The Impossible Dream

Finishing the last spoon of his chicken soup, Lieutenant Taline began to think about the cause of the VERY odd dreams he had been having. *Maybe it's something in the food.* he stared down at the bowl of soup he just finished. *Naah.* He got up and left, heading for his quarters. Turning the corner he began to feel a little dizzy. He thought nothing of it and entered his quarters.

Lieutenant Taline. You have a scheduled appointment with the ship's counselor in one hour.> the computer beeped in the programed reminder.

Thank you, computer." An hour later, Taline was in Sierra Devore's "office".

"So.what seems to be troubling you, lieutenant?" the counselor said sincerely.

"Yes. I've been experiencing.um.(searching for the right word).unusual dreams...., AND they aren't the standard 'nightmares'." Taline cut in, anticipating the counselor to suggest they are just bad dreams.

"I don't know what's causing them. Has anyone else expressed a similar condition?"

"I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to talk about personal sessions with others. Doctor-patient confidentiality."

"Then, not as the ship's counselor, but as a member of the crew. Has anyone expressed experiencing similar cases?"

"As a member of the ship- no, none that I know of. Have you been to sickbay about it?"

"No. I don't feel any other symptoms. I felt a little dizzy about an hour ago, but that was only for a moment. What do you suggest I do?"

"Has anything outside of dreams been troubling you lately?"

"Well.there is a crew member who I've grown.fond of."

"Hmm.What kind of response have you gotten from them? Their response might have something to do with the dream."

"I don't think so. Not only have I not advanced past 'small talk', but the dreams are much stranger than any event I've ever seen or experienced.except MAYBE in a sci-fi holonovel."

"Would you care to tell me about the dreams you've been having?"

Taline takes a deep breath and begins his story.

".....and it burrowed through the creature's skin. The creature grabbed the site and looked up at me with this mindless look. Like some sort of programed killing machine, they began to chase after me. The creature's eyes now glowed with a bright red intensity. As they closed on me, the creature blew themselves up, taking out the entire tunnel. And that's when I woke up."

"Definitely an unusual dream. I can understand your concern."

"Normally I would think it was bad Bajoran beef or something, but the accuracy of the first dream. The door closing, the pain on my chest, the captain calling for a doctor.it all happened JUST as the dream had predicted. I think it is more than coincidence." The computer beeped.

"I'm sorry. I wish we could continue, but someone else has an appointment now."

"That's all right. I've pretty much said all I have to."

"Let me know if anything else happens or you just need someone to talk to. That's what I'm here for." She smiled as Lucas turned around and left for his quarters.

"Thank you, counselor." As he turned the hallway, he felt dizzy again. This time it was stronger than before. He had trouble walking. Barely making it to his quarters, he fell on the bed. *Why am I so tired? The session really drained me, I guess.* Lucas thought as he drifted off again.

This time in his dream, Lucas was himself. Partially a relief from the alien form he took on last time. In the darkness, a figure materialized.

"En Taro, Adun. I am Zarotus, Temprox. I am of the Proletariat. I believe we share the Zeirg as a similar enemy." The figure, wearing a long green robe with a yellow stripe down the middle stared at Taline diplomatically.

"I gotta' stop eating that beef."

"I assure you, Lieutenant Taline, this is no dream."

*He know my name.* Taline thought to himself.

"I know much more than that Lieutenant" The temprox spoke aloud.

"You can read my thoughts."

"Yes. Allow me to elaborate."

Before Taline lay a battlefield. A swarm of insect-like creatures flash towards Taline with blinding speed. They pass right through him. Taline turns around to see them charging the away team that was sent onto the planet surface. Everyone but Williams managed to beam out. Williams screamed as the battlefield and the Zeirg along with himself disappeared. The blackness returned, as did the visage of Zarotus.

"The Zeirgaline are a primal force. They may seem feral, but they are VERY organized. My race believes they are headed and run by a creature known as the Overmind. Using "lesser lords", called celebrates, they control each and every individual creature that makes up The Swarm."

"Woah." Taline pushes his jaw back, from it's dropped position and blinked for the first time since the battlefield appeared.

"Yes.I guess it would be unusual to see for the first time." Zarotus continued "Your race seems to have taken the initiative with diplomatic relations and I believe a meeting between your captain and one of our ambassadors are meeting soon if they haven't already. I, myself, am currently pushing for further relations with your race. I'm hoping for an alliance of some sort between us."

Taline slowly began to comprehend all he had just heard and seen.

"I'm sorry we have to communicate this way, but it is the only way we know of that your mind can handle a 'telepathic' link between us. I hope this hasn't been too much of a strain on your mind, Lieutenant."

Taline nodded no, still awestrucken.

"Tell your captain what you told your counselor and what has transpired here as well. I hope to contact you soon with good news."