<USS Avalon> log-The Dreamer-Not Epidemic PT2

The Dreamer-Not Epidemic

Part Two

-Dodge Thomas



?The mining colony on Argulo Rentinis Four had been silent for almost a month. 
Nobody knew what had happened. So, we were dispatched, to go and see what there 
was to see.? Hobbes licked his lips and swallowed dryly. ?They were all 
dead?not dead?they were the Dreamer-Nots. You see, before the Dominion War, I 
carried the rank of Lieutenant Commander, or at least, that?s what they tell 
me. My name was Hobbes Harvey, and since that?s another thing they told me, I 
decided to stick with it.?

?So then, you don?t remember what or who you were?? Dodge asked solemnly.

?I?ll get to that part in a minute. Polaron radiation, just like we saw today 
in engineering, and as I?m sure we?ll soon find out, all over the ship, was 
completely unknown before the Dominion War. When we set down on Argulo Rentinis 
Four, we had no clue as to why there were so many people just lying about in a 
coma. Twenty two in all, and that was less than a third of the colony?s 
population. All the younger, more vital people had been taken. We assumed for 
manual labor or some other form of slave trade, but we were very much wrong.?

Dodge thought for a moment, back to Hobbes? records. ?It says in your file that 
you were captured and imprisoned by the Cardassians for about five years, is 
that correct??


?More so than you can ever hope to realize. Yes, the Cardassians were there, 
but we never knew it. You can?t fight polaron radiation with phasers. Every man 
and woman on that team, myself included fell victim to it?s non lethal curse.?

?What do you mean?? Sirius? voice rang loud in the turbolift car.

?Polaron radiation doesn?t damage living tissue. It won?t kill or maim or even 
cause a tumor. What it does is far worse. It disrupts the nerve cell?s ability 
to send electronic impulses to other nerve cells. In essence, it shuts you 
down. You?re brain goes into hibernation, each individual cell working fine, 
but none of them working in unison with the others. You can?t feel or taste or 
see or hear. You are a prisoner of your own mind. You?re asleep, but you?re not 
able to dream, you see? Dreamer-Not. Coordination is impossible, and so it is 
very easy to take advantage of a person inflicted with this polaron paralysis. 
They made us do things?say things, that we would never have?how could they? It 
was horrible. For five years I was imprisoned in my own mind, helpless to stop 
them or make them go away. It was decided that we would work better in unison, 
so we were?? Hobbes shuddered. ?Networked.?

?What?!? Dodge asked, not wanting to believe what he had just heard.

?It was in this that we were able to shut them down and escape, although I?m 
sad to say that once we were separated and our minds once again took residence 
over our bodies, many of them went quietly insane. You may have noticed that 
I?m not all here myself.? He gave them an odd and rather disturbing smile.

?How did you recover??

?I?m not entirely certain, although I believe it was impart to a number of 
Cardassian sympathizers. They unhooked the machines, and I suppose they may 
have administered medication or therapy. As I said, I?m not certain.? His face 
took on a look of aristocracy. ?I apologize if I frightened you back there, but 
I assure you I?m perfectly alright.?

Dodge gave him a skeptical look, then shook his head. ?I don?t think so at all. 
I?d like for you to visit the counselor immediately. Hopefully she can help you 
and in that you can both help the doctor. I?m sure there have been several 
other reports of this polaron paralysis that you speak of, and if so, I know 
everyone?s going to be real happy for some insight on how to wake them back up 
again.?

Sirius nodded. ?If I may suggest,? he looked to Dodge, who gave him a look of 
approval, then to Hobbes. ?You may want to go see the Chief of Security. He?s a 
Betazoid, and he?ll probably be helpful as well, and if not helpful, at least 
insightful.?

?Agreed.? Dodge said curtly. ?Resume turbolift.?

Hobbes stared at the two of them for a moment before sighing. Dodge continued 
speaking.

?At any rate, you need to go tell the doctor just what you?ve told me so that 
they can start working on a way to wake them up.?

?They?re going to want a counselor when they do wake up,? Hobbes said somewhat 
grimly. ?Believe me. Even a day or two in one?s own mind is enough to drive one 
mad.?

Sirius and Dodge stared uneasily at the man, who had once again smiled in his 
somewhat devilish little way.

?Don?t worry. The Dreamer-Nots are harmless. But keep in mind that polaron 
radiation is not a natural phenomenon. I?d keep my eyes open if I were you, 
Mister Thomas?but then, we?ve already seen how useful that?s been.?

Blessedly, the turbolift doors opened to deck five, enticing Sirius and Hobbes 
to exit. Dodge leaned against the wall gratefully. Hopefully, the shield 
modifications they had made would hold, at least until they reached the 
Allegiance. Dodge had his work cut out for him, but deep down he was almost 
content.

 



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