Ensign Serala: Sleeping on the job
Jim Davis
((Bridge, Deck 1, USS Atlantis, Par’tha Expanse))
Commander Davis: :: shouting:: Excuse me, Ensign! Who gave you permission to sleep?! Your ship is being boarded! Your Captain is at risk! This is hardly the time to take a nap!
:: Irate, Serala tried to shoot up from her half-sitting position to confront the senior officer. The pain, though, was too much. She settled for a glare instead.::
Serala: I'm not napping, sir. I'm dying.
Commander Davis: And who gave your permission to die? It wasn't me. It wasn't Captain Brell. So who?
:: Somewhere the back of her mind, Serala knew this conversation was impossible, yet it was happening. She didn't know why it was impossible, only that it was. ::
Serala: I didn't realize I needed permission to die. You didn't! You just died and left Mother and I alone.
:: And that was when she realized why the conversation was impossible. ::
Serala: Besides, sir :: the last says with angry contempt :: in case you haven't noticed, I'm in a dangerous line of work. Death could come at any time.
Davis: Just as it did for me, princess. But this is not your time. Not yet.
:: All of the anger deflated from her. ::
Serala: Dad, I'm too old to be called princess anymore. :: Why that should matter now was beyond her. She was talking to her dead father after all. :: And anyway, I have a serious concussion, a major scalp wound, and internal injuries to my second heart. I've pushed myself despite these injuries, but now they've caught with me. I can't go on without medical attention and no one is in a position to help me right now. Especially since we're cut off from the rest of the ship, including sick bay.
Davis: Since when has details stopped my little girl from doing anything? I thought you were Romulan. Stronger, tougher, better than humans.
Serala: I'm half-human, Dad.
Davis: Only when it's convenient. The rest if the time, you seem to forget that little fact.
Serala: Only because you're not around to remind me.
Davis: Princess, I am always with you. You just have to look within. How else do you think I could be with you now?
Serala: So what do I do?
Davis: :: shaking his head:: Not this time. You must figure this one out for yourself. I only know this is not your time. Wake up and get back to work.
Serala: I don't want to. I won't ever get to see you again. There's so much I want to say to you. Let me just stay for a while.
Davis: No, honey. You must go. And, what did I just tell you? I am with you always, even to the end. You just have to look within. Seek me, and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart. Now, go.
:: The bridge started to go black again and her father's image began to fade. She tried to call to him, but her words came out garbled. ::
Davis: :: voice echoed and distant :: Wake up, Serala. Wake up.
:: Once again, Serala blacked out. ::
USS Atlantis NCC-76482
A239412S10