It seems that the war follows all of us, in Crayter and here in Sirius , Oreste though as he listened to Sarah's story, and in all my years this all that I know. Death and destruction, bravery and stupidity...
"Listen, this is Doctor Oreste of the Crayter Republic. Dr. Oreste, this is Dr. Lyman Sanderson, our chief medical officer."
Oreste looked up and somehow wished that the doctor would not have passed near so he could hear more, it would be only for sometime that he will be on Yuma and then will be relocated to Gemini Colony on Borneo, but business first , he thought.
"Greetings Doctor, welcome to Korma." he said while bowing his head slightly "I think you and I will work together on this joint adventure. Do you want to hear more about the project? Please, have a seat" he said while pointing to a chair nearby.
"Oh, hello Dr. Oreste," he said with a busy smile and a hand shake, "it's good to meet you but if you will excuse me, I've got a bunch of things to settle before we sit down and talk but trust me, it'll be worth your time." He then turned to Sarah and nodded, "Commander." He winked at her and hastily continued on.
Sarah just sighed, turned to Oreste and smiled, "I must apologize for Dr. Sanderson. He's quite good but he can't sit still."
She sipped her seltzer and continued with Oreste, "I'm just trying to figure out where I'll fit into all of this without my ship to command. I've been in one fire fight in my entire career and survived it only because my wing man was much more experienced than I. I guess that's why I accepted John's offer to take command of my ship which is one of peace. Makes command easy I guess."
Oreste felt in a way pleased that the Med Force Chief Doctor couldn't join them,as he really was enjoying Sarah's presence but he knew that is just a chimera, as he will soon be sent back to the battlefields of Tau.
"No problem,I know someone the same as him."
"Only one? You are lucky. I have been through so many fights as a Soldier and then as a Paramedic that at the moment they call me 'Blood and Iron'. At the moment I am part of the Atlantis battlegroup and also clear to assist the CIS force in Tau region. And if you feel up for some interesting days, maybe you can join me on Borneo as I am here just to attend this meeting and get ready to start a Military Medical University here on Yuma and a Combat Paramedic School and Facilities on Borneo. It is a must with all the fights.."
He stopped for a while and he continue "I have been part of the Sacrifice Fleets, the battlegroups 44th,23rd, 31st, when the Gauls first came. We saw them, Valors upon Valors almost catching up with our civilians. That was when we all decided to make a line and hold it. The fight was tough and I saw most of my friends wiped out. Then I decided that If i get away, I will dedicate myself to preserve life...."
"In a way, I hope never to have to fire a shot in anger again," she replied. "I found out really quick how lacking I am in that department. If it wasn't for my wing man, we wouldn't be talking."
Then she sighed, "I suppose that I could learn from a good fighter pilot at some point. It would have to be my own ship. Doc's does NOT want my cruiser engaged in hostile action if it can at all be avoided."
She raised her eyebrows at Oreste, "You want to talk to someone with a history, talk to him some day. He's done a lot."
She listened to all he had to say and found it of interest. "You've been through much. I respect it. I can appreciate the sentiment the change from taking lives to saving them. I guess I'm sort of typical in that I don't want to do this forever. I hope to one day settle down and have a family but....." she shrugged, "....not anytime soon."
Oreste looked at her and he felt old "The name of Doc Holliday is known to me when I was part of the Tau Chi Rho. We met on Gran Canaria. But that was a long time ago when I started my career with the 88th boys." he chuckled "Is good to have dreams like that, setting down , but I am afraid that is not for me. I will probably be dead by the end of this year or the next. Family is as distant as becoming the President of the Republic." he said and becoming a bit sad thinking about his future.
"The Republican Forces and the nation as a whole always find themselves in a war or a border conflict. Being a Combat Medic the chances are higher for me to die... But anyway , I live for the Republic"
He looked at the window and he noted that Yuma was becoming more clear "This is Yuma and by the tingling sensation on my hand, the Malachite is having us on his radar. We will soon reach the planet."
"This is the Captain, we will reach Yuma in 15 minutes. Please get ready for the docking procedures"
Oreste looked at Sarah "Hoped you will enjoy our planet. And if you need any assistance, I am here at your disposal until my departure."
She took a look out the window at the approaching Yuma. "That's pretty impressive how you can take a world that is mostly water and live on it. It's rather impressive," she said. She watched as it got closer and began to wonder. She then asked Oreste, "I'm curious. Since I'm not medical personnel, not experience as a combat commander and I don't have a ship right now, where do I fit into all of this? I mean, some shore leave will be nice but I can't be on vacation forever."
Oreste also took a glimpse at Yuma and with his sight still locked on the planet he replied "Yuma is a fresh beginning, you can do and be whatever you want. The Republic can use every bit of talent that wants to contribute to it. We welcome artists,scientists, teachere, philosophers, not only soldier or people we can use in our struggle. Just let your imagination fly and we will help you. The Republic is helping each and every citizen or resident, even those that just want to get away from the world."
He stopped and remembered "Our 53rd Squadron can be a place for you to start. They are explorers, spatial or planet side. Why not try them? They can give you a ship also."
Sarah gave a smile of appreciation. "Thank you but with respect, my place is on the bridge of Med Force Two. For now, I'll probably supervise everyone here. I'm guessing that at some point, Doc himself will be arriving."
She looked out the window, "Yuma definitely has appeal." She paused a moment in thought, "I've been blessed with much. I couldn't leave my position."
"Well, maybe for a while you want to accompany me to Borneo, to supervise the School we want to start there."
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain of the ILL Korma. We are 5 minutes from entering Yuma Atmosphere, please get ready for debarking."
"Seems that our flight is coming on to an End. I will escort you to New Astarte and will be around for the meetings. You may also meet Dr Naggar and Doctor Rio Umeda, she being the head of Medical Forces in the Crayter Republic."
"Well, maybe for a while you want to accompany me to Borneo, to supervise the School we want to start there."
She considered this offer for a moment. It would be a good opportunity and she would eventually get back to her ship. He even offered her a personal escort. With a nod, she accepted.
"It sounds like a good opportunity," she replied. She then smiled, "And if you're escorting, I guess I'll accept. At least I'll know someone."
She then took her seat and strapped in for the re-entry. She knew how bumpy they could be.