Chapter Ten
Stardate 54359.8 (16 May 2377)
New Providence Settlement
Lancaster IV
West watched with fascination as Dr. Delacroix moved among the Cardassian and Bajoran children, much like a protective mother hen with a brood of chicks. The children ranged in age from toddler to pre-adolescent. They all appeared healthy and well-fed and seemed to delight in the appearance of Delacroix. She lavished affection on the children, making sure none missed a hug or kiss.
A woman in a long, gray dress stepped out of the house, a patient smile on her face.
“Alright children, it’s time to wash up and prepare for our afternoon lessons,” said the woman.
As was typical of children from most cultures, there were cries of protest. “Can’t we stay outside a little longer? Doc Claire just got here.”
“Doc Claire will see to you one by one. In the house now, scoot!” The woman’s voice was gentle but firm, and the children reluctantly trudged inside to attend to their studies.
“Olivia, I’d like you to meet Dr. Brian West – the new Chief Medical Officer on the Dragonfire.”
The woman came down the steps of the house to greet West.
“Olivia Compton, pleased to meet you Dr. West,” the woman replied. She gave Brian a brief, firm handshake. She was an attractive woman, though she wore no makeup or adornment. Her clear blue eyes expressed warmth and compassion.
“Compton . . . are you related to Joshua Compton?” West asked.
She smiled. “My husband – I take it you’ve met him?”
“He was kind enough to give us a ride into town.” West looked around and gestured at the house. “Do you care for all these children?”
“Yes – they’re my joy. We love them dearly.”
“How do you manage? There must be twenty of them.”
“Twenty seven. Five of the oldest children are in town helping Joshua with some deliveries.”
West shook his head in astonishment. “But that’s incredible. How did you come to care for them?”
Olivia gestured at Dr. Delacroix. “Claire had a lot to do with it. She heard of the plight of these children and hundreds more like them.” She glanced away. “Joshua and I were unable to have children of our own – this opportunity was a Godsend.”
West couldn’t fathom 27 children as a sign of any deity’s favor, but he could not argue with what he was seeing.
“Simply amazing,” he muttered.
The afternoon passed quickly as West observed Dr. Delacroix interact with the children and conduct brief physical exams. He was fascinated by the manner in which she used physical touch and a simple stethoscope to evaluate the children, along with an ancient otoscope to examine ears, eyes and throats. In each case, she handed the child a treat secreted in the pocket of her lab coat.
“Is it wise to give the children candy, Doctor?” asked West, a note of disapproval in his voice.
Delacroix smirked. “Let me guess – your parents didn’t let you have processed sugar, am I right?”
He flushed. “Well, no – of course not!” he replied, defensively.
“Too bad – a little sugar in your diet can make life more fun. What other vices do you avoid, Brian? Alcohol? Gambling? Sex?”
West’s face was completely red. “Um, I really don’t think . . .”
The veteran physician threw back her head in laughter.
“Lighten up, son!” She tapped her head. “99% of medicine is what we accomplish up here in the minds of our patients. If I can put a patient at ease, they heal faster. If I allow them a little fat in their diets and an occasional pipe of tobacco, they are less apt to stress out or go on a binge. I won’t deprive people of their little joys if I can help them live in moderation. You might not hear that at Starfleet Medical, but it’s the way medicine works out here in the sticks.”
Chagrined, West considered her words. “I never really thought about it that way.”
She placed an arm around him and gave him a sideward squeeze. “’Course you haven’t! You weren’t taught to think that way. Here, I have to take the holistic approach. I can’t send someone to a counselor or run a battery of tests at the sub-molecular level. I have to trust my five senses and I have to know my patients – get in their heads and figure out what makes them happy, what ticks ‘em off, what they’re afraid of – it makes me a better doctor, but more important, it makes me a friend they can trust.” She fixed her gaze on West.
“You know Brian, as a physician your most important knowledge isn’t always up here,” she said, pointing to his head, “but what’s in here.” She tapped him on the chest.
West looked at the house where 27 war orphans were getting a second chance at life. “Maybe you’re right,” he said.
* * *
That evening, the crew of the Dragonfire enjoyed a feast of locally grown food and fresh cider. Commander Nor Huren worked out a rotation that allowed all 200 plus Border Dogs the opportunity to sample the local fare and listen to lively music played on home-made instruments.
Captain Slayd stood with a glass of cider by Elder Carl Johansson. The bearded patriarch bobbed his head in time with the music as he nursed a smoldering corn-cob pipe.
“Carl, thank you for your fine hospitality. The crew always looks forward to our stops here.”
Johansson smiled and drew on his pipe, blowing out a fragrant plume of smoke. “It does my heart good seeing these young folks having fun. By the way - thank you for the replacement gears for our broadloom. It’s hard to fabricate them the way you folks can.”
“A small price to pay for your fine cider,” replied Slayd. His tone grew more serious.
“Carl, we’ve been having some serious trouble in the sector recently. The Tzenkethi have become bolder in their cross-border raids. I must say, I’m concerned for you and your people.”
Carl shrugged slightly. “God’s taken care of us, Artemus. He will provide.”
“I appreciate the sentiment,” replied Slayd, “and I respect your deeply held beliefs. But I’m telling you this as a friend – the Tzenkethi are brutal. I’ve seen what they have done to Caitian civilians, even to their children. All I’m saying is that you should consider a contingency plan – a place where you could hide out, just in case . . .”
Johansson turned his weathered face to Slayd, his expression serene. “I’m grateful for your concern, Artemus, but don’t fret about us – we’ve managed quite well for two centuries. Besides, we’ve never had any trouble from the Caitians. The occasional group of tourists visits, out of curiosity I suppose. They’re nice enough, though they tend to spook the horses.”
“Carl, the Tzenkethi are not like the Caitians, despite any similarities in appearance. If they come here, it won’t be for a family picnic or to trade for cider. They will come to destroy.”
“We’re peaceful folk, Captain. We are no threat to anyone.”
Slayd sighed. He knew the locals were pacifists at heart. They simply couldn’t comprehend the sheer violence of which the Tzenkethi were capable. “My friend, I simply desire for this colony to be around for two more centuries. Please give careful consideration to what I’ve said.”
The Elder drew more smoke from his pipe. “As your friend, I will consider it.”
* * *
Dr. West and Ensign Kwan strolled down the dirt lane toward the lake. Twin moons provided an ethereal glow to the night while stars sparkled in the great beyond. The music from the banquet was still barely audible, punctuated with the occasional outburst of laughter.
They stopped by the water’s edge as a night bird began to sing. West’s hand brushed against Cyndi’s and their fingers intertwined.
“You know – it’s quite amazing,” said West as he stared into the heavens.
“What’s that?”
“We live and work in space, yet I’ve never seen the stars like this before.”
“You and I both grew up in cities,” pointed out Kwan. “Light pollution – it fades out the night sky. And on the ship we either see computer-generated images or our vantage is limited to viewports.”
A fish jumped in the lake, sending out ripples across the surface. The reflection of the twin moons danced and shimmered across the water as a cool breeze sprang up. Another bird called out, its cry both beautiful and haunting.
“Brrr! It’s starting to get chilly,” noted Cyndi. West slipped his arm around her shoulder and drew her closer. They both continued to stare into the night sky as the wind sang through the tall grass.
“I wonder if we can spot the ship from here?” asked West.
“Hmmm. Maybe,” responded Kwan. West continued to stare into the sky with an awestruck look. Cyndi looked expectantly at West.
“Brian?”
“Yes?”
“If you don’t kiss me right now, I’m going to hurt you.”
“Okay.”
* * *
