Meeting Misunderstanding

“One walking wounded,” the lobster said breaking his silence. “Claims to be a deathwolder. Doctor requested.”

“I’d prefer walking, and talking wounded,” Noah said looking around the oddly welcoming med-bay. Instead of the sterile clinic environment he was used to it was homely. Cleaner than most homes would be, at least by earth standards, yet homely. Inviting colors, soft lights, the only issue would be the strange odor, it was alien. The patients waiting were horrified looking at him, and the few members of staff were also stunned.

“Doctor!” One of the secretaries called clearly fighting panic, “We need a doctor in the lobby right now!” Their feathers puffed up, panic winning, as Noah’s shoulder started bleeding as he attempted to put their mind at ease, “Medical emergency in the lobby!”

“I’m not,” Noah started before he was swept of his feet and onto a gurney. The movement reopening the wounds on his shoulder.

“Hello I’m Koroslic,” A large feathery biped said striding next to the gurney. “What happened to you,” Koroslic chirped.

“Lieutenant Nekamormi attacked him in the hallway.” The crab said, “I didn’t see it, yet that was the report.”

“I wouldn’t call it an attack. I scared the girl.” Noah said, “And honestly this isn’t much of a wound.” It was clear his words weren’t landing. “I don’t need surgery.” His protest was understood.

“Yes you do!” Koroslic called, “You need surgery, else you’ll die.” Noah was glad the bird had dropped to simpler language.

“Nope. I kill wound.” Noah said which stopped the group in their tracks. He wasn’t sure if it was the down right child like language or the shock of someone insisting they’d be fine. Noah took the chance to roll of the gurney. “I no die. It die!” Noah barely containing his laughter this caused the medical staff to converse far to quickly for Noah to understand.

“You need doctor.” Koroslic all but mimed. “Else pain bad, die.” They all but started to dance. Noah burst out laughing.

“Man I should have listened to Kazh.” Noah said though the laughter.

“What is this mess?” A Roschani voice said, it wasn’t Kazhvoyova. "Is that a human?” Noah turned and looked at the Roschani, she was taller and more proportional than Kazhvoyova, yet not the slab of muscle that made up their solider cast. She blinked at him, “English?” She asked.

“And a bit of Rokorn.” Noah responded in Rokorn, “Although you may know more English than I do Rokorn, or Galactic Common it seems." The Roschani doctor cocked her head before launching into a rapid fire conversation with the medical staff surrounding Noah. He heard what sounded like the story being relayed, what he assumed was medical analysis lost him.

A half moment later the doctor turned to Noah, “Follow me.” She lead him into one of the exam rooms, “We don’t have human medicine, I need to poke it.” While not an elegant way of putting it Noah sat down in the center of the room. She was clearly skilled gently poking and seemingly explaining to her colleagues what he needed and how bad a wound it is. “I assume it hurts, I want to say you use one to ten as a scale?”

“We do,” Noah paused thinking about the question. His shoulder had stopped hurting on the walk over yet it was sore, “Three. Think it needs stiches?”

“We have other ways to seal it up.” The doctor said coming back around to his front, “I think you’re lucky she didn’t get you anywhere more important…” Her voice trailed off Noah followed her eyes down to his left arm. When his eyes met hers she froze, visibly afraid.

“I take it you’ve heard the stories.” Noah said hoping to drag her out of her head.

“Yah, how did you?” She was still afraid, but confusion was starting to take over.

“That’s a long story and I’m still bleeding. Think the gallery is getting restless Dr.?” Noah said, he than offered his hand, “I’m Noah Bannon. Slightly lost human.” Noah was relieved when she laughed at his joke.

“Dr. Zhovroxys.” Dr. Zhovroxys said taking his hand, “You will need to fill me in on those. We have theories, it would be nice to get a better understanding why you all have those markings.”

Noah pondered that for a second, “It’s not a very happy story. Who’s patching me up?” Noah jumped back to the reason he was here. “Not that I mind a social call.”

That flipped a doctor switch and she started ordering her subordinates around. It wasn’t long before a bandage was being pressed into his shoulder by Koroslic. “I have to ask, weren’t you just released from quarantine?” Dr. Zhovroxys said looking over the bandage.

“Yah, was going to get some food with a new friend, Grolvoni, then swing by for my discharge paperwork.” Noah said, “I did swing by my workshop first to do a bit of unpacking. Was honestly tired of medical.”

“Instead you run into the most dangerous deathworlder ,” Dr. Zhovroxys paused, “Would she be the second most dangerous now?”

Noah laughed, “Don’t know doc, I don’t have claws.”

“Whatever you’re doing it makes this harder.” Koroslic said pressing a bandage into his shoulder. “I don’t believe that you can be sewed shut.”

“Humans are resilient, that alone should highlight their deathworld status.” Dr. Zhovroxys commented preparing the suture, “You sure you don’t want any anesthetic we do have some that are effective on humans.”

“Yes,” Noah said, “I’ve taken worse and I suspect you’ll be gentle.”

“Captain!” A startled voice came from the hallway.

“We would like to talk with Noah,” The captain squeaked. Captain Squiska climbed up to the platform in front of Noah, “I and Major Chozkov.” Captain Squiska gestured to the Major. Captain Squiska could be best described as a four foot tall squirrel in a military uniform. Major Chozkov was a large reptile, although Noah wasn’t able to identify which one. The bright colors implied male, although Noah remembered that some of the alien lizards were reversed.

“Yes, we are wondering what you would like to do about charges against Lt. Nekamormi.” Major Chozkov said, “I know you are new here, yet this is one of the things we have to take very seriously.”

Noah looked at the two of them slightly dumb founded. “Charges?”

“Yes an attack like this deserves punishment.” Major Chozkov said, “Currently we have assault and reckless endangerment, drawn up however we cannot press any without your input.”

“I don’t see any reason to press charges,” Noah said. A wave of shock passed though the room. “Assault, and reckless endangerment implies intent. Am I getting drawn up on scaring the poor girl?”

“Why would that matter?” Major Chozkov’s head cocked with the words, “You are in medical because of her actions.”

“So? If I had ignored her I wouldn’t be here. Charge me as well.” Noah said, “It would only be just.” He felt the thread pull a bit tighter on that last sentence. “I refuse to press any charges.”

“Certainly you think she should be punished for this?” Captain Squiska said, attempting to defuse the building tension.

Noah pondered for a moment, “The only thing I’d punish her for would be leaving. Maybe hit her with extra duties or paperwork. Something that shows this isn’t allowed but doesn’t ruin her career.”

“That’s rather strange request.” Major Chozkov said, “Are you sure? If you do you’ll be giving up any chance at legal resolution.”

“Fine by me,” Noah said, “Doc are we done I’d like to get a clean shirt and food.”

“Yes you’re all sown up,” Dr. Zhovroxys said, “If anything changes.”

“Yah, yah, I’ll probably go though Kaz.” Noah said, “Anyway I’m going to be heading out.

“Kazhvoyova?” Dr. Zhovroxys said, "How do you know her?”

“Very long story, I can fill you in if she doesn’t” Noah said, “Captain am I dismissed?” Captain Squiska nodded. “Alright as fun as it was I’m going to go get food,” Noah said standing up.

On his way out of medical he saw a rather annoyed looking Kazhvoyova walking back in. “You’re in here quick.” She laughed, then suspicion spread across her face. “Wait were you the one who got swiped?”

“Yep.” Noah said, “You saving the day in here?”

Kazhvoyova laughed, “You could say that.” She hugged Noah, “See you after work?”

“Yah, assuming I don’t get sucked back into my lab.” Noah said returning her hug.

“I think I know how to break in,” Kazhvoyova said resting her head on Noah’s chest. “I should let you go before I break an unforgivable number of protocols.”

“Alright?” Noah looked over her and saw the faces of people impatiently waiting for answers, “I think you’re in trouble already.”

“Probably. I’ll get back to it.” Kazhvoyova said, “What are your plans?”
”Food, hopefully with new friends,” Noah said, “Change first otherwise I think I’ll spawn even more scandals.” With that Noah and Kazhovoyova pulled themselves apart, and Noah left medical.

Noah found the hallways rather empty, which was nice compared to the rush that he had been dragged through. The lack of traffic was a relief, as Noah would rather not walk though the halls shirtless in front of everyone. Nudity wasn’t uncommon in the wider community, yet new species more curiosity, add in the freshly stitched wound. Noah figured he’d be in the middle of another scene.

Arriving at his room, which was larger than his apartment back on Earth, he dropped his bag in the middle of the large single room. The only thing that was missing from making it a proper apartment was any form of kitchen. Dropping his bag he grabbed a fresh shirt and headed back out, a quick jaunt to the canteen he found himself entering what looked and felt like a mall food court. There were various stands along the outside walls offering various foodstuffs, the center was all tables, or what passed for them. The tables were closer to chest high pillars with a slight overhang a smaller kneeling table stat on top of the large tables. Some were built into large pillars that had obvious ways of being climbed. The collection of species in the herbivore mess was down right impressive. From smaller rodents to massive reptiles there was almost every style of herbivore Noah could think of.

It wasn’t hard to find Grolvoni. They were standing next to a pillar table seemingly conversing with a much smaller hedgehog looking creature. Noah approached, “Hello Grolvoni, I told you it wouldn’t take that long.”

“Ah Noah,” Grolvoni said turning to face Noah, “I guess I should have believed you. “What are you planning on eating today?”

“I don’t know, I’ve been mostly served the pre-packaged quarantine food. What would you recommend?” Noah said turning his attention to the various stalls.

“Well I am unaware of what you can eat, thus I cannot recommend anything,” Grolvoni said. “I am partial to the grain mash though.”

“That sounds good,” Noah said, “Where do I get it?”

“Over there,” Grolvoni pointed, “Before you go let me introduce Colsov.” A small dully colored bird covered with thick plates nodded, and then launched into speech.

“I can’t follow,” Noah said.

“I suppose Colsov speaks a bit fast for someone new to Galactic Common,” Grolvoni said, “Go get your meal we can converse after you return.” Noah nodded and headed up to the stalls, he found the grain mash. It was one part oatmeal and one part porridge. Grabbing some small fruit that looked a bit like miniature pears, some like cherries, and some that could be called blue raspberries. Noah returned to his spot at Grolvoni’s table.

“You are aware those are toxic.” Grolvoni said as Noah put one of the blue raspberries in his mouth.

“It doesn’t taste toxic.” Noah said enjoying the sweet flavor, “If anything it tastes pretty good.”

Colsov looked at Noah intensely, “Are you a carnivore?”

“Only partly. If I’m going to have to choose I’d prefer it over eating plants.” Noah responded almost absentmindedly. While he wasn’t that good with faces he could recognize shock. “Is that odd?”

“Well I told Colsov here that you were able to fend off a deathworlder, and protested medical treatment.” Grolvoni said, “Now we find you are an omnivore. Humanity isn’t what it may first seem to be.”

Noah swallowed some of the grain mash that had a texture closer to pudding, and a flavor that reminded him of fried rice. “How so, isn’t every species strange in it’s own way?”

“Most don’t survive an attack from an volran without a serious stay in medical. Minimum a week.” Colsov chirped, “I can’t think of any other species that would be back from medical in a few hours and eating poisonous berries.” Colsov shook as if cold, “Not to mention an omnivore, are you a true omnivore and eat carrion as well?”

“I wouldn’t say I’m fond of it.” Noah said looking over the cherries that tasted of orange. “Yet it isn’t that I couldn’t. Although cooking is generally seen as the better practice.” Once again shock overtook his dining companions.

“Is it true you still have war on your planet.” Grolvoni pressed, clearly stressed.

“I’m not one of those, the war ends when the Roshani get of our rock, type. I did do my time in the militia though” Noah rolled up his left sleeve, “Got the tattoos to show it.”

“Tattoos?” Grolvoni’s head cocked, “Ink injections?” Noah nodded. Colsov exploded with words jumping down from their alcove and onto the table inspecting Noah’s arm. An explosion of chirps that might have been galactic common erupted from Colsov. “I can’t follow that Colsov. There’s no way Noah is.” Grolvoni said head tracking the excited avian.

“Grolvoni you have to know how unique this is. Think of the discoveries. We have a gold mine sitting in front of us,” Colsov said, “Think about what is immune system can do. Think of the advances we could make.”

“I do, but we shouldn’t scare the poor man.” Grolvoni gave Colsov a look. “Now let him eat in peace.”

“I don’t mind the questions,” Noah said in between bites, “Wasn’t expecting scientific interest of all things.”

“What were you expecting?” Grolvoni said.

“Fear.” Noah said taking another bite of grain mash, “And confusion.”

“Why?” Colsov said, investigating Noah’s face.

“Because Humans are predators,” Noah said. The room went silent.

For those wondering why this was delayed, I did it to line up with the start of the Imaginarium Convention. Which is a conference I’m going to, as this is the first day I figured I should put out a chapter on it.