Chapter 19 #2
Approximately forty-eight hours later in Earth time, we finally arrive at the massive space station that houses the Intergalactic Alliance’s central headquarters.
During our journey here, Luna brought me up to speed on the Alliance and its larger purpose.
From what I understand, the organization is an intergalactic combination of the United Nations on Earth meets a universe-wide legal system.
They work on things like negotiating treaties between peoples and planets but also create and enforce certain types of regulations and laws that all sentient beings are expected to follow.
From what Luna told me, they also appear to have smaller outposts on a number of key planets, including Earth, although the Earth outpost is entirely incognito.
That one floors me. I had no inkling there were any aliens living on Earth whatsoever.
Although when she told me their location is in Las Vegas, I figured that pretty much tracked.
What better place to hide in plain sight than Sin City when you’re a bit strange and unusual compared to the planet’s typical citizens?
After the Sleigh Belle docks at the station, Luna and I part ways from the rest of our crew.
They head off to do some shopping to replenish our ship’s supplies while Luna and I navigate our way through tall, pristine corridors and into a see-through elevator.
It rockets upward and I hold on to the rail, eyes closed.
One day I’ll get used to the speed of some of this advanced technology, right?
Once the elevator button dings and the doors whoosh open, I scramble out, relieved to be in what resembles a suite of offices akin to those in many a business building on Earth.
Sure, the design and technology lean toward futuristic and are even reminiscent of things I recall on different Star Trek TV shows, but the principle is the same.
Neutral colors, bland artwork on the walls, cheap carpet—the works.
We stop at a reception desk and check in for our appointment with Elunara, then take a seat in the waiting area until they’re ready to call us back.
Restless, I twiddle my fingers and study the space around us.
“Nervous?” Luna asks, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I jolt. “Sorry, yeah. I think I’m a little bit stressed. After all, there’s a lot riding on this meeting.”
Only my whole freaking future.
Luna squeezes my shoulder gently, her eyes warm and soft as they study me.
“There’s nothing to be worried about, darling.
Like me, Elunara already knows that you are a super-talented, badass doctor who has the potential to make a massive mark on the universe if given the opportunity.
I’m sure that, between the three of us, we can convince this head of the medical school, no prob. ”
Something inside me unclenches at her words.
Luna’s unshakable confidence in me gives me courage as well as all the warm fuzzies inside.
I didn’t know love could be so… wonderful.
Every day, Luna proves to me that she’s the partner I’ve been looking for most of my life.
With her, I can envision a future where we grow old together—and I plan to do whatever it takes to make that fantasy a reality.
The first step, though, is making my dream happen. Everyone else is ready and waiting to turn the Sleigh Belle into an emergency responder ship, traveling the galaxy and helping others along the way. I need to be able to catch up with them and fast.
“She’s ready to see you now,” the pint-sized, purple-skinned receptionist says.
It’s now or never, Gemma. Bring your A game!
We get up and follow the receptionist down the hallway to Elunara’s office. He knocks, then opens the door and ushers us inside when she calls out, “Come in.”
Elunara’s office is definitely swankier than the waiting areas and has a massive floor-to-ceiling window looking out to the dark, starlit universe. I suppose this is their equivalent of a top executive’s corner office view.
With quick, efficient movements, Elunara gets up and comes to shake hands with both of us, smiling happily as she directs us to a conference table where another woman is sitting.
She’s also dressed in some type of extraterrestrial power suit that’s all feminine business chic.
She is fairly human in appearance, with long white hair and a rather busty figure.
I’m only mildly shocked when Luna leans over and whispers in my ear, “She’s a Bellazoid.
They have three—count ’em, three—breasts! ”
She utters that last part with the glee of an overly excited adolescent, and I can’t hold back a faint snicker.
The stunning woman stands. “Welcome. I’m Dr. Melusina Hyneth, President of the Intergalactic Alliance’s medical school. Elunara has filled me in on the basics, but why don’t you tell me what your objectives are, Dr. Taylor?”
It’s go time!
I sit up straight in my seat and launch into my story, from becoming a member of the Sleigh Belle’s crew to finding my new purpose in intergalactic emergency response work.
When I come to the end of my tale, Dr. Hyneth strokes her chin thoughtfully.
I have no clue how old she is, but she’s positively stunning.
Life goals right there!
“I’ve seen the reports of what you did for Elunara’s granddaughter, and I must say, I was impressed.
In an unfamiliar environment, responding to a medical emergency involving someone from a species not found on Earth, you didn’t hesitate to jump right in and help.
What you did saved a much-beloved child. ”
“When something like that happens, my training kicks in,” I admit. “For me, it’s an automatic response. Helping folks with my medical know-how is what I was born to do.”
She smiles brightly. “Exactly. That is a critical ethos of our program. We aim to train doctors who are committed to ethical healing and care for those in need of medical treatment.”
I nod in total understanding. “I’ve always loved what I do and am passionate about that very objective.
” I wince. “However, not so much the context of working in the medical system in the United States.” I shudder.
“It’s pretty much a disaster at the moment, and it was sucking the life force out of me day by day.
But here among the stars, I have a lot more freedom to follow my heart as a doctor.
Here, I have the ability to be a lot more of a free agent, and I like that a lot. ”
Dr. Hyneth nods. “Indeed. I have heard some accounts of how healthcare works in different places on Earth, and it is most distressing. The Intergalactic Alliance provides cost-free healthcare to those in need, and it’s subsidized by long-standing interplanetary dues paid every year.
To be honest, I find it quite mind-boggling that a species would not consider healthcare a fundamental right belonging to all, and instead only prioritize those who can afford the exorbitant cost of treatment. ”
“Amen and hallelujah to that,” I agree, a smidge bitterly.
Dr. Hyneth scrutinizes me for a nerve-rackingly long moment.
“Your medical training on Earth certainly puts you at an advantage over many of our entering students who lack the training and experience you possess. Conversely, they are likely to be more well-versed in the latest technology and differences in species. With that in mind, there are many intelligent ways in which you could build mutually beneficial connections with other students and possibly even faculty in our medical school.”
No shit. That all sounds awesome, and I make a mental note to myself to scope out who to befriend if I get in.
“Have you ever had a human attend your medical school?” I am curious, after all.
She shakes her head. “You’d be the first, I’m afraid.”
Score! I get to be a history-making lesbian trailblazer. Huzzah.
Now for the moment of truth.
I gulp. “So what do you think? Can I apply to your program, and would I have a shot at getting in? Also, I’d need to be able to complete most my coursework remotely since I will be traveling the universe with my crewmates, so I’m not sure if that would be a problem or not.”
“Attending remotely is the most convenient option for many of our students. Only about twenty percent of our student body live in special dormitories and attend classes on our campus. Once every couple of lunar cycles, you will have to come on site for some hands-on training and practice for a few days.”
I nod. “I figured that would probably be the situation, but I’m very happy about the flexibility you offer.”
“Of course. It is our mission to help train and prepare future generations of medical professionals who will work all over this vast universe.”
“How would I go about applying?”
Dr. Hyneth smiles and shakes her head. “Unnecessary, my dear. Based on the recommendation of Chief Commanding Officer Elunara Jynthar, I am prepared to offer you special admission. And it just so happens that our newest cohort will be starting the next sessional round of classes in one lunar cycle. Your timing is impeccable.”
I can’t hold back a gasp of excitement. “Really?”
She laughs. “It would be my pleasure and honor to welcome you to the Intergalactic Alliance’s medical school.
We have great need for ethically sound and highly skilled doctors, but especially in intergalactic emergency situations.
We do not have enough medical professionals who can respond to the number of distress calls we receive on a regular basis.
” She sighs. “Since the remote option is so popular, I’m sure it comes as no surprise that many of our students intend to use their training back on their home worlds.
Being a traveling intergalactic emergency responder, however, requires committing to a lifestyle many do not want or cannot sustain.
The fact that you and your fellow crew members are so committed to this lofty mission is refreshing to hear.
Between that and the commander’s letter of recommendation, I was sold.
We need all the help we can get from folks like yourself who want to do this work. ”
“We’re all very much on board with Gemma’s plan,” Luna chimes in, practically bouncing in her seat. “In fact, I think we will become the most famous emergency response team this galaxy has ever seen!”
Dr. Hyneth throws her head back and gives a throaty laugh.
“I look forward to seeing that play out at some point in the near future.” She stands and shakes hands with me and then Luna.
“It was a pleasure to meet you both. I have high hopes for you, Dr. Taylor, and your team.” She gestures toward Elunara.
“The commander will take down the necessary information from you to process your formal entry into our program, and you’ll begin in very short order.
” She arches an eyebrow. “I hope you won’t let me down. ”
I nod my head with conviction. “I promise I won’t. This is what I want, and I won’t let anything hold me back.”
“Good. That’s what I like to hear.” Then she waves a hand at Elunara. “Thanks for setting this up, my friend. Are we still on for lunch next week?”
“Of course, but you’re buying.”
Dr. Hyneth chuckles. “Fair enough.”
When she leaves the office, my knees buckle and I collapse into my seat again, more than a little dumbfounded by what just happened.
I turn to Luna. “She’s admitting me to the medical program. That really happened, right? I wasn’t dreaming?”
Luna beams back. “It wasn’t a dream, babe. You’re in, and your dream is within your grasp.”
We laugh and hug, joy practically shooting out of us like stars.
Elunara clears her throat. “Ahem. I take it you’re pleased, Dr. Taylor.”
I grin at her so hard my cheeks hurt. “More than. Thank you so much for arranging this. I thought it might be a long battle to enter the program and get started on making my dream a reality.”
“It might have been,” she admits, “had we not met. Sometimes in life, who you know matters a great deal.”
“It’s all about networking,” I agree, and we share a look of mutual understanding.
“Indeed. Dr. Hyneth is a good person to know as well. She’s an incredibly talented doctor and a powerful figure in the Alliance. If you’ve got her support, no one will try to challenge you on your right to be here.”
Unable to hold myself back, I move toward her, arms open, and she doesn’t back away as I embrace her in a grateful hug. “Thank you.”
She pats my back. “It’s the least I can do after your heroic, life-saving intervention with my granddaughter. She means the universe to me and her parents, and we will never forget the miracle you performed.”
Eventually, she lets go of me with an apologetic look. “As much as I’d like to continue talking with you both, duty calls and I have several work meetings coming up.”
“We appreciate you fitting us in your busy schedule,” Luna interjects.
“The pleasure was all mine. Stay safe and be well.”
After we leave her office, the receptionist coordinates a guide who can give us a tour of the medical school while we’re here at the space station.
“I still feel like I’m dreaming,” I tell Luna.
She wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer as we walk back toward the elevator. “It’s not a dream, gorgeous. It’s that Christmas miracle working its magic again.”
You know what? I’m starting to think she’s right.