“Doctor,” Li pulled herself up tall and proud, and thrust her chest out, “I am ready to accept my new life. I promise you that I will fully embrace the new opportunity you are offering me.”
© A Sunderland 2011
“I’ve no doubt that you will,” Cindy nodded. “What sports would you like to play?”
Li looked puzzled. “Maybe I will have time to think about sport when I get back from my first trip, Doctor.” She blushed slightly. “If I am lucky enough to be selected for a deep space mission of course.”
Cindy smiled. “I meant sport as part of your rehabilitation and fitness program. Treadmills and rowing machines are mind-numbingly boring. We would start you off with team sports, so that you can have a breather when the action is at the other end of the court or field. You’ll also be substituted when tired in order to build up your fitness levels.”
“At the same time you’ll learn to play badminton as a pair before progressing to my own favorite – singles.”
“I don’t know if I am any good at sports. I was never fit enough to play.” Li looked forlorn. “I did play tennis several times and I always enjoy watching it.”
They were approaching an office. Cindy said, “Chief Merryweather is the senior physical fitness instructor. He’s going to introduce you to a class of patients who are recovering from chest and lung injuries.” She knocked on the office door and opened it.
The large spacious office overlooked the North end of the sports hall. A bank of video screens fed images from dozens of cameras covering the whole exercise area. A constant stream of data monitored the activity and vital signs of the patients – all of it protected by code numbers. There were only two people in the office.
Chief Petty Officer Merryweather was a tall athletic man who looked at least a decade younger than his forty-six years. He looked up from the report he was discussing with Stirling. “Good afternoon, Doctor. “He smiled, and then walked over to greet Li. “Don’t let all the stories of what a badass I am scare you, please.”
“Nobody has said…I am not scared…” Li Stammered. “I know that I will have to train hard to get-”
“He’s joking.” Cindy smiled and put a reassuring hand on Li’s left shoulder. “He does his best to limit the pain that you’ll suffer.”
Merryweather winked. “Not half as much as I limit the amount of pain that I could ever suffer.”
Cindy turned to Stirling and said, “I didn’t expect to see you here, Sir.”
“Well lieutenant Li is going to come back under my command after her operation.” He looked directly at Li.
She snapped to attention and saluted him.
Stirling waved his right hand and said. “Relax. I don’t go in for all this BS from officers who’ve proved their guts and ability.”
Li stood at ease and looked slightly self-conscious. “Thank you, Sir.”
Stirling continued, “You will need to upgrade your navigation and astrophysics knowledge as well as learn how to fly the Excelsior class ships.” He smiled, “although of course you did an excellent job of getting the Endeavor to safety.”
