He felt rage build suddenly in him as he thought of LAURA. 'I can't believe they're going to deactivate LAURA. This is terrible. I REALLY can't believe I'm agonizing over an EMH program! I can't possibly have any real feelings for her. Can I?!' But that inner part of himself that he relied on to guide his reasoning was strangely silent.

The Prophecy had sustained fewer casualties than the Isannah had, but more actual damage. Between Rich's own struggle with the sickness, he had been worked very hard trying to keep up with those who were mourning losses, or who had done unprecedented things while under the illness, and were having trouble coming to terms with it. The Isannah was truly a ship of mourners, and as such drove him hard to keep up with their fraying mental and emotional states.

But now the Isannah was out of danger, and its crew were beginning a slow path of healing. While everyone had been slowly going insane because of exposure to the enigma particles, it was all he could do to keep himself together. Rich sighed as he thought of the rest he was going to need, not to mention the shore leave. Once he reached his quarters he took off his uniform, changing into casual clothes and tried to relax while laying down. But he had not stopped thinking of LAURA, some part of him unwilling to give up on her---and worried what would become of her.

It was the last thing he had remembered when he went to sleep, and the first thing he thought of when he awoke. Suddenly, with a lightning-flash of inspiration. He sat up suddenly, his mind reeling on an idea of what could save LAURA.

At that moment, his rational self decided to utter objections. 'I can't believe I'm even considering this. Too many unstable variables. Too many unknown factors. Too much at stake. But then again... risk is what makes life worth living!'

He headed to his office to access the Medical Database, researching different instances of implants used in brain surgery, specifically those designed to mimic normal brain function. He became so engrossed that he felt he had only been there a few minutes, but when he checked the chronometer, he found it had been several hours. Settling back down again he looked over what he had learned so far.

'Okay so it's not unprecedented. It's just unusual, and the interface has shown compatible considering human personalities have been successfully stored in machines for short periods. Android positronic brains hold the most promise, but the matrix is normally unstable, no one besides Soong has been able to develop a stable net. We have malfunctioning parts of patients brains replaced with implants to eliminate seizures, or allow function when replacing brain damage from several causes. So what if the personality of LAURA could be implanted into those otherwise 'blank' brain implants. It shouldn't be impossible.'

Rich downloaded all of the information he had uncovered onto a half dozen or so Padds, continuing to think. 'First, I would need to get a body that is already brain dead. A procedure of this nature would kill an active brain, but were there someone in a vegetative state, but all of the bodies autonomic functions still intact, it may be possible to infuse implants a humanoid brain and stimulate the brain to interact with the electronic pulses in the same way as it would with the missing tissue.'

Rich at his desk in deep contemplation, and then looked over a few of his Padds. "Computer, give me a detailed list of the current injuries and casualties aboard the USS Prophecy and Isannah, and the causes of their condition. Authorization Rich Alpha Gamma 2-8-2-0." As the information scrolled across the screen, Richl looked at the list intently, searching for those who were currently classified as unresponsive coma cases. There were quite a few. Some were comrades of his, others were acquaintances, and still others were complete strangers. None that made his choice any easier.

If he was going to save LAURA, a body would be needed, as her matrix was degrading due to more unknowns than the unknowns surrounding the enigma sickness itself. "Computer, save the currently displayed information into my database." He then copied the information onto two pads, grabbing them, he also picked up a suitcase sized black box, oddly enough in the replicator database from some previous mission concerning a man named Portal. He hadn't cared though to learn more. Without further ceremony he strode purposefully from his office and down to sickbay.

Upon entering, it took him a minute to check to see that LAURA was not active anywhere within the facility. "Computer, activate LAU....uh...Emergency Medical Hologram."

Instantly she appeared, focused on him and said cheerfully, though somewhat in a monotone, "How may I assist with your medical needs today?"

"LAURA, Nice greeting. Better than the standard 'State the nature of...greeting'," he paused only an instant, it was clear to see he was excited about something. "Listen LAURA, put this on I need to talk to you in private. It's important." He offered her the briefcase.

She took it without thought, though looked up at him with an expression of curiosity. Her dark eyes and blond hair made for interesting natural coloring. "What is it Darel? What's wrong?"

But she didn't question what he asked and walked over to a console, quickly transferring her program into the portable case. It was obvious she had done this a few times before. Her image flickered for a moment, then rematerialized. LAURA picked up the case and walked out. She was curious as to the nature of what was so urgent that he needed to pull her out of sickbay for it. She would soon find out Rich's intentions. Soon the two were in Rich's office; he motioned for LAURA to have a seat, which she immediately did.

"I sensed a tone of urgency in your voice back in sickbay." She said, looking at him. Though she was able to read expressions fairly accurately, it was Jelandra's influence that could be read in her word choice. "What's going on? When we talked last you said you would try and do something about my deactivation. Have you discovered a way to keep my program running?"

"Well, it's a bit complicated," Darel began, "but I need to tell you something important. I have to get this off of my chest before it drives me crazy. On top of that I may have found a way to keep you from proverbially dying."

Rich laughed suddenly at the thought of the Ship's Counselor going crazy, but while LAURA knew it was a figure of speech, Rich wasn't so sure of that.

"Go ahead, Darel." She said calmly, folding her hands into her lap.

"LAURA... I think... I'm in love with you." As soon as he got those words out the rest came in a rush. "I know it sounds crazy, but I've been thinking a lot about what you said when we last talked yesterday, and the thought of losing you would be unbearable. I'm probably going to be drummed out of the business for even admitting this, but if I kept this hidden and wasn't open with it, it would eat away at me, and then eventually... who knows. I just know I had to let you know that."

She blinked at him a moment, but her expression didn't change much. "I must say that I am a bit taken-aback by your emotional expression towards me. I care about you very much Darel. I think about you every time I'm activated, but being a computer program, I'm not sure I'm capable of love."

Something stirred inside LAURA, something strange. Not sure if it was the degradation of her program or the knowledge of being wanted. Although she was sure that Darel was sincere and she somehow understood everything now, it still was a point of uncertainty.

"I know what I'm capable of, and I no longer doubt how I feel, which brings me to my proposition. What would you think of becoming human?" He said, holding his breath in uncertainty as to how she'd react.

"Human? I'm not sure exactly what to think," she said honestly.

"Well, you wouldn't have to become human per say. According to our Medical Logs, you actually have a choice of races. Not a very good one, but a choice none-the-less."

Her face changed into something of a frown. "How could this be possible Darel? I am a hologram, a computer generated figure. I don't understand what you are trying to say... please explain."

"Well, I've been researching a process that could possibly infuse your personality, and as much of your medical knowledge as has not been deteriorated onto a positronic chip, and that chip could be put into a human subject. It would be just like replacing malfunctioning parts of the brain with artificial components, except these components would contain your personality and knowledge." He paused, trying to gauge her reaction, but she seemed to be displaying only calm interest.

"With the proper stimulation the brain would treat the chip as a regular part of the brain, and you would in effect become that person. There are a few unstable factors, but I figure you have nothing to lose. You're going to be deactivated anyway. If it is successful, then we will have accomplished an unprecedented procedure. If the surgery isn't successful then chances are my Counseling career would be over, and so is your medical one."

LAURA took a moment before answering. "It's true that I have nothing to lose for trying this but, think about what you will lose if this doesn't work. Your career which you have built and the life you have built for yourself. Am I really worth that much to you?"

Now it was Rich's turn to think before answering. "Well, LAURA to me it's worth it. In my line of work you find very few true friends, and even fewer love interests. I figure I need to take every opportunity that arises, no matter what the cost, or in this case how crazy it sounds."

"You're right Darel, it does sound crazy." LAURA affirmed. "Have you approached the Captain with this idea yet?"

"I wanted to come to you first," he said hastily. "If you didn't feel the same, or didn't want to go through with it then there was no need to go to the Captain with it. It would end right here and now. What do you think?" Of course, that was only half the reason. He had much reason to doubt that the current CO would think very much of the plan.

"There is nothing to really think about, I think its worth a shot like you said I have nothing to lose and if it means that much to you go ahead and talk to the Captain." She said finally.

"Okay, that's good to know. Take these Padds and take a look at them. There are four choices of species for you to become if this becomes an actual alternative for you." He offered them to her.

"Thank you Darel, I will let you know right away." She took the Padds and looked at them quietly. A feeling of anticipation swept over LAURA at the thought of being real---able to move around freely without the constraints of having to rely on an emitter. She wasn't going to lose everything she has built. That thought also terrified her, though part of her wondered how it could.

"Okay I need to stay here for a while longer then I'm going to finish my rest, but I'll walk you over to the turbolift." He said, smiling. When they both had stood, he placed a hand on her shoulder and escorted her to the turbolift, her holding the emitter in one hand and the padds in another.

As she turned to ask him a question her face was only two inches from Rich's. They both waited a moment, and stared into each others eyes before kissing. LAURA blinked, then entered the turbolift and headed back to sickbay. Rich headed back to his office, both thinking of the other as they went along.

Loaded: 03.10.2004