Chapter 6
Treasure Planet
For a time, I'm afraid we were all too stunned to do much of anything, other than rejoice silently that we were still alive. When eventually we began to stir, I was in no shape to do much to help. Mr. Hawkins and the good Doctor managed to heave the hulk of our longboat's hull up and over, freeing us.
"Oh my goodness," Doppler said just a bit wearily. "That was more fun than I ever want to have again."
I could not help but chuckle at Doppler's assessment, and added, "Not one of my gossamer landings---" I didn't finish my statement, and gasped as a stabbing pain in my side made me clasp my ribs, and sink to my knees.
"Captain!" the Doctor exclaimed, worried about me evidently. Both he and Mr. Hawkins came to my aid, and helped me back to my feet. I was annoyed with myself for being weak and needing others help.
"Oh, don´t fuss," I chided them both. I ran a hand through my hair which had somehow swung down before my eyes. "Slight bruising, that´s all. A cup of tea and I´ll be right as rain," I assured them both.
I tried to compose myself, but I'm afraid that I was still a bit dazed. I turned to who I thought was our stalwart cabin boy, and said, "Mr. Hawkins." It was then that I realised I was talking to the Doctor, and corrected my error. "The map…if you please," I instructed.
The boy grinned, and reached into his pocket for the sphere-like map. Before he could hand it over, however, the copper-covered sphere turned itself into the laughing figure of the little pink morph.
Surprised and angered, Hawkins yelled, "Morph! Morph…where´s the map?" The blob turned itself into an image of the map jumping into a coiled up line.
"Are you serious?" Jim called out incredulously and annoyed. "It´s back on the ship?"
Wonderful. And then…just to make things even more interesing, I heard the unmistakable sound of a longboat in atmosphere. Picking up my rifle, I peered over the wrecked hull of our longboat. Just as I thought, I thought, as I saw a longboat in low orbit a ways away.
"Stifle that blob, and get low. We´ve got company," I declared determinedly and quietly. Then the others saw the longboat too.
The longboat came and went thankfully. "We need a more defensible position," I declared, Captain once more. I removed a laser pistol from my gear, and handed the weapon to our cabin boy. "Mr. Hawkins, scout ahead." The boy was the most fit of us all, after all.
"Aye, Captain," he said, nodding and checking the weapon. He then looked back once at the Doctor and at me, and made his way away from our position.
Then, much to my dismay, the pain in my side flared anew, and I was forced to cry out in pain, so sudden had it come.
Doppler was there by my side immediately, easing me gently to the ground beside the longboat. "Steady, steady," the Doctor said soothingly. Once I was leaning somewhat comfortably against the hull of our downed longboat, he added, "Now…let´s have a look at that." He began to unbutton my uniform jacket.
"Steady on," I declared quickly, somewhat startled. "Just what do you think you are up to, Doctor?"
"I am trying, my dear Captain, to determine the extent of your injuries," he replied, somewhat taken aback by my reaction.
"Ah," I answered falteringly, apparently reading much more into his actions than I should have. "Oh, very well, then, carry on…"
He continued to unbutton my jacket, which was not much fun for me, as each button made my side throb in pain. It was then that I noticed something. Something that made me---temporarily---forget about my pain.
"Doctor, are you aware that you are blushing," I teased, enjoying his obvious embarrassment.
"Yes," he replied, not meeting my gaze. "Yes, I am. But, if you'll excuse my saying so, Captain, I am unused to undressing women, even if they are fearless Captains, such as yourself."
I could not help but laugh, and Doppler even chuckled along with me. He finished removing my jacket, and looked me in the eye, saying, "Now, let's see what's happened to you."
Both he and I looked down at my body, and I wasn't sure who was dreading it more. Myself, because I didn't want to see if I was badly injured. The Doctor…well, by the redness of his cheeks, at least…because, well…never you mind!
After a long awkward silence, the Doctor observed happily. "I don't see any outward bleeding, which is a good sign. I'm a bit concerned about your ribs here on your left side. It looks a bit puffy. Perhaps…" The Doctor blushed again.
"Oh, do go on," I said at last, getting a bit annoyed with the abashed Doctor. "Out with it, man!"
"Oh, very well," Doppler replied. He put on what I'm sure he considered his academic face, and stated. "Would you be so kind as to lift up your shirt?"
"What?" I replied in astonishment. "I will do no such thing!"
"Really, Captain," he quietly admonished me, mostly to cut short my sputtering. "I have no desire to intrude upon your modesty. Now, I can either see the injury, or…I must feel it. What is your preference?"
That answer was obvious. "Oh, very well, Doctor. Look away," I said, carefully pulling my shirt up so that he could see my side. Needless to say, that was a very awkward moment for me.
"Ah, you've got a great deal of bruising just under your arm, Captain. As well as some small scratches and contusions. I daresay you've gotten yourself a broken rib or two, dear Lady," came the Doctor's prognosis.
"Really?" I questioned, finally looking down. My side was indeed black and blue, and painful just to look at. For some unknown reason, I moved my hand down…just to touch myself there…
"Captain, I wouldn't---" the Doctor began.
"Gah!" I cried out as I pressed my side, and pain exploded so cruelly that I panted a moment, sweat dotting my brow.
"Yes," Doppler began gently. "Most definitely, a broken rib." He nodded, and I wanted to strangle him! "Maybe two."
I tugged my shirt back down, and with difficulty tucked it back in. "So, what are your recommendation, Doctor?" I demanded, with a scowl.
"Well," Doppler returned. "I'm afraid the best I can do, is to make you a bit more comfortable." He then reached into one of his jacket's pockets and extracted a length of rich-looking material.
"Why, that's silk," I said, and then I gasped as he tore it in half with a slithering rip. "Doctor! What in blazes did you do that for?"
He looked at me in curiosity. "Why, to fashion a sling for you, of course. That will keep your arm from bothering your side, Captain." He then knelt down beside me and rigged the sling under my arm and around my neck. "There! How does that feel?"
I adjusted the sling to my liking, and found that I really did feel better. "Much better, Doctor. Thank you," I told him with a grin.
"It was my pleasure, Captain," he returned, bowing his head once in reply.
I looked the surprisingly adept Doctor over in a different light. "I say, you can be a rather helpful chap to have around, my good Doctor," I observed, willing myself not to blush. Somehow I must of managed, for it was the good Doctor that blushed, not myself.
Then we heard a voice and looked up, both reacting. My reaction was to reach for my plasma rifle. The Doctor's was to duck down protectively before me. His gesture was touching, but I'm afraid I only felt he succeeded in blocking my aim!
But, much to our relief, it was only our Mr. Hawkins, returning to our base camp. And, he wasn't alone, I'm afraid. Behind him was a some sort of ancient automaton.
"Who's your new friend, Jim?" the Doctor asked, giving the android a querilous look.
"Oh! Uh, this is Ben," Hawkins informed us. "He's been stranded on this planet for at least a hundred years."
"Nice to meet you both. Sir. Ma'am," the robot replied.
"Charmed," I replied a bit sarcastically, but you must remember I was still in a bit of pain and not in the best of moods.
Ben didn't seem to mind. Mr. Hawkins then informed us that this Ben had a house about a kilometer away from our current position.
"Splendid!" I said and tried to get to my feet. Bad idea, I deduced rather quickly as my head swam. The Doctor quickly moved and helped sit back down.
"I'm afraid that you are in no shape, Captain, to walk such a distance," he informed me professionally.
"Oh, really," I countered. "Do you intend to just leave me here then?"
The Doctor looked quite abashed. "Of course not! Really, Captain…must you always be so difficult?"
I scowled at the Doctor. It was then that Mr. Hawkins lost his composure with the two of us. "Hello! Pirates coming this way…any of this ringing any bells, people?"
"You're right, of course, Jim," the Doctor answered. He then did something that most thoroughly surprised me. Before I could utter one word of protest, the gangly Doctor promptly knelt down and lifted me into his arms.
"Doctor, what in blazes do you think you're doing!" I groused, angry with him, and his presumptions.
"I do believe it's called carrying, Captain," he answered nonplussed, apparently unaffected by my steely scowl.
"I am quite aware of that, Doctor," I growled. "I'm perfectly capable of getting along on---"
"Captain," he said, after taking a deep resigned sigh. "Do be reasonable. You know that were I to let you walk on your own, you'd only slow both Jim and I down."
Ouch! It was the truth, but it still hurt my pride to the quick. I'm afraid I will never make an ideal patient…I simply haven't the temperment for it. "Oh, very well, Doctor…have your way then."
"Thank you, Captain," he replied graciously. I grit my teeth at that. He irked me to no end…I couldn't even find a reason to be remain angry with him. Grr!
After nearly a half an hour, we weren't even half way there. I now was very glad that the good Doctor had insisted on carrying me, despite my protests. I was exhausted, and I hadn't even been walking.
I flicked quick glances at my bearer, the Doctor. I am a slight woman, but I am a fully grown woman and weigh something. But, the Doctor didn't complain or show any signs of weariness. Perhaps I had once again misjudged this man, I thought, and laid my head to rest against his shoulder. By the time we finally made it to Ben's home, I was drowsing in the Doctor's arms, and not feeling too well at all.
Through my haze, I heard the android mention something about apologizing for the mess. Well, he was an android, I figured, and wasn't programmed to be a housemaid or anything.
"Aw, isn't that sweet?" Ben gushed, glasping his hands together rather girlishly. "I find old-fashioned romance so touching, don't you?"
Suddenly it occurred to me that he was thinking that the Doctor and I were, shall we say, an "item". What a ridiculous notion, really…
Then this odd construct produced a tray with two vessels containing what appeared to be oil of some sort. "How about some drinks for the happy couple?" he offered excitedly.
The Doctor found a suitable spot atop some springy moss, and laid me gently down. I was touched by his care; of how he laid his hand behind my head so that I felt nothing as I leaned my head against a smooth old boulder. Doppler then removed his jacket and replied to Ben, "Ooh…uh, ooh, no, thank you. We don't drink…" He then rolled up his jacket and placed it behind my head as a pillow. What a sweet thing to do, I thought…and to think he hardly knows me…
"…and we're, uh, we're not a couple," he finished, looking down at me with concern. I smiled up at him, suddenly very glad that he was here with me, right now. He smiled down in reply, and we both seemed to search one another's eyes for a lingering moment. If I had been more lucid, I most likely would of blushed, but…well, I was wounded remember?
It was obvious that I wasn't the only one thinking along those lines, as the Doctor nervously cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Look at these markings," he began. "They're identical to the ones on the map! I suspect these are the hieroglyphic remnants of an ancient culture."
Well, if the good Doctor could change the subject, well…so could I! I tried to sit up awkwardly, commanding, "Mr. Hawkins, stop anyone who approaches---ooh!" The pain in my side robbed me of further speech. I eased back down, with the Doctor gently assisting me.
"Yes, Yes," he told me gently, but brooking no further argument. "Now listen to me: stop giving orders for a few milliseconds, and lie still."
Finally! So this man does have a backbone, I deduced. I decided to have a bit of fun with him. "Very forceful, Doctor," I told him with a grin. "Go on…say something else."
However, before the Doctor and I could exchange even another word, Ben spoke up. Blast that mechanical troublemaker and his timing anyway!
"Look! There´s some more of your buddies! Hey, fellas! We´re over here!" Ben bellowed down to whomever it was he was seeing. Unfortunately, it was my mutinous former crew, and they put forth such a barrage of laser fire they had poor Ben dancing like some puppet on a string.
Mr. Hawkins began to return the pirates' fire, and then I dimly heard Silver's voice yelling, "Stop wastin' yer fire!"
The mutineers' ringleader then yelled up, "Hello up there!" He then paused, and then continued to speak, "Jimbo, if it's all right wit' the Captain, I´d like a short word wit' yeh!"
Jim Hawkins looked back at me. Before I could say a word, Silver bellowed up, "No tricks, just a little palaver."
I was decidedly not happy. I knew what that piratical rogue was trying to do. "Come to bargain for the map, doubtless," I groused aloud, my anger tangible. "Pestilential…" I began heatedly.
"Captain," the Doctor chided me, and to made me lie back down and save my breath.
Hawkins, on the other hand, grinned in satisfaction, saying, "That means that he thinks we still have the map!"
Despite my better judgement, the boy left to parley with that rascal Silver. I was so tired and my ears couldn't quite hear what they were saying to one another. Then Silver and our Mr. Hawkins began to exchange heated words.
"Doctor, what are they saying?" I asked, just a bit plaintively.
The Doctor listened, his floppy ears perked up. Nothing your ears should have to hear," he replied, his face paling a bit. Then Jim Hawkins returned and sat down across from the Doctor and myself.
"Mr. Hawkins…what is going on? What are you doing?" I asked him.
"Trying to figure a way to come out this alive, ma'am," he told me rather bluntly.