The Chain (Part Three)

Oct. 27 - Hale's Moon, aboard the Abraham Sinkov

"Good Morning Major." Captain Ranimo greeted me at the entrance to the medical bay.

"Our prisoner is resting well I see," I said pleasantly as we entered.

Captain Ranimo checked the prisoner's vitals. "Still resting," she confirmed.

It was the day after arriving on the Abraham Sinkov, and I felt much better about life. I had spent the evening surrounded other Alliance officers and the crew. It recaptured some of the atmosphere I felt when I first arrived at the Academy. A sense of being among my own.

On top of that, my medical staff had arrived this morning. Colonel Silvermane had offered no objection, if not given her an outright blessing.

I met the Doctor in the corridor.

"Hello Captain... Westminster isn't it?"

"Ma'am, yes Ma'am." replied the Doctor as she approached me.

"Excellent, welcome aboard," I said.

"I look forward to working for your unit. I have heard about your recent work," she added.

"We have a good team," I acknowledged.

The Doctor continued, "I have long believed that the Alliance should take a more direct hand in the Rim. I agree that your methods are manpower effective, and I was pleased that you accepted my transfer."

It came at a good time I thought.

In my opinion, we could not safely extract the chip from Winterwolf's head given the limited equipment. I did not want to risk brain damage. Dr. Westminster could still perform a series of procedures however.

After we gleaned the information we needed from Dr. Westminster's examination, I could negotiate an exchange with LilyBell for information on Ardra.

Let Blue Sun remove the chip, I thought. It would save them the trouble of stealing the research later and go some distance to appearing to be good neighbors.

"Here's our new captain," I introduced the Doctor to Captain Ranimo when we returned to the medical bay.

Everyone saluted.

"Ma'am, my gear has not year arrived. I was transported as a civilian as requested."

"Very well," I said and left them to their duties.

-----

Upon my return, the subject was now under guard. Captain Ranimo had retired and the Doctor had begun her data gathering. She was very enthusiastic about her work and quick with the gallows humor.

I lingered near the medical bay until I received a communication recalling me to Zenobia. I departed immediately leaving the prisoner in the charge of Dr. Westminster.