Having been created some seven minutes after his counter part, it was decided that Anda would undergo the treatment as, technically, he was lower ranking. Both had readily volunteered,
but there was only need for one. The bald android had been strapped onto a table beside the still form of Lt. Scott, his legs beside Number Two's head, and vice versa. Reed spoke quietly with the cybernetic
security officer.
"As a member of Space Fleet, you have the right to decline this assignment, Mr. Anda.", the commander informed him.
The android looked up at him meaningfully. "It is not in my programming to turn down assignments, Commander", he stated courageously, "and Lt. Scott has shared his peanut butter rations with me
on several occasions. It is the only way I can truly repay him."
Reed nodded, fully understanding the mechanical man's statement. Peanut butter was a delicacy to the palette of these androids, whose diet consisted primarily of gelatin and strained carrots, and as the protein
rich substance was hard to come by in deep space, it's inherent value surpassed anything else which they could acquire.
Egan had assured the commander that ANDA's risk, barring any medical complications, would be minimal, and that he would most likely, suffer no ill effects. "To put it simply", he had explained, "the infected
blood in Lt. Scott's body would be transferred to the androids body which, due to his mechanical structure, would not be a viable host for the deadly spore." Reed had only nodded, feeling helpless to safeguard
either of his crewmen's lives.
One line of surgical tubing connected ANDA's femoral artery to Lt. Scott's carotid, another line from his neck, connected to the Lieutenant's leg. Egan looked at Nurse Yahbo as he reached for the valve that
would release ANDA's bodily fluids. Her hand trembled slightly on the valve that would release Lt. Scott's.
"Is this the only way, Doctor?"
He nodded his head grimly. "I'm afraid it is."
Each twisted their valve and instantly red fluid began to course through the conduit from Number Two to the android. Likewise, a yellowish substance flowed toward Lt. Scott's neck from the line connected
to ANDA's leg. Both bodies shuddered briefly as the alien fluids began to seep into their bodies. They then lay perfectly still.
Reed's anxiety was evident. "Now what?", he asked the doctor.
