Stardate: 60814:1617
Title: Waiting For Death
Author: Chief of Operations Autumn Falls
Time: After "A New Discovery"
Scene: Tharan 3/Quarantine


She had been working non-stop since they had arrived on Tharan 3 and in the brief few moments that she did have to herself Autumn had been compiling a list of things that she would do in her time off. Never had she imagined that she would have time off whilst she waited for the virus to take over her body and kill her painfully.

The Chief of Operations shook her head trying to rid herself of such negative thoughts but when you're infected with a deadly virus it's surprising how other things fade in comparison. One good thing was that she was finally out of that decontamination suit but that was as far as her freedom went, as she sat on her bed in the small square isolation room.

Through the window of her room Autumn could see Dr Matthews working in the adjacent laboratory, frowning as he did some medical research stuff. Dathan came in and waved, she managed to muster a fake smile and half-heartedly wave back.

The door to her room opened and the new counsellor entered. He sat on the small chair next to the bed.

"Hi" Autumn said.

"How's it going?" She wasn't sure whether it was the genuine concern in his face or the fact that he was a trained counsellor but the COO let the fake smile fade.

"Not so good." She let her head fall into her hands. Simon waited for her to continue. "I feel so stupid. I should have read the signs and now I have just caused the crew ten times more work and worry." She lifted her head from her hands.

"You know this isn't your fault." Deep down Autumn knew he was telling the truth.

"I keep thinking about stuff I should be doing but by doing it I feel like I am admitting defeat." Autumn paused.

"What kind of stuff?" The counsellor asked.

"Make a message for my family and find someone to take care of Sooty."

"Sooty?" The counsellor raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"My rabbit. He is currently chewing the furniture in my quarters."

"Doesn't sound like defeat to me, more like someone who cares about the people in their life." Autumn managed her first genuine smile.

Just then the Chief of Operations felt a searing pain from the base of her skull and as she gripped her head she felt the concern gazes of Simon, Ted and Dathan.


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Lieutenant Autumn Falls
Chief of Operations
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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