A Harsh Mistake (Collab with Kezika)
24 May 2021KazukoHimura
Kazuko had been easily adapting to her new life as a CMDR, even with Kezika escorting her everywhere, as was the case today. The two of them were off to pull some salvage from a wreckage site on Keltim A1, aboard Kezika’s Clipper, Murus. Kezika had gone in at a steeper than usual angle, and upon hitting glide, started to make a sharp turn. Everything went dark for both of them while their suits worked to compensate for the sudden shift in blood flow. While Kezika was able to rouse with no ill effects, Kazuko, however, did not.A few seconds passed, but there was no sign of consciousness from Kazuko, prompting a loud tone to be emitted from her flight suit, loud enough for everyone to hear. Kezika heard this immediately, but as she was still easing the ship through its glide, she pressed a large red button on the console.
“Alert. Alert. A medical emergency is in effect. All qualified staff please report to the bridge.” The ship’s COVAS blared a repeated message. Kezika’s butler, Xavier, was the first to arrive, pushing himself through the air due to Kezika descending fast enough to negate gravity.
“Xavier, I’m fine, the medical emergency is with Kazuko!” Kezika exclaimed, a hint of worry in her voice. Upon hearing that, Xavier pushed his way over to Kazuko. Upon looking her over, the first thing he noticed was that she was unconscious.
“She is unconscious.” were his only words once Kezika had landed the ship-and gravity returned. Kezika immediately got out of the pilot’s seat and made her way to the passenger’s seat, aiding Xavier in moving Kazuko from said seat to the floor-and given how light she was, it didn’t take much effort. Xavier immediately got Kazuko’s suit to start taking her blood pressure and blood oxygen levels. Both of them moved Kazuko to the bed in the CMDR’s quarters as well. Before the diagnostics could even complete, however, Kazuko’s eyes shot open.
“How the hell did I get in here? What’s going on?” She asked. “Why are you both standing over me?” She was clearly confused, possibly a bit disoriented.
“Kazuko?” Kezika asked. “Are you alright?”
“Can you tell me your name?” Xavier added. “Your location too? Today’s date?”
“I’m Kazuko. Kazuko Himura..” Kazuko trailed off. “I think this is the CMDR’s quarters on one of Kezika’s ships….” She paused, trying to figure out the date. “March 24, 3306. And I’m fine, I swear!”
“She seems slightly confused, the date was wrong.” Xavier told Kezika. Shortly after, the diagnostics came back. Blood pressure is slightly low, not unusual for someone who was subject to such a sharp turn, but that did not explain the abnormal amount of time she was unconscious. Blood oxygen levels were normal. “Blood oxygen is normal, blood pressure slightly low, but returning to normal.”
“When was the last time you ate something?” Kezika asked.
“I had a small snack two hours ago-you were there, remember?” Kazuko stated. “Now please, lay off the questions. I’m fine. I’m COMPLETELY fine. I swear I’m fi-” Before she could finish her own statement, Kazuko’s stomach gave a loud, betraying rumble. She sighed heavily, pale face tinting slightly red as she mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like ‘fucking space parasite’ under her breath. A shaking hand was quickly brought to her head as a wave of dizziness crashed over her, prompting a slight groan.
“You’re not fine.” Kezika stated frankly, opening a storage drawer, pulling out a sleeve of packaged cookies. “Have a cookie.” She held the sleeve out to Kazuko.
“Give me that….” Kazuko then snatched the sleeve out of Kezika’s hands, devouring the cookies ravenously. Once the dizziness had passed, she briefly glanced up, color returning to her face.
“How are you feeling now?” Kezika asked, her tone having changed to be more caring.
“Still a bit lightheaded…” Kazuko trailed off. “Stomach still hurts a bit too, but both of those seem to be decreasing.”
“Good, good.” Kezika added. “You mentioned something about a parasite earlier?” Her words caused Kazuko to freeze, fumbling over her own words.
“I, I, Um....” she trailed off, clamming up completely.
“Would this have come from your childhood, perhaps? During your time enslaved? It’s not...uncommon for slavers to use such tactics.” Kezika’s question prompted a hesitant nod from Kazuko.
“I’ve been like this for as long as I could remember…” she trailed off, shuddering a bit. “I’m not ready to talk about anything further than that.”
“You don’t need to tell me anything further, I don’t need to know the specifics.” Kezika stated. “What you told me now is helpful. You likely aren’t used to this new lifestyle.”
“Huh? What do you mean?” Kazuko asked, now more genuinely confused rather than hypoglycemia-induced disorientation.
“Sometimes individuals with chronic conditions need to make some adjustments to their normal treatment plans upon starting to fly.” Kezika explained. “Dietary, exercise routines, and medication are some examples of things that could be adjusted. We can get you to a medical facility at Laird’s Progress, get you examined so we can see if any changes are necessary.”
“...Fine…” Kazuko trailed off. “I hate admitting I’m unwell…” she mumbled under her breath.
“It doesn’t mean you’re unwell, it’s just something you deal with in your own way.” Kezika explained. “Most people have to make adjustments for this kind of lifestyle.”
“It’s more than that, Kezika…” Kazuko trailed off. “Illness means weakness, and weakness means punishment….” Kazuko buried her face in her hands, ashamed.
“Hey...it’s okay…” Kezika put a hand on Kazuko’s shoulder. “You won’t be punished for this. You’re here with Xavier and I now. You’re safe.” With those words, Kazuko looked up, tears forming in her eyes, which she quickly wiped away.
“Alright…let’s go.” She remarked, pulling herself to her feet, and managing to stay up despite still being a bit wobbly.
“Xavier will get you something more to eat while we take you to Laird’s Progress, I’ll have my head doctor there examine you..” Kezika explained. “Until then, let me help you over to the travel chair.”