Doreen was in her office going over case files. Taking a sip of her coffee, the page came over the intercom for Dr. Holliday. In disgust, she put the coffee down.
"They should know by now that he's not here that often," she complained aloud. Unsure of what was going on, she put her stethoscope over her neck and headed out the door for the E.R.
"So what's going on?" she asked when she got to the room and began scrubbing up.
"Someone by the name of Jack," a nurse began to exlplain, "he's in pretty bad shape and is missing his right arm."
Getting into her scrubs, Doreen entered the E.R. He was unconscious. His blood pressure was weak and blood loss heavy.
"Blood type?" she asked aloud of the crew that brought him out from Baffin.
"A-pos," replied the paramedic. "All we could do was keep him stable as possible on the way. He was pretty adamant about seeing Doc."
"Well, he's on Canaria but not here right now but..." she said as she began examing the arm. She continued as she studied it, "I'll be calling on him for this. We may need to find out how this happened, where and why. It looks violent and he may have people after him."
She then stood up, "but for now, let's get him stable."
The units of blood arrived which she began transfusing into his good arm. The staff then began cleaning him up. Once he was stable, the staff left and Doreen stayed for a bit. As she did, she was on her datapad trying to find information on him and getting ahold of Doc. Robotic limbs was a job for Med.Force.One
Jack lay there unconscious on the operating table. He felt like he was in a trance. Like he was dreaming. He was floating through a serene world with no vegetation, no civilization, nothing. It seemed like it was a gas giant. Lightning flashed and he saw the face of the woman from earlier. Then from out of nowhere she popped into existence floating beside him.
"So... you decided to take my advice? Why?" "I'm not sure.... It just felt.. Right." "Hmmmm..." Said Eris "So you are finally starting to see" She smiled. "Just who exactly are you? You have been appearing in my dreams for the past year. Even when I was in prison. I don't understand. I thought gods and goddesses were just myths made up by priests to make people behave..."
Eris cackled . "Oh we are real. More real than you may think. We have been around for centuries. Longer than Sirius. We have been around since the very beginning of mankind. Me? I am the goddess of Chaos, strife, and discord. I have been hated and loved by many across the centuries. Stories have been made about my escapades. Some bad, some good. Some true, some amazingly spot on." "So these TAZ you want me to join... who are they?" "They are the continuation of the old earth religion Discordianism. I was quite flattered when a group branched off of the Greek religions dedicated to me. And the fact it has lasted this long... I had to follow the humans to the Sirius sector. My followers are a group of Zoners. They have temples all across Sirius dedicated to me." "Interesting..." "If you would like to know more, Read this. It wasn't written by me personally, but it describes Discordianism in a way that might be understandable to you." "So you are saying I am stupid?" Jack chuckled.
Eris giggled "No... You are quite smart. I have been watching you from afar for a long time. I have felt the pulsing in your pineal gland. No... The book will describe to you what it would take me days to explain. It would make it easier on both of us. Now... I must be going now. I have other matters to attend to."
With a pop she disappeared, and in her place a hardcover book appeared and dropped into his lap. It was an old tome. Dusty and heavily used, It seemed to be centuries old. Carefully Jack opened it and began to read.
Dr. Naggers was making rounds. "Jack" was resting after surgery, still unconscious. He was, however, stable after several units of blood to get his strength back. He had a ways to go but the long haired red head kept regular checks on him. Checking his vitals, she re-dressed his wounds. She took out her datapad and sat in a chair at his feet. She had a chat with John Holliday.
"Once he's strong enough," she explained, "he'll need to be transferred aboard Med.Force.One for an arm. I'm guessing a few days anyway before he's transferable."
"That shouldn't be a problem," he answered, "I'll be home later today anyway. Time to give some time to home and medicine."
"Well, John, it'll be nice seeing you again. We have much to talk about," she replied.
After a short pause, he asked her, "So how's Benjen doing? I imagine he's getting big."
"Oh he's doing that," she said with a smile, "he's 5 now and....." She paused and dropped her smile, "He's wondering who his Dad is."
"In time, Doreen, you can explain all that. I mean, you're a pretty and very smart woman so that may come with time," he answered. "When I get back, I'll take him out. Besides, I'm sure Emiko may find some fun with a play date."
"That would be great," she answered back with a smile.
"OK, I'll see you when I get there. Keep me posted," he said in a wrap up comment.
"So long," she answered, putting her datapad in her shirt.
A semi-tall, long, red headed woman walked through the door with a cup of coffee in her hand. She wore doctor's whites and had a stethoscope over her neck. Seeing Jack laying there with his eyes open, she smiled and cocked her head slightly.
"Welcome back," she said bubbly but kindly as she put her coffee down. She then walked over to him and leaned over him a bit to look him over.
"You were asleep for the last four days," she said as she looked him over. She listened to his heart. Taking a seat to his left, she took his hand and took his pulse.
She smiled softly, "I am Dr. Doreen Naggers, chief resident here at Canaria Medical. You were brought here on a TAZ shuttle."
She looked at his right shoulder, "would you like to tell me what happened and who you are?"
"My name is Jac-- Jack Daniels... Freelancer. Yeah... So care to explain why I am tied down?" He tugged at his bonds. "My arm hurts. Er.. What is left of it anyways."
He paused an looked like he was thinking for a second. "TAZ... Where did I hear that before? .. OH! That girl mentioned them. She had bright red hair and kept eating an apple. It was strange. The apple was gold. I have never seen an apple that color before. Where do you guys grow them?"
Doreen gave him a look with a half-smile. She tipped her head a bit so that her long, red hair would fall into his view a bit, "Well, Darling, I have the hair but haven't had an apple lately."
She then reached over and released the straps holding him down, "You don't have the strength yet to be a problem so I'm not worried. What I AM worried about is that you arrived like this and fear that I or John Holliday will have to deal with wherever it is you came from."
"TAZ," she began, "the Temporary Autonomous Zoners. They live in Baffin and are well respected as they have balanced freedom and staying out of other people's issues. If it's them you seek, you will get your wish soon enough as Dr. Holliday will be taking you over from me when I release you. In fact, he'll probably be here before that to see you."
"Can I get you anything? Food? A non-alcoholic drink? Can I get in touch with someone for you?" she asked of him.
Jack frowned that she couldn't give him any information about the apple and Eris. He nodded. He was relieved when the straps were released. He was finally able to stretch his muscles.
"I am very interested to meet Mr. Holliday. I have a lot of questions to ask him.."
He laughed at the next statement.
"Food would be nice. Some water too. Contact anyone? No... There is noone to contact. Neither side of the law like me much." He frowned. "Do you know how long it will be until I see Doc?"
They made small talk as they awaited for his food. Patients in center that weren't restricted from solid food enjoyed fine meals of food produced on planet. The food arrived as did a fresh coffee for Dr. Naggers. She assisted her patient with eating as needed. She didn't let him struggle too badly but assisted only as needed. As she worked, the door opened. It was her boss and mentor, Dr. Holliday, smiling as he walked in.
"Doctor," he said to her.
She stood up and gave him a hug and kissed him on the cheek as he did the same. "It's good to see you again, John."
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She introduced Doc to Jack. Before he spoke to the patient, the two doctors want over his file. She explained to him of her concern over how he got the injuries. It wouldn't matter much as discussions of transfer to Med.Force began outside in the hallway.
Doc put his hands on her shoulders, "I'm sorry for not being around but it does seem that you have done an exemplary job here. I know I chose well."
She thanked him.
"I have taken the liberty to discuss with Midori about taking Benjen for a few days if you want some time off. Emiko would love the playdate. It's up to you," he explained.
"I'd like that," she answered with a smile, "I should go to Hamburg and see if....things are better."
They again hugged and she went on her way. Doc went into Jack's room.
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