Medical Leave

[Karmotrine Dream]

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« With today? It'll be four days, I reckon. How was the tea? Got the escapism out of you? »
« Passable », she lied, pointedly ignoring the prodding at her earlier escape attempts; not only was it good, it even managed to her the sound sleep she was promised... but she would be damned before she admitted to it. « Rheinbier would have been been- »
« -better, yes, and if only I gave you some you'd be on your feet already. »

She nodded vigorously.

« Aha! You learnt! »

He shook his head calmly.

« Do this job for long enough and you hear all sorts of excuses from bedridden folk. If you're good at it, you just smile, nod and carry on with your work - speaking of, how are the burns? »
« It does not feel as if holding sizzling coals anymore. Only warm ones, and warm I can deal with- »

She planted her hands on the bed, flicked the sheets away with a grandiose gesture - the exaggerated kind one sees nobles in holovids doing with cloaks - winced at the pain of the unduly stretched limbs, turned about and sat on the edge of the bed.

« -ach, see? Rheinlander constitution, unmatched across Sirius! », she proudly remarked, and beat her chest as to prove it.
A salvo of coughs punctuated the remark, somewhat blunting its impact.

The man smiled thinly, beneath the moustache.

« Well, that's good. Posturing aside you've really made some recovery, and not a moment to soon. »
« How do you mean? Is there tro- ach- », she asked as she hopped down on the floor, missed her footing and swayed unsteadily.
« Easy now, easy... »

He stepped forward and let her hold onto him, albeit with some difficulty; the woman was considerably taller and sturdier built than the 60-something.
Still, neither crumpled to the floor, and both could feel thankful for that.

« No trouble, missy. Friends. »
« Friends? », she asked, a vaguely confused look on her face as she let go.
« Well, colleagues maybe. Control got a call from these two twins the other day, called themselves Errai. Said they were thankful for all the aid given to you and that they'll be sending over one of theirs to pick you up. »
« Ach, ja. Die hauptlinge. »
« Wanted to know who is it that took care of you, too. Insisted, even. Now I... »

The elderly doctor kept talking, but she wasn't listening; all she could think of was her appalling lack of manners, only now realising she'd never asked who he was despite his care and attention.
What is it that they call people like this? Oh, the boy has a name for them... good Istaamarans? I should've paid more attention to his stories, damn it! Ah well, let us-

« -alright, missy? I say, are you... »
« Yes, yes, I was just- », she looked away for a moment, running a finger through her hair. « I realised I don't know who I should be thanking either, and I do apologise most profusely for the dreadful discourtesy. »

The man looked at her like he'd seen a complete stranger, and chuckled.

« Well now! Had my doubts for a moment there, but now I'm sure you need some more rest. Come on, let's- »
« Mein herr, please, I am serious. I am in your debt! To whom do I owe my thanks? »
« Don't know about debt, really. Your bosses went and made a real generous donation to the station, there's no need to- »
« But there is, herr doktor », she insisted, drawing herself up to her full height and then leaning closer, imposingly. « A Rheinstadt-Gerat honours their debts, and has its way in the end. So who is it? »

He scratched his head.

« Well, if you insist... name's Mitchell. Danny Mitchell, but people just call me Doc Mitchell. Reckon you can tell why. And you are Loken, right? »
« Indeed. Well then, herr Mitchell! You have have my utmost gratitude, and though the honour of aiding a Rheinstadt-Gerat would ordinarily suffice as recompense for the efforts made, I too will forward a small token of said gratitude », she proclaimed, imperceptibly bowing her head for a moment and then shooting a look at the door; there was a faint rapping noise. « As soon as I can get to my Magpie, at least. »
« Ah, well, your ship... that'll be rather difficult, miss Loken », he said, gesturing vaguely at something behind her, a picture of Kepler before the storm. « It's totaled, sorry to say. Not all dust and debris, mind you, but it'll take some real effort if it wants to fly again. I'm told we got a freighter coming on to pick up the bits. »
« Erm, hello? May I come in? », interjected a muffled voice from behind the door. « I, um, I'm that freighter - I mean its pilot! Was here yesterday, brought medicines... is Lady Loken ready? »

They both smiled, for different reasons.

« That'll be your friend, I think. Shy one, is she? »
« And nervous as a white hare at Baden-Baden. », she nodded, smirking. « Ja, I'm here! Come in, Douglas! »

The door opened, revealing a young girl in a dark blue flight suit with black and white details, and a sparkling star insignia on her breastplate.
She was beaming, a relieved expression on her face.

« Heike! », she said, running up and hugging her, with the mildly comedic result of highlighting their solid 20-25cm of difference in height as her arms wrapped her waist. « You're alright! »
« Aha! Silly girl, it takes more than a few burns and some bruises to keep me down! Ach- », she replied, with a wince.
« S-Sorry! Shouldn't have- »
« It is... quite alright. Now, if you please... »

The doctor chuckled, as he looked on.

« Well then, I best leave you ladies alone. Miss Loken, your stuff is over there. Here, just let me unlock the drawer... it ain't much, that fancy suit you came in is going to need some medical attention itself, but here you go », he said, stepping aside and to the door. « Now usually I say "see you soon" when it's time for goodbyes, but given my work, maybe it's best we don't, eh? »

He smiled, and looked straight at the tall Rheinlander.

« Something tells me we will, though. Always like that, with the adventurous sort - making poor docs worry and keeping them busy. »
« Oh, you know how it is, herr doktor... », she grinned, a touch apologetically.
« Do I ever. Just, try coming in on your feet next time, alright? », he nodded. « Be seeing you, kids. »

And with that, the doctor left the room.
Iris let her colleague go, and watched him walk down the corridor to some other patient's room.

« Funny bloke, is he? Looks like a good person to me. »
« Mm. And a most competent physician as well. »
« Stars above, thank for that. I'm so glad you're alright... now come, let's get you back to the flagship, okay? », she said, pattering her forearm as to invite her to hold onto it; she politely declined, and slowly began walking out herself.
« I brought one of Hasaan's Dromedaries, so don't worry, it'll be a comfy trip even with all the scrap in the hold. »
« Who? »
« Ah yes, it happened while you were away! Well I say happened, but it's more complicated than that. You see... »

It would prove very complicated, in fact - a long and tortuous tale of errant salesmen, suspiciously well-maintained Dromedaries, and a great green shipyard in a distant Borderworld no warp drive can reach.
It didn't make a lot of sense to her, but the girl seemed really excited about it - and it did pique her own interest, in that 'daydreaming of future discoveries' fashion.
She smiled at those thoughts, as she settled in the cockpit of the freighter with Iris' help.

Adventure beckoned. It would not do to ignore her.
Wer nicht wagt, der nicht gewinnt.

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