*The lights from the various monitors play around the room, casting intricate patterns on the walls and illuminating the faces of the people there with an eerie glow. Bubba rests in his bunk, counting the minutes until he is able to return to duty*

"Dang. I know the Doc said I need to stay put for a while, head trauma and all, but the Captain needs me on the Bridge. She's got her hands full with everything that's been going on lately, and I know I can help. I guess Psychosis is back now. That's good. And they've probably taken care of the vortex in Engineering by now. But there's no telling what'll happen next and I want to be there to help."

*Turning, he notices his neighbor*

"How's it going, Airman...uhh...?" "Talbot, sir...Lon Talbot." "Right, Talbot, I remember. What did you say you were here for?" "Well sir, it's a...uhh...cold. Yeah, a cold...that's it. I...uhh...get real bad colds, sir.""Must be a doozy if the daily health tabs can't take care of it. They'll handle almost any of the old common problems we use to get." "I...guess I must have a new strain or something, sir." "Yeah, well make sure you turn the other way when you go to sleep. I don't want you breathing those "new" germs my way." "Don't worry, sir, I'll remember. I'll just...
AARGGGG!!! NO! Not now! I thought everything was...AAARGGGH!!!" "What is it? What's going on? Are you alright, Talbot? Talbot?"

*Bubba watches as strange convulsions overtake his fellow inmate, causing him to twist and turn into extreme positions. Reaching out, he tries to offer assistance*

"Talbot! Are you ok? Should I call the Doc? Talbot!"

*With a look of relief on his face, the seizures stop, and Talbot begins to regain control*

"I...thought I had it under control...I thought everything was alright. But something seemed to set it off again, and I don't think I'll be able to stop it anymore." "Stop what? What are you talking about? What's going on, Talbot? I want to know, and I want to know now!" "I'm sorry sir, it's just that I thought I had it all under control. I thought it was all over and I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. But somehow it's happening again and this time I don't think I can stop it. This is just terrible, sir. You've got to get out of here. You've got to get the others out of her, also. This is just terrible!" "Listen Airman, and listen good. Either you tell me what's going on now, or so help me I gonna climb down from this bunk and come over there and kick your sorry little behind right out that airlock over there! Get me!" "I...understand, sir...you see, it's like this..." (To be continued)