July 9, Atlantis, Pegasus Galaxy
Dear John,
It's nice to be back. I spent the last few days on a semi-industrialized world,
doing an information exchange. These people have the damnedest gaps in their data.
I mean, they have electricity, but still believe that bleeding a sick man will cure
him. Now, I know leeches can be successfully used to treat contusions. This
was just archaic.
It seems that the knowledge they've managed to preserve over the years has been
limited and specialized. I guess medical care isn't a top priority when your
population likely won't live past an average of forty. What a horrid way to live.
~ Laura
- - -
July 15, Atlantis, Pegasus Galaxy
Dear John,
Yesterday I saw my first 'local' patients for concerns relating to my specialty.
There are two pregnancies among the Athosian women on the mainland. Both are
progressing normally, one at just past twenty-four weeks and the other at fourteen
weeks. In addition, there's a marine who learned the hard way that something in the
local produce binds to Depo-Provera. She's at around eighteen weeks, and healthy as
well.
It's a shame about the Depo. We've got cases of the stuff. Testing concluded that
the troublesome interaction is a chemical in the grain that the Athosians grow on
the mainland. We can't stop using a primary grain over so minor a reason, even
with the Daedalus supplies aren't that flush. Carson's stringent warning
about protection makes a lot more sense now.
I had another visitor who was an absolute joy. One of the drawbacks in being an OB
is that you follow the mother until birth. You never get to follow up with the baby.
One of the benefits of working in such rural settings in the past is that I did have
the chance to follow up with the newborns. When you're the only Western doctor in a
thirty mile radius, people bring you their babies.
Today I got to meet the little girl I've seen glimpses of in the mess. Her name is
Sarah McKay, and she's the most precocious six month old I've ever met. She was
brought in by Col. Sheppard for her six month check. Apparently her father became
side tracked in the labs by something of great import. She seems to be the city's
sweetheart at the moment. I had two different nurses stop in to 'ask if I needed
any help.' And play with the baby. Why can't they be found when we get an outbreak
of hives?
There is one odd thing about little Sarah, though. There's no mother listed in her
file. Not "Mother Unknown". It's just not there. An unknown father? Happens.
Rather frequently, in some regions. But it's not like you don't know who the child
came out of. It's why old civilizations used to pass leadership to the 'sister-son'.
Provable genetics, even if they didn't call it that. Little Sarah certainly has her
father's pout, and her intelligence is evident in her eyes so paternity's not in
question(I saw Dr. McKay last week for lab related burns; God only knows what he
was doing to get them. Dr. Zelenka lost an eyebrow!).
I asked Carson about the missing information. He told me it was too long a story
for a busy day and hurried off to his research. We'd had four patients in five
hours. I'm most definitely intrigued. I'll have to pull McKay's file at some
point and have a closer look.
~ Laura
- - - - - - - - - -
July 1, Suburb of Calgary, AB
Dear Doctor,
I found your letters behind the bag of kitty litter in the bathroom cabinet. This
is the second time I've found them in exactly the same location, so I'm ruling out
coincidence. I'm putting this response in the same location. If whatever's causing
your letters to end up here works two ways, hopefully you'll receive this and know
that you're not alone. Someone's listening.
I admire you for punching your boss. I can't tell you how close I've come to taking
out one of the lawyers at work in the last couple months over our latest case. First
Nations' land exploitation just upsets me. And then someone will start in about how
we shouldn't be taking on pro bono cases and I just. Urr! Unlike you, though, I don't
think I'd ever get up the courage to jeopardize my job. I have a husband for financial
stability, but I'd go nuts sitting around the house all the time. And I'd have a hell
of a time getting another paralegal position if I piss off one of the biggest energy
firms in Calgary.
I've already told you a bit about myself. What else would you like to know? It seems
only fair since I know so much about you. Even if you never intended it.
I have two cats, and a husband. He's an engineer out on the oil fields, only home on
the weekends. It gets lonely by myself. I guess that's why I decided to write back,
aside from the obvious. I realize that you never intended anyone to read your letters.
In the beginning I was curious. We've only had the house a year, and we still find
remnants of the former owners in strange places on occasion. By the time I fully
comprehended what I was reading, the damage was done. You needn't fear that I will
tell anyone what I've read, I understand about confidentiality. You seem to lead an
incredibly exciting life, even if only half of what you've written is true. I mean
MSF! and Intergalactic Travel!
My husband would be in heaven. He's terribly fond of science fiction. We have every
episode of Wormhole X-Treme and Star Trek on video. Me? I never got
into it. Never really saw the point.
If you receive this, please let me know if you wish me to simply destroy your letters.
I will understand, seeing as they are so personal.
Sincerely,
~ Jane Cummings
- - - - - - - - - -
Back to June
Forward to August
Back to the Beginning