Sleeping Problems Part I
Posted on Wed Mar 12th, 2025 @ 3:11am by Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal & Lieutenant Maya Canak
Edited on on Fri Mar 14th, 2025 @ 7:57pm
1,315 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Sickbay - Deck 9 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD013 1000 hrs
Layal was still trying to shake some of the images from her dream when she arrived at Sickbay. She was used to bad dreams every now and then. They seemed to get worse when she was under a lot of pressure. Last night though... she would categorize that as more of a nightmare, maybe even a night terror. The fear had passed, but the uneasiness had stuck with her throughout the morning, eventually leading her here.
Layal stepped into the facility looking to meet the Chief Medical Officer.
Maya saw the light in her office indicating that someone walked into sickbay. She set down her watering can and went out to greet the new arrival. "Hello." She smiled at Layal. "I'm Doctor Canak. How can I help you?"
"Hi, Corin Layal, from the JAG office. I arrived here a couple of days ago for the Vamcet case," Layal replied. "I didn't know if I could make an appointment or if you take walk-ins, or how that worked here?"
"I do both and right now, all my biobeds are empty, so have a seat." While she did, Maya grabbed a Feinberger to use in conjunction with the biobed's sensors. "Now, what can I do for you?"
Layal walked over to the nearest biobed and took a seat, scooting back on the bed a bit so that her feet didn't quite touch the floor despite her tall frame and long legs. "Well, I seem to be having some trouble sleeping. Or rather it's probably a stress issue. I'm not shutting my brain off at night, and if I do get any sleep it's just fretful and about work."
Layal realized she might be minimizing the nature of her nightmares just a bit, but it wasn't exactly a lie. Given the nature of the case and the material she'd been going over, it certainly was connected to her current job assignment.
The doctor nodded as Layal spoke, listening while she set up the biobed and began a thorough scan. There were many reasons the other woman wasn't sleeping well and she wanted to rule out any medical reasons first. "We'll see what the scans say. Can you tell me about your health in general?"
"No complaints otherwise. I try to do some kind of exercise almost every day, usually a cardio class or simulation of some kind," Layal responded. "I think I always operate at an elevated stress level," she admitted. "I do my best work under pressure. But sometimes it can be a bit much."
"Indeed. Maintaining a balance is always important." Maya checked the results of the medical scan. "Your catecholamines are elevated and your pulse is slightly increased." She looked over to Layal. "Are you suffering from headaches or stomachaches?"
Layal thought for a moment about the last few days. "I have a sort of dull headache this morning, but nothing that I would have even bothered to come in for on its own. No stomach pain I would say, but I do have a nervous stomach if you could call it that. Almost like nausea, except I don't really feel like I am going to throw up, so not nauseous. Just not right," Layal tried to explain. "I'm sorry, I'm a terrible patient," she said apologetically.
"No, you're not. You came in for help, didn't you? That makes you an excellent patient." She ran the Feinberger over Layal and added that scan to the biobed. "Those are not quite normal, but not high enough to be a concern." She looked at the other woman again. "I could do a sleep study... Are you having nightmares? High stress regarding your new assignment?"
Layal took a deep breath and held it for a moment before letting it out. "I had a pretty bad one last night, yeah. Before that, I would just categorize them as stressful. I'm trying get somewhere, but I'm not making any progress, time is moving, but I'm stuck in the same place. Or I'm trying to run, but my legs aren't working. Things like that."
Maya raised an eyebrow, but didn't question what the JAG said, but she had a gut feeling there was more to it. "I can prescribe some medication to help you relax at night. If you like herb tea, I currently grow a small variety of herbs. I could give you a supply of dried chamomile flowers or peppermint leaves. They make a lovely tea either separately or together. I often drink a cup in the evening. I could make you a cup now if you'd like to try it first."
Layal shrugged in acquiescence. "Sure, I'll try the tea. The medication would be nice at least as a backup though if you don't mind. Tea doesn't usually cut it when I get like this. I've been on some in the past, and it's helped me get through some spells like this. It's probably been a couple years though."
"Of course. Tea helps when the symptoms are mild, but after a certain point, they do nothing. Come into my office and I'll show you what I have." She led the way back to her office where a row of herbs grew along one wall. "My grandfather taught me the value of homeopathic medicine for minor ailments. I also have a variety of dried herbs. The peppermint is fresh, as is the dried chamomile. I also have ginseng, canella, spearmint, carrot, and lavender, plus a variety of spices to go with them."
"Carrot? Like the vegetable? Wouldn't that be hard to grow on a ship?" Layal asked as she listened to the doctor talk about her collection of natural medicine. "My parents also know a lot about natural medicine - on Bajor that is. We have something like a chamomile also. Very similar. It was harder to find when I was younger, but it's growing better now that the land has been reclaimed."
"I'm glad Bajor is growing more herbs and medicines. It's a lovely planet." She'd only visited once, but she was impressed. "For any real quantities, yes. I order dried carrot. It makes an interesting tea. If I had more space, I could have a proper garden, but starships have little enough space as is. But I do have permission for a small experimental garden in one of the medical labs."
Maya held out a small bag to Layal. "Do you want to put together your own tea, or select from one of the blends I already have prepared?"
"I think whatever you recommend," Layal said graciously as she took the bag. "I wouldn't know where to start."
"Okay. I think a simple honey vanilla chamomile is a good beginning." She took a bag for herself and put a small amount of chamomile flowers into both bags. Then she added a pinch of shredded vanilla bean and another of dried honey. "This is a pleasant, relaxing blend. It's nice when you're unwinding in the evening. As I said, it only helps with minor stress. I'll give you a prescription before you leave."
She led Layal to the conversation area. "Have a seat while I get the ta things." She quickly prepared two individual tea pots and set them on a tray with sugar and honey, then added a bowl of cookies.
"The tea needs to steep for three minutes," she said as she sat down. "While we wait, tell me something about yourself."
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal
Judge Advocate General, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Maya Canak
Chief Medical Officer/Medical Examiner, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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