good", the lieutenant observed.
The android stood and stepped over to Number Two. "Permission to be relieved, sir."
Lt. Scott was surprised by the peculiar request. "For what?"
"I believe I may be of some assistance in dealing with DANA", he suggested.
"How do you mean?"
"Until recently", ANDA explained, "we have spent much of our lives together, almost as though we were brothers, though that is not actually possible due to our being constructed at separate government
facilities."
"So, you think DANA will respond better to you than his commanding officers?"
"Yes, sir", the android confirmed, "primarily because he seems to have overridden his etiquette protocol, and may have found a way to ignore his other programming."
Lt. Scott leaned forward in his chair, scratching his chin, in an unconscious mockery of Reed. "Do you really think you can get through to him?"
"I'm not sure", ANDA admitted, "but I believe it is our best chance."
"Alright", Number Two acquiesced. He stood and and placed a comradely hand on the android's shoulder. "Good luck, Mr. ANDA."
Mildly surprised by the lieutenant's open display of affection, the bio-mech simply turned and strode awkwardly toward the door. He took one look back at his crew mates, rendered a smart salute, and left the
bridge.
