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Doc secured the door to his com room. It wouldn't take long as he spoke to the master shipwright at Corfu Base.
"That should do it, Doc. It'll have the same lay-out as Med Force 2 had so it shouldn't be a big issue," said the shipwright.
"Excellent," replied Doc. "Do you have any idea of how long it will be before construction is completed?"
"Well, it's a common design, the Corvo, we already have the readouts from Two, the crews know what they need to do and we have more than enough to get started so I would estimate about 4 months to complete," he explained.
"That works," answered Doc, "it's that much time I have to get a crew together. Finding good commanders is hard but I've been lucky thus far."
"Listen, Doc, let me get busy. The sooner I get started, the sooner it gets done and I'll see if we can do it under budget. I'll talk to you soon." With that, the signal cut out.
Doc exited his com center, smiling with a drink in his hand. He toasted it to the sky, "For you, Mal. See what you've started?"
// i was to post this for a long time but i was busy and then i got a hand injury, sorry!
* Crimson is almost on Tombstone Estate gate. He is on a land vehicle that is using has a taxi, form the nearest town to Doc's estate. He is clean .. didn't drink and toke a full bath, with new clothes. He looks to a rearview mirror, and saw the man who used to be, long time ago. Then arrives finally to the gates, Crimson leave the vehicle and go to speak with the guards, but Doc wasn't home!!*
- Crimson - Damn!!! I have a gift for him!!!
* One of the guards ask to see it. Crimson open an old wood box, covered with a cloth, and shows to the guards! Immediately the guards are in full alert and point their guns to Crimson.*
- Crimson - What?!! Are you #$%#$% crazy?! Do you think that i would show this if i want to use it on Doc or is family?!! Are you nuts?! * turns to a huge Klingon guard that is coming to him * What are you gone do big boy?!! I saw your kind on Freeport 6 and you think you scare me?! * Goes to him and get real close* Hey you * to another guard* get me a ladder for i can speak with this one face to face! * some guards didn't hold up and start laughing. One of they orders to stand down, and says to Crimson that if he want, he can leave the box with a message or return another day. Crimson still looking to the Klingon one takes an envelope and give it to that guard. After it enters the car and always looking to the Klingon with a a defiant look. Inside the vehicle, the driver scared ask him if he really was fighting the Klingon*
- Crimson - Hell no!! Are you crazy?!! Did you saw the size of that guy?!! Let's go back before he comes here.
* the driver turns around and head back to the town*
- on the envelope, there a leeter saying:
Greetings John.
Please take this gift. It is for thank you the comprehension you had for our cause. I have this for a long time. it is nothing to me and i think you can give it the real value of it. Not credits, even this could worth few millions, since it is an original, but there are things that can make you return to the pass, and do it that, we can understand the present and make a better future, is that right Jonh Henry Holliday?! The pass may not ever be forgotten, for in the future, don't make the same mistakes.
Until another day
Best regards to you and your wife, on another occasion, i will send an offer to her too.
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Seeing the ruckus going on outside, Doc, still i his bathrobe, comes out to see the car speeding away.
"He left this for you," said the guard, handing Doc the box. Opening it, his eyes opened wide as the comment, "well I'll be damned," escaped his lips.
He then read the letter and a look of satisfaction crossed his face.
"I'm not sure what I did to deserve this but...thank you," he said looking into the distance, the car now gone.
"Mr. Krom, if he should return, he is to be treated like a VIP, even in my absence."
"Yes, Sir," replied the guard.
"If you will excuse me, I must leave for Baffin to meet with Joseph DeFrance," he stated as he headed inside.
Inside, he took the box and took it into his West room. He took the pistol and studied it. It wasn't a replica, it wasn't a fake, it was from his time period on old Earth....but how?
Carefully placing back in the box, he found a place to display it. It had been the first addition to this room since he arrived at Tombstone.
Satisfied, he prepared for his meeting.
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Shasta Orbital Skyhook, Baffin System
The large chambers of John Holliday were busy. With a heavy work load and wanting to spend more time with his flock, Midori would arrive with their three children. It wasn't Tombstone but Shasta offered plenty to do and when the kids were asleep, John and Midori found time for each other.
Med Force Enterprises was taking off, consisting of a new third ship operating in the Omicrons and Omega systems. With a command staff for each, it lessoned Doc's workload thus, he had more time to spend with his Popes and Popesses.
The roster was updated, applications approved and some business dealings completed. After spending the remaining portion of the day assisting with crying children and beginning to teach his oldest, Emiko, some reading skills, John and Midori found time for themselves. Not wanting to have someone babysit and not wanting to deal with the chaos of Sin's After Hours, they opted to dine in tonight and just be with each other.
Midori made her famous Mahi fish. Doc supplied the wine and for the evening, the door was locked with orders not to disturb. A Gallic dessert was served before neither could eat another bit.
"Well done as always, Miss Sato," he quiped wth a smile, sitting back with a hand over his abdomen.
She just chuckled and then gave a light bow, "Merushi, Holliday-San." After a few minutes of letting their food settle over a glass of wine, she made a request of her husband.
"I very much like it if you would play piano," she asked walking up to him, "I always like your playing."
He took her in his arms before him. Looking down, he just smiled, "But of course." They separated with a kiss as he took a seat at one side of his piano bench. She would join him on the other, tightly sat beside him. As he began to play, she rested her head on his shoulder.
The sounds of the baby grand playing soft classics and melodies mesmorized her. She closed her eyes with a soft smile on her face. John himself took a glance over and returned the smile. His wife was happy.....and beautiful, still dressed in a fine kimono and he in turn was happy. He kept the songs soft. As he played, he looked up at the portrait of Malaclypse on his wall. He knew Mal was smiling, both at the two lovebirds at the piano and how he had held TAZ together despite the workload he carried. He finished his piano ensemble with the very song he played for Mal upon his death, Who Wants To Live Forever.
Midori had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He gently stood up so as not to disturb her and picked her up. Carefully, he carried her to bed and covered her up. He watched as she nestled her head into the pillow. He then went to clean up the dinner mess before retiring for the night himself.
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Doc was tired. He had spent much of his afternoon at his wife's bedside at Canaria Medical. He had just put his three children to bed. He wasn't used to doing all the parenting himself so it was challenging. The twins went down first before his oldest, Emiko, fell asleep on his shoulder. She too was laid to sleep in her room.
The day before, he had met with and communicated with a member of the K'Hara. Doc was satisfied. It was a meeting he had long wanted. He logged his information in a new file.
I found Ennugi to be one of the most intriguing beings I have ever encountered. I sensed a.....being...with peaceful desires. Few, if anyone, will understand that as I do. When one gets another chance to live, they see things very differently. Humans have hunted them. Well, I choose not to and will NOT allow TAZ to do so.
Ennugi entered my mind. I saw images in a way nothing else could show. I still ask, who are the K'Hara? What are they? Ennugi taught me that they are one being but many minds. I do hope that this is the beginning of a very good relationship that we can benefit from each other.
My only concern? How can I convince humanity that they aren't the vile creatures they have been made out to be. Humans did, after all, invade their space. I can understand their hostility.
With that, he dimmed the lights and retired for the evening.
Midori was home after her long stay at Canaria Medical. She was weak but home. Never far away was oxygen. It wasn't a constant need but when she felt the need, she could use it as the severe pneumonia that ravaged her had taken it's toll in the form of permanent damage to her lungs.
She sat on the couch as her three children. For them it was a time to celebrate. Mom was home. They knew she was weak but they all enjoyed some time with movies and games. Her husband made things easier with the constant delivery of medicine, beverages and some food.
For John Holliday himself, it was one thing less for him to worry about. She was home and survived the ordeal. The children would be in a better frame of mind too. No more, "Is Mommy OK" or "when will she be home." She was both. While she still slept alot, it still enabled him to carry on some of his business.
Grady was also a big help. The estate hand filled in the holes when John was busy and Midori was sleeping. Yes, life was beginning to return to normal.
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The letter was sent. His stop on Honshu wasn't just for his sabbatical but to catch up with his wife. Would she come? Would she ignore it? Hopefully time would tell.
To prepare, Doc cleaned himself up a bit and put on some casual clothes.
His rented cabin was small but adequate. It was cleaned up with a table setting for two to include a bottle of Gallic Wine and two glasses.
He thought awhile. He had spent some much time in medicine and holding down TAZ that he had spent less and less time with his family. She seemed to understand but it was even working on him. She deserved more attention. He sat, hoping.
Who sent this note? It wasn't hand written but she couldn't tell who. Still, she knew the area and knew it wasn't a dangerous place. Still, she erred on the side of caution and kept a blaster in her back.
She dressed in her usual kimono only this time, black and white.
"Here's the address," she said in her native language. Carefully, she knocked on the door. The door opened.
Through the disguise, she recognized the soft smile. Her eyes began to well up as she smiled. "John Henry" she said softly as she wrapped her arms around him.
"I did not think I would see you for awhile longer."
Locking the door, he just smiled, "My sabbatical took me here and well, I needed some time with you.......if you don't mind."
"I do not," was all she answered.
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She stood still before him, her hands together in front of her as Doc poured some wine. He then presented her with a glass that she accepted. Holding his own up, he toasted her, "To you, Miss Sato, a true pearl of Kusari."
She smiled and gave an embarrassing laugh as they touched glasses before drinking down the contents. Putting down there glasses, he stood before her again. This time, he released the rope holding her kimono, letting it drop to the floor.
She looked down as her gown began to open slightly.
"You feeling well, Darling?" he asked her softly.
She just nodded and whispered, "Hai."
His fingers then went to just below her neck, each hand sliding to either side the kimono.
"Very good," he replied gently as the flesh of her body came into view. She stood perfectly still as he let it over her shoulders and to the floor. She just looked into his face as he leaned forward to kiss her, his hands caressing her breasts as they did.
"I missed you," he said softly in between kisses.
"And I you, John Henry," she managed.
After a few more kisses and some caressing from behind her, she whispered into his ear, "Love me, John Henry, love me."
Dropping his own robe, he turned to her. Picking her up, he fulfilled her request for the rest of the evening.
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Doc was troubled....deeply so. The Corsairs and the Coalition using his home world as a there battleground. For one evening at least, Doc sat by a small fire pit not far from his home. A glass of cognac on a small table next to him, his eldest daughter, Emiko, sat on his lap. For him, it was soothing, making him forget all that was going on. She was 8 now and always full of questions seemingly wise beyond her years.
"Daddy, why do men fight?" she asked him as he stroked her long hair.
"I guess because they see it as necessary," he answered, unsure of his own answer.
"Why is it necessary, Daddy?" she asked.
"I guess because to most of them, fighting is talking," he replied.
"But Daddy, you talk. You do not fight," she said to him.
For a moment, he was haunted by an ancient past. He did fight and he enjoyed it when he did. It was a past that he wanted to leave behind. Back then, he had nothing to lose. No wife, no children, not even his health. Still, that old demon was there and pressing hard.
"I have before, Sweetie," he answered, still stroking her hair, "I just hope not to have to do that again."
Then she dropped the question he hoped she wouldn't ask, "Did you ever kill someone?"
He closed his eyes. He wanted to lie. He wanted to sugarcoat the answer but he wasn't one to do either.
"Yes, Sweetheart, I have," he answered, "I took no pride in it nor did I do it out of pleasure. I hope you never have to do it. At first, it didn't bother me. Now, it does, especially when I've chosen to save lives."
She then turned and looked into his eyes, "Would you do it again?"
He paused before answering, "Only if I have to."
For a moment, there was silence. He looked into the night sky. While there were only stars, he also knew that up there were the cruisers and dreadnaughts of both the Coalition and the Corsairs. He knew that far from his ranch were supposed "relief" parties of those groups. His attention returned to Emiko.
"What should I do?" he asked her. "I see my people threatened yet I don't know what to do."
"What you have always told me, Daddy. Do what's right," she answered.
"Whatever that is," he mumbled to himself.
Shortly afterward, she would fall asleep in her Dad's arms. He would sit by the fire, deep in thought as she slept. To do what was right could well cost the life in his arms as well as those in his home. Still, that old Demon tugged at him.
As he sat, Midori sat watching from the back deck, quietly sipping on a glass of wine. She knew he was troubled.
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