ENS Aaron Carson moved through the expansive corridors of Starbase Bravo.  The stress test had been running for almost a week, and that had put a burden on the Admin department.  Most of his time was spent sitting in meetings, and as the auditors raised questions and identified deficiencies, he took notes.  When he returned to his department, he would go through his notes with the admin team and try to answer the questions and find solutions to the problems.

But today, a milestone in his career took place.  He was undeniably pleased with himself, having found an acceptable solution for a disagreement between the new Ferengi merchant, Renak, and the Civilian Affairs office.  After a little over a month on Bravo, Carson was finally getting comfortable at his post.  The constant fear, second-guessing, and embarrassment over having few answers had given way to a level of clarity.  He was hardly a subject matter expert yet, but at least he was not overwhelmed at every turn.  And if he were honest, his assignment as a PADD-pusher was not as onerous as anticipated.  It turned out that officers and chiefs tolerated his inexperience since he did not try to hide it and, more importantly, followed up with his promises to get back to them with answers.

About halfway back to the admin spaces, a bosun’s whistle sounded from the station-wide PA system.  ‘Attention all personnel.  This is an unscheduled readiness drill.  I repeat, this is an unscheduled readiness drill.  A station-wide medical emergency exercise begins now.  Medical referees will begin identifying spaces and personnel as casualties for this exercise.  If a referee designates you or your space as a casualty, you must comply with their instructions.  Only departments and personnel running exempted mission-critical or time-sensitive operations are excused from this exercise.  Civilians: unless you currently possess an exemption certification, you are subject to the instructions of the referees and participants in this drill.  Failure to cooperate may result in fines and legal actions.‘

The announcement repeated, followed by the closing notes of the bosun’s whistle.

Carson picked up his pace, hoping to make it back to his office before the referees reached this part of the station.

Of course, his hopes were dashed when he spotted five beings with blue armbands round a bend into the corridor.  “Listen up, everyone,” shouted one of the referees.  “Everyone in this corridor that can see me is a casualty.  Stop where you are; take a seat if you wish.  We’ll put an exercise tag on you and a few of you will get individual instructions for when the medical personnel reach you.  Just hang out until the exercise is over or a referee releases you.”

The referees quickly pinned tags on everyone in the corridor.  When one of the referees reached Carson, in addition to pinning a tag on him, gave him a playful slap on the arm.  “Congratulations, mate, you survived the explosion.  Most of them are dead.”  He nodded towards the bulk of the simulated casualties.  “When the corpsmen arrive, don’t say a thing.  Just yell in pain.  Got it?”

“Sure,” Carson agreed without enthusiasm.

“Well let’s hear it then?”

“Ow,” Carson grunted, barely above a whisper.

“Is that all, mate?  I bellow louder than that for a touch of heartburn.  Try it again.”

“Ow, ow, ow,” Carson grumbled, slightly louder than before.

“Not an actor, I take it?” asked the referee with a twinkle in his eyes.  “No worries, mate.  I can help you there.”  He pulled out a neural interface, scanned the exercise tag with it, and attached it to the back of Carson’s neck.

“Let’s try it again,” the referee smiled and gave Carson another friendly slap on the arm.

Upon contact, Carson’s arm exploded with pain.  He let out a massive yell in response.  Simultaneously, his legs collapsed and he found himself falling.  The referee grabbed Carson before he hit the deck and gently guided him down.  ‘Mother of gods!‘ Carson tried to yell, but only a muffled, “Mah, mah, ugh, gah” came out.

“Just relax, mate.  You’re pretty buggered up and in shock and the neural stim has got you paralyzed to simulate your injuries.  When the med team arrives, the stim will kick in to simulate your injuries.  No acting required.  Let’s just double-check that it’s working.”  The referee straightened Carson’s leg that was folded under the other.

Carson’s leg suddenly felt like it was being pummeled by a dozen angry Klingons wielding deuterium clubs.  Another scream, this one louder and longer, tore from the back of his throat.

The referee glanced at his PADD.  “Oh, compound fractures in the femur, tibia and fibula.  Guess I shouldn’t have moved that leg.  But, I’d say everything’s working.  Thanks for participating.”

The referee walked away from Carson and joined his nearest colleague.  “I bloody love this job!” he whispered to his colleague.

She eyed the referee with disdain.  “There is definitely something wrong with you.”