Chapter 27 - CHAPTER 25

JOILEE & DR. YELENA JACKSON

"Good day Dr. Joilee. I am Dr. Yelena Jackson. I am your therapist. I will be performing your psychological evaluation."

"Great, you hear to report how crazy I am."

"The word crazy is a derogatory term. However, a person like yourself who has been alienated from humanity for the time you have experienced is concerning. The council wants to make sure that you are fit to return to duty."

"Fit for duty? Who said I was returning to the E.G.C.," Joilee bolstered.

"I understand that you are apprehensive of the idea, so we'll just focus on you for now."

"Wait, did you say your last name was James?

Dr. Yelena took a seat next to Joilee's bedside; however, Joilee did not like the close proximity. Joilee got up from the bed, moved across the room, and leaned against the wall. Dr. Yelena took notice of her mistrust and made a mental note.

"So Jackson is your last name? So is that a coincidence or are you and Orlando are...."

"Yes, married. For 35 years now. We have three beautiful children who serve the government proudly."

Joilee laughs.

"I guess you are aware of Orlando and I's past."

"Oh yes. Orlando was heartbroken when he thought you were dead."

"I am quite sure. So don't you think this is a conflict of interest that you are my therapist?"

"No! My feelings are in check and invalid when it comes to serving the E.G.C. But enough about Orlando and I, let's talk about you," Dr. Yelena replied as she folded her legs and gave Joilee her attention."

"Fine, I'll talk, but you won't get much out of me."

"Well, just tell me how you feel!"

"I feel like leaving this place. This place is so boring."

"You have not taken advantage of the history logs or the current recording from our solar system?"

"Yeah, I was finished with those logs in a few days!"

"A few days? It would have taken weeks to read through all of the history logs. Did you pick this cognitive ability here?"

"I was always a fast reader."

"Yes, but no regular human can read that fast. Could it be some new abilities you gained on this planet?"

"Why do you expect that I gain some new abilities?"

"Well, for one, your ability to cheat death. You were killed by our soldiers and were pronounced dead. Now here you are, alive and well. Was this resurrection ability due to jeweled implants?"

"If I knew, I could not tell you."

"I read your autopsy report. A body imaging scan was done while you were in a state of demise. The jewels embedded in your body have somewhat interwoven into your nervous system; they appear sentient and contain D.N.A. that is not yours."

Joilee looked at Dr. Yelena with confusion.

"What?"

"What are they, Joilee?"

"They are called Chakruns. They were gifted to me amongst the natives on the planet. What else have you learned in front of the reports?

"I dunno, but the medical scientist would like to take samples of the jewels from you...."

"Out of the question!"

"Joilee, I understand that you had your adversity against us, but learning about how these jewels affect you."

"No one is touching the Chakrun!"

"I understand. Perhaps we should end the session for the day."

Three Days Later

Orlando was on his way to see Joilee. By his side was Lt. Mason was by his side as he was just released from the Brigg after his altercation with his fellow soldiers. Orlando and Mason approached Joilee's observation cell, only to find soldiers standing guard.

"Good morning General Jackson," The two soldiers said as they saluted Orlando.

"At ease, soldiers!"

As Orlando and Mason attempted to enter the room, the guards blocked his path. Orlando and Mason were confused by the under-ranking officers who stood firm in their paths.

"Soldiers step aside," Orlando commanded.

"Sorry, sir, we are under restricted orders that no one with medical clearance is not allowed to enter."

"Two superior officers stand before you. Now stand down, soldier."

"Sir, I apologize, but we have our order."

"Who gave you an order to disobey a superior officer," Mason asked.

"By my orders," Dr. Yelana replied.

Dr. Yelena approached Joilee's cell with an OLED scroll in her hand. Orlando and Mason turned around. Orlando saw that his wife had a serious look on her face. He often saw that look when his wife was engrossed in her work. In that case, Dr. Yelana was on duty, and mingling personal life with military government protocol was not allowed.

"Dr. Jackson, what is the meaning of all this," Orlando asked.

"Joilee is under my psychiatric care, and I am limiting any contact with E.G.C. personnel that do not have a medical or higher ranking than Dr. Yelena.

Even though Orlando holds a higher governmental rank than Orlando, she has the power and authority as a medical examiner to protect her patient. The E.G.C. medical protocols trumped governmental protocols and orders. However, the council had complete immunity against the laws they created.

"Dr. Yelena, I am here to take Lt. Mason to see his sister."

"Yeah, I have been waiting days to see her,"

"No one is not allowed to see Joilee without my clearance."

"Why?"

"Orlando, you and I know why, which I care not to discuss. Now, if you don't, leave me to my work."

"I understand," Orlando sighed before turning away. Lt. Mason attempted to follow; however, Dr. Yelena stopped him.

"Lt. Mason, where are you going," Dr. Yelena replied.

"You said that no one is not allowed to see Joilee?'

"Yes, I did say that. However, I will allow you to see your sister."

"You will," Mason replied in an elated tone.

"Yes! However, after today I would like to see you for a psych evaluation?"

"Why did I do something wrong?"

"No, just concerned about you since Joilee arrived on base."

"Okay!"

"Great," Dr. Yelena stated as she opened her OLED scroll and started typing in an appointment time for Mason.

"I will see you in two days," Dr. Yelena replied. "Now, if you don't mind waiting. I'll allow you to go in once I am done with Joilee's session.

DR. YELENA & JOILEE

Dr. Yelena walked and saw Joilee sitting at her table with a plate of food rations. Dr. Yelena saw that her food was untouched, as her attention was focused on the recent data scroll she was provided.

"Dr. Joilee, how are you today?"

"I'm fine. I will be much better when I can get out of here?"

"I take it that you are not hungry. I noticed you have not eaten since your detainment."

"The food you serve tastes horrible!"

"What do you mean? These are the best provisions that are provided. Not even I get to have vegan corn beef hash, broccoli, and mash potatoes."

"Yeah, I can taste the chemicals used in the freeze drying process."

"You have to eat something, Joilee. Tell me what you want to eat, and I'll arrange it."

Joilee chuckles.

"My diet requirement goes beyond the walls of this base. I'll be fine if you let me go out and hunt and forage for my food."

"That is not possible at the moment. However, that may change."

"What do you mean?"

"The council has notified me that they would like to speak with you in person!"

"The council are willing to leave their throne on Mars just to travel to see little ole me?"

"No! The council will be debriefing you via holographic transmission in two days. They are very impressed to meet with you."

"All this time I have been here, they are now ready to talk with me?"

"Yes, they would have done it sooner, but they have greater duties that need their attention."

"Fine! Meanwhile, I will talk with the nutritionist to see if we can provide a diet to your liking."

"That would be great," Joilee replied indifferently."

"Oh, one more thing. There are some here to see you."

"I am not in the mood to see another doctor, shrink, or an E.G.C. soldier."

"This person you would want to see. Trust me," Dr. Yelena replied before leaving the observation room.

JOILEE and MASON

Soon after Dr. Yelena left the room, Lt. Mason entered the room. Joilee's eyes lit up like a supernova. Dr. Yelena was not very trusting of the Dr. Yelena or Orlando. She was not too sure if she could trust Mason, but since he was her brother; she wanted to talk with him to observes if he was friend or foe.

"Mason!"

"Yeah, it's me, big sis' or I'm little sis since I look older than you!"

"Hey," Joilee lightly punches Mason on the shoulder. "I am still and will always be your older sister, remember that, or I'll kick your ass to jog your memory.

Mason and Joilee chuckle.

"So they finally let your ass out of the slammer!"

"Yeah, but my reprimand is not over. I gotta pull double command duties for the rest of the month."

"I see they let you off the light!"

"Yeah, thanks to Orlando."

Mason takes notice of Joilee's untouched plate of food.

"Hey are you going to eat that," Mason asked. Before Joilee could say yes, he grabbed the plate of corn beef, broccoli, and mashed potato and started eating.

"You could wait for me to say yes! You haven't changed. You used to take food off my plate when we were kids."

"Sorry, I barely got fed in the Brigg. I guess they believe since we are doing nothing but sitting on our ass all day, we don't deserve food."

"I understand. I only get fed once a day. Even with that notion, the food tastes horrible."

"What, you crazy. This food ration is fucking awesome."

"It tastes putrid."

Mason shrugs his shoulders and continues eating.

"It tastes fine to me!"

"Slow down before you choke," Joilee chuckles. "Anyway, what is it I owe for this visit!"

"You are my sister. That is all the reason I need."

"Are you sure that is all the reason? The military hasn't sent you to milk information out of me?"

"The only thing I am milking right now is this plate of food and the joy of being in presence. I really missed you."

Joilee sat back as she heard Mason speak. Joilee held back the burning tears to get them to flow down her cheeks.

"I missed you, mom, and dad as well. How are mom and dad, by the way?"

"Mom and dad are dead. Mom died of cancer 20 years ago, and dad was killed in a terrorist bombing a few years after. He was on an asteroid mining colony while serving as Chief Psychiatrist.

Joilee looked away with sadness.

"Did they think about me?"

"Just about every day! That is when they were not working."

Joilee became very emotional, which caused her to change the subject.

"Anyway, tell me about you. We have a lot to catch up on," Mason stated.

"What do you want to know?"

"What did you do on this planet all this time?"

"I survived."

"Just survived?"

"And site seeing."

"Site seeing, huh," Mason chuckled. "I am sure you did more than that since you are host to some weird jeweled symbiote," Mason stated. Joilee felt that Mason was asking for too much information, so she diverted the conversation.

"Anyway, tell me about you. Are you married yet?"

"No!"

"Why, I thought E.G.C. would arrange a marriage if you weren't married in your twenties."

"Yeah, it turns out that I am not a psychological fit for marriage. Well, not yet?"

"Why?"

"I suffered from major depression after I thought you were dead. It got worse after the death of our parents."

"I am sorry to hear that! Since I am alive, you can now focus on moving on with your life. I am quite sure there is someone that catches your eye!"

"There is; we went through military training together. Her name is Mariselva Hidalgo."

"Tell me about her!"

"Mariselva is awesome, and she is tougher than a diamond weave kevlar Exo suit. Like you, she can really kick ass in battle simulations."

"Then you should marry here and have kick-ass kids."

"I just might."