And Now for Something Completely Different
Posted on Sat Dec 31st, 2022 @ 6:00am by Crewman Melly
Edited on on Sat Dec 31st, 2022 @ 6:08am
1,155 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Short Treks
Location: Tantalus Prison Colony
Timeline: 2430-09-20, 9:00
Location: Tantalus Prison Colony
Melly had been awake for an hour when the guard came around to pick her up for counseling. However for some reason the rather routine walk to the office was different. She was not allowed to look up and see the route but she had been there enough that she recognized a deviation in the directions she walked. Coming to a holodeck entrance the Napean Counselor waited quietly for Melly with a soft smile.
"I will take off her restraints when we get in, do not worry she will be back in them before leaving the holodeck.", the Counselor said to the guard as he nodded and walked off. Motioning Melly into the opening holodeck all Melly could see was the usual black and yellow grid of the walls and floor. Reaching down the Counselor tapped a code into the leg restraints and then the wrist restraints. Taking them she pointed to a small box of clothes beside the door.
"I will wait outside while you change. Say something when you are ready for me to return. The clothes are sized for you perfectly.. as well as some things to help with your night terrors and excitability. There is no shame in needing them. Now scoot.", the Counselor said with a smile as she slipped out and the door closed.
Melly wiggled out of her prison outfit and took the clothing, what appeared to be a pretty yellow summer dress like she had seen other girls wear on planet Miri, a pair of shoes, socks, and nappies. Sighing but understanding she got dressed and then called out, "Ms Tavera?"
A moment later the Napean woman walked in and smiled, "You are very pretty.. and not in the way that man says. You are a pretty girl and those clothes suit you. Now shall we begin?"
"Begin what Ma'am?", Melly said and looked curiously as the Counselor placed the restraints in the box with Melly's jumper.
The woman smiled and offered a hand to Melly gently, taking her hand and calling out, "Computer, Program Melly 1."
The scene began to form, a playground in a park, a number of children of various races and parents on benches in the shade watching. Melly looked to the woman tilting her head, "I'm... hundreds of years older then some of these kids?"
"Yes and you are mentally older too.. but at times you are not. At times you want to play and we are going to do just that. We are going to take the hour and pretend. I am your Mother and you are my daughter. You will pretend you are the age you physically look and you're going to go play and have fun. A lot of smiles is the goal.", the Counselor said as she walked Melly to the playground edge and leaned down. "Let loose.. relax.. have fun.. don't stab no one." She said the last part with a giggle and a boop to Melly's nose causing a giggle from her in response.
"It's.. been so long since I got to do foolies.", Melly said looking on in awe. Foolies a Only word for childish games. Melly's face began to brighten as she looked to the Counselor and hugged her before skipping over with a smile to sit in an empty swing and began swinging happily, a little timid at first but going higher each time. Then she slowed but got speed again giggling as she waved to the Counselor who sat down beside a couple of holographic adults.
Melly swung for a good ten minutes but spotting some other children waiting she stopped and then got up motioning for the next to use the swings as went to her turn for the slide. Waiting behind the other children she was patient before coming to the ladder, she climbed, then a feeling of fear as she saw how far down the slide went. However being a brave starfighter pilot she hopped up and slid so far as she went down the slide. A few yelps slipped from her as she realized it was a metal slide on a hot sunny day.
Landing in the sandpit at the base she stood and walked clear to not delay those behind her. Her eyes scanned till she spotted her next goal. She saw a young Andorian boy about her 'age' alone at a teeter totter. Skipping along she waved, "May I please join you?"
The Andorian boy nodded and Melly carefully pulled the end down and got on. Each took turns being bounced up as the other went down. "Do you come around here a lot?", Melly asked.
"Yes, every week. Are you new?", the boy asked.
Melly nodded, "Mommy just brought me here, it's fun. My name is Melly."
"Irybeb", the Andorian boy smiled.
They teetered for a good ten minutes before the Counselor walked close and whispered, "I hate to do this, but we have to get ready to go Melly."
Melly sighed but gave a smile and both teetered to an even level so that Melly could get off. Walking over she gave a hug to Irybeb and smiled, "It was most fun, thank you Irybeb."
The Andorian boy hugged her back and the Counselor offered a hand that Melly took. They walked to the edge of the playground and the Counselor said, "End program."
The simulation faded away and a look of hurt went across Melly's face as she lowered her head.
"Little One. Get dressed, keep the nappies on as they are part of your prescribed penal colony uniform now. You are excitable, prone to panics, and night terrors. So they will be supplied as needed. Now dress and I will be right back I need to get something.", she walked out the holodeck doors closing behind her.
Melly dressed quickly, slipping out of the pretty outfit and folding it all as best she could to put in the box they were in before. She wiggled into the jumper, feeling a genuine feel of relief and safety with the added medical items. Finally she placed her feet in the restraints as they automatically shifted to tighten around her small legs. She then put her wrists in the binders allowing the same to happen.
"Are you decent Little One?", the Counselor called out.
Melly responded, "Yes Ma'am".
The Counselor returned with her hands behind her back, "Put out your hands and close your eyes."
Melly did immediately as ordered and felt something soft in her hands.
"Open them Little One.", the Counselor said with a smile.
As Melly opened her eyes, tears filled them. She hugged the object to her and cradled it. A stuffed Peregrine Bomber.
"Sleep with it on your bed, I thought it would be perfect for you.", she said as she walked Melly out who was alternating hugging the stuffy and hugging the nice lady.
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