=/\= Infirmary - Starbase Unity =/\=
Richard could feel himself slowly waking from a deep sleep.
He was disorientated and the world was swirling around him
like he was on a roundabout. He tried to lift his head, but
it felt like it was made of deuterium, so gave up on that,
and lolled his head this way and that to gauge his
surroundings
Lucy Fleming had been assigned as his personal nurse and
once he began to regain conciousness, she contacted Rangi as
requested.
By the time the CMO arrived in Richards room, he had woken
and was, with Lucys help, drinking a little from a feeder
cup.
" General." Rangi said, coming to stand beside them." How
are
you feeling?"
"Lousy." He said, sinking back down onto the bed.
"Mmmmm...." she replied as though not surprised. She picked
up the medpadd and read through the latest report and only
spoke to him again when she replaced it.
"Well, you've had quite a eventful few days." she said,
"...and I'm afraid you're going to be here for a while
longer." she added knowing he wasnt the sort of person to
take that lying down. She smiled at her own pun, for he
wasnt
really in a fit state to stand up.
"I would prefer not to be here at all." He said, grouchily.
"I have
things
to do, families to write to, an entire MEF to run."
"Yes I know." she replied and caught Lucys eye. They had
heard this sort of thing before. "...but you're in no fit
state to do anything much at the moment and should you
decide to try then i can guarantee you're going to in here
even longer."
She looked down at him with a no nonsense expression.
"So you're confining me to bed, doc?" Richard asked.
"Yes." came simple responce. Lucy , glancing from one to the
other, picked up the feedercup and took it away. Rangi
pulled up a chair and sat beside Richards bed.
" You've been lucky this time." she told him "...and could
well have died though not, I might add, from your wounds"
"What're you talking about?" Richard asked, sternly.
" You must have had a fair amount of discomfort, even pain
and yet it seems you didnt consult a doctor?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Richard said,
indifferently,
but
aware of what she was on about.
"With respect General, Im sure that you do. You had a
duodenal ulcer and that doesnt pop up out of the blue. You
either self medicated or suffered the discomfort, I'm
guessing both. Either way it wasnt a good way to deal with
it."
"It wasn't bothering anyone." He said, defensively.
"That's not the point." Rangi replied in a reasoning tone.
"Its fortunate that this happened when you were within reach
of medical aid. The result could have been 'very' different
if
it had occurred a couple of days earlier. What then? You
must realise General that despite the neglect of your own
health for whatever reason you have, its jeoparising many
other lives too if you approach health problems this way."
"How was having a slight stomach upset, going to affect
other lives?" He
snapped suddenly, full of rebuke at this know-it-all doctor.
He'd lost
marines on this mission, and he wasn't going to have her
justify it by
saying that he could've lost more if his stomach had started
growling.
" We both know it was more than that." Rangi replied
quietly. They stared at each other in silence then she spoke
agian.
" I've treated a number of marines and without exception
they have a very strong tendency to be stoic. Thats all very
commendable but it isnt sensible and I'm sure you dont need
reminding of your standing. Putting your health at risk when
your expertise is so valuable was not the best was it?
And..." she continued, "....a man of your age needs to be
careful."
"A man of my age?" Richard repeated. "What's that supposed
to mean?
I'm as
fit and vibrant as I've ever been!"
Rangi looked at his indignant expression then glanced away
before answering.
" It means that however fit you feel, you are not on the
same level as you were thirty years ago. I'm not saying that
you must expect serious illness or disabling
conditions...but the chances increase with age and
dismissing things is not wise."
Richard made a 'pfft' noise from his mouth and then sat
upright on the bed,
swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Well, this has
been fun and all
doc, but I plan on getting out of here and seeing my
fiancée."
She knew what would happen and wasnt surprised when he
seemed unsteady. She had risen to her feet and now took hold
of his arm.
" Please get back into bed." she said. " You
will do yourself more harm by behaving in this way. I dont
tell you how to run a marine corps so extend me the same
courtsey and trust what I tell you."
Richard mumbled under his breath, and reluctantly got back
on the bed. He
huffed for a bit then got under the blanket provided. "Might
as well make
the most of the peace." He said.
"Yes" Rangi nodded, knowing that they understood one
another.
"I'll be back tomorrow morning." she said "...and if
everything continues to go well then I think you could
perhaps read a report or two.
We'll take it steadily...agreed?"
"Who am I to argue with the Chief Medical Officer?" Richard
smiled, thinly.
Rangi returned the smile and moved away. Lucy, returning to
the room met her in the doorway.
"Everything alright?" she asked.
"Yes it's fine." Rangi replied and they both glanced in
Richards direction.
" Keep an eye on him though." Rangi added, speaking quietly.
" Call me if there's a need."
Lucy nodded. She understood that 'need' covered a multitude
of possibilities.
=/\= End Log =/\=
Major General Richard Sharpe
MEF CO
1st MEF
Commander Rangi Summers
Evil Controlling Witch (aka Chief Medical Officer)
Starbase Unity
