James, Msizi and the two guards departed the suite and rode the lift down to the hanger bay in silence, it was going to be a sombre day. They walked the short distance to an awaiting shuttle and got strapped in. James managed a quick look around the cabin and noticed it was not the typical passenger shuttle that most people used. The floor was a deep-piled off-white carpet inlaid with a light-blue pattern. Two rows of three large fake-leather seats in a dark cream colour were arranged in two+one configuration. Large half-height windows ran the full length of the cabin allowing a full and unobstructed view of the outside.

"Good morning Ambassador." The pilot turned and said. "Flight time to Beldor cruising altitude will be about fifteen minutes then another fifteen to reach our destination, please ensure you are fully strapped in, we'll be taking off very shortly."

"Thank you," James replied double-checking his straps.

A minute later there was a gentle hum as the engines powered up and the shuttle gently lifted off from the landing pad, moving towards the large force shield protecting the hanger. Once clear the pilot slowly arced around to face the planet below and increased speed until they were hurtling towards Beldor. Hurling down through the atmosphere James could see the air molecules slamming into the shield; the fiery red glow lighting up the cabin.

A few minutes later, the reds and oranges had been replaced by the beautiful blue sky of Beldor, a scattering of clouds could be seen on the horizon. Far below, James could see the capital city of Faldrin coming into view. It was a sprawling metropolis covering over 238,000 square kilometres and home to almost 100 million people. Amongst the buildings, areas of green could be clearly seen dotted throughout, even at this height.

A few minutes later the shuttle had gently landed at one of the hospital VIP parking pads. "This way please, Sir," one of the guards motioned to James. The other guard stood just outside the shuttle door.

Getting up James left the shuttle and followed the guard in front into the main hospital building. Msizi walked a little in front of the group ensuring that they cleared any reception desks and security checkpoints without stopping. They were making their way towards the secure area of the hospital. At the final security checkpoint their credentials were verified, the guard giving a smart salute as they passed though. James returned a nod as thanks.

Msizi now led them past a couple of open doors on the security ward, they looked like mini-hotel rooms but with the primary focus on the single bed in the middle of the room.

Stopping just outside of a closed door, Msizi grabbed the handle.

"Just a moment please, Sir," he said and stepped inside with a guard. A few seconds later his head popped back out, "OK please come in," and stood to one side holding the door open.

* * *

"Good morning, Corporal, " Sara said stepping into the security office, "I have a meeting with the boss, is he free?"

The young man behind the desk stood up saluted so fast he almost saw stars. "Yes Ma'am, he's in his office Ma'am. Shall I escort you Ma'am?"

"Relax Corporal it's fine thank you , I know my way," smiled Sara as she walked off towards the office.

A few seconds later Elle walked past his desk. "And breathe!" she said smiling to the young man.

He let out the breath he didn't realise he was holding. "Thank you miss," he said and promptly sat down.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Sara was having her routine meeting with the security head, it was one she had every three months to ensure the station was running smoothly and there were no issues. The meetings were more of a formality, there were never any big disturbances, just the odd flared temper about some innocuous thing.

Good morning Captain, are you ready?" Sara asked cheerfully, knocking on the frame of the open office door.

"Good morning Ma'am, Elle," he said standing up, "Please come in, have a seat." he offered.

* * *

Walking in to the private hospital room and over to the bed Xilquin was laid in, James could see several tubes snaking their way from machines towards Xilquin. A machine occasionally pinged in the corner. James grabbed a chair and sat down next to his friend and held his hand.

"Hey there Xilquin, it's good to finally see you in person," he said, tears starting to form in his eyes. "You were meant to be meeting me when I landed."

"Ambassador Wallace, welcome to Faldrin Hospital, I am Doctor Valen the Medical Director here." A short man with brilliant-blue skin and white hair walked into the room. He wore the same white lab coat most doctors had. It's a strange coincidence that every medical doctor in almost every species in the known galaxy wore white lab coats.

"Hello Doctor," replied James standing up and shaking his hand, "how is he doing?"

Pulling out a data pad the Doctor looked over the readings and notes.

"He's doing quite well, considering. I don't know how much you have been told but he suffered a small head trauma from his accident, which ordinarily would have him back up and running within a day or two. However the bump dislodged a small blood clot in his brain that was stopping a larger leak. We operated right away to reduce the swelling and put him into a medically induced coma to help him recover."

"Oh."

"A second surgery was performed last week to drain more blood, it's still leaking from somewhere. We've performed several more scans and have identified a second source of a leak. Another surgery is scheduled for tomorrow to stop that one. If everything goes to plan, he should hopefully be awake within a couple of days, and back on his feet some months after that."

"Thank you, Doctor," said James. "How long after the surgery will we know how it went?"

"Within a couple of hours. He is resting comfortably and currently not in any pain. We are keeping a close eye on him and he is getting the best care available."

"Can you keep me updated please, Msizi has my details," James asked.

"Yes, of course," replied the doctor before leaving the room.

James sat back down next to his friend and held his hand again.

About 10 minutes later, one of the guards entered the room. "Excuse me, Sir, the family is approaching shall I let them in?" he asked.

"Yes of course, they have more right to be here than I do," James replied, standing up.

"Um, hello? Is my husband OK, what's going on?" A woman appeared at the door with a small child by her side. "Oh my!" she said once she saw James. "You're that alien Xilquin was talking too!"

"Hello, I'm James, you must be Eliana. Xilquin has told me all about you. Please come in everything is fine. I was just visiting and seeing how he was doing," James said gently. "And you must be Aria," he said bending down a little. "Hello," James smiled.

The girl hid behind her mother looking a little unsure but also curious.

"Please, come have a seat," James said moving out of the way and pointing to the chair he was just in.

Eliana sat down and put Aria on her lap.

"As you said, your husband and I have been talking together for quite a while and have become good friends. He has told me all about you and your lovely daughter here," James said wiggling his fingers for the child. "He also told me about how much he loves you both, and loves going home after our chats to your home-cooked food." James smiled. "During those talks we have been helping your people get ready to join the wider galactic community. My presence here is due to all the hard work and dedication of Xilquin and his team."

"Oh, I didn't realise his work was this important."

"Are the doctors keeping you up-to-date? Is there anything at all I can do to help you?"

"The doctors here are very good, we visit regularly and they let us stay as long as we want. Aria often brings a book and reads to him. We are doing OK, Sir, thank you."

"Please, call me James. If there is anything you need, anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll try to do everything I can to help you," James stated. I'll have Msizi leave my details with you. You can contact me day or night."

"Thank you, James, you are very kind."

"You have funny skin," Aria said suddenly.

"Yes I do," James smiled. "I've come from another planet that is far far away just to come and see you and your daddy."

"Is daddy going to wake up soon?" she asked

"I really hope so."

...