CNS Lt. Camerin Rhyne

[Rhyne, Sickbay]

Camerin sat in sickbay, being treated for the injuries she sustained in the battle in Main Engineering. She was quiet as the med techs worked, only speaking when she was asked a question. She was more focused on what she was feeling. Being a Betazoid wasn't the greatest thing in the universe and her job required her to be open to the crew in as many ways as possible.

Right now, the predominate feeling in the room was the extreme fear of turning into one of those things that they had fought off in Engineering. It was a fear that she had to agree with. She saw first hand what those things were like and she didn't want to become one of them and attack the crew that she had come to love and care for, much less any other person. The cost for longevity in this manner was too high. They are sacrificing their humanity just to live longer, if you could call that living. 'That is more like just existing than truly living...' She thought.

Her thoughts then turned towards Amy. She was still gone. ~~~"Amy... My friend... If you are out there, just know that we are coming for you..."~~~ She pushed that message out as far as she could go, as far as she could reach. In the process of her being so open, Camerin picked up a slight change in the mood of the room. It grabbed her attention and brought it back to the room. 'Was it a feeling? No... a thought...' She scanned the room, gently touching the minds of each person, reading the surface thoughts. The medical staff were all focused on their work. 'Not them...'

She felt the feeling and thought again. It was clearer than before. Fear, but not like the other fear in the room. It was different, more focused and there was a refusal to do something. She kept scanning, going over the patients next. Nothing out of the ordinary there. 'Where is it coming from?' She wondered silently as another ping of it went off. This time, she was ready for it.

~~~"I don't think we should go back for Commander Hunt... It will just give those things another chance to get aboard and turn us all into them."~~~

Camerin locked eyes with the person that was broadcasting their thoughts. It was a security officer that was posted at the door. From the look of him, he was fresh out of the Academy and was barely able to hold his phaser rifle straight. Her eyes narrowed as he realized she was staring at him. He began to fidget nervously. 'So he is the one...' she thought as her anger began to rise. It really wasn't his fault. It was more his survival instinct taking over but still... even the thought irritated her.

"You are all done here Counselor." The med tech said.

"Thank you very much." She replied, her gaze never wavering from the officer as she stood up from the biobed. She moved forward and walked up to him. "Ensign, may I have a word with you?" She asked in her distinctive Cockney accent.

He shifted his rifle nervously. "Yes ma'am."

"What's your name?"

"Brady, Johnathon Brady."

"Ensign Brady." She lowered her voice so that only he could hear her. "I understand your fear of what we have seen lately but cowardice is something else entirely. We never leave one of our own behind. We will bring Amy Hunt back one way or another and I expect you to perform your duties to the best of your abilities. Is that understood?"

"Yes ma'am... Did you read my mind?" He asked.

"Not exactly. You were broadcasting that as loud as a subspace transciever. Any telepath that was halfway paying attention would have heard it. Just do me a favor and try to limit your thoughts on the subject. Maybe when this is all over, you can stop by my office and we can teach you some ways to lower your mental voice. Call it extra tactical training." She smiled.

He returned the smile. "Sure thing ma'am."

"Good. Now carry on and I won't mention this to your department head. Just between us." She winked and side stepped to the door and headed out for the Bridge.

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Ensign Altair Redfield - CNS - Valdivian Station / USS Trinity
Player: A.J. Foster
ajfoster.actd@gmail.com