Somewhere else is an eating establishment or common hall of some kind, judging by the tables and chairs, the booths, and the soft couches dotted with pillows and plush blankets tucked around the fireplace to their right. The place is decorated in a seasonal manner, with Holly and mistletoe climbing the walls and the furniture and snowflakes, real or simulated, falling from the ceiling between exposed beams and gathering into a light dusting across the floorboards, under the tables and to the edges of the room.

There is a long bar across the tables from their entrance, studded with bar stools and lights. There is no one behind it.

The stunned silence of the new arrivals is quickly broken by a noise of distress from Miriam.  Erica kneels by her head to coax her through the contraction.  Will quickly surveys the room.

"Right, let's get her up on the bar, that should be about the right height." he says.

Will, Erica, and Bryn carefully lift Miriam, carry her across the room, and deposit her on the bar.

A napkin appears to her right as soon as she's been placed! It is unusually large for a napkin, and features a message written in black ink which is nearly as large as it is.

Welcome to Milliways, says the napkin, and then, Ordinarily I would offer all of you a free drink first of all, however given the circumstances I expect you'd prefer to be told that there is an infirmary down the hall to your right, instead.

Will turns to Erica.  "Would you run and see if they have a stretcher or a wheelchair?"

Erica nods and runs off down the hall to the infirmary.

The infirmary has four beds and a crystalline white sphere about half a meter in diameter that looks like it's made from quartz floating in midair in the middle of them. A second after she crosses the threshold, it blooms into a rainbow of colors.

And originating from roughly the right direction, a friendly upbeat androgenous voice calls out, "Greetings, welcome to the infirmary, how can I help you today?"

Erica splutters briefly, then visibly pulls herself together.

"There is a woman in labor in the bar area.  Do you have a stretcher or a wheelchair?"

The pattern becomes more angular, "I can certainly help with moving someone to the infirmary if that's required. I'm afraid I don't have physical objects designed for that purpose though. I'll come with you out to Bar."

Erica glances nervously over her shoulder at the pattern as she leads the way back out to the bar.  Bryn's eyes go wide when he catches sight of them.  Will is very focused on Miriam.

"Ah, Will, ah, this is..."

She looks helplessly at the pattern.

"I'm sorry, I didn't get your...name?"

The pattern turns a becomes fully cerulean and more circular. "I am RC1526. I am fully equipped to handle any medical matters. I understand that this person is in labor and that you would like assistance moving them to the infirmary?"

Will straightens.  "Yes, that's right."

"Wonderful," it floats over to Miriam, "do you agree to be moved? Also, if you'd prefer to delegate decisions about your care to one or more of the other people with you, you may."

Miriam looks faint.  "Whatever the doctor says, I suppose?" she gasps.

"As you wish." With no visible indication of what's causing it  Miriam rises into the air. Her body is fully supported as if on a memory foam mattress. RC starts to float back to the infirmary and Miriam floats after it. "I assume one of you can clarify which of you is the doctor. Also, I'd appreciate it if you could make introductions."

WIll straightens up and strides briskly after them.

"Right, I'm Dr. Campbell, this is my wife Mrs. Campbell, our patient is Mrs. Miriam Brindsley, and this is her husband Bryn Brindsley."

"I'm delighted to meet you, may I scan Miriam? She's obviously in labor but it's difficult to assess the details of her physical state without more information." It's a short way to the infirmary, RC deftly maneuvers Miriam through the door and settles her on a bed.

"Does the scan have any effects on the patient?"

"My scans have no significant impact on the patient."

"Then by all means." Will says, gesturing at Miriam.

Nothing seems to happen but the pattern shifts again. "Labor seems to be progressing smoothly, I can present three options. First I could simply bypass the remainder of labor and teleport the baby out, this would be the least stressful for Miriam, second I can take steps to make the remainder of labor as comfortable as possible by dulling pain and supporting her in a position more conducive to easy labor than lying back, third I could simply leave things in your hands it should only be another ten minutes now and I don't predict difficulties completing things without my assistance."

"Teleport? Like in a science fiction novel?"

"Perhaps, to be more explicit I will instantly switch the baby and the placenta with an equal volume of sterilized air from outside her body. I'd also do several other things to tell her body it doesn't need to be in labor anymore and make the transition as gentle as possible. As for the baby, I'd simulate the immuno-catalytic effects of passing through the birth canal, clean them off, sever the umbilical, provide swaddling and deposit them in Miriam's arms."

“Doctor! Is that a good idea?”

“I, ah, Miriam? Do you want to continue as you are?”

“Aah! I want to be done with this now!”

“I suppose that is your answer then. Please proceed.”