Battle Born
Chapter Seven
The doctor sees all the weakness of mankind;
The lawyer all the wickedness;
The theologian all the stupidity.
-Arthur Schopenhauer
"I'm going to need to know the name of your sexual partners." Dr. Leonard McCoy made a note on his computer pad. His caseload had continually increased as word spread that there was a Federation doctor working at the Vera Space Station hospital. The head of the hospital was enlightened enough to realize the valuable resource that he temporarily had in Dr. Leonard McCoy. He requested/demanded that Leonard train some of the resident doctors.
With the failure of the Federation approved birth control shots the number of young women suddenly needing maternity care or abortions increased. A case of too young to be pregnant sat in Leonard's office.
The petite sixteen year old brunette's mouth dropped open. Gina's parents were asteroid miners. They'd traveled from another system to reach the only Federation trained doctor suddenly available to them. "I only had uh," she bit her lip. Gina's hands were busy twisting a small handkerchief. Her face flushed red. Gina tried not to look at the Vera training doctor in the exam room.
"She's not keeping the baby." Her mother snapped. Winona Cooper had suspected what her husband couldn't admit. "I don't want it getting out that she was whoring around." What she really didn't want was for her only daughter to end up without any options for the future. She wasn't too happy about the Vera doctor being in the same exam room but, they'd only gotten the appointment because Dr. McCoy was training replacement doctors.
Leonard took a slow breath. It took all he had to speak in a calm voice. All he could think of was what if the girl in front of him had been Joanna. He closed those thoughts off. His doctor persona took over. "Gina contracted a sexually transmitted disease." Leonard turned his blue eyes on Gina's mother. You have hear of 'blue fever'?"
All color drained from Winona's face. "You're not going to let my baby die?" She whispered.
The colloquial name of Dravan's Fever caused a temporary hike in Dr. Faro's heart rate. Dravan's Fever usually rendered an infected woman sterile and infected men impotent.
"No, ma'am." Leonard said. "Gina, we're going to admit you immediately to the hospital." Both mother and daughter were informed that a routine procedure would be preformed to remove all infected tissue. Gina gave up the name of the boy she'd slept with.
Dr. Faro felt some sympathy for the young girl who was basically going to have her entire reproductive system removed. He was very surprised at Dr. McCoy's next statement.
"It is usually a six weeks treatment." Dr. McCoy said. "However, there is a protein present in your blood that indicates that you were infected by a carrier of Dravan's Fever. You'll need a three month course of treatment with antibiotics. Even if I have to regrow some of your reproductive organs in a lab you'll leave here a healthy young woman." Dr. Faro had to fight to keep his mouth from dropping open at such an unheard of procedure.
"But, Brandon is very healthy," Gina half sobbed.
Winona put her arm around her daughter. "My husband won't be able to take care of the boys. He'll need to go back to the asteroid fields. I'll need housing while I stay here with my other children."
"Wait here." Dr. McCoy rose from his chair. Dr. Faro hastily followed suit. "I'll have the nurse come back in with a nurse's aid to admit Gina to the hospital."
Once they'd headed to the nurse's station Dr. Faro informed Dr. McCoy. "We don't regrow organs for every patient. Only the rich can afford it."
"My patient is going to leave her a whole healthy young woman." Dr. McCoy said firmly. "I'll contact the Federation."
Which of course meant going through Ambassador Lady Austin. The elegant gray haired ambassador made a special trip to the hospital an hour later. "You know, Dr. McCoy, the Federation has been trying to demonstrate to Vera that we can be good partners." She smiled. "Your timing is impeccable. The hospital ship, the San Raphael, has just been commissioned. Her mission is to travel to earth colonies bringing doctors and advanced medicines. She'll be here in two weeks."
"That takes a lot off of my mind." Leonard said. He smiled. They sat in his office. Hannah's artwork decorated one of his walls. "Granny McCoy always used to say things happen for a reason. Can't say I always believed it. But, occasions things seemed to work out."
"Well," Lady Austin lifted up what Leonard had thought was a boxy handbag. Women carrying handbags had become trendy again. He's spent a fortune for one that Joanna had wanted for Christmas. "I've brought you a small home communicator. You won't have to go though the station communications system. It's encrypted for secure communications with the Enterprise. Your apartment, fortunately, faces the right direction. You have four solar battery packs that hold five hundred hours of communications time."
"I don't know how to thank you, Ambassador Austin." Leonard felt a little overwhelmed but felt that there was something not being said.
"I should be thanking you for all the good that you're doing." Lady Austin rose. She let out a soft sigh. "Now I have to visit the director of the hospital so that he doesn't feel slighted."
"Well, you do have to throw a dog a bone once in awhile." Leonard said.
Lady Austin smiled. "You do have an interesting way of speaking. And if you or your family needs anything have them call my office."
Leonard carried the big black box to the outdoor cafeteria where his family waited to have lunch with him. "Daddy," Hannah rushed to meet him. Leonard lifted her up in his arms the way he used to with Joanna. "Hi, pumpkin."
Athos barked a happy greeting. A quick scratch on the side of his jaw and Athos quickly went back to his bowl of food.
Thass and Dyla eyed the big black box with some suspicion. Leonard explained over their meal. "I can have it up and running before you come home." Thass said firmly. Her efforts to find work on the station were stymied by her being a Klingon, being a woman and the deal breaker, "I threw that annoying little man against a wall." She snarled.
"What little man," Leonard's BLT was half way to his mouth. Tension between Thass and Dyla seemed to be settled now they all shared the 'master' bedroom. Worf and Savanna shared the nursery while Hannah had a room to herself.
"T'gla (TIGG-lah a mindless animal) Y'intagh (windbag) owner of a welding shop." Hannah said. She took a bite of her grilled cheese sandwich.
Both Dyla and Thass seemed amused. "You are becoming very Klingon." Thass said proudly.
Leonard set his sandwich down. He really wished he had a good shot of whiskey instead of iced tea on the table. "Hannah," he said sternly. "You aren't to repeat everything that your mothers say in anger."
Hannah chewed her bite of sandwich thoughtfully. "Okay, daddy." She said after swallowing her food.
Turning his gaze to his wives Leonard realized how tired both looked. Their clothes seem to be fitting a little loose on them. They'd all been through a lot. He hadn't given much thought to the fact that he left each day while both women had the children to look after. Guilt reminded him that he'd neglected Jocelyn.
"Dyla, you don't need to keep breastfeeding Worf and Savanna," he began. "There are excellent baby formulas available. Hire some help to clean the apartment if you need it."
"We don't have credits." Dyla said. Her Klingon pride had kept her from asking Leonard for any credits. She held her head high.
Thass' lips curled almost in a snarl. "I'm still looking for work."
Sighing Leonard took out the Vera style wallet he'd been issued from his front scrub's pocket. "My paycheck should be downloaded. I trust you and Thass to get what is needed." He paused thinking that he'd just opened up the feedlot. "And get some meat for dinner." He thought of the meals that they'd been eating at the hospital cafeteria. Klingons were primarily meat eaters. "Our apartment does have a stove?"
"It's just like the one in my first mommy's wish book." Hannah piped up. "We can bake cakes in it." She smiled.
"We don't want young women in the house." Thass said almost threateningly.
"Contact Ambassador Austin's office." Leonard said. He remembered that Jocelyn only allowed over forty year old 'plump not curvy' women with no makeup or jewelry to work as maids or cooks in their home. "Her office will help you find appropriate workers." He smiled. "I'll trust you both." He handed the credit chip to Dyla unaware that many eyes had watched.
"Before I forget Joanna will be here in a few days. She'll have to share a room with Hannah."
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Happy wife,
Happy house.
After lunch Dyla and Thass headed to the only safe place they knew to check the balance on Leonard's pay credit chip.
The small black Ferengi waved them inside the small secure Ferengi bank. Turol had only one rule when it came to dealing with any Klingons. Honesty. Because death was so distasteful.
"How may this humble servant banker help the lovely wives of our esteemed Dr. McCoy." He smiled showing all of his sharp teeth.
Thass shut the door behind them. "We want to check Leonard's pay chip. He has authorized us to spend some of it." Dyla looked around.
Like all Ferengi banks this one was designed with security in mind. Still the chairs that faced the banker's desk were plush and comfortable looking.
Turol had swept knowledgeable dark eyes over the women and children. He knew the story of how they'd come to the Vera station. Their appearance could be put down to the hardships they'd faced but, he had a feeling that they were in the lowest class of Klingon society. A high born Klingon woman would have demanded jewels and better clothing from a mate or killed him.
Athos followed Hannah. She sat down on a smaller chair. "Please sit, Ladies." Turol waved to the large chairs. Dyla sat down and pulled the double baby buggy next to her. Thass sat down next to Hannah.
Taking a seat Turol smiled at the ladies. "Now. Shall we check your account?"
Both Thass and Dyla watched carefully as Turol pull up the information from the pay chip. "Standard." He sighed. "Your husband was paid at first less than a resident doctor, charged for the apartment based on occupants, and charged for uniforms and food. He is charged rent on his office."
Dyla and Thass growled. Athos stood up growling. "Hush, Athos," Hannah said.
"But, it seems there was a very large deposit recently made to the pay chip." He looked over at the women. "No doubt that would explain Ambassador Austin's visit. It is still less than what a trained Federation doctor should be getting. Shall I put it in an account that you can have access to?"
"We can't access Leonard's account now?" Dyla demanded.
Turol shook his head. "No. In Vera society once a woman marries she loses rights to any money. It actually is better for a Vera woman to remain single than be married. They don't see that yet of course."
"Do it," Thass snarled. "We'll pay the bank fees." Dyla nodded tiredly.
Turol's small fingers moved quickly over the keyboard. The download was done quickly. "I'll issue you each a chip." He pulled the pay chip from his computer setting it down. A door opened up behind Turol. A petite black Ferengi woman came through the door carrying a tray. Even to Klingon eyes the woman's dress was stylish.
"Husband, I thought our new clients would like to have a snack while a few facts are explained to them." The woman smiled.
"Ucis is my beloved wife and partner." Turol smiled. "It has been two years since Ferengi women have been allowed clothing. Soon they'll be allowed to be full partners."
Setting the tray down on a movable tray table Ucis moved it close to the Klingon women. "Your communication device has a tracker on it. Ambassador Austin has to play games and move carefully."
Thass and Dyla tore their eyes from the tray of meat and insects to look at the black box they'd carried into the bank.
"Are those chocolate covered crickets?" Hannah squealed. "My before mommy's best friend Jan used to made them for treats." She smiled.
Turol and Ucis exchanged looks, smiled and nodded at each other. "We have many things to inform you of." Turol said. "Please enjoy. The tracking device and microphone are blanketed by our technology."
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Leonard came out of surgery letting Gina's parents know that he'd had to remove the fetus. "Fortunately, Gina is only in stage one. I did a routine scrape and got all of the infected tissue. Her ovaries and uterus are disease free. She'll be on antibiotics to help her recover." Leonard said.
"Will my baby be alright?" The six foot muscular looking Jeff Cooper didn't look like he was handling the situation well. His swollen red rimmed eyes blinked back more tears. Winona patted his arm.
"Gina will recover. Once the San Raphael gets here I want to transfer her immediately. The virus wants to make her into a carrier. We're not going to let that happen."
Winona nodded. She'd heard the unspoken words that her daughter would live and have a future. "When can I sit with her?"
"Let's let her get into the intensive care unit. You might want to go home or to the cafeteria and eat some dinner." Leonard said. He was tired. He'd had two surgeries and one baby delivery before Gina's surgery. All he wanted now was a hot shower and to go home to his family.
Nodding Winona looked up at her husband. "We've docked our ship at the station. We're staying here. Jeff got a job with a cruise liner that is docked here too." She stretched her shoulders. "I'll be back once I've fed the family and got everyone settled."
Leonard got the feeling that she meant got her husband settled.
Heading to the showers Leonard was startled to hear Dyla and Thass calling him. Both Klingon women hurried to catch up with him. "You bought a new baby buggy." He was almost amused. This double baby buggy, maroon in color, looked like something that Jocelyn would have picked out.
"Star Fleet uniform," Dyla said out of breath. She held out a pristine looking blue Star Fleet uniform.
Thass and Hannah took the baby buggy. They went to Leonard's 'rented' office to remove all of his personal things. Dyla stood outside of the shower explaining some of what the Ferengi banker and his wife had told them.
As he finished his shower Leonard was fuming. "Those bastards." He put on the clean replicated clothes that Dyla had brought him. In the Star Fleet uniform he looked and felt more like himself. "It's one thing to con a man but to victimize the whole family." Sucking in a breath he turned to Dyla. "You rented us a cabin on the Galactic Star?"
"A private terrace cabin with cooking facilities," Dyla accompanied Leonard from the showers. "When Joanna arrives she will share a room with Hannah."
Leonard nodded. They were met by a nervous looking Dr. Faro and Director Chi. Punching them would have felt good but, he and his family were still in 'enemy' territory. Grandfather Jonah McCoy used to say never trust a Yankee when they were looking at you. "I'm moving my family to the Galactic Star. My wives and children are Federation citizen." He growled out. "They're not subject to any of your archaic laws."
"You will be returning tomorrow." Director Chi seemed anxious. Paying Dr. McCoy owed back pay really hadn't hurt him. The doctor's reputation had brought in so many patients that his fund for a fourth wife was now at the point he could purchase a wife from a high placed family.
"Of course." Leonard said evenly. "My patients still need me. I'll transfer Miss Gina Cooper to the San Raphael when it arrives. As soon as the Enterprise arrives I'll leave. I am with Star Fleet." He said coldly. "If the San Raphael leaves sooner I will leave with it."
"Of course," Director Chi said. He knew he was losing Dr. McCoy. His plan to confiscate the doctor's wives had been thwarted. But, fortunately, Dr. McCoy cared about his patients. He'd still have the doctor's service for at least two more weeks.
Thass came up the hallway. She and Hannah had all of Leonard's personal effects from his office. "Let's go home." She growled out.
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A week later carrying her backpack and her teddy bear Joanna stepped off the transporter pad. She looked around the Galactic Star's transporter room.
"Joanna," Leonard McCoy grinned as he came into view. He held out his arms.
Running Joanna hugged her father. "Daddy, I missed you more than I can say."
"Who told you to grow up to be such a beautiful young lady." Leonard kissed the top of her head. He smiled again. "Let's get you settled and meet my wives and your siblings."
"Uh, daddy," Joanna looked up worriedly at her father. "Do you like my hair?" She reached up to pat her purple dyed short hair.
"Honey, when I was your age I had a purple striped Mohawk and wore torn black clothes. Granddaddy made me sleep out in the barn. Said I looked like a vagrant. You, Jo, are beautiful." he sighed. "I'd better get a shotgun to fend off the boys."
Joanna giggled. "Daddy, you're so silly. Do you really have Klingon wives?"
"Yes," Leonard admitted. "I actually had to marry them twice." He sighed.
"Twice, daddy." They headed down the corridor to the terrace apartments.
"Yes," Leonard said. "There are very strange laws here. I had to marry Dyla and Thass on the ship under Federation law to keep them from being confiscated as 'wandering' women of low morals. Which means you can't leave the Galactic Star without an escort. Preferably, I'd like you to remain on board."
"Okay, daddy." Joanna said. Later she'd tell her daddy how the freighter had to outrun some Orion pirates. Right now she wanted to bask in the warmth of reuniting with her daddy.
"The Enterprise is arriving a week sooner than expected." Leonard said happily.
"Am I going to get to stay with you," Joanna asked fearfully.
"Of course," Leonard said. "We're going to get family size quarters. You'll have to bunk with Hannah. She's four going on angry Klingon thirty." He sighed.
"I thought I had a human sister." Joanna said.
"Raised by a Klingon mother." Leonard said. "I hope you still want to stay with me." They'd reached the door of their temporary home. "Buckle up." Leonard said.
TBC
