ST:END110 | "MACO - Many Absolutely Crazy Officers Part 3"

Brie sat huddled in the corner of the large window, her knees pressed against her chest. Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders, a few thick strands hanging over her face. Her usually neatly done mascara ran down her face in two wet black lines and her brilliantly amber eyes were framed with a reddish ring. She sniffled and wiped her nose with her sleeve as she sat in the darkness, watching the star-studded void. As she did so, she mumbled slightly and gripped her knees tighter, closing her eyes and stifling a cry. Her stomach was awash with pain and all she wanted to do was curl into a ball, hoping that the smaller she was, the less the pain would affect her.

At her feet lay an overturned bottle, its crimson contents soaking into the floor. Beside her was a PADD, the display reading "URGENT MESSAGE FOR ALL PERSONNEL OF THE USS ENDEAVOUR". The message was unopened. Brie lifted her shaking hand slightly to wipe the perspiration from her forehead. She wanted this pain to go away, but didn't have the strength to treat it. Sensing a rising wave of panic hit her, she reached for the bottle but couldn't bring herself to unravel far enough to reach it. Instead, she curled up further, retreating into her own mind. The panic did not stop; it began to swell, leaving her stomach and working its way up her body, causing her lungs to constrict. Opening her eyes, she could only see the darkness of space as she tried desperately to draw air into her chest. Every breath she took, however, only trapped her further and added to her unease. She was alone, and nobody would come to break her out of the confines she had relegated herself into.

"Brie?" Kelly's voice came from the direction of the doorway. "What are you..." Kelly's eyes drifted across to the empty bottle on the ground. "Brie did you? Your ban..."

Brie gripped her knees tighter, resting her head against the cold window. She just wanted it to smash and take her and all her problems out with her. A gentle hand rested against her shoulder and the cold, unyielding window gave way to a warm, soft body. Brie buried her face in it.

"The hypo I gave you, did you use it? Where is it?"

Brie's head shook slightly. Kelly gently brushed the dark hair off her friend's face. "You're cold. And sweaty. Come on, you should rest..."

"No..." Brie muttered.

"You're not feeling well. Let me go get that hypo," Kelly gently lifted Brie's head as she stood, going into her bedroom to retrieve it.

Brie looked up. "I... don't want the hypo," she said. "I don't need it..."

"Of course you do," Kelly replied, coming back with the hypo in hand. She handed it to Brie. "Come on, it'll take away some of the pain,"

"I... don't feel any pain. I am fine,"

Kelly gave Brie a look. Brie didn't return it. "You have a message you know,"

"I know,"

"It's urgent,"

"It always is," she replied before looking at the PADD. She extended an arm and pressed the button.

Urgent message for all personnel of the USS Endeavour. All crew members should report to the ship effective immediately for departure. All shore leave has been cancelled. Crew members have 12 hours to return to the ship. Failure to comply will lead to disciplinary action being taken.

SIGNED

Captain S.A. Bishop

Brie staggered to her feet as the PADD finished the message.

"I wonder what that is about," Kelly said with a small sympathetic smile.

"I don't know," Brie replied coldly. "Only that man is messing with me,"

"What do you mean?"

"I can't deal with this... not now..."

"Brie, you aren't making any sense,"

Brie looked up angrily. "I'm not making any sense? I'm making perfect sense. He's not making sense recalling me at this time,"

"Come on, he's not recalling just you, he's recalling everyone. There's probably a reason behind it..."

"Why are you taking his side?" Brie snapped at Kelly, who stepped back, slightly shocked.

"I'm... not taking his side..."

"Yes you are! Reason this, reason that. Me importa una mierda! Whatever reasons he has for it, I do not care!" Tears ran down her cheeks as she pressed her palms to her head. "This is killing me... I can't take it any more... I want it all to go... Just please... make it stop..."

"Brie... take this hypo... I swear it will -"

"NO! I DON'T WANT THE HYPO!" she yelled. "Just... go! I just want everyone to go!" Brie slumped against the wall, crying.

Gently, Kelly walked towards her and took her hands. "That's not true..."

"Of course it's not..." Brie sobbed. "I don't want to leave. I can't face being alone..."

"You're not alone. I'm not going anywhere,"

"You want me to go,"

"I don't want you to get in trouble with your Commanding Officer,"

"Can't you see, he's doing this on purpose, just to hurt me,"

"You know that's not what he's doing. He's doing his job,"

Brie looked up. "Fine. I get it," she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "You clearly are bored of me. Fine. I'll leave,"

"Brie, that's not what I was saying!"

"Why else would you ever stick up for that hijo de puta?" she said angrily as she grabbed her PADD and stormed out. "Don't speak to me again! Out of the way Blue," she snapped at Eunha who was just about to knock on Kelly's room.

"Want to tell me what that was about?" She asked, watching Brie storm off.

"Sam Bishop apparently..." Kelly replied, slightly stunned at Brie's reaction.

Eunha rolled her eyes. "I should have guessed... you okay?"

"Yeah... fine..."