Field Hospital - No Licence (contains major swearing)

Posted on Tue Nov 20th, 2018 @ 7:25am by

Mission: Season 2: Episode 3: Determination is not always a good thing
Location: Cortic
576 words - 1.2 OF Standard Post Measure

After five hours standing up in the operating theatre, Estelle decided it was time to take a break. Yes, there were still patients waiting but she wasn't doing any of them a favour operating tired. Outside, she dug into her personal medkit and retrieved her flask of strong coffee which she had brought for the occasion. Filling her cup and a beaker sitting on a nearby shelf, she went in search of Julia, her old friend.

Finding her checking the vitals of a child Estelle had operated on not half an hour before, she joined her and handed her the cup, taking the beaker for herself. "Take five?"

They walked outside the shack and Estelle took in the fresh air. She hadn't been on the surface of a planet in months. "I did not expect to find you here. What are you doing these days?" It was the obvious elephant in the room. Ever since Julia's dishonourable discharge from Starfleet, Estelle had lost track of her friend, who had never replied to any of her messages.

"I work as a lab technician for Arayna University here in Cortic", Julia said, looking down. "They never gave me back my licence to practise medicine." She took a sip from the coffee Estelle had kindly shared with her. "I expected you to be angry."

"I was disappointed", Estelle admitted. "I'm not judging what you did to get thrown out. That was ten years ago and I'm sure it's no longer relevant to your present disposition." She didn't want to get into it with Julia. She had made a mistake, and a bad one, but Estelle believed that it had been an honest mistake. But what good would her belief do? "No, I wish you had at least replied to my letters."

Julia shook her head. "I couldn't. I spent the best part of a year hitching rides on freighters to get out here to the frontier. Had my towel stolen thrice." She gave Estelle a smirk. "I'm better now, you see, but I felt so ashamed then. I just wanted to get away from everything and everybody."

Estelle nodded slowly. "I can't say I understand, but it's okay. I'm glad to see you've found something meaningful to do."

"That I have." For the first time since the two women had re-united, Julia genuinely beamed at Estelle. "I'm married and I have a son, Leif. He's seven, tall for his years and a bright lad, too."

"Congratulations", Estelle said and hugged Julia. "Even if it comes a bit late. No, really. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you." Julia held the hug for almost a minute. Looking up at the taller Estelle, she then asked, "So, now that you know, won't you get in trouble for letting me help you here?"

Estelle shook her head. "These patients would be in trouble with one fewer doctor to look out for them. In an emergency, I don't give a targ's behind about official licences. But I won't let you do any surgery, you've gorn too many years without."

"I've gorn?" Julia wondered.

"Oh, sorry, force of habit. My CMO is Gorn. On the ship, I keep substituting the word 'gone' with 'gorn', to see if anyone will call me out on it. So far, nobody has", Estelle said. "Now, don't tell them that's what I'm doing."

Julia raised three fingers. "I swear." Pausing, she added. "You're mad, you know?"

"Now you tell me..."