Elenar was just about to finish her shift when she felt someone tug on her arm. Through her sleepiness, it took her a while to realise who wanted her attention.
“General Kaldoran, ser! I…was not expecting you!”
Kaldoran smiled calmly and started walking down the corridor, beckoning Elenar to join him. “I apologise for making you jump, that was not my intention. You do look rather tired though…”
Elenar shrugged as she removed her elbow-length gloves and tossed them into a nearby medical bin. “Been working hard. The Exemption Bay is a good post, lots of kind patients, but there’s always something off about working with the Rethans there. And with the newest patient, it’s so sad to see him in such a state.”
Kaldoran nodded understandingly. Before he became the General of Medicinal Affairs, he too worked here at the K.S.A. Hospital, and his brief time in the Exemption Bay was enough. “Have they been nice to you? Older Ksa have always been… temperamental.”
Elenar hesitated, pausing to wave at another medic dealing with a new patient. The other medic briefly waved then returned to what they were doing.
“Oh, they’ve all been fine. Even the new patient. I assume you want me to give you information about their current status?”
“Yes, I would like to know. I’d also like to see them, if it’s possible.”
The young medic pulled out an electronic tablet and started tapping on it. “They are all asleep currently. We enforce strict bed times for all patients in the Exemption Bay, they need regular schedules to keep them active. Sleep schedule, exercise schedule, medicine schedules, general resting schedules. All sorts.”
“As to be expected. Any abnormalities?”
Elenar tutted. “Only the same old normal A-Class Ksa Hate Everyone sort of thing. Yes, they’re Ksa who have managed to… survive long enough to actually retire, but they’re always so grumpy. The younger Ksa though are all rather chirpy, despite what they have been through. Particularly Vee- uh, patient 77. He is incredibly friendly.”
“What about the new patient?”
“Oh, the little kid? Patient 78 is a lot more shy, the other Ksa don’t pick on him or anything, not like they do with patient 77, but they can sense his fear and leave him alone. Still, patient 77 has made friends with him and they get along like a steak on the grill… Ser, I must ask you something…”
Kaldoran smiled. “Yes, dear?”
“Are patients 77 and 78 related? The way they get along, and how they talk, it suggests a relationship prior to their meeting each other here.”
The General pulled out a tablet of his own, unsure himself. “Hm. No, they are not genetically related. But patient 77 had always been close friends with the mother of patient 78, so perhaps that is why they get along. Probably for the best, patient 77 needed a friend. He has always been too close to his medics, no offence, Elenar, and he should be spending more time with those he can more closely relate to.”
“Fair enough, ser…” Elenar glanced at her wristband, checking the time. “Ser, if you excuse me, I need to head off now. I do not want to miss my bus back home.”
Kaldoran nodded his permission, dismissing the young medic. “Very well. Have a good evening, Elenar. Keep up the good work.”
“Thank you, ser!” Elenar grinned as she raced off down the corridor. “Have a nice day too!”