The Sojourn

'Scar Tissue' - by Larissa Thompson

Added 2022-01-29 20:00:03 +0000 UTC

In the wake of her and Cass's ordeal on the Vitrified Planet, Elizabeth seeks insight from Meds.

Check out this Patron-Exclusive Anthology short, written by Larissa Thomson and performed by Emily Serdahl and Laura Faye Smith.

Thank you all for your continuing support.

Fair winds!

Full transcript:

MEDS:

Well, Director, generally, you're in good health. Hemoglobin count is good, and your leg is almost completely healed. Your blood pressure and cortisol levels are a little higher than normal, but I'm guessing that if you wanted to hear a lecture about reducing your stress, you'd see one of the Avalon's doctors.

ELIZABETH:

Ah, you've unveiled my secret plan.

MEDS:

Mmhmm.

ELIZABETH:

Someone looming over me demanding I relax is, surprisingly, not that relaxing. Doctors, right?

MEDS: Mmhmm.

ELIZABETH:

Besides, I do have half a multinational expedition to run. And a new harvesting facility to set up on a glass planet with mysterious alien ruins. Also there's three gate components missing, I only have one place to smoke in the whole fleet, and I haven't gotten a chance to even look at the pulsar data.

MEDS: Quit smoking.

ELIZABETH: Oh, good idea, I'll add "withdrawal symptoms" to the list.

MEDS: You're welcome.

If you're not here for a check-up, why are you here?

ELIZABETH: Well, actually... I wanted to ask you something. Back on the planet, after I broke my leg... well, Cass told me about what happened at--

MEDS:

I know.

ELIZABETH: Oh. Well, how do you know what to say... I mean, I think I said the right thing back on the planet, but I was so out of it I don't remember anymore. And whenever we've talked about it since I just... I sit there like an idiot trying to think of something useful to say.

MEDS: Oh... There's nothing useful say. You to can't fix or change what happened. And she doesn't need you to. Just be there. You've already helped her more than I have in the last four years.

ELIZABETH: Really?

ELIZABETH: Right. Well, thanks Meds. Truly. And, do you mind if we keep this...?

MEDS: Doctor-patient confidentiality.

ELIZABETH: Oooh, so I can tell you all sorts of scandalous secrets?

MEDS: I'd love that.