Dream State

Dream State

Chapter 1

Inquiry

"Medic! We've got another one!" shouted Attar as he tore into the
infirmary. By the mercy of the Netherworld thought Crestar.

"Not another one!" as he took charge of the unconscious form before
him.

We could only guess where they come from, nobody really wanting to say
for fear of ignorance. They were usually found unconscious, but once
revived, they would vanish. Crestar looked up, hoping Attar would have
some new information concerning the arrivals. But Attar was already out
the door, in search of something to hold him over until the next one
was found, its funny, thought Crestar, He could see it was becoming
routine for Attar and his squad. He usually hoped that it would be the
last time he was needed for the inspections.

"I do so enjoy these little early morning sessions". Crestar looked up
from his reports, "Oh Prater, I was just finishing up my inspection
report, and how are you doing this day?"

" Oh, wonderful, this is a day I hope to accomplish something of
importance." Prater said, with a warm smile on her face.

I wonder if she ever gets tired, thought Crestar, looking at her and
trying to smile though worn out from a night session. "Well, I hope you
achieve it." He said.

" I think I need to go home and relax a little early today. I will see
you next session Prater."

" Good day Crestar," she said, already started on her day's work.

"Good day, Prater."

Crestar awoke with a start, for a second he couldn't remember where he
was. A frightening thought considering what has been taking place for
the past few weeks. Maybe a little warm silo to help me relax. Thought
Crestar. He entered the supply room, when he thought he saw someone,
but no one was there. Rubbing his eyes, "I must be more tired than I
thought" he said. He sought out what he came for and returned to his
room, hoping to finally get an uninterrupted sleep, when he heard a
noise. It sounded like it came from the supply room. "Oh well" he
thought, I might as well go see what it was, since I think this He
entered the supply room slowly, looking around as cautiously as he
could, despite his lack of sleep, shall be a night of no sleep.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw it. A transparent image he
thought he was imagining. He blinked twice, then rubbed his eyes,
hoping to make it go away, when he looked again it spoke. "I come to
you this way, because the sent ones have failed. You must leave your
system; your star is about to explode. I don't know how much longer we
can transmit, but you have to believe us. We have studied this for..."
then it was gone.

Was he dreaming, or suffering from day mares? Crestar decided he needed
something a little stronger to relax him now, since he was a little
shaken, he decided against it. He returned to his room, contemplating
whether to phone anyone. He came to a conclusion, "I'll have Selma
check into some readings tomorrow, but for now, sleep." he said knowing
full well it would be a really fitful night. Sighing he drifted off to
sleep, hoping that he was in fact dreaming.

After a few hours of waking and sleeping, Crestar decided to get up.
Maybe Selma wouldn't mind being bothered on her one day off, he thought
slightly smiling.

Selma answered the phone cheerfully saying "Hello".

"Hello Selma, this is Crestar, how are you this fine day?" He said,
knowing full well what the answer would be.

" I'm doing pretty well, since I've just come off three weeks of work,"
she said.

"That is good to hear, I wish I was doing as well."

" What's wrong Crestar, you seem troubled. "She said concerned, because
Crestar usually never called with any thing wrong.

"I've just been wondering about Deloris, I haven't kept up with my
hobby for a while, and was wondering if you could check up on it for
me." He said nervously.

"Is something wrong Crestar? She asked expectantly."

"No, just trying to relax and catch up on some things I've missed in
the last few weeks."

"Well, I will do some checking and give you the results tomorrow, is
that all right?"

"Oh yes, fine. I do thank you, and hope you have a wonderful day off."
He said relieved.

"I hope the same for you, Crestar." she said slightly curious.

Crestar was able to relax a little now, his concerns for what he saw
he could now put to rest until tomorrow. He was hoping that it was a
dream or just a figment of his tired imagination. He would find out
soon enough he imagined.

Attar walked through the base wondering what was happening, "how did
these people get here?" He thought. "They just appear and when it's
time to ask them, they leave just as mysteriously as they come." He
knew, in the back of his mind, that this was supposed to be impossible,
but still it was real. He would have to divide his squad to cover more
ground to find out more about what was happening. Attar wondered if
this was a fruitless task. "We shall see," he thought.

Selma brought up her menu for running tests and typed in
'Deloris-status of ', hoping there would be something a little
different this time. The tests would take about seven hours to
complete. She stood up and began her day of nothing else to do. "This
is nice," she thought. "I only hope I get more like this soon."

Prater strode from room to room, examining equipment, making sure
everything was in order. She entered another room and thought she heard
voices, but dismissed it when she saw no one there. Maybe I'm just
distracted today by this feeling, she sighed and continued her
rounds.

Selma's screen blinked and data began pouring in. If she had been in
the room, she would have noticed the dip in the radiation level. Since
she was engrossed in her next activity, she thought no more of it.