Posted by Lieutenant Commander Nicholas James (Chief Star Fleet Intelligence Officer) in Some things never change
The flight took longer than expected. Hours upon hours passed. At some point the flight officer came back. He instructed Nicholas to ditch any Starfleet gear he was carrying and place it in a special container. He followed instructions. No reason not to. The flight carried on.

They landed at a small facility and Nicholas was taken inside. It was a sparsely populated place. He was taken to a small surgical room. There he waited. And waited. It was very sterile in this room, a comfort medically, but not so much personally. He thought the room might be soundproofed. He couldn’t hear anything outside.

A doctor came in. She was tall and thin. She nodded to Nicholas by way of greeting. “Mr James. I trust you were informed by Governor Hyrushi as to the nature of our clinic?”
“Yes. Discreet operations, all that.”
“Then welcome. We were told you needed a cyberneticist. Tell me what exactly is wrong, and I’ll prepare an operation for you.”
“I am a section 31 operative, part of an experiment-“
“I’ve dealt with more than one of you. Do you want them removed or replaced?”
“Replaced.”
“Very well. Let’s get to work.”

An extensive operation was prepared. The schedule was one month, during which time Nicholas would just be missing. Only Kenzo and a shuttle pilot knew where he had gone.

Every day was terrible. Awful. Horrible. The surgeries were just as bad as he remembered them from years ago. Day after day they made slow but steady progress. The doctor was careful not to rush things so as not to push Nicholas too far. Every few days, they took a day or two off. To let him recover a bit before diving back in.

A month passed slowly. One might say painfully.

“You’re done Mr James.”
“That’s it?”
“If you’d like more done, that can be arranged. But for what you originally requested… you’re done.”
“Thank you.”

Time to head home.

From the OED Starport he sent Kenzo a message. I have returned. I’m back in business.

-Nicholas James

A message appeared almost immediately on his PaDD. Come to my office first thing. Much to discuss. I understand you are feeling much better. Congratulations.

Hyrushi, Gov.