It is Time

[Atragon9 0]

::Sitting, propped up in a biobed in Sickbay, he presses the record button on a small device by his side::

 

Personal Log, Admiral Atragon-9, Commanding Officer, USS Manticore, NCC-5852A, password *********

 

[whirr, click]

 

A private room in Sickbay, I had almost forgotten about this feature - I suppose rank has its privileges; not to mention that it is set to 0.3 of Earth gravity to allow me to recuperate without my special support. It has been two days since I arrived here in some of the greatest pain I can recall. My right leg feeling like it had a pike driven through it; my back, as if it were on fire; my left hand, my left hand...

 

I heard the doctors speaking about how my reaction to the sickness was intensified by my exoskeletal suit. I wonder if that is true or if it is my interskeletal structure. Being born on Titan and having a lower gravitational threshold is what drove me to wear the Exoskel; but that doesn't change the fact that years in One Gee create undue stress on my systems. I haven't had a chance to ask the doctors if I was more susceptible to the "plague" because of the suit or the body; maybe I don't want to find out.

 

In either case, they were able to work on my leg quickly and it seems to be doing just fine. When they went to remove the trunk portion of my suit to get to my back injuries, I only remember extreme pain and Dr. Mele knocking me out to accomplish his work - once again, my back seems to have healed nicely. Now then, to my hand. My last recollection, before being rendered unconscious, was that my hand seemed lifeless, numb, I was unable to move any fingers and the skin starting to ... die. I must compliment the medical staff once again, as I have use of my left hand again, at least what's left of it.

 

Dr. Mele has told me that the ring finger and pinkie were beyond saving, as they had truly died away. He removed the pinkie completely and has left the ring finger out to the first knuckle, although it remains totally numb. He tells me that the nerves may regenerate for that ... stump, but I wonder if he just left it that way so I would be able to wear my wedding band on something.

 

I have not asked too many questions, maybe it's best to leave some things a mystery. Maybe my avoidance of these issues should make me seek the advise of the Counselor. Maybe I should wonder about having my wife as the ship's Counselor. All I know is that I will be getting my Exoskel back on today and be allowed to leave my special room. It is time for us to leave Starbase 36 and I won't be commanding this ship from my sick bed. I will discuss any options for replacement fingers with the doctors later, for now I am done with the Medical offices onboard.

 

It is time to get the ship back in fighting form and I need to make a visit with all of my department heads. I need to know where we stand and see what must be done. It is time for Manticore to return to the Fleet to serve and protect. It is time.

 

Personal Log, EOM, EOT

 

[whirr, click]