Westward Bound 2

Westward Bound (part 2) Setup: Takes place several weeks after part 1. On the road to New Pacifica.

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Voice of Bess Martin "It's been 3 weeks since we left Devon behind. Each day I still fight with myself over my vote and wonder how many are also unsure that they did the right thing. It was the most difficult decision I have ever had to make, leave Devon or abandon the colonist. That is not the way it was presented but still that is how I took it. I know that Devon would want us to put the colonist first but still they are strangers, she is my friend, someone I respect.

So much as changed in the last few weeks. First Eben died, then we all nearly did, then Devon. The group is still not back to normal. When O'Neil died, we were all strangers, but that has changed. Eben was our friend, family. We held a memorial service at the time of her death but have done little else since then. As for Devon, since voting to leave her behind, we haven't really talked about her either. Both Devon and Eben are foremost in our minds and hearts but we keep it locked up inside. Whenever I tried to discuss it with Morgan, he gets so upset. He is afraid that what happened to them will happen to us.

No one is the same, particularly Uly, Julia and John. As to be expected Uly grieves for his mother. He is trying to help Julia find a cure. The optimist hope he had when we first left Devon is starting to fade. Julia is working non-stop to find a cure. As soon as we settle for the night, she is back to running her test. She barely eats and doesn't sleep. During the day, Julia rides in one of the vehicles. No one, including Morgan, has complained that she isn't walking. We all know she is exhausted, and the catnaps she gets while riding are the only sleep she gets. As for John, he is quiet and solemn. He is a good leader, different from Devon but still good. Since the first few days, when the pace he set was grueling, he has returned to a calmer, if you can call 20 clicks calm, pace. He must be under a lot of stress but has remained reasonable calm (as calm as Danziger can be)."

"Danziger, you're not going to believe this" Walman stated over his gear.

"You've damaged the ATV", Danziger replied through clenched teeth.

"No, good news for a change. I've found a grendler's stash. "

"Wow, you ought to tell a person to sit down before you deliver news like that. Do you need the rover, or can the rail handle the stuff?"

"I think that the rail can handle it. But send Cameron and Mazatl with it"

"Will do"

The stash consisted of some much-needed clothes, food stores and medical supplies, including an older, but working diaglove. Julia was relieved to see the supplies. What she had was getting low and she didn't think that she would be able synthesize everything that was needed.

"So, is this from one of our pods?" Gomez asked.

"I don't think so. This glove and some of the supplies are a little older than what we would have brought with us. Must have been another council research team or penal colonist shipment" Cameron offered.

"In any case, it's nice to have something positive happen for a change." Denner stated.

"Hey Julia, Bess, can I speak with you both for a moment?" Danziger asked.

"Sure, what's up" relied Bess.

"Well, I was wondering if you were willing to be Julia's back up. You know, if she finds a possible cure for Devon and has to go back, we could use someone with us to get us by until she gets back. I'm not saying that you could replace Julia if something serious happened but the day-to-day stuff. I know that you've been helping her all along but now that there is a second glove we're in better shape. I have already spoken with Yale as well."

"I would love to help. Julia, let me know what you want me do. I will try not and interrupt the research you're doing for Devon."

"Julia, as I said, I don't think that Yale and Bess could replace you in the event of a serious problem. But for the minor stuff, they could take some of the load off. Of course, I realize that it's a lot of extra work to train them so if you rather not take that on right now, I understand"

"No, you're right it is extra work but if I do need to go back, then the group will be in better hands. Bess, why don't you ride with me today and I can go over some of the rudiments of the glove."

"Great." As Julia left, Bess turned to Danziger and said "Don't worry I won't let you down, and thanks."


"Thanks for what "

"Giving me something useful to do. I've been feeling so bad that I can't help Devon out but now if I can take some of the load off Julia, then in a small way, I am helping Devon"

"Bess, you know I not real great with expressing myself. You've been a big help all along, especially with Uly. I should have said something sooner. "

"Don't worry about it John. You've been doing a great job with Uly, True, everything. I should have said something sooner."

"Well, seems like we've have a mutual admiration society going on. We better stop before Morgan gets wind of it and gets pissed. And I'm not taking a dig at Morgan"

After setting up camp for the night, Danziger noticed again how tired Julia looked. He called to Julia and Bess again. "Hey Julia, I was wondering if maybe you could give me a sedative. I could use some sleep"

"Sure John. No problem"

The three of them entered the med tent. Julia got the sedative and quickly returned.

"So, would you change the dose if you were giving it to someone say Bess's size as opposed to me? What about if you were giving it to one of the kids. Come on Bess, these are the questions you should be asking" Danziger listened as Julia explained the doses to Bess.

When she was done, she handed the sedative to John. "Hope you get some rest tonight."

"Yeah, you too." With that, Danziger placed the sedative to Julia's neck and gave it to her. He caught her before she fell. He then laid her on the cot. "Thanks Bess. Don't worry, I'll let Julia know that you weren't in on this." "Don't you need a sedative still?"

"No, I'll sleep just fine. It was just a ruse to get Julia to get some rest." As he left the med tent, he called Alonzo over. "Hey Ace, I need you to keep an eye on Julia and call me when she shows signs of waking"

"Why, what's wrong" Alonzo said in a concerned voice.

"I just gave her a sedative and I want a chance to hide before she kills me"

Alonzo started to laugh, "I don't know if you're very brave or very foolish. Probably both. But I do appreciate it. I've been worried that she was over doing it. Frankly, I didn't think to give her a sedative"

"Well, she probably won't fall for it again. So I hope she manages to get some rest and that nothing crops up that needs her attention." He headed towards the kids to get them ready for bed so that he could turn in himself. He had lied when he told Bess that he would sleep fine. He hadn't been sleeping well since Devon got sick but still he got more rest then Julia did. He just hoped that she wouldn't be to mad at him.

The next morning when she woke, Julia was furious at Danziger. As promised, he told Julia that Bess had nothing to do with it. He also told Julia that he had done it because he was concerned for her welfare and the welfare of the group. If their only doctor collapsed they were in big trouble. Julia calmed down a little but promised that she would get even one day. Danziger was sure she would.

For the next week, Julia instructed Bess and Yale in basic medical training. Yale had an extensive library at his disposal to aid in the training. Since both were eager to learn, the training went well. As she was working late into the night, Alonzo suddenly sitting up on the cot startled her. Concerned she rushed to his side and asked, "What wrong? Are you ok?"

After taking a deep breath, Alonzo replied "Whoa, that was some dream!"

"Was it a terrian dream?"

"I don't think so. It was a sex dream." At Julia's embarrassed look, he continued "No, no, not that kind. You weren't in it. Neither was I. I had a dream about Danziger and Devon doing it"

"What!" Julia exclaimed. "You'd better not let John know your having these dreams!"

"It was just the one dream". Alonzo and Julia soon drifted off to sleep. Once again Alonzo was woken by the dream about Danziger and Devon. Soon he was afraid to close his eyes. These people were his friends; he was uncomfortable seeing them in such as situation, even if it was only a dream. From the time spent on the planet, Alonzo knew that dreams meant something; you just needed to interpret them. To avoid going to sleep, and having the dream again, he decided to determine what the dream meant. Shortly after dawn, Julia woke up and Alonzo told her "I had the dream again and have been trying to figure out what it could mean. The only conclusion I've come to is the Devon and John should make love so that Devon can get better."

Upon hearing that, Julia laughed. "Alonzo, that is ridiculous. And even if it wasn't Devon is in no shape for anything strenuous."

"Well, what else could it mean?"

"Don't know, maybe we should talk to John about it"

"Yeah, right. I thought you said last night that John better not find out"

"That was before I knew you'd have the dream again or come to the conclusion you did. I mean I am sure John would rather hear about the dream then to have you keep dreaming it."

"Well, now that you mentioned it, I'd rather not have the dream again myself. I felt like a peeping tom!"

The two quickly got dressed and left the tent. Luckily they found John up and about. Approaching him, Julia asked "John can we talk to you about something"

"Sure, what?"

Alonzo opened his mouth to speak when out of the corner of his eye he spotted Bess. "Not here, can we take a little walk". Seeing how uncomfortable his friend was, John agreed.

They walked a short distance and stopped. After a nudge from Julia, Alonzo began to speak "Uh, last night, I had a dream."

"A terrian dream? " Danziger interrupted.

"No, I don't think so. It was about you and Devon."

"You're dreaming about me and Devon? Why?"

" I don't know but maybe it is something to do with how to make Devon better."

"Alonzo!" Julia chided.

"Well, Julia isn't sure it will but it is the only way that I could interpret the dream"

"So tell me about the dream"

"Well, I dreamt that you and Devon made love"

Clearly embarrassed, Danziger asked, "So, what does that have to do with Devon getting better?"

'Well, I thought that if you and Devon made love, it will make her well again. OK, I know it is a stretch, but why else would I be dreaming about that"

"There must be something else in the dream that you are over looking"

"Come on John, you and Devon are making love, what else could it be?"

"Tell me about the dream"

"You and Devon make love. That's it. Then I wake up."

"OK, so when does it occur, where does it occur? Back at the ship?"

"I don't know when it occurs but it's not at the ship. You're outside" "In a forest, in a cave, is there water near by, rocks, …"


"Rocks, you and Devon are making love on a large rock that almost looks like a throne"

Danziger started to pace and finally said "Devon got a thorn in her shoulder"

"You've had the dream too!" Alonzo exclaimed. When Danziger shook his head no, Alonzo asked "So how to you know she got something in her shoulder"

"Because we made love on a rock that looked like a throne and she got a thorn in her shoulder"

"What! " Julia and Alonzo shouted in unison. "You heard me. But why would you be dreaming that now, unless it's the thorn that made Devon sick and that bush is around here."

"When did this happen" Julia asked.

"A few days before we started getting sick. I completely forgot about the thorn. I took out the thorn but maybe there was a toxin. Alonzo, do you recall what the bush looked like"

"I really didn't notice the bush John"

"Do you think you can have the dream again and find out what the bush looked like" Julia asked.

Both Danziger and Alonzo looked uncomfortable. "I can try". With that Alonzo closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"You know, you can't tell everybody about this to get back at me for the sedative. It wouldn't be fair to Devon"

"John, I would never tell anybody. I may tease you in private about it, but never in front of anyone else. I can't believe that you and Devon took the risk"

"Risk, you mean of getting caught?"

"No, of getting pregnant"

"Well, we didn't actually plan for anything to happen. But Devon thought it was a safe time."

"So, if Devon gets better, I guess I'll be starting you on suppressors"

"No, I have suppressor kit that I've been using." At Julia's look of confusion, "It's not uncommon."

"Well, I should check this kit out, just to be sure that it is effective"

Suddenly Alonzo was awake. "I know what the bush looked like. John, do you recall what the thorn you took out of Devon's shoulder looked like?"

"It was just a thorn. You know like the hundred other thorns that we've come across"

"So, when you took the thorn out, it only had one point?" At John's nod, Alonzo continued, "The thorn had two points, one was normal looking and the other was long and narrow. It must still be in Devon's shoulder"

"Do you think that you'll recognize the bush? If so, I can run test to determine if that is what caused Devon's illness and maybe come up with an antidote!" Julia was excited.

"Whoa Julia, don't get your hopes or anyone else's up just yet. Alonzo, can you describe the bush to everyone so that we can search for it"

When Alonzo replied that he could, they returned to camp. Danziger gathered everyone together and brought them up to date. "Last night, Alonzo had a dream that Devon got a thorn in her shoulder and came to me to confirm if it had happened."

"How could you confirm it?" Gomez asked.

"Because I was with her when it happened."

"Where were you and what were you and Devon doing?" True asked.

"Er, uh, it happened right before we all got sick and as it what we were doing, well, we were participating in a form of communication"

Julia and Alonzo tried to hide their laughs. The remainder of the group laughed and Baines exclaimed, "They were arguing again!" More laughter followed until Danziger started to speak again.

"Well, I could confirm the story. So Alonzo thinks that the bush must grow around here. Why else would he have the dream now? So Alonzo is going to describe the bush and then we are going to look for it. But, be careful, this may be what made Devon sick." After Alonzo described the bush, the group broke up into teams of two to explore the area in search of the bush.

After a while, Denner exclaimed, "I think I've found it".

Everyone rushed to the bush and Alonzo confirmed it was the bush from his dream. Julia carefully removed a branch with thorns on it and took it into the med tent with instructions not to be disturbed.

Morgan began to pace and then he addressed Danziger. "Why didn't you tell us about the bush and the thorn earlier?"

"I forgot"

"Are you sure it wasn't because you felt guilty" Morgan countered.

"What, why would I feel guilty. Wait a moment Morgan. I didn't push Devon into the bush."

"Oh yeah, how do we know that" Morgan demanded. Bess tried to quiet her husband.

"Morgan, I did not push Devon", Danziger temper had started to flare.

Alonzo heard the conversion, "Morgan, John did not push Devon into the bush. She brushed against on her own." Alonzo stopped and smiled at Danziger then continued, "I saw the whole thing in my dream. Devon brushed against the bush, John took the thorn out, but part of it was left behind. John even told Devon she should have Julia look at it but Devon just continued where they were before she got the thorn."

"Oh, back to giving Danziger a tongue lashing" Morgan stated.

Alonzo could not help it; he began to laugh "Exactly!"

John groaned, he remembered what had happened. Devon had run her tongue along his throat. Soon both had forgotten about the thorn.

Alonzo was still trying to contain his laughter.

"Alonzo, what is your problem?" Morgan queried.

"Nothing, nothing. It was just an interesting choice of words."

At Danziger's look of fury and Morgan and Bess's look of confusion, Alonzo decided he had better see if Uly needed anything. Uly and True were sitting on a crate right outside the med tent.

"Hey kids, any news yet?" At a shake of their heads, Alonzo continued. "You know, this might not be what made your mother sick. "

"I know, but maybe it will help" Uly replied.

Just then Julia rushed from the med tent. Everyone ran over to her. Looking at Uly, Julia smiled "I think that I can help your mother!" Soon all of Eden Advance was cheering and hugging one another. Julia motioned everyone to be quite. "It appears that the toxin in the thorn causes the organs to begin to get sluggish, eventually leading to system shutdown. I have been able to formulate a anti-dote which should remove the toxin and hopefully restore Devon's health"

"Hopefully restore her health?" Bess queried.

"Well, the toxin will be removed, I just hope that there hasn't been any organ damage."

"So, you may be able to stop the further damage but not undo the damage that has already been done." Danziger stated.

"Well, there is no evidence that any organ damage has occurred. I will know more once I can administer the anti-dote and run a check on her vitals."

"What happens if there is organ damage?"

"We put her back in cold sleep until the colony ship and the supplies get here. I can stop the spread that is the most important thing. Without the antidote we wouldn't be able to cure Devon even with the colony's supplies"

"You propose going back to give Devon the anti-dote", at Julia's nod, Morgan continued, "Even if it won't completely cure her."

"We don't know that it won't cure her." Julia countered.

"You would leave us with out a doctor so that you can find out? Why not wait until the colony ship gets here. You can still apply the anti-dote then" Morgan countered.

"But maybe the anti-dote will be enough. If we wait, Devon could lose at least a year of her life, for nothing."

Danziger interrupted. "OK, let's vote. All in favor of Julia going back with the anti-dote now." Quickly many hands shot up. "Of Julia continuing on to New Pacifica with the group." A few hands slowly went up.

"Looks like you're going back", Danziger told Julia. "Anyone want to volunteer to drive her back?" Alonzo quickly raised his hand. "OK, tomorrow morning, Julia and Alonzo will take the rail and go back to Devon. The rest of us will continue onto New Pacifica. "

The group dispersed. Danziger approached Julia and Alonzo. "Julia, what are the chances that the anti-dote will be enough?"

"They're good. "

"Is that the doctor speaking or her friend? Never mind, I really don't want to know. If only Devon got her shoulder looked at when it happened, if only…"

Julia interrupted him, "Don't beat yourself up over this. Even if I had seen the thorn, I probably would have run a basic scan that may not have caught the toxin. I am speaking as a doctor and a friend."

"Thanks Julia."

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END OF PART 2 OK -- so a little far fetched way of Devon getting sick. But if a host is needed in order to bring spring, then maybe a thorn can make you sick!