Tamm reacted before any of Sickbay’s instruments did. Doctor Sovan’s attention immediately shifted toward the biobed as the secondary neural pattern synchronized with Tamm spiked sharply. Doctor Najjar remained nearby, monitoring the rapidly changing readings while Sovan concentrated on the patient.

Humidity around the biobed climbed before the faint harmonic rhythm accompanying Tamm’s presence became audible—not loud, but deep enough to be felt through the deck. Then Tamm’s presence suddenly reached directly for Sovan.

Sovan.

The Vulcan stiffened slightly as the contact established itself. Unlike Tamm’s previous communication with Batario, there was no uncertainty in whom Tamm was addressing.

It is here.

Sovan raised his tricorder, comparing the sudden changes against the medical monitors. “I hear you, Tamm.”

The sensation accompanying the contact changed. Images and impressions pressed against Sovan’s consciousness: the four contained beings aboard the derelict, the distant alien vessel, and something reaching through the connection between them. Then came fear. It is trying to take me.

Sovan stepped closer to the biobed, adjusting the medical sensors to isolate Tamm’s neural activity from the invading pattern. “I will attempt to prevent that. Remain focused upon me.”

A nearby diagnostic panel flickered. For less than a second, an unfamiliar geometric pattern appeared before the medical computer cleared it. Then every monitor surrounding the biobed displayed the same pattern.Sovan glanced toward Najjar. “The external signal has penetrated the Sickbay systems.”

The temperature dropped several degrees as Tamm’s presence surged against Sovan’s mind.

Do not let it touch me. A shimmer appeared near the far wall of Sickbay. Sovan turned toward it, tricorder already scanning but he found no recognizable Starfleet transporter carrier wave. The shimmer vanished but reappeared beside another biobed before disappearing again. The third manifestation lasted longer and something dark and mechanical began taking shape inside it.

Sovan remained beside Tamm, his attention divided between the forming object and the presence now firmly connected to his consciousness. “Tamm, remain with me. Tell me what that is.”

For a moment there was only fear then Tamm answered.

One of them. The mechanical shape continued to resolve.

Nosferatu
Your Darkest Nightmare