North took his battle com from the receptacle and
rose. "Number Two," he snapped, "you have the deck."
52 They exchanged salutes. North went down to his quarters, stored his
things away, then went down to the Doctor for his physical. He came
back, took a shower, returned to his quarters and crawled into bed. The
air mattress felt like a cloud as he settled in. "Whoever designed this
cabin," he thought, "I'm glad they put in such a big bed."
53 It seemed like he had barely closed his eyes, when a gentle beep and
someone saying ''Commander Star," woke him. He opened the light panel
and pressed the intercom button. "What is it?" he asked.
54 "This is Communications, sir. We just received orders to drop our
pods, and there's a priority message coming in."
55 "I'll be right up!" North assured. He swung out of the bed and sat
up, banging his head on the overhead storage compartments, nearly
knocking himself out. The intercom was still open, and the
Communications Officer heard his cry of pain. "You all right, sir?" he
asked.
56 "Yes," North replied, "forgot the overheads!"
57 "Happens to all of us, sir!" the Communications Officer replied.
"I'll send up Medical."
58 "No need," argued North, "it's only a bump. Doc had his go with me
earlier."
59 But by the time North had dressed and opened the door, the Doctor
was standing outside. "Let me have a quick look," he insisted. "Men
have been known to crack their skulls on those overhead cabinets. " He
took out a portable scanner and checked North's head. "That thick skull
of yours did a good job," he chuckled, "but you'd better take a couple
of these. You're going to have an awful headache."
60 He handed North a couple of tablets and a flask. North took the
tablets and a long drink from the flask.