Volume II

by Ronnie Coleinger

  Frederica picked up the chair lying on the floor, placed it at the table and sat down. When Jill looked at Frederica, she was squinting, just a little. Frederica said, “Jill do your eyes hurt you, you are squinting.” Jill turned her face away from Frederica, then turned back, smiled and said, “Yes, my eyes hurt from the light, but I would like this feeling to go away on its own.” Frederica said, “I understand and will not pressure you to take the medicine until you want it, but I don’t want you to slap my face or destroy your room again, do you understand me.” Jill looked up and said, “Then you should either shut your mouth, or help me with the medicine, because I am just about ready to tear this place apart.”

  Frederica stood up and opened the first package containing the medicine. When Frederica had prepared the tiny injection, Jill stood up, unzipped her flight suit and sat back down in the chair. She slid to the edge of the chair and let a tiny bit of skin from her butt rest on the edge of the chair. Frederica kneeled down, pinched a tiny bit of skin, held the needle an inch from Jill’s body and Jill said, “Stop.” Frederica moved the needle away from Jill’s skin and waited. Jill said, “I think I must do this for myself.” Jill took the syringe from Frederica, held it the same identical way her cousin had held it, took a deep breath, pushed the needle into her skin and pressed the medicine under her skin. When she pulled the needle out, there was a tiny bump under the skin where the medicine now resided.

  Frederica took the syringe from Jill and dropped it into the disposer. When Frederica turned back to Jill, Jill had tears running down her cheeks again. Frederica put her hand on Jill’s shoulder and said, “You did very well my friend.” Jill said, “I hope this works, I am sick of feeling angry and upset with my friends, the computer, and everything within site.” Frederica said, “I think that hot chocolate with miniature colored marshmallows on top will help you relax while this medicine works.”

  While Frederica made the hot chocolate, she asked Jill how long these feelings had been going on. Jill said, “I honestly think they started around the same time as Trish got pregnant. I now think the stress of watching her struggle the first few weeks of her pregnancy, triggered these migraines.” Frederica realized that Jill was chatty Kathy again, and she was not winding down at all. She continued to talk and giggle for almost an hour in the kitchen with Frederica.

  Suddenly Jill said, “Frederica, I think the medicine worked.” Then Frederica watched Jill start crying all over again, but this time she was giggling while she cried. Frederica said, “What do you say we spend a few minutes with the computer and repaint the walls and door of your room. That bubble bath and makeup smashed all over the walls looks a little tacky, don’t you think.” Jill stood up and began to giggle as she thought about how atrocious the walls must look now that the stuff had dried. Jill hugged Frederica and said, “Thanks for watching my back the last few days; I appreciate your understanding and help. I did not want to be this out of control when Trish and baby James returned to their home. I am afraid James crying would have driven me up the wall if I had had one of these migraines.” Frederica said, “Jill, always remember the word, family. We are always here for each other when times get bad.”

  Two hours later, Jill heard Frederica talking to a man and realized she had also left a very close friend behind for this adventure. They missed each other’s company after being apart for twenty days now. Frederica asked, “Computer, how long before the quarantine is lifted and we can all teleport to our homes?” The computer said, “We have three more days before the IFTT will clear us. The IFTT extended our quarantine by two days.” Frederica returned to the conversation with her man, and the computer heard her giggles.

  Jill headed out to the inventory control lockers to work on the ammunition lockers. They had a customer who wished to purchase some rifles and ammunition. The IFTT had sent Jill the authorization papers for the weapons sale and she wanted to get the weapons into a tote and ready for delivery. The lockers were below the floor they normally walked on. There were heavy doors over the floor compartments that lifted up and then stood open by propping metal bars into openings in the doors and the floor. The doors stood straight up when they were open, but were very heavy and difficult to get open. The doors had two holes where the latches were located and sometimes Jill would use a mechanical chain falls to open the heavy doors, and then hold them open to insure they did not fall and kill her.

  Trish could not lift the doors at all and had to resort to using the chain falls each time she entered the lockers, so Jill was pondering how to relocate these floor lockers to make the contents safer to access. Jill had now opened five of the doors and was moving some old ammunition boxes from one floor bay to another. She picked up a metal ammunition box by the handles, stood up and suddenly felt her foot slip off the metal cross member. She fell forward and struck her left leg just below the knee on the cross member that she had just been standing on. She felt the pain, heard the crack and knew instantly that her leg had broken. Her left foot continued down into the locker. The locker was three feet deep from the floor level where Jill had been standing, down to the bottom where her foot ended up. Three feet was a long fall when you considered that her right foot remained up on the floor above. She finally fell to her left and her right leg followed her body the rest of the way down into the depths of the locker. The ammunition box she had in her hands, slipped from both hands and fell down into the bottom of the locker, where it jammed her now broken leg over sideways. Her left ankle had twisted and now she feared it had also broken. Jill had hit her pubic area on the metal cross member as she did the splits. As she struggled with the pain, she realized that her pubic bone hurt the worst.

  As she attempted to free herself and assess her injuries, she realized the ammunition box had trapped her leg. She reached down and tried to move the heavy metal box by one of the handles, but she only made the pain worse. She began to panic and started to scream, but managed to stifle the scream just as it was leaving her lips.

  Instead of screaming from the incredible pain, she spoke calmly to the computer. “Computer, are you here with me?” The computer said, “Yes Jill, and I am assessing your injuries now.”

  “Computer, is my left leg broken as I suspect?” The computer said, “Yes Jill, and you are bleeding as you can probably see from your pubic area.” Jill unzipped her flight suit, slid it down and realized the blood flow was not originating internally, but instead, came for a cut on the inside of her thigh. Jill said, “Computer the blood flow is from a small but deep cut on my leg and is not life threatening. I believe I am going to need Frederica to operate the hoist to free this ammunition box before I can remove myself from this locker. The box resting on my leg is too heavy for me to lift while sitting in this awkward position. The ammunition box has forced my leg down beside another metal box.”

  The computer had already notified Frederica about Jill’s injuries and was now attempting to keep Jill calm. When Frederica stepped up to the door to the inventory control locker, the computer told her that the blood she was about to see was only from a cut on Jill’s leg and not serious. The computer opened the door and warned Frederica to be very careful not to also fall into one of the open floor lockers. When Frederica leaned over the locker, she said, “Cousin is your leg broken?” Jill said, “Yes, and my ankle may also be broken, which is under the green ammunition box. Frederica, if you can let the hook down on that hoist above us we can lift the green box up and free my leg.”

  Jill watched and remained silent as Frederica worked to lower the hook of the hoist down into the locker. Finally, Frederica said, “Jill I would prefer you talk to me so I know you are still okay.” Jill said, “I have no nice words to speak right now, as my stupidity for allowing this to happen to me seems to speak volumes without me opening my mouth.” Frederica said, “That a girl, fight back and stay tough.” Jill got a tiny smile on her face, but it quickly turned back into a grimace from the pain she felt. When Frederica had lowered the hoist enough, she
lay down on her belly and hooked the hook into the handle of the ammunition box. Frederica looked carefully and talked to Jill to be sure which way the box was going to move when she freed it. Frederica pulled the chain on the hoist one click at a time until the box freed and then quickly hoisted the box up and out of the locker. Frederica spoke to Jill and said, “Please cousin, allow me to splint the leg before you move it. It is obviously broken and it might cut an artery if allowed to flop around while we extricate you.” Jill took a deep breath and said, “Yes, you are right. There are two flat boards against the wall beside the door you entered, and there is tape and towels on the shelf to your right.” Frederica rounded up what she needed and quickly lowered herself down into the locker with Jill, being careful not to move anything around that might further complicate the extrication.

  As Frederica worked to secure the leg, she said, “Jill I do not understand you at all. You are sitting here allowing me to cause you intense pain as I try to splint this leg, yet you have cried not one single tear. Earlier today, a tiny 6mm needle caused tears to run like a river down your cheeks.” Jill giggled a little and said, “Cousin, I never feel much pain, unless I am having what I know understand to be a migraine.” Frederica smiled and said, “Good, then you will not hate me as I move you to your bed.” Frederica carefully helped Jill to get her butt up on the floor of the inventory locker room, then she swiveled her feet up and over onto the floor. Frederica said, “Sit very still and I will get that rolling chair in the corner and roll you into your room.” Within seconds, Frederica had Jill sitting in the rolling chair and headed to her quarters. As she rolled Jill along, Frederica spoke to the computer and asked him to contact Jill’s doctor so she could speak to him as soon as Jill was on her back and her leg was elevated.

  When they arrived at Jill’s room, Frederica got Jill on her back on her bed and then began removing her flight suit. When she pulled the suit off and threw it to the floor, she saw the cut on the inside of Jill thigh, carefully looked and realized the cut was deep in two spots but had quit bleeding. Frederica cut the tape off and removed Jill’s socks and began to inspect the leg. The bone was obviously broken halfway between her knee and her ankle but she could not tell if both bones were broken or just one.

  The computer spoke to Frederica and told her that the doctor was ready to talk to her. When the computer had opened the radio channel, Frederica began telling the doctor what had happened and what she was seeing as she looked at Jill’s leg. The doctor said, “Frederica, gently push your fingers down into Jill muscles and feel for any sharp spots or any place were the second smaller bone might also be broken.” The doctor heard the sounds that came from Jill’s mouth as Frederica gently pushed and prodded to assess the severity of Jill’s broken leg. Frederica finally said, “Doc, I cannot find anything to indicate the second bone might be broken, I cannot even feel the second bone.” The doctor said, “That is good, but Frederica, you cannot possibly set the bone without medical help. Someone medically trained needs to teleport to The Empress, and an x-ray machine would be nice right now.”

  Frederica reminded him that they were in quarantine for three more days, but the doctor said not to worry. The doctor told Frederica, “Keep the leg elevated, put ice on it if Jill can tolerate it, but only for ten minutes every hour at most. I will also have the IFTT teleport some heavy duty pain killers up to you until we can get some help up there.” Within minutes, the computer was telling Frederica that the IFTT was requesting permission to teleport a portable x-ray machine to The Empress. They also told the computer that they were sending medicine for Jill. Frederica said, “Computer, please allow the teleportation of the x-ray machine, and then tell me when the medicine has arrived from the IFTT.” Frederica heard three chirps from the computer. As Frederica made Jill as comfortable as possible, Jill said, “I seem to be a real pain in the ass for you this week cousin. I hope I have not ruined your love for The Empress and this lifestyle.”

  The computer said, “Frederica, the medicine has arrived.” Frederica quickly stepped into the ready room and retrieved what the doctor had sent. When she opened the bag and removed the medicine, she spoke to Jill and said, “I am afraid that I am going to cause you some pain in that cute butt of yours. I have two pills for you to take, and some penicillin. The penicillin is not in pill form, I am afraid.” Jill rolled her eyes and said, “Frederica, I think you like sticking things in my butt.” Frederica gave the pain medicine to Jill with some water and then injected her with the penicillin.

  It was about twenty minutes later when Frederica realized that Jill was asleep, the pain medicine seemed to have done its job rather well. Frederica spoke to the computer, “Computer, I gave Jill both of the pain killer tablets twenty minutes ago, would you keep an eye on her heart rate and all the wonderful things you monitor, and also tell me when four hours have elapsed so I can give Jill more medicine if she needs it.” The computer chirped three times. As Frederica stepped into the ready room, she saw that the computer had turned the camera towards Jill’s leg, and had zoomed in so the lens showed every detail, and displayed it on the monitors throughout The Empress. Frederica spoke to the computer and said, “Thank you for your help computer, I need every bit of help you can give me right now. I wish you had a shoulder to cry on, as I could certainly use it right about now. A great big hug would also be great.” The computer said, “Frederica, look at the monitor please.” When she looked, she saw a picture of a handsome man hugging a beautiful girl. Frederica said, “Thank you computer, I needed that hug.”

  Frederica had no more than sat down in the kitchen to drink a cup of coffee, when the computer quietly spoke to her and said, “There is a message coming in from the IFTT that you should intercept about medical help for Jill.” Frederica quickly went to the control console and answered the incoming message. The Director of Operations said that they had found a doctor qualified to help Jill, and even do surgery on the leg if necessary. The man had already had the virus from the Bahs and had survived. He was immune to the virus and could assist Frederica with Jill’s care.

  Frederica sent the Director her permission for teleportation, then waited in the ready room for the doctor to arrive. When the doctor stabilized, Frederica realized he had brought four bags of medical equipment and had his pockets full of dressings and other supplies. Frederica quickly helped him move his equipment into the corner of the ready room, and then took him to Jill’s room. When he looked at Jill’s leg, he said, “Not good I am afraid, the bone has moved to a place where it is pressing on the artery and slowing the blood flow to Jill’s foot.” After a couple of minutes, the doctor asked, “Did the x-ray machine arrive?” Frederica told him that it was sitting in the cargo bay.

  They walked out to the cargo bay and carefully unpacked the machine, plugged in the battery and drove the machine into Jill’s room. Within ten minutes, the x-ray appeared on the large monitor in the ready room. The doctor explained to Frederica that only one bone looked broken, but there were splinters of bone embedded into the muscle tissue around the broken bone. He said, “I need to surgically remove the bone fragments and set the bone. I have a splice plate with me and the equipment to attach the plate to the bone if necessary, but I prefer not to do it here on The Empress if I can avoid it.”

  The doctor walked back into Jill’s room and found her somewhat awake. He sat down beside Jill and talked to her, trying to discover if the pain medication had worn off enough that he could discuss repairing her leg. As he talked to Jill, she became much more alert. When he asked her questions, she now answered him correctly. The doctor explained to Jill that her leg needed surgery to repair the broken bone and told her why. Then he asked if she understood what he had just said, and she asked him if he would need to put screws in the bone to fix the break. Now the doctor was certain that Jill understood what he was saying, and he told her that he did not want to put the plate and screws into her leg unless he had to.

  Jill was very nervous about surgery here on T
he Empress, but the doctor left the final decision to her. The doctor’s final remark to Jill was that she could lose her leg if they waited until she could be teleported down to the hospital. With that comment, Jill grabbed the doctors arm and said, “Since you put it that way, I will let you do what you need to, but please don’t make me watch.” The doctor laughed, patted Jill on the shoulder and said, “I promise, you will not remember one moment of this, and when you wake, you will be on the healing side of this injury instead of being miserable for another three days.”

  The doctor asked if Jill was hurting and she said the pain was coming back very fast and very hard. The doctor checked the medicines that Frederica had given Jill and said, “I will give you some medicine to tide you over until I put you asleep.” The doctor said, “Jill, I need to put in an IV in your arm so I can give you medicine while I work on you, will you let me do it now?” She smiled and said, “I might cry, but do it anyways.” The doctor began preparing Jill’s arm and said, you have not cried with the pain of your leg, why would you cry over a tiny needle?” Jill smiled and said, “Because I am a baby when it comes to needles and I just seem to cry a lot lately.” The doctor said, “Then I will wait until you are sleeping because I will cry if you cry.” That made Jill giggle and she said, “Just cover my face with a towel so you cannot see my tears, then go ahead and do it.” Jill heard the computer tell Frederica, “There are some cherry flavored suckers in the drawer if she does not cry.” While Jill was laughing, the doctor inserted the needle and taped the tube to her arm. The doctor inserted a needle into the IV and gave Jill a very small amount of morphine to ease her pain.