Armed and Ready

The door to the weapons locker opened and Commander Joshua Riker entered.  Looking over he saw Lieutenant Argyle and Master Chief Eddington in conversation over an open case of phaser rifles and hand phasers.  Throughout the arms locker were several other members of security who appeared to be at different stages of power tests and equipment inventories.  Walking over to the Chief of the Boat and the Security Chief Commander Riker directly addressed the Master Chief and spoke.

"Master Chief Eddington I see the final security checks are being completed and security teams are still at level two alert.  I must ask why am I here?"

Glancing over at Lieutenant Argyle Master Chief Eddington glanced back at the Commander and began to speak.

"Well sir perhaps if a senior officer was involved in the..."

Cutting off Eddington Riker interupted.

"Cut the crap Eddington and tell me why am I really here?"

Pointing at Lieutenant Argyle.

"Is it because of him?"

Interjecting Argyle spoke out.

"Yes sir it is.  There are still members of the crew who have a problem with me.  A good portion of this ship have lost family members and friends to the borg and now the man responsible for their safety is borg."

"Lieutenant you are not borg."

"No sir I am not, but my implants are.  I am walking and breathing and able to fight because of borg technology.  I do not agree with their methods but I am not going to spend any time pretending their fear surprises me."

Speaking up again Master Chief Eddington joined back into the conversation.

"You see Commander, while I would not have put it so bluntly, I figured that if the crew saw you openly supporting the Lieutenant than maybe it would make their transition easier."

Nodding to the two gentleman Riker reached in to the case and drew out a hand phaser.  Half pointing it at the Lieutenant Riker laughed.

"Is it true that I can shoot you and you will not feel it."

Argyle attempted to hide his smile.

"Up to stun level three sir my regenerative abilities heal faster than the phaser can damage my cells."

Bending over into the case Argyle began to take a reading on the first rifle.  As he stay bent over Commander Riker stepped backwards, adjusted the settings on the phaser and fired a blast into the Lieutenant's side.

Standing with his smile faded and a look of annoyance now on his face Argyle glanced over at Riker as Master Chief Eddington was torn between surprise and laughter.

"Sir.  I may be able to heal fast but I am still pretty sure you can't just shoot the chief of security."

Glancing down at the phaser Riker sighed.

"You are right Lieutenant of course.  I am sorry"

As Argyle leaned in to grab the phaser from Riker he fired a second blast into his chest just above his stomach.  Looking down at the phaser Riker laughed aloud.

"This is so cool."

Master Chief Eddington leaned in to speak up but noticed the looks of fear and anger had faded on the other security officers as they watched the exchange.  There was a bond forming that had not been there only moments before.  He did not agree with the Commander's methods but they seemed to be working, so Eddington chose to say nothing and watched as Riker flipped the phaser and handed it to the now clearly annoyed Argyle.

Looking down Argyle noticed a small hole had burned into his uniform jacket.  Walking over to a drawer Argyle opened a drawer and then, removing his pips and undershirt, exposed the chiseled physique woven with cybernetic implants.  The other security officers glanced over with both impression and wonder at the modified specimen before them.  Walking over to Argyle Riker tapped him just below his shoulder where flesh and borg implant arm met.

"If you don't mind me asking how does that not hurt."

"It is cybernetic sir it has no feeling."

"No I mean the tissue.  Your arm is clearly cybernetic but the muscle and tendons it is attached to are not.  You can bench press a shuttle but how can the human parts of your body handle that stress.?"

As he continued to change Argyle rolled his arm as if to show range of movement.

"The tendons and soft tissue are enhanced with nanite technology in my blood.  They act to strengthen and repair the soft tissue as strain is placed on it from the implants.  A brilliant upgrade actually designed by some Cardassian."

With a nod of both understanding and impression Riker continued.

"Fascinating.  Well Lieutenant I will get back to the bridge I am glad that your security checks are complete.  When you final crews are armed and in position return to the bridge."

"Aye Sir."

With that Riker nodded to Lieutenant Argyle and Master Chief Eddington.  Turning and exiting the locker Commander Riker headed back towards the bridge.