The alarm sounded throughout the compound, signifying that a new arrival was planned presently. Mr Pluto Cratwright, took a pair of calipers from the desk and experimented with it momentarily before setting it down and moving his hand over to his ever present glass of whiskey. He picked it up and savoured its flavor before setting it down on the desk.
On his desk lay the Kso's record, in all of its detail so far as it was possessed. The doctor's eye was drawn to his fresh complexion.. so unlike most of those who dwelt within his "hospital".. how he would love to flay the man.. strip from his very body the skin, inch by inch.. it would be an interesting enterprise to undertake.. and not one he had performed on a Hapan before before.
An Imperial Prison Service guard knocked politely on the door before entering. "Warden Kant gives his compliments Sir, and requests your presence at landing platform 23".
Cratwright looked up, startled from his reverie "The trick is to peel it you know.. if you try to cut it away it will drag clumps of flesh away... always peel..". Shocked the guard looked the doctor in the eyes "Sir?"
"These oranges my man..." he said gesturing to his fruit bowl "Newly imported from warmer climes... You may have one if you so wish" standing and moving across the room. Grasping the calipers and holding them to the guard's forehead and measuring it. Turning one eye towards the man he spoke quietly "You have the cranial dimensions indicating an enjoyment of the arts?" before muttering under his breath "And a distinct tendency towards cretinism on the mothers side.."
"Tell Warden Kant I will be up directly.. you may go" he said, turning towards his desk and laying down the calipers.
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Some minutes later, Cratwright was to be found at the landing platform at the end of a sheltered walkway. In the distance the town of Bitter End could be seen lying like a cancer across the ravaged body of Vjun... black corruption on a background of dark brown.. the good Doctor smiled "The vista is not so unlike the drawing in fecal matter CMP-298 made last week" he said to the junior officer standing next to him who laughed nervously, assuming it was some form of joke.
Thunder sounded, and a warning siren blared for a second or two.. signifying rain. Unsuprisingly. The form of the shuttle could be seen descending from the perpetual cloud cover towards the platform. Cratwright looked up, glad of the cover provided by the walkway.. this was to be an interesting day to say the least.. Mr Pluto Cratwright Consultant Neurosurgeon ______________________ Chair of the Imperial College of Medicine Fellow of the Imperial Academy of Science and Methodology Editor of "The Imperial Journal of Psychiatric Medicine"
