"Dreams and Realities" - Part II

[Garnoopy 0]

Lieutenant Junior Grade Garnoopy

Personal Log Stardate 50301.31

“Dreams and Realities” - Part 2 of 3

 

A low groan escaped Garnoopy's mouth. He could feel his whole body aching, his ribs, his arm, his legs. Everything ached, including his head. He could hear the sound of people around him and the sound of panels being tapped, but didn't want to open his eyes. Afraid of what injured crewmembers might be seen, crewmembers he had injured.

 

He attempted to speak, but a searing pain went through his throat and all he managed to do was cough hard. His throat was dry and scratchy and hurt like no sore throat he had ever had. A voice from somewhere called him "son" and told him to take it easy.

 

Opening his eyes, an odd looking man stared down. After a moment, he realized it was Dr. Stone. Garnoopy tried to say something, but couldn't because of his throat. He motioned this to the good doctor, and was informed that hypo of medicine should help, but he'd have to go and get it.

 

An attempt to nod only caused more pain through go through his body. Despite the pain, he pulled himself into an upright position. Another attempt to speak only caused another fit of coughing. Frustration was etched on his face.  He couldn’t talk without causing pain to himself, but he needed to. He needed to find out what happened to the other crewmembers, if they were alive or not. The *call* button was just to his right and with shaky fingers he managed to jab at it.  Dr. Suberance walked over quickly and Garnoopy was surprised to see him up and about so soon. He motioned his throat was sore, and tried to get across the fact that he couldn’t speak.

 

Quickly, Dr. Suberance listed the injuries that Garnoopy had suffered; throat damage, broken ribs, dislocated arm, but hastily added that there was nothing that couldn’t be repaired in time. He was about to tell Dr. Suberance that it didn't feel like he would ever be repaired, no matter how much time, but the attempt to talk only led to another coughing fit, and more pain. Dr. Stone administered the long overdue hypospray, and an immediate lessening in the pain came over him

 

He peered over at Lt. Jg. Precip.  “How long ago did we get back?” he asked in a raspy voice.

 

"Two hours," replied Precip.

 

"The rest of the crew, I mean the assault team.  Where are they?" Garnoopy asked, looking around sickbay.

 

Dr. Stone handed a medical PADD to a passing Tech and answered, "They're gone.  You and Lt Precip here are the only ones left."

 

“What?" Garnoopy asked, as his face paled.  He slumped back in the biobed, images of Roget, Kyle, and Eason; their bodies crushed in the wreckage assaulted his mind.  "It's my fault ... my fault ... I killed them."