It usually took a few nights for Todd to get comfortable sleeping in a new room. These were usually dedicated to exploring every single nook and crevice he could, which usually ended with him dozing off underneath a table or the bottom of a bookshelf. As you could imagine left him rather drowsy the next day.

But tonight, for the first time feeling truly secure in his new quarters, the Commander curled himself into a sleeping position in a cavern of carefully stacked blankets and pillows. (He hardly ever slept in human form, so this arrangement was necessary for his comfort.) That evening, all seemed well.

Until around midnight…

Wake him up! demanded an uncomfortably familiar voice, No rest until I get my answers,

Todd flinched in his sleep, his arms tightening into spirals.

Who was your contact? How many others were there? Where did you meet them?

He wouldn’t answer. Even if he could have, he would never have told them.

Names, locations, anything and I can make this easier on you…

He flinched again. This time a small involuntary gurgling sound managed to escape, followed by a slow, quiet whine.

You’re just making it worse for yourself.

His breathing became faster. Wheezing in and out. He mumbled something. Arms curled into spirals. Tighter and tighter. Like a wound up spring. Another jolt launched him out of bed.

He was awake by the time he hit the floor. With slow steady breaths bringing him back to normal. Carefully he separated himself from the sheets.

There was no voice. There was no interrogation. He was in his own room. He was safe. He repeated these until he finally began to believe them again.

That’s why, at about 12:09 am, the new Executive Officer of the USS Leviathan could be found in the lounge. In his human, casually dressed and staring off into space with a half-empty bottle of Cola.

|Lt. Cmdr. Nyman, XO|