<strong>The Doc's Past</strong><br/><br/><em>It was good to hear from you Elijah, even though it was months ago. Mom is worried that you'll never come home, although I believe that is the safest course of action. A few weeks after you left the Imperial Health Bureau, we had visitors at the house. They asked pretty generic questions, but it was obvious they were fishing for information. When I actually got a hand written letter that you had sent to one of my friends, and they had to hand deliver it, I knew something was up. I also know that this alias email account that you told me to use will likely cease to be once you have read my communique. I want you to know that other than worrying about you, I'm good, and mom and dad are as well. The Imperials that came to the house I think knew you wouldn't be here, and I am fairly certain they know you won't come back or contact us directly. In all honesty, it sounded like they just wanted to make sure you were being quiet. They never actually said you were in trouble for anything, but I did glean from them that you'll never work in your field again in an official capacity. When mom asked what happened, they didn't say you were a traitor, but they showed us your article criticizing the Imperium's Genetic Program. I don't even think you'd get hired as a Medic for a Merchant Marine Ship in deep space, and I'm sorry to hear that. I know you love what you do, and I know that you studied hard to achieve your successes. I hope whatever you are doing, that it's treating you well, and that you find some peace.  I don't know how to contact you, and I'm sure the Imperium would eventually discover any communications, so only contact us if you really need something. There is no sense in putting yourself in danger. Your sister, Celeste.</em><br/><br/>He frowned. His sister was, in a backhanded sort of way, advising him not to contact her so that she and their parents didn't suffer any consequences. This was what being citizens and bureaucrats of the Imperium did to you. It drained your humanity. Still, it had been nice to hear from her, and really, he'd wanted to assuage his parent's worry of him. He knew his mother worried, but he also knew she really had no idea what he did, neither did his father, so there was nothing that they could tell the Imperium. More than likely they wanted to know where he was.<br/><br/>He'd been thinking about what to do next. Possibly the Navy. He was smart, and would ace the exams to enter, but as a grunt. There was no way he could register as an educated, officer candidate. That would flag him easy. He probably wouldn't be noticed if he simply was a green recruit that was a simple crew member. He'd been warned not to work in his field, there had been no indication that he'd run into any issues if he simply took a different path. The Navy didn't need to know he was a doctor and scientist, he was sure they just needed able hands. Besides, he was smart, and adaptable.<br/><br/>He sat back, watching the newsfeed, and sipped his tea.<br/><br/>Searches for any news or articles about disgraced or fired Imperial physicians and scientists didn't turn anything up, and a look at the information about his former place of work simply showed his name had been removed from the directory. There was no indication they'd interfere with him trying to lead a different life. That was enough for him. Besides, his prized possession, the massive medical history and database, including scientific research studies and results, was safe, so if he needed it, he had it.<br/><br/>The good thing about a backwater planet, was that it was easy to disappear, which he aimed to do for a few weeks before deciding on a  course of action.