A Personal Journey

Posted on 10 Aug 2024 @ 9:24pm by Lieutenant Leland Hawksley

585 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 01 Captive State Part 2 (Incidentals)
Location: Starbase 54, The Hawksleys / Medical Rehabilitation Unit
Timeline: Current

[ON:]

Starbase 54 - The Hawksleys

Waking up early in the morning, Leland immediately felt the pain and pressure in his spinal column. Despite the medications and sedatives offered to him by the Starbase Medical staff, he declined. Hawksley held his pain very well. Most Hawksleys in his family line could tolerate considerable pain.

“Unnnhhh…” Leland breathed outward as he rolled to his right bedside, not wanting to roll over into his wife, Lilli. Slowly, the pain intensified in Hawksley’s back as his muscles woke up. It was as if multiple pieces of metal were preventing his spinal column from flexing as he got up from the bedside, righting himself sitting up.

Leland then slowly turned his stiff neck to see Lilli still asleep. She was working overtime as a mother, and even then, Lilli completed meetings with the station's marine unit. Thus, he didn’t want to disturb her.

Using his metallic walking stick, Hawksley made a cup of coffee painstakingly and reached the sonic shower. The heat of the shower pulsed down, warming his injured spine. In the shower, he let his hair stream downward. He muttered and felt himself lose his balance and fall to the shower floor. Grabbing at his back in agony, he stifled the immediate need to cry out in agony. Extreme burning shooting up his body and now his legs.

Getting composed, the pain under control, breathing in and out through the hot shower steam, he looked at his legs… He began to grab his titanium walker cane beside the sonic shower painstakingly.

Leland’s next plan of attack in reaching the Starbase Medical rehabilitation unit was to dress himself. After the sonic shower had dried him, Leland grabbed his walker, using all his muscled upper strength to get leverage with the walls and walker.
At that point, he made his way to the dresser, inch by inch. Lilli then helped Leland dress. Hawksley just wanted to wear his comforting, familiar cargo shorts and grey t-shirt, which helped him wear his sneakers. He then placed a Hawksley family heirloom he wore religiously on his chunky silver watch.

Hawksley had breathed, and now he rested. He leaned forward gently to kiss Lilli, as she always made him smile. “I love you…” He spoke softly to Lilli, tired from showering and dressed.

With that, Hawksley reassured Lilli that despite her medical nature to want to help him, he had to do rehabilitation alone. He didn’t want Lilli to see him struggle.

Leland was transported from Hawksley’s Quarters to the station's medical rehabilitation unit. It was his journey, and he was determined to return to his Engineering career as soon as possible.

Starbase 54 - Medical Rehabilitation Unit

The physical therapists were committed to helping Leland regain his strength and mobility. They had been working closely with him since the accident that had left him with a debilitating spinal injury.

Throughout his rehabilitation sessions, Leland pushed himself to the limits, determined to overcome his challenges. The pain was a constant companion, but he refused to let it define him. With each exercise and therapy session, he could feel himself getting more muscular, inch by inch.

The support from his medical team was crucial in keeping Leland motivated. They pushed him to his limits but always ensured his safety. Their encouragement and belief in his abilities fueled his determination.

[OFF]

 

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