8918/Awakening from Mechanical Dreams

Awakening from Mechanical Dreams
Date of Scene:	03 December 2021
Location:	Recovery Room 01: Triskelion
Synopsis:	Jemma and Ava are on hand when Finley finally awakens from her nanite-induced coma. Although there are lots of questions to be answered, most of them will wait until later. The important thing? Fin's unlikely to end up like Yv'Kar. Not with SHIELD's finest on the case.
Cast of Characters:	Ava Starr, Jemma Simmons, Finley Ellison

---

Ava Starr has posed:
The coma that has held Finley Ellison in stasis for so long is a thing of mystery. Darcy Lewis has been looking into the strange energy readings that surround the woman, and trying to analyze things from a technical perspective. But medically? There is almost no reason she should still be unconscious -- save that the alien nanites in her body have decided she should be.

Ava Starr has been a nearly constant presence at Fin's side. The one advantage she has? The staff can't say she gets in the way. She's intangible most of the time, and very good at stepping back out of the way -- albeit occasionally right through walls and furniture.

At this present moment, she is sat in a chair beside her partner's bed, heels on the edge of the chair, knees high. A tablet sits on her knees, and she occasionally thumbs the edge, flipping the virtual page.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
The medical ward outside the closed door to the recovery room was quiet. Was being the operative word. If one listens carefully, a soft murmur of voices, followed by shuffling of feet, picks up. Too low to make out any words, one can make out at least the tone.

Apprehensive. Alerted. And just a touch of urgency.

Why the sudden activity? There is little explanation to be had. What clue as to what it might be is that a soft feminine voice, pleasant and tinged with a noticeable British accent, can be heard outside.

"Excuse me. Which room are you keeping Agent Finley Ellison?" A pause as some inquisitory words are murmured..then a response that is equal parts amused and annoyed. "You really want to question my business? I suggest you take it up with Chief Carter." Another moment of silence. "Yes, really. Now, which room? Thank you."

The conversation terminates as footfalls sound closer to the recovery room. As the door opens, the reason for the excitement can be seen. Jemma Simmons, complete with her own tablet and other accruements, steps in. It would seem that the good doctor has developed a bit of a reputation in the medical ward...for whenever she's there, it is for something important. And, just before the door closes, the staff member that dared to question Jemma's reasoning stands in the background, his head hanging low as others inform him of just who he tried to throw protocol at.

Poor guy. Must be new.

Then the door closes, and Jemma lifts her eyes up to see Ava. "Oh! Hello there. I am here to see what we can do for Agent Ellison here. I didn't expect she would have a visitor." Yes...because someone neglected to tell her. That new guy is going to hear about it later...

Ava Starr has posed:
To give the poor newb a bit of a break, in all fairness, Ava is less a 'visitor' and more of a 'fixture' in that room. Her head comes up as she hears the disturbance. She sets her tablet aside, and by the time the British doctor is opening the door, the British assassin is on her feet, standing watchfully. "Hello," she replies, her own accent clearly London, but not at all the High Street. She glances between the doctor and her patient. "I won't get in your way. But, I was there when... this... happened." In case that's helpful.

She's not awkward when she says it. But there's a subtle sense about her, probably in the set of her shoulders and the glint in her eye, that she is not about to be dogged out of the room. She's about as close to a family as Fin has. Or, more accurately, Fin is about as close to family as Ava has. "Do you think you can help?"

Finley Ellison has posed:
Finley hasn?t stirred. Her chest barely moves as she breathes, slow and shallow. The sensors beep softly at a steady rate, a metronome to count eternity. Nothing has changed.Nothing is changing. Nothing that anyone has been able to track yet, despite the sophisiticated technology monitoring the young agent.

But things are changing in Finley Ellison. The nanites have been hard about their work, keeping her in stasis as they infiltrated her body and integrated themselves into her systems.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Jemma offers the patented Simmons smile. It comes easily through years of practice, with just the right amount of pleasantness and ambiguity so that it does not betray any inner thoughts. An expression a medical doctor uses in his or her arsenal as effectively as a scalpel. "I do believe I can."

It is a short answer. But, as Jemma produces her tablet and keys in some commands into it, she elaborates. "Chief Carter has faith in me, at least. And, in all honestly, Agent Ellison would not be the most unusual case I have." Oh...there are others in there. Most certainly. "What I intend to do is to do a thorough scan. I know that the medical staff has done that already, but their scans are not as thorough as mine."

Almost to accentuate that point, the screens in the recovery room flicker to life. Jemma...has seem to have taken over control of the room, and with it the medical scanners in place. Already, algorithms are running while the medical scans are running. In another window, DNA sequencing can be seen as Jemma attempts to track whatever it is the nanites are doing....and on her tablet is an image of Finley...that looks like it is filled with sparkles. Each speck of light a nanite. "Once we determine what is happening, we can make the call if we can shut down the nanites or use an alternate means to bring Finley back to consciousness. It should only take a moment..."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava stares at the doctor for a moment. Then, she frowns faintly, but nods slowly. Truthfully? She doesn't generally like doctors. She's been abused by too many of them. And she doesn't fully trust SHIELD, yet. But she's working on that. And Carter has been... fair with her. So, she is willing to give Simmons room to work. She does, however, take a peek at the scans.

However, her 'medical' expertise extends as far as 'if I rip this piece of anatomy out of your chest, you die'. Sparkly nanites are beyond her.

"We were on Hala," she tells the doctor, stepping back once she's seen what Simmons is doing. "We were looking for a scientist who could supposedly help me with my molecular disequalibrium. Someone who could maybe stabilize me. He was dead when we got there... I think those... things..." she gestures to the screeen, "may have killed him."

Finley Ellison has posed:
The nanites, according to Jemma?s scans have incorporated themselves into Finley?s cells. In the tablet, her whole body glows, millions of little gold sparkles, like fireflies or fairy dust. The darkness between the flashes seem troubling, odd to say the least. Darker than an empty screen, but full than rather nothing.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
If there was any sense of mistrust from Ava, Jemma doesn't mention it. Not to say she doesn't notice it, but this is Jemma...she wouldn't say anything unless it was blatantly interfering with the well-being of those she considers dear. As it is, Ava is not in the way, so Jemma lets her stay. The information about how Finley acquired her new tenants is also helpful. Best to keep the eyewitness close.

The quantum energy signature does cause Jemma to quirk a brow. That is something. However, what the nanites seem to be doing is intriguing as well. "Well....from what I can determine from the readings I am getting, the nanites are adapting Agent Ellison's biometrics so that she and the nanites are compatible. The sequencing is showing that the DNA is replicating. DNA polymerase is occurring...see here?" Jemma points to a DNA strand. "This double stranded molecule is copied into two identical DNA molecules....one in Agent Ellison...and one in the nanite matrix." Fingers tap upon the screen, as images fly up to the monitor for easier viewing. "I am not sure of what exactly the function of the nanites ultimately is...but I can tell you this."

A comparison of the two genetic markers are shown. "Agent Ellison is assimilating the nanite tech. It is becoming part of her. It certainly doesn't look like she is in any danger. I can only imagine that she will regain consciousness once this assimiliation is completed. By all rights, it seems to be any moment now, though, in layman's terms, your guess is as good as mine. This just isn't something that happens every day."

Ava Starr has posed:
The breath that escapes Ava has the faintest hint of a shudder to it, her eyes round and jaw tense. It's not like the breath registers in the room at all -- intangible as she is. But she is afraid for her friend. Still, as Simmons assures her that Finley is in no danger (and she remains mildly skeptical of that), she tries to relax. At the very least, she tries to swallow that fear, turn it into a lesser form like concern or apprehension instead.

"Captain Marvel and I were with her at the time. The nanites didn't seem to like our energy. They avoided us; went straight for her."

She moves around toward Finley's side again, becoming tangible enough that she can touch her friend's hand. "You're sure she *will* wake up, though? Dr. Lewis is trying to understand the tech of it, but I'm no scientist. The most I can do is sense energy." Manipulate it, too, but necessarily conventionally.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"Well....we cannot be sure of much of anything."

Well...that was a blunt response. Jemma softens the blow by offering explanation. "Without knowing fully the nature of the nanites in Finley's system, it is more of a hypothesis rather than solid fact. The facts that I can tell you is that the nanites are emulating Finley's specific genetic code. They seem to share the same neurological wavelength. That could mean that Finley may be able to control them mentally. Or...it could mean nothing."

As Jemma speaks, she continues to survey the readings from the array of sensors. "The unconsciousness could be Finley's mind trying to adapt to this new variable. That would make some sort of sense. It is very tricky, trying to predict how these unknown factors affect our physiology." The head tilts as Jemma considers. "We could try to implant a command into the nanites. A simple phrase like 'wake up.' If we can understand the machine language of the nanites within..."

The thought trails off as Jemma shifts to her tablet, typing up code. It doesn't look at all basic in the slightest...but it does seem to make sense to her, at least. "I am not a fan of such blunt force methods...but I suppose we could implant the suggestion, then immediately close the door on doing that sort of action again for Finley's sake...."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava moves toward Jemma, lifting a hand to forestall her. "If you think it's better to wait -- let her wake up naturally -- that's fine." Tension fills her green eyes, though it lends her more a fierceness than tenderness. "I don't want her hurt. But if you think it's safe..." It takes a lot for her to trust.

"Finley has done a lot to help stabilize my condition. Help me adapt to... everything. I can wait, if I have to."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"I do sincerely believe it is better to wait. Based off of what data we have here, I do believe it is only a matter of time. In all other aspects, she is stable. It is only her lack of consciousness that is the issue here."

Yes, Jemma didn't really say anything that was not already known. But, then again, she does have experience in keeping people alive....and at least this one doesn't seem to have her soul galivanting about. "If you pardon the crude expression, I believe she is in the process of a reboot. The nanites introduced a new aspect. Her neural pathways are rewriting to take into consideration this new aspect."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava wrinkles her nose faintly at the analogy. At least that makes it comprehensible to her. Even if she finds that more disturbing than anything. "She's not going to wake up an android or something, is she?"

She rather expects the answer is, 'No, but...' And she finds herself fretting about just what Finley's mental state will be when she awakens. She retreats back to her side to take up her hand again.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
What answer Ava expects compared to what she receives are two separate things. "No. Not an android. An android by definition is an artificial being made to resemble a human. Since Agent Ellison herself is human and the nanites are replicating sections of her own genetic code, android would not be the proper designation." A quick shrug is given. "If we wanted to be technical, she would be a cyborg. Not an android."

Leave it to an R&D scientist to over-explain the definition of an android. "However, I highly doubt that, as well. If I am not mistaken, it is more of a symbiotic relationship. A partnership of sorts. It isn't like her consciousness is being transferred into the nanites."

Then...a quiet add-on. "I hope..."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava doesn't miss Jemma's last couple of words. It's not reassuring. 'Cyborg', Ava can live with -- she just hopes Finley can. "Can you... reverse this? If you need to?" That would be the other question. "Or is the integration permanent?"

Jemma Simmons has posed:
That patented physician's smile slips slightly. For those that know Jemma, that may be a sign that she has no clue if she can do what is being asked of her. For others, though, she might get away with it. She doesn't dwell on the negative, though, but instead shifts to the positive. "Oh, perhaps. It will pose its own set of challenges, but I am a firm believer that anything is possible with science."

Oh...how nauseating optimistic.

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava can't help but grimace at the optimism -- both because of the ostensibly unbridled optimism and the idea that science will solve all their problems. So far, it's been the source of most of hers. Nevertheless, she doesn't challenge Simmons on it. She doesn't really know enough about the doctor to know that Simmons is probably the scientist they should have turned to before chasing off all over the galaxy for answers.

"She's a brilliant engineer," Ava tells Jemma, now. "Maybe... she'll know how to deal with it." Better than Ava would, anyway.

Finley Ellison has posed:
The continuous scans of Finley Ellison?s unconscious form register a change in the base pattern. Perhaps the agent?s reboot is more eminent than anticipated...

Jemma Simmons has posed:
The change is not unnoticed. Jemma blinks in surprise as she catches the fluctuation, almost before the system does. She turns quickly to Ava. "Did you see that?"

'That' was a blip on the brainwave activity. A quick spike...then a gradual shift. Yes...something is happening. And Jemma is right there to make sure everything goes along to her liking.

Ava Starr has posed:
Any sign of life isn't something AVa is willing to overlook. She squeezes Finley's hand gently, leaning down beside her. "Fin?" her voice is soft, "Finley, can you hear me?" She tries not to sound anxious. But, she is.

She glances up to the doctor, eyes searching. She watches her to see what she's doing, how she's reacting.

Finley Ellison has posed:
Another blip. And then another. Something is definitely happening. Finley?s breathing deepens perceptibly. Her eyes start to move under her eyelids as though she were dreaming.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
If Ava was looking for a grand show, well....Jemma doesn't provide one. However, that does not mean that there isn't any reaction. Instead, Jemma shifts into medical mode. Which the medical ward is quite aware of...and one of the reasons most tend to stay out of Jemma's way. The medical monitors come in handy, as the stats are recorded. However, as Jemma pulls out her tablet from a labcoat, another monitor is co-opted, taken over by a couple taps on Jemma's screen. This monitor displays the tracking of the foreign nanites in Finley's system. Apparently, Jemma wants to keep a close eye on those as she proceeds.

The tablet is set to the side and the doctor goes to work. "It seems we may not need to program the nanites. I am going to try a more traditional method." A tap to the intercom, and Jemma calls out for some minor stimulants. Of course, Jemma gives out precise names and specific amounts, to be delivered as soon as possible to the room...but for all intense and purposes, it sounds like a typical request. One...which is delivered rather quickly. Without a second thought, Jemma takes the vial delivered and a syringe, measuring out a small portion. And...for the sake of the non-medical person in the room, Jemma dictates what she is doing.

"I am going to inject this stimulant into the IV. Slowly. She is close to waking on her own, if these readings are any indication. We are just going to give a little assist." And...with that, the needle is placed in the IV and Jemma slowly presses the plunger.

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava doesn't need a big show. She just needs someone competent. Someone who actually does what they promise. She gives Jemma a tight nod, still staying out of the way. She continues to hold Finley's hand, her thumb rubbing over her knuckles. Her green eyes are sharp, watchful, attuned to every twitch Finley makes. Even to the way the nanites' energy fluctuates beneath her skin.

Finley Ellison has posed:
The pain is the first thing to register. It hurts to breathe. It hurts to move. It hurts to open her eyes. But Finley does. Barely. Her eyes can't focus beyond a fuzzy outline of shapes.

She swallows audibly. And then looking over to the woman next to her, she squeezes Ava's hand. "Ow," she croaks.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Pain is something that Jemma can deal with. And...something she anticipated.

In the little medkit that was provided at her request was some standard painkiller. Nothing too harsh, but at least enough to take the edge off. Another syringe is filled, and then subsequently injected into the line, slowly. "Well, Agent Ellison, welcome back. We are taking the next few steps slowly, to ensure that there are no adverse reactions...but, if I am performing my role correctly, you should be feeling some relief in the next few moments."

With the nanites, Jemma is not sure any reactions. Hence, her caution. However, should the nanites allow it, Finley should be feeling that relief shortly.

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava's relief wars with her concern as she looks down at Finley in the bed. "Hey," she says softly. "'Bout time you woke up..." She glances to Jemma as she administers the pain killer. The tension doesn't leave her shoulders or her spine, but she gives a small nod to the doctor, grateful for what she's done thus far.

Finley Ellison has posed:
The readings on all of her sensors tell Jemma that Finley's pain does ease. Less than she'd expected, perhaps. But there is a noticeable difference in her vitals. And in the strain evident in her body. The nanites are absorbing some of the medication. Analyzing it.

"Thanks," Finley says gratefully. Still, her voices sounds breathy, strained by constant ache in her muscles. "Wha--what happened? Where am I?"

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"Well...I can answer at least one of the two. You are currently in the Medical ward at the Triskelion. As far as what exactly happened, I am sure that your very worried companion here will be happy to fill in the details." A pause, as Jemma watches that dedicated monitor for the nanites. With the reduced effectiveness of the pain relief, coupled with what seems to be activity by the microscopic machines, Jemma can only assume that they are an outlier. "Part of what happened is that you seem to be host to a very unique colony of nanites. They seemed to have adapted to your physiology."

Or, rather, they adapted Finley to theirs. But, really....that is all schematics.

"I would imagine that the two of you wish to discuss what happened, then? Would you like me to step out? From what I am seeing on the monitors, Agent Ellison is recovering as well as to be expected. I can ensure to instruct the medical staff as to how to proceed from here...and I will be checking as your recovery progresses." Namely...because of the nanites. They are an unknown variable...and unknown variables are almost always sent Jemma's way.

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava looks to Jemma. "Is she in any immediate danger from these things?" she asks the doctor now. Because that's her main concern. She doesn't want the doctor going anywhere if Finley's still in danger.

She covers Fin's hand with her second hand. "The nanite swarm in Yv'Kar's lab attacked you. I... brought you back here." She's still not quite sure *how* she did it, but she definitely did it. Almost instantaneously, thanks to her new q-bands and an instinctive understanding of the quantum realm -- she just created a quantum tunnel between the two worlds. And left Carol to bring up the rear after.

Finley Ellison has posed:
"You--you did?" Finley asks Ava. She sounds both confused and impressed. And then she remembers the nanite swarm. And Yv'Kar, who'd been doing his best John Hurt impression.

"Um...uh. That isn't gonna happen to me, is it? What happened to him?" She looks to Jemma for reassurance.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
There is a shrug from Jemma. Probably not the best thing to see in your physician, but she is being honest. "I really cannot be sure. This is new territory for most everyone, including me." 'This' in this case, is in response to Finley. Jemma has a loose idea that the originator of the nanites died by his own creation...but Finley is still alive. So...there is that. "From what I can ascertain, the nanites have adapted to accept you. Really, the mechanical signatures I am seeing in their makeup are emulating your specific genetic markers. I would imagine that if you were in immediate danger, you would not be here presently, if you excuse the rather blunt explanation."

Though, Jemma is right. Those nanites seem to have the ability to disassemble and reassemble matter in moments. If there was any immediate threat, there would have been nothing Jemma would be able to do. Not that she is going to tell a couple of potentially super-powered individuals that.

"This is uncharted territory. However, I do not intend to let you travel it alone. I assure you that you appear in no immediate danger at this moment." Easy for Jemma to say. "Also, you will be seeing me quite often, I would assume. You may actually grow sick of me over time." An attempt at humour....nice one, Jemma.

"In any case, I do need to instruct the ward as to how exactly to handle this situation. I imagine you have more questions as to what happened to cause you to be here...and I really only have what Director Carter gave to me for information." Which wasn't too much.

"We will have time later to determine what affect, if any, the nanite swarm had. But, for now, you should rest and recover. Now that you are awake, the worst should be behind us."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava lets out a soft breath. "I can give you a fuller briefing later, doctor, if you'd like," she tells Jemma. It seems only fair. Especially if the doctor's going to be heavily involved. "Captain Marvel brought home Yv'Kar's research computer. Maybe it will help." Who knows?

She smiles to Finley. "I did. The data's on the pendant. Though, Dr. Lewis has it currently." Yes. Ava has been playing nice with all sorts of medical staff... providing they don't get too pushy.

Finley Ellison has posed:
Finley lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. But she nods, momentarily reassured. "I hope that was the worst of it," she says softy.

She hasn't even registered that another doctor has Ava's pendent. Let alone processed what that means. She gives her partner's hand another little squeeze.

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava watches as Jemma retreats to educate the med staff. She gives Finley's hand another squeeze. "You're gonna be fine, Finley," she says. "One way or another, we'll get it sorted." She's not sure how, but... SHIELD hasn't turned on them yet. And when they do, Ava is a whole lot more confident about her ability to fight them off. It makes things... easier on her, somehow.

They'll get through this.