"I think you will find that I never put my life in the hands of others," Elliot said in response to Vader. Whether that was debatable didn't matter to Elliot, for he didn't think Vader cared to discuss it anyway.
"We'll beam over who wishes to go to the Enterprise," Burnham said. Liara nodded and her communication ended. Burnham nodded to the others and said,
"sit tight."
Soon, those on the bridge who had not specifically asked to be exempt from the investigation were transported to the lounge of the Enterprise, where Liara, Spock, and James Vega waited with the device. Liara greeted the group warmly before introducing everyone to the technology.
"I've connected a helmet accessory to the device, where placing it on your head will put you into a deep sleep. As far as I can gather, the device originally copied minds into it, though I am unsure if this was meant to be permanent or just a temporary function. In any case, I have made adjustments to allow your consciousness inside the device without copying it, though it can only be done for an hour or so before the strain becomes too much on your mind."
James looked a bit sick.
"So you're saying... our minds will be in there, but then when it's over, they come back to our bodies?"
"... Essentially," Liara said, giving a look that indicated she didn't really have time to help James understand it better.
"Is everyone ready?"
Soon, one by one, Liara transferred the consciousness of everyone in the room into the virtual world contained inside the device. Though no one knew what to expect, the experience ended up feeling not entirely unpleasant. At first, it felt like flying, with feelings of euphoria over a blank landscape of nothing. Soon, it turned into something more, like a kaleidoscope of color being directly broadcasted into one's brain. These visions were rapid and mystifying, overlapping over each other to strike at one's every sense.
Then it all just stopped. Everyone's bodies hit softly against a surface and a landscape of light came into view. When they stood, they found themselves in a clearing in the middle of an idyllic landscape. The path behind you seemed to be nothing but a dense, uninviting forest, while two dirt paths led ahead. Both went through the trees ahead, but one clearly went
left toward a futuristic looking city you could see just beyond the forest. The other path, the one on the
right, seemed to go deeper into the forest to parts unknown.
"It would seem we will have to split up," Liara said.
Elliot was in awe, staring at his hands.
"Hold on, you're saying this is inside that device? That we are... inside a computer essentially?"
"That's how I understand it," James muttered.
"That... is incredible, admittedly. I did not think this was possible. I truly feel as if I am here. Not only that, but any discomfort I had been feeling is completely gone."
"It really is quite ingenious," Liara said with a smile.
"Well then..." Elliot pointed to the right path.
"That seems the more interesting way to go. That is where I will be."
"Keep in mind that we do not know what we will find. There is evidence the data in here is corrupted, so you must watch your surroundings."
