Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Outlaw Star: All in the Name of Love
Chapter 3
Aboard the Outlaw Star
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After confirming with Gillium that the other crewmembers had left the ship, Suzuka began undoing her sash. With more than half of it undone, visible bloodstains appeared on the inner layers. With the sash off, Suzuka pulled her kimono open to reveal both an entry and an exit hole on her left side, just below her rib cage. By sheer will she managed to slow her heart rate, thus reducing the amount of blood loss. Now she gritted her teeth and inserted her finger into the hole. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the pain.
"Good, no organs hit, just as I thought."
She removed her finger and wiped the blood off on her ruined sash. She opened the bottom drawer of the built-in-dresser and retrieved a small pouch. Rising, she took one last look at the wound.
"Well, it was bound to happen someday."
She exited her quarters and headed for the galley, holding her kimono closed with one hand for modesty sake.
While still on route to the galley, Gillium 2 appeared along his service rail. "Hello again Suzuka. I know you said the others went to celebrate and you asked for some privacy. I just wished to inquire if you had any idea when they intend to return?"
"Why don't you call them?"
"I have tried several times, but I have not received a response."
"Unfortunately, I am as aware of their expected return time as you are." Suzuka responded.
"Very well, I will leave you to your privacy then Suzuka… Oh my, Suzuka are you aware that you are bleeding?"
Suzuka could not help but crack a small grin.
"Yes Gillium, I am aware but I would prefer to keep it private. The others need not know. Do you understand?"
"Yes Suzuka, I believe I do understand. Your secret is safe with me."
"Good."
"I hope your wound is not serious."
"No, nothing I cannot mend myself. Thank you for your concern."
"Not at all. You have proven to be a valued member of this ship's crew. I would hate to lose you."
"Thank you again Gillium. But now I really must tend to my wound."
"Yes, of course. Good day Suzuka."
"Good day Gillium."
The Gillium pod sped off towards the bridge while Suzuka continued towards the galley. Once there, she grabbed two pots. She filled one, half way with water and poured just a trickle of water in the other. Setting both pots on the stove and turning on the burners, she dug into her pouch and took out a folded cloth. Unfolding it very carefully, she retrieved several dried herbs that were inside and placed them in the half-filled pot. She stared at the pot for a moment, finally deciding to add a few more leaves to it. Finally satisfied that she added the correct amount to the boiling water; she folded the cloth back up with the remaining herbs and placed it back in the pouch. Then Suzuka removed another object from the pouch. It was rectangular shaped and appeared not to have been opened for many years. She carefully unfolded the layers of what resembled waxpaper, revealing a yellowish green substance that had the consistency of hardened cream cheese. Suzuka retrieved a knife from the utensil draw and cut a piece approximately 5 centimeters in length and deposited it in the pot with the trace amount of water. The heat and water served to liquefy the substance and Suzuka let it boil down to a paste. Refolding the remaining substance, she placed it back in the pouch and retrieved a small needle and some surgical thread.
Once the paste reached the desired consistency, Suzuka removed it from the flame and allowed it to cool slightly. Then she retrieved a cup from the cupboard and poured the herbal tea into the cup, taking care not to get any of the leaves into the cup. She raised the cup to her mouth. The odor was quite offensive and Suzuka hesitated from taking a sip but knowing what she must do, she took a drink. It tasted like pure acid and burned going down her throat. She set the cup down and grabbed a napkin. Using the knife she used earlier, she scooped out most of the pasty substance onto the napkin. Holding the napkin close to the wound she forced the substance into the hole with her fingers. The pain of the bullet passing through her was nothing compared to how much this was hurting her.
"Augh! Rrrr!" Suzuka grimaced as she continued to apply more of the substance. Satisfied she got enough in through the entry hole, she proceeded to repeat the process at the exit hole. Having finished filling the hole with the pasty substance, Suzuka reached for the needle and thread, and carefully stitched herself up applying a dozen small stitches to both the front and back, her teeth clinched the entire time and her breathing labored. Once she was finished stitching herself up, Suzuka scooped up the remaining portion of the paste and applied a liberal amount to both sides of the hole. Then she removed some gauze bandages from her pouch and covered the wounds. She placed the needle and thread, back in the pouch and closed it. Then she washed her hands and the two pots and the knife. Picking up the cup of tea and once again hesitating momentarily, Suzuka took a deep breath and finished off the cup, then washed the cup too.
Returning to her quarters, she got another kimono from her dresser as well as another sash. She took off the bloodstained kimono and looking at herself in the mirror, deciding to redo her wrap that served as her bra. Once she had it off, she considered taking a shower but realizing that would have been best before applying the bandages, she grabbed fresh clothes and a washcloth. Gathering up the fresh clothes and wash cloth in one arm, and her dirty clothes in the other arm, she proceeded to the laundry facilities to deposit her clothes in the washer before heading to the bathroom to wash up, modesty be damned.
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Suzuka sat quietly on the floor of her quarters, deep in meditation. By controlling her breathing and her heart rate, she could almost feel her body healing itself. She had heard Gillium's attempt to draw her attention twice before but chose to ignore him. This time she responded.
"Yes Gillium, you may open the door."
The door slid open.
"I am sorry for disturbing you, I was just wondering if you may have reconsidered your earlier decision? After all the celebration is in your honor as much as it is in Gene's and Aisha's. It has been my experience that most humans enjoy being recognized for their accomplishments."
"Perhaps, but I am not most people. I do what I do for my own reasons, not for the approval of others."
"Of course, I did not mean to imply…"
"That is alright Gillium, I did not intend to get defensive. Besides, the best thing for my wound right now is rest."
"Yes, of course. I apologize for disturbing you once again. I will leave you to recoup your strenght. I will only disturb you again in case of an emergency."
"Thank you Gillium. In that case, goodnight."
"Goodnight Suzuka. Pleasant dreams."
The door closed and Suzuka could hear Gillium rail away. A bittersweet smile crossed Suzuka's face. 'Sweet dreams. Umm… I haven't had one of those in a long time, a very long time.' She went back to her meditation. When she got up and finally went to bed, she could not exactly recall.