To Hell and Back (Hellworlder pirates)

Ch 60 Saint Mary

Saint Mary

Alwen considered the dark liquor in her crystal glass, normally she tried to stay away from hard alcohol, especially the paint thinner that Terrans had distilled from wheat and rye. A couple glasses of beer was more than enough to make her feel tipsy, but tonight she needed something much more potent than beer. And this dark amber liquid promised to be everything she needed.

The operation had gone off without a hitch, which was amazing considering the fact that Alwen had never studied to perform brain surgery, let alone on an alien brain in an attempt to fuse her atrophied nerves to the synthetic ones of a highly advanced cybernetic eye. That kind of thing was the sort of stuff professionals spent a lifetime studying to specialize in. Part of the success was owed to the incredibly advanced mobile micro filaments that could work with a precision that just wasn't possible with organic limbs. Medical innovations like that machine promised to revolutionize the entire art of brain surgery and could one day lead to therapies capable of correcting a spinal injury and seizures. And the Toy Man didn't even seem to hold it within high regard, sure he was proud of it. But he seemed to view it as only a means to further advance in his research, not as a tool that could change the entire field of medicine.

The Toy Man had been an odd partner throughout the whole operation, at times he truly shocked Alwen with his knowledge and abilities. He seemed extraordinarily adept at this sort of procedure. But at other times he was lacking in some very basic medical knowledge that every first-year med students learned, she at times had to grab him by his one remaining arm to stop him from doing irreversible damage. Throughout the whole operation Alwen slowly came to the shocking revelation that the Toy Man was self-taught, teaching himself enough to begin pioneering the field of advanced cybernetics, but glossing over some of the basics. Alwen saw firsthand why the Captain had wanted Alwen there.

The Toy Man for his part was very polite and apologetic for his mistakes, and had made polite small talk as he removed part of Astarte's skull. Even during the most precise and attention demanding portions of the surgery he kept up the conversation without any noticeable dip in focus. He seemed nice enough once Alwen got more used to the extensive modifications he had made to his body, but there was always a slight disconnect that made the conversation awkward. Like his brain wasn't properly wired for talking with other people, and he had to create a façade of social graces.

But nothing had gone wrong, the eye was attached without any rejection from Astarte's immune system, and the computer running diagnostics gave them the 'all clear' sign. They had patched her back together, bandaged half of her head, and began to prepare treatments for her recovery. That was when a troop of dark armored women clomped into the Toy Man's sanctuary, Alwen couldn't see their faces but the heavy broad swords on their backs told Alwen that these people were the Maidens of New-Mombasa. They transferred Astarte to a gurney and led Alwen to a rampway out the back of the sanctuary that ran directly into the bar where Alwen now found herself. The Maidens had barred Alwen from entering the private area where they had stashed Astarte, and had told her to wait for their boss.

And so now here she was, alone on an alien planet, in a completely foreign city, in a bar she didn't know the name of. The atmosphere around her felt cozy and pleasant enough for Alwen to feel comfortable removing her hand from Makaze's handle. People at the bar politely ordered drinks from the bartenders, only speaking just loud enough to be heard over smooth brassy sounds of the jazz band in the corner. Most people avoided sitting at the main bar, instead opting to find a quiet little nook where they could enjoy some privacy with the alluringly dressed men and women who wandered the main floor of this establishment. A few times Alwen saw a man or women lead their handsome companion to a hidden set a stairs and disappeared for the remainder of the night.