Am I going mad?

Posted on Saturday March 4th, 2023 @ 10:50am by Lieutenant Commander Alaina Trywhitt-Duffy & Lieutenant Steven Edgeware

Mission: The Lonely
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: During The Lonely

[ON]

-Sickbay-

As Steven left the bridge he tried to clear his head. For some reason the mention of his old home seemed to bring on all these strange feelings. He had been absolutely sure he had heard Captain Bishop. His old CO from DS3 speaking on the bridge of the USS Pathfinder. Their attempts to call Commander Othran hoping those who had remained behind. Where on escape pods and safely floating through space. The horrific realization that all those people were gone.

~ Can you hear me young man? ~

Steven patted the side of his. He once had an Auntie who heard things no one else did. Turned out to be an insect that had somehow crawled in her ear and was still alive. He needed to get to Sickbay and fast.

=Sickbay=

Alaina was tired, in the last few hours the ships company had exploded into sickbay. Nothing -physical but some were seeing things, dreaming, as she had herself dreamt about her court martial. The dream was still with her whirring about in her head to such an extent that she almost imagined the tribunal were there on the ship. She wiped her forehead and took a drink of cold clear water which helped. A couple of the crew had had to be sedated as their dreams and actions had become violent. She knew the Captain had to know about this. She smiled as she saw Steven walk in. “Steven” she called.

The first thing Steven had not expected to see was how busy Sickbay was. He thought about turning around and going back. But Captain Trensu had ordered him there. He was about to speak to Alaina when he saw one of the doctors doing his rounds. But they were dressed in civilian clothing. Edgeware used to be the Chief Medical Officer. So he knew most of the staff in sickbay by sight. But this mans face for the moment escaped him. Then……..

~Hello Steven have you come to watch yer old dad?~

Steven had been near the sickbay doors. So when he stumbled back they opened making him fall on the floor backwards.

Several nurses and Alaina ran over. “Lieutenant Edgeware, are you hurt?” She asked as the nurses went back to injecting neural suppressors into the crew scattered around sick bay.

As he was helped up Steven could see it was not his dead Father.

" Sorry. I thought for a moment I saw my dead father. But it must of been someone who looked like him. Yes must of sparked off a memory. But my father died when I was small. Why would I remember his voice like that. Unless. Doctor these symptoms are they worse with the crew members who were on DS3?" He asked.

Alaina led him to a bio bed and asked him to jump up. She began the scan on his brain. “Some of the crew crew members yes” she indicated with a side glance of her head where the now sedated crew members lay somnambulant. These two are from DS3. Some are developing violent thoughts, all are disturbed by seeing things and people, hearing voices, feeling of dread. “She laughed mirthlessly. “Some like myself are experiencing nightmares only.”
She snapped her scanner shut and placed it on her belt. “I’m sorry to say that part of your brain involved in memory, dreams and thought are slightly enlarged. I can give you a shot of something that will help you for a while.” She took a hypo from her pack, dialed it up and applied the shot into his arm. “There,” she said smiling. Should help a little.

Steven rubbed his arm. This all started after they entered the expanse looking for DS3. It had to be the distress signal. Somehow it was causing all this. But how and why? He recently spoke with the USS Leto's Chief Medical Officer. Robert , Steven was a friend of one of his many brothers. A nice guy very much like Steven. He told him about a recent mission where one of the crew with exceptional telepathic powers. Almost killed the crew when her mental controls failed. This had to be something like this.

" Doctor, have you been able to run a scan of their brain waves. If so it might be prudent to check them with a recent one." Steven suggested.

Alaina smiled wanly, she was now becoming exhausted. Running the back of her hand across her forehead. The technology automatically checks the most recent against the last. There are a few slight differences but, yes they are about the same. I was about to let the Captain know but..” she waved her hand around the department. “As you can see I have not had time, and I am suffering with my own demons. I think you should rest Steven.”

“ There should not be any difference at all. I bet if we look at the point we started towards the signal. That would show that this all began…….I need to get to the bridge!” He said.

“I could order you to stay here but I understand you are needed on the bridge but,” she leant over and depressed a hypo into his arm. This should help you think a little more clearly but you must return if your symptoms worsen? Do we have a deal?”

“ Don’t worry doctor. If I am correct we can put a stop to all this. But yes we have a deal.” Steven said

Alaina nodded as happy with the deal as she could be given the situation. Steven was, of course not going mad, he just thought he was.

~ She is a nice doctor. Its a shame I am not alive or I would invite her to join our surgery in Bally Brack. But the Irish sea is a cruel lady that takes lives. Even those who try to save lives. Then again there is no surgery is there little Steven? You chose three headed men with pink blood over me legacy. Why Steven? ~ The image of Stevens late father said.

Edgeware ignored the image. He had to get to the Bridge.

" Doctor you need to come with me. We must stop the Oberon from getting to DS3." Steven warned.

“What do you want me to do?” Alaina said even as she felt herself landing at the penal colony.

“ Follow me.” Steven said as the Sickbay doors opened.

Alaina grabbed her med bag and followed him out of the door.

[OFF]

Lieutenant Steven Edgware
Second Officer/Chief Science Officer
USS Oberon

&

Lieutenant Commander
Dr Alaina Trywhitt-Duffy.
Chief Medical Officer.
USS Oberon.