[Neural Core]
T'Prina inwardly cringed, hearing the report of damage to Ops and casualties. It seemed Doctor Naira had finished with her scans and it was time to begin. Her fingers hesitated over the controls and she put a hand to the pendant she wore under her uniform. 'Nam-tor muhl, t'hy'la.' She would never say the words aloud, particularly not to whom she had in mind. It was enough for her however, to keep in her thoughts. Resolve strengthened, she began the download process.
It pinched in a way, a sharp pain she had not anticipated. Her body language never changed, but the intensity spiked the cortical monitor momentarily. She could still hear the conversations around her, but the room seemed to blur, and she couldn't focus on the words. Gradually she became aware of other 'voices' calling out in streams of code and numbers, lights flashing painfully and discordant. If this was how Analyn saw the Starbase, it was obvious why she was overwhelmed. The AI needed to be shown how to bring order to the chaos in order to function properly.
The Vulcan squinted her eyes against the bright flashes, and focused her thoughts. In her mind, she imagined a large room with a resplendent model castle. She thought that might get the child's attention, given her fascination with princesses. The AI appeared as if on cue.
"Mamapwina, you came to play and bwought me a pwesent?" Analyn clapped delightedly as she walked around her new castle. It looked just like something out of a fairy story. She changed her own dress into a poofy pink tulle and T'Prina's uniform to a regal purple ballgown.
"I hope you will find our game fun and educational. We haven't much time left." T'Prina spread open the castle to reveal the inner rooms, like a child's dollhouse. However, instead of little thrones and beds, each compartment inside contained part of the Starbase, the Promenade, the Engine Rooms, Living Quarters, etc. "Starbase Columbus is your castle, Analyn. Each room here has all the information organized for you." The model showed in real time, crew members, civilians rushing around trying to repair and clean up. The corners of her mouth turned down slightly as she saw the damage done to Ops, and those who were lost. "Everyone here depends on you, to help them and to keep them safe. I know it is a very large job, but you are capable of it, and so much more. I am here to give you my guidance, so you may better grasp your responsibilities."
Analyn considered this for a moment before nodding with a cheery grin. The child tugged on the Vulcan's sleeve bringing her down to eye level, before putting both small hands on T'Prina's temples, mimicking the placement of the neural link cables. Information travelled both ways simultaneously, the speed and intensity, causing T'Prina to cry out suddenly from pain and slump forward slightly in the Neural Core.
"Neural Link complete. Effecting All Systems Analysis and Repairs Protocol." A strange, mixed voice came from both T'Prina's mouth and Analyn's comm channel. "Full Power to be restored momentarily. We apologize for all inconveniences."