Chapter 9 Pre-Employment Physical

  It had been too long since Tanya had a decent meal. Between constantly retreating and the general lack of everything in the Empire, good food had been hard to come by. It had been even longer since she had tasted miso and soy sauce, and now she was having a hot meal with both.

  Tanya didn’t notice herself humming contentedly as she sipped her cup of miso soup with tofu. Nor did she notice how quickly she inhaled her chicken katsu bowl. But someone else noticed even as she avoided the bits of Tofu from her own cup not enjoying the taste or the texture.

  Visha was happy watching the obvious joy on Tanya’s little face as she ate. It was one of the few moments where Visha got to see Tanya act her age, she even had a little rice grain stuck to her cheek. Visha found herself debating telling her about it or whether she should just pick it off herself. Eventually deciding to leave it and see how long it lasted without being noticed by her friend.

  Passing the rest of her soup wordlessly over, Tanya grabbed it from her hand an eyebrow raised in question. In response, Visha made a face and stuck out her tongue, showing her dislike.

  “I can’t believe what I’m seeing, our Visha rejecting food because she doesn’t like the taste. If only the guys from the battalion could see this.”

  “Don’t laugh at me, it’s not like I enjoyed eating K-brot.

  “It’s just, I decided earlier when we were eating snacks from that machine. I’m not going to eat anything I don’t like the taste of ever again. You said it yourself; it’s time to enjoy this peaceful life.

  “Well, this is how I want to start. I’ve had to eat so many terrible things over the years just to survive and now that I don’t have to, well I’m going to make the most of it. You should take the time to make some changes too Tanya.”

  Tanya pondered Visha’s words for longer than she’d care to admit. What should she change in this new life she had? To herself she would admit that she was a bit twisted, and she kept people at a distance. But war had forced her to build string bonds with others or die alone, it was just too important to have someone to cover your back.

  Like her relationship with Visha built on years of trust and respect, or the time spent joking with her men. Yes, most of that had been her acting the role of a good leader.

  Still, she couldn’t help but wonder, had she been just another lieutenant with the rest of them would she have spent her time joking and drinking shoulder to shoulder like the rest of them?

  Pushing those thoughts to the back of her head she drained the rest of Visha’s soup and collected the containers their food came in.

  “Come on Visha, I’ll show you how to throw away your trash, so you don’t do it wrong.”

  “It doesn’t just go in a trash can?”

  “No, you have to sort it by type first here, paper products go in this one here, remember this symbol, waste food is usually the one next to it. Plastics in this one and glass or metal in this last one. Japan does not like to waste space or resources on landfills, so we have a system for recycling everything possible and incinerating the rest.”

  “How do you say this word?” 燃やすごみ

  “Burnable trash.”

  “And this one.”

  Their impromptu language lesson lasted a few minutes more before they were asked to prepare to board the vans for their trip to the hospital.

  Making their way back out the same hallway they had come in through Tanya found herself facing the same group of vans that had previously dropped them off. Though it was clear some of the vans where missing. Likely due to having left with their charges already. After all the interviews were staggered by group.

  Tanya was surprised to see the awkwardly smiling face of the very same driver they had before bow in greeting before directing their group to board, holding Tanya and Visha back to board last. While they were waiting the driver spoke.

  “Wait here a moment I’ve got you belongings.”

  He then went to the rear of the van and pulled a suitcase from the back storage area.

  “Here you go it should fit up front with you if you want to keep it close. We took the liberty of packing your clothes into this case for you as well as adding some other necessities into it. The others will be given a similar case with supplies to last the next few days such as a toothbrush, towel, shower sandals, and other supplies.”

  Tanya was pleased the officer had gone out of his way to ensure the return of their items as she had asked. She was also fairly surprised it had been done so quickly or at all. To be honest she had only asked in hopes of retaining her trusty shovel.

  She was actually hoping not to see the dresses ever again, much less the lacy, things that Visha had packed with them.

  Shaking the suitcase, she heard the soft thump thump of two heavy somethings inside. Now smiling widely Tanya bowed deeply thanking the officer before she got into the van next to Visha.

  “What was that about?”

  For three seconds Tanya contemplated lying to Visha. If I do it right, she’ll never know. The possibility of getting rid of any chance she would be stuffed into a dress would be removed if Tanya could secretly remove the dresses from the equation.

  No, too many people had already heard her ask for the clothes specifically. It would be too suspicious now if she got rid of them.

  “Just the clothes from that pillowcase you had. As well as a few implements born of civilization.” Tanya said smiling a vicious glint in her eye.

  Visha too soon joined her, smiling so widely her bared canines seem to glint in the light.

  ~

  Kokoro felt his namesake freeze at the sight of the two chilling smiles in his rearview mirror. Everything in him wanted to jump out of the car and run home, but he had a job to do.

  He was just waiting for the translator to join them and then they would be on their way. And that much closer to never seeing these two terrifying girls again.

  ~

  Traffic was much lighter now that it was the middle of the day, but it still took some time to get to the selected hospital. After parking they were shuffled into a private waiting room while the nurses began taking down basic information and making notes.

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  Visha was occupied with her translator having already given her information with his and Tanya’s help. Now the two were just talking, probably due to the translator wanting to get a better understanding of how Visha talks.

  In the meantime, Tanya was waiting for her turn to get her blood drawn.

  She expected based on what the nurses had been saying that they would be in and out of different departments for the rest of the day. Between bloodwork, the lab and the actual physical checkup done by a doctor.

  They were even being questioned briefly by a shrink to see if their mental states were on the verge of collapse. Apearently no small number of the rescued girls had already suffered a breakdown and were admitted directly into the hospital last night.

  “Miss Kaizaki Tanya!”

  “That’s me.” Tanya said standing up, turning to Visha she spoke once more.

  “I’ll be right back ok.”

  Visha nodded but stared after her as she left the room.

  Entering the exam room Tanya proceeded to have her height 130 centimeters (4’3”) and weight 28.12 kilograms (61 lbs.) measured, under the growing concern of the nurse.

  Next her blood was drawn and one extra sample was taken for the paternity test Tanya requested.

  The nursed asked some basic questions about her diet and was not pleased with Tanya’s answer of “whatever was available.”

  Tanya was let back into the waiting room and Visha took her turn accompanied by her translator.

  The nurse was slightly less concerned about Visha’s height 170 centimeters (5’7”) and weight 53 kilograms, (118 lbs.) but still made a note for the doctor to follow up on.

  When asked about alcohol consumption Visha almost let it slip that she was older than Tanya had told her to claim to be, by admitting to being a frequent drinker.

  However, she saved herself by explaining it had been part of her lifestyle being dragged around the Russian criminal scene.

  Visha felt she had worried herself for nothing since neither the nurse nor the translating officer seemed to care about her underage drinking.

  Getting finished with her blood work and returning to Tanya, she idly rubbed the cotton bandage covering the needle hole on her arm. It was proving to be difficult not to reflexively begin healing the wound faster with a simple medical spell form.

  Judging by the pointed look the Colonel was giving her, her thoughts had clearly shown on her face. She gave her commander a look to say that she remembers the no magic rule, and forced herself to relax.

  They waited as girls were called in to the nurse, while others were taken to get a more thorough examination by a doctor.

  Then they heard a commotion in the hall and a tall hairy armed foreign doctor stepped into the room followed by an older looking nurse.

  “Devushka Viktoriya Ivanovna?”

  Visha’s head perked up and she responded back in Russian to the doctor.

  “That would be me. What brings you from the Motherland sir doctor?”

  “Ah, for give my manors young lady, I am Doctor Sergei Palovich Korolev, but please just call me Sergei or Dr. Sergei if you are asking one of the staff for me.

  “I came to this hospital to study a surgical technique under one of the surgeons here. The hospital notified me of a situation where they needed a native speaker to help out with some medical checkups that required the confidentiality between patient and doctor. Making it difficult for them to find a translator.

  “I of course was happy to volunteer some of my time to help out a fellow countryman.”

  “Oh, that’s very kind of you Dr. Sergei, I have been having trouble understanding my current translator, I feel like some of the words he uses sound different then I am used to, yours as well but not nearly so much, just a few here and there.”

  “Oh ho, I was just about to ask you about this as well, you have a very odd way of speaking my dear. It’s like I’m talking to my grandmother or even my great grandmother. Take no offense you speak very well but it sounds so formal and old-fashioned.

  “Where in the old country do you call home?”

  “Oh, is that what it is, I am so sorry I grew up in a small village with my grandparents when I was younger, almost all the young people left to the city for work over the years. My father came back and took me to stay with him after I was older, around twelve or thirteen at the time I guess I just never changed the way I spoke.

  “Well to be fair it was better whenever I didn’t speak so…”

  “No matter, no matter, well come along we’ll get your tests and physical exam out of the way and I’ll leave you with my contact information if anything else comes.”

  Visha turned to Tanya letting a little fear show on her face.

  “It will be alright Visha I’ be right here when you get back everything is going to be fine.”

  Reluctantly Visha left with the doctor to get her examinations done.

  ~

  Most of the exam proved to be pretty simple to Visha. Some questions about her general health were asked, and Dr. Sergei went over her diet and weight for several minutes asking about what her diet was like growing up and any strenuous activities she was used to doing.

  “Miss, your preliminary lab results as well as your body mass index show us that you are suffering from malnutrition and it could get more serious if your diet doesn’t improve in the future.

  “Now I know this wasn’t your fault but it will be something for you to keep an eye on going forward.

  “I’m going to step out while you change into this gown. The nurse here will help you with anything and come get me when you’re ready. We need to check your spine for scoliosis, as well as a few other more invasive exams.

  “We have a female doctor, coming in to perform those tests, I will only be here to act as a translator for you. Is that ok?”

  “Yes, thank you Dr.”

  Visha spoke her face a little red. While she was used to these sorts of exams from her time in the military it was never something comfortable for any girl to get undressed in front of others she imagined.

  Hearing the door click shut behind the doctor, Visha began removing her flight suit, starting with her boots, and then unzipping the heavy coat that kept her warm at high altitudes. Thankfully the weather had been quite cold so she hadn’t been too uncomfortable in it.

  The nurse helpfully took it from her setting it down on an empty chair. Visha continued disrobing pulling off her belt and unbuttoning her uniform jacket, shirt and pants. Free of everything but her socks Visha reached for the hospital gown only to hear a soft gasp.

  The nurse having turned back to her after dropping off her shirt and pants was holding out the gown with her mouth open in shock. She quickly closed it and schooled her face into a blank professional look, but Visha had already seen the concern in the woman’s eyes.

  Helping her tie the back of the gown the nurse muttered a few words in a comforting tone before patting Visha’s hand and moving to call in the doctors.

  Dr. Sergei entered followed by an older Japanese woman in a lab coat with a stethoscope around her neck. Adjusting her glasses she bowed and spoke a few lines in Tanya’s home tongue.

  “Miss Serebryakov, this is Dr. Noguchi Akiyo she says she is pleased to meet you. She will be performing the rest of your exams. Talk to her normally and I will translate for you just give me a few seconds between each part, ok."

  "Nice to meet you too.” Visha said bowing back.

  The doctor pulled over a rolling chair and patted the exam table signaling for Visha to sit. Sergei moved over to stand near the two but with his back facing Visha.

  Pulling out her stethoscope the doctor spoke a few lines pausing for the translation.

  “She’s going to listen to your heart; lean forward she’ll be putting it on your back.”

  Visha felt the slightly cool metal slip under her gown causing her to shiver. The nurse came over and offered Visha her hand to hold while speaking.

  Taking her hand Visha heard Sergei say. “She says its ok, everything is going to be fine.”

  The doctor moved the scope around her back then asked her to take several deep breaths, before removing it and while looking at Visha touched her own chest while speaking.

  “I’ll be listening from your front now, she’ll put it on your chest.”

  This time the bell of the scope was placed over the gown and Visha could see the concentration on the woman’s face as she listened to her heart.

  Pulling back, she smiled at Visha, before saying.

  “Everything sounds fine you have a very strong and healthy heart and lungs. Please stand up and I am going to open the back of your gown and check your spine.”

  Visha complied not feeling to bothered by the woman running her fingers down her spine. Things did get a little uncomfortable though when they moved to a scar on her shoulder.

  “She wants to know what caused this scar.”

  Thinking back to what Tanya had told her, Visha remembered that she was not obligated to explain everything to the doctors and that it would be best to be vague and let them reach their own conclusions.

  “I got hurt there when I was younger, I don’t remember from what.”

  “And the three here, here, and here?”

  “I got them in a fight a while ago.”

  “What caused this burn mark on…”

  “I’d prefer not to talk about any of my disfigurements unless absolutely neccisary!”

  The room went quiet and all the staff stayed perfectly still for a few seconds, before Dr. Noguchi apologized and continued her exam.

  ~

  Things got mildly uncomfortable for Sergei as he had to translate questions to and from the young woman as the other doctors examined her genitals for diseases and overall general health. Though he was a doctor, he specialized as a surgeon and as such had not spent much time dealing with gynecological issues since his residency days.

  The girl was eventually given a clean bill of health and Sergei walked her back to her friend in the waiting room. Biding her farewell and handing her his business card.