The night guard came into the cell, and looked around. The blood and fluid spatter was minimal, but the marks on the man's body showed severe trauma including bruises and burns to the face, torso, and legs. The right arm was broken. He carefully picked up the body, and placed it gently on the bed, setting the arm so it could heal straight. He sat next to the captive, and then rubbed his eyes in fatigue. We used to be a nation of healers, he thought, and look what we became? He noted the red light of the camera, and turned to continue his work.
He filled up the bucket with warm water, found a soft cloth, and began to wash the blood off the captive. When he reached the face, so much like his son, except for the eyes. His Laal was brave too, even to the end when he faced execution for opposing the mutiny. The son had more courage than the father, he thought bitterly. I hid and let them take the ship.
After he finished washing the body, he changed the sheets, positioned a pillow, and wrapped the man in a fresh red quilt. After he finished cleaning off the tile, he took a chair and sat beside the bed, watching him. He noticed each day it was taking the prisoner longer to recover. Six hours later, he noted the small stirrings that preceded the captive's surge to life. He triggered a film loop so the camera would stop recording in the cell. Chi moved to the head of the bed, and sat so that he could hold the arms when the captive awoke.
Jack gasped as his body surged back to life. The Adyan held the Captain steady as he flailed so he couldn't hurt himself as he revived. When Jack relaxed, Chi moved to the chair next to the bed. As Jack refocused, he looked up with tentative smile at the old man, the only Adyan who had shown him kindness. He held out his hand.
"Captain Jack Harkness."
The old man took it and squeezed lightly. "Chikitsa. I am called Chi." He looked at the healing injuries. "Can you sit up?"
Jack nodded, then winced as he attempted to rise. Chi helped him move to the edge of the bed. He then handed Jack a soft white tunic, and helped him slip it over his head and body. It was the first clothing allowed since he was captured. The cloth was thick and warm.
"What's the occasion?" Jack joked.
"Your strength is declining," Chi said as he handed the Captain the bowl of cold mash. "You must eat."
"This isn't exactly four star," the Captain grimaced and attempted to force down the tasteless gruel.
"This may help." Chi reached into his pocket and pulled two objects wrapped in a napkin. One was a soft roll topped with a sweet cinnamon like spice, and the other was an Arcadian banana.
Jack's face shown with delight as he devoured them.
He noticed the red light was not on in his cell, and looked quizzically at Chi.
"You must not fight them," Chi said softly. "It will only end badly if you fight them."
Approaching footsteps were heard down the hall. Chi quickly folded the napkins and hid them in his pocket. He helped Jack back down on the bed and added an extra quilt.
Chi whispered, "Stay strong," as he pressed a finger to his lips for silence. He stepped back to the door, pressed a button on a small remote, and the red light came back on.
There was a knock on the door as the observation panel was opened. Chi straightened his uniform, and opened the door. He bowed to the two guards that entered for the shift change, and left. Three Adyan scientists stepped into the room pulling in a gurney with straps. Jack shuddered at the prospects, then steeled his will. Stay strong, he thought to himself. They will find me.