Guard. "We'll take it from here." He ushered the
Guard out of the room. As Doc Astra went over to North he waved his hand
in front of his face, but North didn't seem to notice. He snapped his
fingers on both sides of North's head and still no response. He took
out a scanner, made some readings, and reached for an injector.
9 "He's in shock," he told Gray River, "his vital signs are dropping
rapidly. Sometimes mental shock can be as bad as a physical blow. I'm
giving him a stimulant, but I doubt if it will do little more than
bring his vital signs back to a reasonable level.
10 Find out where the nearest funeral parlor is, and tell them to get a
hearse over here. Then, get six men to carry that. We'll take him down
to my room until you can get it out of here. It might be a good idea to
have them give him another room. Send somebody up to the roof," the
Doctor ordered, as he pulled North to his feet, "and have them borrow
the hotel's flag to cover that coffin with!"
11 "Yes, sir!" the Number Two snapped, and hurried off. By now five of
North's crewmen had gathered in the hall.
12 "Two of you give me a hand with the Commander," the Doctor ordered,
"and two others stand Honor Guard on either end of that casket. Tell
the Number Two when he gets back, to arrange a duty schedule for the
funeral parlor. The fifth man can stand guard at the door."
13 The crewmen responded instantly to the Doctor's orders like he was
an Admiral. As they were taking North to the elevator, the hotel's
Nurse showed up. "May I be of assistance, Doctor?" she asked.
14 "When we get him downstairs to my room," the Doctor agreed, "you
certainly can be."
15 When they got North to the Doctor's room, the Nurse undressed him
and put him under the covers. The Doctor thanked her and sent her on
her way. Pulling a couch over near the bed, the Doctor took off his
jacket