The Cost of Conscience
Posted on Wed Apr 20th, 2016 @ 1:01am by
Edited on on Thu Jun 2nd, 2016 @ 11:37pm
Mission:
Time and High Society
Location: London, England
Timeline: March 19th, 1896
[ON]
From Monday Starr's perception, it was a dreadfully long and uncomfortable ride to go such a short distance. At least they rode far enough away from the city to enjoy cleaner air. They arrived at the restored castle and were greeted by people waving high up. Mr. Wells came down alone.
Amy Wells stood with hands politely folded low. Not forcing eye contact, she gently asked, "Herbert? Is there something that you'd like to tell me?"
The man slumped "Actually, my love... yes. I'm afraid it's a dreadfully complicated situation that could take quite a while to explain."
"Oh? Could it possibly be that you perhaps didn't dismantle your project like you said you would?"
"I uh, mhhh... that would be... accurate."
"And could it be that you found yourself detained by authorities five centuries hence?"
"Umm, yes."
"And this poor girl was swept back to our day and age by accident?"
Herbert sighed, pretty much giving up.
Amy relented a bit. "Herbert, I should like to introduce Ensign Monday Starr. Monday, my husband."
He sheepishly offered a hand, "A pleasure. We uh, really should get moving, here. Discretion is quickly fading. Now that the beacon stone is here, we can lift off and let it pull us along its time line back to the house."
Monday got a sheepish look, "And then?"
"Annnd then, you and Mrs. Wells could rest the horses and return in the morrow. I've arranged for accommodations. Is something wrong?"
Amy gently explained, "Travel by horse and carriage."
"Ohhh, I see! Hmm, I'm afraid that I have no alternative other than you taking Dr. St. Louis' place in the capsule. Unfortunately, I need the services of her... 'tricorder', I believe you call it?"
Monday surrendered to the inevitable, "Oh, it's for the better. Ricki wouldn't survive a horse carriage."
"Really now. She seems to be of sturdy constitution to me!"
Amy gestured, "We'll explain later. Off with you." The two exchanged a kiss to the cheek and he hurried back. Not too many minutes hence, brilliant flashes of rainbow colors lit up the tower top and then faded. "Shall we, Monday?"
The following noon, the carriage returned to the Wells manor. Herbert tended to the horses while Amy brought Monday inside. Ricki rushed to her and exchanged a hug, "Thank heaven you're safe!"
Monday turned to Amy, "May I introduce Dr. Ricki St. Louis?"
"A doctor! Good for you!" She took a moment to explain, "I would avoid using the title doctor around here. A woman physician is not acceptable in this day and age."
Monday elaborated, "Gender roles are quite different, here."
Ricki shrugged, "Very well." He extended her hand, "Please call me Ricki. Your husband is a remarkable man. He has unlocked secrets of our universe with simple equipment which still elude scientists of my own era."
"Oh, he certainly is remarkable." She grinned, leaning to look out a window, "And he's hiding."
Monday asked, "How long are you going to keep him squirming?"
Amy laughed, "Oh, I cannot stay angry at him. He means well and he is too lovable. Come, let's..." She stopped, "Ricki, would you mind if we try to find local dress for you? You're quite conspicuous."
"I don't mind at all."
"And all the equipment you're toting. We'll need to find a safe place for the same reason."
My mid afternoon, all were changed and rested. They gathered in the parlor. Herbert smiled at the visitors, "I must say, I'm more than a little surprised! The two of you look like you were born here! A splendid job of dressing them, my dear."
"Thank you, darling. I had a thought, if I may share?"
"Of course!"
"I can only assume that Monday and Ricki will return to their future time with the capsule set for recall."
"That is the plan."
"Would there be harm in staying for a time?"
"None at all, my dear. They could stay for weeks without it impacting their return coordinate." He smiled, "Although, it appears that Miss Ricki might waste away on us if we were to force her to eat natural foods."
Ricki smiled with embarrassment, "I'll be fine, Mr. Wells. I can whip up an anti-nauseant and something to keep the intestinal tract from reacting poorly."
Amy stood, "Let us show you London! It is such a beautiful afternoon! A pleasant stroll!"
Herbert offered a hopeful smile, "What do you say, ladies? Are you feeling brave?"
Ricki broke into a smile and stood, "Come on, Ensign."
Monday stood with a dull expression, "She always pulls rank on me."
The foursome departed the manor and toured the somewhat busy sidewalks. Herbert escorted Ricki while Amy stayed beside Monday. They attracted considerable attention from nosy neighbors and young bachelors who tipped their hats.
In passing one house, they heard sobs and weeping. A woman and her friends saw a man off in his carriage. Herbert explained, "The doctor. Somebody must be ill."
Monday shook her head slightly, "They mourn as though with no hope."
Ricki felt compelled to cross the street, "I'd like to speak with them."
Amy and Herbert exchanged a worried glance and then hurried after. He quietly urged, "Ricki, please... be careful."
She graciously approached the anguished woman, "Ma'am, what troubles you so much?"
"My daughter... the doctor says he can do no more!"
"What is wrong with her?"
"The fever. She is so weak."
The servants tried to guide her inside, "Please, mum."
"May I see your daughter? I might be able to help."
Herbert closed his eyes in dread.
One of the servants stared back in alarm, "What could you possibly do that a doctor couldn't?"
Ricki gently countered, "I might know some things about healing that he doesn't. I am not from this land."
"How dare you get her hopes up like this! Can't you see that she is at wit's end?"
"Let me see the child, now please. It won't take long. I promise."
The servants were determined to block her, but a mother crazed with desperation clung to Ricki's confident declaration, "Come!" She dragged Ricki by the hand inside.
Herbert addressed the servants, "Please forgive her forwardness. She is indeed hail from a foreign land and might be able to help."
"Mister Wells! The child is close to death! We need a priest!"
He pleaded, "Please be patient."
Servamts couldn't openly challenge a gentleman, so they had to hold their peace for the moment.
Inside, the mother led her to a large windowed room on the first floor, "I wanted her to feel the sun. She reacts so well to it."
Ricki didn't want the mother to see her work, "I need to be alone with her for a bit."
"Absolutely not!"
They were alone, so Ricki turned away and pulled her hypo. She plugged it into the field synthesizer in her purse and manipulated the settings with her synapses.
The woman peered around, "What are you doing?"
Ricki smoothly faced her and reached an arm around. With the hiss of a hypo, the mother sank into a sedated slump. "Now, you just sit right here." She activated her wristbook and took tricorder wand in hand.
One of the children playing outside noticed the glow of colors coming from inside. The boy carefully approached and peeked in. He gasped at the magical fountain of light coming up from the strange woman's wrist.
Ricki worked quickly. With her synapses, she configured another hypo. "Antibody configuration... triox boost... immunological stimulant... pain suppressant." She unplugged it and then injected the contents. She waved the warbling wand once again with one hand as she deftly repacked everything else. Satisfied with the readings, she switched everything off. Before leaving, she brushed her fingers over the child's hair and kissed her head.
The servants were as surprised by Ricki's brisk exit as much as they were by her bold entry. "What has happened?"
Ricki offered a polite bow of the head, "The little girl will recover. Please make sure that she drinks plenty of water. She is a bit dehydrated."
"Dehy-what? She can't drink anything! She's in a coma!"
Rick smiled, "Are you sure? You should go inside and check again."
As the servants rushed in, Ricki motioned, "Shall we escape while the opportunity presents?"
The foursome made it quite a ways down the sidewalk before they heard very excited people calling to them from behind. They turned and offered happy waves to the astonished people milling about. After a dash back into Wells Manor, they poured into the parlor with excited laughter. "Did you see the looks on their faces?"
Amy shook her head, "Ricki? Are you always so brash?"
Monday preempted with a sullen look, "Yes, she is."
The group sat down, "What was it, Doctor?"
"A virulent infection. I countered it and gave her recovery boost. She'll be fine."
He exclaimed, "Oh, dear! I am truly grateful for your intervention, but this will attract considerable attention."
Monday sat pondering, "Everyone, I'm going to need to study that beacon stone and take extensive readings. It will be difficult to pinpoint a precise return point to the future."
"How long do you think it will take?"
"I honestly don't know, Sir. I'd like to begin now, if I may?"
"Of course. I'll unlock the workshop for you."
Amy folded her hands with a raised brow smile, "You mean that you'll be helping her, don't you?"
Herbert stared for a moment, "Yes! Indeed! I suppose that since it's my device, I should offer my perspective."
After he and Monday left, Ricki stared after, "He seems a bit absent minded."
"Oh, he is. Sometimes, he the man who takes my breath away. Other times, he's the little boy who needs to be guided around by the shoulders." She studied her visitor for a moment, "How does one keep a future woman entertained in an ancient environment?"
"I noticed a library of physical books. I'm quite curious!"
Amy smiled, "Excellent!" They weren't long in the library when the door chime rang. "Hmmm." She expected only a neighbor. Instead, a group of men presented themselves.
One of them lifted his hat, "Mrs. Wells!"
Startled, it took a few moments for her to collect her wits, "Oh! Mr. Bailey! What... a surprise."
"A surprise indeed! Is Mr. Wells home?"
"He is... he is. If you will kindly grant me a few moments, I shall fetch him."
"But of course. It is a beautiful day, we shall wait here."
Amy ran into the workshop, "Herbert! Mr. Bailey and friends are here!"
Monday closed up her tricorder, "You seem worried by that."
Herbert nodded, "Him of all people. Monday, you and Ricki must speak very carefully around him. Make no mention of this capsule." He considered for a moment. "You were seen with us. He'll want to see you also. Listen to me, I want you to play the very shy and quiet spoken school girl. You've come from a far off land and are under the care of the woman with you. Be ever so careful what you say! These men are no fools."
"I shall, Sir."
"Follow my lead during the conversation. And if I'm not available, look to Amy. Darling, would you lock up?"
"Of course."
Herbert took Monday by the hand and led her to the house. "I so deeply wish you were prepared to jump at this moment!"
[OFF]
Dr. Ricki St. Louis
Ens. Monday Starr
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Wells
Starbase 332 Twilight Zone
Pegasus Fleet
