Energize

Posted on 06 Nov 2022 @ 10:32pm by Lieutenant George Huxley

“Pulse is thready!”
“Four entry wounds, two exits. I have one projectile in the arm, one in the bowels.”
“Left lung is collapsed.”
“Vitals are dropping, we’re losing him, doctor!”

********************
“…I’m dead?”
Elaine ponders the question for a moment. “No, not quite, though admittedly you’re pretty close. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
George runs his hands through his hair. “So, if I’m not dead, where the hell am I?”
“Now that’s a loaded question, George. I guess the best way to describe this is…you’re in a transporter beam. Metaphorically speaking. You’re caught between the physical realm and your next destination.” She sits on a couch that wasn’t there a moment ago and motions for George to sit with her.”
Taking a seat, he looks to her in confusion. “So why am I here then? If I’m not dead yet, why aren’t I back on the floor?”
Elaine rolls her eyes. “What, you think being dead gives me all the answers? If I did, don’t you think I could come up with some better metaphor than a metaphysical transporter beam? For some reason or other, you can’t stay in the physical realm, but you can’t move on, either.”
Frowning, George looks off into the vast whiteness. “Then why are you here?”
Elaine shrugs. “I imagine I’m here to help guide you. Where, I don’t know. But, I guess between the two of us, we can figure it out. After all, we’re Engineers, right? Shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Uh huh. Well, I suppose…energize.”