All That Glitters Ch. 54

Tougrate extended his tentacles outward so that erht lowered itself to almost Zarreniya's eye level. Erht brushed a tentacle over her hair. "Do you want me to help a little?" Erht asked.

Ikekiya nodded her head. "May I touch her?" Tougrate asked of Junelliya.

"Better you than I, Tougrate. I still do not have your skill levels," Junelliya said.

It seemed for a moment that the Toolend's eyes went out of focus then Ikekiya sagged against Junelliya. "Tank you Tougrate," she said before she faded out.

"Awe," Hanalei said. She moved over to pick up her younger daughter to take her to her bedroom. As she opened the door, three small creatures flew out and landed on the couch behind Junelliya. They looked at Katryanna and bobbed their heads up and down.

"Oh, the Cats wish to meet a new friend," Clarrisiya laughed. "Hold out your hand, Katryanna." She instructed.

Katryanna held out her hand and, one after another, the three Cats came to meet her.

"These are Sherm's Cats from Hollander's World," Clarrisiya explained. "They are highly intelligent for their size, highly empathic and also they can amplify empathy. We, this family, are part of their Pod, or family group. They are fiercely loyal to those they accept into their pod, especially children, of whom they are very protective."

The Cats all ran up Katryanna's arm and rubbed their little faces against hers, giving off a distinct rumble as they did so. Katryanna was intrigued. The Cats went and met everyone in the room eventually landing on the floor near Ikekiya.

"Malnad is a Third Medical Officer, the Toolend version of a senior nurse, while Tougrate is a First Medical Officer, a senior doctor. They are both telepaths and are psychology specialists, as is Dr. Maya, who is also a strong empath and is learning telepathy from the Toolend," Katanya informed Katryanna.

"This is Dr. Katryanna Sokolova, who is going to be one of our surgeons," Katanya introduced her to the others.

"Welcome to Liramor-23, where things happen all the time," Malnad said, getting laughter from the others.

Katanya got a call on her comp. She opened it to the face of Silliya. "We are starting to get a little busy here, Katanya."

"OK. I'm at the Piscium's for tea. I will be there shortly," she said as she signed off. "You only have the University left to clear into, Katryanna. You will have find your way there on your own."

"It's OK," Junelliya said. "I can show her the way. I need to speak to Xavier about my dissertation."

Katanya took her leave, heading for the hospital as Junelliya packed up her books. Just as Katanya opened the door, a rather handsome man came in, getting a hug from Katanya. Hanalei got up and gave the man a lingering kiss, as did Junelliya.

"Daddy!" Ikekia shouted and ran over to her father, who picked her up to give her hugs and kisses.

"You are back early," Hanalei stated the obvious.

"I wanted to make sure that you hadn't started supper yet. We are getting a visit from the President of the Union and we will be doing formal dining this evening. I didn't want to put that out over the comps in case someone heard it as it is not something that we want advertised until Navy One arrives on site," Fayad said. "Oh! A new friend?" Fayad asked, suddenly noticing Katryanna.

"Dr. Katryanna Sokolova, this is our husband, Assistant Director of Liramor-23, Fayad Piscium. Katryanna is the station's new surgeon," Hanalei did the introductions.

"Welcome. I have to get back to Control. I came down here at the tail end of an 'inspection' tour, but that has ended. Time to go back." Fayad gave his wives another long kiss and shook Katryanna's hand before heading out again.

"What are you studying?" Katryanna asked into the brief silence after he left.

"Doctorates in music," Junelliya informed her.

"You might have heard of Junelliya? Her Paris sessions?" Hanalei asked.

Things snapped together in Katryanna's mind as she finally figured out why Junelliya looked familiar to her. "Oh! Forgive me. It took a bit for my mind to click on that."

"Nothing to forgive. We are not in a context that would immediately point to me in that regard," Junelliya said with a smile. "Ready for a walk?"

The pair left the apartment and moved down to the central core and the lifts to Mike Deck where the classrooms were. As they moved along the deck, the were suddenly surprised by an access hatch opening and a rather upset Asocan stepping out of it. Junelliya sensed immediately that the Asocan was not worried, she knew there was an ongoing situation.

"What is happening?" she asked of the Asocan in an authoritative voice.

The Asocan came to parade attention. "My apologies, I did not mean to disturb you," he said.

"I understand that, however, I sense that there is an issue. Can we help?" Junelliya asked.

"My partner is trapped further inside the access tunnel," the Asocan said.

"Your partner?" Junelliya demanded. "Who are you and who is your partner."

"I am Dar Mutt Hanet, on the Midshipman course. My Partner is Sond Mutt Reng, she is trapped further inside. She has been caught in the tube because of her size," Dar informed them.

"Is she hurt?" Katryanna asked.

"No, she is not. However, she is beginning to panic because she cannot move," Dar replied.

They opened the access hatch and moved down the tube until they arrived at where Sond was trapped. A quick look told Junelliya that Song would have to back up, however, she was panicking and unable to help herself.

Junelliya reached out and touched the Asocan, pushing calm to her with immediate results. "Sond, as long as you continue to panic, you will not be able to assist yourself. All you need to do is step back several steps and you will be free. Then choose the best method of moving forward."

Unable to turn her head, Sond looked at the strange female in front of her. Somehow, this female had calmed her dramatically. Sond raised her tail out of the way and stepped back two steps and suddenly found herself free of the restricting cables she had been caught in inside the narrow tunnel. Using her hand, she pushed the cables to one side and just managed to slide through to where the trio waited for her. She gave a low bow to Junelliya.

"I Am Sond Mutt Reng, please accept my gratitude. I am not sure what you did, however, your presence calmed me and allowed me to think again," Sond said.

"Not an unusual thing to panic when we get into difficult situations. However, you must remember that panic at the wrong time can cost you your ability to reason, which in turn could cost you your life," Junelliya informed her.

"I will learn this lesson well. If I may ask your name?" Sond answered.

"I am Dame Junelliya Atohan Herlan. This is Dr. Katryanna Sokolova, who came with me into the tube in case you needed medical assistance," Junelliya told her.

"Thank you for coming to assist us. I am not sure what would have happened if you had not. I was, unfortunately, well past the point of reason when you came," Sond admitted.

"Always remember to keep your ability to reason intact, Sond. It could save your life in the future," Junelliya said.

Sond and Dar gave her a low bow. Junelliya nodded to the pair and turned to leave the tunnel. They got to the end and found a familiar face...

"Petty Officer Doolan. Checking on your people?" Junelliya asked.

"One in particular," Doolan admitted.

"Let me guess, Sond Mutt Reng?" Junelliya asked. "Did you anticipate that she might get trapped in here because of her size?"

"I did. These kind of things will happen to people who are working in the access tubes. Best if they learn early to ask for help when necessary it bodes well for the future," Doolan replied.

"Well, I went in and calmed Sond, which allowed her to get out of her tight space. However, I am disappointed in you PO. She was really panicking when I got to her. Anyone other than an empath trying to help her would have had a bad situation on their hands. Asocans have teeth and claws that can cause major injuries, PO, and they are strong enough to pull many of the cables she was trapped in down. Some of those cables are likely power cables. The results might not have been what you were looking to achieve, PO.

"Please remember that. Find another way to teach this to your people." The last was said in a rather contemptuous manner that the PO realized was meant as a serious rebuke.

"My apologies, Lady Junelliya. I understand your warning...both of them," the PO answered.

Junelliya gave him a nod and started moving along the corridor, Katryanna in tow. Katryanna was thinking of how Junelliya had handled the situation, no fuss, no muss. She was thinking more so about how Doolan had deferred to her even though she was not military.

"Do things like this happen often on the station, Junelliya?" Katryanna asked.

"You would be surprised," Junelliya told her, smiling.

No, I don't think I would be, Katryanna said to herself.

They came to an open hatch that caused Junelliya to 'tsk'. They moved through and Junelliya closed the hatch and tightened it down behind her.

"Whenever you see an open hatch, please ensure that you tighten it down. The station has a number of secure zones meant for safety, but those zones can be compromised if hatches are left open," Junelliya said.

They moved along an area that was different from the previous corridor.

"This is the classroom area of the Liramor-23 Campus of Malton University," Junelliya informed Katryanna. "We are heading to Prof. Xavier Kuaté's office. She is responsible for assessing new students. She also happens to be my guide for my dissertation."

Xavier's door was open as they approached it. She waved them in.

"Who do we have here?" she asked.

"Prof. Kuaté, this is Dr. Katryanna Sokolova, surgeon. She will be working at the hospital and is doing her in-clearances for the station. Malton University is her last clearance," Junelliya explained.

"Welcome, Katryanna. I note the Malihan Hospital crest on your jumpsuit, so I don't suppose you need additional instruction for medical. Despite Malton University saying otherwise, Malihan University Hospital is the premier teaching hospital in Union space.

"Having said that, we do have classes in comparative anatomy and medical procedures of the other races that is unique to our presence here on Liramor-23.

"The instructors include Dr. <Gorlat of the Asocans, Dr. Tougrate and Nurse Malnad of the Toolend, and Dr. Kayl-Ur and Nurse Hend-Ur of the Pod-Drran," Xavier indicated. "We hope to have more lecturers from the other races shortly."

"I have met them all, Kayl and Hend at Malihan Hospital, <Gorlat at the hospital here, and the others at Junelliya's apartment," Katryanna told her.

Xavier smiled. "Well, the Piscium family is noted for their excellent meals and many friends, especially the non-human friends. You might be surprised who pops in for supper, I have been surprised on more than one occasion.

"Would you be interested in the comparative anatomy classes? We do record them to make them available to those who cannot be here in person," Xavier said.

"Yes, I would be, thank you. I also want to continue my language studies. I speak a dozen languages at five level (University level). I currently need to bring my French, which is at level four, up to five level since Liramor-23 is administered from Liramor Prime," Katryanna stated.

"Well you are in good company. Junelliya and the children can help you there. As well, we have several families with young children from Liramor Prime who always seem to show up at the Piscium's apartment. There are also several senior level linguists on the station doing work on the Greater Community Translation Matrix. You should have no issue finding someone to help in your language studies in whatever language you choose to study.

"Speaking of which, you will have to update your translator matrix for your comp. Because of your status as Doctor on the station, you will receive it for a minimum fee. You will find it very handy as it has the latest in all the known languages of the Greater Community. Medical staff and senior staff of the military and the station get free updates of the matrix whenever a new update is created," Xavier ended.

"That is good to know. I believe that Junelliya wanted to speak to you on her dissertation?" Katryanna said helpfully after a brief pause.

"You do not have to ask anything on that, Junelliya. Your dissertation is complete. Trust me. It is ready to be submitted. Though I can help you in preparing it, I cannot assess it as I do not have the musical knowledge needed to do so. But I can assure you, as a dissertation, it is more than ready. The question is, are you? Will you let me submit it now?" Xavier asked.

A nervous Junelliya looked between Xavier and Katryanna. After a moment, she nodded her head.

"I need you to say so openly, Junelliya," Xavier explained with a smile.

"OK, Xavier. I am ready to put it forward," Junelliya said, a look of concern briefly crossing her face.

"Good. You will not regret it." Xavier opened her deck comp and did something with it. "There. It is gone to the music department. Now, how far are you with your studies?"

"I am almost complete now. The texts are unnecessarily complex for their contents. If I didn't already have a very good understanding of music, I would have been confused on more than one occasion," Junelliya said, getting knowing smiles from both Xavier and Katryanna, both having come to the same conclusion with many of the courses they had studied themselves.

Xavier asked if Katryanna would like to register with the University. Katryanna agreed and Xavier had her place her comp on a cradle so that she could link it with the Universities computers.

"There you go. You now have a complete list of courses available language wise and medical wise, especially those of comparative anatomy for the Greater Community. You can select what courses you want at your leisure. I have also sent the latest translation matrix to your comp, the cost is C65 as you are a member of the medical staff here," Xavier said. "With your comp now linked to the University's mini frame, you can send reports, do tests, and send in dissertations as required. I look forward to seeing you around the station."

Katryanna smiled. This had been the easiest in-clearance she had ever made at any facility she had been to in her young life. "Wow, this station is so efficient!" she remarked.

"It needs to be. It is essentially a mining platform and we need to be able to identify who is doing what when in order to pay people. We can have people working on station almost as soon as they arrive," Junelliya informed her. "Speaking of which, have you had your station safety orientation yet? You will need that before you can work on station. Check with Heyya or any of the senior nurses and they will get you set up for that."

Junelliya took Katryanna to the shopping concours to show off the various shops available, especially those with bedding and apartment accessories that Katryanna might want or need. Katryanna was pleased to see those shops, and even more pleased to see the wide variety of dress shops.

Junelliya then guided Katryanna back to hospital reception where Katanya told her that Dr. May Anne Mirren, the hospital's administrator, wanted to see her. Junelliya left her with Katanya, who took her back to the administrator's office, where both Heyya and Dr. Mirren were chatting. Katryanna saw two degrees on the wall behind Mirren's desk, one with a Doctorates in Medicine, the other with a Doctorates in Hospital Administration.

"Good day, Dr. Sokolova. I am May Anne Mirren," May Anne introduced herself. "I know that you are eager to get to work, however, you cannot do so until you have completed the station's safety protocols program. That will take two days.

"We have already booked you on the next course, which starts tomorrow morning. I'll send you the information as to where to go," Mirren advises. "I have just been looking over your stats from Malihan Hospital. Dr. Holdar gives you high praise for your work there. We know Dr. Holdar well as several of our doctors, including Heyya, completed their medical degrees at Malihan Hospital. I look forward to working with you."

"Do you have an EVA suit yet?" Heyya asked.

"I do, it should be delivered to the hospital when my kit gets brought to my apartment," Katryanna replied.

"OK, you have been assigned L-1078, which is on the same corridor as the Piscium apartment though much closer to the hospital. We just received the notification," Dr. Mirren told her. "Your comp should now be able to open that apartment."

Mirren's comp beeped and they heard Katanya's voice. "Dr. Mirren, I have one of the loaders here with an EVA case for Dr. Sokolova," Katanya advised.

"Send it to the Trauma Center please, Katanya. We'll have Steve look it over and certify it with our custom set up," Heyya interjected, getting an acknowledgement from Katanya.

"We have had some serious experience with space rescues and have developed our EVA suits accordingly. You will not be charged with the alterations but your suit will not be available for at least 24hrs." Heyya finished.

"FTL event in the Military Incoming Lane," a voice said over a speaker. "IFF indicates Navy One and escort," the voice ended.

"That is our link to Central Control. You might hear it called Central Ops from time-to-time. That depends on whether we are speaking of mining operations or of station operations." Mirren told Katryanna.

"Central Control, this is Navy One, Captain James Marsden commanding. We are requesting a parking orbit for ourselves and our four escort vessels, over."

"Control roger, we are sending the track now. Please be advised to remain in your parking orbit once there, as this is an active mining platform and ejected rocks can be a danger to vessels in the wrong place, over."

"Navy One, roger. We know the routine. The President is advising the station that he intends to have a formal dinner this evening on Navy One. All senior staff and dignitaries are invited, over."

"Control, roger, we will advise the station of such, out."

"That will mean you too, Dr. Sokolova. Do you have something suitable for formal dining?" Mirren asked.

"I do, though I may have to spruce it up a little. It has been in my luggage for the last few days of travelling," Katryanna explained.

Heyya opened her comp and contacted Hanalei. "Hi Hanalei. We have just been informed of the formal this evening. Katryanna needs to have her dress spruced up. Can we ask you to do that for us?"

"Sure, not a problem. We have just finished all of our outfits. If she can bring it round soon we can have it ready fairly quickly," Hanalei answered.

"Thanks, Hanalei. I'll send her to you soon. Her apartment is between the hospital and you on the same corridor," Heyya said, closing the link.

Not long after, Katryanna pressed the call button on the Piscium apartment and handed her dress over to Junelliya.

"Oh, nice dress," Junelliya noted.

"Well I didn't have a lot to spend my money on while I was at Malihan, so I splurged a little on a formal evening dress," Katryanna admitted. She stopped short when she saw all the dresses hanging in the kitchen. All of them looked to be top of the line.

"It's OK, we know how to treat good dresses," Junelliya told her with a wink.

"Hi pretty lady," said a familiar voice.

"Well hello, Zarreniya. Feeling a little better?" Katryanna asked of the little girl, who gave her a nod and a smile.

"Did you come for tea?" Zarreniya asked.

"Might as well. It will be a few minutes before your dress will be ready," Hanalei advised.

Katryanna sat on the couch and Zarrenia commandeered her lap. She sat, telling her about the many adventures of her and her sister Ikekiya, ending with the fact that they were now members of the Order of Empaths. Katryanna was impressed but not sure if the child was exaggerating or not, though none of the adults near her were saying anything to discourage 'tall tales'.