"As They Lay Dying"

[Mithraia Coeur 0]

"As They Lay Dying"

by Midshipman Mithraia Coeur

Stardate 0606.22

 

 

She could see it in their eyes. Despite the strong faces of the Klingons as they lay dying; she could see the fear. Perhaps not the fear of death. Perhaps not the fear of being weak. Maybe it was just the fear of the unknown. Mithraia Coeur, with a doctor's hands, could only ease their pain on the surface. A painkiller here, a sedative there. However, Mia was sure, flashing eidetic images of their families and comrades falling ill was fresh and piercing in their minds. Witnessing death, destruction, pain.. it wasn't something someone forgot easily. Even more, it was harder to forget when you felt the effects yourself. As another Klingon drifted into the oblivion of sedation.. Mia moved away to the small control center and took a seat. She leaned over in the chair and rested her face in her hands and exhaled a breath. The time they had been there wasn't long, but the task was already wearing on the crew.

 

The esteemed medical-science team from the USS Agincourt was at a loss. The virus had left them puzzled. Though, at the moment, none of them could even be truly convinced that it was even THAT anymore. More questions than answers seemed to be coming up in their investigations. It was discouraging and while everyone tried to keep a face of confidence.. it was obvious everyone was feeling the same way.

 

Watching people die was never easy. No matter how professional one could be. With her eyes closed, Mia's own mind revisited a place far away from there where death's hand held her world in it's hand..

 

------------

 

The lights flickered and the building rumbled like a brilliant thunderstorm. The children were huddled in the corner, baracaded behind overturned beds and dressers. The province had been in civil war for only two months .. but the devastation was widespread. All attempts to make peace were overwhelmed by the neverending fighting on the countryside. It seemed only death, of one side or another, would end it all. There was another explosion and the building rocked again and children, ranging from age 2-15, screamed in terror. Most of their caretakers had already been killed. In a moment, the place would be crawling with soldiers. There was another explosion and the roof caved in on the group. The place echoed with their screaming and then was silenced.

 

"I think they are all dead in here .." a scratchy voice blurted. The soldier had a frown on his face. Children. The dead were all children. He glanced to his fellow officer and shook his head, ".. I think intelligence is slipping. There was supposed to be weapons here. Ammuniton. But these are just kids. What a waste.." He felt a bit sad at the sight.

 

The other soldier shrugged, "They were children of the enemy. It doesn't really matter. Let's go." The two turned to make their way out of the rubble, when a small whimper escaped the pile of ruin.

 

"..wait. Did you hear that?" The soldier turned around and hastily moved back to the pile. He began to pull off rock, brick .. moving bodies around until he found her. A small girl. No more than 5 years old. Her vibrant red hair was dirty with dust and somewhat injured. He lifted her up gently in his arms, "She's alive! Go get a medic! She's alive.. just her.." He knew there would be casualties of this war.. but maybe he could save just one child from that fate. The fate of death at their hands. As he carried her out .. she cried softly. Her young mind trying to comprehend the sight of her friends, her 'family'... dead.

 

------------

 

Mia shook her head, sitting up straight and tried to get the memory to leave her mind. She had work to do. They all had work to do. The time to remember was not now. It was time to make sure that the dark cloud of death did not consume this people. To bring hope to the Klingons, as they lay dying.