"I'd like to end this episode of 'Cooking with Neelix' with a challenge. The next edition of "Voyager Forum" needs something new. Besides the doctors' health column, and reports about social gatherings, I'd like submissions of short stories. I'm sure there is someone on this ship who has always wanted to be an author. If you fancy yourself a writer, leave me a padd with your literary work and I'll include it in the next publication of our very own periodical. So as our Vulcan friends tell us…Live long and prosper."
With that the screen went blank. Tal thought about what he said. Thinking how she enjoyed loosing herself in her books as a teenager and loved her creative writing courses in high school, she thought to herself "why not?" So with padd in hand she began to compose her short story. Knowing she would never submit it for others to read, she still found enjoyment in reading what she'd written and letting her imagination wander.
1 week later….
It was a long and tiring shift but it was finally over. After a sonic shower, Jenny Delaney changed into lounging attire to just hang around in the quarters she shared with 3 other female crew members. Looking for something to read she picked up the padd that was on the floor just peeking out from under Tal's bed and skimmed through it.
"This is what Tal has been so secretive about. Wherever did she get it I wonder."
Looking through the story she stretched out on her bunk and started reading. She didn't stop until it was over.
"This has to be for the challenge Neelix put out for us. I hope she doesn't mind if I just press, "submit". She hasn't done it and probably won't she's so shy. I'll just pen her an alias and, presto, an author is born.
1 month later…..
"What do you mean I have to be quarantined?"
"Captain I assure you it's for your own good and the safety of this crew. The ruptured gelpack that you had the bad luck to be exposed to had collected an unknown number of pathogens. That coupled with the exposure to the radiation you received when the magnetic constrictors loosened and you dove right in to help repair. These factors make you susceptible to any number of maladies. Your immunity has been lowered. You'll need to be monitored closely for illness. You could be contagious which impacts the crew."
"I get it Doctor, do I have to stay here or can I go to my own quarters?"
"You can stay within the confines of your quarters but I will be monitoring your vital signs and physically checking on you daily."
"How long will my exile be?"
"At least 2 weeks Captain. You can communicate with the senior staff throughout the day, have reports routed to your workstation etc. But you must rest, and maintain some semblance of nutrition. I'll inform the Commander of my orders and transport you if you have no further questions."
"Fine Doctor. I guess that's it."
3 Days later….
Having reviewed crew evaluations, read every departments' reports, updated ship logs, and composed her next transmission for Starfleet, Kathryn had done all the work she needed to do. With nothing left she decided that now was a good time to read Neelix's periodical. Looking through she came upon a story written by Austen Jayne. "
"Well this looks interesting. A take on Jane Austin, how clever. I read her work in high school. I loved "Pride and Prejudice", "Emma", and "Sense and Sensibility". Those historical romance novels are wonderful.
She set about reading…
"The Healer" by Austen Jayne
to be continued…