Shige came to with a splitting headache. As his vision came into focus he found he was in some kind of hospital room, though it was light blue. His headache was put to the back of his mind when he rubbed his head and a bunch of his hair came away. He felt a mild panic taking over. On the wall beside his bed was a large button marked. Push button when you wake, don’t forget your reentry pills. Not knowing what else to do he pushed the button. There were some lemon yellow pills in a small plastic cup and half a glass of water on a table by the bed. He sat up and was examining them when an older woman came into the room. She was dressed in light grey and wearing a red cross badge.

“Welcome Shige, I am Dr Sue.” He guessed she was Spanish or Argentinean by her accent. “You are in the Red Scar station on planet Borgon. I hear this is your first time through a portal. Sorry I heard it was a rough entry, the landies said they had to rush you through” she said.

“No shit lady, where are we and where my friends. And why is my hair falling out?” said Shige relieved that someone was there.

“First things first, take pills they will sort out you're splitting headache, savor the water it’s a luxury here.”

Shige took the pills and water as the Dr carried on.

“You always lose your hair when you go through a portal so don’t worry about that. It will grow back. You will be marked as a newbie for a while but that sometimes helps.” She opened a computer on a desk nearby. “I see we don’t have any details other than your first name.” she observed.

“Where are my friends that I came through with? They were in bad shape I need to see them.” he said urgently.

“Hold on... I'm sorry, no one told me you came through with company, there is nothing on your file.”

Shige’s heart dropped, had they died, been dumped, or lost, what was going on he thought in panic.

“What are their names?” asked the Dr, I will go and see what I can find out. Don’t leave the room it will be incredibly difficult to get anywhere or do anything without an ID chip and your Translator headpiece.” Shige nodded.

The pills were working, his headache was almost gone. “Thank you” he added as the Dr left the room.

Shige felt panicked, he stood up and walked around the room looking for some kind of weapon but was disappointed to find the room was sparse. More like a transit lounge, he figured he could smash the glass that the pills were in but when he tested it he found it was some hard plastic or something similar. He paced the room a few more times when Dr Sue came back through the door smiling.

“I found them, there are a few patients in the facility but not many coming through from earth. I've bought Dr Teshiene who has been looking after them. Put this behind your right ear, it's you translator, set for most of the common languages around here.”

Obediently Shige tucked the mat black object behind his ear, it was bulky but fitted well.

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“Now, open your mind, there is a whole protocol for this that you have just skipped. Just breathe and try to pretend it is normal.”

Shige couldn’t help but take a step as Dr Teshiene entered the room. He was set up like an octopus but larger than a human. The glossy red of his skin stood out against a white latex suit that covered his tentacles. He wheeled in on a kind of trolly using two arms to push himself along and one to hold a tablet.

“Hello Shige, sorry that you missed the getting protocol but let me temper our meeting with so good news. All of your friends are very alive and sleeping. I have completed many hours of surgery and the surgery was excellent. They are in recovery ward. You will see them when you wish.”

Shige bowed to Dr Teshiene reverting to formal Japanese behavior in his shock.

“Thank you for bringing me this news and caring for my friends.” Dr Teshiene scooted out of the room.

“You are welcome, I am seeing you presently.”

“He has a heart of gold that one.” said Dr Sue.

“If you say so” said Shige laughing nervously.

“Well if you can handle a meeting like that without freaking out then you will do well, some earthers end up in a screaming heap or hiding under the bed. Translators are never perfect but are way better than charades. Now, why don’t you take a seat, we can get the paperwork done then you can go. There is a sleeping module set aside for you, they have the basics of living but not much more, you have a month paid up by the look of it. Most people come through for specific jobs, so you are a bit of rarity.

Do you want a ring or tag for your id. Tags go under the skin and don’t get lost, but you are always traceable. Rings can be left at home but then your movements are restricted when you don’t have it.” said Dr Sue.

Shige thought of himself as a bit of a rebel “I will take a ring, thanks.”

Soon he was ready to leave. Dr Sue gave him a silver colored ring with a green strip around one side and a tablet that showed him how to get to his friends in the hospital.

“All the air in the station is fine to breathe just remember different ships have different atmospheres as do some rooms and warehouses. Any place that doesn't have a blue plant on the door will need a respirator. If a door is shut or you want access to a computer or machine swipe your ring. Good luck, I'm sure I will see you around the hospital while your friends are here."

Shige made his way out of the reception lounge as it was called on the map. He followed a red cross on the tablet past rooms of every description, some with yellow or pink planets marked on the doors. In one of these the air was thick with greenish smoke. Finally, he made it to the long stay ward. His friends' beds were both in the same corner, they looked grim in all their bandages with monitors and tubes connected to them. He noticed that there were two stats scanners on Amataya’s bed.

“The baby, shit I had forgotten about it.” he scanned the code that said baby. The chart showed that the baby was a girl and that she was fine and being monitored every hour for signs of change.

“You come to baby talking, it is good for the baby human” it was Dr Teshiene.

“You want me to talk to the baby?” asked Shige trying not to stare at the Dr.

“Yes mother is sleeping. Baby likes talking.” said Dr Teshiene.

“Ok then, I will talk to the baby” replied Shige. “Come each day, also makes good baby. Baby makes best eating meal. Sluurp Sluurp" Shige's eyes opened wide in shock.

“I made one joke, humans admire jokes” said Dr Teshene bubbling away happily.

Shige couldn’t help but laugh. Dr Teshene put a tentacle gently on his shoulder.

“What will do now, find some job, you can ask Teshene about jobs when you come and talk the baby.”

“Thank you that is most kind.” said Shige.

“Get a vine account and write me to the hospital. I can notify you if a change is happened.”