To Earth and Back

by William Boardman

  “I think I have O-positive,” Adie responded. “Most people on Earth have that type.”

  Walt glanced at Katie. “Can that be true?”

  Brooke walked to Adie’s med display and pulled up the last scan. There in the upper right corner were two small symbols. “Oh, my, she is O-positive. Well, what do you know?”

  Katie was elated. “My gosh, Adie, aren’t you full of surprises!”

  “And you’re willing to do this? You might pass out for a while,” Brooke cautioned.

  “Oh, yes, with all my heart. I’m willing.”

  “And that, folks, is how God works,” Jack said, “clear as I’ve ever seen it.”

  Brooke grappled with Adie’s unexpected revelation, trying to line up her priorities and prepare the landing craft for departure.

  “What do you need, Brooke?” Walt asked. “Just tell us.”

  Brooke looked around the cabin. “Well, the first thing we need to do is clean up this mess. It looks like a battlefield in here. Katie, why don’t you shut down the full-body stimulation on the Doc, but let’s keep stimulating those wounds. I’ll get something to clean with.” She made an entry into her tablet and stepped over to the cyclic to retrieve a stack of dampened synthetic wipes.

  Following the cleanup, Brooke and Katie repositioned the gurneys for the transfusion. With five possible stations across the rear of the cabin, Ari’s gurney was currently located in the correct position, Station Four. The other gurney was in Station One against the port wall.

  “Doc Stratford can stay where he is,” Brooke said to Katie. “Let’s put Adie at Two—and push the Doc’s med display back against the wall. That will give us a little room to maneuver.”

  After making the adjustments, Brooke thanked Katie, and said, “I’ll set up the transfusion kit while you prep our guest.” She shifted her attention to Adie. “Honey, we probably ought to get you into a nightgown. I expect you’ll be in bed the next time you wake up. Katie can help you with that.”

  “That’s fine,” Adie said.

  Katie unclipped the tablet from her hip. “So what’s your favorite animal?”

  Confused and hesitant, Adie answered. “I like bears. Why?”

  “Black or brown?”

  “Black, why do you ask?”

  Katie browsed the images on her tablet. “You’ll see.” She sent her selection to the cyclic, walked over and retrieved the nightgown...white, with small bear silhouettes in various poses.

  Adie’s face brightened. “They’re beautiful,” she said, “how thoughtful.”

  Katie set up a barrier around the port side gurney from the center of the cabin to the wall and grabbed Adie’s hand. “We’re going to try something a little different this time. I know that barrier looks solid, but actually you can walk right through. You just need to be aware of what’s on the other side.” She stepped through, pulling Adie with her.

  “Wha—How strange,” Adie said, looking down to see if any of the black barrier had rubbed off on her scrubs.

  “Just imagine you’re walking through a waterfall,” Katie said, “except you don’t get wet…. Anyway, I’m going to step out and let you change. When you’re done, tell Conrad to dismiss the barrier.”

  Adie changed, and Katie helped her back onto the gurney. “Here...why don’t you put your head at the other end this time, like the Doc over there,” Katie suggested. She covered Adie with a sheet from the waist down and secured it to the gurney. “We’ll be heading for the ship in a few minutes, but before we go, have you ever heard of gravity?”

  Adie thought for a moment. “Yes, it’s what holds us on the earth.”

  “That’s right. It’s what gives you your weight. Now, if we’re going to reach the ship on time, we’ll need to build up a lot of speed. That’s going to increase the gravity a little and at least in the beginning, seem as if you’re being pulled from below and behind. If we leave you lying flat like this, it could become a little uncomfortable. So to balance things out, as we begin to accelerate, your gurney will start to tilt forward. It may feel a little strange at first, but you’ll get used to it.” Katie grinned. “Are you okay with that?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to see.”

  “That’s the spirit,” Katie said.

  Brooke joined Katie and began to connect the narrow transfusion tubing to the med-panels above the gurneys. Glancing down at Adie, she said, “Sorry, honey, we’ve made a lot of medical advances, but occasionally we still have to use needles.”

  Adie offered a cheerful smile. “It’s okay. It doesn’t bother me.”

  Brooke finished the connections while Katie inserted the needles. Then, with everything in order, Brooke began the transfusion, causing blood to ascend the tube and enter Adie’s overhead panel, cross over to Ari’s panel, and descend.

  “Okay, everything looks good,” Brooke said, patting Adie’s thigh. “I promise we won’t take one drop more than he needs. You just relax...we’re all going to strap in now and head for home. You okay?”

  “Oh, yes, and thank you for being so nice.”

  “Honey, believe me, it’s my pleasure.”

  Brooke retrieved the seat she had stowed earlier and attached it to a newly extended pedestal just forward of Ari’s gurney. “Katie, why don’t you take Doc Maran’s seat there in front of Adie?”

  Walt took the hint and moved forward to the command position.

  With everyone strapped in, Merrick scanned the cabin. “All set?”

  Receiving a thumbs-up from the crew, he looked back at Adie. “And you, m’lady?”

  Adie smiled and gave a nervous nod.

  “Very well, I’ll light the engines, and we’ll be on our way.” Merrick entered the remaining mission data into his console. Then, applying a combination of negative gravity and forward thrust, he initiated an effortless ascent into the night sky, heading east, out over the Mediterranean to a destination some 17,000 miles distant.

  Brooke looked back over her shoulder to see the two gurneys slowly tilt forward on their pedestals. Adie’s furrowed brow caught her attention. “It’s all right, honey,” she sympathized. “We’re all here with you.”

  In minutes, they had cleared the atmosphere, and Merrick took up a direct course for the ship.

  Curious, Katie leaned over to Brooke. “How many units do you think he needs?”

  “Between three and four—probably closer to three.”

  CHAPTER 36

  Shortly after receiving the second unit of blood, Ari started to stir; almost imperceptibly at first—a slight twitching in the right index finger—then movement under the eyelids. His journey back was protracted. For some time he lingered on the edge of cognizance. Then, with head pounding and wounds stinging, his brow wrinkled and he regained consciousness. Pieces of memory began to return. He took a slow, deep breath. As the air entered his nostrils, it brought a strangely familiar scent. He wondered if his friends had been successful, or was the scent just a lingering reminder of a temporary presence. He gathered his courage and opened his eyes. There, lying within arm’s reach, was the object of his devotion. He watched her for a moment, admiring her profile, her adorable nightgown, and the way she seemed to take an interest in everything around her. Then, in a wonderfully mellow, yet mysteriously hushed tone, he said, “I know you—Adie-bear.”

  The displays and annunciator lights had so distracted Adie that Ari’s voice took her completely by surprise. She turned to face him and drew a breath. “Gosh, I love the way you said that,” she whispered. “Are you saying my last name?”

  “No,” he said softly, still a little foggy. “Long ago, Adie...do you remember?”

  “What should I remember...? Tell me.”

  As he began to recite, his words were warm and resonant. “The girl had run away, but the bear called to her: ‘Snow-white, do not be afraid; wait, I will come to you.’ Then she recognized his voice and waited, and when he came to her, suddenly his bearskin fell off, and he stood there, a man.�
�

  “A handsome man,” Adie sweetly corrected, ignoring his paraphrasing. For the first time and in breath-taking detail, she looked into his eyes—light blue and brilliant.

  Noticing the emotion in her expression, Ari asked, “Are you okay?”

  “Your eyes,” said Adie, “they’re the most beautiful blue I’ve ever seen....”

  Her compliment drew his smile. “Do you know, Adie-bear, how I’ve longed to speak with you, to hear your voice, to be with you.... This moment is beyond words.”

  “What a lovely thing to say,” she responded. “Thank you for coming for me. Thank you for everything you did to protect me, for being so kind.”

  “I should have moved faster to break your fall. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were going to faint.”

  “But it’s not your fault,” Adie protested. “They showed me a movie of what happened. You did everything you possibly could to keep me safe. You very nearly lost your life, and I owe you mine. That was the bravest, kindest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “You’ve had so much tragedy in your life. And to have it all end in violence—it was just too much to bear.” Ari slowly became aware of his surroundings. The sight of the transfusion tubing sobered him, and alarm registered on his face. Assuming Adie had somehow been hit by rifle-fire, he twisted painfully to locate Brooke—finding her at the foot of his gurney. “Brooke,” he said, agitated.

  Startled, Brooke turned in her seat. “Welcome back, Doc. How you feeling?”

  Ari ignored her cordial remarks and took on a serious tone. “Listen, in case I pass out again, I want you to take every ounce of blood she needs. You’re not to hold back, even if it kills me. Do you understand?” He quickly turned his attention back to Adie. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t realize you were hurt.”

  His serious tone shook everyone in the cabin, especially Brooke. “She’s fine, Doc,” she said, exercising restraint. “Adie’s not getting the transfusion—you are. You lost a lot of blood, and those two units you brought just weren’t enough. We’ll be home in less than two hours, and you need to be back on your feet. The tissue stimulation wasn’t enough, so this sweet girl volunteered to give you a little boost.”

  Lying on his stomach and visibly shaken, Ari strained to look up at the flow indicator. “Adie, I am so sorry. This is the last thing I wanted. Forgive me?”

  Adie reached out and clasped his hand. “That’s not necessary,” she said, astonished at his selflessness. “I told them to take whatever they need to get you walking again.”

  After apologizing to the crew, Ari turned to Brooke. “How much blood do I need?”

  “When we’re done,” Brooke explained, “she’ll probably be unconscious and maybe in a little better shape than you were after we transfused those two units you brought.”

  Ari’s expression was full of anguish.

  Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, Adie said, “Listen to me. I’ll be fine. You risked your life to save mine, and a moment ago you were willing to do it again. Now let me do a little something for you.”

  Ari sensed her determination and backed down. Swallowing his pride, he said, “I just don’t want you to suffer any more—and I want to talk with you. It’s so frustrating that we never seem to be conscious at the same time.”

  Adie giggled. “There will be plenty of time for that, silly. Besides, it’s past my bedtime, and I’m going to need some rest. Anyway, I expect tomorrow will be a big day. Why don’t we just enjoy the time we do have and talk awhile before I go to sleep?”

  Ari glanced at their joined hands and then back at Adie. An unfamiliar, yet pleasant warmth formed in his chest. “You’re not—” His voice broke and his eyes began to water. “You’re not letting go.”

  “No,” she said softly, “I’m not letting go.”

  For a time, words ceased to flow between them, replaced by a deeper form of communication.

  Barely within earshot and dying to understand the silence, Brooke couldn’t resist looking back. Then she leaned toward Katie. “How romantic is that?” she whispered. “Kind of gives me goose bumps.”

  Katie quickly glanced back and nodded in embarrassment.

  Ari broke the silence. “What an amazing woman you are, Adie-bear…. Surely you must understand the significance of this moment.”

  Adie slowly shook her head.

  “Don’t you see? From this day forward, our two civilizations are joined by blood.”

  “Oh, my,” she said, pondering. “You have such a wonderful way with words.”

  Ari gave Adie’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I know you have questions. Tell me what you're thinking.”

  Adie fought to maintain focus as the blood loss started to blur her thinking. “They tell me you know everything about me...so you must know I’m dying. Why would you risk so much to rescue someone...like me? Where is the value?” Her mind began to fade. “Wouldn’t it have been...more merciful to let...those...Soldiers—”

  “Are you saying you’re without hope, then? Because, even if you were, I would still have come for you. But Adie-bear, you are not without hope, so you can put any thoughts of dying right out of your mind. That’s simply not happening, not as long as I—” Adie’s hand went limp. “—Ah nuts!” he complained, looking at Brooke. “Do you think she heard any of that?”

  Brooke smiled. “It’s okay, Doc, I think you made quite the impression. Anyway, you’ll have plenty of time to set things straight.”

  CHAPTER 37

  “How much more blood do I need?” Ari asked.

  Brooke glanced up at the overhead panel. “A half unit should do.”

  Ari was still holding onto Adie’s hand when Brooke stepped back to disconnect the transfusion kit. She gave the back of his wrist a pat. “Here, why don’t we give this back to her for a while, Doc?” she said, taking Adie’s hand.

  Ari was reluctant.

  “I’m sure she’ll give it back when she wakes up.”

  “The vital signs look good, Doc,” added Katie, “for both of you.”

  Ari gave a nod. “So which of you do I get to reprimand for extracting the bullets?”

  Brook offered an amused smile. “I’m afraid we’re innocent, Doc. Aside from you, there’s only one person here with anything like battlefield experience.”

  It didn’t take long for Ari to catch her meaning. “Good heavens, tell me it wasn’t Adie.”

  “I’ve never seen steadier hands,” Brooke said. “That girl’s going to be a surgeon someday, you mark my words.”

  Ari shook his head, amazed. “Look, I’m proud of you two,” he said. “I really am. You faced tough decisions and made some difficult choices, albeit a few were outside the rule book. But you got the job done.” He paused and looked at Brooke, then Katie. “It’s a privilege to serve with you.”

  “Now, Doc, you’re going to have to cut that out,” Brooke said, putting her arm around her colleague. “Katie was hard enough to work with before.” She gave Katie a squeeze and a peck on the cheek. “Did you know she’s got a boyfriend?” She made a subtle gesture in Merrick’s direction.

  Katie elbowed Brooke and quietly pleaded, “Shhh, he’ll hear you.”

  Ari smiled and changed the subject. “Look, sometime before auto-braking, I need to see if I can get up. Let’s go ahead and turn off the stimulation for now.”

  “Okay,” Brooke said, “but I can’t guarantee that leg won’t start bleeding again. Why don’t we get you down from the other side, though? That way, your good leg can take the weight.”

  Ari pushed up with his right hand, turned to face the wall, and inched his way to the edge of the gurney while Katie moved around and helped him lower his good leg to the floor. The injured leg followed, causing stabbing pain and a grimace. “Wow, that got my attention,” he complained, feeling a little woozy.

  Walt walked back to lend a hand. “Here, lean on me, and we’ll see what you can do.”

  Ari put his good arm over Walt’s shoulder and cautiously increased
the weight on his leg. The steps came slowly at first. Then, after a few trips across the cabin, Ari made the final one on his own and returned to the gurney.

  “We need to check those wounds and change out the dressings before we strap back in,” Brooke said. “Might as well do that now.” She carefully peeled off the bandages, revealing minimal seepage. “Say, that’s healing nicely. A little more stimulation and you should be able to go the distance.”

  Ari had Brooke push his gurney back against the wall and asked the crew to gather around. “We need to get a few things sorted out before we return,” he said, looking at Merrick. “I assume we’re still masked.”

  Merrick diverted the question to Jack.

  “We are,” Jack confirmed, “at least until we’re back onboard.”

  “And how did you manage that?” Ari asked.

  Jack’s smiled with a tinge of self-satisfaction. “Cited privacy issues...I told ops that Adie is completely unaware of our monitoring practices, and out of respect for her privacy, we just didn’t think it was right to point a bunch of imaging sensors at her—at least until she has a better understanding.”

  “Impressive reasoning,” Ari said, holding back a grin and shifting his attention to the nurses. “I expect the captain will want to see me tomorrow, so I should probably go to the med bay and continue with the stimulation.”

  “I can help with that,” Brooke said.

  “Adie needs to be settled into her quarters,” Ari said, pausing with a frown. “Jack, do we know where she’s staying?”

  Jack shook his head. “I’ll get on that,” he said and returned to his seat.

  “Katie, I’ve taken a lot of Adie’s blood, and I’d prefer that she wasn’t weak when she wakes in the morning. Why don’t you pick up a transfusion kit from the med bay? I left a few units of my blood in cold storage.”

  “That’s fine,” Katie said, “though someone will need to stay with her while I pick up the gear.”

  Walt and Merrick both volunteered.

  Eyeing Merrick, Ari said, “Thanks, my friend, but you have a post-flight to attend to. Walt can manage.”

  “Unbelievable!” Jack declared, rising from his seat. “I have her quarters, but you’re not going to believe it.”

  “What?” Ari prodded. “What is it?”

  “Capt. Argon has given her his mother’s suite.”