Despite the Alliance's best efforts, not all meteors are spotted in time. They were by a Pax Humanis sanctuary world when one is nearly to the point of striking. Not thinking of their lives, only of those on the planet, their ship plowed into the meteor, the resulting explosion knocking the meteor well off course and toward the solar system's primary while they, in their lifepod and very, very badly injured, plunge to the surface with the lifepod crashing into the heart of one of the few settlements on the planet. They were so badly injured they've nearly lost their life, but the Pax Humanis members, and their families, on this world, would at least not be harmed. The members of Pax Humanis are very grateful. -- Anon Guest
Beep. Hiss. Beep. Beep. That was Gorx's heartbeat. Soothing unmusic[1] wormed its way into hir oncoming consciousness. There was pain, but there were also drugs making it seem like the pain was in another room.
Gorx tried opening hir eyes. Facing the screen of an ICU drawer[2] that displayed soothing blotches and text in several languages. Large, friendly letters said, Don't panic, and, You are receiving Medical Care.
That explained so much.
The drawer rolled open and a Medic, a Therapist, and a rough-looking Human were looking down at hir. Gorx couldn't speak, not with the tube helping hir breathe. Fortunately, there were controls literally at hir fingertips.
Ze typed, "What is this? Some kind of joke?" When Humans came in three types, it was generally a joke.
"Ze has a sense of humour," announced the Therapist. "Hello. You sacrificed your ship and risked your crew's life saving a Pax Humanis Sanctuary. The residents owe you all... favours."
The Humans told stories about wishes granted by supernatural beings. Fae, Djinn, a haunted and dismembered animal limb... the result was always the same. Not what they wanted, but what they said.
Pax Humanis were worse than any of the mythical things in Human stories. They could make things happen. By brute force if necessary.
Gorx typed out, "I only wish to leave this world with my health and my crew's health intact, thankyou. No further gratitude necessary."
Ze could only hope that the Pax Humanis Enforcers didn't decide that that wasn't enough.
[1] Not a nameable tune, but melodic nonetheless. Think... meditation soundscapes.
[2] In space, room to move is premium. If you're already so sick you're in Intensive Care, then you also don't need to move very much. Further, you probably shouldn't.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / praisaeng]
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