Goddess v2.0

Chapter One

Goddess v2.0

By Matthew JH

Copyright 2019-2024

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'Once again, Ben-Gurion was right,' an aged doctor in a white medical gown whispered as he closed a patient's file fixed to the clipboard in his hand.

The doctor's grey eyes drifted to the steel operating bed by his side, positioned in the centre of an almost empty surgical theatre. A young girl with dark hair and unblemished olive skin lay unconscious on the bed with a loose sheet drawn up to her bare shoulders, anchored by her toned arms. A small monitor mounted beside the girl's head displayed graphs of her slow heartbeat and gentle breathing.

The doctor placed his fingers on the girl's left wrist and smiled. 'Welcome to the world, little miracle. Doubtless you are conquering the last of our anaesthesia, but you must stay asleep for a while longer. Otherwise, my plan is ruined.'

A low knock echoed out from the theatre's doors. The doctor patted his patient's arm then pressed a button taped to the clipboard. The doors unlocked and three figures stepped inside.

The doctor turned to his approaching guests. 'Shabbat Shalom to all. No raised voices, please. My patient is recovering from a considerable ordeal.'

'Shalom, doctor,' a tall woman replied with a Slavic accent as she smoothed back her blonde mane. 'I apologise for our late arrival. Dov's plane landed on time, but Tel-Aviv's evening traffic remains a nightmare.'

'Please call me Lander,' the doctor said. 'You are Polanski, yes?'

The woman nodded and straightened out her Armani suit. 'Last night Karen asked me to stand-in for her. We are busy with events in the north.'

'This is fine. Karen said you are one of her original mercenaries, and a trusted friend.' Lander looked down at the young girl with angled features propped against Polanski's side, dressed in a hooded leather jacket and short skirt. 'Who is your Little Red?'

The girl's crystal-blue eyes narrowed. 'I'm not a child. I'm fourteen.'

'This is Krista, my daughter,' Polanski said. 'Karen suggested she can help Dov with your project but, since the airport, Krista's only talked his ears off.'

'Oh, he will need much assistance.' Lander turned to the heavyset foreigner in a collared shirt and thick jeans. 'Dov, sorry for greeting you last, but we are already familiar. Perhaps you could tell the others why.'

A faint smile crept across Dov's youthful features. 'You rebuilt my left arm, and the ribs next door. There were times we needed doctors like you in the Commandos. More of our friends may have returned home.'

'Pity there are no scars.' Krista brushed aside her blonde fringe. 'Some girls like those.'

'Next time,' Lander said. 'So, Dov, how are you?'

'I am okay, aside from monstrous jetlag and slight deafness.' Dov's hazel eyes glanced downward and his smile grew as Krista poked out her tongue. 'I'm accustomed to this.'

Lander nodded and slipped the clipboard onto the bed's rail. 'And what are your thoughts about being in Israel again?'

'When I read your letter, I was uncertain about returning.' Dov rubbed his black hair. 'But Aviva would punish even a slight excuse for inaction. I had no choice.'

Krista peered up at their guest. 'Who is Aviva? An old girlfriend?'

Lander coughed. 'Careful, Krista.'