The Ides (15) (original) (raw)

The Cat sat, watching in avid fascination, as the stainless steel tube made contact with Bea’s skull. Joel Bennis, unaware of the last seconds of his actions, had suddenly turned cold inside. A physical sensation that formed at his center, in his heart, lungs and brain. It was as if his body cavity had suddenly been filled with ice.

This was followed by extreme feelings of mind numbing anxiety. An instant and violent stress upon the nervous system so severe, that panic gave way to fear and hopelessness. A hopelessness so deep, so vast, so disheartingly invasive, that “life” itself was no longer bearable. Release and relief became his only priority. His heart began to beat erratically. He hyperventilated. His bladder emptied itself, spreading an un-felt warmness on his uniform trousers.

His eyes fell on the Emergency Containment and Environmental Evacuation Unit. Eagerly he yanked, wrenched and turned the lever. The warning Claxton began its required, long and loud notification. On the Bridge, Christmas Tree lights and computer voices shattered the established calm.

Inside Unit Four, the computer blandly spoke its verbal warning: "Depressing the CRTL, ALT, DEL Keys will encapsulate this room."

He jabbed at the 3 keys with both hands. He tried to scream but his voice would not come. Panic, frustration and insanity prevailed. He blindly hit the right combination.

He did not comprehend the computer’s second (and emphatic) warning: "Pressing the Esc Key now will open Sickbay Unit Number Four to exterior space. That action will be irreversible!"

He was now pounding the whole keyboard with his fists!

The exterior door opened in less than a second. Unit 4 was ejected and set on a computerized course to the middle of the nearest "sun".

Lieutenant J. Bennis and the body of Commander B. Goode, the only passengers.

One of the cat’s Nine Lives, (those Nine Entities that inhabit all cats in known and unknown existence), had transported her with the speed of thought. Within a mere moment, she was a thousand light-years from the Space Ship Xandau.

“He was the most purrrfect and pleaaaasurable human I’ve ever posssssessed. And his raw emotions were just so titillating.

The Nine all agreed, literally, through a single thought.

“Of all the species there are” that voice continued, “humans are the most emotional and unstable. It was, indeed, a rare find."

The cat purred in agreement.

"Shall we get another?”