All That Glitters Ch. 54

Addyson locked eyes with Fiona. She saw a determination there that she did not like. Fiona was ready to send her back, and she was probably correct, Admiral Ramison would likely fire her ass if she was sent back in disgrace this early.

"I am sending you to see Dr. Maya, the psychologist at the hospital. Make sure you see her and make sure that you fucking change the way your work with people, Addyson. I will not hesitate to send you back to George and let him deal with you. Personally, I would rather not admit to George that I cannot deal with you. But that will be completely up to you. See Dr. Maya. Make the changes necessary and continue to do the excellent work you do as my procurement officer. I would rather have you here working for me, than begging George not to can your hide.

"Dismissed," Fiona snapped. Addyson rose, snapped a salute, turned and marched out the door. Her comp beeped and she looked down to see that she had an appointment with Dr. Maya that afternoon.

Damn, things moved fast around here, she thought to herself.

Liramor-23 Hospital, Lima Deck, The Piscium System

Lindsey Briller's recovery was initially very slow, which was understandable considering the deprivation her body had endured over her twelve years of captivity.

After four days, she had been moved to a room of her own and had been visited by two cute little children who, because of how she was dressed, confused her with the character 'Waldo'. She remembered how happy they were to have 'found' her. The day after that visit, she was walked around the ward for the first time. She was exhausted after that very short trip.

But now, three days later, she was walking down the open corridor of Lima Deck, outside the hospital, with Katanya by her side. As they came near to the end of the corridor, Lindsey suddenly began to wane. Fortunately, they were near to a place of refuge.

Katanya pressed the call button on a door and it was swiftly opened by Violletiya. The smell of cooking wafted into the corridor as the door snapped open, making Lindsey's mouth water.

"Hello, who have we here?" Violletiya asked.

"My patient wanted to go for a bit of a walk, however, we went further than she could handle. Can we rest on your couch for a bit until she regains some of her strength?" Katanya asked.

"Of course she can," Hanalei replied from the kitchen. "Come in and put your feet up. Would you like a cup of tea?"

"I would love that," Lindsey agreed. "What kind do you have?"

Instead of answering, Hanalei brought over a small wooden box that contained several glass jars. "These are Anuuran teas. You can open each jar and smell the contents. Once you find one you like, we will make a cup for you."

Lindsey began to do just that, but it was much harder to open the jars than she anticipated. Eventually, she looked to Katanya to help her. "Don't look at me, I already know which one I am selecting," Katanya told her with a smile.

"You are going to make your frail patient open all of these jars?" Lindsey asked.

"Yep. It will do good for your coordination and your wrist strength," Katanya countered, smiling.

The door opened and Junelliya entered with the children, the three Cats riding her shoulders and her head.

"Oh!! It's Miss Waldo," Ikekia said. The two children ran over and gave her knees a hug while the Cats floated over to sit with Lindsey and Katanya. "Mommy said last time that we must not huwt you."

"And you remembered that?" Lindsey asked grinning. "My what smart little girls you are."

"Yep, we smart. We learn speak all," Zarreniya told her.

"Speak all?" Lindsey parroted, a little confused.

The children ran into the corner and pulled out multiple language blocks and began to show Lindsey different words in different languages, speaking the words as they made them. Lindsey was very impressed.

"How old are they?" she asked Katanya.

"Oh, they are a little over one going on one hundred," Katanya laughed.

Lindsey opened another jar and paused as she sniffed the contents. "Oh, that smells so good!"

"That's my favourite," Katanya told her. "I'll make you a cup as Hanalei seems to be a little busy at the moment."

While Lindsey was entertained by the children, Katanya made a cup of tea for both of them and brought it to the small table. "Hot tea, girls," Katanya warned them.

"OK, we see, Aunty Katy," Zarrenia replied.

"Aunty Katy?" Lindsey remarked, smiling.

"Privilege of being a friend of the family," Katanya told her, returning the smile.

Just then the door chimed. "That will be the neighbours. Please do not be afraid, Lindsey, they really are good people," Junelliya said as she moved to open the door.

Just then, the strangest looking people that Lindsey had ever seen walked into the room and gave Junelliya hugs. The children called out and raised their hands, demanding hugs of their own. They got them.

The pair had gold/green skin and wore human style work clothing. Their mouths were lipless and they smiled without showing teeth, but the smiles reached their eyes, which ran vertically instead of horizontally like human eyes...

""Oh, who is this," one of the strangers asked.

"Mind-Ur, Lent-Ur, this is Lindsey Briller. We met her in the hospital a couple of days ago. She went for a walk and only made it to our door," Hanalei said with a laugh.

"Not surprising with the smells emanating from here when you cook," Mind-Ur replied.

"Lindsey, this is Mind-Ur, the Phrat-Mahi or First Female of the House of Ur. They live next door," Junelliya introduced her friend. "The male is Lent-Ur and is a member of Mind's House. Both of them have Doctorate degrees in Engineering from Malton University. They are Pod-Drran, the first species that humanity ever met in space."

"Oh, they have four breasts..." Lindsey said under her breath, but everyone heard.

"Yes, we try to be nice and not show off too much, after all, the Goddess blessed us and not you humans," Mind-Ur said, getting laughter at the joke, while Lindsey blushed at having been heard.

"Pod-Drran have excellent hearing, Lindsey, we hear almost everything," Lent told her, smiling to show that they had not been offended. "But in all fairness to you humans, the Goddess may have shortchanged you on the numbers, she did, however, give you much bigger breasts."

Mind swatted his arm. "You would notice such things," she snapped at Lent.

"What, I'm a male, of course I notice," Lent replied, rubbing his arm.

That brought a giggle from Lindsey. "I guess males everywhere are the same," she commented, getting giggles from the ladies.

The door chimed again and this time what entered really did surprise Lindsey. At first glance, it looked like some kind of dinosaur, or perhaps a bipedal crocodile. Its size was formidable, being more than two meters in height, filling the door frame completely. Lindsey blinked as the children screamed and ran to the scary beast. "Kurr! You came!" the children shouted.

"Of course I did," the beast replied, his comp translating his words. "How could I not reply to an invitation from my favourite clutch?"

"Lindsey, this is Kurr Mutt Sek. He is an Asocan and works at the Asocan Embassy here on the station," Junelliya spoke quickly to quell Lindsey's fear. The Asocan bowed low to Lindsey.

"Greetings, new person. If you are a friend of the Piscium Family, then you are my friend too," he told her.

"I've...never met an Asocan before," Lindsey said quietly.

"Well, you do not have to stand on formality with me," Kurr answered. "I'm just a lowly office worker. However, I cannot stay away from these two little ones."

That brought laughter from all in the room, which, surprisingly, helped to bring a sense of calm to Lindsey.

"How many different species are there?" Lindsay asked Katanya.

"We know of twelve species in what we call 'The Greater Community'," Katanya informed her, opening her comp and showing her the list.

Hanalei took that moment to sit beside Lindsey on the couch for a breather, a cup of tea in her own hands. "You will need to get a comp of your own, soon," she told the woman.

"I would like to but I have no money," Lindsey explained, getting smiles from Katanya and Hanalei. "What?"

"As a former slave, you are owed compensation for your time in captivity, plus compensation for psychological and physical hardship," Katanya told her.

"What were you planning on doing when you were captured?" Hanalei asked.

"I was going to Med school on Green's World. I had just finished my Bachelor of Sciences Pre-Med studies on my home world and was going to Green's World because I wanted to specialize in Limb Regeneration," Lindsey explained.

"Oh, specialized medical work. You will be allowed to claim for eight years as a basic doctor, that's 250,000 credits per year, plus the other compensations. You will receive something in the neighbourhood of four million credits for your time in captivity. You will have no issues with money," Katanya assured her.

"I would give you the lowdown on how to work your funds, but our family is rather busy at the moment, so I will ask Liea Samson if she can help you there," Hanalei told her.

Just then, Katanya got a call on her comp. Heyya's face appeared. "Katanya, we seem to be missing a patient?"

"We are at the Piscium apartment, Heyya. Lindsey took a long walk but lost her strength near here. Funny thing, she doesn't seem to have regained it yet," Katanya said with a smile.

"Not surprising, it is near dinner time. I have a standing invitation to dinner tonight. I'm booking off and heading there now. Should I bring a float chair?" Heyya asked.

"Might be a good idea," Katanya admitted.

"Alright, I am headed there now, I'm bringing Dr. <Gorlat with me, you might want to warn her," Heyya advised.

"It's alright, Kurr has arrived and been introduced to her, though <Gorlat might be a little scarier with her bedside demeanour," Katanya replied.

"I heard that!!" said a voice behind Heyya. Heyya clicked off before <Gorlat could say anymore.

A few minutes later, Heyya arrived with the float chair and <Gorlat in tow.

"Lindsey, I would like to introduce you to Dr. <Gorlat. She is the doctor that kept you alive until you arrived here at Liramor-23," Heyya told her.

Lindsey rose shakily and gave <Gorlat a hug. It was quite something to see the large Asocan momentarily mute as the smaller human hugged her. That got laughter from around the room.

"Asocans don't hug," Junelliya explained to Lindsey. "So seeing <Gorlat getting hugged and allowing it is grist for the rumour mill."

<Gorlat rumbled a warning at that comment, which only caused the others to laugh even more.

"It does smell good in here," <Gorlat stated, her snout raised and nostrils working.

"Anuuran spices," Heyya informed her. "Caye-Ur, of the House of Ur Trading Company, was going to sell several tons to the Asocans before this incident with Unaayel closed off your space to humans."

"Oh, what a pity. I shall have to enjoy these spices while I am here then," <Gorlat said, snapping her jaw playfully.

The door chimed again and this time several large Asocans came in. Lindsey noted that everyone stood and bowed low to the newcomers but as she began to rise, <Gorlat told her to remain seated.

Lindsey watched as the children ran up to the newcomers and demanded a hug from their 'Aunty Katal'.

"Someone new?" one of the guards asked, instantly alert.

"Lindsey Briller, this is the Asoc >Catal Mutt Herrtt, the Supreme Ruler of the Asocan people and her mate, the Asost <Kome Mutt Goult. Lindsey is the human I brought with me to the station, Asoc," <Gorlat said.

"Ah, I am surprised you are already up and about," the Asoc stated. "I was told that you were quite badly injured, near death in fact."

"This is so, Asoc," Heyya agreed. "However, she is well on her way to a full recovery now."

"That is good news," the Asoc said, with a nod of her head.

"Asost, you can help me pull out the table. Asoc, there are two large pots on the stove that need moving," Hanalei called out, surprising Lindsey that she would be so brazen with the rulers of another people but they moved to help with a certain amount of glee showing on their faces.

Kurr moved the children's highchairs into their places at the table and helped put them in the chairs, getting kisses as thank you from the two little ones. Katanya helped Lindsey up and guided her to a place at the table. Everyone sat down and plates of food were handed around, a large ladle pulling interesting smelling food from each of the pots and plopping them on the deep plates. Everyone made an exaggerated sniff of the food before thanking Hanalei and Junelliya for the meal.

A plate was placed in front of Lindsey. "Do not worry if you cannot finish it," Hanalei said. "The Asoc will gladly lick your plate clean after." She pointed to the Asoc's plate which had more than a double helping piled on it.

That got laughter from the guests and a rueful smile from the Asoc. "Her food is worth licking plates for," she answered getting cheers from the crowd.

Everyone tucked in and Lindsey took a small bite, then let out a moan of pleasure. "OH! Nothing against you, Heyya, but this is so much better than hospital food."

Once more, cheers were called out and Lindsey began to dig into the much smaller portion on her plate. Conversation ranged back and forth around the table as everyone enjoyed the meal.

The door whisked open and a man entered. "Daddy!" the children called out.

"You're home early," Hanalei stated as she rose to give her husband a deep kiss.

"Hey, we told you before, it is not fair to do that in front of us if you are not going to share!" Mind-Ur called out.

"I don't know," the Asoc responded, "that looks kind of dangerous to me, I mean, my mouth would eclipse his head."

Everyone laughed at the joke.

Hanalei pulled her husband to the table where Junelliya got a tender kiss. He skipped around to get hugs and kisses from the children. A chair miraculously appeared and a plate of food plopped down in front of it.

"Lindsey, this is our husband, Fayad Piscium. He is the Assistant Director of Liramor-23," Hanalei informed her guest. "Fayad, this is Lindsey Briller, the young lady from the Asocan realm from OP Sandcastle."

"I am pleased to see you up and around already. Good work, Heyya," Fayad said.

"Hey, what about me?" <Gorlat snapped.

"What, you are an MS1, you need no praise in comparison to these lowly simple medical staff," Fayad retorted.

"Well, there is that," <Gorlat admitted, getting catty comments from the 'lowly' medical staff.

"Not that I am complaining, especially after that kiss, however, early?" Hanalei asked.

"Nothing is happening for the next couple of hours, so I took the time to come to dinner," Fayad explained.

"Who is watching the shop?" Junelliya asked.

"Grace. She needs the hours for her Watch Ticket," Fayad said.

"Yes, you will remember that she is just a young teen and while she may be eager, I would not like to think that you are exploiting her?" Junelliya said, giving her husband a significant look.

Fayad just smiled. "That one is exploiting us," he countered, getting knowing looks from around the table.

"Grace Holloway happens to be the daughter of the President of Union, Wilford J. Holloway, Junelliya informed Lindsey.

"Wow, that is a lot of political power on this station," she commented.

"Yep, and it's going to get much worse over the next year as the station grows," Fayad said.

***********

The next morning, Junelliya and the children came to Lindsey's room early, carrying some morning pancakes and syrup. Lindsey dug in immediately once Junelliya had informed her that they had already eaten. The pancakes were divine and she told Junelliya that, getting a smile from her.

That's when a new face appeared.

"Hi, Lindsey. I'm Liea Sampson. I've been told that you have need of my expertise," she stated.

At an inquisitive look from Lindsey, Junelliya informed her that Liea was the resident guru on finances. Lindsey smiled and patted her bed.

"I heard that you have just received your compensation package?" Liea asked.

"Yes, they came in very early to inform me of it. I still need to sign for it but I can't do that until I have an account to send it to," Lindsey informed her.

"OK. I also heard that you received just over 4.5 million credits as part of your compensation plus any education you decide to take will be paid for so long as you are continuously in school and you will be provided lodging while at school. That's actually the better part of the deal as lodging on some planets can be quite expensive, not that you have to worry about that now.

"So, first things first, we need to spring you out of the hospital so that I can take you shopping. Fortunately, I brought some help along," Liea said, pointing to a medic from her ship pushing a float chair that they put Lindsey in. Lindsey noted the hair that denoted a person from Hollander's World. She wondered if he was another empath but they didn't tell her his name.

"We'll let you out of the chair from time to time but I had to promise not to overtax you today," Liea explained. "First stop will be to pick up a new comp for you. Then the bank to activate your account. From there, we will go pick out some clothes."

Lindsey was surprised when she wanted to pick out a simple comp but Liea explained that it would highly limit the amount of funds she could use at any one time. She showed her a comp that Lindsey thought was ruinously expensive until Liea reminded her that she now had the funds to cover it.

"I don't have the money to purchase that at this time," Lindsey stated.

"No problem, I can spot you the funds until you set up your account, which will be our next stop," Liea replied with a smirk.

They went to the bank and set up her accounts. Liea showed her how to make use of different accounts to place her money in so that she could work with other people, like a financial advisor, and give that person access to limited funds. Once the accounts were set, they went to HR and advised them that they could release Lindsey's compensation package to the specific accounts, and Lindsey repaid the 'loan' for her personal comp.

They booked a small conference room and Liea contacted her financial advisor, Jean Dumont (which she pronounced more like John Dew mont).

"Good day, Liea, how is my favourite client today?" Jean simpered, getting a smile from Liea.

"Jean, you no longer have to butter me up, you know. You are definitely my number one financial advisor," Liea returned, getting laughter from Jean.

"And who have we here?" Jean asked, noting Lindsey sitting in an anti-grav chair.

"This is Lindsey Briller, she is an OP Sandcastle refugee," Liea stated. Jean perked up immediately.

"What are her circumstances?" Jean demanded immediately.

"She was twelve years as a slave. She was taken on her way to Med School on Green's World, where she was going to eventually specialize in limb regeneration. Her comp package maxed out at 4.5 million credits plus she will be given the schooling package and accommodations at school," Liea advised.

"How have you set up the distribution?" Jean asked.

"Same as my own, she has just over two million credits to play with," Liea informed him.

"Very good. Lindsey, I have been doing the finances for Liea and her partner Raymond Clark for several years now, as well as several other people on Liramor-23 who have received large funds lately. If you would like, I can ask any of them to allow you to see their packages, though I would not advise Liea nor Raymond," Jean told her.