Читать книгу Defiant. Tome 1. Defiant - - Страница 10

Alpha level medic Kareem Dorn Thilidin was always proud to be doing such an important job as looking after patients in the Imperial Hospital. He wasn’t dependant on as much technical things as his peers, always finding a personal approach to each patient. Some needed more care, others – almost none.

Having been appointed to be the personal medic of the Veluthian hero – the Crimson Blade – he made sure he would take into consideration not only her stubborn nature, but also her motivation and skills. This, alongside with the miracle mixtures this fascinating woman had made, helped Lady Serena to start improving daily.

He knew how hard it was for her staying within the Hospital. But he never suspected that his aid in her recovery would be so minimal.

The woman preferred to do everything on her own – even when she had sessions of physical therapy, he would step aside, watching her from afar and not bothering her too much with his presence.

Kareem now understood why so many people admired the woman. She might not be very social, or even pleasant at times during a conversation, but the fact she persevered things others would find hard to – was incredible. He also knew that his opinion of her temper and state of mind might be hindered by her becoming uneasy with each passing day she had spent in the Hospital, while wishing to return to her crew and her ship.

Heading to her room for another check-up, he wondered what the meeting would bring today.

When the door slid open, Kareem was surprised to see Serena doing push-ups again. A helper bot hovered nearby, with a number lit up on its tiny screen – Kareem did input this to their program, so that he could monitor every time Serena was working out.

The Alpha level medic walked inside Serena’s room, watching her body strained and covered in sweat. But the woman kept going, although it was evident that she was at her limit. Still, she pushed on, baring her teeth.

49.

Kareem tilted his head, seeing Serena struggling.

«Just one more.» he said, understanding that she needed the little boost.

Her arms were shaking, but Serena lowered herself again, and slowly pushed up. Only then she collapsed and hit the floor with her fist:

«Damn it!»

Kareem kneeled next to her, smiling:

«No need to curse, Lady Serena. Your limit has been reached.» he said.

«And I’m nowhere near completing your challenge to be discharged!» Serena growled.

«Oh? You must have counted your push-ups wrong, because…» Kareem grabbed the helper bot and turned it for her to see the screen with the number 50 on it. «According to this helper bot that’s been monitoring you, you have done exactly fifty push-ups.»

The woman’s face lengthened in shock. Perhaps, she really did miscount the repetitive exercise somewhere along the way.

«I…» she struggled to find any words she could say, still trying to catch her breath.

«Now… although I find your physical form not yet fit enough… But I am a man of my word. You’ve done your part, now I shall do mine.» Kareem smiled. «Lady Serena Dal Thara-Lyss, you are being discharged from my care and this Hospital. I find you capable to be released and finish healing outside these walls.»

The medic put a few notes into his information tablet and raised his eyes to Serena, who still sat there in shock.

«Would you like me to call your crew to come get you? Or should I leave this grand news to be delivered by you directly?» Kareem tilted his head.

The way she looked at him almost made him chuckle, but he remained holding a smile. Finally, he shook his head and sent a message through his information tablet.

«I propose you take a shower before we get you some clothes to be released…» he said. «I have sent a message to your crewmembers to come visit, but said nothing about you being let go, so you can deliver them these news yourself, my lady.»

He reached out his hand, offering to help her stand up and the shocked woman accepted it. Once on her feet, she looked at the Alpha level medic:

«Am I really allowed to leave? Today?»

«Yes, my lady. Now go get a shower, while I’ll organise some clothes for you.» he stepped towards the door.

«Kareem.» Serena called out and the man turned around to see her bowing, although it still caused her pain. «I am grateful for your help in my recovery. I appreciate your efforts… and your patience with me greatly.»

«It was an honour, my lady, to have been part of your recovery process.» Kareem bowed in return.

As he left her standing there, in the middle of the room, she could finally grasp at the thought – she was being let go from the care of the Alpha level medic.

While she took a shower, the helper bots delivered to the room her clothes. Serena even slowed her steps, seeing her crimson Captain’s Attire laid out on the bed for her. She knew the Hospital must have manufactured it especially for her, since her own was burnt when she got caught in the explosion that sent her here.

Putting on her new attire felt strange, but comforting. She missed her belt and the blades, but still felt herself happy.

It was when she finished dressing up and stood there, smiling to the feeling that the door to the room slid open and four people froze, seeing her there. She turned and saw Kareem smiling at the sight, and her three men – Wolfin, Hunter and Lindon looking at her in shock.

«Ready to take me back to my ship, guys?» Serena smiled wide, seeing them lost for words.

Wolfin turned to the Alpha level medic:

«You’re discharging her so soon?»

Kareem sighed heavily, smiling, and shook his head:

«Who knew she would be so motivated to get out that she would fly through all the challenges I’ve given her. I’ve never seen such determination in a patient before. Nor such strength.»

Serena saw Wolfin smile at her.

Hunter walked in, slowly approaching:

«Serena…»

The woman jolted to him, embracing. When he pressed her to himself extremely gently, she didn’t even wince at the pain in her back.

«Really, guys, stop staring and let’s leave. I’m sure Kareem has better things to do than stand around waiting for you all to shake off the shock.» the woman chuckled, freeing herself from the embrace.

«Now, before you leave…» the medic stepped up. «I do have to urge you not to drop physical therapy for a while and please… keep me updated on the course of your full recovery?»

«I’ll send daily updates, deal?»

«That would be preferable, my lady, thank you.»

«Oh, and I… uh… I’ll sign off on the mixtures I make to be used in the Imperial medical field.»

Kareem bowed:

«I am most grateful, Lady Serena.»

When he straightened, he saw her stepping up to him and putting her palm on his shoulder:

«Thank you, Kareem. For everything you did for me.»

He smiled at her, nodding:

«Just… be careful and don’t get so mangled next time you jump to save anyone, Lady Serena?» his tone sounded more jokingly than before.

«I can’t promise you anything.» the woman chuckled again, patting his shoulder. «But I’ll try.»

The man sighed, seeing her leaving. However hard she was to deal with – he will miss her silent determination and the strength that none of his other patients ever exhibited before.

Lindon walked silently for the whole way until they finally stepped out into the courtyard. Serena smiled, taking a deep breath, and noticed people outside stopping or slowing their steps, whispering between themselves.

«Lady Serena, allow me to offer you and the others to stay at my estate?» Lindon noted how Serena slowly tensed up under everyone’s attention. «I do have pools that can be used for therapy…»

«Yes, well…» the woman cleared her throat, collecting herself, as if none of the whispers or attention got to her nerves. «I suppose I shouldn’t decline such a generous proposal from a… dear friend.»

Lindon felt a smile creeping onto his lips – her tone changed ever so slightly, but enough to catch the warmth she put into the last word.