Breaking News

The Galaxy is left stunned after the events of late yesterday evening, when a single armed shooter appeared from the crowd and fired on UNSC leader and cultural icon Admiral Vir during a routine press conference given at UNSC headquarters Fort Harmony on the eastern Mericandian coast. Reports describe the event as happening midway through Admiral Vir's address as the single, hooded female pushed through the crowd and drew a handgun on the Admiral firing once before fleeing into the crowd. She was apprehended by armed security agents only moments later as she tried to flee the scene. On scene witnesses report that an accompanying marine tackled Admiral Vir to the ground just as the shot was fired.

In a statement made early this morning by Admiral Vir he reports that, "Thanks to the brave actions of Corporal Angel Ramirez I am alive and unharmed." Corporal Angel Ramirez is a decorated veteren of the UNSC deep space division and served his first tour aboard the UNSC Enterprise on its maiden voyage. Since then he has served under Admiral Vir on both the UNSC Harbinger and most recently the Omen distinguishing himself in combat during the Burg war and the Kree engagement. Our sources report that Corporal Ramirez was once an up and coming champion in the Mericandian winter Olympic ice skating team before joining the marines.

Reports say that the corporal came out of surgery early this morning and is in stable but critical condition.

The only question remains is who would attempt an assasination on such a beloved cultural icon. More on that with our crime reporter Jim Shaw.

Thank you, Emily, early this morning we received reports from Fort harmony officials that the name and identity of the shooter is 37 year old Adrea Halen member of a traditionalist leaning moderate group the Hunt Party, who have condemned Admiral Vir in the past for his support of legalizing extrial relationships. President Hunt, leader of the hunt Party and CEO of Hunt Metals said in a statement today. "Our party had nothing to do with Ms. Halen's actions, while we disagree with Admiral Vir on some fundamentals of government, we would never attempt to silence him through violence. At the end of the day Admiral Vir has done far more good than he has bad and no man deserves to die due to his political views. What Ms halen has done is condemnable, and the party does not support her actions."

Further comment was withheld until a later date. As of yet police have been unable to determine if she acted alone or with the assistance of the group. Police chief Henry Winzer added in his statement today, "Ms. Halen has not, as of yet, divulged her motives behind the shooting, however based on preliminary evidence of the scene it seems as if these were the actions of a woman acting alone. Detectives have been unable to find any correspondence between her and a third party and even her husband had been out of the country for the past few months."

Her motive remains, as of yet, unknown. There is evidence of a radicalized political view since she did attempt and target Admiral Vir, and some of her personal social media content has been leaked to the public reporting her dissatisfaction with going the GA and her open disgust for extrial activities especially in regards her oldest son who was in a relationship with a Finnari before moving to Noctropolis. We have since been unable to contact him.

In the past Admiral Vir has been known as a great political proponent in favor of extrial relationships, and a non isolationist view having once said that, "Cooperation and companionship with the GA will be the bedrock of human expansion into space." With the popularity of Admiral Vir as a cultural Icon, it can be said that his political views have been influential on the younger upcoming generations of today, while the older populace still remains wary of political involvement with extraterrestrial life. In oth-

Adam shut off the TV sinking back into one of the stiff plastic chairs that adorned the hospital waiting room. His eyes felt grainy and dry, and his head ached dully behind his eyes. Off in the corner of the room much of Ramirez's family lay asleep on the plastic chairs including his father and otters who had arrived late last night. They had fallen asleep after a nurse ventured in a few hours to go to let them know that he was stable and alive. Adam himself had not been able to sleep thinking about his friend, replaying the moment over and over in his head wondering if there was something he could have done to prevent all of this from happening. But the more he thought the more he realized that it was probably unlikely. He might have been able to dive out of the way himself before the shot was fired, but Ramirez was already in motion before that.

He couldn't have seen it coming, no one could have, and no one did.

Ramirez had just been the fastest.

He sunk back into his chair miserably and stared at the wall. There were no windows in this room, the guard detail had insisted upon it incase someone else tried for his life. It all seemed so strange to him. Why would anyone want to kill him?

He knew the answer though, as much as he wanted to think he was just some nobody, he wasn't anymore. He was... a political figure, someone who could influence what happened in the galaxy and there were plenty of people who weren't bound to agree with him on a lot of things.

He just wondered why he hadn't seen this coming sooner.

His implant buzzed, and he looked down to see that his mother was calling. Whoopse, she wasn't going to be happy that she was just hearing about this over the news, but he knew he needed to talk to her. He stood and made his way into the hallway, where a protection detail eyed him hawkishly.

Closing the door behind him, so as not to disturb its sleeping occupants, he answered the call, speaking out loud as the implants in his throat and ear picked up the sound, "Hey, mom."

"Adam! Adam are you alright! I just saw the news."

"Yeah, yea I'm ok." He took a deep breath, "Sorry I didn't call. It's just been kinda hectic."

"And you're sure you're ok?"

"Yeah, I mean, I feel like shit but no bullet wounds...." he trailed off

There was silence for a moment, 'I'm so sorry sweetheart, how is Ramirez?"

"Doctor's haven't given us all the details yet, but he's at least alive and survived surgery."

"Thank goodness.... We owe that boy."

"I know, mom.... I know."

Just then he heard voices off down the hall and turned to see Dr. kill and Dr Katie approaching from the wings.

"Mom, I've gotta go, but I'll call you as soon as I can, Ok?"

"Ok."

She let him go and he hung up as the two doctors approached.

"How is he!"

They motioned him into the room and he followed just as Ramirez's family members were waking up.

Adam hovered near the door not entirely sure if he was supposed to be there. Ramirez's mother sat up, "Is h ok!"

Dr. Kati and Dr Krill glanced at Adam. Adam realized with Dr. patient confidentiality, and it being family, he probably wasn't supposed to be here. He went to step outside, but Ramirez's abuela waved him back.

Ramirez an Dr Katie nodded.

The little alien stepped forward towards the family, "I have both good and bad news."

The group waited with bated breath.

"THe good news is that your son made it through surgery. He is stable and recovering in the ICU." he glanced over at Katie, "The bullet went in through his back, through his right kidney and perforated some of his lower bowl. We were able to fix the tears but the kidney.... Was not salvageable."

The family glanced back and forth between each other, "That.... That's not so bad though. He has two...."

Krill shifted slightly, "Well that is the remarkable thing and also the bad news but.... Your son only had one kidney. We wouldn't have noticed it were it not for our imaging, but it seems he has lived with this defect his entire life without complication."

Dr. Katie Cut in just then, "Since he was born with the defect, his body compensated. The kidney that was destroyed was much larger than average..." She trailed off

The family members looked between each other, "So.... So what does this mean."

"We have him on dialysis right now, and he is going to need a kidney transplant." Dr. Katie folded her hands, "There are a few options, there is always the possibility of getting him a donor kidney or equally possible and more.... Advisable would be to have a kidney grown for him using his own stem cells, that way we can grow him one like the one he lost considering there is no way for us to give him two. If he were to get a donor kidney, he would have to undergo chronic gene therapy to avoid medications that would leave him immunocompromised. However in that case he would need to be medically discharged. If we were to grow him a new kidney, he would be able to return to his post without being discharged, but the cost is.... Admittedly much higher."

The family glanced between each other their faces pulled into grimaces.

Adam knew their financial situation. He had heard stories about Ramirez growing up and knew enough to know that his family had never been well off. They had been close, his childhood had been excellent, but they had never been rich. Affording either of those options was going to be a stretch.

"Well we will have to talk about-"

"I'll pay for it."

The entire room turned to look at him.

"You-"

"I said I will pay for it. With the settlement for the court case, I can pay for it. He saved my life this is the least I can do, Please..."

His pleading was so plaintive that the family could hardly say no. He did have a point as well. Instead, he received an enthusiastic hug from Ramirez's younger sister who clasped her arms around him and nearly snapped him in half with her strength. She was an olympic boxer after all, so he wasn't surprised.

"Thank you thank you thank you." She repeated.

Dr. Katie looked at him with a pointed expression, but she didn't need to ask. He intended to pay for every last cent of Ramirez's treatment even if he had to fight his abuela for it. He wasn't entirely sure he'd win against her, but he would damn sure try if it meant doing something fo his friend.

He owed him after all.

And even if he didn't Ramirez was his best friend. This wasn't about owing him, this was about doing anything for someone he cared about.

Dr. Krill shifted in his place, "We will get the equipment ready and start later this week. I.... would be honored to perform the operation. I will be upfront with you and say that I am the universe's foremost surgeon, but I would also be the first Alien to perform a transplant"

"I of course, you saved his life last night-"

They seemed almost in shock. Everything was being paid for and the universe most renowned surgeon was practically begging to do it.

The only way this could have been better is if their son hadn't been shot in the first place.

***

The steady beeping of the machine echoed around the room. Adam sat with one ankle crossed over a knee looking down at his implant and absently reading through that day's news report as a soft whirring came from the machine just to his right. He wasn' technically supposed to be here, but the doctors had made an exception for him and the family. On the other side of that a glass tube was busy growing an extra kidney. There was security outside the door and a doctor came in every few minutes to check on the kidney, and the man to which the kidney belonged.

Adam scrolled dow.

There was a shifting just to his side, and with relief Adam looked up to find Ramirez stirring. The man tried to open his eyes but squinted against the light and groaned raising one IV tethered hand to block the light.

Adam leaned over resting a hand on his arm, "Hey you're finally awake."

Ramirez cracked an eye at him and groaned.

"Come on ya freak wake up."

Ramirez closed his eyes again, "Why.... When I wake up do I have to see your ugly ass.

Adam snorted, "How sweet, freak."

"Freak, have you looked at yourself lately."

"At least I was born with all my kidneys."

Ramirez opened his eyes and frowned, "What?"

Adam smiled slightly, "Turns out your dumbass has lived his entire life with only one kidney. Congratulations, you are a freak of nature."

"No shit, really? I had no idea."

"We know, anyway the bullet sort of ruined it, so you have to get a new one. He pointed across the room to the glass tube and its slowly growing kidney which was no bigger than a jellybean right at that moment."

Ramirez looked and frowned, "Ew, gross... wait who's paying for that,because I don't think the military covers transplants."

"It's taken care of."

"By who."

"By someone."

"Someone who."

"Someone who would rather remain unnamed."

Ramirez looked at him,"It's you isn't it."

Adam sighed, "You saved my life, so shut up and let me buy you a new kidney. I owe you that much at least."

"Fne, fine."

There was a pause between them.

"I..... thank you, for saving my-"

"Dude don't get all sappy and shit on me ok. You would have done it for me."
Adam went quiet still wishing to thank his friend but knowing Ramirez would never accept i.

Ramirez shifted to look at him, "So, you know why they tried to kill you?"

Adam shrugged, "Not really, the lady who did it has some political affiliations who don't tend to agree with me, but that connection doesn't seem to fit completely. Either that or she blames me for making her son an extrial in which case..... That hardly makes sense either." he shrugged, "Either way she isn't talking, and now I can't go anywhere without five to six bodyguards spilling out my ass."

Ramirez snorted, eyes closing, breathing deeply.

"You feeling ok."

"Yeah.... I'm alright, just tired."

"Then go back to sleep ya big idiot. Maybe if you're a good boy santa will leave a kidney under your pillow."

Ramirez let off a weak huff, "Didn't know santa was a black market organ dealer."

"He is this christmas, now shut up and go to sleep."
Ramirez didn't argue with him beyond that point, and fell back asleep just as a nurse ws coming to check on him.

Adam was relieved.

Ramirez was, hopefully, going to be ok.

Though what remained were far more questions than there were answers.