? ~PROJECT SAC-1~ ??

Chapter 12 - Unseen Chains ??

Still recovering, her stamina was still pretty low and despite it being a new day Talla ended up dozing on the couch even with the booming holovids on, tucked away in the corner and curled up the best she could with her cybernetic leg sticking straight out on the cushions so the tender flesh and touchy synth-nerves wouldn't be aggravated by unnecessary movement. Even though it was an awkward position, like her fellow ship mates she had learned to sleep in the most undesirable locations, so an awkward positioning on a cushy couch wasn't exactly a hurdle she had to climb over, and the woman looked so peaceful as she drifted off into the dream world that Wrecker had even so thoughtfully turned down his holovids from ear-splitting to blaring.

But pleasant dreams could quickly turn into a living hell you couldn't escape until your mind said you could, a person in the midst of a night terror too dangerous to try and wake up, especially so with one who had enhanced strength.

The batch of men could only watch helplessly as her initial gasp that caught Wreckers attention turned into short quick intakes of breath followed by small whimpers which he immediately recognized as the first signs of the same night terrors he'd seen every one of his brothers experience alongside him, and called out to them for backup. By the time they had rushed into the common area her breathing turned erratic, borderline hyperventilating coupled with some twitches and other frantic movements as she tried to fight back at whatever demons were swirling around her mind, unable to break free from it. And they couldn't do anything, not wanting to risk Talla further injuring herself by fighting back if they tried to shake her awake, and none of them wanted to be on the receiving end of a sucker punch that could land them back in the hospital with a bashed in face at the very least.

The average night terror lasted five to ten minutes Tech had informed them, and the minutes dragged unbearably on and on and on as if they were hours. Being the Sergeant of the squad, it should have been Hunter who kept everyone calm, but he had to physically be held back by Crosshair so he wouldn't spring into action to try and shake her out of it to end her suffering, risking his health thus risking the sanity of the squad.

Crosshair, his impromptu second in command, knew he could keep the freak outs at bay for only so long, something he realized after one close call that almost took Hunter away from them permanently. But the Sniper, not being emotionally attached to the woman in any way yet, was able to maintain his cool despite her agony, thus helping Wrecker to stay calm at least, and the most empathetic of the bunch who couldn't be held back by anyone thankfully stayed put.

Finally, finally Talla shot upright with a final shriek, skin flushed and beads of sweat dotting her face. They flinched, making themselves tense and ready to defend themselves if need be. She unsteadily whipped around, crazed eyes darting this way and that, trying to make sense of her surroundings, the ragged breaths never letting up.

The medic of the squad took a cautious step forward with his palms held up to show he meant no harm and took a stab at trying to get her to calm down. "Talla." Her crazed eyes snapped in his direction, still too dazed and wound up to process it was just him. She looked ready to attack, whatever hallucinations her brain had created still tormenting her. "You're not in any danger." Tech's tone was more pragmatic than soothing, but sometimes that's what you needed to cut through the chaos.

It took a few tense beats before it seemed to click that NO, she wasn't in any danger, but the realization wasn't exactly a major relief. The vividness of the dream that felt so real caused Talla such true terror, that she actually thought was left behind on Kamino which made her collapse back onto the couch and rake her fingers through her dampened hair, latching onto handfuls that could have been ripped from her scalp if any more force was applied. Her voice was so small it was practically inaudible, "What happened?" She asked between breaths that were coming out in gasping huffs and puffs.