It Is My Opinion You Are A...

Posted on Sun Dec 25th, 2022 @ 6:02am by Crewman Melly
Edited on on Sun Dec 25th, 2022 @ 6:07am

1,280 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Tantalus Prison Colony
Timeline: 2430-09-06, 9:00

Location: Tantalus Prison Colony
Melly had barely finished her morning meal of Nutri-goop when the guards collected her for her first therapy session. This unappetizing meal was not subjected to her by the colony but instead she asked what was the most unappetizing and unpleasant meal she was allowed. So she did that to herself. She had been in the colony for six days and each of her three meals she ate Nutri-goop, save the very first meal which was a very delicious rice dish that she felt she was unworthy of. But she ate and she was following the rules, she would do nothing now to violate regulations as she knew her place in the pecking order.

She wore her one piece prison jumper, gray in with matching slippers. Unlike the ones she wore at tribunal these were made to fit her snug because she would be wearing them a lot. Her feet were bound in binders, the type that would close in to fit any size, a similar pair covered her wrists. Finally her hair, the long braid she originally wore she asked to be sheared off, not super short but no longer down to the middle of her back, just to the middle of her shoulders. She was bad in her mind and did not think her pretty hair as many called it was deserving. She would regrow it once she was no longer bad.

As she walked she looked around at the walls, the corridors, and all the drab surroundings. This was a mistake. A swift slap to the back of her head caused her to stumble as a guard struck her.

"Inmate, 18-226-ON1. Eyes to the floor, inmates are not allowed to look around. Don't want you to learn the layout. Not that it matters, transporters shields and poisonous atmosphere outside.", the guard said, shoving the girl's head downward.

She was a number, not a person. She was not Melly of Miri. She was Floor 18, Room 226, Prisoner Species: Only 1. She deserved this, she was bad. She did wrong and now she had to accept her punishment. Her eyes kept to the floor as she walked, a tear dripping from her face and landing on her left slipper. The back of her head stung from the hit, but she would not complain. If you are hit it is because you deserve it, the voice in the back of her head rang out. You did wrong by looking up, so you deserved the hit. She would be a good girl and follow all rules, even those she did not know yet. She would learn them and try hard.

The door to the counselor's office opened and Melly was ushered in. She sat in a chair before the desk as she felt the bottoms of her slippers magnetize to the chair. Then she felt the jumper do the same. A unique way to restrain a prisoner. She did not try to stand but instead she wiggled slightly to get comfortable. It was like she wore a lead blanket, she could breathe but not move a muscle otherwise.

The guards left and Melly sat there, unable to move, unable to even scratch an itch on her nose for a full forty five minutes before the counselor entered. She felt in hell but she deserved this, the voice reminded her. A Napean female, human looking save for possessing a large, leaf-shaped forehead. They were known to be empathic due to the organ inside their foreheads. She looked to Melly and checked her notes and looked again.

"Normally a prisoner would be yelling by now, screaming to let them up. This was to judge how you react to situations you do not like.", the woman leaned in and gently scratched Melly's nose where it had been itching for so long.

"Thank You", Melly said with a sigh.

The woman moved to her chair on the other side of the table, "Do you need the refresher? Are you thirsty?"

"No Ma'am, I am okay Ma'am.", Melly whispered. It was a lie, on both parts.

The woman started rereading Melly's file occasionally looking up, "You are extremely well behaved, this is not common for the typical prisoners."

That's because I am a bad girl, I deserve to be forced to sit here till I cry, till I need a change of outfit.

"No you don't, little one.", the Napean shook her head. "Your internal conscience is the bad one. Does it make you think that way often?"

"Yes Ma'am, because I deserve everything done to me. I was a bad girl. Bad girls deserve to be hit, they deserve punishment. I will do whatever I am told so I am not bad.", Melly rambled out.

The counselor tapped a button on the desk and the magnetic field released Melly. She then pointed to a side door. "Refresher is right there, little one. Scoot."

Melly didn't need to be told twice, her eyes gave more of a thank you then her lips could. She was off and hurried to the refresher.

A few minutes later Melly returned and immediately sat back in the chair, on the table before her were two mugs of warm tea. Not too hot, more warm and soothing.

"Go ahead, have some tea. We will begin after you have a few sips.", the Counselor said with a smile.

Melly had never had tea before, so she did not know what to expect. Taking a timid sip she found it was warm and made her feel calm inside. Like a warm shower as opposed to those sonic things. After she had another and smiled.

"Melly", the Counselor looked over the table at her. The woman was much taller than her but so were most people. It was like she was looking down at her but not in a bad way. But she felt like the authority figure she was. "We are going to have many conversations over time. I want you to know that some of them will not be pleasant. I also wish to tell you I am an empath and very mildly telepathic. That's how I knew what your inner voice said. So lying is kinda counterproductive. Also self punishing helps no one, so if you are thirsty, hungry, or need the refresher please just speak up. Do you understand little one?"

"Yes Ma'am.", Melly said looking up to the woman. "I will be truthful and despite being a bad girl I promise to do as told."

The Counselor shook her head, "You're not bad. You did a bad thing, but I can tell even without my powers you're not bad. You're troubled... your race and that weird Life prolongation project.. I think with all honesty they should have covered more coping techniques in Starfleet Academy do to your species. You are over two hundred and and fifty years old. You have shown the capability of a human adult. You were a decorated fearless starfighter pilot. But deep down... at moments it is obvious you are still a child. Not due to your appearance but you slip at times. There is nothing wrong with this but it is not an excuse for what you did. We will work through it though. We will help you to become better. It won't be easy and I worry that not everyone here will show you the best of intentions. Admiral Norith has many friends. But you are a strong girl and I will help you as much as I can. Now... It is my opinion you are a...", the counselor looked at Melly long and hard.

"A good girl."

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