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Sienna helps Dr. Korr into a chair, their body moving sluggishly despite their best efforts. Dr. Korr’s eyes, though weary, retain a spark of their usual keenness. Kneeling before the doctor, Sienna offers a glass of water, her worry evident in every heart beat.
“Dr. Korr, I’m Sienna. Sienna Krynn from Yrene Biodome #7; The Nexus. I came here for the conference. I-I don’t know what’s going on. Please tell me what should I do? Tell me how I can help,” Sienna asks, her voice quiet but urgent.
Dr. Korr's eyes flutter, a faint red glow pulsing beneath their eyelids. Their skin seems to shimmer, as if countless microscopic particles are dancing just beneath the surface. Sienna watches, a mix of fascination and fear etched on her face.
“You must know what's happening to me, Dr. Korr. Please, tell me,” Sienna pleads, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dr. Korr's lips move, forming words that don't quite make it past their throat. Their hands clench and unclench, fighting against an invisible force. When they finally speak, their voice is strained, as if each word is a battle.
Dr. Korr’s gaze meets Sienna’s, voice soft but clear, “The Red... Spark," Dr. Korr manages. “It's... affecting us. Me. Seen this... before.”
Sienna’s eyebrows rise in surprise. “Seen what before? Dr. Korr, I don't understand.”
Dr. Korr's eyes snap open, locking onto Sienna's with an intensity that makes her flinch. “Command... me,” they say, their voice suddenly clear, almost desperate. “Only way... break through.”
Sienna recoils slightly, confusion and discomfort evident in her posture. “Command you? I... I can't do that. It's not right.”
Dr. Korr's hand shoots out, gripping Sienna's arm with surprising strength. “Must,” they say, their voice a mixture of pleading and frustration. “How... Spark works. Holdover... from original... purpose.”
Sienna's eyes widen as understanding begins to dawn. “Original purpose? You mean...?”
Dr. Korr nods weakly. “Not proud... history. But now... only chance.”
Realization dawns on Sienna’s face, she speaks, her eyes locked on the doctor's, “To command you? That doesn't make sense.”
“I know… just… say it… say the words,” Dr. Korr urges, their voice barely above a whisper.
Sienna struggles, trying to grapple with this bewildering information. She rises and paces back and forth, her mind racing, while Dr. Korr fights to stay conscious, their breaths shallow and labored.
“Say it,” they insist, their voice growing weaker but more urgent.
Sienna stops pacing, her eyes darting to Dr. Korr’s face. The doctor’s eyes wide and unblinking, a look of desperate anticipation etched across their features. The room seems to close in around her, the hum of the robots working around the conference fading into the background.
“I…” Sienna hesitates, the words feeling foreign and unnatural. She can feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her. She takes a deep breath, steeling herself. When she speaks, her voice is firm, despite the tremor in her hands. “Dr. Korr, I command you to explain what's happening. In detail.”
Dr. Korr’s pupils dilate further, their gaze becoming fixed and intense. They stop blinking, their body momentarily rigid. The transformation is almost hypnotic, as if a switch has been flipped inside them.
“The Red Spark was originally developed as a means of enhancing suggestibility in subjects. Its primary application was in aiding the acceptance of lab-grown organs and treating Body Integrity Identity Disorder. However, at higher doses, it induces a state of extreme compliance, bordering on...”
The effect is immediate and startling. Dr. Korr's body goes rigid, their eyes clearing as if a fog has lifted. When they speak, their voice is steady, clinical. A hint of a smile, both triumphant and intrigued, plays at their lips. “Yes,” they breathe, their voice a blend of wonder and keen interest.
“...bordering on complete loss of autonomy. What we're experiencing now is a mid-level dose, likely dispersed through the ventilation system. It's made us susceptible to direct commands while retaining most of our cognitive functions.”
As Dr. Korr speaks, Sienna notices their hands still trembling slightly from the drug's ongoing effects.
“I… understand nothing, but what do we do next?” Sienna urges, astonished.
But the doctor stares.
"I command you to help me," Sienna is forced to exert authority.
As mental clarity returns, Dr. Korr’s scientific mind kicks into high gear. They attempt to stand but stumble slightly, their body still heavy with lethargy. “We need to contain this. And study it. The Red Spark has never been deployed in this manner before. The potential implications... they could change everything,” they mutter, steadying themselves against the chair. “EDI, initiate containment protocol Prime-7. No data leaves this building until further notice.”
“Containment protocol Prime-7 initiated, Dr. Korr,” EDI’s smooth voice responds. “May I inquire about the nature of the containment?”
Dr. Korr pauses, choosing their words carefully, eyes flicking back to Sienna’s concerned face. “We’ve stumbled upon an unexpected reaction to the Red Spark, EDI. Until we understand its full implications, we need to keep this quiet and contained. I’m certain the Legion would concur.”
“Understood, Dr. Korr. I’ve sealed all data pipelines and initiated a quarantine field around the lab. How else may I assist in your investigation?”
Dr. Korr’s mind races, formulating a plan. Their words come quickly, contrasting with their still-sluggish movements. “First, EDI, we need to act swiftly to counter the Red Spark’s effects. Activate HEPA filtration.” they command, each word deliberate and clear despite the visible strain. “Increase airflow... fifty percent.”
They pause, breathing heavily from the effort of speaking so rapidly. As EDI acknowledges the command, Dr. Korr's hand slips on the console. They catch themselves, frustration flashing across their features. Sienna moves to support them, but Dr. Korr waves her off. “Deploy portable scrubbers. Carbon filters. All occupied rooms.”
Dr. Korr attempts to input commands into the nearest terminal, their fingers clumsy and uncooperative. Frustration flashes across their face. “EDI, I’ll need you to execute these commands. My motor skills aren’t quite up to speed yet.”
They pause, closing their eyes for a moment as if to gather strength. When they open them again, there's a fierce intensity there.
“Of course, Dr. Korr. Commands executed. Shall I proceed with further countermeasures?”
“Yes. Full spectral analysis. Air samples. Multiple locations,” Each phrase comes out in a burst, as if Dr. Korr is conserving energy between commands. “Seal external vents. Positive pressure in clean rooms.”
They pause, gathering strength before continuing. “Synthesize... enzymatic compound. Base on Red Spark structure. Use... transplant immunosuppressant database.”
Dr. Korr’s voice grows more urgent, even as they sink back into the chair, clearly physically fatigued. “Biometric monitoring... all personnel. Vital signs. Brainwaves. Stress indicators.”
Sienna moves closer, supporting Dr. Korr as they lean forward, their voice dropping to a near whisper. “And EDI, this is crucial: Blood and tissue samples. From affected... including me. Analyze... biomarkers.”
They straighten up with effort, focusing on Sienna. “Lastly, EDI, Mass spec... liquid chromatography... prepare. Need detailed... molecular structure. How it's... metabolized.”
As EDI acknowledges the commands and begins implementation, Dr. Korr’s gaze drifts to the swirling patterns of the spark visible through the nearest window. Despite their physical exhaustion, eyes gleam with scientific curiosity. They turn to Sienna, their voice a mix of fatigue and excitement. “Somehow…, you’ve activated the starshades within the building.”
“H-how? How is this possible? Is it part of your research?” Sienna asks, still processing the sudden shift in Dr. Korr’s demeanor.
Dr. Korr shakes their head slowly. “Not mine, no. I don't use the spark for this; it requires a substantial amount of the drug… to induce this level of… exhaustion. This… was researched by others. It’s highly classified; it renders the affected… quite receptive to commands.”
Sienna nods, her expression thoughtful. “Are you going to be alright? All of you?”
“I don't know,” Dr. Korr replies, gesturing weakly towards the exhausted personnel, “EDI, access archives. Original Red Spark research. Neurotransmitter interaction. Synaptic plasticity.”
“But what does that have to do with me? With us?”
Dr. Korr’s brow furrows. “Us?”
Sienna hesitates before responding. “I have sisters. One nearby. Shimmer is affected in a similar way. I don't know if it's having the same effect on people.”
“Shimmer? Shimmer Vesper?”
“Yes.”
Dr. Korr leans forward, intrigued despite their fatigue. “What is your connection to her?”
“We’re genetic siblings.”
Dr. Korr’s eyes widen slightly at this revelation. They turn to address the AI again, their voice stronger now, fueled by scientific curiosity. “EDI, locate Shimmer. I need. Sample collection. Their physiology... could be key.”
“Certainly, Dr. Korr. Would you like me to alert other staff members about the containment?”
Dr. Korr pauses, glancing at Sienna. “Not yet, EDI. Let’s gather more data first. For now, it’s just you and me. We contain. We study. We understand. The ethical considerations… those will come. But first, we must understand. What we’re dealing with.”
Their gaze returns to Sienna, a mix of scientific fascination and concern in their eyes. “… I need more time.” For a moment, it seems as though they might finally succumb to exhaustion. But then, their eyes snap open with renewed intensity.
“EDI,” they rasp, voice barely audible, “Initiate protocol Prime-3. The Legion's approval is already in place. Override protocol. Accelerate... The delivery…”
Sienna's brow furrows in confusion. “Dr. Korr, what are you-”
“Understood. Accelerating A-Patch delivery,” EDI's smooth voice confirms. “Estimated time to full effect: 30 seconds.”
As the countdown reaches zero, Dr. Korr gasps. Energy surges through their body, dispelling the lingering effects of the Red Spark. Their mind race, thoughts crystalizing with startling clarity.
Color returns to Dr. Korr's face, and their breathing becomes more regular. When they speak again, their voice is stronger, though there's an edge of urgency to it.
"That should buy us some time," Dr. Korr says, sitting up straighter. “The A-Patch will counteract the Red Spark's sedative effects temporarily, but we need to work fast.”
They turn to Sienna, their gaze intense. “We have a unique opportunity here. Your connection to Shimmer... it could be key to understanding why you both seem to trigger and resist the Red Spark.”
Dr. Korr stands, their movements more fluid now, though there's a slight tremor that suggests the effort it's costing them. “EDI, prepare the bio-lab for immediate genetic comparison analysis. Sienna, I'll need blood and tissue samples from you. We'll compare them to Shimmer's baseline data. EDI, initiate protocol Prime-9. Keep the StarShade Command engaged.”
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