The shuttle landed back at the manor with a gentle thud, a medical team waiting for them as the doors quickly opened. Hope rolled her eyes from the gurney, Alex and the doctor carrying her down, "Is this neccessary?"

Dr Elune grinned, carefully descending the ramp as they replied, "You look stupid."

"What? Couldn't hear you. Speak up."

Dr Elune laughed at the baffled Hope, Alex shaking their head with a sigh as they continued on down. The paramedics rushed over, and Alex gave them a brief on her condition, using data from the shuttle's sensors.

Francis rushed over, pale as he wrung his hands, "Is she okay? Oh, I thought you guys were crazy... But I didn't think..."

Dr Elune stopped him with a pat on his shoulder, "Oh, stop your worrying. She won't hear a thing for a day or two, and she will need to avoid bright places... But she will be back to normal in, say, a week."

Francis opened his mouth in a panic, and then hesitated, "I... Guess that isn't so bad. I remember hearing of her being stuck in hospital for a month from a 'mining trip' gone wrong... Judith was furious."

Chuckling, the doctor led the way inside, "Oh, I remember that. Still can't tell what bothered her more... Her sister getting hurt, or her second most frequent patient getting in even worse trouble."

Francis blinked as he looked up, "Wait, second? I though Hope was the worst."

Laura followed them inside, grunting from carrying the remains of the shield, "Why thank you for the help. Always so considerate." As she deposited the warped metal on a table, she looked up, "And I think Billy, our clumsiest mechanic, is worse. Spends more time seeing Judith than his kids."

Dr Elune nodded, "That's the one. The shaky joints don't help... Or his, well, induced absent mindedness."

Judith sighed, nodding faintly as she wanders off, "Well, I'm off to run the data. Hopefully, Alex recorded some good stuff... I want to get tinkering already."

Dr Elune chuckled, "See you eventually. And remember, AHOR comes first, if Judith calls for advice."

As Laura waved dismissivly, Francis sat down with a groan, "I with Norman and John were here... They are better at handling you lot. And how do you know this Billy?"

Dr Elune grinned as they passed a request to a nearby drone, before sitting next to Francis, "Judith and Laura were better at it... Until the armory got involved. And I know most of the engineers, I rely on them a lot, remember?"

Francis smiled faintly, "Always assumed you were too buried in your work. Laura takes charge most of the time, after all."

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"... True. I don't exactly hang out wit the guy... But I know enough about him." Puling out a pocket projector, Dr Elune tapped it, "Alex, you back to house mode yet?"

A projection of Alex's head popped up, "Yes, doctor. Power is reconnected to the shuttle, and I am back in the system. Is there anything you wanted?"

"Just updates on Hope. She may look fine... But I'm not Judith. Plus, I will feel better knowing she is confirmed to be okay."

"I shall keep you informed. The medics say they can give treatment here, and my... Questionable medical knowledge convinced them we could handle the rest. I have a few scans to run, and questions to ask tomorrow morning... And some salves to apply several times a day."

Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, "I didn't know you were a nurse."

"... Judith gave me a verbal crash-course as we orbited to the Haven. And, I feel slightly indebted to Hope..."

Dr Elune huffed, "Hey now. Superhuman or not, you could do very little. And don't forget, Laura needs to fix your unit, too. We should just be thankful Hope had the sense to jump away from the rifle before the second shot."

Alex nodded, "She knew enough about it that standing right there was unwise. I am still amazed the rifle... Mostly works."

"Laura will get those segment replaced easily. The core current that powers the gun still works, just some of the moving parts need to be smoothed back out." Glancing up at Francis, Alex added, "And you may be pleased to know our new friend Thomas will be making time to visit roughly once a week. Give it a month or two, and we can ease the news to him, and if he is sympathetic... You will be able to go home."

Francis noticable relaxed, "I would like that. I don't mind the big cities... I just don't like working with them. Back on the station, the worst I had to deal with were patents." Trurning to Dr Elune, he smiled softly, "No offense... But this little adventure isn't for me."

"None taken. You just focus on Thomas... We can handle it from there." Glancing up as the drone from earlier returned with drinks, the doctor offered one to Francis, "Here's to a step forwards."

Francis raise the glass with a quiet laugh, "To a weird new age." As the doctor laughed and raised their glass in return, Francis added, "Oh... And don't you still have another interview to prepare for tomorrow?"

Coughing slightly on their drink, the doctor groaned, "Oops. Forgot I wasn't safe from that yet... I should practice, then rest up for tomorrow."

The little projection of Alex smiled, and winked out unnoticed... Contemplating what had happened in that firing range.