EPISODE LXIII - I DON'T KNOW THE MEANING OF LIFE, BUT I DO KNOW THE MEANING OF LICE
"Something is happening, Doctor.", Nurse Yahbo said stepping out from behind the plastic curtain.
Reed and Egan, who had been sipping synthetic coffee from biodegradable containers, both came immediately to their feet. Egan pushed by both commander and nurse to check the readings on the bio metric display.
From Reed's view of the doctor's back, he could see Egan raise a hand to his face and begin to shake minutely.
"What is it, Doctor?", Reed asked urgently, sensing a rising doom.
Egan turned wiping the sleeve of his lab coat against his eyes. Rather than the agonized expression Reed had expected, the doctor seemed to be smiling and softly chuckling. "It's working perfectly!",
Egan exclaimed. "Their bodies are accepting the transfusion."
"And the virus?", Reed prompted.
"Has been completely transferred.", Egan finished for him.
"Then why are the readouts changing?", Nurse Yahbo queried.
"Because", Egan explained as though talking to a child, "they have not only exchanged bodily fluids, but certain bio genetic characteristics."
Reed looked perplexed. "What does that mean exactly, Doctor?"
"It means", Egan continued, "that certain parts of their systems are beginning to mutate in order to perform at peak efficiency. It's all very exciting", he added.
Reed's concern grew. "Mutating", he asked, "into what."
Egan cocked an eyebrow dramatically. "That remains to be seen.", he said with enthusiasm.
"Well, when will we know?""Soon.", Egan replied. "The procedure is almost complete."
As if on cue, Lt. Scott began to stir. His eyes fluttered open and he regarded the assembled trio. His eyes locked on Reed's. "Hey, Commander", he said weakly, "where am I?"
"You're in sickbay.", Reed replied, his voice thick with emotion.
Number Two tried to clear his voice. "Thirsty.", he managed.
Nurse Yahbo helped lift his head and gave him small amount of water.
"Man, I'm bushed.", Lt. Scott replied, laying his head back on the pillow.
"Get some sleep.", Reed said, patting the lieutenant on the shoulder, "We can talk when you're rested."
Number Two nodded his head fractionally, and then closed his eyes.
Reed stood looking at his young subordinate for a time as Nurse Yahbo and the doctor checked his readings.
"Doctor.", Nurse Yahbo said, her tone unreadable.
Reed turned to see her looking down at Anda's face, her expression puzzled. "What is it?", he asked, moving to see over her shoulder.
"It's strange", she said quizzically, "but I think Anda's face might be changing."
"Nonsense", Egan replied glibly, coming to stand next to her, "any changes in their physiology would be entirely isolated to their internal organs." He looked closely at the androids features.
"Hmmmm..."
"What is it, Doctor?", Reed asked curiously.
Egan looked up at him, an odd expression on his face. "See for yourself.", he said, moving away from the table.
Reed leaned over the still form of Anda, concentrating on the androids facial features. He noted several small, dark hairs sprouting from the ridge just above each of the eyes. Eyebrows? On android?
He turned to regard the doctor.
Egan shrugged helplessly. "Perhaps I was mistaken."
