En La Hora de Nuestra Muerte

Posted on Fri Dec 10th, 2021 @ 1:59pm by Sasha Vieers (Deceased) & Mauricio Arnaldo & Lieutenant Krysia Kaleri-Smith

Mission: The Gauntlet
Location: Sickbay

ON:

In the cold of the private rooms in Sickbay, Mauricio was sat by Sasha's bedside, holding her hand gently. The former officer's skin was now completely covered in a black, rock-like substance, her entire body turning into hardened stone as the effects of Hesiod Green's poisoned atmosphere consumed her. Her breath was weak and beleaguered, as if she could only gain air through a narrow straw. Her eyes had not opened for days, and she remained completely still except for the occasional slight rise in her chest. Outside of the room, the sounds of the Nebula's flames lashing across the Pandora's hull could be clearly heard as a constant whirling noise in their ears; it felt like the Pandora was in the middle of a firestorm.

Despite all this, Mauricio continued on with his visit and tried to talk calmly to Sasha, as he talked about the gifts he had brought

"... and those marigolds are meant to help guide your spirit. They're replicated but they smell just like the real thing" He said softly. "The blanket, is for your comfort, of course. To make the journey into the next stage a little... softer." He gave a short smile, "I didn't have time to find much, but I did get this one sugar skull." He pointed towards a small clay skull that was decorated with vibrant colours. "It's the best I could do."

Krysia had arrived just as Mauricio was explaining his items to Sasha, she stood waiting for him to finish before moving closer. “I’m sure Sasha appreciates your kindness Mauricio.”

Mauricio looked up and smiled wanely, "Thank you." He frowned, "Is she... here?"

Krysia looked towards Sasha, she could sense her but for the moment she was quiet. “She’s aware of us, but she’s yet to speak to me.” She paused. “Sasha...Mauricio wants to know if you’re willing to talk to us.”

An image of Sasha, as her old self in Starfleet uniform, appeared by Krysia side. She looked sallowed and weak, as pitiful eyes stared over her nearly-unrecognisable body.

"I am." She said faintly, "But it's hard. I... don't have much time."

Krysia nodded. “She’s here” She tried not to show pity towards Sasha, she needed more than pity especially now. “She says she doesn’t have much time.”

Mauricio gripped her hand tighter, feeling the hardened skin against his own, "We're in the Nebula, Sasha. The Captain says it will only take five days to cross, then we're practically home."

The Sasha image just shook her head, giving a flat sigh, "I don't have five days, child. I'm barely here as it is." She looked to Krysia, "Can you help me? I'm not saying to do anything that could get you in trouble, just make these final moments as painless as possible. I'm tired of struggling and holding on. I've got nothing left."

Krysia nodded. “I’ll do whatever I can to help you Sasha. Just tell me what you want me to do.”

At this, Mauricio broke his gaze from Sasha to Krysia, the words triggering his attention. “She’s asking for help again? Counsellor, I think we should. Seeing her like this, it’s not right.” He shook his head and sighed, “And as much as it scares me, I’d like to connect with her this time. If that’s okay?”

Krysia nodded. “Of course it is, I can connect with you, to let you see and hear Sasha.” She took a few steps towards him pausing at arm’s length. “I’m going to need to touch you if that’s alright?”

Mauricio nodded solemnly and he steeled himself for what was to come. The last time he allowed someone to connect with him, it had been a chaotic and stressful, but also deeply moving experience. He didn’t know what to expect now, so he closed his eyes and tensed his body in anticipation.

Nodding Krysia gently placed her hand on Mauricio’s arm, closing her eyes she concentrated on connecting to his mind. She opened her eyes looking at Mauricio. “Can you see Sasha?”

He held his eyes closed for a few moments more, waiting for something to happen. After not noticing any difference, he began to feel a little silly. He dared to open one eye, “Is that it?” He asked cautiously. He could only see Sasha lying in the bio-bed still.

“You tell me, darling.” Came a voice nearby.

Mauricio snapped his head around to see an image of Sasha standing right by his side. She looked like her normal old self again, with her perfectly neat and tidy Ops uniform on. Mauricio felt like he had traveled back in time, he wanted to get up and hug her. But of course, he soon remembered it wasn’t real.

“I… I see her!” He stammered. “But how?”

“Oh Krysia is merely reading my thoughts as I project them as an image of myself, and sharing that connection with you.” Sasha shrugged, “She’s come a long way has our Counsellor. I bet her people would be proud.”

“Actually....no they wouldn’t.” Krysia offered a brief smile. “As far as my people are concerned, this is an invasion of privacy on a gigantic scale. Death is a moment meant to be just for the eyes of the dying, not for anyone else to share. Drax rules are stricter than you might imagine.”

"Their loss, this is kinda nice." Sasha shrugged, "To be able to convey my last thoughts clearly to you both, that's a gift." She sighed, sadness creeping in again. "It's more than I deserve."

"Dorian didn't get the opportunity." Mauricio reminded her pointedly. He didn't want to sugar-coat Sasha's actions, even in the face of her own death. She was no angel.

"I know." Sasha responded heavily, "I think about him every day, especially now. I took his life and I deserve to be punished for it."

Mauricio just leaned back in his chair and sighed, "And you have been. I see that now. When I left the Pandora, you were expressing no regret for your actions. It's a shame that it has taken until now to say that."

"Oh I have been regretting it for some time, Mauricio." Sasha said wearily, her image flickering in and out. The feeling of guilt and regret was eating into her last remaining reserves of energy, exasperating her desire to let go. "Before I went out onto Hesiod Green and my body was poisoned. I agree though, it has all come too late."

“It’s never too late Sasha” Krysia smiled warmly, “You’re expressing your regret in time to save your soul, if you believe in such things. Some people do, some don’t.” She paused for a moment. “You know something Sasha as much as those at Starfleet are quick to tell us the bubble we were in doesn’t exist, as far as I’m concerned it did. In that bubble we were friends for a long time, a friendship I was very grateful for. I miss that Sasha, I really do.”

Sasha's image flickered in and out and the real Sasha took in a long, wheezing breath. "I appreciate that." She coughed out, "I guess... I wasn't all bad." She laughed a little, though it took a lot of her remaining energy to do so.

"We wouldn't be here if we thought that." Mauricio replied gently. "So, what can we do to... help?"

"Just take the pain away." Sasha begged, "Make my last moments free from this constricting, awful poison in my lungs. I don't want to feel like this any more."

Krysia looked at Mauricio before looking at Sasha. “I can do that, I’m already connected to you I just need to change my focus. I can help block the pain, it doesn’t usually last long but then you won’t need it to.” She offered a more solemn smile, before focussing her mind on the pain centre of Sasha’s brain. “I just need to...shield your pain receptors.” She closed her eyes and focussed in, it took a few moments before she opened her eyes again. “There...is that better?”

The image of Sasha closed her eyes as she felt the pain start to lift away from her. "Yes." She breathed out with a sigh, before disappearing back into her subconscious.

Feeling that it would only be a matter of time now before Sasha allowed herself to pass, Mauricio gripped her hand tightly and bowed his head. He started whispering one of the few old phrases that he knew, "Santa María... Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros... pecadores, ahora y... en la hora de nuestra muerte."

A silence had fallen over the room, broken only by the sounds of the Nebula's flames lashing against the hull. Mauricio continued to silently pray for Sasha's soul.

Krysia could feel Sasha starting to drift, slowly giving up her fight and heading for her final peaceful rest.

Suddenly, Sasha appeared once more. "What is that noise?" She asked wearily, "Can't a girl die in peace?"

Mauricio tried to stifle a laugh but he jerked his head towards the door way, "We're passing through a very volatile nebula. Our movement through it is creating friction against the hull, which is resulting in the ship being surrounded by flames." He gave a light shrug, "It sounds bad, but actually the flames are combining with particles from the Indigo Sky left on our hull and it's creating quite a beautiful display. The colours are amazing. It looks like we're inside of the Indigo Sky."

"I'd like to see it." Sasha said emphatically, "If that's okay?"

Krysia nodded. “Of course it is” Keeping her connection with Sasha she walked over to the window and pressed a button. The porthole cover rose up and Krysia stared at the phenomenon, letting Sasha see through her eyes. “At first this terrified me, I rushed off the bridge to be with the twins. Being a mother adds a whole new dimension to what makes you afraid, and what doesn’t. Now I see the beauty of the colours. Do you see it?”

"I do." Sasha replied with a smile, "I don't know if it's the lack of pain receptors talking, but this has to be best thing I've ever seen. It feels... warm."

Mauricio felt her hand twitch within his own, the first sign of movement he had felt from her this whole time. "You're really loving it." He commented.

"Yes... can you bring me closer?" She asked, "I want to be nearer. I want to feel it more."

With a slight nod, Mauricio stood and released the brake on the bio bed, slowly wheeling it closer to the window. Sasha's image took in another deep breath and she felt a wave of joy spread over her. With the shields offline, they could feel the heat of the flames permeating into the ship and it basked over Sasha as she laid in the bed like a summer's glow. Mauricio felt her hand twitch again and he began to see the effect the nebula was having upon her health.

"Santa Maria." He murmured to himself.

The image of Sasha held her arms to herself, closing her eyes as she felt the warmth cover her real body. "Do you feel what I am feeling?" She whispered to Kaleri, "It's like the flames are calling to me... Bring me closer!" She called out urgently.

Krysia turned to Mauricio and nodded. She could feel the strength of the draw on Sasha.

Mauricio responded by turning the bed sideways and lining it up right against the window now. Whatever was happening, it felt like it was helping her somehow.

Sasha's image basked in the heat, a broad smile upon her face as she felt the warmth passing over her. She stayed like this for a few moments before she suddenly gasped and opened her eyes, "Ja-Bo!" She cried out. Then, her image completely disappeared. It was as if the signal had been turned off and Sasha could not longer be reached.

“Sasha!” Krysia turned to look at Sasha’s body. “She’s gone Mauricio, she finally found what she was looking for.” She hung her head wiping away a few tears.

Mauricio let out a soft cry. "No!" He said, holding back tears, "I thought this was helping? She can't be gone!" He grabbed tightly onto Sasha's hand and tried to shake it, hoping it would get some reaction. But her body was now suddenly as stiff and heavy as a rock; as if she had turned entirely to stone. He realised that Krysia's analysis was correct. "Sasha?!" He cried in vain.

Mauricio released his grip on Sasha but as he was about to put his hand to his face to catch his own tears, he noticed it was covered in a black, dusty substance. He recoiled back in confusion, "What?" He held his hand up to show Krysia the black dust.

“What on Earth!?” Krysia moves to Mauricio’s side, curiously looking down at Sasha.

Looking down to where his hand had been gripping Sasha's, Mauricio saw a glint of light amongst the hard stone. It was like the skin underneath was sparkling. Instinctively, he wiped his hand down her arm and more of the black dust was swept away. Underneath, Sasha's skin had somehow crystalized. Sasha had not turned to stone; the black substance was hiding a covering of a luminous quartz instead. The bright lights shining into the room from the Nebula's flames were reflecting within the exposed crystals, creating a dazzling display of colours.

“Ohhh my goodness!!” Krysia was astounded by the sight in front of her. She looked to Mauricio before tapping her comm badge. =^= Kaleri to Captain Temple. Please report to Sickbay...there’s something you need to see!” =/\=

OFF