Dr. Alice Swift - Followers of the Apocalypse - Plane
The dog, who had drawn her attention away from Alan Burns, lay at her feed snoozing.
"Look, Doctor Swift, I'm just trying to lighten the mood between us. Just having a bit of fun before I go bored out of my noggin. No harm intended. I'm sorry if I offended you. I have heard of your talents as a doctor, you are most impressive. If you wish to see actions, then I will show you just exactly who I am. Things have changed immensely since we last met, at the convention all those years ago. And, if you hadn't noticed, or just chose to not notice, at the Two Sun convention I acted myself as mediator between the Legion and U.S, as to facilitate peace between us all. As for social graces, like I said, I was just merely having a bit of fun, trying to lighten the mood. Think nothing of it good Doctor." Alan said with a sad smile.Alan's last words still echoed through Alice's mind, when she met Decimus. The giant man truly was a sight to behold. She did notice an issue with his breathing apparatus and had offered to check it out.
Decimus stood facing the doctor now as she began to introduce herself. Legion tradition holds that women were not permitted in combat roles, and the social structure of the Legion was largely based on a strong patriarchal system. However, women still held their role in the empire's function, especially since the time of the first Caesar had passed. While Decimus was a stranger to the concept of a woman being so forthcoming and introducing herself, let alone hold a spot in a combat-intensive mission, he certainly wasn't about to show her outright disrespect for the offer. Even the physical giant had some political awareness when it came to introduction, though he certainly wasn't eager for pleasantry.Decimus inhaled before responding to Dr. Swift's introduction, he would address his breathing after, "I am Decimus Servantius." He neglected to present his rank and business as well, seeing as Dr. Swift hadn't done the same.It genuinely astounded Decimus about how intrigued Dr. Swift suddenly became about his respirator. As unpleasant and dysfunctional as the apparatus was, the machine still managed to complete its intended purpose reliably. However, Decimus would not deny the doctor the opportunity to indulge herself in her work. Once again, Decimus inhaled, bringing with it a bout of clicking and whirring from the apparatus, "Simply put, this respirator regulates my breathing pattern," The respirator forced Decimus to take another noisy breath, "It keeps the rhythm of my heart stable."Decimus looked down at the steel panel protruding from his bare chest centered within his sternum. Lightly, he motioned to the panel and the artificial arteries that connected at various points to his body as if a spider's legs were protruding from his back. Decimus sighed, "I assume with your medical knowledge," another breath, "that you might be familiar with this system. If you so desire," Decimus switched off his respirator, removing it from his face, "you may toy with it. However, I do ask that you don't break it, I'm going to need that later."Alice nodded with a stern look at Deciums. "I know that the Legion has some, well let's say, interesting notions about women. However, I would like to ensure you that I take my job very serious and therefore do not "toy" with medical equipment or the lives of others," she stated in firm and serious tone, while she reached for the respirator. For a while, she turned it around in her hands. It was a rather simple device, by today's standards. Big MT could produce a ten times better apparatus, which could make Decimus' life much easier.
"One moment," she said and pulled out a small screwdriver from her bag. She tightened three little screws, which actually created a better seal around the left hose. "Try it now," she said and handed the breathing machine back to Decimus. "I think this should tone down the rattling sound a bit," she observed. Then she took a step closer and leaned forward to look at the tubes that protruded from the various places of his body. She pointed at one, without touching it. She was aware to keep the appropriate distance from this giant of a man; she surely didn't want to offend him. "Do you have a lot of issues with infections? How often do you change the tubes, clean the exit and entry points? Have you tried different materials? How do you protect yourself in combat?" Alice shot off the questions, trying to learn as much on how to care for Decimus, should it ever come to that.
» Wed Aug 22, 2012 1:01 pm 
