Isa smiled as they Lift of From Faith Haven. Her trusty old Dromedary Roars to Life in the Hangar as the Engines Warm up and the Ship is brought out of the Hangar by the Traktor Beams. The Weather of the Day was not as bad as it was when she arrived but it was still a Storm. She was happy about the Lift of Assistance for sure. Isa wasn't a bad Pilot but she still wasn't familiar with the Weather of Pygar and the Dangers that it imposed on flying. But she was sure that she would be able to bring them out of the Atmosphere once they cleared the Hangar. Her Cat Niki would lay in her Special Transport Box and watch as the ship would leave the Place. Next to Isa would be Doctor Mac Wilson, her new Student. Isa would bring Mac to the Healing Heart and would Teach her all that she needed to know to be a psychologist. Isa Liked Mac also as a Friend and she had known her quite a bit during her visit to Faith Haven. Mac was a warm Hearted Person who had a natural talent for working with people and making them feel better. Isa had a feeling that Mac could be one of the best.
MFE Dromedary ALPHA-CHARLIE 161 This is Faith Haven Air Trafic Controle, you are clear of the Hangar. You are Clear to Depart on your own from here on. We hope you enjoyed your Stay at Faith Haven and revisit us.
Isabella: Thank you Air Traffic Controle, it was a wonderful Visit. I will be sure to come again.
She smiled as she set course for the Docking Rings. The winds would shake the ship a bit from left to right as it flew through some turbulence. But as the ship flew higher into the atmosphere the turbulence became lighter and she could take her seatbelt off. She would set the ship on Autopilot and would stand up and walk into the little Kitchen of the Ship and make two Cups of Tea. Isa would make a Sweet Kusari Apple Tea for them and bring the Cups into the Cockpit. She would give a Cup to Mac and then retake a seat.
Isabella: we should arrive at the Haling Heart in about 1 hour. I contacted the ship yesterday and it should Jump into the System soon. We meet at the outskirts of the "Sabana Fragments" Field. I am sure you will like it on board, today I will show you everything on board. I show you the best Spots on board, like where you get the best coffee and where you get the best Food. Oh and of course all the nice Spots for an Relaxing Break. I will also show you the Biodoomes and of course your Cabin.
She said as she sipped her tea and looked over the instruments as the ship entered the Space Elevator System that was the Docking Rings. The Powerful Tracktor Beams of the Space Elevator would bring the Dromedary soon into Space. Isa loved it when the Atmosphere of the Planet changed into the Black of Space, it was almost like she would enter a completely new world at this Point. They could see how the stars would shine in the darkness and they could see the Sun and the Nebulars of the System. Isa had a special place in her Heart for the Omicron Theta System, its wild Beauty, and the Nebulars gave it a certain Mystery. The Dromedary would now load its Cruise Engines to Speed up the Travel, Isa and Mac Could hear how the Buzz of the Engines would get louder before they would end in a Constant Calming Humming as the Ship Reached the Cruise Speed. The Travel to the Healing Heart was relatively uneventful and calm, after about an hour they would see Sparks in the Empty Space that would Escalate into the Creation of an Artificial Jumphole. Isa would keep a Safe Distance from the Anomaly as she could see how the Siluette of a Nephilim Class Colony Ship slowly came out of it. The Ship would shine as the rays of the sun would hit its surface, and Mac could see that it had Several Markings that indicated that this was a Medical Ship. It had the Classic Red Cross with the Staff of Asklepios in the middle of its hull. Isa smiled as she would see the Starboard Biodome. In the Middle of the Ships Bow was a Landing Strip for Small Ships Like the Freighters and Fighter Class Ships.
She smiled as she would soon see the Name on the Ship at the Bow as she flew near the Landing Strip. The Name was Illuminated by two Strong Lights. Soon after they could see how an Incoming Call came from the Ship.
This is the MFE|Healing.Heart Air Traffic Controle for MFE|Broken.Wings. It is nice to see you Doctor Saito, Welcome Home. You have Landing Permission at Pad 2-9 at the Main Hangar.
Isabella: Thank you Traffic Controle, I am landing now. Oh, and Tommy I hope everything is fine with Belle and the Children.
Yes doctor they are fine, Belle wanted me to tell you that she made fresh Strawberry Cake this Morning and that a slice is waiting for you at the Cafe.
The Traffic Controler said with a chuckle in his voice as he ended the Connection. Isa would then bring the ship over the Landing Strip and slowly fly towards the hangar. Its large Doors would slowly open as the Lights guide them in. Mac Could see that the hangar was pretty spacious and she could see that there would be some Zoner Fighers and other Dromedarys would be Parked there. She could also see some Obsidian Fighters that were Donated to them by Orbital Spa and Cruise. She could see some Technicians and Engineers working on the ships as she Flew through the Energy Barrier that kept the Atmosphere inside of the Hangar and the vacuum outside. Isa would land the Ship on the Designated Spot and shut down the engines before she would turn over to Mac and Smile at her.
Isabella: Welcome on board the Healing Heart. Take only what you need right now, the bags will go through the Security Check later and then are delivered to our Cabins by the Crew.
As they left the ship she had Niki on her shoulder and they got greeted by the Maintenance Crews of the Healing Heart. She would tell them about the Storms that the ship flew through at Pygar and that the Crew said they would do a Full maintenance cycle of the Ship and Check everything. Isa would lead her through the Hangar as the Outside Doors Closed. The Barrier was Extremely Power-hungry and therefore it was more Economical to Simply Close the Door and shut down the Barrier Field after the ship had Landed. Isa would Lead her through the hangar and many of the people would greet her with a friendly word or a nod. Isa would greet them back exchange some friendly words here and there and ask for their families and friends. Isa would Lead Mac into a Room that had several Tube-like things, the Tubes had a Door on each Side and currently, only the doors facing the Hangar were open.
Isabella: These are Scanning Chambers, please enter the chamber and stand inside the Ring that is Painted on the Floor. The Healing Heart is a Micro Cosmos and we have to Prevent Diseases from Spreading. Even a Flu could lead to Problems with the ship's operations. That's why it is Standard Protocol that Everyone who enters the Ship has to be Scanned for Diseases and Infections. Even I am not an Expetion of this Procotle. It is Painless and only takes around 30 Seconds to be completed.
She smiled as she would put her bag into the scanning box for Luggage next to the Tube and then Step into the Tube. Isa wanted to show Mac how this Scanner Works, to take some potential Fear from her. As she stood in the Circle on the ground the door would close, and then she could see how some Pannels in the Tube would begin to Spinn and bathe Isabella in a Light Blue Light. The Machine would make some noises, but they were not so loud to be unpleasant. And after exactly 30 Seconds, the Machine would Stop and the Door on the other Side would Open. An AI Voice would then tell her the Results and it would be declared as completely Healthy. But of course, this Machine was not able to scan Isa´s little secret that was inside of her. She would wait for Mac to Finish the Scann and she was also sure that she was healthy as well. After that, she would walk with her through the next door that leads to the Main Atrium of the Ship.
Omicron Theta, on the way to the MFE Healing Heart
Dr. Mackenzie Wilson
Mac Wilson gripped the arms of the copilot's chair as Saito's Dromedary separated its landing gear from the concrete pad amid the vibrations of the engines. It had been quite some time since she had flown on a ship, almost since the founding of Faith Haven itself and the last trip from Corfu to the surface, and she was very much out of the habit.
When the vessel came out through the hatch in the roof of the cavern, and the tractor beams stopped supporting it, there was a short moment when the violence of the gusts of wind from the sand storm hit the freighter, making it sway like a little paper airplane. Mac couldn't help but whisper a small curse and squeezed her eyes shut, while she felt the cheesecake they had for breakfast rise to her throat. However, her worries were unnecessary, because Isabella quickly stabilized the Dromedary with a few maneuvers of the rudder, and soon the ship was on its way to the orbital elevator of the docking rings. Isa seemed calm and even left the controls in the hands of the autopilot, getting up from her seat to go to the back of the ship.
Little by little Wilson began to relax as she noticed how the gusts of wind decreased as they elevated increasingly, and was grateful when Saito returned with a couple of cups of tea and offered her one of them. "Thank you Isa." Mac smiled, taking a sip of the hot brew and noticing how a pleasant warmth immediately invaded her. "It has been a long time since I've made any trips by ship. I haven't left Faith Haven in so long that I had forgotten what it felt like on takeoffs. Especially those from Pygar."
The neurologist was happy to know that the trip would not be long, and that they would soon meet the Healing Heart. She was very excited to see the great ship, and to be able to explore it inside. From what Isabella had told her, it must have been a marvel of medical technology, all built inside a Nephilim colony ship. Mac had only been inside a Nephilim once, almost 10 years ago, when the Church still owned their Pontifical flagship, the Unity, and it had seemed almost like magic to her that something so big could move through space. No doubt the Healing Heart would be at least as impressive as the Unity, but probably more so given that it was exclusively dedicated to the practice of medicine.
As the ship emerged from the docking rings into the planet's orbit, Wilson stood up to look outside through the cockpit's front window. Pygar could be seen down there, in all its enormity, its surface covered by curling, flickering clouds from the electrical storms that were active at that moment. Mac couldn't help but feel a little dizzy. What had been her uninterrupted home for the last 7 years was down there, and there she was, watching it from space, heading towards an exciting but unknown future. All of Mac's hopes and fears about what awaited her in the coming months flashed briefly through her mind whereas Isabella sat down again in the pilot's seat to begin the orbit exit routine.
The psychologist operated the controls to reposition the Dromedary and typed on the touch screen of the navigation computer, entering a series of coordinates that would surely be the meeting place with the Healing Heart. Then Saito activated several switches and pushed forward a lever, activating the cruise engines, while Wilson returned to her seat in the co-pilot's chair.
Mac spent the scant hour of travel across Theta reviewing the morning reports on her patients at Faith Haven Medical Center on her portable communications device. It seemed that Matt Brennan had had a good night although his condition remained unchanged, and the rest of the patients were progressing well. She made a mental note that as soon as she settled into the Healing Heart she would have to ask Isa to tell her how to make a telematic communication with the hospital. She wanted to talk to Dr. Vasquez about the next steps in Brennan's treatment.
Wilson was still absorbed in her reading of the medical records when she noticed the slight jolt the freighter suffered when leaving cruising speed. She looked up just in time to see some sort of bright, sparkling black hole forming outside, in the void in front of them. The neurologist unbuckled her seatbelt and stood up abruptly approaching quickly to the front windshield.
"For Deux's sake, what the hell is that?" Her voice came out like a broken whisper, with a mixture of shock and concern.
Mac had never seen anything like it. Actually, her experience as an interplanetary traveler was practically nil. She had only made two long space trips in her entire life, from New London to Gran Canaria, and then from Gran Canaria to Pygar years later. She had spent practically her entire life on dry land, and even on the occasions when she had had to cross the void she had done so in larger ships, in which she had barely been able to observe anything. And she had certainly never witnessed the formation of an exit hole anomaly, produced by a jump drive. Suddenly, a huge, gigantic object began to emerge from the dark hole. It left at a constant speed, slow, as if it were being transported on a conveyor belt. Mac watched in shock, until she realized that what was appearing in front of her eyes was nothing other than the hull of a Zoner colony ship. It was the Healing Heart.
Mac was calmed when she realized that they were in no danger, and that Isabella was smiling, visibly happy to see the Nephilim, as she began the approach maneuver. The neurologist blushed as she sat back down in her seat, feeling like a country bumpkin. It was clear that this technological display was completely normal and even habitual for Saito, and that she had just openly shown that it seemed practically magic to her.
Wilson stammered a few words of excuse, while trying not to continue blushing. "I had never... seen how a jump drive engine works, for a moment I thought that a black hole was forming before us... How stupid, I'm sorry." She tried to change the topic of conversation quickly, and pointed towards the Healing Heart, which was growing larger and larger behind the front windshield. "It's really impressive. I had only seen a ship of this class once in my life, and I think my mind had forgotten how magnificent they are. It's like... a floating city."
While Isabella contacted the hospital ship's traffic control to request permission to land in one of its bays, Mac had the opportunity to admire the exterior of the Healing Heart up close. In general silhouette it looked very similar to the Unity, with the same twin biodomes and its bridge covered by solar sails, but upon looking more closely she realized that this ship seemed much more modern and new. Its hull was polished, shining in the light of the white dwarf, and was beautifully painted, displaying the symbols indicative of the practice of medicine.
The Dromedary headed toward the hangars through the lights of the Healing Heart's forward landing strip, and finally turned toward one of them, the doors of which opened to receive it. Under Isabella's guidance, the freighter deployed the landing gear, positioned itself over one of the marks that were painted on the ground, and finally rested its weight on the metal surface. Mac sighed in relief and returned the smile that the psychologist offered her once the engines shut down, noticing how the muscles in her back and neck relaxed. The trip had actually been very calm, but her lack of habit had made her tense for many moments. She was grateful to be on solid ground, again, or well almost solid ground. After all, the Healing Heart was as big as most space stations, and even bigger than some of them.
The neurologist allowed herself to be instructed by Isa about the protocol for disembarking, and only took a small carry-on backpack in which she carried her portable Neural Net device, her first aid kit that she never separated from, and her toiletry bag. She then followed Saito and Niki outside the ship, through the hangar, and towards the security access controls. Mac noticed the number of people who greeted Isa affectionately, with smiles of affection and respect, and how the doctor responded to each and every one of them, calling them by their names and asking them about their lives and their families. Without a doubt, the psychologist was someone very dear to the personnel of the Healing Heart. Mac remained silent as they walked, smiling kindly at the crew members who looked at her.
The two women soon arrived at the security access room. The barriers, with those double doors in the shape of tube chambers, looked slightly like the ones she had seen a decade ago in the New London spaceport, when she and her family had taken that liner to Gran Canaria, to join the Church. However, like everything she had seen on the Healing Heart, it seemed much more technologically advanced. Mac soon understood, listening to Isa's explanation, that those tubes were more than a simple scanner, because they were also capable of scanning the diseases that the person being analyzed could carry. It was something logical. As she well knew, sterilization was essential in a hospital, to avoid risks to both the medical staff and the patients themselves. Of course, at Faith Haven Medical Center they had means of identifying the illnesses of recently admitted patients, and isolating them in cases that were contagious, but nothing that came close to technology as advanced as that.
The neurologist nodded, admiring those machines. "Tremendously useful for our profession, Isa. It's amazing, I can't even imagine how these things work inside, but I would like to have a couple of devices like that for the main entrance of our Medical Center." Wilson walked over to one of the tubes to take a closer look. "Maybe you can tell me later who I should talk to about purchasing some. It's very likely that Meyer would be interested in having that information."
Mac let Saito go first to show her how they worked. Once the psyicologist came out to the other side, she passed behind her. Mac stood perfectly still as the blue light of the scanner surrounded her and didn't move until the machine's electronic voice reported that everything was fine. She then followed Saito to some double doors at the end of the room, which opened as they approached. As they passed to the other side, the atrium of the Healing Heart appeared before them, making Wilson's jaw drop in pure amazement.
Before her eyes opened a large hall with about seven or eight floors high, which surrounded a vast central space that contained a park of lush vegetation, and with even a pond that could be seen in the background, reflecting the treetops. The lighting there was like that of a sunny day at noon in Gran Canaria, and Mac couldn't help but look up at the enormous glass skylight in the ceiling, through which a light identical to the solar one on any planet with an atmosphere. The neurologist was not able to identify what kind of technology was capable of producing that fiction, but it was practically indistinguishable from the real thing. In addition, the ultra-modern decoration in white and glass colors, and the soft, rounded shapes of the architecture, helped the light to spill throughout the titanic room.
Mac noted that the various floors overlooking the central park were adorned with hangings of vegetation and flowerbeds with trees, among whom it was seen that the ship's personnel came and went, busy with their tasks. That, along with the central park, produced the impression that the construction was directly integrated with the nature that unfolded around it. The neurologist could have sworn, if she were not completely sure of where they were, that they were visiting the atrium of a multi-story building on a planet in broad daylight.
Mac blinked, dazzled, and looked at Isabella. "This is... Frankly amazing. I think my mind wouldn't have been able to imagine a place like this, until my eyes have seen it." She smiled. "I know that coming from someone like me, who I'm little more than a village doctor, it's not a great compliment, but believe me when I tell you that I've never seen anything like it." Wilson's eyes roamed the atrium again, from top to bottom. "It's so perfect that it's hard to remember that we're really in the middle of the void of space, moving through it. I can't wait to see what more wonders this ship holds."
Isa smiled at Mac as she saw how nervous she was with the ship flying through Space. Isa knew that it could be a bit intimidating for some to travel through space on such a small ship for the first time. The Dromedary was a small Craft that would of course offer a more bumpy ride than in bigger ships like Liners or Transports.
Isa smiled some more as she saw the almost Childlike Joy on her face as Mac Looked at the Stars through the Windows of the Ship. Isa knew that Mac was a Special Person and that she enjoyed the Beauty of Nature and the Stars itself. Isa was the same and even when she had seen this a Dozen or more times she still loved the sight of the Stars that flew past her Cockpit.
Isa took Mac´s hand as she was shocked by the Sight of the Jumpdrive. It was really a Shocking Sight that could terrify someone that haven't seen this before. The healing heart was a big ship so it naturally took her a while to come out of the Jumphole that the Jumpdrive created. But she also realized that the Shock of the First moment would soon turn into a Childlike Wonder as Mac Realizes what would come out of the Hole.
Isabella: Yes it is a Wonderfull but also a bit of a Shocking Sight at first. It takes a while to recognize what comes out of there. But then it is just a wonderful Sight to behold.
She smiles some more as she sees how Mac Reacted to the Athrium after they had gone through the Security Check. She would look at her and see the wonder on her face as she laid eyes on the Cultural and Economical Center of the Healing Heart.
Isabella: The scanners would be of course Effective in the Hospital. Thanks to these Scanners we have been spared by most Disease Spreads and Flu waves in the last years. They were a Pet Project of Dr. Wilke, and they were also scanning for Weapons and Dangerous Materials. As you know we have a Womans Refuge on board, that's why we have these high Security Measures. Sadly sometimes Abusive people try to get "Revenge" when you leave them.
Isa looks up as she hears some Rumbleing and then she grabs Mac by her bag and holds her back from making another Step onto the Floor Before her. Just a Couple of Seconds Later there would be 3 Wheelchairs racing by. In the where some Kids laughed and cheered as they had their little Race. Behind them were some Security personnel running after them in their Blue Uniforms and shouting for the Kids to Stop. After they Rushed bye Isa walked to the railing at the Edge of the Platform and put her hands on the railing as she looked down to the floor of the Atrium and saw how one of the Wheelchairs crashed into the Pond. Thankfully the Kids weren't Harmed and swam to the side of the Pond where they were already Greeted by the Anoyed Security personnel. Isa shakes her head and looks at Mac.
Isabella: Well as you see we have Angled Floors here instead of escalators. The idea for this was good as it meant we could have saved on Complex escalators and the necessary maintenance for them. But what we haven't considered were Children and the Chaos they can Cause with Wheelchairs. Things like these happen here between once and twice a week, even when we lock away all the Wheelchairs for those who don't need them. But Kids are pretty Inventive when they want something to have fun with.
She could see how the Mom of one of the kids would walk to them and Isa would Recognize her, it was Dr. Mirabelle Anders, she was a Trauma Therapist and Specialized in pharmaceutical therapy. She was an Expert when it came to the Prescription of the Right Medicine for Patients, and also for special Therapies that Require mind-expanding substances. She would see how her friend had a hard time not bursting into Laughter as she saw how a Frog from the Pond was now Sitting on her daughter's Head. But after a while, the Girl Noticed the little animal that got cold on her head and she began to scream in Panic as the Frog jumped back into its Natural Habitat, and her Mother burst into Tears as she laughed so hard. In the end, the Girl Apologized to the security personnel and the Mother and Daughter left the Scene as the security fished the Wheelchair out of the Pond. And the People around them would also begin to disperse again and go after their Daily Business. The People on board of the Healing Heart would wear many different Styles of Clothes as they came from all over Sirius and Gallia. The Medical personnel were mostly wearing Doctors' Coats or Tunics, but there were also many who wore civilian Clothes that Represented the Styles of their Houses. The Medical Clothes had all different colors depending on the Specialty they were working in. Doctors mostly had Coats with Diferent Colored Chest Pockets that also showed an ID Plate with the Name and department they worked in. The Nurses had Tunics that had simply different colors and showed a name on the Chest Pocket.
Isabella: The Skylight is made out of Special Lamps that Imitate the Light of the Sun and give the Plants and Animals that live here what they need to Survive. The Atrium is the Heart of the Ship and where most of our People spend the day when they are not at work. We have Supermarkets, Bars, Restaurants, clothing stores, and even some Nightclubs. We also have Schools on board for all the Little Trouble Makers, like the one you have just observed. She chuckles as she walks up with her and stops at a Cafe. This is Belle´s Cafe, you get the Best Strawberry Cake on board here, oh, and the best Caramel macchiato.
The woman behind the counter noticed her and smiled as she Came to them and handed Isa a Cup with the Famous Caramel macchiato. She then smiled at Mac. The woman had an Apron, a Friendly Shirt with an Anime Motive, and some Jeans on, and her hair was bound to a Ponytail. She had a Friendly face that showed that she smiled a lot and was a happy Person. She also had a Sign on her Apron that said "Hi I am Belle".
Belle: hello I am Belle, I haven't met you before. Are you a New Doctor or a Patient? If you tell me your Favorite Coffe Drink then I can Make one for you, oh we also offer Tea and Self Made Lemonade.
Isabella: Thank you Belle. did Marco Tell you that I Landed? And this is Mac, she is my new psychology student.
Belle: oh how wonderful, to be a Student must be so exciting. I admire all the Doctors and Nurses here, they do so much great for the Patients. It is almost like an Eternity since I and Marco came here for Work, but every day is still Exciting.
Isa smiled as she knew that Belle and Marco had some problems in the past as they sadly couldn't have Children of their own. Isa was their counselor and had helped them to overcome these hard times. In the end, she helped them to understand that their love wasn't worth less just because they couldn't have Biological Children together. This was now 5 Years in the past and Belle and Marco had Adopted a Cute Boy that is was pretty sure had made a Race in a Wheelchair just a couple of minutes ago. She smiled as she looked over at Mac and hoped she would feel at home here as well as she did.
Mac continued to observe the atrium in all its immensity while Isa explained to her about the scanning machines at the control, and their necessity not only for medical reasons, but also for pure security.
"Oh yes, it's true." The neurologist smiled. "I remember that yesterday you told us about the Women Refuge that you've on board, and how it was one of Doctor Wilke's ideas. It's a great project, very necessary in the times of wild individualism in which we live. Almost no one cares about protecting the weakest..." Wilson's face saddened as if a shadow had crossed it. "It's a shame that it was this project that led to her death, but I think that precisely that makes it clear how important it's that the Refuge continues to function." She looked back toward the atrium and took a step forward to approach the glass railing. "I'm really looking forward to working with..."
Mac felt something forcefully pull her backpack and she had to stagger back a couple of steps to avoid falling. She couldn't even stop to think what was happening when 3 wheelchairs sped past where she had been seconds before. Mac turned at Isabella in bewilderment and then looked again at the wheelchairs, feeling a wave of anger rising from her stomach. "What the hell...?!"
The three wheelchairs were moving away towards one of the ramps that connected the floor they were on with the lower floor of the park. They were being chased by some members of the security personnel who were triying to stop them, but their occupants just kept running while shouting with joy and laughing. At that moment Mac realized that the racers were children. The kids reached the ramp and launched themselves down it, gaining more and more speed until they reached the floor below. Upon reaching the bottom one of the chairs lost control and ended up skidding until it fell into the pond. Fortunately the children who were in it soon surfaced and began swimming towards shore.
While the security guards were taking the kids out of the water below, Mac looked at Isabella again, shocked. "Is this normal here?" She pointed towards the park. "They could have hurt themselves a lot..."
Wilson seemed to calm down quite a bit when Isabella explained that it was just a child's thing, and that it happened quite often. She noticed that although the guards seemed annoyed, no one was making a big deal out of it, and even some of the Healing Heart crew and patients who had gathered around to see what was happening were laughing heartily at the mischief made by the children.
Mac had always been very mature, even when she was little, and she didn't remember having a childhood in which she interacted a lot with other people her age, apart from her brother Andrew. She also had no memory of being naughty. Later, as an adult, she had mainly focused on her studies, on her training, and finally the practice of medicine absorbed her completely. So Mac had had only a few brief romantic partners throughout her life, almost always people related to work, and she had never thought about having children, since she didn't see it as compatible with her personal goals. The only close relationship Mac had with children was with her nephews, with whom she had complete trust and she adored. She had had some child patients, of course, and she was normally friendly and nice with them, but she never had much of a connection. It wasn't that she didn't like children, it was more that she felt slightly uncomfortable with them because she didn't know what exactly to do, or how to address them.
Wilson felt a little guilty for reacting angrily to that innocent prank. "Oh, well, I'm glad they're okay. I was just afraid that someone might get hurt, they were going too fast." She gave a slight smile. "Well, at least this is one of the best places in Sirius to get hurt."
The neurologist leaned on the glass railing, and watched as the security staff took the chair out of the water, and how the curious people began to disperse, once the fun was over. No one seemed too angry, not even the security people. Mac had to admit that it seemed like the atmosphere at the Healing Heart was relaxed and friendly, a scene like that wouldn't have been resolved so nonchalantly at Faith Haven Medical Center. She believed that maintaining a professional work environment was important, but she found the fact that the residents of the hospital ship seemed so relaxed and got along so well to be a very positive thing. It was clear that she had a lot to observe in the way they worked at the MFE. There were probably things she could use to update the medical protocols at Faith Haven.
The two women continued their walk through the atrium, and Isa showed her the different stores and businesses that were located there. Apparently the Atrium was the leisure area of the Healing Heart, where people gathered to live their lives outside of the medical function carried out on the ship. There were establishments of all kinds, from simple bars to party halls, which greatly amazed Wilson. It was clear that the Healing Heart was much more than a medical ship, it was a real city. After all, from what Isabella had told, there were more people living in this Nephilim than all of Faith Haven, and it could contain several times its population.
Wilson was grateful when Saito guided her to one of the nearby cafes, promising that there served the best strawberry cake that could be found on board. They had breakfasted on some of the cheesecake that Muriel had baked for them before leaving, but after the stress of the trip she felt that she was hungry again. Furthermore, she had slept very little that night, nervous about what would happen the next day, so she would gladly have a coffee.
Mac scanned the cafe with her gaze. It was pleasantly decorated, mainly with varnished wooden elements, although some panels and furniture were painted turquoise. There were some small tables placed near a long overstuffed sofa next to the counter, and high tables with stools scattered throughout the rest of the place. There was also a small bar counter attached to one of the walls with more high stools so people could have their drinks and pastries there. Finally, the main counter also housed several glass displays, within which were several appetizing-looking cakes and tarts. Several windows on both the ceiling and some walls showed the starry void of Omicron Theta's space.
The person in charge of serving the counter and tables seemed to also be the owner of the establishment, a woman named Belle who approached them with a big smile. In her hands she carried a cup of caramel macchiato that she handed to Isa without her even asking. It was clear that psychologist was a regular at the cafe, and Belle was very aware about what the doctor usually consumed.
Wilson smiled back at Belle, waited for Isa to introduce her, and then added. "Nice to meet you Belle, thanks for the welcome. I just landed here and I'm still trying to stop being amazed by everything I see, I've never seen a place as splendid as this ship." Mac looked at Isabella affectionately. "I've been a doctor in Neurology for years, but I've always been very interested in Psychology. Isa has given me the opportunity to become a real psychologist, learning directly from her. Thanks to these studies I will be able to help the people of my settlement in Pygar to take better care of their mental health." She sighed with happiness. "This is like a dream come true for me."
Mac walked over to some of the displays on the counter, browsing through the cakes and pastries. Then she turned to Belle. "I'm told you make an extraordinary strawberry cake here. I would like to have a medium portion, Deux knows that I'm starving. As for coffee, I've also heard very good things about your caramel machiatto, but I need something not so sweet right now. I would like to have a cappuccino if possible, please."
Mac approached Saito again while Belle went to prepare what she had ordered. "I actually expected the Healing Heart to be a big and modern hospital ship, you know? But this is much more than a place where medicine is practiced." She made a gesture with her hand that encompassed the cafe and the entire atrium. "This is quite a settlement. There are people here who are not dedicated to medicine, who live here permanently, on the ship. It's their home... From what I'm seeing, the Healing Heart is a whole ecosystem in itself, self-sufficient and autonomous." Wilson shook her head while smiling. "I knew what I would see here would surprise me, but I believed it would be technological and medical advances that would. However, right now I can say that what seems most striking to me is the social element that you have built here."
Isa Smiled as she saw how Mac would React to the Atrium. Isa was proud that her ship was not the Typical Hospital. The Aim of the healing Heart was to heal not only the body but also the heart. And it was also important that the People that Lived here felt comfy and at home. She saw the Surprised view on Mac´s Face as she Told her about the things how they handle the Kids and their Shenanigans.
Isa: of course, they will be punished for their little Joyride, I think the Gardeners could need some help with Watering the Plants. I am sure a Couple of Hours of community work will be an appropriate punishment. But we don't have to be harder than necessary here, I mean they are young and just want to have fun. And to Anoy us Adults is simply something that happens in the Process of Having Fun. But you're right that this Ship is a good place to be if they hurt themselves, Thankfully this happens really Rarely. Kids are really Robust after all, and often they have more Luck than we Adults can ever wish for.
She said with a chuckle and shook her head as she saw how Mac Relaxed again and she was even happier as she saw how Mac reacted to Belle's Cafe. Isa herself also loved this little Cafe and the Cozy Atmosphere. However hard the day was this Place was like a Second home for her and she would always be relaxed when she stepped through the Entrance. Belle was such a friendly and warm-hearted person who made everyone feel at home at her Cafe. She had a Talent to light up someone's mood with a simple Piece of Cake and make them smile again. And this Cake showed why she was a Master in this field and that's why the People of the Healing Heart Loved her that much.
Belle: oh yes all of our Cakes are Self-made and we offer them with whipped Cream. And an Cappuccino is alos no Problem. Just take a Seat I bring you everything once it is ready.
Isa smiled and sat down with her. Belle would have comfy Couches on the Walls and some Armchairs around the Tables to create a comfortable environment for her Guests. It was almost like a feeling of being at home. Isa loved these Armchairs and the way she could Sink into them. She would lay back and make a little Relaxed and happy Sigh as she Slipped from her Caramel Macchiato. Isa smiled at Mac as Belle Came over and put two Slices of Strawberry Cake with Whipped Cream on the table and the Cup of Cappuccino for Mac.
Belle: Please enjoy your stay, if you need anything else please just waive for me. I hope you like the taste of the Cake
She said with a smile as she left them alone and walked back to the Counter to take care of the next customer. Isa herself was also a bit hungry and would be happy about the Strawberry Cake. And about the time that she now could spend with Mac to Explain to her some more things. But first, it was time to taste the Cake. It was a really delicious Cake made from Fresh Strawberries and a soft and fluffy pie crust at the bottom and sides. Together with the Whipped Cream, it was a heavenly Treat that brought back Energy into her body and made her feel Alive again. And even Niki wasn't forgotten as Belle brought her a Special Cupcake that was made to be eaten by Cats and Dogs. The little Kitty was so happy as she saw the Treat that she would start to Devour as soon as she got it.
Isa: I really love this cake and this place. I often come here for a Snack during the day and so does Niki. Belle makes fresh Cakes every day and in the evening you can't even find some Cake crumbs in the store. But we aren't as Self-sufficient as you might Think. Sure we grow some of our Food in the Biodomes but they aren't big enough to supply us all. We get Regular Shipments of Food and Donations from our Supporters inside of the Great Houses. We have Small and Big Supporters who Donate Money or Goods so we can keep up the Work. But these strawberries and all of our Vegetables are Home Grown on the Ship. The things we can't do on our own are Meat and Animal Products, as well as Consumer Products like Clothes, Electronics and other things. We have some Cargo Ships that bring Containers to us on a Weekly Basis so we have everything we need.
Isa smiled as she finished her Slice of Cake and laid back in the Armchair and Relaxed a little while she sipped from her Caramel Macchiato. They would have a Long Day ahead of them as they had to do some more things during the day to have Mac become a Local on the Ship, or at least to give her a good start for her life on board of the Healing Heart.
Isa: Next we have to get an ID for you, otherwise you won't have access to the Medical Parts of the Ship. Of Course, you won't have access to all parts of the Ship there will still be some Restricted Parts, like the Engine Room, the Security installations, and the Bridge. But I don't think you are very interested in visiting a power plant or the Engine Chambers in the first place. But if you're Interested in a Bridge Tour then I am sure we can arrange one, it's just that Capitan Allentown wants to be informed before I bring unknown people to the Bridge.She said with a smile and a Chuckle as she Remembered how Protective the Capitan was about the Bridge. In Isa´s eyes, this was fine as the Bridge was the Brain of the Ship as much as the Doctors were its Heart. So if you want to get something from the Athrium then we should get it before we head deeper into the ship. I think after we are done here we should Visit the Medical Facilities and then go to the Biodomes. And of course, I also have to show you the Cabin that you will stay in during your time on board the Ship. Oh before I forget it we have to go to the Library and organize the Books that you will need to learn about psychology. We have to make sure that you have everything you need for your Studies. Maybe we should begin with the Library as it is just some Levels above us. But I leave that decision up to you.
She said with a smile as she Drank some more of her Macchiato. She would also rub Niki between her ears and make her little Companion Purr as she had got comfy on Isa´s Lap after she had devoured her Delicious Treat. Both of them waited for Mac to finish her Cake and the Cappuchino and for her decision she wanted to see next.
Mac dropped into one of the armchairs as Belle walked away, and a huge smile lit up her face when the owner brought the cakes and her coffee. The neurologist took a sip of the cappuccino and couldn't avoid to breathe a sigh of satisfaction. It was just the way she liked it, bitter from the espresso and sprinkled cocoa, and creamy from the foamed milk. Then she moved one of the pie plates of cake toward Isa, and took the other, grabbing a knife and fork to break it up before eating it.
The cake was perfect, a real explosion of flavor. Mac particularly liked that it had a pile of real strawberries covering the top, whose sweet but tender taste contrasted with the fluffy texture of the batter. She enjoyed each piece, eating them with genuine enthusiasm, and at the end she sighed again, her appetite calmed. She leaned back on the comfortable armchair and watched Niki also happily devour the piece of cake that Belle had brought her. The kitten was gobbling up small bites of cake and then looking up at Isabella and Mac, purring, as if trying to tell them how much she was enjoying it. She looked so funny that made the neurologist laugh.
"This was... delicious." Wilson took another sip of her coffee and looked Isabella. "It's very noticeable that the strawberries are fresh. It had been a long, long time since I had eaten strawberries. At Faith Haven we don't grow them, they're very delicate and require too much water."
Mac listened attentively as Isabella explained to her about in which foods the Healing Heart could be self-sufficiency and in which couldn't. It was true that a Nephilim's biodomes weren't as large as the ones the NCC had on Faith Haven, but it would have been impossible to attach something that size to a colony ship.
The neurologist made a gesture with her hand as if to remove seriousness. "Oh, well, but you've a fairly high level of nutritional autonomy, I think. We also don't have livestock in Faith Haven, it's currently not viable, and animal products must be brought from outside the planet, or from other colonies that do have. The only thing we've managed to do is grow meat in laboratories, you know, but that's just a small bandaid. We cannot produce it on a large scale." Mac looked around. "I could compare Faith Haven's self-sufficiency to the Healing Heart's, and I'd probably be being very generous to my humble colony, taking into account that MFE have much more means and collaborators to get everything you need." She took another sip of her coffee, and then she smiled at Saito. "Additionally, this 'colony' moves through space and jumps between systems. The truth is that it doesn't surprise me that the people who live here seem so relaxed and happy. This is a wonderful place to live, at least at first glance."
The neurologist was very excited when Isa commented on the new steps they had to take to make her become a member aboard the ship. She really wanted to be a part of something as big as the Healing Heart, and now that she had seen that it was something so impressive, she wanted it even more. She was sure that every second she spent there would be an enriching experience for her professional future, and the knowledge she acquired would directly benefit the settlers of Faith Haven.
Besides... well, she was very comfortable there, right? For a second Mac allowed herself to think that perhaps those months away from Pygar might even be good for her. Not only professionally, but perhaps also personally. The pace of daily work in the colony was overwhelming, and she had practically not had a vacation since the exodus from Gran Canaria. It was true that the situation had not allowed it, and rest was a luxury that the settlers of Faith Haven could not currently afford... but Mac sometimes felt that she needed a change of scenery, to clear her mind...
The neurologist forced herself to banish those thoughts from her head, almost ashamed for even having thought them. She wasn't there on vacation! The Church had sent her to study with the MFE so that she would become a competent psychologist and she could provide mental health care to the settlers. Hell, it had been her own idea, and she had had to insist a lot until the Concilium had finally listened to her. There were many people whose well-being could depend on her performance as a student at the Healing Heart, she couldn't waste time thinking about herself. She had a mission to accomplish, and also carrying it out successfully was part of fulfilling the Mandate of Deux. And of course, she was also indebted to Isabella, who had trusted her so much as to make her her personal student. There was too much at stake to allow herself to relax. She would not fail her people, her beliefs, and her mentor, just because she felt tired.
Mac nodded determinedly when Isa asked her what she wanted to do next. "Yes, that's right, we should get going now." She mentally reviewed the options Saito had offered her. "After the cake and the coffee I feel much better, ready to face a day of work. I think I'll be able to enjoy the atrium later, when I'm settled. There is certainly a lot to see, but I don't want to delay the admission procedures, I want to be able to be operational as soon as possible." She smiled, although inside she continued to feel guilty for what she considered her moment of weakness. "I would love to visit the bridge at a later moment, if the Captain allows it and it's not too much trouble for him. This is a unique occasion, a giant like this is something extremely rare to see, and I'll like to explore the Healing Heart in all the places I'm allowed. However, I agree with you that we should go to the library first. I want to have an idea of what study material I will need, maybe I can make a preview of something tonight in my cabin."
Isa smiled as she saw how Eager Mac was to start her Academic Journey. But she also worried a bit about this As she had the feeling that Mac would Place the Benefit of the Colony before her own needs. She knew that this was Admirable but that it also had the Risk that Mac would have a Burnout down the Line and Would shoulder more than she could. Isa herself knew all too well how this was and the Dangers that it could bring if you work too hard and dont relax enough. She would make sure that Mac would get some help in this field. Isa would wait for Mac to Finish her Coffee and the Cake and then stand up and hold her ID Card onto the Scanner at the Table. A Second Later there would be a Holographic Screen that showed her the Amount of Money that she had to pay for the Meal. With the Push of some Holographic Buttons, she had paid all of it including a generous tip for Belle. But of course as friendly as Belle was they got a Discount and the Litle Cat Cake didn't even show up on the Bill at all. Belle did this often to her guests and gave them coffee or a Cake for free. But it was Common Grounds on the Ship to Compensate Belle for her Kindness with Big Tipps.
Isa: Well Mac we could maybe learn from you how to make our own Lab Meat. But I think people Prefer the Imported Stuff. We are currently on Route to the Medforce Academy to Exchange Patients and get Medical Supplies. I think Tomorrow we will Jump over to Curacao, the people of OS&C are really generous and Supply us with Tea and Food from their Charity Funds. And they allow our Patients to have an excursion to the Beach while we are there. Things Like these help our Patients and of course, our Citizens to keep a happy Mind. Do you have a Bikini or a Bathing Suit? I have a Therapy group that goes to the Beach and I would like you to go with us. What we do is to give the More Stable Patients some Relaxing Time and an Environment that would make it easier for them to Open up to us Doctors. We Pick the Patients that go to the Beaches really carefully to make sure that they Benefit from this. We have Patients that this would be too much for them, they aren't at the Point where they could go into the Outside World without Fear or being Afraid.
She said with a smile as she walked out of the Cafe and smiled at Belle, and Niki gave her a friendly Meow. Isa would walk upwards over the Ramps that Connected the Levels of the Atrium. Isa would walk past many different Stores, there were Clothing, Food, Electronics, and every other type of Store a Colony could need. Between them would be the occasional restaurant, Bar, or Cafe. The Stores were from all over the Sirius Sector, she could see Bretonian Pubs, right next to Kusarian Sushi Bars, and Liberty Fashion Boutiques. The Atrium was a Melting Pot of all the Cultures of Sirius and Gallia. And in comparison to the Bigger Sirius, this Place was in Peace. People would walk around with their Families and go for a Walk or some Shopping, while others were simply at work. There would also be some public institutions like a Citizen Office that was the home of the Democratic Elected Council of Citizens. That had the Purpose of being a Link between the Medical Functions and Purpose of the Healing Heart and the Civilian Needs of those who Live on Board. The Healing Heart was after all a Small Town that Drifts through space with around 8.000 Permanent Inhabitants if you don't Count the current 4722 Patients that would come on top of those Numbers as well. Relatively short after the Launch of the Ship they had noticed that it didn't work out to Decide Everything from a Medical Point of View, or out of the Perspective of Doctors. And so it was decided that Everything that had nothing to do with Treating Patients or Medical Needs should be Decided by a Council of those who Live on Board.
Isa: This is the "Citizen Office", If you have any problem that is not of a Medical Nature or want to inform yourself about public and cultural events, then come to this place. It is also the Seat of our "Citizen Council". The Council is Democratic Elected by all those who Live Permanently on board. It is meant to be a Link between this Ship's Medical and Civilian Needs.Isa smiled as it was now her turn to explain the Political System and Function of the Healing Heart to Mac. After she had Learned so Much About Faith Haven Before.We have Elections every 3 Years where every Adult on the Ship is allowed to be a Candidate for the Council. The only requirement is that they are Living on Board Permanently and they have to be at least 18 years old. The Council Decides on all the Civilian Matters that Dont Interfere with the Medical Needs of the Patients. I have also a Seat on the Council but I have no Vote, I am there only to Represent the Medical Department and be an Advisor to the Council. They are for example Responsible for the Operation of the Ships Schools, and the Library as well as other Services like the Public Pool.
Isa said with a smile as she led her a bit further and stopped in front of some big Glas Doors. Behind them was the Public Library of the Ship. As they entered they were on the 2nd of 3 Floors. They had one floor above them and one below them. It was a large open space that combined the Modern and the Classic. there were lots of Glass but also lots of Wood and other Natural Materials. There were a lot of people here who looked through the Bookshelf or Read in the Comfy Reading Areas. It looked like the Library was a pretty popular Place on the ship. The Majority of the Library would be Filled with Paper Books, but of course, there were also Digital Books and Movies as well as other Entertainment Products. Isa would lead her to a Desk where a Young Woman would currently work on a Computer. The woman was of Bretonian descent and had long Red Hair that was long and curly. She had some Wrinkles and would look like she would often Smile.
Isa: Hello Freya how are you today? This is Mac she is my New Student and needs a Library Card. She also needs some psychological Learning Books, so if you could show us one basic and a Couple more Advanced Books for her that would be wonderful.
Freya: oh yes that will be not a problem at all. We just need to take a Quick Picture of Her for the Library Card. Oh, I am sorry where are my Manners, I am Freya Bryant. It is always nice to meet someone new.
Freya smiled and brought Mac to a Quiet Corner of the Library where she would take a picture of her. The rest of the Process was pretty easy and just 1 Minute later she would have a little plastic Card in her hand that had her Name and Picture printed onto it. There would also be a Symbol of MedForce Enterprises Printed onto the Card. It wouldn't be the same as the ID that they would also have to get for Mac, but now that there was a picture of Mac in the System they wouldn't need to take another one. After this, the Young Woman would begin to give them a Tour through the Library.
Freya: We have around 5 Million Books in our Library. We have books of all Genres, from Romance to Science Fiction, from Learning books to Fantasy, we have Several Dozens of Genres on Board. And of course, all the Medical Books that the Doctors and Students need for their Work. We also offer Book Readings, Poetry Slams, and Other Cultural Events. Next Week we have a community music Night, and in a Couple of Days, we have a Book Reading of Old Earth Fantasy Stories. If some of this Interests you then I would be happy to see you here.
But the Last Stop of the Tour would be a Room that was a bit more Quiet and Relaxed than the others. It had 2 Storys and books from the Floor to the ceiling. The Walls were Decorated with Medical Artifacts that looked like they were from Old Earth themself. There was an Original Earth Stethoscope from 1924, and the Replica of the Microscope that Ian Flemming used to Discover penicillin. On the Walls were Paintings of Famous Scientists like Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and many more, there were also of Course Famous Psychologists like Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, and B. F. Skinner. It was clear to even those who had nothing to do with Medicine that this Room was Dedicated to the Knowledge of Healing. While Mac and Isa would take a seat on the Comfy Couches, Freya would go to the "Psychology" Section Pick out 3 books and bring them to Isa. She smiled at her as the ones she had Picked out were Perfect for Mac.
Isa: these 3 should be a good starter for your Studies. The first is "Introduction to Human Psychology", which should cover the Basics. Then we have the "Psychological Handbook for Students" and "Behavior Psychology for Students", which should keep you started and give you a good Theoretical Knowledge of Psychology, to give you Practical Knowledge will be my Job. Of course, these won't be the only Books you will Read over the next Months. But for now, this should be enough for you to start your Studies.
Wilson watched as Saito paid the bill at Belle's and stood up from the table, putting her backpack back on. Both women left the cafe and Mac followed Isabella through the atrium, responding about their previous conversation.
"Laboratory meat isn't too different from the real thing, but well... I agree that imported things tend to be tastier, yes." Mac shrugged. "For us, the main objective is to achieve the maximum possible self-sufficiency, so any technique that allows us a varied supply of food that we can produce in Pygar is highly desirable. I understand that the Healing Heart doesn't need that self-sufficiency as much as us." The neurologist pointed back with a gesture of her thumb. "By the way, thanks for paying the bill in Belle's, Isa, the next one is my turn. The Church opens a special bank account for each colonist we study off planet, so most of the expenses I'll have here I won't even have to pay myself. In addition, I continue to receive my salary as a doctor." She smiled, gratefully. "Money isn't going to be a problem for me, don't worry about that."
Wilson looked at Isa with surprise when she told her about the ship's visit to Curazao. Although Mac knew that the Healing Heart would visit many places in Sirius on its journey, she wasn't really aware that they would have to stop at some of them. It certainly made sense, the ship was a medical ship and was dedicated to traveling around Sirius treating people from various places. Patients were picked up and dropped off, but it was also logical for doctors to disembark to examine people who could perhaps be treated on site. Furthermore, as Isa said, there were some patients who could benefit from scheduled outings to pleasant places, especially those who were undergoing psychological treatment.
Mac's eyes couldn't hide the excitement that that news produced in her. "Oh... It's great that we're going to disembark in Curazao. It's one of those places that you always hear about, but I never thought that one day I would be able to see it with my own eyes." She tried to remember everything she had packed in her suitcases. "I seem to remember bringing a couple of swimsuits, imagining there would be a pool complex or something similar on the ship. I don't have bikinis, to be honest. In Pygar you can't sunbathe much, for the obvious reasons, and I didn't expect that we would go to such a paradisiacal place..."
Mac felt a little embarrassed at being such a poorly traveled person. She saw how Isabella acted in a totally normal way when faced with something as wonderful as a visit to Curacao, while however she was still assimilating it, amazed. It was a strange feeling, as if she had always been in a bubble and now she had emerged outside. In part this was true, since her dedication to the medical cause in the New Covenant Church had caused her to suffer some isolation. This wasn't something forced or imposed, of course, no one would have stopped her from leaving or going wherever she wanted, but in the end the isolationist character that the Church had developed during the mandate of the previous Pontiff Paolus had caused all those who worked within it to end up also isolating themselves from the rest of Sirius. It was fortunate that things were changing little by little. There was so much to see out there and so much to learn... It was clear that her time at Healing Heart would make her explore facets of life that she had not even thought about.
Wilson nodded vigorously. "I will love to accompany you to the beach, Isa. This way I'll be able to witness how you handle such an atypical therapy session. I've never seen anything like this described in the psychology books I've read."
While they were talking, the two women crossed the atrium, passing many people coming and going, entering and leaving the numerous stores and businesses. People seemed happy there, and Mac saw many friendly smiles and affectionate gestures in the interactions between them. Even in many people who seemed to be going somewhere in a hurry, their faces lacked that expression of tension or stress so common to see in any urban center. Then, passing in front of an office that appeared to be some type of administrative building, Isabella indicated to her that this was the Citizen Office, a kind of Democratic Council for the permanent residents of Healing Heart. Mac listened with great interest about the workings of the Citizen Office, and was surprised to discover that the entire Healing Heart was governed by the principles of representative democracy.
Wilson observed the glass doors of the office and the hustle and bustle inside. "Oh, how interesting! I didn't expect something like that. This being a medical ship, I imagined that MFE would have complete control of the rule of life within it." Mac made a wide gesture with her hand that involved the entire atrium. "However, it makes sense to me that it is a democratic system. As I told you before, I now realize that this isn't just a medical ship, but a real colony, a floating city. For all this to work, too many people are needed, apart from doctors. It wouldn't be feasible for this entire society to be governed by a medical council, as a kind of technocracy." She nodded, with a slight smile of admiration. "It's great that everyone here has a say. It's the fairest thing and from what I see, it's also effective." The neurologist was silent for a moment, thinking, and then she asked. "I wonder though if you have ever had a situation here where what the Council decides is contrary to what the primary medical function of Healing Heart requires. I mean..." Mac waved her hands, trying to make herself understood. "...in democracy the path to follow is chosen by the opinion of the majority, but on a hospital ship there can be times when everything can depend on the most trained knowledge of the medical staff. How do you solve if the Council has a different opinion about what should be done at that time?"
The two doctors continued walking for a while until Isabella pointed to some large glass doors that opened to the side. Once they crossed them, Mac knew that they were already in the Healing Heart's Public Library. The neurologist loved libraries and quiet study places in general, where she felt at home. She fondly remembered her time as a medical student at the Royal Planetary University of New London, and its large, luxurious library, in which she used to prepare for exams and coursework. Now in Pygar she had ever been in the library that the Pontifical Palace had on the second floor, and she loved it. It was much smaller than the one at the University, but it had a large collection of ancient volumes, some from the Earth period. Besides, it was very well set up, beautifully decorated, with comfortable spaces for silent and focused reading. However, it wasn't a place that was generally open to the public, and she usually had to make do with using the much more bustling Faith Haven Public Library, or else the study room that existed in the Medical Center, which lacked any comfort. For all this, Mac was amazed when she looked around, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.
It was a place decorated in a modern way, there was no doubt, but at the same time it avoided the coldness typical of the materials used in modern interior design. The synthetic wood, and even the real one, brought warmth to the place, and the lighting was enough to be able to see perfectly, without being dazzling. Wilson appreciated the elegance of the soft lighting strips that ran along the shelves on both floors, highlighting the books they contained. On the ground floor there were numerous tables and comfortable classic-style chairs, with computer terminals placed on them, although many of the people sitting there had books in their hands. Mac noticed how silence reigned throughout the room, barely disturbed by a few sporadic murmurs as someone communicated quietly with another. People walked respectfully, trying not to make noise, and the floor, despite clearly looking like wood, barely made a sound when someone's feet hit it. Isabella approached the librarian's counter and greeted her. She was a red-haired woman who welcomed them smiling and immediately recognized the psychologist. Saito introduced her companion and asked to make her an access card for the library, and to look for a series of study books.
Wilson quietly responded as the librarian, who said her name was Freya, introduced herself. "Nice to meet you, Freya, I'm Mac Wilson." She smiled, looking at the book shelves in sight. "What a library you have, I think we'll see each other a lot around here."
The neurologist let Freya guide her in taking the photo for her access card, although she would have liked to be a little more dressed up. She wasn't a person who cared much about her appearance, normally she didn't even have time to think about it, but now she was away from home and she didn't want to make a bad impression. Especially next to someone who always seemed to be as radiant as Isabella. However, her fears were unfounded and when the librarian gave her the newly printed card, Mac saw that she didn't turn out too bad either. Yes, her hair may not have been as good as she would have preferred, but she came out smiling and generally looked good. She put the card in her backpack and followed Isabella, while the librarian began to show them around the place.
Mac listened, impressed, at the immense amount of volumes she would have at her disposal. She loved reading, anything that fell into her hands, really. She had always been a great devourer of books of all kinds, although lately she always came home so exhausted that it had been a long time since she had read anything other than medical compendiums and patient reports. She hoped that during this time of being a student again she would have a little more time between tasks, and would be able to enjoy that well-stocked library. Of course she would give full priority to her duty and the objective she had set, had no intention of failing in her mission, or of letting anyone down. However... perhaps both things were compatible.
When the three women had completely walked the entire length of the place between the study tables, and observed both floors full of shelves, they finally moved on to a smaller room, decorated in a much more old fashioned way. Unlike the previous large space, this one seemed designed to be much more intimate, more secluded, and more comfortable. It had two floors, although the ceilings were lower, with a wooden staircase that ascended to the second. On the roof there were skylights that showed the space outside the ship, being able to see the starry void. The atmosphere was more ornate, with furniture that was, or appeared to be, antiques, thick rugs and some historical medical objects displayed in glass cases. The dark woods of the shelves and coffee tables, and the soft warm light of some lamps gave the feeling of being in the living room of a large mansion from ancient times. Armchairs and large sofas abounded, placed alone or in small groups, allowing readers to isolate themselves a little, or on the contrary choose to share reading with other people.
Mac immediately realized that this wasn't so much a simple study room as a cabinet completly dedicated to knowledge of the medical arts. A place where a scholar of these arts could meet the great architects of the advances in human medicine, and, for a few hours, transport himself to other times without leaving the sofa he was sitting on. She began to remember sensations that she had almost forgotten, from her time at university, moments of deep study in the its great library in which she had almost felt that was entering into communion with the universe. That room gave her sensations very similar to that and soon the neurologist realized that she had fallen deeply in love with that place. She imagined herself there, in one of those leather armchairs, passing the hours, dedicated to the leisurely reading os the greatests works of Psychology, with a takeaway cappuccino from Belle's near her. She felt a surge of peace that she only used to experience when she went to the Temple, in Faith Haven, and sat in silence, introspectively thinking and praying. Mac knew at that moment that that place would be her spiritual refuge in the Healing Heart, the place where she would go to become at peace with herself and with the universe, where she would find her balance to fulfill Deux's will and become the Psychologist she was meant to be.
Mac had to force herself to abandon her thoughts when Freya approached with three Psychology books chosen for her, and Isabella explained what they would help her with, in her beginnings as a student. Wilson took them in her hands and flipped through their indexes. They were books specifically designed for students, not treatises or compendiums of Psychology, which was what she had read the most about in the past. Without a doubt, those books would allow her to fill in all the gaps that her self-taught attempts to study on her own had left empty.
The neurologist smiled with enthusiasm at Isabella. "I think I'll start this evening with 'Introduction to Human Psychology', after dinner." She put the three books in her backpack, as carefully as if they were made of glass. "I want to be ready as soon as possible, especially if tomorrow I'm going to have a practical experience with patients in Curazao."
Isa Smirks at Mac as she would hear the comment about her Monetary Situation. But she would make sure to let Mac Play the next time when they were at Belle´s Cafe. She would enjoy the fact that this place seemed to throw Mac out of her usual way and made her see new Roads ahead. Isa knew that it sometimes only needs a new place for people to get a new view of their lives and how things might need to change. She smiled and would go with her and speak about all the things that they would do and continue the Ship Tour.
Isa: Once you have your ID you can Link your Bank Account with it and Pay all the things on board by Simply Holding it onto a Scanner and Confirming the Bill that the Holographic Screen will show you. And I will gladly take your Offer to pay next time. But don't worry my salary as the Head of Mental Health is Pretty good so to pay the bill for a friend is no big deal for me either.
She said with a smile as she led her down to the Library and listened to her Suprise about the Curacao Visit and the Unusual Therapy Location. She knew that some of the things that they would do on the Healing Heart might be seen as Unusual by others. But the History of the Ship has shown that if these unusual Therapy Forms were used with a high Degree of Care and caution. But Isa was also Curious about the way that Mac herself would React to the Place as well. Isa had a feeling that wouldn't be at such a place in a long time if she were at such a place at all.
Isa: Oh a Swimsuit will be totally fine. Just wear whatever you feel comfortable to wear. And if you want to have something else we can go shopping together. I mostly wear a nice Biki underneath some more Traditional Beach Clothes. I mean I have to uphold a certain Display of being a Professional Psychologist During the Therapy. But these Trips are Planned in a manner that allows both Patients and Doctors to Use the Beach to Relax after the Therapy Session. It has shown that this reduces the Stress that Therapy can Create on the Patients. And Orbital is Friendly enough to let us use a secluded Island with beautiful beaches that are away from the normal tourist Areas of the Planet. Like this, we can Uphold the Doctor's Patient Confidentiality. And after the Therapy, I love to go swimming and take Sunbath to work on my Tan.
Isa said with a smile as she would go with her further and they talked about the Political System of the Healing Heart. Isabella could see the surprise on Mac´s Face as she told her that they had a Democracy on board. Of course, Isa and her doctor team could Decide everything but Isa wouldn't want to become a Medica Dictator, to decide everything on her own would mean that she would have no more time for her patients.
Isa: Well, of course, you have to make some Compromises in a Democracy. But the Council Knows that the Primary Function of the Healing Heart is to be a Hospital. This is also the reason why I have an Advisory Seat on the Council, to Give them a Medical View of their Decisions. So far it never happened that we couldn't come to an agreement that satisfied both the Civilian and Medical Inhabitants of the ship. But to be honest the Council understands very well that without the Hospital there would be no Healing Heart.
She smiled as they continued on their way. Isa could see the Childlike Joy in Mac´s Face as they entered the Library. To see her like this made it clear to Isa that it was the right decision to put the Library Vist first. Isabella herself was a big fan of the Library and loved to Read Historical Romance Books in her Spare Time. Of course, Niki was also a well-known Guest in the Library and they had to stop a couple of times to allow the people to give Niki some rubs between the ears. But they would have left them all alone by the time they reached the Medical Ward. Isa could see how much Mac Valued the books that she got and how she treated them. She Gave Mac some time afterward to Pick some Books for her free time as well and Isa insisted that she wouldn't only focus on learning but also relax a bit.
Isa: oh yes that is a good choice to start, but don't only Focus on your Studies. We have all the time we need to make you into one of the Best Psychologists in Sirius.
Isa smiled as she waited for Mac at the Door of the Library till she had picked a book or two for her free time. Once Mac had picked her leisure time books she would lead her over to the Citizen Office and make sure that she would get her Ship ID. She was now Booked as a Permanent Resident and Medical Staff of the Ship. They would Give her a Card that contained her Name and Picture as well as her Position on the Student on the ship. The Card would give her access to all the Medical Facilities of the Ship and would only Restrict her access to things like the Engine Rooms and Security Areas like the Bridge and others. She would then lead her over to the Medical Wing and let Mac use her new ID to open the Doors for them so that she would be able to see how it works. The ID would be like a Universal Key that would open all the Places that she had access to. It would also work as a Credit/Banking Card that she can pay all the things she wants to buy on board.
The Medical Wing would have been like any other Hospital out there, they had
Specialized medical wards for all the Patient's needs. The Walls were Painted in a Friendly Color and had also some Paintings here and there. They had also Signs on the Walls that would Guide you to the Different Wards and show you the way. Of course, they were not alone, and around them were Doctors and Nurses walking through the Hallways and going after their daily business. Currently, they were in the General Ward that specialized in Bodly Injuries that would be treated in every other hospital, so things like Broken Bones, Sickness, and all the other things that did not need an Intensive or Psychological Care Unit.
Isa: we have 2 General Wards and 1 Intensive Care Unit. On top of that, we have 5 Psychological Wards for patients that need to be Hospitalized. But those that are stable enough also get Normal Cabins on board if that is possible. We also have the Woman's Refuge which is separated from the Normal Hospital Operations and has the size of 2 Medical Wards. We also Have an emergency Room in case some of our citizens need help. And in case we have to help some Pilots the ER also has a Direct connection to the Main Hangar. We have a lot of really Motivated Doctors and Nurses that keep the hospital running, I am so proud of all of them.
Next she would lead her over to the Womans Refuge. The Place had a Secure Door with a Female Guard of the Ship Security Service Standing Before it. Isa would have to explain to him who Mac was before she was allowed to enter. It was Abundantly Clear that the woman would take her job very seriously and wouldn't let anyone into the Refuge who didn't belong there. The Refuge was a bit more openly Constructed than the Hospitals and had Comfy Seating Areas and a lot of Plants and green around. The walls would be Painted with different Motives and it looked like many of them would have been painted by the Inhabitants of the Refuge themselves. Mac could see a lot of Women, but also Children that ran around. But one thing that she couldn't see was any Males. The Doctors and Nurses in the Refuge were all Female and the Only Males were the Boys who of course stayed with their mothers.
Isa: To my knowledge, we are the Only Womans Refuge that Operates in the Borderworlds. Most Settlements or Stations are too Small to offer such a Specialized Safe Space. And on Worlds like Malta and Crete, they don't have the Necessary Awareness of the Problem. The Rooms in the Refuge are bigger than those in the Hospital Wards. they also have space for the Children to live with their mothers. The Kids go to the Normal Schools if Possible, but we also have a Smaller School here at the Refuge. Often when these women Leave their Abusive Partners the Children are as Traumatized as the Women are. Sowe also has Psychologists and Nurses here that are Specialize in working with Children. Our goal is to help the women and their children to be stable enough to first Move out of the Refuge to a Normal Cabin on board and then maybe back into the Real World. But sadly some of them are so Traumatized that they might never leave the Refuge. Thankfully these Cases are really rare, currently, we have only 22 of these women who are in long-term care. She would turn to Mac and Smile friendly at her as if she wanted to apologize for what she would say next. While you have Full Access to the Normal Hospital with your ID, you have no Access to the Womans Refuge without me. I know that you are a good Person Mac, but this is a Rule that all Students have to Follow. But If you want I will take you with me whenever I come here. I think that it is important for you to also Experience this side of our work because I think it might help you to see those that are in their Shoes. The sad Reality is that Abused Women, well not just women basically anyone that got abused, tend to hide it. Often they are ashamed that they let their partners do that to them, or the Abuser uses psychological or Physical Violence to keep them quiet. I want to show you how you can Recognize the signs of Domestic Violence that are often not visible at First Sight. Domestic Violence can Sadly happen everywhere and I want you to be Prepared for such a case should you ever have a patient like this.
After they had spent some time in the women's Refuge the both of them would leave the place and Isa Decided to show her something that would lift their spirits after they were exposed to the Sad Reality that brought so many Women into the Womans Refuge onboard of the Healing Heart. Isa would lead her out of the Hospital Wing and back to the Atrium. At the opposite end of the Place they had entered, there was a Large Door made from Stained glass. Over the Entrance was a sign that said "All Faiths Chapple". As they entered they could see a Modern Church with Comfy Benches and seating areas. But also places for Meditation, the church wasn't dedicated to only one faith and its decorations reflected that. It had some elements that could have been found in a Christian Church, but also those that would be found in a Mosk or a Synagog. all of these Religious Decorations were Carefully Balanced to not offend one of the Religions. An Older-looking Man with Grey hair would smile at them. He was Dressed in a long Black Robe and looked like he would smile a lot. As they entered the man would currently Light some Candles and seemed to speak a prayer. But soon he would Come over to them and smile, he would greet Isa by Hugging her and giving Niki a little Head Rub.
Isa: Mac this is Harlen Snider, he is the well we haven't really a Title for him as he isn't dedicated to only one Religion. We sadly don't have the Space on board to Build a Religious Institution for every Religion, so we decided to rather build one Big that the People would then share. Harlen here takes care of the place and...well I think he should explain it himself.
The man smiled and pointed to one of the Wooden Benches that had a soft cushion for them to sit on. He was taller than both Mac and Isa and had that Gentle Giant vibe. His Face showed that he must have been a Farmer at some time in his life, hat had wrinkles and was signed by the time he had worked exposed to the Elements.
Harlen: I would say I am more of a Religious Officer as you can see in some militaries. I hold Church Services for all the believers of the Different Religions on Board and try to Serve their Religious needs. I also hope to do the same for you. The Hallway radio is quick on board so please correct me if I am wrong, but you are a Follower of a Religion that I have never heard of before. I think it's called Deux? I would Love to Talk with you about your Religion once you have some time to feel at home on board.
Mackenzie gave a resigned smile when Isa insisted that she should pick up something to read in her free time, and not just for studying, before leaving the library. The neurologist knew that from the outside many people had often told her that she focused too much on her work, and that sometimes it was okay for her to relax. She told herself this sometimes, but she always ended up convincing herself that she had too many responsibilities to fall into the weakness of relaxation. However, this time she accepted what Saito told her. After all, she was her teacher, and she would totally supervise her studies. If she thought it was appropriate for Mac to have moments of some rest, it couldn't be detrimental to her goals, right?
As Saito walked out of the library with Niki to make room for her, Wilson walked over to a book search computer terminal and checked what they had. There were millions of copies, of all kinds, and at first she felt overwhelmed. Then she thought that she had always liked epic fantasy and science fiction, and since the library seemed to have some copies of Old Earth volumes, she decided to look for something in that style but ancient.
The search software apparently had a system through which readers could leave their reviews of the books they had read, so Mac ran several searches by genre and era, and cross-referenced them with the best reviews. She finally chose a kind of epic fantasy trilogy called "The Lord of the Rings" by a certain J.R.R. Tolkien, and three other books that made up something called "The Three Body Trilogy", by a man named Cixin Liu, the latter seemed to be science fiction. Mac smiled, thinking it would be fun to now read what the humans of Old Earth considered science fiction.
Once outside the library, Isabella led the way again, this time to the Citizen Office. It was time for Mac to get her security ID, so she could access the areas set up for residents. Mac gave her details to the office clerks so they could add them to the card, and then set the bank account that the NCC had opened for her for the expenses during the study period as the default for use as a credit card. Once in her hands, Mac hung it around her neck with a ribbon that came with the card, and sighed happily. From that moment on, bureaucratically speaking, she was a medical resident at Healing Heart. She had moved one step closer to her goals.
Now that Mac had access to virtually the entire ship, Isabella suggested a quick visit to the medical wing, so the new resident could learn how to use her ID to get through the door checks, and in the process get a look at one of their next workplaces. Once Wilson used her new card on the modern glass door that gave access, and Isa greeted the nurses at the entrance control, both doctors walked through the corridors, while the psychologist showed her student the various areas. Mac was quite impressed with those facilities. Although they didn't differ, in essence, from what any modern hospital could offer, the medical equipment displayed there was of the latest generation. Both women took a quick tour of the general trauma room, observing how the doctors and medical staff worked, and there Saito explained to Mac the composition of the rest of the places in the medical wing.
Mac nodded as Isa talked, watching the doctors come and go. "They're impressive facilities. I would like to have some of the machines you've here for Faith Haven, although we would certainly need to send more doctors to the Academy so they could learn how to use them." She smiled when Saito told her about the Emergency Room. "Very smart for a hospital ship to have direct access to the ER from the main hangar. From what you said in Faith Haven, MFE hospital ships have even intervened in armed conflicts, picking up wounded pilots from the battlefield. This makes it mandatory to have a system through which, as soon as they land, they can be quickly taken to the emergency room without wasting time rolling between hallways and elevators. In these situations, every second counts."
Mac was very excited when they continued the visit through the medical wing and reached the Women's Refuge. It was one of the parts of the ship that she most wanted to see, because it seemed to her like a project that was as necessary as it was unfortunately uncommon. Saito had spoken to her about how the deceased Dr. Wilke had created that place out of nothing in order to give a way out of freedom for the large number of women who suffer domestic violence at the hands of those who should give them love and respect. Wilson knew that the practice of Psychology was very important to treat the minds of these women, wounded by hatred and abuse. Many of them would undoubtedly be traumatized and would need to undergo therapy to have a chance to return to normal life. It was difficult for Mac to find a more fair and Deux-blessed project than that one, and she hoped to be able to participate in it during her studies with Isabella.
As they approached the entrance, the neurologist immediately knew that the safety of the women residents at the Refuge was something that Healing Heart took very seriously. All the doors she had seen in the medical wing had security systems to prevent unauthorized access, but the door to the Refuge was heavily reinforced. The glass was tinted, so that the inside couldn't be seen from the outside, and very thick, shockproof. It was also guarded by a large, strong woman, who wore the uniform of the Healing Heart security teams. When the two women approached the entrance, she stopped them, looking seriously at Mac. Although it was obvious that she knew Isabella, the guard carefully examined Wilson's identification, checking the data against the ship's database, and Saito had to explain who her student was and why she was there. Finally the guard seemed to verify that everything was in order and let them through.
The Refuge was more like a group home than a medical facility. It was pleasant, and was decorated with the intention of conveying relaxation, confidence and security. There were various green areas, with windows on the roof similar to those she had seen in the atrium, which simulated sunlight in a way indistinguishable from reality. In them there were women chatting, walking or resting, lying on the grass or sitting on wooden benches. Many had their small children nearby, who played with each other. Laughter and shouts of happiness could be heard, but as Mac passed by some of those women she could see how a gleam of fear appeared in their eyes when they saw her. Some even called their children quietly to come to their side. After all, she was a stranger to them, and many hadn't yet been able to free themselves from the ghost of terror that they had suffered, and that still would accompany them for a long time.
Wilson looked at Isabella. "No wonder there are so many security measures here, considering the fear these women must feel." The neurologist discreetly looked around again at those people who were observing her with caution. "I mean, the Healing Heart is a very safe ship, and technically it's almost impossible for one of those abusers to even get past the hangar controls, but for these ladies I don't think that's enough. When one has reached that level of fear, I can imagine that always feels threatened." She shook her head, somewhat sadly. "It hasn't gone unnoticed how they look at me, even though I'm not a man. When you've suffered so much, it must be very difficult to trust again in a stranger."
The neurologist tried to keep a calm expression and smile peacefully while listening to Isabella, so that she wouldn't be seen as a threat. Mac realized that little by little the women were calming down as they watched her talk with Isabella, whom they knew perfectly well, and Wilson focused on listening to how her teacher explained the functioning of the Refuge, and the circumstances of those who lived there. Mac was truly sorry for those poor souls, mistreated by heartless animals. As Isabella said, even some of them would never even be able to recover and rebuild their lives. They would be condemned to always live in terror, afraid to go outside, fearing the monsters returned. However, the existence of the Refuge was a haven of peace within the hell they lived through, both for those who could recover and those who could not. Whatever happened, they were safe there. Mac had a moment of remembrance for Dr. Wilke, and thought that although she had never had the pleasure of meeting her, being there witnessing her work made feel like she knew her a little. She must have been an incredible person, and an impressive doctor, and being in the presence of Wilke's achievements inspired her to want even more to become a competent psychologist. Mac wished could one day helping as many people as she had.
Wilson nodded understandingly when Isabella informed her that, as a student, she wouldn't have free access to the Refuge without supervision from her teacher. "No problem, Isa, it's logical. I'm a student here, not a practicing doctor, and there are rules that must be followed." She smiled at Saito. "Furthermore, it's important for the safety of these people that access to this place is always done by specific and authorized personnel. I'm able to understand it, and I also agree with it." She looked around, at the women who had gone back to what they were doing before they arrived. "However, I'll be very grateful if I can come here with you more times and work with these women. I think I can learn a lot from what I see here. Domestic abuse happens everywhere, and I want to be able to identify it and treat the people affected. I would like to be able to offer that to the settlers of Faith Haven."
The two doctors spent some more time there, and Isabella even introduced Mac to some of the women who had a more favorable therapeutic evolution. She remained quite silent at all times, although she exchanged some smiles and banal words with them, just so that they could get used to her voice and her presence. After almost an hour, Isabella decided that they should continue with their initial tour, and they both left the Refuge.
As they left through the security door and walked through the hallways on their way out of the medical wing, Mac felt quite sad for those women and their children. It couldn't be said that she had had an easy life, really, considering what she had had to overcome during the invasion of Gran Canaria, the Exodus, and the initial moments of Pygar's colonization, but what the inhabitants of the Refuge had gone through seemed worse to her. Yes, she had been kicked out of her house by armed thugs, who had shot her friends, and probably murdered her parents, and she had had to go on the run in which she had seen many of her companions die horribly. But that had been a situation of war, of genocide, if you want, and although it was a poor consolation, it was something that she had been able to share with many other exiles. However, these poor women had gone through hell in their own homes, alone, some in silence, having to keep a happy face to the outside. Their house, which should be anyone's peaceful haven, had in many cases become their prison, or torture room. Sometimes Mac wondered how it was possible that Deux still felt love for humans after how they constantly treated each other.
Lost in her dark thoughts, Mackenzie did not realize that they were going out into the atrium again and that Isabella was guiding her to an area where they had not been, on the same floor where they had entered but on the exact other side. Only when they reached the entrance of the place did she return to reality and looked towards where Isabella was pointing. The large stained glass door left her shocked.
Wilson looked up, and read the sign. "All Faiths Chapel?" She turned at Saito, with a surprised smile. "I certainly had not seen this in my entire life." Mac looked again at the beautiful door and its bright colors. "I've seen temples of many beliefs, and I've even seen religions without a temple, but never a temple of all faiths." She scratched her chin. "I've to admit that it's an intriguing concept. Let's go in, I'd like to see the inside."
When they entered, Mackenzie automatically fell into respectful silence, just like she used to do when entered the Temple of Deux. The place was quite picturesque, since it was a kind of collage of sacred places from various religions, with some symbols of each of them. As a believer in the Faith of Deux, Wilson had studied the history of other religions, both those that came from Old Earth and some of the new ones that had already emerged on Sirius, so she was able to recognize some elements of many of them. Mac walked silently down the central hallway, observing the gloom of the place, which was illuminated by some dim lanterns and chandeliers with candles. The atmosphere smelled of incense and wax, but also of aromatic woods burning like sandalwood. There were some people sitting on the temple benches, but also kneeling or sitting on cushions, or on mats, in a kind of side chapels. Everyone seemed to be engaged in silent prayer, or spiritual meditation. It was like any other temple Mackenzie had ever seen, except that no one there seemed to be praying to the same god.
Wilson noticed that at the front of the temple, near a small austere altar, without any symbology, there was an elderly tall man who was observing them. He dressed like some kind of monk, with a dark robe, and smiled, waiting for them to approach. Finally he came out to meet them.
Mac waited for Isabella to make the required introductions, and then addressed the priest. "Pleased to meet you... sir... father...?" She blushed. "I really don't know how I should address you, I wouldn't want to disrespect you. You're some kind of priest... but this is a temple in which many religions are represented. How is that possible?"
The man, that his name was Harlen Snider, made a gesture with his hand indicating that they should sit on one of the benches, and explained his function there. He also showed great insight in acknowledging that already knew that Mac worshiped Deux, and she was pleased when Snider wanted to know more about her beliefs.
"Oh, mine is a very old religion, older than any other religion on Old Earth. Although at the same time very unknown. Currently, the remaining believers are united in a Church that is now based on Planet Pygar." Mac tried to summarize the basis of his beliefs in a few words. "We worship Deux Machina. He's a sidereal entity whose origin we don't know, but Who gave us humans the Gift of the Machine. He chose us among the other races that may exist in the galaxy and gave us the knowledge to evolve technologically, so that one day we could defend ourselves from the Great Threat." Wilson's face darkened. "That Great Threat, we ended up discovering, referred to the beings we now know as Nomads. Our religion entrusts us to do everything possible to unify Humanity in order to better defend ourselves from their attacks, and to fight them to defend our brothers. Deux promulgates love between human beings, and the cessation of conflicts between us, as the only path to victory against the Nomad." Mac was silent for a few seconds, thoughtful, and then tried to smile at Snider. "Said like this it seems very serious and dark, but in reality our Church puts the Faith into practice by carrying out authentic acts of philanthropy. We try to help all human beings who need it, and we welcome everyone who comes with a clean heart, regardless of whether he's a believer or not. As our Pontiff often says, Deux doesn't care if you believe in Him, He only wants you to fulfill His Sacred Mandate." She shrugged her shoulders. "It's one of the reasons I became a doctor. I believe that preserving the lives of other human brothers is one of the greatest acts of fulfilling what Deux desires."
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