A Doctor's Research and Help

[Doc Holliday]

The day began as any other on Gran Canaria. Dr. John Holliday sat on his deck overlooking the mountains that bordered his ranch going over some reports and forms while enjoying his morning coffee. When he was home, it was how he always started his day. Many of the forms he was going through were related to some of the many research products he had going on, projects that he often collaborated on with some medical staff and researches of the Cambridge Medical Institute. One particular project was one of personal interest, the study of the addiction of cardamine using laboratory animals. Little did he know what kind of implications it would later have.
Other projects included tests using human organs. While many houses frowned upon such research, his logic was simple, "If we don't know what causes a problem, how in hell do we fix it?" As he sat sipping his coffee, the sliding door opened on his deck. It was his wife, Midori, who came out with some urgency.

"John, you have a transmission from a Jake Ryder," she explained, "I put him on hold. It sound urgent."
"Thank you, Dahlin'," he said as he took his cup and headed to answer the call. He sat at his com while Midori headed off to do work of her own. He re-opened the com to find a pirate type dressed man in his screen. Confused, he answered, "Greetings, Captain, how may I be of help?"

"Thank you for answering, um.....what should I call you, doctor or ambassador," he asked.
"For now, call me Doc," he answered.
"Very well then, Doc. My name is Captain Jake Ryder and I am captain of an Outcast battleship that is hidden for safety," began the captain, "A few days ago, I spoke to Mrs. Holliday after meeting and chatting with her in the Tau system and I found her to be a very good listener. You married well, Doctor."

Doc nodded his thanks, "That I did and I thank you for the praise. But, continue, I can tell you aren't making a social call."
"No, Doctor, I am not," Jake replied, "I am appealing for some help."

Confused even more, Doc sat back in his chair with a very curious look. "Why me?" he was thinking. "Am I that good already?" he asked of himself as he took another sip of his coffee.
He then sat back up, put down his coffee and continued with his chat. "What kind of help do you want from me, Captain?"

Jake then continued explaining, "Well, Doctor, your generosity is well known and that you care for people regardless of who they are. In telling my story to Mrs. Holliday, she told me of some research you were doing. Most recently, I was exiled from the Outcast as was my crew and now...." He hung his head as he tried to compose himself, ".....we are living a death sentence. No one wants us around, no one will help us and my crew, which is completely sterile because of cardamine addiction, will die over time. I can't allow that to happen yet I'm powerless to do anything about it."

Doc sat back again. This time he heard concern and genuine sorrow from a man that was obviously sorry for his past crimes and as it sounded, wanted to make things right...or as right as he could. Still, he had his reservations.

Again, he sat back up. "I can help you but it will be on my terms."
Captain Ryder sighed his relief.
"Mind you, Captain, this is research I have been working on," Doc began to explain, "research that has had some success on laboratory animals so while I am confident I can help, there are still no guarantees. Also, before I try this on a whole crew, we will start small. I want you to select two crew members, preferably a man and woman of child bearing age that are romantically involved if possible. I will send a ship for them and they will be brought to a secure location to begin treatment for cardamine addiction and hopefully, sterility as well."

Relieved and somewhat emotional, Captain Ryder responded, "Doctor, thank you so much. You have no idea what this means. I have worked with so many and as many have failed. I will do whatever it takes and compensate you however you wish."

Doc immediately replied, "No compensation necessary. I have never charged for my services and I don't intend to start. Captain, you have work to do. Pick your two people wisely, send me everything you have on them and tell them this will most likely be a long process, possibly several months so have them pack wisely......and no weapons or drugs of any kind. I have what they will need here."

"Consider it done, Doctor," replied a greatful Captain Ryder, "when will you send the ship and who will it be?"

"You will find out in due time, Captain," answered Doc, "The crew will call you when they are near so have the two people ready."

"Yes, Doctor and again, Thank you. I am in your debt," replied the Captain. With that, the transmission ended.

Doc then got back up and returned to his porch chair with a fresh cup of coffee. He realized then that he had much work ahead of him. He was proud to have it but was also nervous and worried. He feared failure. He feared an Outcast response even though this was the first case he had heard of someone wanting to break the addiction. He knew it was a chance at a breakthrough, a chance he himself was willing to take. All these thoughts kept swirling through his mind. Finally, he stood up and smiled, "I've never backed off of a challenge before. Why start now."

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