Authors Note:
Hello all. This is GriffenUnion.
Two chapters in one night!? I know right :) I'm pretty stoked too. So on with the story!
"Talking"
"Thinking"
Year 2165, CE
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Eden Prime, Helios Medical Facility
Helios Medical Facility is apply named. The sun on Eden Prime may be the closest we have gotten to the one on earth, but that still doesn't change the fact. A visiting diplomat once commented that he was surprised his, "Boots didn't melt and become one with the concrete." Be that as it may, people got by.
Eden Prime. The "Crown Jewel of the Alliance." This world is home to 3.7 million humans, one of the largest concentrations outside of the Sol system. It is for this reason that many companies have moved to this great triumph of human might. This world is not just a large concentration of humans, it is the hope and future of Humanity itself. If we can conquer this world, then nothing can stop us.
With this mentality, many come to this frontier world with the hope of making it big, or making a life. Not all of these dreams come true...
-Helios medical Facility-
"Hey! Watch it!"
Ignoring the call, a women wearing a coat with numerous patches and holes barges into the Hospital. Black hair hangs down past her shoulders in a mess, and the condition of her clothes do not give off the impression of having much in the way of credits.
"Gasp, Gasp..." is all the women can get out as she finally reaches the counter.
"Miss? Can I help you?" A voice calls out from behind the reception center. With a turn she sees two women chatting near the desk. One is wearing a standard white lab coat with pens in her pocket and a stethoscope on her neck, while the other wears a bright blue shirt and pants. The doctor walks over, her short blond hair bobs to and fro and she approaches the distraught women.
"I need..(gasp, gasp) I need to see my baby! Where is Doctor Castor? I just received her message." The woman manages to get out before taking more lungfuls of air.
"I'm Doctor Castor. You must be Ms. Nought. Yes, I'm glad you were able to make it. I'm afraid there has been complications..." With that she trails off, looking at the clearly distraught women in front of her.
"I...I don't understand. It was just a check up?! I heard that report on the Holonet about Element Zero exposure, and I just wanted to make sure everything was ok. How did this happen?" With that final cry, the women collapses to her knees as if her strings had been cut.
"I'm so sorry. These things... there's so much about prenatal Element Zero exposure that we dont understand.
"But... no! No, she was fine! She was fine and happy!" The women screams. Jumping to her feet, fists clenched. She speaks through gritted teeth, "You just told me she needed a checkup!"
"It happened quickly. We were unable to bring her back," Doctor Castor replies calmly.
"You just said she needed a checkup! How did this happen?"
"I'm very sorry."
An stifling and awkward pause blossoms in the conversation as Ms. Nought glares at the Doctor. "I want to see her!"
"No ma'am. Believe me. After what the seizures did to the poor child's body, you don't."
Finally with that statement, the anger leaves her face. In its place acceptance seems to settle. Acceptance and sorrow. "I don't... How did this happen?" She manages to get out.
"We don't know. I'll be honest. This isn't the first infant we've lost this way."
"Why? God. Why?"
"We're working on treatments. The government doesn't put much effort into it, though. Don't want to interfere with their biotic recruitment." Doctor Castor shakes her head in disgust.
"Sons of bitches. Those sons of bitches!"
"Listen...this may not be the right time, but if you'd be willing to let us study your baby's body, we can do some tests."
"You want to keep her?" Ms. Nought almost shouts, appalled at the thought.
"I don't want another family to go through what you went through."
"I... Okay. Yes. Whatever helps."
"Thank you so much. The nurse will have you sign a few forms. I'm so sorry ma'am."
With that, the nurse from the desk comes over and places an arm over Ms. Nought's shoulder. With a final glance at the Doctor, she is led away.
Glancing left and right, Doctor Castor walks in the opposite direction quickly. Bringing a hand to her ear, she touches a small metal device that is fitted snug behind her lobe. She hears a quick beep, then says, "Open a secure channel, authorization 3362... Yes. It's me. I've got a candidate. Yes, highest potential I've seen in years... Even higher than that one a couple months back. Send a team from Pragia ASAP."
Continuing her way through the facility, she pushes open two large double doors and enters the room beyond. A hallway stretches left and right, with doctors and nurses milling around. Some talk to patients, others check medical datapads. None notice when Doctor Castor walks up to a locked room, and with a quick swip of her ID card the red turns green, granting access.
The room inside is dark. All the nights are off, and the windows are drawn shut. Doctor Castor walks forward, and with a flick of her wrist activates her Omni-tool. The orange light gives off a cool glow, illuminating the room for her eyes.
Laying upon the bed is a small girl, no more than four years old. She is wearing clothes that have seen a lot of wear, but have been cared for. The patches on her knees have been very carefully stitched together, and its obvious she did not come from a wealthy place. Her dark black hair hangs messily from two braids, with strands laying across her face. Doctor Castor calmly walks forward, and placing a hand on the girls wrist, quickly takes her pulse.
"Hmm... seems those sedatives were a little strong," she mutters to herself as she inspects the girl.
*KNOCK, KNOCK*
Jumping in surprise, Doctor Castor quickly approaches the door.
"Who is it?" She calls hesitantly.
"Just me, Doctor Castor," A familiar voice answers.
Sighing in relief, Doctor Castor opens the door quickly and ushers the man inside. His tan face turns towards her and says, "No need to be so jumpy Maria. I assume you got the mother to sign the paperwork?"
"Yes yes. Everything is taken care of Martin."
"Excellent." The man smiles to himself as he turns towards the little girl on the bed. Approaching her, he leans down and with his face only inches from her, he whispers, "We have a lot of work to do, you and I."
With that, the man straightens up and heads towards the door.
"I left some help just outside. Let me grab them."
Opening the door, the man sees two guards leaning against the wall just outside. Scowling, he points inside, "Well, get to it. And for God's sake be discrete."
"Yes Doctor Milanes." They both reply, heading inside the room.
With a final look around, Doctor Milanes and Castor leave the room, shutting the door behind them.
Author Notes:
So, what did ya think?
Leave me a review, :) It will help keep me motivated.
GriffenUnion