Alvin glanced at the cards in his hands, "So fives are no good, then four twos has to be a pretty bad hand..." he tossed the cards down. "Should I be aiming for high cards," he showed the Queen he had remaining.
His hand inched towards his packet of cigarettes, fishing one out and lighting it with an audible sigh of relief, "you have no idea how difficult it is trying to sneak one of these in the state duma with a hundred and fifty odd trid-cameras focused upon you... constant attention, constant focus... especially since they found out about my son..."
He coughed a little, realizing that John probably didn't know about that.
"Long story," he said shaking his head. "Do you remember Angelica Broch from Ontario station? Well, she was pregnant... the Volkhan's men had seized her, locked her away and made her have the baby in secret... then put the poor thing into a maturation chamber... it's the reason she retired. To try to raise him... it hasn't exactly been easy, having a teenage son with the mental capacity of a little child... We're doing our best to cope with it, and there have been wonderous progress made with the Coalitions memory encoders... yes the ones McIntosh used to use to brain wash people. But we're finding new uses for the technology, such as training for our populous, and, of course... this situation... I wonder if I could get it to teach me poker... Go fish?"
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"Interesting," Doc said in relation to the story, "we only briefly discussed enhanced maturation one time in a staff meeting but we all unanimously voted against it. No offense but I find it immoral to interfere with nature's course through artificial means. I mean, I can "enhance" healing but natural healing is often the best recourse."
"Two fours are about as useless as my two fives," he paused as he looked at the suits of the cards, "not much you can do for suits either. You'll have to try for the fours so discard the other three." When Alvin did, he dealt him 3 more face down and then himself.
Still, Doc didn't have much. The fives, a queen, a deuce and a ten. He threw them on the table.
"This, Alvin, is a good example of a poop hand," he explained, "most would fold on it. But, if you can sell it, you can really bluff someone. Never change your facial expressions. Just to see what someone may do, I may raise the pot. Sometimes people will fold..." He then smirked, "especially when certain playes around you have a reputation."
"Even if you had a full house," he continued, "approach it the same way. I like to bet in small amounts. You go big, people know you have something good or in some cases, someone is very stupid."
Alvin went to play his cards, "So how is the Xiang Xi project going? Been quite some time since we delivered scrubbies and machinery. I take it Nichole is still working that project?"
Upon returning to his ship, Cid finds Doc's message. Upon listening to it he climbs in and starts firing his systems, and calls Pueblo Bonita to let them know he would be moving away from the station, thanks for the refill thru the tube of fuel and O2.
As his 'Roc' pulls smoothly into a corkscrew turn setting an immediate course for Shasta, Cid puts the autopilot to work and climbs back into the small cargo area in the cockpit. After many minutes of pulling parts of the wall apart, and refitting it, he climbs back into his seat with a tightly tied roll. Blowing the dust off, the environmental systems of the cokpit disperse them almost instantly. Cid barely notices.
Tears begin to roll down his face, for the first time in his memory. As he unties the ribbons, tied years ago so lovingly by Sophie, he tears open the paper wrapping the gift left for him by Mal, 'In case you ever came back.' He slowly unrolls a silk, REAL silk too, robe, the Pentabarf emblazoned on the breast, a spinning golden Chao covered the area, Cid was sure would be his crotch.
"Sucks I couldn't get back in time for you to see me wear it. Wha-" Cids mumbling to himself breaks off, as he sees the spinning Chao. "How the hell? Huh, it spins on the inside too. Leave it to Mal. Wait..that's gonna cover..."
Cid starts to laugh uproarously, the tears stop, some sliding into the creases, as his face crinkles in laughter.
"I can't really believe you're gone." His face going serious again. "I just really can't. You are finally in the Lady's embrace my friend."
Cid made his final approach to Shasta from above. He circled slowly provided a few aerial stunts and acrobatics as he fel into an easy orbiting vector. He continued his acrobatics until he had circled the whole of the Goddess Geode. Pulling back up to make his aproach for docking, he caled in and asked if Doc had arrived yet, and for a room to be readied for his stay, for an undetermined duration.
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Somewhere Under Gran Canaria
Doc sat up on the bed in his hidden, underground lab. He rubbed his eyes, his head hurting from the drinking binge of the night before as attested by the empty bottle on the night stand next to him. The beard on his face and the over-the-shoulder length hair from weeks of not shaving or grooming were evidence of a man who stopped caring.
Getting to his feet, he poured a cup of coffee as he groaned, "I am getting too old for this." He then scanned his messages from the many people who tried contacting him but did so with no reply. Alvin Katz, Xavier Triton, Commander Matok and the Red Hessians were but a few. He also read the latest news on the Omega 49 situation and the SCRA.
"I'll be damned," he said to himself shaking his head.
He then walked into his lab and stared as he sipped his coffee. His was disgruntled as his cardamine experiments failed. Years of work down the drain were his thoughts. Slowly, as he stood, his thoughts overtook him. Guilt...he had abandoned his people. Midori and the kids hadn't heard from him in days. Would they still be there? Looking in the mirror, he saw a shell of what he was only months before. His patients needed him as did his family. TAZ needed him.
After taking some time to clean up, he closed his lab and headed home.
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It was a cool early autumn morning at Tombstone. Doc was still in his bathrobe when he poured that first cup of coffee. As he took a sip, he felt a pair of arms reach around his mid section from behind.
"gu-tenmorugen," said the soft voice of his wife. Turning to face her, he put his coffee down, pulled her tighter to him and simply smiled, "Dahlin." After a gentle good morning kiss, he poured her a cup of coffee and they both went out to their back deck, Doc in his robe and Midori in her kibuki. They took a seat in chairs overlooking the Estate.
The grass had morning dew, the sun hadn't quite rose enough to burn off the morning fog and some wild animals fed near a distant tree line. They sat close on a patio love seat, hand in hand, savoring morning brew while they admired.
"I never get bored of this, John Henry" she said looking out.
"No do I, Dahlin'" he answered, "nor do I."
The sun began to rise over the horizon as Doc would return for re-fills for both he and his wife. As the sun rose higher, the animals, one by one, began retreating into the woodline. Slowly the fog began to burn off and the sound of a snorting caballa could be heard in the stable. Before long, the sound of footsteps could be heard, soft steps, of Emiko rubbing her eyes as she walked. She said nothing as she slowly crawled up to her daddy's lap and cuddled into him. Doc himself put his cup down and held her tight. As he held her and began talking to her, the sounds of a crying child were heard from within the house.
Midori stood up, "I get twins." She kissed her husband on the way by and disappeared to tend to the twins and give them their morning feedings. John himself would feed Emiko in he kitchen, spending a father/daughter breakfast moment together. Yes, the day started right at Tombstone Estate.
* 3465 meters is Marius, with a high power rifle. A rifle that he uses for along time,a rifle that many knew her effect. He is watching Doc's wife ... she made him remeber his own wife, Maria, died on Freeport 7. Then he turns to Doc that is in the kitchen with his daughter! He takes a deep breath! My God ... he is seeing the thing that he wanted to do most but ... all lost so many ago. He takes his phonepad and send a message to Doc. Holliday himself*
- Doctor Jonh Henry Holliday. My name is Marius. My friend Henrique sent you a message regarding our concern about the building of a new freeport 7. Doc you have a nice estate here ... almost perfect! You have a very beautifull wife Doc, my congratulations ... i had a wife Doc! And she as pregant ... a girl! .. (small pause) i was a pilot on Freeport 7, and on that day i was on Omega 41 i was finishing one escort to FP5, when FP7 control sent me a message that she was entering labor ... but ... has soon that voice said that ... also said that FP7 was under attack and then was silent. (another small pause) Jonh?!! Is your wife safe?!! I mean you have a fantastic estate, and many people here guarding it but .. right now (takes is rifle and aims Midori) i'm aiming her with a high power rifle, and i never missed at this distance! So Doc is she safe?!!! I thought my was when i left her, but i was wrong! But tell me Doc ... what would heppen if i pull the trigger?! You would be mad ... like i was! You would bury her and make a memorial and visit her every day ... but that i can't Doc! That ... i can't! The only thing that i could do is visit one empty piece of empty floating junjk that is now Freeport 7. There is nothing there Doc ...no bodies ... nothing!!! I was there ... my God i even don't know how many times i searched those remains for .. something!!! Has tiny or insignificant it could be! Those remains are sacred to me, and for many of my people, and now (angry tone) some so call Zoners want to destroy it! I WILL NOT accept it. The bodies of not only my wife and daughter, but all who died that day, may be gone, but their spirits still live there! So tell me Doc ... do you understand what i feel?! Don't worry Doc! I will not make you feel what i feel! The rifle may be ponting her ... but is empty!
Until another day Jonh Henry Holliday, and ... don't send your boys searching for me because ... if they find me .. they will be dead-
*Marius ends the transmission, and before leaving, he imagine Maria on the place Midori and him on the place of Doc ... perfect!! And then he leaves, with a tear in his eye*
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Doc stood at his counter as he read the transmission from the man known as Marius on his datapad, a still hot cup of coffee sitting next to him.
Jonh?!! Is your wife safe?!! He made a face of confusion as he read this. "Of course she is," he thought to himself before continuing to read. I mean you have a fantastic estate, and many people here guarding it but .. right now (takes is rifle and aims Midori) i'm aiming her with a high power rifle, and i never missed at this distance! So Doc is she safe?!!!
He looked up from his datapad with a look of anger and fear rolled into one as he watched his wife feeding one of the twins at a table by the window. "Dear Eris!" he said to himself so as not to alarm anyone. His first instinct was to get her out of the way or even to notify his security staff but as he read, he realized it wouldn't accomplish and that a bad end for his own people could come of it. Of course, his Klingon guard was a tough lot but at the time, that wasn't on his mind. He continued reading.
I thought my was when i left her, but i was wrong! But tell me Doc ... what would heppen if i pull the trigger?! You would be mad ... like i was! You would bury her and make a memorial and visit her every day ... but that i can't Doc! That ... i can't! The only thing that i could do is visit one empty piece of empty floating junjk that is now Freeport 7. There is nothing there Doc ...no bodies ... nothing!!! I was there ... my God i even don't know how many times i searched those remains for .. something!!! Has tiny or insignificant it could be! Those remains are sacred to me, and for many of my people, and now (angry tone) some so call Zoners want to destroy it! I WILL NOT accept it. The bodies of not only my wife and daughter, but all who died that day, may be gone, but their spirits still live there! So tell me Doc ... do you understand what i feel?! Don't worry Doc! I will not make you feel what i feel! The rifle may be ponting her ... but is empty!
Doc stood still for a moment, pondering the words of the message sent to him. Only days before had he felt the same of Freeport 7 and the prospect of it being re-constructed. An earlier message had asked him to request it be re-built away from the current wreckage so as to keep it sacred.
Again, Doc looked at his wife, feeding one of the twins in her kibuki, giggling with the now happy child.
"Yes, Mr. Marius, I would be upset," he answered to himself.
He then sent a message to Marius. I want you to know that I hear you. Yes, I would be upset if I lost my wife. Midori is her name. You have proven to me that no one is completely safe. I made my feelings known to the group wanting to re-build Freeport 7 but I will try to reach out to them again. Perhaps I can at least convince them to leave the wreck site as is and build nearby. Doing so would give them what they want AND leave the old site as is. I can only promise to try.
And please, don't be afraid to visit. I can't say that I know your pain but signing the death certificates for as many Zoners as I have, I've felt a good deal of it. If you need a friend, you will find one here. Now if you will excuse me, I have some work to do from my comm panel.
-Doc out
As he left, he took the child who was now finished eating to prepare her for the day so that Midori could feed her twin brother.
* Marius was far when he receives Doc's message. He reads it, and makes a small gesture with his head, that mission accomplished! The first successful mission that he did, after the fall of FP7, that nobody died and one of the most important that he did. He looks back on the direction of Tombstate with the promisse that he would return, but that time he would enter as guest by the front door. He holds his phonepad and continues to the evacuation point*
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The saloon was hopping. Men came and went, the whores picking up on some of them, disappearing into rooms on the upper levels. Other men were thrown out from being aggressive since the overgrown adolescents couldn't control their liquor. A few found time to visit the gambler in the back, trying to make a buck.
"You're play, Sir," he told a man in his southern accent.
"I fold," he said, realizing this wasn't the hand to be betting on.
"And you, Sir?" the dealer told another man.
The man looked first at the dealer, then at those around the table and back to the dealer. After another look at his hand, he reached down and threw a fifty dollar chip into the pot, "I raise you."
The others folded as the others read him.
"Your play, Dealer," he said staring at him.
The dealer sat in thought, tumbling a coin from finger to finger of his right hand. He had a royal flush but didn't want to give it away. He dislike the man and wanted to break him so, he went light. He dropped the coin and placed some chips in the already large pot.
"I'll see your bet and raise you, oh, a hundred," he said.
The player looked back at him and nodded. He had four of a kind, Jacks to be exact, and was confident. He pushed everything he had into the pot, "I've got you now, Holliday."
"We shall see," was his response as he matched the bet and then stared at him then dropped his hand on the table.
Enraged, the man threw his cards at Holliday, "you cheated me you son-of-a-bitch." He then went to draw his gun.
"En pace requiescat," he said, both his guns already pointing at him with the hammers drawn. The infuriated man breathed heavy realizing he had no chance while the other players scurried from the table.
Out of the corner of his eye in the far end of the room, he noticed a man drawing a pistol and pointing it at him. Before he could draw the hammer, Doc trained one of his pistols at him and fired, striking the man in the chest. He dropped dead. The enraged gambler still dare not move as the pistol of Holliday's left hand remained fixed on him.
"You may leave now," he told the man.
As he pulled back, he noticed a rifle pointing from outside at the window...at Holliday. Seeing this, he dropped to the floor as the muffled shot went off, the glass broke and Holliday jerked foward.
"NNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO" Doc yelled as he shot up from a dead sleep in his West Room desk chair, his guns drawn. The one in his left hand facing the wall before him, the right facing the entrance door of the room which now had a bullet hole in it. He sat looking around in the semi-dark room, a reading light on his desk the only light, breathing heavy. He was alone for the moment, having woke up from falling asleep while doing some work. As he settled down, the calming voice of his wife rang out from behind the door.
"John Henry, you all right?" she asked as she carefully opened the door, looking at the hole in it as she did before looking at him in horror, his right hand pistol pointing at her. She stood frightened, her hand over her chest. He finally lowered the guns, placing them on his desk. Slowly, she walked to him.
"It OK," she said hugging him, putting herself between him and the guns.
"Bad dream," she said softly.
"My God, was I that bad back then?" he asked out loud to no one.
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It was the morning after Doc had turned over the Ambassador's robes to "Mad" John Rackham. It was a foggy morning and Doc stood just off his deck looking off into the distance, well, as far as the fog would allow anyway. He was in a morning robe as he felt an arm go over his shoulder, a gentle kiss on the back of his neck and then a cup of coffee being presented to him.
"Good Morning, John Henry," came the soft sound of Midori's voice.
"Dahlin!" he replied with a smile, accepting the cup.
After a short silence, she asked him, "You OK? I worry that you upset, giving up robes to Mr. Rackham."
Doc just smiled and turned to his wife and gently shook his head. He then looked at the house where his three children lay sleeping and then back to her, "I had four reasons to pass those along. Well, five, if you include Med Force but my primary four are in my house."
She just smiled and cozied up to him.
Side by side, arm in arm, they stood quietly, enjoying the morning.
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