Once for the body, twice to the mind

[Erich Jaenke 0]

Once for the body, twice to the mind

A log of Dr. Abbingdon and Chief Jaenke

 

The world around Erich, after a long nap, was much clearer than before. He knew where he was, who he was, and what had happened. If anyone had visited him he did not remember. The trauma room remained his home, at least until someone needed it. As he awoke he sat himself up. The soft boom, boom of the health monitor pounded behind him. He'd seen the pulsing red dot before on old schematics. It amused him to see it in late 24th century medical accommodations.

 

He pressed outward with his mind to read anyone outside his room. Someone was out there, but he only felt faint impressions. Medication must have suppressed his ability. More pressing was his thirst. A nearly depleted cup lay on a table just out of his reach. Getting to it required stepping onto the floor, a task he was unsure he could handle. Willing the cup to come to him did nothing. He started to remove the blanket that lay over him.

 

“Hello, Erich.”

 

A voice, any voice, kicked Erich out from his relative relaxed stupor. He also halted his escape from his bed. "Doctor, I did not sense you enter." He covered himself back up as if caught with his hand in a cookie jar. "I-I was not trying to escape. Just thirsty."

 

“That’s why we’re here, Erich,” Dr. Abbingdon replied, approaching him with the glass he was about to retrieve. “And I know you can’t sense me; it’s partly because of the medication and partly because of the trauma your body and mind are trying to deal with. How are you feeling?” Handing him the glass, now filled with cool, clear water, she sat comfortably in the chair by his bed, as she always did when she counseled.

 

Erich drank the water and let it flow down his throat slowly. To his surprise it tingled as it passed through the center of his chest. He took control of his own breathing for a moment as he collected his thoughts and contemplated his answer.

 

"I feel different. A bit vulnerable and oddly tingly? It's hard to describe. I think I slept without having a sense of terror. A nurse said I awoke screaming once." What would he call it? He almost said accident, but that was not the right word. "I think my mind is much less cloudy," he continued, taking another drink. "I think I'm in a light fog." He gazed about the room as if looking for further answers from the walls.

 

“That’s understandable, considering what you have been through. But that the light fog is allowing you to reason and form comprehensive sentences is a sign of recovery, and the feeling of vulnerability is, again, partly trauma and partly your temporary loss of telepathy. But what exactly do you mean that your mind is much less cloudy?”

 

"When I first woke up I was confused. Unable to concentrate. I felt fear, but I think mostly from not knowing what happened." He looked down and pressed his hand into his chest. "I understand the phaser blast was quite severe?"

 

“You’ll have to ask Dr. Chalice about that. I’m the brain doc, remember?” Her smile broadened in jest.

 

Erich nodded as if he simply forgot. "Of course, but my head was not injured, so you must be here for my other brain problems. The hardware is on the mend, but the software needs a defragmentation." He wrinkled his forehead. "I don't know if starship metaphors translate to people." He paused. "So, how is the patient doctor?"

 

“Well, in my professional opinion, still in need of repair in the form of rest. But in my personal opinion, just as feisty as ever and probably well on the mend. Yes, starship metaphors do translate to people. Our brains were the very first computers; the computers we use today are extremely elementary attempts at replicating the humanoid brain.”

 

"Actually we have to put in safeguards to prevent the ship from becoming sentient." He smiled. "Not many know that is part of the very low-level code. I'd not call it humanoid intelligence, but we like our control." He patted his legs with both hands. "You are not here to talk about the ship. This is about me. While I have you, I do have a concern, or make that two concerns."

 

Dr. Abbingdon chuckled in her smile. “I don’t charge extra for more than one concern, Erich. Please, go ahead.”

 

"Nightmares. I got them frequently as a child. I was institutionalized in part because of them. I don't want to go through that again. The other concern is regarding Commander Mizu." He straightened up. "I nearly forgot, how is she?"

 

“I haven’t seen her lately.

 

Erich was hoping she had. "A nurse said she came in complaining of chest pains." Guilt poured over.him. He knew the source of her pain. "I think it was me, my ability." He held his head in his hand, hiding his eyes.

 

Note: I messed up the title a bit, but kept it. Sorry for the lateness.