Nanotroopers Episode 4: ANAD

  ***Because that’s what you are…the base of operations. Headquarters. Central command. We’re a team now, you and me***

  “I never thought of it like that.” Winger got up, careful not to disturb the others, and left the Containment chamber, aware of how strange it seemed to simply walk out without concern for barriers or decontamination. For as long as he had been with Quantum Corps and dealing with ANAD systems, maintaining containment had been directive number one.

  Now ANAD was part of him. Literally.

  He found a restroom and stared at his face in the mirror. On a whim, he pulled off his shirt and examined the bandaged area where the implanted capsule had been inserted. He knew he shouldn’t undress the bandage, but he couldn’t help it. He was curious. He wanted to see the results of Quantum Corps’ Man-Machine Symbiosis Project.

  The skin was puffy and red, swollen around the implant but there was no mistaking that something new had been attached. Beneath the swelling, as he examined the incision, a tiny circular port and cover was barely visible, like a miniature missile silo from pictures he’d seen on History vids. There was no obvious hinge or way to open the port, but beneath the cap, a small capsule had been surgically placed and mounted to the back of his clavicle. He felt the port cap gingerly.

  ***Home sweet home, Base. It’s a coiled metal cap, since you’re wondering. It uncoils to release me. When I’m home and safe, it coils outward and holds pressure inside of containment that way***

  Winger jerked his hand away. “You know what I’m thinking? You can read my mind, ANAD?”

  ***Not directly…except in a gross way. I didn’t just crystallize yesterday, you know. My coupler picks up broad wave patterns and I can figure out things from that. You seemed to be wondering how it works….how I get in and out***

  “I was wondering…” Winger muttered. This is going to take some getting used to, he thought.