c. 2024 Rod Ice
All rights reserved
(11-24)
Despite the vocal protest lodged by Dr. Becka Stoudt, there was no delay in the Morningstar III arriving at their space dock, above Mars. A sentry from one of the planetary colonies hailed the vessel as a courtesy. Yet no drama accompanied the reconnection. After completing a necessary maneuver to position the craft in its holding spot, crew members began to disembark. A team of logistical contractors quickly took over, from the supply depot. They had been assigned to asses stores of provisions, and the condition of Cloitanium energy cells that powered the C-drive engines. Everything would be topped off before the ship took on another mission between the outer worlds.
Commander Block bristled slightly, with a feeling of irrelevance. Though technically in charge, his continued presence seemed to serve no purpose.
Shortly after this process of rest and relaxation commenced, a medical team appeared, from the university branch at New Cleveland. A team of doctors crowded the sick bay, onboard, pushing orderlies and nurses aside. Their leader was a perky, junior physician from the academy, brimming with ambition. She did not hesitate to give commands to the staff, who immediately rolled gurneys into place, for transporting both Kelly Strafe and Judson Baines off of the craft.
Dr. Stoudt was irritated enough by this brash show of force to let her discipline slip. She stomped her foot while blocking access to the ward.
“I HAVEN’T GOTTEN ANY ORDERS ABOUT SHIPPING OUT MY PATIENTS! DO YOU PEOPLE CARRY THE PROPER CLEARANCE? I WON’T JUST LET YOU BARGE IN HERE AND START KNOCKING THINGS AROUND!”
Health Administrator Jerri Cole was amused by this naked display of resentment. Her white coat was clearly marked with the insignia of a regional, Martian council. Yet she attempted to smooth over the obvious dissent. Her green eyes were piercing and strong.
“Who are you? I’m sorry, Admiral Nauga signed off on this evacuation...”
The Morningstar doctor was livid, and insulted.
“I’M THE PRESIDING HEALER ON THIS SHIP, DAMMIT! YOU’VE DONE MORE THAN STEP ON TOES HERE, MISS! YOU’VE BROKEN OUR PROTOCOLS! I HAVE TO GIVE MY CONSENT TO ANY RELOCATION OF INDIVIDUALS!”
Cole wrinkled her pointy nose. She nearly laughed out loud.
“You’re the attending doctor? Hmm... I’m sorry to rush this operation. But we’ve been told to move along at a brisk pace. You’re free to contact the chain of supervisors if that is necessary...”
An emergency technician forced his way through the entrance, with a gruff snort of indifference.
“Pardon me, ma’am. Please clear this access lane!”
Stoudt was shoved sideways, until her shoulder rammed the door frame. She wheezed out a violent rush of air before catching her balance.
“YOU GAWDAMM IDIOT! IS THIS HOW INDEPENDENT WOMEN GET TREATED BY THE MILITARY?”
Administrator Cole smirked a bit, before offering an apology. Her round glasses sparkled with reflected light from instruments flashing in another room.
“Please, doctor, there’s no need for theatrics. These aren’t soldiers, our instructions come from the high council. I’m a member of the grand assembly. All of this has been coordinated with Admiral Corel Nauga. Reach out to him if you like...”
Commander Block emerged from a crowd in the hallway corridor. He had an expression of befuddlement over being neutered by the takeover crew.
“Doctor, please stand down. We’re in a holding pattern now. There’s nothing on our plate at the moment, we haven’t been dispatched for anything other than sitting still...”
His medical chief did not like being told to behave herself. She had never been a willing servant for government wonks, or their partners in the Space Force.
“HORNELL, YOU KNOW WHAT THEY INTEND TO DO WITH MY PATIENTS! YOU KNOW IT VERY WELL! PUT A STOP TO THIS, RIGHT NOW! USE THE POWER OF YOUR COMMAND!”
Her superior slouched at the thought of being overwhelmed by outside invaders.
“Have some decorum, will you? Address me formally when others are around. We’ve got traditions to preserve here...”
Dr. Stoudt shook her fist as if delivering a threat.
“NONSENSE! NONSENSE! NONSENSE! BLAST YOUR TRADITIONS! I’VE GOT A WOMAN AND A MAN UNDER MY CARE THAT ARE BEING KIDNAPPED, FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES! WHATEVER HAPPENS TO THEM WILL BE ON MY CONSCIENCE, AND YOURS! DO YOU UNDERSTAND? WE MIGHT WELL NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN!”
Cole fiddled with her spectacles, and smiled innocently.
“Doctor, you have no cause for alarm. The university hospital is very skilled at handling difficult issues with their patients. I expect Ms. Strafe to be back on this ship in the future, and able to resume her normal duties. Professor Baines will go back to teaching students. That has always been his first love...”
The Morningstar medic stood ramrod straight, with her arms crossed.
“NOT THEIR PATIENTS, DAMN YOU! MY PATIENTS!”
Block had turned pale. He knew that this emotional exchange of opinions was being monitored, remotely.
“Stand down, I say! Please! This has been put in motion by the admiral and his political allies in the ruling class. They’ve all been duly elected, and approved by citizens of the colonies. If you want, tag along with Kelly and Judson. I have no problem with that. Watch and learn about their treatment regimen. Maybe it’ll help your own career, who knows? I’ve got to stay put and oversee our upgrades and resupply efforts...”
Stoudt had reached the limit of her endurance. She turned to the health administrator, and bowed her head, deferentially.
“I could ride with you, to the planet surface?”
Cole sneered gently, but agreed.
“Of course. If you’ve got competent assistants here to maintain your operations, then I’d be glad to see you accompany our away team. The program at New Cleveland is really impressive. They’ve made great strides forward in medical science, just in the last five years. You’ll be impressed, I think!”
There was a long pause as the ward cleared for their mission to be completed.
Lieutenant Strafe was brought out first, by two members of the transport group. She had a dazed look of confusion and detachment that indicated her need for further attention. Slightly behind was Professor Baines, who coughed and groaned from the woes of his crash-landing on the flight deck. His hair and beard were ragged, dirty, and untrimmed.
“I saw a woman in my comatose state. Someone that T.C. Lincoln mentioned in his handwritten journals. A dead militia leader. I don’t know what that means, but it seems certain that she’ll be watching over me, no matter what happens. Don’t worry, doctor. Take care of yourself! And take care of our lieutenant!”
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