Post #25 Unpleasant Memories

Posted on Tue Jan 20th, 2026 @ 2:09pm by Lieutenant Tabatha O'Neil
Edited on on Tue Jan 20th, 2026 @ 2:13pm

Mission: Healing Touch-3
Location: Planet Surface Inside A Guest Hut
Timeline: Current

::ON::

As everyone on the Away Team was settling in for the night, Tabitha stood a moment looking at the hammock suspended between two walls wondering if she would be able to actually sleep in that thing for the night.

Walking over she carefully placed her body inside it laying on her back as it swayed back and forth somewhat absorbing her energy put forth from climbing in. As everyone was falling asleep Tabitha laid there not really enjoying the sensation of being suspended in mid air.

After several minutes she couldn't take the sensation any longer. Carefully exiting the device Tabitha grabbed one of the fur blankets and went to sit by the fire. Seeing it starting to die down she quietly grabbed a couple small logs and added them to the embers then sat watching the flames come back to life.

Minutes late she decided to wrap herself in the fur then sat leaning against the wall enjoying the heat source as her mind began to wander back to her days at the Academy.

As with all Star Fleet Cadets, part of their basic training was to experience, navigate, and exist is a zero gravity chamber for several hours at a time. Of all of her training this one thing bothered her the most. Tabitha absolutely hated the sensation of floating in the air not being able to control her movements to the point of almost being paralyzing. Through the help of her best friend Tabitha was finally able to navigate this part of her training successfully.

Unfortunately laying in the hammock brought all those old sensations and feelings back again. The good news was being a Counselor, she was able to go by the old adage 'Physician heal thyself' which is exactly what she was able to do.

Suddenly something caught her eye. A short distance away Tabitha noticed a small, furry, four legged creature with a thin long tail. Watching it for a few moments she tried to remember what the creature was called "A moose....no.....a meece....no that wasn't it either" as she thought some more "Ah....a mouse....that's it...a mouse.

Seeing a good sized crumb of bread nearby Tabitha bent sideways and grabbed it then placed it a few inches from the end of her foot. Sitting quietly she thought "So will the mouse set its fear aside, seeing this huge creature sitting on the floor, and come and grab the provided food or just go hungry.....only time would tell. "Watching the tiny creature Tabitha saw it slowly and cautiously advance towards the food until finally it was within its reach. Sitting perfectly still, and controlling her breathing, she watched the animal grabbed the bread crumb.

What followed was a surprise to Tabitha. Instead of grabbing the food in it's mouth and running off, instead it grabbed the food in it's front paws and sat on it's haunches taking it's time enjoying what was probably a feast for the little guy. Apparently it didn't consider her a threat. When finished it leisurely walked towards the door and exited the hut.

Leaning back against the wall Tabitha grinned "While the others are fast asleep I managed to conduct an experiment into a small creatures behavior.....it's was most intriguing" she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

::OFF::

Lieutenant Tabitha O'Neil
Chief Counselor
USS Amandora