Westward
Bound (part 2)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
"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"
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.
"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.
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"
"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.
"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!"
"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
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.
"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.
"Looks
like you're going back", Danziger told Julia. "Anyone want to
volunteer to drive her back?" Alonzo quickly raised his hand.
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."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
END OF PART 2
