A Space Story 25

            Ryoko Jeagan stared off into space and Dr. Winchester Faction explained her recovery.

            “You should be all right by tomorrow,” he said, “Your arm might ache a little but that’s a common side effect of bone healer serums.”

            “And my knee?” she asked, “You had to replace it.”

            “Yes, your knee cap was crushed.  I had to put in an artificial one.  Once we get back to Earth they can regrow the bone.  We don’t have the equipment for that on this ship.”

            “But this artificial one will function just as well as the real thing correct?”

            “That is true.”

            “And I will have a scar from the procedure you performed?”

            “That too can be treated cosmetically back on Earth.”

            “I think I will keep them, my scar and my new knee.”

            “If you like.”

            “You were born to be a soldier,” she said to him.

            He paused before replying, “yeah I was.”

            “So was I,” said Ryoko, “I am supposed to be the best.”

            Winchester did not know what to say to that.

            “You were born a soldier and you became a doctor.”

            “It doesn’t matter where you were born,” said Dr. Winchester Faction, “You can always choose to be something else.”

            “I want to be the best,” said Ryoko, “and I was.  But that being, Zai, he’s better than me.  I will be the best again.”

            Ryoko lied back and said nothing more.  Winchester left the young woman to her rest.

            Raddy Volcane had already been planning to talk to Dr. Vandis Bane.  Now he had a great deal more on his mind than just his suffering sex life.  But still he could not help noticing that Dr. Bane had very nice legs.  She was pretty good looking for an older lady.  Raddy had been with older ladies before.  Raddy Volcane did not believe a woman should be judged by her age.  Unless she was over fifty or maybe up to fifty-five was okay to.  But any more than that and a lady really start to lose it.  Raddy also liked Dr. Bane’s accent.  What was she French maybe?

            “What country are you from again?” he asked.

            “I come from Russia,” said Dr. Bane, “part of the Eastern Alliance.”

            Raddy remembered where Russia was.  It was always really cold there right?  Anyway Raddy had things to talk about.

            “I got my ass kicked the other day,” said Raddy, “by a god damn alien.  Can you believe that?  And he thinks he owns this ship.  Last I checked that was the Solar Fleet logo painted on the side not some alien shit.”

            “How did it feel when he beat you?”

            “It hurt like a bitch.  No I know what you mean.  How did it make me feel inside?  It felt like shit.  It felt like…”

            Raddy remembered what Janessa had said to him.

            “Is something wrong Mr. Volcane?”

            “No it’s just that… yeah something is wrong.  It wasn’t just that damn alien that humiliated me.  Janessa Kepshawn.  I was just trying to be nice to her.  And she said some things.  They reminded me of… It doesn’t matter.  She doesn’t matter.”

            “Did she remind you of your mother?”

            “What do you know about that?” said Raddy unsure.

            “I know all about it,” said Dr. Bane, “I have read detailed files on all of the crew’s key personnel.  You mother, Ruthen Volcane, she was abusive towards you.  When the United States military learned that she was psychologically abusing you they had her committed to an institution for the criminally insane on grounds of treason.  The report says you greatly improved once she was gone.  It explains a lot about you considering the way your mother tried to convince you that you that you were worthless, that no one would ever really want you.  It all begins to make sense, you attitudes towards women and the way you seek popularity.  Did Janessa Kepshawn make you feel the way your mother made you feel?”

            Raddy got up and left.  He knew he had to get out of there because otherwise he was going to do something bad.  What was wrong with these people?  Why were all the women on this ship all such huge bitches?

            “Raddy I heard you were released from the medical center,” said Felina Golumbine as she rushed towards him, “Are you better now?  I’m so sorry I didn’t come to see you sooner.  This whole alien thing... ”

            “You know what,” said Raddy, “I think you might be the only woman on this ship with any kind of sense.  Don’t ever change.”

            “What’s wrong?” she was truly concerned for him.

            “Lots of things are wrong, but I will find a way to make them right.”

            Raddy Volcane gave Felina Golumbine a quick kiss and smiled at her and then he was gone.  Felina was worried about Raddy.  She knew he was a good man and her feelings for him were growing.  She wondered what troubled him and felt helpless to do anything about it.  So she decided to try something.  She took one of the extra cameras and started recording.  She observed.  She watched.  She documented.