[snip]

Guy Fleegman had come into Sickbay and taken a seat; waiting to be seen by someone. He was now the next in line. “Borgovian Sand Worms!” he explained when asked.

Cross had just finished with Cameron when Fleegman approached her and blurted out ‘’Borgovian Sand Worms ‘’ the doctor’s failed to retain her composure as her jaw dropped open. After the initial shock she asked ‘’ And how the blinking heck did you consume a Sand worm …don’t tell me it was from the station !’’ .

This was sounding like a personal problem that Cameron ought not to be hearing about, so he made his way towards the Sickbay door, pills in hand, thanking the doctor as he went.

The CMO responded by waving before the Lt exiting sickbay.

“No, nothing like that,” Fleegman said. “I just have these bad dreams about them… from my earlier service… when I was aboard the USS Mary Celeste. The worms attack us and we try to shoot at their eyes, but then we realise… they have no eyes! No, I just need something to help me sleep, Doc! …on the other hand, you’ve just explained to me why I can’t drink Tequila!”

’’ I did ?’’ she asked perplexed ,when Cross realized what he was saying her demeanor changed ‘’ Oh I see … come ‘’ and she took him to a quiet spot in sickbay. ‘’I thought you had consumed a plate of sand worms that are used for fishing..silly me!’‘.

The doctor was more intrigued to know out of curiosity and fascination about Guys previous mission ‘’ Now calm down I learned about them while still at the academy ..em how come they did not devour you up? ‘’.

“Devour me up?” Guy asked, “Oh, no! I was never a member of that landing party. I try not to get deployed in case I don’t ever come back!”

‘’I guess you were lucky then…so tell me if you were not present then how come is this effecting you now, considering it has been rather a long time ago?’’ Cross asked while thinking what Guy was saying sounded rather weird.

Guy was puzzled, “I’m a Security officer, not a Doctor!” he replied, then helpfully added, “but if I had to guess, then probably PTSD. You’ve heard about that before, yes?”

‘’I know that!’’ Cross exclaimed wondering if the security was exhibiting some form of psychological or physical illness .Now in a more calm manner the female doctor went on ‘’Of course I know about PTSD having suffered from it myself ,so tell me what brought it on after all these years? Or perhaps you have had it all along and decided to seek treatment now?’‘.

“Well… I haven’t always had theses dreams, no! The anxiety I feel regarding security risks, and about going out on missions half-cocked, well that has probably been gaining momentum over time, yes! And the most recent mission, when the locals had the strength of the incredible hulk and the emotional personality of a Horta, well that was stressful too… and now… now we are in the middle of this nebula… the Honey Pot… where ships never leave again… she swallows her victims whole! It’s just that… I’ve seen how this all ends!”

• Guy, sec