Peso
Peso pulled into the parking lot of the docks, there weren't many docked ships and only one was being loaded. At least we know where we're heading, Peso thought pulling into a spot and parking the car.
"This is weird." Alec said from the passenger seat. "I mean it is right?"
Peso looked to his long-time friend seated next to him, "Yes, it is."
"You're just going to get on a sub and live there like this is normal," Alec stated, unbuckling, and opening his door.
Peso got out of the car answering "Yes, I am," only after shutting his door. He opened the trunk to grab his luggage and keyboard. While Alec opened the back passenger door to retrieve Peso's plant. "We've gone over this."
Peso had noticed that since yesterday Alec's opinion of him leaving had started to change. It was no longer "so cool", the reality was finally settling in.
"Okay, but it's…real now," Alec started explaining, "you got your stuff, your little baby," he hugged the plant to his chest, "and there's a boat that's going to take you away and then I just drive home. Like its just… what?"
"I'm going to miss you too," Peso said rounding the car to stand beside his friend "But it's not like it'll be forever. It's like when you did doctors without borders. I'll be back."
"Right. That's what you keep saying," the two men headed toward the boat that was being loaded, "But when I left it was different, it was work. Like serious work. But it feels like you're leaving for some crazy life adventure, and do you expect to come back from that by choice?"
"Pretty sure every adventurer returns home." Peso retorted shaking his head, "And I felt the same when you left. Remember?"
"No, I don't remember. And adventurers don't always come home, sometimes they marry the princess and live in their new kingdom for the rest of their lives and completely forget about all their old friends."
"Then we should just be thankful I won't be running into any princesses." Peso sighed, "It really won't be for long. It's the same amount of time you were gone for. Also, I don't want to live on a submarine for years."
"I know, but –"
Peso quickly cut him off, "But its just work for me. Serious work," he added, mimicking Alec's earlier words, "I'll be back before you have time to miss me."
Alec stopped and stared at Peso, "Don't fall in love with one of those mermaids. Seriously."
"Stop calling them mermaids."
"They live under the water full time that makes them mermaids."
"Makes who mermaids?" a voice came from behind the two.
Peso turned to see a man and a woman were now walking not far behind them. Recognizing the man, he stopped and waited for the two to catch up.
Though he had only seen pictures of the crew, the platinum blonde floppy hair, icy blue gray eyes and fair skin of the man all made Peso positive that this man was the Octopod's botanist, Kodi Rivera. He was dressed simply, jeans, an unbutton flannel over a simple white t-shirt, a backpack slung over one shoulder and a grey beanie hiding most of his blonde hair.
The woman next to him, who Peso didn't recognize, could not be more different, everything about her appearance screamed she was all business. Her auburn hair was in a tight bun, and she wore a dark gray blazer over a lilac button up shirt. Her pencil skirt match with her blazer and she was carrying a messenger style bag with her.
Just before the newcomers reached the two of them Peso called out, "You're Kodi Rivera, correct?"
A surprised expression crossed the man's face but was quickly replaced by a wide smile, "I wasn't expecting you to know any of us. You're our new doctor, right? Ah," the man paused briefly, "Dr. Guin, right?"
"Yes, I am," Peso replied returning the botanist's smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you. How is your arm feeling?" he asked pointing at Kodi's arm that was wrapped in a bright green cast.
"It's kind of itchy and sore," he raised the arm in question between them, "first bone I've ever broken, believe it or not with how clumsy I am." He let out a chuckle, "But who are the mermaids you guys were talking about?"
"You and everyone else on the crew according to this one," Peso pointed at Alec, "This is Dr. Alexander Erez, a friend of mine. Though you might remember him from the meeting about me." Erez waved one hand, holding the plant tighter with his other arm.
Kodi's eyes lit up when he saw the plant, "Oh cool, are you bringing a plant on board?" he asked excitedly.
"No," Alec answered quickly, "It's my emotional support plant. His name is Phil. I take him everywhere."
"I regret the day we met," Peso said with a groan, "It is my plant. I didn't trust anyone enough to leave it behind."
"It's a ZZ plant, right? It's just their hard to kill," he brushed a leaf gently, "says a lot about your doctor friends if you don't trust them to keep one of these alive." He added with a laugh.
"Well normally we're at the hospital," Alec retorted, "keeping humans alive."
"Oh, sorry! No, I didn't do anything like that I just-" Kodi blurted out panicked.
Peso cut him off, "Don't worry. Neither of us is offended."
"Yeah," Alec said a smile across his face, "Sorry I was teasing. I'm actually so bad at growing plants that even my grandma has banned me from entering her garden. Guin just loves his little baby plant too much to let any of us keep it." He chuckled.
Kodi shot a quick look at Alec then turned to the woman beside him, "Sorry Melody, I got distracted. Dr. Guin this is Melody Smith. She's Director Reynolds's assistant."
The woman nodded her head at Peso, "I'm here to make sure you get settled with no troubles." She frowned, "Director Reynolds has asked me to report everything that happens today back to him."
"Everything will be fine," Peso reassured her, "Well, shall we?" He gestured towards the boat. Melody smiled back at Peso nodding her agreement. The four continued on their way.
"So, do you know what we all look like? Did you like look at the IORCE website?" Kodi asked, obviously trying to feel Peso out.
"No, I figured since Rogers provided the crew with a file on me no one would mind if I got files on all of you," Peso told the group.
"Oh," Kodi replied making a face. He stayed silent for a while. "I don't think that's a good way to learn about us, but I get why you asked for them. I could tell you about everyone though if you want or have questions."
"I'm sure I'll get to know everyone quickly," Peso told him.
"I have questions!" Alec interjected. "How many of the crew are in relationships?"
"Erez!" Peso snapped, "That's none of your business." He knew Alec was just trying to further prove his point from a few days ago.
"Yeah, but someone is sleeping with someone I know it!"
Kodi scratched his head with his uninjured hand, "Well, some of us are. I mean Dashi and Shellington have been on-again-off-again for almost four years now. Then there's Hallie, Grover, and me."
He looked in Peso's direction waiting for a reaction. When none came, he continued, "The three of us have been together for a while, but those are the only like real relationships on the ship. I mean I guess sometimes others hook up for a night or whatever but those are the only two serious type relationships."
"Told you people would be together," Alec said nudging Peso.
"Yes, you're very clever," Peso told him nudging him back, "But, Mr. Rivera I don't have any pressing questions."
"Oh ok, I just- I," he paused, "Don't fire Pike. He's a good guy, I promise. He just doesn't think before he talks."
Peso shot him a confused, questioning look.
Kodi let out a deep sigh, "He was the one who asked what was wrong with your skin." He confessed keeping his eyes on the ground as they walked.
"Oh," Peso wanted to laugh, he hadn't been bothered by that comment, but the look on the botanist's face was so serious, "I have no intention of getting anyone fired. That's not the reason I accepted this job."
A relieved smile crossed Kodi's face, "Oh my gosh," he spoke rapidly, "You don't know how much everyone is freaking out about that so that's really nice to hear."
Peso gave him a gentle smile, "I'm sorry Dr. Rogers has everyone so worked up over that."
"He wasn't even supposed to tell the crew that," Melody chimed in, "He's always doing whatever he wants. It's so frustrating to have to deal with," she stopped, and her mouth dropped, "Like this, what is he doing here!?"
"What?" The three men turned to look at her. She pointed up towards the ship they were headed for. They had gotten close enough that you could now make out that people near it standing on the dock. A crew had been bringing boxes onto the ship but now it looked like all work had stopped. A tall man in a black suit was blocking the ramp.
Worry crept into Peso's mind, "We should hurry and see what's happening." The group picked up their pace.
One of the men near the ship turned towards them as they approached, "Kodi!" they cried out excitedly.
The man in question didn't bother with walking anymore, he ran the rest of the way. "Professor!" he shouted as wrapped the older man in a hug, "I missed you!"
"I'm just happy to see that you are on the road to recovery," Peso could hear the Professor say as the rest of the group caught up. "And Dr. Guin it's good to see you again. Ms. Smith a pleasure to see you as well. Although you," he said turning to Alec, "are a new face. I don't believe we've met."
"Nope, Dr. Erez, but you can just call me Alec. I came to drop off your new doctor…and help carry stuff." Alec lifted the plant a bit, Peso shook his head next to him.
"Professor Derrius Inkling. Thank you for delivering us our doctor. Though I do have questions for you, Dr. Guin. Both Dr. Rogers and I do."
At the mention of his name the man in the black suit turned around, "Dr. Guin! What is all this?" he gestured wildly at the boxes the men had previously been loading onto the ship.
"If I were to take a guess, I would say necessary medical supplies?" Peso said questioningly, "Is there some sort of problem?"
"We approved you a small budget to bring on necessary supplies this-"
"It just seems like more than what was approved." Professor Inkling said gently cutting off Dr. Rogers.
"Oh, ok yes that makes sense. I spent the money you allotted, but then after speaking with colleagues about certain things it was made obvious that there were things I hadn't thought about. I then spoke with Chief Attenburg and he generously covered the rest as a charitable donation to a non-profit organization. He asked me to express his thanks for the tax write-off." Peso explained calmly.
"There's no way the Octopod needs this much!" Rogers once again threw a hand towards the now piled boxes.
"In my professional opinion, it does. I've been emailing with Dr. Bakewell-"
"You've been talking to Hallie?" he heard Kodi ask but chose to ignore him for the moment.
"I asked Dr. Bakewell to give me a complete inventory of what was currently in the medical bay. The inventory you gave me Rogers did not match it. I'm not shocked by the discrepancies given how many different doctors have run the medical bay in the last year alone."
"Wait, spring's not even over yet, how many doctors have they gone through?" Alec interjected.
"It's not your business." Peso said holding up a hand towards him, to Rogers he said, "I don't see what the problem is. I didn't overspend your budget," Peso pointed out, "and I've gotten everything I deemed necessary. I was also told that there was no weight restriction so I'm not sure what I've done wrong."
"No, I think you are fine my dear boy," the Professor said, "Like I had said we were curious as to what everything was and where it all come from."
"No." Rogers looked towards the professor angrily, "This is a problem. I have no idea what you're bringing on board, I didn't approve of any of this."
"Dude, it's-" Alec started but Peso quickly elbowed him in the side.
"Don't you dare say anything stupid." Peso cut him off then turned to a member of the crew waiting near the boxes, "Do you know if anyone happens to have an inventory list for what's in these boxes."
The crewmen all pointed towards Rogers, and one spoke out, "We already gave it to him when he started throwing his fit. We even offered to open them up and let him check. We're on a schedule, you know?" the man raised his shoulders in a shrug, "wasn't good enough for him though."
"If you have a list of everything then just look at it," Peso said he was starting to get annoyed with how the situation was going. "These men are right; I was under the impression that we had a tight schedule to meet. I was worried I was going to make us late as it is."
"Should have put gas in your car last night," Alec commented.
"Stop it."
"It was cheaper last night too."
The Professor turned to Rogers, "I can approve everything Dr. Guin is bringing if you would like Rogers. Let me see the list."
"No, just give me a minute to look it over." Dr. Rogers's voice called a slightly defeated tone.
"While you are doing that Dr. Rogers why don't we let these men load the supplies and get everyone onto the ship," Professor Inkling suggested, "We are on a schedule."
Rogers stared at the Professor from over the paperwork, "Fine, let's just get moving." He started to tuck away the papers into his jacket.
"Actually doctor we're gonna need those papers for when we unload," a crew member said reaching out his hand towards Rogers. He handed them over with a huff.
"Will you be able to carry the plant and your stuff?" Alec asked looking towards the ramp.
Before Peso could answer another of the loading crew called over to them, "We can grab your stuff too. It's no problem, and we'll be careful with the plant."
"Are you sure?" Peso asked. The man nodded, "Okay then thank you." Peso turned back to Alec, "Take care of my igloo, and my car." Peso thought for a moment, "Make sure your alarms are set. I won't be there to wake you up if you forget one."
Alec leaned down and hugged his friend tightly, "I'll do my best. Don't drown or anything embarrassing like that." Then more quietly he added, "You sure you really want to do this? You can still back out. We can leave a get a real breakfast."
"Don't tempt me. It's only for a year, then I'll be back in the hospital," holding back a laugh he added, "And I'll try not to drown." Breaking free from the hug Peso reminded him, "You can still call me and text me, and request my help for any patient that is too hard for you to handle."
"Well, that's where your wrong cause now I'm going to be the go-to know-it-all doctor." He crossed his arms over his chest, "But I guess I could call you every now and then, try to keep you sharp on your medical know-how."
"Sure, you do that. I'll send you a message when I get all settled in." Peso told him as he headed towards the ramp.
He followed the Professor up the ramp with Kodi following him. "So, um Dr. Guin can I ask you a question?" Kodi asked.
"Of course."
"Are you and that Erez guy like together?" he asked hesitantly.
"No, we're not. We've just been friends for a long time. We met early on at college and just ended up sticking together." Peso explained quickly/ He bit down on the inside of his cheek, "This will be one of the longer periods we'll go without seeing each other since we met."
"It's good to have friends like that," the Professor said looking over his shoulder, "They tend to stick with you through everything." Stepping onto the deck of the ship he turned to face the two, "I'm sure you could convince the Captain to let Dr. Erez visit at some point."
"People can visit crew members?" Peso asked. He hadn't even considered that as a possibly.
"Yeah," Kodi said, "sometimes we can get permission to let a family member or friend on board for about a week. Those times are really fun, we try to plan fun stuff so that no one's guest gets bored or thinks the Octopod is underwhelming."
"Oh, I wasn't aware of that," Peso said, excited at the idea of possibly bringing Alec along, or maybe even his brother. His phone vibrated pulling him away from his thoughts. He pulled it out of his pocket to see a message from Alec. He opened it worried.
If you hate camp, you can always call! I'll come pick you up!
"I will have to think on that but thank you for letting me know," Peso told the men tucking his phone back into his pocket.