Finishing the quick conversation with Neely, Liana turned her whole attention to Jaquan. She watched as he struggled with the oversized bundle on his shoulders. Every bit of motion challenged all of his strength and focus. She had barely seen him take five tiny steps into the light. Already, he was sweating. It would be a wonder if he made it to the street.
The whole dilemma brought back memories of the time before he was a household name. Just as before, she knew better than to even offer any help. He wanted and needed to earn this victory for himself. All she could do was offer advice.
After giving the update on Neely and Catlin she said as much as she could in offering help, “You should slow down a bit. You won’t gain anything if you hurt yourself.” In all honesty, she could carry the load herself. Little would trouble her other than balance. Her advanced Mech suit ridiculously increased her strength, was made of plated compressed metal, and flew.
After a few minutes Jaquan miraculously reached the curb. He stood as strong as he could pretending not to be completely exhausted. He wasn’t convincing. “I’m… fine,” he heaved breath as he spoke. Setting “the pack” down was more of a challenge than picking it up. He fell backwards in the attempt. Getting back up, he rubbed his shoulder, “Might need a heal later though.”
“I gotchu,” Justice offered with no hesitation.
Liana was surprised at the speed of his comment. Even more so when she remembered that Justice did not use the healing talents; Jaquan did. Liana decided against commenting on the issue. Instead, she made a note of it in her suit’s computer. A few seconds later, she called for the cab to take them to the caravan. They’d be leaving the city soon
——-
Bome Castle Hospital:
Finally, he had the release forms. He grabbed a pen immediately. He was standing and walking on his own power quite easily for the last ten minutes. The staff should have had the papers waiting for him at the front desk. He had more important things to do than waste precious time. Perhaps if he did a subtle story on this hospital’s efficiency they would make changes.
His rushed signature looked more like a looping lasso than a name, but whatever. They all knew who he was. He didn’t stop to chat on his way out either. There was too much for Ace Reporter Duard Ban to do.
The staff had kept him there for almost an entre day. Granted he needed a carrier droid to get there. Still their service was the worst he had received in a while.
Cracked ribs, crushed wing joints, and cracked shoulder blades. Bome Castle’s hospital had completely healed it all with a day’s rest. Still, South Coast could do the same in an hour or so. Technology of the day was amazing for those that could afford the treatment.
Duard had the gold. Now, if only Bome Castle could improve their methods and efficiency a bit. It made better sense if all healing facilities were up to about the same level. But, what could he expect from these developing kingdoms.
More importantly, he was now free of the hospital. Duard had to get back on the trail of that ruffian that which landed him in there in the first place. Never had he experienced such disrespect.
A scowl enveloped his face at the very thought of the man. That son of a rat step on me! I’ll drag his name through catfish infested water! He could and he would, with little trouble. Ban had led to the demise of more important people than Jaquan Zu.