Victoria's Challenge by M. K. Eidem Page B

pain is. Three cycles ago, one of the interns’ self-terminated over it.”
    “What!”
    “Yeah, well good riddance.”
    “They’re trying to help Hot Dog.”
    “Fuck that!”
    “Major Zafar?”
    “Yeah, who am I talking to?”
    “This is Dr Selfridge , I took the headset from Hot Dog. I’d hoped talking to you would help. Victoria says you’re making remarkable progress, handling the manual manipulation extremely well. I know it’s the tougher road to take. I’d hoped you’d be able to convey that to Hot Dog. That he would understand that this is part of the process, but he’s too caught up in the pain right now. I hope this doesn’t set you back, a person’s attitude in the recovery process is as important as the treatment itself. Tell Victoria, I’ll contact her later.” Lucas can hear Hot Dog screaming in the background before she disconnects. Hooking the headset with his brace, Lucas rips it off his head, throwing it across the room.
    Picking it up, Victoria sets it on his desk then turns to answer the hatch.
    “Hello Lieutenant.”
    “Victoria . So how’s the old man?”
    “Tired of looking at me , needing some man time.”
    “You sure he’s not brain damaged? ” Dodge smiles at her. “I’d never get tired of looking at you.”
    “ You’re such a sweet talker.” She gives him a tired smile. “He’s on the couch. I’m going to go get some things done then I’ll be in quarters. Buzz me when you’re leaving and I’ll come back.”
    “Victoria, I can take the night shift . Go sleep.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “You're exhausted. I’ll call if there are any problems, promise.”
    “Yeah, okay I could use some serious rack time . He’s had his pain shot. It should get him through until morning, if not, call.”
    “I will, go. ” Pushing her through the hatch, he closes it in her face. Walking over, he drops into one of the chairs, assessing his friend.
    “You’re looking better than I thought you would.”

Chapter Four
    Lucas watches as Dodge flirts with Victoria, sees her smile at him. She never smiles at him anymore.
    “Oh I’m just great ! Having the time of my life. Thanks.”
    “See that bump did nothing to change your attitude.”
    “Fuck you Dodge.”
    “Yep, same old Hawk. ” Lucas tries to make a fist and grimaces. Letting out a deep sigh, he sinks back into the couch.
    “This is killer , Nick. I thought I was tough, that there wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle, but this… I’ve got at least eight treatments left. I don’t know if I’ll make it.”
    “You will . One day at a time.” Dodge nods his encouragement.
    “That’s what Victoria says, today is all that I have to get through.”
    “Good advice. Take it.”
    “I was just talking to Hot Dog . He’s not doing so well.”
    “That’s not what I hear.”
    “Fuck, Nick, you should have heard him. He was screaming, saying stupid things about Victoria.”
    “He has to blame someone, focus on someone . Sounds like Victoria’s it. Once he gets further along in the treatments he’ll start seeing things more clearly,” Dodge says knowledgeably.
    “How would you know?”
    “You don’t remember, do you?” He raises an eyebrow at Lucas.
    “Remember ? Remember what?”
    “My brother, Tanner. He was in that fire about three cycles back. I was gone for two moon cycles.”
    “Shit , I’d forgotten. Is he doing okay?”
    “Yeah, he is now . He wasn’t in the beginning. He had seconds on his hands and arms, like you. Stupid kid was pouring fuel on wet wood to make a fire, it exploded on him. It took twelve hours before anyone found him, by then the burns had spread. They lifted him to Camotes.” Nick looks at Lucas. “By the time I got there, it’d been a week. They had him bandaged like you for a week! I had the joy of watching them remove them. His fingers were bent so badly, I couldn’t look at them. They started rehab that day. They were still doing the manual manipulation then. They had to