Long Look at Yourself

Posted on Wed May 13th, 2020 @ 9:04am by

Mission: Cruel Meridian
Location: Sickbay, Deck 8
642 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Douglas twisted his face in consternation as he walked along the corridor. He’ turned in his reports to Chief Cravens on the last nights shift but so far nothing was looking out of order and the shield generators hadn’t flagged any further errors. Still, Douglas wasn’t feeling himself. His stomach was doing barrel rolls and when he’d looked out a view window, his head had starting spinning.

He guessed he just need some sleep. New ship, new air; it was bound to twist him around slightly. He continued along the corridor and reached the the turbo lift, reaching out and tapping the pad. The lift chimed as its doors opened and Douglas froze. He looked at himself. His eyes stared back. He stepped back, a small gasp jumping from his chest. In the turbo lift was himself. Standing, arms crossed and gazing blankly out at the corridor. Douglas turned and looked down the corridor, and glanced back. He was gone. The lift was empty.

Douglas blinked. He could have sworn he saw it. Him! Stood right there. But there was nothing in front of him. He tentatively stepped forward and peered round the tiny space, confirming the lift was empty. Douglas shook his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose, tapping the console and speaking wearily, “Deck 8, Sickbay.” The doors shut in response and the wurr of the passing decks relaxed Douglas as he sped by.

He half rushed, half stumbled to the sickbay, passing a concerned looking lieutenant and more than one confused crewman. He stepped into the sickbay and looked around, “Can anyone help?”

Grabbing his cane, Sekat hurried forward towards the call of help as fast as he could. He could see the distress on the newcomer's face, but he couldn't place it. "How can I help?" He asked.

Douglas looked at the cane wielding Vulcan and held a hand to his head. He didn’t recognise the man but that was hardly surprising; he barely knew anyone on board. “Uh, yeah...I, uh...my head hasn’t been feeling great.” He paused and blinked, realising he didn’t know quite what to say, “And I’m not sure I’m not seeing things.”

"Since when have you been experiencing these symptoms?" Sekat asked as he led the man towards one of the diagnostic beds, "and can you explain what exactly it is that you believe you are seeing?"

Douglas nodded and rubbed his temple, “About four or five hours. I think,” He thought for a moment, “Maybe longer. I’m not sure,” He looked down at the floor as he spoke, but followed and sat down on the bed hesitantly. He mulled the thoughts over in his head, “Just deja vu kind of things. You know, and seeing something one minute but it being gone the next. Not really sure how to describe it.” Not without sounding insane, he added to himself.

"Like seeing ghosts?" Sekat prompted as he flipped open his tricorder. "Lie still for a moment," he said as he took a few scans. "There does not appear to be anything wrong with you..." He picked up a hypospray and slapped in a vial. "I am going to give you someting to ease your dizziness. Perhaps you should try and get some rest, see if the feeling passes."

“How...how did you know?” Douglas stuttered as Sekat asked about ghosts. He looked quizzically at the man and raised an eyebrow. Douglas agreed with him, he definitely felt he needed some rest. As he thought about it, a realisation jumped into his mind, “Wait a minute. Has anyone else seen anything?”

"Not long ago, I was seeing ghosts myself," Sekat confessed, "but I am not certain this is what you saw. Can you explain the apparition you witnessed?"




:trunkated due to player disappearance: