Volume 2 - Cyberbunny
Episode 1 - ToCar Hospital
Notice: This story takes place shortly after Carpathia IV, Episode 297: Fond Farewell
Tokkastra, near ToCar Hospital
Though it was the third ocean city that they passed over during their flight, Darius couldn't help but be awed by the sight. With his snout pressed hard against the window, he gaped with wonder as the shuttle passed high above the sprawling, ring-shaped city. Transfixed by the sparkling lights below, Darius was able to think about something besides the looming Vashta threat rapidly approaching, even if just for a moment.
Lianne: Darius, you're getting booger smears all over my windows.
Darius jumped back, rubbing his nose and noticed that there was, indeed, a smear on the window and commenced to rubbing at it with his sleeve.
Darius: Sorry, Dr. Leingod!
Despite his best efforts, Darius was unable to get all of the mess off the window, only managing to mess up his sleeve and spread it around the window even more.
Darius: I've never seen cities built in the ocean before.
Lianne: They aren't easy to build, but the benefit is unlimited hydroelectric power. Anyway, we're about ten minutes out from the hospital.
Tokkastra-Carpathia Joint Research Hospital, known by all as ToCar. Only the best from Tokkastra and Carpathia were hired to practice there and this filled Darius with an equal mixture of excitement and dread. Excitement, for obvious reasons, and dread, because he would be a fresh, new cadet in a hospital full of the best doctors and nurses in a thousand light years. Embarrassing himself was inevitable. The best he could hope for was to simply not burn the building down.
To distract himself, Darius turned his attention to Mikado, silently sitting in his wheelchair with his head down.
Darius: Almost there, Mikado. How are you feeling?
Mikado: Tired.
This response increased Mikado's total word count since they arrived on Tokkastra by at least fifty percent. Tired, for sure, as his body was still working hard at healing, and there was much to heal. Missing leg. Missing arm. Missing ear. It was a miracle that he was alive. There was, however, another thought that rattled around Darius's head. A good chance that Mikado was depressed.
Darius: That's okay. If you nod off, I can still get you to where we're going.
No matter how intimidating ToCar might be, Darius was determined to focus all his energy on being Mikado's caregiver. Whatever happened, he was determined to remember that this was his mission.
Lianne: We're approaching the hospital.
Darius darted to the front of the shuttle and, taking care not to press his nose on the glass, peered into the distance.
ToCar Hospital loomed in the distance, right on the beach ahead along with a tall, twisty condo nearby. The shuttle stayed low, just high enough to clear the bridge deck. For awhile, Darius wondered where they would park, until he realized that they were headed towards a large opening just above sea level.
Lianne had done this before, or, at least, it seemed that he had. Darius hoped so, because if not, only pure recklessness could explain the speed at which he flew inside. The fur all over Darius's body bristled as the shuttle rocketed into the tunnel. Only then did Lianne slam on the brakes while following the lighted guide rings to the parking area. One person stood inside, evidently waiting for them. A tokki nurse keeping his distance while the shuttle landed in its space. Only when the door opened did the nurse approach.
Hopper: I'd report you again for breaking the speed limit, but that won't do any good.
Lianne stepped out and gave Hopper a kiss and a pat on the back.
Lianne: Hello, Hopper. Everything ready?
Hopper: All checked in.
Hopper tilted his body to the side to see past Lianne, spotting Darius pushing Mikado's wheelchair out of the shuttle.
Hopper: Ah, and this must be Mikado and Darius! I've heard so much about both of you!
Darius lifted his brow and put his paw on his chest.
Darius: Both of us? Me too?
Hopper: Absolutely! It seems you don't know that your efforts to save your friend who got stabbed are rather well-known in the medical community. Very impressive!
Darius looked away, unable to find the right words to respond while Hopper kneeled in front of Mikado.
Hopper: And I've heard all about what you did. Boy, you took a beating. Dr. Leingod's description didn't do it justice. Don't you worry. We'll get you fixed right up.
Hopper began to stand, but only got halfway before Mikado spoke.
Mikado: I'll... never be like I was.
Hopper returned to eye-level with Mikado and took his head.
Hopper: No, you won't, but we have plenty of options for you.
Mikado: Mmm... tired.
Lianne: It's been a long trip. I assume the room is ready?
Hopper: All set. You're on the 18th floor. Let's head to the elevator.
Darius followed both into the elevator and up they went, a silent ride from the basement to the 18th floor. As they arrived and the doors opened, Darius spotted two doors on either side.
Hopper: Room 1801. These are the only two rooms with balconies. A lucky get if you ask me.
Hopper took something that looked like a keychain bangle from his pocket and held it up to the door handle. A small beep, a blue light, and he opened it. Curious to see inside, Darius stretched his neck, but could only see a planter with flowery bushes ahead of him. It made sense, he thought. He'd seen it before. A decorative privacy screen to prevent anyone from peering inside while others went in and out. Darius pushed Mikado along inside and turned left.
Hopper: Right. To your left is your bedroom area. Just smack the button next to your bed if you need assistance.
Hopper: And to the right is where you'll be doing some physical therapy and minor tests.
Lianne: We'll take you downstairs for detailed scans in the morning. For today, just rest. Hopper and Darius will be rotating shifts to look after you. I presume you're familiar with patient lifting, Darius?
Darius: I am, Dr. Leingod.
Lianne: Good. Let's get Mikado into bed so that he can rest.
Darius looked over to the bed to find that Hopper was already turning down the covers as he wheeled Mikado into position. After turning his wheelchair so that Mikado's head was in line with the pillow, Darius helped him in. With Mikado still mobile, it was mostly just a simple matter of making sure he didn't fall.
Darius: Do you need anything?
Mikado: No thank you. I just want to sleep for a bit.
Darius: Good idea. Plenty to do tomorrow.
Hopper: Right, time for me to take the next shift.
Darius's ears pricked up in surprise.
Darius: Oh?
Lianne: You need rest too, Darius. You'll be swapping shifts with Hopper. From what I've been told, you've been by his side almost continuously since he was injured.
Mikado: I'll be fine. You rest too.
Lianne: I have a condo just down the street that I'm not using at the moment. You can stay there.
Darius whipped his head back and forth between Lianne and Hopper, both indicating with their nods that this was the best thing for all. Still, Darius hesitated, not yet willing to leave Mikado behind.
Lianne: Not to worry. Hopper has been working for me since he got out of nursing school. He's young, but very good at what he does.
Before he even knew what was happening, Darius let out a big yawn, thus proving everyone correct.
Darius: Alright, you win. Take me to your condo.
Tokkastra, Lianne's Condo
No car. No bus. Just walking. Lianne pointed out the condo as soon as they walked out of the hospital, just a couple hundred meters away. Close enough that he and Mikado would be able to wave to each other. Though Darius did not say much, his mind awash in thoughts of orienting himself to this new environment, he did have some questions at least.
Darius: Hopper seems nice.
Lianne: He's got the people skills and great technical ability. I pay him quite a bit to stay with me.
Now, Darius's mind shifted to a new topic. How could he get a gig like this? He'd need more than just nursing skills. He'd need some engineering ability to go with it. Perhaps, he thought, he'd ask Hopper about it sometime.
Darius: I'm guessing that's not his real name.
Lianne paused, just at the foot of the steps into the condo.
Lianne: Hmmm... I forgot what his real name is. Maybe you should ask him sometime.
A conversation starter, at least, Darius thought, as he followed Lianne up the stairs and into the lobby, where Lianne handed him a keyring.
Lianne: 11th floor, the top floor. You'll need this for authorization. Just tap the little black box.
Using his own keyring, Lianne tapped the box after stepping into the elevator. The doors slid shut and they rose to the top. When the doors opened, Darius stepped out first and looked around. Bed on one side. Kitchen on the other. Dining area, lounge, TV. Bathroom. All but the bathroom in one open floor. Not especially large, but fancy. Even with his shoes on, he could already tell that, once he got those off, he would enjoy feeling the plush carpet between his toes.
Lianne: Sorry, but I have to get back to the lab to study the information Dr. Teagan sent me. Use all of this as you like for as long as you're here. The TV remote is around here somewhere. I have all the video services, so feel free to use those. There's a list of takeout places nearby on the kitchen counter. This area has a lot of Carpathians, so there are plenty of meat options. Ah, and one more thing...
Lianne pulled open his jacket and reached inside the inner pocket. After pulling out a card, he handed it to Darius.
Lianne: My company's expense account. Put anything you need on that. Again, sorry for bailing on you. If you need anything, Hopper can help.
And just like that, Lianne was in the elevator and Darius was all alone in an expensive condo penthouse. The first thing he did was kick off his shoes and flop onto the bed and spent time listening to the muffled sound of ocean waves breaking onto the shore. He did not know how long he laid there before his phone buzzed.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
Zelbunnii
Avareonart
Less_end
