She was broken. Physically, mentally and spiritually. But while her ravaged mind might never fully recover from the horrors she had been subjected to, Nakuto clung to the knowledge that her body, at least, could be healed. Her once proud and noble stride had been contorted into a pathetic shuffle, every step causing her a measure of pain as she fixed her eyes on the corridor ahead and attempted to block out the whispers from all around. The rumour of her return had spread throughout the ship with customary lightning speed. And yet for those unfortunate enough to lay eyes on her, they could be forgiven for mistaking their once-valiant former Captain for nothing more than a shadow-wraith.

Her last appearance in the understocked and understaffed sickbay of the USS Viking had heralded an incident of mass hysteria that almost descended into all-out war. But this time there was no commotion to precede her arrival. She was just one more invalid, desperately seeking a miracle.

Moving over to an empty biobed, its half-illuminated control panel indicating that it was at least somewhat functional, the half-Klingon collapsed onto its cushion-like surface and wrapped the thin blanket around her in the manner of a small and frightened child. Here she would wait for assistance. And until it came, perhaps, she could risk an attempt at sleep.

• Kara Nakuto