The medics remark on the state of the Havenworlders, and the Human, from rescuing them from an insanely toxic planet. The Havenworlders and the human get a rundown on how much Time their discoveries are going to be making them, once they're well enough, as well as expeditions back to gather those very valuable plants, and oh, by the way, they now OWN that toxic planet and get to name it. Medical science and record books thank you for your contribution.
@internutter/challenge-02798-g241-spit-and-determination -- Anon Guest
Deathworld Class Four, currently identified as 7I8-DXB-Y56 IV. Though not technically as deadly as Terra, the conditions planetside are nominated toxic to most known life. Known atmospheric allergen content is stable at Seventy-Four percent. Livesuits recommended for all life attempting to interact with the flora, fauna, atmosphere, and weather conditions. No fungal life has been identified yet, but speculation insists that it, too, must be handled with caution.
Estimated value of native-occurring biochemical resources...
Human Kaat stopped reading. It was a number far too large for them to comprehend. So, too, was the denomination indicator. Not Hours. Not Days. Not even Years[1]. It was... a capital D. Kaat kept wanting to see the special lowercase D that denominated Days. It would have been easier to handle.
Back on solid food, and with at least one hovering Medik on call, Kaat pointed to the larger letter. "That does not mean... Days. Does it?"
Medik Sehpcys rolled his eyes with the familiarity of the task. "That's your share of the estimated value of the planet you and your crew technically colonised. It's an initial estimate of how valuable the biota there could be to the Galactic Alliance. It's currently being held in escrow pending a full planetary survey, and your decision to incorporate regarding such. If you need finances, you are free to draw what is necessary from the account without fear of reprisal." He did not mention that this was a lowball estimate, or that Kaat and their crew could be gaining so much more from the world that was now technically theirs. "Would you like to speculate on potential names for your world?"
Kaat tried to comprehend the number again. "What does that D mean? I don't see it often."
"Last time I told you what it meant you kind of greyed out and needed some calming meds[2] and then asked for the memory to be blocked. Are you feeling strong enough to face it?" Medik Sehpcys offered a hand to hold. "I understand the concept can be shocking."
This was not about being able to play the piano any more. Kaat took the offered hand, and three deep breaths. "I can try."
"That D... is a denominator for decades."
Okay. No dimming of the lights. Their heart rate spiked for a couple of minutes and the world tilted a little, but that... that was information. That was a little too much for Kaat's old time-shaving habits where fractions of a second were tantamount to life and death. Their immediate thought was, "Are my fuzzies still allowed to share the buying of a better livesuit? They said they wanted to."
"Of course they are," soothed Sehpcys. "It will be a bonding experience. You can even... 'trick it out' to suit all of your personality."
That was a concept that Kaat had yet to daydream about. "I think I'll keep it at stickers. I like stickers."
"Very good," said Medik Jans, currently in their off-duty 'patient' scrubs, as they toddled into the room with the help of a mobility aid. "I got you a new book of them. Pretty up everywhere you can reach. Doctor's orders."
The tremula was fading enough to peel and place stickers, so Kaat classed that as occupational therapy. They stuck a bright rainbow hologram near the corner of one eye, then blessed both mediks with a similar one on their upper arms.
"I," Kaat decided, "am going to create a scene on this boring beige-grey cabinet out of all of these stickers." Ha. They didn't have to worry about sticker budgets any more.
Some thoughts were easier to handle than others.
Decades could wait. Stickers were now.
[1] In the far-flung future, the only resource that cannot be exploited for other's pain is time, therefore it is used as a unit of exchange. Everyone is paid the same Hours, but may get different perks dependent on the willingness of their employer to lure them to the job.
[2] Because some creatures take "stress pill" a little too literally.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / rkasprzak]
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