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                           Bubblegum Crisis
                                 ****
                      The Tempest Chronicles II
                                 ****
                        (c) Robin Smith 1995/6

                 Bubblegum Crisis is copyright Armtic,
                     Youmex and Toshimichi Suzuki.
          Other copyrights belong to their respective holders.
                              =========

Chapter 2.18
------------

A low murmur pervades the air steadily increasing in amplitude until it
is apparent that someone is talking. Seconds pass by, though they seem
minutes, the speech eventually resolving into something intelligible.

"Coffee okay Doc ?"
A woman's voice enquires.

"Thanks, I wouldn't mind a cup."
A gruff voice replies.

There is a strong odour of ... whiskey and something else; not as
strong but tangible; memory groping for the association. An image of a
crowded room with bright lights, loud music and ... cigarette smoke.

Fragments of memories flash by her confused mind; the voice seems
familiar; but whose is it ? Searching through the murky depths, she
pictures a woman's face framed by blonde hair; another image of the
same woman but now with  red-brown hair flashes up.

She opened her eyes for the first time, blinking rapidly as the
increased light level brings the pain of the throbbing headache to the
forefront of her mind. Above her is a shadowy form surrounded by a halo
of light, it moves closer and she tries to focus upon the face. Her
vision still blurred, she tries to raise a hand to wipe her eyes; a
hand grasps hers holding her arm down firmly but gently.

Something cold, thin and polished is placed under her tongue and the
rough skinned fingers are pressed against her wrist.
The gruff male voice mutters,
"Hmm, pulse is strong, steady and regular."
Her wrist is released and the object is removed from her mouth.
"Temperature 98.9; just a little high."

She gasped in shock as a cold metal plate is placed against her chest;
it remains for there for a while occasionally moved from one side to
the other. Rough fingers hold open her eyelids as a bright light is
shone around, temporarily blotting out what little vision she had;
there is a click and the light is extinguished.
She blinks rapidly in an effort to clear the dancing pattern of red
dots that cloud her limited vision. The spots slowly fade into the
peach coloured background which in turn slowly fades to grey as she
slips into a welcome sleep; free from the aches in her head.

After packing up his equipment the doctor leaves the patient's side;
shuts off the light and pulls the door to behind him. He returns to the
main living area where three anxious young people await his diagnosis.

"There's no retinal damage or clouding I can see, her pupils are
dilating okay and her eye movement is fine.
Her balance and vision won't be too good for a while, though that will
probably clear during the night and she'll have a headache for a day
so, but I think she'll be fine.
She needs a good night's rest and the sedative I gave her will take
effect soon. Don't give her any liquids or food until the morning.
If she wakes and wants a drink then a sip of water will be okay but
absolutely *no* alc}Z1B643H@46466604646}#

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