Sound Retreat
FOLLOWING RETURN:
Tian dragged a hand through her short hair tiredly as she walked down the hospital’s hallway. A glance at one of the numerous wall clocks explained her exhaustion: She’d spent the past four hours facing a medical review board for her activities on Boros. But it was finally over and done with. The medical community had no problem with her actions on the Border, it was the military community that was going to be a pain in her … well, best not to think about that right now.
A poster on the wall caught her eye when she rounded the corner toward the exit and she paused in her steps to study it a moment. Earn Community Service credit toward your requirements! The IRP needs volunteers!
Our ‘Verse is in desperate need. Our people need help, especially those who remain on the Border and the Rim. The Interplanetary Restoration Project is looking for able-bodied, talented individuals willing to take a tour of duty to the outer worlds. Wave us! We want to make a difference.
Tian huffed out a soft sound of disgust and resumed her path to the exit.
---
“… Bastian, Mrs. Fielder in 302 needs an additional three days of antibiotics for that infection she’s got going on,” she instructed as she pulled her arms out of her lab coat.
“Yes, Dr. Grace. Are you going to be checking in on Mr. Gunnar in 311 before you leave?”
“Of course,” she replied with a smile. He was one of her favorite patients, an elderly veteran in what were probably his last months. Hanging her lab coat on the hook, she added, “I’ll be out of the office in the morning, Bastian, I have a meeting with the medical board tomorrow.”
Bastian shot her a glance, his concern hidden behind his professional demeanor. “I’ll let the floor staff know, doctor.”
Letting out a slow breath, Tian met his gaze. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Bastian.” She made her way out of the nurses’ station, her chin held high and her step measured as she walked to the elevator. The animated IRP poster on the wall caught her attention, its colorful message seeming meant for her personally.
Feeling at loose ends? Stuck in the bureaucracy? Need a new challenge? Looking for a way to make the Verse a better place? The IRP needs volunteers!
A flash of resentment shot through her. Was Big Brother watching her? Maybe she was just being paranoid. But just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you, does it?
---
“Code blue! Room 311, Code blue!” The call came in the middle of her lunch, but Tian was on her feet running in less than a moment. She had begun to see improvement in Mr. Gunnar’s health, had had hope that he might recover enough to at least move to a private facility for more comfortable long-term care.
Reaching the door to his room, she stepped past the nurse in the doorway to see Dr. Wong working on the patient’s chest and a young resident whose name escaped her standing by with the paddles.
“One more time!” called Wong. “Clear!”
The whine of the machine was audible and when all hands were off Mr. Gunnar the resident released the current. The elderly man’s body jerked.
Tian held her breath, waiting to see if there would be a response, but Wong shook his head slowly. Regret marred his features and he said quietly, “Time of death, 1436 hours.” He looked toward the door, his jaw firming into a tight, disapproving line when he spotted her. “I’m sorry, Dr. Grace,” he said in a stiff tone, as if giving her those words somehow caused him stress, and stalked out of the room past her.
She watched the resident and the nurse walk out of the room and moved slowly forward, pausing at the side of the bed to look down at him. Mr. Gunnar had been gruff at times but sweet too. A ridiculous flirt and a crotchety old fart all at once. An affectionate half-smile pulled one side of her mouth up. She reached down and gently brought his sheet up over his head, whispering, “I wish you peace.”
Leaving the room, she realized yet another of the ubiquitous IRP posters hung on the wall just across from her.
Tired of feeling helpless? Stuck in a rut? Get the feeling your career is going nowhere? Skilled medics and doctors are at a premium out on the Border and the Rim. Wave the IRP! Save lives! We need you!
And as she walked down the hall toward her office, Wong’s attitude toward her solidified the niggling sensation in her stomach. She wasn’t doing much good here, but maybe out there….
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