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All of the loose ends were tied up. Still weak from her bout with pneumonia, his wife chose to spend some time with her family on Honshu. It was a plus as the grand parents had time with the grand kids.
He spent a day cleaning up his underground lab that he had trashed a year earlier. New hope arose to make continuing his research worthwhile. But, not for now.
With some help, he altered his appearance. He was going on a sabbatical much like his former leader, Malaclypse had done. He would travel from house to house, system to system, allowing Eris to take him wherever she may guide him.
TAZ was in good hands and Tombstone under the good care of Grady and his warrior guards.
To travel, he purchased a used ship. It wasn't much but then Doc wasn't much of a fighter pilot anyway and he didn't need much for cargo space, only needing a few days of rations, water, oxygen and a few medical supplies. He even took some camping gear for that possible shore side visit to the remote area of a planet.
Leaving Gran Canaria, he headed....wherever. Who he would meet or deal with he had no clue. His only weapons were his mind, a hand gun and an old style rifle.
As he engaged his cruise engine, he simply said, "Your helm, Eris."
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He sat at a bar at a corner booth. Only a couple of Junkers and a Rogue weren't far away but all kept to themselves. He was tempted to break out a pack of playing cards but opted against it. Doc was a gambler and people knew it. If he had to do it, he could.
Instead, he kept up his journal entry:
So far, fairly uneventful after I got the transponder working right. It's amazing what you can do when you have to do it yourself. A couple of passing freelancers kept to themselves and I only briefly spoke with a Liberty Naval officer. I'm sure he had other fish to fry. My journey will continue later.
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Log entry:
Bretonia, a place where my relations have always been sour at best. Considering the reception I received when I got here to Cambridge about camping permits, well, my opinion hasn't changed..they think they're better than everyone. Anyway....
Cambridge, a lush, green planet. For once I'm not here to lecture at Cambridge medical but to venture off alone for some time with nature. They seem to dislike foreigners here but I finally convinced a constable to issue a camping visa. So, I'm out here.....somewhere.....hiked far from civilization near a clear, blue, lake with provisions and a small tent. I'll be studying local wildlife and plants. Who knows, maybe a new cure sits out here undiscovered.
It is peaceful here. It reminds me of some of the wild lands of Gran Canaria only a bit tamer. Since I have some radiation pills, I may find my way to where the Phantoms bombed the planet and see how things were affected there. Until next time....
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It was Doc's first full night camping alone along side a lake somewhere in the wilderness area of planet Cambridge. The only light, besides the stars dotting the night sky, was that of his camp fire. A small tent behind him kept his pack of belongings and food rations secure.
Over the fire he cooked the fish he had caught earlier in the day using nothing more than a length of string with a well whittled wooden hook that he himself had made. He was probably the only man in all of Sirius that was from a time where lads were taught to fish that way. For him, it was a lifetime ago. A bottle of water sat next to him. Near that was a picture of his old friend, Malaclypse. As he ate, he admired his work and spoke to his old friend.
"Mal, you would just love this stuff. There are some things that modern technology just can't imitate...." He took a bite and with his mouthful, "......and freshly caught and cooked Lake Trout is one of them."
Upon swallowing it, he gave a snicker and said, "Eris you Dame, this is freedom!"
Once he finished supper, he cleaned his knife and poured a small glass of wine he had brought with him. It wasn't much but enough to toast his wife.
"Love you, Midori. We'll have to do this sometime."
He then put another log on his campfire and threw a blanket around him. Like a schoolboy, he began softly singing campfire songs. Only the sound of a breaking stick nearby stopped him as he drew his gun in that direction. His night vision glass revealed a small quadruped walking about in the distance. Once satisfied, Doc returned to singing his songs.
After his fire died down and he began to grow weary, he retired to his tent.
The following day would be spent collecting samples, hopefully for new medical cures.
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He would spend 3 full days and nights in some remote wilderness areas of Cambridge before moving on to planet Stuttgart. Along the way, he stopped for some scans of Planet Sprague. With a base nearby, he made his stop short.
He did much the same on Stuttgart as he did Cambridge although he found the process much easier to get permission for camping. Once again, he parked his ship, picked up his gear and disappeared into the Stuttgart wilderness. The mission was much the same, find samples for medical study.
I find the Rheinland authorities a bit more relaxed when it comes to visitors. They only asked that I keep out of trouble. I think I can manage that. They even had little issue with my rifle. So, off I go to explore the lush, green, fertile lands of Stuttgart that I have only read about.
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A morning fog surrounded Doc as he sat by the smoldering embers that were his camp fire the night before. It was an overcast day with a light mist. Prepared, he hid himself under a poncho as he took a short walk around his site before returning to the shelter of his small tent.
I don't think the Rheinland government realizes just how fertile a planet they have here. This is my third day here and I'm wanting to stay. I may even purchase a cabin here. Life is teaming in the remote areas of the planet and samples were plentiful.
I also don't think the government truly appreciates the potential this place has. I met a farmer yesterday as I passed just outside of his land. He was old.....very old. He still tended a farm growing vegetables. He spoke of a time where such farms were everywhere but were far fewer. He blamed the allowance of Synthe Foods being here and he supported the LWB movement. He gave me some natural provisions and we parted ways.
Truly this is one of the most beautiful planets I've yet been on. I think I will extend my time here for a day or two.
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He finished an extra couple of days on Stuttgart before continuing on through Rheinland, making a quick stop at New Berlin and then a day at Hamburg for some skiing. His only interaction was with some Rheinland police officers doing checks at the Essen Station junction. After a brief chat, he continued on.
He made his way towards Kusari space. While still on sabbatical, his mind was on Midori. He hadn't seen her in a couple of weeks while she recovered on Honshu. By now she was probably doing much better with the help of her parents. He wanted to keep his trip going but still wanted to see his wife.
He rented a small cabin away from public view, never dropping his disguise. There, he sent a letter to Midori. It's been a long time since we've seen each other. High school, in fact. I am at the address on the front of the envelope. How have you been? What have you been up to? At least do me the honors of dinner. I await your response.
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One would think that a man would feel great after a night with his wife but he landed at planet Denver in a very angry mood. He stepped out of his Hawk cursing as he did and did so some more as he inspected the damage to the left wing and aft of his ship.
"I married a Kusari woman and a whole gang of them try to kill me! Damned women!" he cursed. As he looked and cursed, a grease stained man in overalls with a wrench in his pocket and a cigar in his mouth also inspected.
"Trouble with those Chrysanthemums?" he asked.
Doc just threw his arms up and "Hmphed."
"Well, Sir, it'll take a me a couple of days but I can get her fixed up," said the mechanic.
"Yeah, I'll find a place to stay. Besides, it gives me an excuse to venture out a bit," answered Doc as he started calming down.
"I'll get right on it!" said the tech. After a puff of his cigar, he cocked his head, "and you would be Mr.?"
"Roth, Damon Roth," he answered, "I'm from Erie but I can't get home like this."
"I'll get right on it, Mr. Roth," said the mechanic.
With that, Doc grabbed his gear and headed off to camp in Denver much as he had both Cambridge and Stuttgart.
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His ship repaired and some samples taken during his 3 days on Denver, Doc headed towards home. A quick stop on Manhattan after a couple of Hacker pirates demanded bots and his two bottles of elixirs. Then after a quick stop on Los Angeles, he made his way to Baffin. Once inside, he grounded his gear, showered, shaved and returned himself to the Doc everyone knew. Still, he kept quiet, wanting to speak with his Ambassador before going back to work.
Shasta....and I've timed it perfectly. Only the night watch is up and the wing where my office is located is quiet although I did have to walk past it once so that a passing guard wouldn't notice me going in.
I look forward to taking these samples to my lab on Gran Canaria. I also intend to once again try to unfold the mysteries of cardamine.
Well, a good shower and a night's sleep before I meet John and get back to work.
![[Image: 7Md2x4D.png]](https://i.imgur.com/7Md2x4D.png)