Baswin

by Aurora Springer

  Dr. Kumar gave a grim nod. “Reconnecting nerves is my specialty.”

  Rosie tapped Ulrike’s arm. “Can’t we help too?”

  The med tech frowned. “You’ll have to ask the chief physician.”

  “Dr. Kimber,” Rosie sang out. “Can I help too?”

  He shot a disapproving glare at her. “You?”

  “My psychic talent is healing. I can help ease the pain of wounds and calm fevered patients.”

  “She is correct,” Dr. Kumar said. “Rosie Moon has been assisting me in the ship’s clinic. I can verify the accuracy of her statement.”

  Following Rosie’s offer of assistance, Oba raised her long arm to the ceiling and piped up, “Keisha and I work together as healers. We’re willing to tend to the poor soldiers.”

  Dr. Kimber glanced at Meera Kumar. “What about her?”

  “Oba Nwachukwu did not volunteer in sick bay, but she and her partner, Keisha Kalu, were recommended as verified psychic healers.”

  Waving her hand, Shauntelle said, “I know they’re super healers. They cured a burn on my hand.”

  Clearly flustered by a debate outside of his experience, Major Tarlick called for attention, insisting, “Follow me, please.” Swinging his arm in a beckoning wave, he marched out of the vestibule.

  The passengers trooped after him into a large auditorium with rows of seats.

  A large man with blond hair stood by the podium. A black wetsuit constrained his bulging belly.

  “Director Albright,” Tarlick said, “I’ve brought the passengers from Taxyon Two.”

  Scanning the arrivals in a swift glance, the Director said, “Hello guys. Grab a pew.” He gestured at the seats.

  People edged along the rows and settled on chairs. The medics clustered near the front, segregated from the other passengers.

  Holly led her pseudo-triad to seats in the middle where they had a good view of the podium. Lana, pale yet determined, held onto Rosie’s arm.

  When the shuffling quietened, the Director continued, “You’ve landed on Topside, but we’ll be shunting most of you to Bathos.” He shot a query at the Major, “Tarlick, did you explain why we’re switching the berths?”

  “I told them it’s an emergency with the casualties on the incoming starship.”

  Albright raised his forefinger in a rebuke. “It’s not an emergency, merely bloody urgent.” He looked at the passengers. “We’re grateful for your cooperation. Bathos is the lower level of Galileo Station. It’s built on the ocean floor. We have plenty of spare cabins in Bathos, though the medics prefer to stick near the surface.” His gaze swung over the people. “Where is Dr. Ivan Kimber?”

  Stepping to the podium, Dr. Kimber said, “Here. I’m ready to set up the clinic.” Indicating his companions, he said, “I’ll be assisted by Dr. Mark Yazzie and Med Techs Travis Fong and Fazil Gamal.”

  “Good.” The Director nodded. “Dr. Matt Sticklehurst directs our medical center. His assistant is due to come here any second.”

  “We have extra volunteers.” Dr. Kimber pointed at Dr. Kumar. “Dr. Meera Kumar, the neurosurgeon assigned to accompany the tripilot candidates, has offered to assist with surgical operations. Also, some of the young women claim to be psychic healers. They’ve volunteered to work with the injured troops and Dr. Kumar has persuaded me of their unusual qualifications. May they join our medical team?”

  “Psychic healers?” Albright gave an eloquent shrug of one beefy shoulder. “Whatever works to comfort the poor blighters.” He barked a laugh and pointed a finger at the senior physician. “Don’t look so skeptical, Dr. Kimber. One of our local tripilots has a healing touch.”

  Kimber stiffened. “Director Albright, I merely wished to ascertain if their medical assistance would interfere with their training.”

  “Give them a tryout for the initial influx of patients. Send them to Bathos by sixteen hundred hours and we’ll arrange suitable shifts.”

  Nudging Holly, Rosie whispered, “Bye. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  A small woman with short, jet-black hair and a heart-shaped face entered the auditorium.

  “Ah,” Director Albright said, “Here’s LunPing.” Waving at Kimber, he said, “Dr. Kimber, Med Tech LunPing Lee will steer you to the clinic.”

  Dr. Kimber nodded at the Med Tech. “Pleased to meet you.”

  After a brief exchange of greetings, Dr. Kimber left the auditorium with LunPing. The junior medics and the three volunteer psychic healers trailed behind.

  Besides the nine tripilot candidates, only a handful of passengers remained in the auditorium.

  Brandishing a tablet in the air, Albright said, “Okay. The nine psychics can come with me. Who else is here?”

  Marty waved his hand. “Hen Tech Martin Dobbs. Waiting for a starship to take my unit to the war. There’s three of us.” He patted the shoulder of the man sitting next to him.

  “Major Tarlick will find you berths.” He beckoned to the Security Chief, who led the Hen Tech and his men away.

  Tatiana called, “Ag Tech Tatiana Krum. New recruit for the Greenery.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” Albright’s plump cheeks crinkled in a grin. “Tammy will be thrilled to have an assistant gardener. Tammy Song’s the senior Ag Tech and a super cook. We grow the bulk of the food for the station in Bathos. Tammy likes to donate some of our produce to the Warrish. She’s worried their usual diet doesn’t have sufficient veggies.” He chuckled. “I reckon they prefer her honey cakes.” He paused to swing his gaze over the remaining ten women. “You gals ready to descend into the depths?”

  Meiling called out, “When will we be assessed for our ability to sense hyperspace?”

  “Not today. You’ll need to have barotherapy to counteract the high pressure in the deep ocean. Reckon you’ll benefit from a couple of sessions to practice swimming before the tripilots run their test.” As Albright finished the sentence, a woman hurried into the auditorium.

  She waved at the Director. “Al, the Warrish sent a message. Their starship has exited hyperspace. They’re asking to start the transfer of casualties asap.”

  “Thanks. I’ll contact Kalpar.” Glancing at the expectant faces of the candidates, he said, “Do me a favor, Mary Ellen. Steer these gals down to Bathos. Tammy will meet them in the galley.”

  “Yep.” She flung a speculative glance at her new charges.

  Albright said, “Excuse me, ladies, I’ve got to supervise the transfer. Com Tech Mary Ellen Patel will lead you to the Bullet.” Leaving them with that peculiar destination, he strode out of the auditorium.

  The Com Tech beckoned. “Come along.”

  Holly looked at Lana and offered a supporting arm.

  Shaking her head, Lana murmured, “I’m feeling better.”

  Once again, they filed out behind a new escort. In their usual assertive manner, the Li sisters walked abreast just behind the Com Tech. Zabrina lagged at the rear, looking forlorn until Tatiana joined her.

  Mary Ellen set off along the corridors at a brisk pace, slowing at every intersection to glance back over her flock of followers. At last, she stopped in front of another airlock and tossed out a question, “Do you have breathers?”

  Receiving a chorus of affirmatives, she nodded. “Good. Keep them handy as a precaution.” She opened a panel by the airlock and pointed to a row of facemasks. “If your breathers are out of reach, grab a mask. They act like the breathers to extract oxygen from the seawater in case the Bullet breaks down.”

  Ruby asked, “What’s the Bullet?”

  Shivering nervously, Zabrina asked, “Does it often break?”

  “Hold on,” Mary Ellen said. “One question at a time.” She patted the airlock door. “The Bullet is our name for the cable-car that runs between the upper and lower levels of the Station. It runs fast and reliably. We’ve only had one accident in the last three years. We were hit by a volcanic eruption and a rogue Warrish Watcher tried to cut the cables. He died in the backlash. Big Al, our current Direc
tor, and Nikki Bell found the guy trapped under the Bullet.” She uttered a cynical laugh. “That’s how we discovered the secretive Watchers.”

  Curious about the Com Tech’s perspective, Holly asked, “Were the Warrish hostile to humans?”

  “Not all of them, I guess.” Mary Ellen shrugged. “They didn’t cause the destruction of Topside. Styx, they helped us to survive. They disappeared and we holed up in their vacated base until Taxyon One arrived.”

  “It must have been exciting,” Holly murmured.

  “Terrifying is a better term.” Mary Ellen gave a wry grin. “We survived and became pals with the Warrish.”

  Holly said, “We were guests at their embassy on Earth. They taught us how to dive with the breathers.”

  Shauntelle offered, “The Black Arrow brothers traveled with us on Taxyon Two. Fun guys. They liked to joke and play games.”

  “Yep. Some of the Warrish come to our parties.” Mary Ellen hit a button, opening the airlock. “Hop into the Bullet. Tammy’s expecting you on Bathos.”

  The interior of the cable-car had cylindrical walls with transparent sections, a waist-height railing and two semicircular benches. The ten women crowded inside and scrunched together on the seats. Some clutched facemasks, others held the nostril filters.

  Mary Ellen stood by the door and operated the keypad on the control panel.

  After a slight jolt, the cable-car slid downward. Initially, its lights illuminated a white wall of ice. The Bullet plunged free of the ice shaft and into the green-tinged waves of the ocean.

  “Look outside,” Mary Ellen said. “Those huge vanes rotate in the tides and generate electric power for the station. If you keep looking, you might spot some of the sea creatures. Though, they tend to swim clear of the vanes.”

  Twisting around, Holly gazed through the window in fascination. Shadowy shapes in various sizes swam beyond the lights. Once a cluster of bubbles drifted past, separating at intervals into separate spheres with tiny tails, and recoalescing into the bubbly clump.

  As the Bullet descended, the sea grew darker. After about fifteen minutes, the cable-car entered a circular hatch and stopped with a high-pitched whine.

  Mary Ellen said, “Wait for the water to drain before you jump into Bathos.” Two minutes later, she hit the keypad to open the door of the airlock.

  The psychics stepped into an empty antechamber with two exits.

  Holly looked around, wondering where to go.

  A black-haired woman in a blue wetsuit rushed into the chamber. Breathing heavily, she panted, “Sorry. I’m running late today.”

  Giving a casual wave, Mary Ellen said, “Hi, Tammy. I’ll leave you to organize our visitors.”

  Tatiana pushed to the front of the crowd, calling, “Ag Tech Song, I’m your new assistant, Tatiana Krum.”

  “Welcome to Bathos.” Tammy smiled and clapped her hands. “Brilliant. You’re just in time. We’ll have to supply extra meals for an unknown number of battle casualties and the medics on Topside.”

  “What about us?” the Li sisters protested in unison.

  “You’re the psychic candidates for tripilot school?” Tammy’s dark eyes twinkled. “Don’t worry. We’d planned for your visit weeks ago.” She indicated one of the exits. “Come into the galley and we’ll sort out your cabins.”

  They all followed Tammy along a short passage. Their bags were piled on the floor beside a door.

  “Leave your luggage for the moment.” Tammy opened the door and gestured inside. “Here’s the galley, the social heart of Bathos. If you’re hungry or thirsty, we supply food and drink around the clock. Please take a seat and I’ll explain the house rules.”

  The galley had a long counter with cooking appliances, two large steel doors, and ten tables with plenty of benches and chairs.

  The women wandered into the room, sitting in threes and fours at different tables.

  Lana, Zabrina and Tatiana sat with Holly.

  Acting as spokeswoman for her pseudo-triad, Ruby asked, “What are the rules?”

  “First, the Greenery and Fishery on Bathos supply most of the food for the entire station. The most important rule, besides complying with safety precautions, is that all residents must take shifts either preparing meals or working in the Greenery. We’ll have extra work due to the wounded soldiers. I doubt they’ll be able to share the work. The medics are also exempted since they must concentrate on their patients.”

  “What’s the Greenery?” Ruby asked.

  “It’s the largest wing of Bathos where we cultivate edible plants.”

  Her voice pitched as a whine, Meiling grumbled, “We didn’t come here to dig in the dirt.”

  Tammy said, “You can work in the kitchen if you prefer.” Her tone switched from tolerant to severe. “But, if you want to eat, you’re required to do work shifts just like everybody else.”

  Holly waved her hand in the air. “I’ll volunteer to work in the Greenery. I liked to garden at home.”

  “Cooking’s my thing,” Marie said. “I make a mean dish of creole shrimp.”

  After the initial offers, the others volunteered for different chores. Even the Li sisters condescended to help prepare meals. Soon Tammy’s schedule of shifts was full.

  She explained, “The station runs on a standard day of twenty-four hours. Usually, we gather in the galley for breakfast at eight and dinner at nineteen hours. Other meals and snacks are optional.”

  “Where will we sleep?” Ruby asked.

  “Bathos is over-supplied with cabins.” Tammy swung her hands in an expansive gesture. “Take your pick of the empty berths in the guest corridor.” She fingered a tablet and displayed the plan of Bathos on the wall screen. It resembled a starfish with five arms of different lengths. Zooming onto one arm, she pointed at a corridor. “You can choose an inside cabin or one with a porthole. You can sleep alone or share a cabin with a friend.”

  Holly said, “My sister Rosie is on Topside with the medics. We’ll share a room.”

  Zabrina nodded. “I believe Oba and Keisha will also prefer to share.” A smile crossed her face. “For myself, I would like the privacy of a single room even if it’s only for a few days. We’re sure to be sleeping in threes at the Opaline School for tripilots.”

  Arching her dark brows, Tammy asked, “Are they putting you into triads?”

  “That seems to be the intention,” Zabrina said cautiously. “Threesomes are awkward for many of us.”

  Tammy nodded. “Not all Warrish are in happy triads. We often see the outcasts or non-conformists on Europa. You’ll meet the two ex-tripilots, Mia and Ennis. After their sister died in an accident, they chose to live on the Warrish base here instead of returning to Rishalt and creating a new triad with an adopted sister.”

  “Will they be testing us?” Meiling asked.

  “Yep. They’ll start the tests after you’ve had baroprotection and taken a practice swim. You can have barotherapy later today. It’s an intravenous infusion to protect you under the high pressures at this depth. The process takes two hours, and we can treat two people simultaneously.” Swiveling in a circle, she indicated the candidates and the available cabins. “Choose your berths and we can schedule your baroprotection.”

  Holly approved of Tammy’s arrangements with their combination of practicality and flexibility. She selected a cabin with an ocean view for Rosie and herself. After claiming an early time for barotherapy, she carried their bags to the room. She spent several minutes peering through the porthole before rejoining her group for a tour of the Greenery.

  Chapter 25

  WHEN HOLLY HAD COMPLETED her barotherapy, she did a stint in the Greenery where she harvested vegetables under Tatiana’s supervision. At the end of her work shift, she carried two baskets loaded with beans, squash and tomatoes to the galley. Only Marie and an unfamiliar young woman were in a corner of the seating area, heads close together and engaged in conversation.

  The cooks were busy. Tammy was sprinkling spices into a
bowl, Zabrina was running the blender, and Shauntelle was chopping a mixture of tubers of various colors. Holly presumed that Oba and Keisha, like Rosie, were soothing the casualties on Topside.

  Tammy indicated a free spot on the counter. “Thanks, Holly. We’ll use those for the soldiers.”

  Placing the basket by Tammy, Holly said, “Isn’t it a ton of extra work, cooking for the wounded men?”

  Tammy wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. “Well, the cooks on Taxyon Two are supplying most of their meals. But we produce a greater variety of fresh foods on Bathos, and I don’t begrudge serving our wounded a few veggies.”

  Slowing the blender, Zabrina turned and smiled. “I’m making hummus. Tammy has all the ingredients.”

  “It will taste good with our salad,” Tammy said.

  Curious about the absence of the third candidate from the Americontinent, Holly asked, “Where’s Ruby?”

  “On Topside.” Shauntelle gave a shrug and smirked. “She decided her duty was to minister to the sick men rather than tending to plants.”

  Dubious about the sincerity of the preacher, Holly merely nodded. She tilted her head toward the sole occupied table. “Who’s the woman with Marie?”

  Shauntelle rolled her eyes and chuckled. “You mean her latest victim?”

  Responding to Tammy’s puzzled expression, Holly explained, “Marie claims to be an intermediary for the spirits of the departed.”

  “Yea,” Shauntelle said. “She cast the usual bait.” Her voice changed to mimic Marie’s accent. “The spirits tell me you have lost a loved one. Do you wish to speak with them?”

  Tammy’s frown cleared. “That explains Alita’s interest. She lost her fiancé when an asteroid crashed into the space ferry a couple of years ago.”

  “That’s sad,” Holly offered her mite of sympathy.

  “Alita came with Nikki Bell to study the Europan biota.” Tammy gave a slight shrug. “They’ve both found new friends.”

  Zabrina said, “Do you mean the Nikki Bell? The famous one in the documentary who married a merman?”

  “The Ramis Bell Duad,” Holly said.