PL|Ltcmdr. Rotek|"Fear"

Posted on Wed Dec 23rd, 2015 @ 8:52am by Lieutenant Commander Rotek
Edited on on Sun Jan 3rd, 2016 @ 10:33am

696 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Resurgere
Location: USS Pendragon/USS Vindicator

=/\=USS Pendragon,Temporary Quarters,=/\=

Eyelids fluttering, fists clenching bedsheets, breath catching, memories swirling. Trying to fight the fear, it comes rushing back with a vengeance, and he is back to where it happened.

=/\=USS Vindicator, Sickbay=/\=
Rotek rushed down the corridor towards Sickbay, moments after hearing the red alert sirens. He had been on his way off duty, to catch up on some sleep, and then all hell had broken loose. Stabilizing himself against a doorframe as the ship shook, he soon found himself in the midst of chaos. Without thinking, he grabbed a padd and brought up the status report, instantly focusing on his duties, and tuning out the noise around him. The bay was full of people screaming, crying, and shouting orders. His staff had already started to triage people, and he saw a row of officers lining the walls. They were pressing bandages to their wounds, or cradling broken limbs, but otherwise, were stable.

He turned his attention to the main biobeds, where people were rushing around bodies. Stepping in to help work on a red uniformed officer, he said "Status? What can I do?" A nurse looked up, acknowledged him and said "Work on stabilizing the arterial bleeding in his ventral chamber sir. He took a hard impact when his console exploded, and he is bleeding out." Nodding, he began to work, mindless of the gruesomeness of the man's chest. Soon the majority of the bleeding had slowed, and he was ready to close and move on to the next patient when he heard the order to abandon ship.

Immediately, he knew he had to focus, and make some hard choices. Clearing his throat, he shouted "Everyone move! You heard the order, proceed immediately to the escape pods. Those who are mobile, help those who aren't. Any patients who can't be moved, leave behind." A few officers began moving, but others stood in disbelief and shock. Shaking his head, he said "I said move now! That's an order!" People then began rushing to help move the injured and began streaming towards the doors.

Quickly, knowing exactly where it was stored, Rotek rushed to his office, pressed a control, and immediately downloaded the most up to date medical files of the crew. He was tempted for a nanosecond to download another program, but his duties pushed it aside. Rushing out into the bay, he slung as many medkits as he could over his shoulders, and grabbed a stunned female ensign with a head wound. Throwing his arm over her shoulders, he dragged her towards the doors.

Rushing down the corridor towards the escape pods, he tried to tune out the screams of people as they dashed towards the pods. Soon, he saw a pod door open, with someone gesturing for him to get inside. Passing the injured ensign inside, he turned to make sure no one was behind him, when a nearby conduit exploded. Instinctively he threw an arm up to protect his face, and felt the fabric of his sleeve burn away, and his skin start to burn. Howling with pain, he fought to drag himself to his feet, and after a few tries, caught the side of the door. He felt hands pulling him in, and immediately grabbed for the door seal and launch controls. As he pressed them, he saw the face of a man press against the door screaming. Knowing he could do nothing, he pressed the controls and the pod released.

=/\=USS Pendragon, Temporary Quarters=/\=

With a gasp, Rotek woke from his nightmare, drenched in sweat, his long hair hanging in sopping tangles. He wasn't on the Vindicator, he was safe, recovering on the USS Pendragon. The nightmare had come again, just as clear as if he was still living it. Looking down, he saw the bandage on his forearm, and sighed. Knowing he wouldn't sleep, he got out of bed, and moved to the meager sitting area. Collapsing into a chair, he knew he needed to talk to someone about his fears, but it could wait, he just didn't know for how long.

=/\=End Log=/\=
Lieutenant Commander Rotek
Chief Medical Officer
Formerly of USS Vindicator NCC-78213-E

 

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