=/\= SB 234 - Unity - Counseling offices =/\=
Athena looked at the bland walls of the borrowed counseling office as she was drumming her fingers. She checked the time on the hideous device that hung on the wall. {Where is Mr. Snacdook? He's already 15 minutes late.} She went to the replicator and got a chi tea latte. Steam rose from the mug as she sat down, blowing on the top to cool it enough to drink. Her derriere had barely touched the cushion of the shair when the chime rang. "Come in."
The medical technician entered the office loooking a bit ragged. Athena pointed to her own steaming mug and asked, "Can I get you something?"
Mr. Snacdok flopped into the chair opposite her, shaking his head. She offered a sympathetic smile asking, "Rough day?"
"Aren't they all," was Rat'Tel's emotionless reply.
"Sometimes it can seem that way." Athena set her mug on the stand beside her chair. "Are things in your job getting any better," she asked remembering a couple of statements from his last counseling session.
"Yes," Rat'Tel started. "Actually.... no they aren't." He continued as his gaze seemed to be fixated on the one spot that would let him know when his time was over. "I'm not being subjected to trying to figure out which body part belongs to who. DO you know what that's like?"
Athena shook her head, but encouraged him to continue.
"I'll tell you what its was like.... there's this coppery smell that never... never seems to go away ... no matter how much you bathe ..... I smell it now..."
Athena sat more attentive and alert in her chair as he continued.
"... Bodies laid there some with 3 arms and 1 leg ... but none of the appendages belonged to the torso that laid there.... with it's intestines hanging all over..... sometimes even off the edge of the table..... And their eyes always staring.... always watching ..... every move...."
He fell silent for a few seconds. Athena was still but uncomfortable; however, she gave him the time to collect his thoughts. His next question surprised her.
"They're watching now aren't they?"
"Who's watching now," Athena countered softly.
"You know who ... Are they listening too?"
"Mr. Snacdok," she started as she moved to the edge of her chair, "Who do you think is listening to and watching us?"
"DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH ME," he yelled. "You KNOW who..... You're ONE of THEM, aren't you," he asked as he shot to his feet.
She stood as well taking a step away, "What are you talking about?"
He pointed toward the horrid timepiece and lunged at her as she tapped her combadge.
+taps+ "Co...Welling... to....Secur..."
She threw one punch after another as she tried to get security, but his fingers around her throat kept cutting her words short. Finally getting her legs pulled up far enough, she kicked hard.. sending Rat'Tel staggering back a couple of steps, as she tapped her combadge and tried again.
+taps+ "I need security ... NOw!"
Athena was tackled as she sucked in a good breath of air in the next second. They tumbled over the chair she had been sitting in.
THUD! THUMP!
Her head smacked the wall and even though stars floated in front of her eyes; she reached up and found her mug. She threw the still hot contents at him and then broke the mug when she hit him with it.
=/\= Several Minutes Later =/\=
"Counselor........ Counselor."
Athena opened her eyes slowly to find someone from security there. He helped her to sit up and she surveyed the room. The bland walls weren't so dull anymore for now there was a bright red spot on one of them. And the hideous time keeper now hung by one thin cable.
"Counselor, let's get you to the infirmary."
=/\= End Log =/\=
Commander Athena Wellington
Chief counselor
USS Chimera-C (coming soon?)