To Sleep or Not to Sleep
Posted on Wed Jun 26th, 2019 @ 10:14am by Ensign Dana Wakefield & Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke
Edited on on Wed Jun 26th, 2019 @ 8:59pm
1,141 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 7 - Home Again
Location: Deck 5, Holodeck & Sickbay
Timeline: MD005 0100 hrs
Again, Dana had found herself unable to sleep, the soreness of her eyes, her irritability was all but evident, this was the third night in a row she had not gotten any sleep. She slowly approached the holodeck, it was time for some more personal torture, why did she keep doing this to herself, she didn’t really know, but for some reason, she was drawn to it.
“Computer run program Wakefield, scenario, one. “
The computer made an acknowledging tone and the doors to the holodeck opened and Dana calmly walked in, in the middle of the room was a battle simulation, it was the recent battle where Dana had made that life-changing choice.
“Computer, seal the doors to the holodeck, no entry without my authorization “ A heavy clunking sound echoed from the doorway
“Doors are sealed.” Replied the computer
Walking around the paused battle simulation and seeing the damage to the Pioneer should have made Dana feel better, it should have reinforced the idea that she had made the right call, but for some reason, it was consuming her.
“Computer, I want to conduct a hypothetical situation.” She said out loud, the computer simply providing an acknowledgement tone. “I want you to assume the Pioneer has the transponder codes to the enemy ship.”
“Assumption entered.”
“The Pioneer has sustained heavy damage and structural integrity is failing.”
“Assumption entered.”
“The Captain orders you to use the transponder code.”
“Assumption entered. “
“The ship is been attacked by multiple other vessels.”
“Assumption entered.”
“Execute the use of the transponder code and run the hypothetical simulation.”
The battle begins to play out before her eyes, she watches, her focus firmly on the defiant class ship, its weapons stop firing and it begins to fall back. She watches expecting it to blow up, but it simply sits there in space, her attention changes to the Pioneer as it lets of multiple phaser fire and launches several photon torpedoes at the other target, executing several evasive manoeuvres.
“Computer, what happened?” she barked furiously
“The transponder codes were used to disable the enemy vessel, while defensive evasive manoeuvres were executed to allow for the withdrawal and retreat of the Pioneer.”
“No..No..No, reset the simulation.”
The simulation reset and Dana gave a loud sigh “Okay, The Pioneer has the transponder codes to the enemy ship.”
“Assumption entered.”
“Use the actual sensor, tactical and damage control data from the battle.”
“Data extrapolation into scenario complete.”
“The Captain orders you to use the transponder codes.”
“Assumption entered.”
“You can destroy or disable the ship.”
“Assumption entered.”
“The ship is been attacked by multiple other vessels.”
“Assumption entered.”
“You are scared that if you simply disable the ship, it might repair and re-join the battle.”
“Assumption entered.”
“You want to protect, your friends and your ship at all costs.”
“Assumption entered.”
“Now run the simulation.”
Again, that familiar tone filled the room as the battle started to be enacted in front of her, an array of phaser beams and torpedoes, her eyes darting to that of the defiant class ship, but again it simply stops firing and falls back to a complete stop. Tears well in Dana’s eyes.
“Computer, what the hell happened?”
“The transponder codes were used to disable the enemy vessel, while defensive evasive manoeuvres were executed to allow for the withdrawal and retreat of the Pioneer.”
“Why didn’t you destroy the ship?” she questioned, looking for some diving affirmation that she had made the right decision.
“The destruction of the enemy vessel was unnecessary. The successful execution of the transponder codes was sufficient to wipe the main computer and render the vessel powerless, the vessel would be unable to rebuild or repair the required systems and subsystems for several weeks, therefore…”
“Enough, end the program and unseal the doors.” She barked, wiping the tears from her face and storming to the exit. That was that even the computer wouldn’t have destroyed the enemy ship, she was a killer and she made the wrong choice. Voices began to scream in her head, she needed to rest, but she couldn’t the voices and faces of unknown people haunted her dreams, there was only one place she could go.
((Main Sickbay – Deck Five))
Dana walked into sickbay, the lights were dimmed and the few patients that were there were sleeping. She was about to turn around and leave when an unfamiliar voice caught her attention.
"Can I help you with something, Lieutenant?" Hermia asked the visitor.
Nearly jumping she glanced to the Lieutenant, her red bloodshot eyes were burning. "Yes, I'm having a little trouble sleeping, well, in fact, I haven't slept at all in the last seventy-two hours."
"So, you want a sleep aid?" Hermia asked.
"Yeah, I was wondering if you could give me something to knock me out, something preferably that would also make me not dream?." she said awkwardly, as her dreams were only filled with nightmares.
"Okay, but I'd like to do a few scans to make sure your lack of sleep isn't caused by some kind of disease," Hermia said. "I should only take five minutes."
Dana hated the idea...but she desperately needed sleep and if a scan was the only way the doc would help, then so be it. "Certainly, a scan would be acceptable," she replied, before following the doctor.
Hermia led Dana to a biobed and had her climb up on it and began her scan.
Moments later, she said. "There's no sign of disease, but the levels of sleep inhibitor is a bit high. I'll just replicate a sleeping aid."
Retrieving the chemical from the replicator, she loaded it into a hypospray.
Handing it to Dana she said. "Just place the hypospray to your neck, before going to sleep."
"And I won't dream with this, it will just knock me out?" she asked, hoping the good doctor wouldn't pry too much?
"Yes, but if it doesn't work, your problem might be emotional or psychological," Hermia said.
"Thank you, Doctor. I'll certainly give it a go," she said taking the hypospray and smiling, the interaction had not been so bad, and the doctor didn't pry too much. "Any problems, I'm sure I shall call again," she said, giving a weak smile, before turning and heading for the exit.
As Hermia watched Dana go, she took a few minutes to process the mix of emotion she'd received from the Chief Operations Officer during her brief visit. I think she needs to talk to a counsellor. Hermia thought to herself.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Hermia O'Rourke
Assistant Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Dana Wakefield
Chief Operations Officer, USS Pioneer
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