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All this – together with the overwhelming care her medic always showed towards her – made her feel like she was a cornered animal held in captivity.
When morning came and Serena woke up, she lay on the bed for a bit, before pushing herself up. It still caused her great pain, but she endured, hoping that Kareem would see that she was doing better and would be able to leave soon.
«Call Kareem to my room!» she ordered to the helper bot that offered her the usual morning water packet.
She snatched the packet and drank it, feeling angry for no reason.
«Would you like your breakfast delivered to your room?» the bot asked. «Or will you prefer it to be taken out into the garden?»
Serena grimaced, knowing very well that she wouldn’t be able to get out of having a meal, even though she felt nauseated every morning:
«I’ll eat in the room.»
The meal was served quickly – a filling portion of balanced proteins and healthy vegetables and fruits. Serena pecked at the food, not really feeling herself in the mood to eat – or, for that matter, even to speak to Kareem.
She wanted to get out.
Finally, the door to her room opened and the woman glanced at Kareem walking inside with his usual polite smile:
«You wished to see me, Lady Serena?» he tilted his head.
«I need to get out of here.» the woman said. «Today.»
«You are free to go out into the gardens…»
«No, Kareem. I need to get out of this hospital and these robes…»
«Unfortunately, this is impossible until you are fully healed.»
«You don’t understand! I feel cornered here, Kareem! I have nothing to do, no one to talk to, every single patient and visitor that sees me outside my room is always whispering with whomever they are near…»
«Ah, well, that is the result of you being a famous patient. After all, you’ve saved the Empress, risking your life.» Kareem smiled.
«I don’t care!» Serena forced herself to calm down. «I don’t care what they think or assume. I just want to get out of here.»
«I cannot allow this, Lady Serena. I am under direct orders from Empress Alathea to make sure you are healed properly…»
«Let me out of here, Kareem!» Serena jumped up and bared her teeth. «I feel like a cornered animal!»
«I’m afraid it is impossible until your wounds heal.» the Alpha level medic stood his ground.
The woman growled and punched one of the glass doors that led outside. The tough glass cracked, giving under her punch, but didn’t shatter.
«That was unnecessary, Lady Serena.» Kareem said calmly, even though was genuinely surprised that the glass even cracked – it was made to sustain excessive force, and his patient was still going through recovery.
The woman clenched her fists and gritted her teeth once more, growling:
«I’ll heal just fine back on my ship, Kareem! Do what you need, but I have to leave. The sooner, the better!»
The Alpha level medic took a deep breath, considering his options and cautiously stepped closer to her, watching her furious face:
«Lady Serena, you must understand the pressure on my shoulders, having had direct orders from the Empress to make sure you have recovered.» he said. «And while I understand your wish to return to somewhere you feel more comfortable, I am bound by my loyalty to the Empress.»
Serena felt her hands beginning to tremble:
«And what are you suggesting I do? I can’t remain here, like…» her voice cracked and she fell silent.
«Allow me to do my job to the best of my abilities.» Kareem noticed her body shivering. «And while the medications help your body heal, I do need to address one thing that’s bothering me, Lady Serena…»
«And what’s that?» the woman grimaced.
«With all due respect, I see you are experiencing symptoms of psychological trauma that needs to be addressed before you can be discharged from my care.» Kareem nodded to her trembling hands. «Rest assured, this will stay between us, as I am bound by my oath…»
Serena swallowed hard, glancing down at her hands, and realised that even if he wouldn’t have had noticed her shivering, he definitely saw her lashing out, which too was somewhat of a symptom of her mental state.
«You won’t let this slide, will you?» Serena asked, feeling her legs becoming weak.
She stepped to the chair and slowly sat down, admitting defeat.
«I wish you only the best, Lady Serena. After all, you are the hero of all Velutha and the Laithorian Empire.» the man sat down next to her, catching her gaze. «If you wish to leave the Hospital as soon as possible, I must be sure that you are strong and healthy. While your injuries have somewhat healed, you are still far from being in your best shape. To let you go, I would need to be sure your body recovered at least 90% of the injuries you’ve sustained.»
«How much do I have now?»
«I’d say… by the current scans you are almost 70% healed.» Kareem smiled. «Which, in itself, is a miracle.»
«Is that why I’m still feeling bursts of pain in my back at night?» Serena saw the smile fading from his face and felt she touched the topic she didn’t want to.
«The helper bot reported you waking up at night several times…» the medic tilted his head aside. «Would you be willing to tell me if you had any dreams that preceded each awakening?»
Serena felt a painful shudder running down her back and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to push down the aching.
«I wouldn’t say that…» she exhaled, looking at Kareem again. «I don’t exactly… see dreams before waking up. I just…»
The medic frowned a little:
«Don’t worry about telling me something you think might hinder my utmost respect for you, Lady Serena. I am a professional and understand that every soldier has their traumatic experiences.»
«I don’t see what happened, Kareem. I feel it. I just hear the explosion behind me and then… feel the immense pain hitting my back.» Serena swallowed hard again, lowering her eyes.
«Might I ask…» the medic watched her closely, noting her demeanour. «Do you feel anything else, except pain?»
«Like what?»
«Fear? Desperation?»
«I didn’t fear death, if that’s what you’re asking.» Serena shook her head slowly, still feeling a little stiffness and aching in the neck. «My only fear in that moment was that I wouldn’t be fast enough to shield Empress Alathea… And when I experience that moment in my… nightmares, I don’t feel fear. I don’t feel anything, but the pain that hit me.»
«Hmm…» Kareem looked aside. «Interesting…»
«I know very well I’m not right in the head, Kareem. I’ve been through enough shit and I know it impacted me a lot.» Serena grimaced.
«No, that’s not what I thought about, Lady Serena.» the medic glanced at his patient. «My thought was if your nightmares could be a result of rather the physical aspect, and not mental…»
«How so?»
«Well, your nerves are still recovering, and they might be misfiring, while your body keeps remembering the pain caused by that explosion. This doesn’t mean this won’t pass once your body fully heals.»
«Is there any way we could know for sure if this is… physical or mental?»
«I cannot allow you to go through memory extraction to see if the dreams you are having are causing it, but…» he raised his palm, silencing Serena, when she was about to object. «I can set up a thorough neurological scan tonight to see what comes first – the pain or the nightmare…»
Serena didn’t answer, but felt that it was the best option – given the opportunity to make sure what was the real cause of her waking up so much every night.
«Additionally…» Kareem smiled gently. «I would advise you to start some physical therapy to help your body in recovering. Will that be something you would be open to? This will help you get back into shape quicker and will be an additional plus on the list of your progress.»
«If this will help me get out of here faster, fine!» Serena sighed, trying hard not to snap at the medic again.
«Good.» the man seemed pleased. «I’ll organize everything.»
Chapter 8. Worthy
Serena clenched her jaw, pushing with all her strength, but her body was way too frail to do anything she asked of it. Sweat poured down her face, making it even harder and more frustrating. Her back still burst with excruciating pain with each push-up she did, until, finally, she collapsed to the floor, crying.
Never before had she felt so weak and unable to be herself.
The woman curled up on the floor, incapable of calming down, and stayed there even when the door to her room opened and someone walked in.
«Leave me alone.» she pushed out of herself, managing her voice just enough not to break into tears even more than she already was.
Wolfin gestured to the helper bot that accompanied him to the room and it retreated without a word, leaving the mentor and his named daughter alone.
Serena stayed curled up on the floor, pushing down her tears as best she could, until she finally looked up at whoever didn’t listen to her plea. Seeing Wolfin standing by the closed door, she looked away, embarrassed for being as weak and vulnerable as she was now.
Wolfin sighed, stepped up and kneeled before Serena, grasping her shoulder. The woman raised her tear-filled eyes to the man and felt what little resolve she had left wavering.
«Serena, I have known you very little when you were a child, but I have come to know you better once you were grown up.» the Veluthian said very softly. «And I have something to say. In all my life I have never seen a Veluthian so strong.»
«I’m not.» Serena pushed out of herself.
«You don’t understand, Scorpi. So just listen.» Wolfin nodded slowly to her. «A strong person is never born. Strength is made. It is taken day after day, pain after pain. Strong people live through much more torment and desperation than others. And you’ve had plenty of both. Yet you rose again and again, to go on, continue on your chosen path, proving to yourself and others that you are capable of great things. You’ve put your life on the line so many times even I can’t count anymore. You’ve brought to light a deep treachery that has been happening within the Laithorian Empire. You’ve brought the criminals to justice, even when it cost you greatly. You are strong. Otherwise you would have perished or given up. You could have run off to be an eternal mercenary until your life ended, and yet… you didn’t. Whatever you might think of yourself, you are worthy! You are strong! And I am proud of you, Serena!»
The man smiled and saw her breaking into tears. Embracing her extremely gently, Wolfin sighed heavily, understanding how fragile she felt after waking up at the Hospital and being kept there under watchful eyes of the Alpha level medic Kareem.
«To leave this place I need fifty push-ups, Wolfin. And I can’t even do fifteen…» he heard her sniffle.
«So what? Don’t be too hard on yourself!» he grasped her shoulders and leaned back, offering her a charming smile. «Most Veluthians wouldn’t have recovered from such terrible injuries as fast as you have! Kareem did tell you they’ve estimated your recovery time at least six weeks, right?»
Serena nodded, wiping tears off her face and slowly collecting herself.
«So why are you crying, Scorpi? It’s not even been three weeks, and you’re already doing push-ups, when others would still be lying in medical pods!» Wolfin smirked, offering his named daughter a helping hand. «Even Kareem thinks you’re a miracle of a patient! He was unsure to offer you physical therapy so early, and yet here we are – you’re doing everything needed and more!»
Serena grimaced, shaking her head, but took his help and got up onto her feet:
«Therapy… soaking in the pool and swimming is no therapy.»
Wolfin tilted his head, twitching his brow:
«Really? So it didn’t help you start doing push-ups?»
The woman slouched, realising he was right.
«Lady Serena, Alpha level medic Kareem is at the door for a daily check-up.» the AI reported. «Would you like him to return later?»
Serena looked at Wolfin and sighed:
«No. Let him in.»
The door opened and the man walked in, greeting Wolfin and Serena, bowing.
«How is my favourite patient?» he asked, smiling at Serena.
Wolfin shook his head:
«I think she’s doing better. Though, I’m not sure about you approving her doing push-ups…»
«Oh?» Kareem twitched his brow. «Lady Serena, I did say you’d have to do fifty to be let go, but I also said that you shouldn’t be doing them for a few days at least…»
He scanned the woman and his brows raised up, seeing the results.
«Don’t tell me…» Serena grimaced. «I’ve made it worse…»
«No…» the medic lowered his scanner and smirked. «Might I ask how many push-ups you’ve managed to do today?»
«Fourteen.»
«And this was after the physical therapy session?»
«I caught her doing them when I came in.» Wolfin crossed his arms.
Kareem made a note on his information tablet and stepped to Serena:
«Would you mind me checking your back?»
«I can leave…» Wolfin gestured to the door.
The woman threw a glance to Wolfin, shaking her head, then turned her back to Kareem, lowering her robe. For the first time after she had been taken to the Hospital, Wolfin saw how her injuries were healing. Though she no longer wore a bandaging gel, her whole back was still covered in deep scars – those would fade and disappear with time after she fully recovers.
But right now he was shocked to see the damage she sustained.
Kareem studied the scars, then touched her spine, gently pushing onto the bones:
«Do you feel any pain here?»
Serena shook her head:
«Just pressure and a bit of… tingling, I guess.»
The medic ran his thumb across her back right under the shoulder-bone:
«Here?»
Serena felt her muscle twitching, and gritted her teeth:
«A bit.»
Kareem grabbed his information tablet again and made a few notes, then took a syringe off his belt and gave Serena a shot of some meds.
«Good. You’re healing even better since I pushed you to start therapy.» he said. «You can put the robes back on.»
Serena hesitated, and the men noticed her shoulders slouching.
«Wolfin?» her voice almost cracked.
«Yes, Captain?» her mentor replied, still studying her back.
«How bad are the scars?»
«They’ll disappear, Serena.»
She gritted her teeth, throwing the robes back onto her shoulders and glanced at the man, locking eyes with him:
«How bad?»
Wolfin exchanged glances with Kareem and cleared his throat:
«I’ve never seen any like that, Captain. They’re… extensive.» he hesitated for a moment and added. «I’m honestly surprised that you were able to do any push-ups at all with your muscles not yet fully regenerated.»
Serena swallowed hard, nodding to these words and didn’t say anything else.
Chapter 9. Free
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.
Chapter 10. Humbled
Lindon felt happy seeing Serena there – at his estate, smiling and becoming more of herself than she was when she was kept in the Imperial Hospital. With each passing day he found it easier to see her swimming by herself in one of his pools – the woman kept her word to the Alpha level medic and kept doing therapy, which helped her to start training again. However frustrating and slow this was for her – the process would take time – she persevered, accepting everyone’s help in this matter.
Wolfin kept her company while she was swimming. Hunter was by her side when she was in the training hall. Lindon was there for her, supporting whenever he could and offering her company whenever she wanted. He helped both Wolfin and Hunter from time to time, and often watched her meditating in his gardens, joining her just enough to not allow her the thought that he was trying to cling to her too much.
Lindon understood perfectly, that even seeing her smiling and doing better day by day, he was still only a friend for the woman. He accepted it.
And though Hunter kissed her in the Hospital when she only awakened, Serena has treated the cyborg absolutely the same as Lindon.
This day Hunter and Lindon were helping her together in the training hall. And, unlike other times, she persuaded them both to spar with her.
«I don’t think it’s a good idea…» Lindon frowned at the thought. «Your back is healing better than anyone expected, but I’m not sure…»