Seven Sisters

by Eileen Troemel

  Floren used his sword with both hands pushing Manere back, until he trapped him against the wall. Manere said, “I concede.”

  Floren pushed in momentarily. The Hylatians seemed to tense all at once. “I accept,” Floren said. “My apologies, dearhar.”

  “Are they actual brothers,” Bitta asked.

  “Brothers at arms,” Landros said.

  “How will we go forward,” Colonel Brown said.

  “We could split up into teams,” Lydia said. “Have your soldiers mix with our men.”

  “Excellent,” Colonel Brown said.

  “We’re not gonna use those weapons, are we,” Private Harrigan asked.

  “No,” Gregor said. “It took Manere and Floren the trip here to learn all they have.”

  “Shall we do scenario 23,” Nic asked keeping her face bland.

  “This is a difficult scenario,” Landros said called her on her mischief.

  “My squad is experienced,” Colonel Brown said.

  “Scenario 23 it is,” Gregor said. They split up into teams. Landros went to the side of the room, opened a compartment.

  “This room has holographic capabilities,” Lydia said. “This is a street fight, between rival gangs.”

  “This sounds like an inner-city issue,” Colonel Brown said.

  “It is,” Mycos said. “It is similar to one the men used to train as we traveled here.”

  With a change in light, the gym area with mats and machines disappeared. Around them the streets near where Lydia and the girls stayed appeared. It was dusk and falling into deep shadows as there was no moon.

  “What’s the goal” Private Harrigan asked.

  “We are rival gangs,” Landros said. “We are to take the other team’s territory.”

  “If you look at the roads,” Lydia explained. “One team is yellow and one is green.”

  “We will battle for a set period of time,” Landros said. “At the end of which, whoever has the most territory wins.”

  “The program moves as you do,” Gregor explained.

  "How will we know which territory we're in," Harrigan asked.

  "Look at the roads," Landros said. "The two different colors show on the road."

  The teams battled. Yellow team progressed and advanced, and then the green team did. Back and forth gaining and losing territory the two teams worked together. In the beginning, the soldiers and warriors didn't mesh but as time came to a close, the teams worked more cohesively. In the last battle, Bitta pushed Floren back. He paused and didn’t defend as he would against another opponent. Bitta attacked, instead of counterattacking he backed away from her. He tripped over a trash can in the road. Tumbling backwards, he hit the floor hard. He grunted as his head connected with the floor and split open. The game paused as it was supposed to when an injury occurred. Landros knelt next to Floren. "You need to see Justinian," he said.

  "Yes, sir," Floren said. He glanced at Bitta but started to walk away.

  "Perhaps I should go with him," Bitta said. "It's my fault he's hurt."

  "It is his own," Landros said as he saw Floren pause. "But you may attend to him."

  Bitta walked next to him and offered her shoulder for him to lean on. Floren put his arm around her as they made their way slowly out of the work-out area.

  "This is a fascinating workout program," Colonel Brown said. "How many scenarios do you have?"

  "We have more than seven hundred," Mycos said.

  "All earth scenarios," Colonel Brown asked.

  "Several of them," Mycos said. "There are some from home as well."

  "We would enjoy learning more,” Colonel Brown said.

  “We work out daily,” Landros said.

  “Stop pussy footing around it,” Nic said.

  Landros hid a smile, trust her to be direct. Mycos scowled at her. “Perhaps you and your squad would like to join us for lunch and training daily,” he said.

  “I’ll have a revolt if I don’t accept,” Colonel Brown said. “Your food is better than ours.”

  Laughter rippled around the room.

  ***

  “I’m amazed at how fast this building got rehabbed,” Morgan said.

  “Hylatian building techniques,” Mycos said.

  “It’s completely off the grid,” Morgan asked.

  “There are wind turbines and solar panels on the roof,” Lydia said. “They supply enough for this shelter and to feed into the energy grid for the area. They are minuscule compared to the panels for your current solar and wind power but nearly two hundred times more efficient.”

  “The school has the same on the roof,” Morgan asked.

  “Yes,” Lydia said. “Their technology provides all the power for these two buildings and gives back enough to aid the local area, as I said.”

  “You made an arrangement with the utility for it to benefit the local community, correct,” Morgan asked.

  “It was Lydia’s idea,” Mycos said. “It eases the costs for those who need it the most.”

  “I’m not seeing a lot of security,” Morgan said. “How will you keep the people here safe?”

  “There are individual security measures for each section,” Mycos said. “The first floor has recreational areas and food prep. The second floor is only for the youngsters, ones who are looking out for themselves. Third floor is for women only. Fourth and fifth floors are for families. The sixth floor houses men only. The basement has gym facilities allowing all to train in self-defense.”

  “There are monitors on all floors,” Lydia said. “The occupants are told ahead of time about the monitoring.”

  “We want four people to look after the children,” Sally said. “There are more orphans than the government is aware living alone on the streets.”

  “You and Gregor manage this facility,” Morgan asked.

  “We are,” Sally said. “I’ve been a social worker for a long time. I’ve got the skills and can bring in human assistance as it’s needed.”

  “I will oversee the security of the place and assist with the residents,” Gregor said.

  “You want my help clearing it so the youngsters will come here,” Morgan asked.

  “There are street children who want off the streets but experienced difficult situations with fosters or social services,” Lydia said.

  “What you’re saying is allow them to come here to escape the dangers of the street, or force them to face the dangers of the streets,” Eldred said.

  “Yes,” Mycos said.

  “Is this why you have seven teenage girls in your home who have no guardianship,” Morgan said.

  “They approached us seeking asylum,” Mycos said.

  “They are underage,” Morgan said.

  “Our decrees support them being given asylum on Hylatium territory,” Lydia argued.

  “Which your home compound is,” Morgan said.

  “Yes,” Mycos said.

  “More political maneuvering,” Morgan said.

  “We do what we need to in order to help the children,” Gregor said.

  “Are you willing to do more,” Morgan asked.

  “What do you suggest,” Lydia asked.

  “I don’t know but the positive PR is wearing off,” Morgan said.

  “How many are on your committee,” Lydia asked.

  “Three, including myself,” Morgan said. “Why?”

  “We’ve discussed doing a free exam day here at the shelter,” Sally said. “We want to put out a notice that people can come to the shelter, which will show we’re helping the community, and get a free exam and treatment.”

  “It is our understanding they will have to sign a waiver,” Gregor said.

  “Will you take appointments or will it be a walk-in situation,” Morgan asked.

  “Appointments would be better,” Mycos said. “We will have a certain number of slots available. Once they are taken, we won’t take anymore.”

  “How long do you plan to provide these free exams,” Eldred asked.
r />   “We thought a day,” Lydia said. “But we aren’t sure.”

  “How many can you fit into a day,” Morgan asked. She looked around the large lounge. There were groupings of comfortable furniture along with a wall of activities. It looked homey and comfortable.

  “One an hour,” Mycos said. “Some of them will not take a full hour but Justinian wants to have an hour in case something more shows up.”

  “Have you asked the human doctors how they would do it,” Morgan asked.

  “Trinity said something about triage,” Gregor said. “We were not sure this was fair. We want to be fair.”

  “If you took applications with a set number of slots, you could take the sickest regardless of any other factors,” Morgan said.

  “If you did it for longer than a day, it shows you’re intent on helping people,” Eldred said.

  “We could get Donna Lewis to do a piece on it,” Lydia suggested.

  “Or a series of pieces,” Morgan said.

  “Will you bring the others on the committee,” Mycos asked.

  “Yes,” Morgan said looking around the room. “I think seeing is believing.”

  “Will you give us dates they can be here,” Mycos asked.

  “I’ll get them to you,” Morgan said.

  ***

  “They are blasting the airwaves,” Morgan said. “They have six beds which will be used for seven days. The doctors, human, from the hospital are volunteering their time. Justinian, their healer, will oversee their work.”

  “How many slots are open,” Premier Rivera asked.

  “They are taking five hundred,” Morgan said. “Many are flocking because Lady Lydia is the face of this.”

  “Alexander Wykes announcing her role in stopping the plague certainly plays in their favor,” Premier Rivera said.

  “People are afraid,” Morgan said. “They are more willing to try something that is literally alien because she was part of the solution to the plague.”

  “Are they spinning that in the media,” Premier Rivera asked.

  “Not that I’m aware,” Morgan said she tipped her head as she considered.

  “You think they’re getting good PR from this,” Premier Rivera said.

  “Ma’am,” Morgan said. “I do. I think it will start a wave of demands for their technology.”

  “We should be there inspecting and learning,” Premier Rivera said leaning back in her office chair. “Is there any way to see more of their technology?”

  “I can ask,” Morgan said. “If you’re thinking weapons, they won’t give any of them.”

  “Have you seen any,” Premier Rivera asked.

  “Other than what their men carry, no,” Morgan said. “Lord Mycos has said they won’t provide weapons.”

  “You and I both know technologies can be turned from their original purpose to weaponry,” Premier Rivera said.

  “Is this why you want to see more of their technology,” Morgan asked frowning as she sat forward in the small chair facing the Premier. The Premier’s large wooden desk, a symbol of power sat between them.

  “There’s more going on in the world than these aliens,” Premier Rivera said.

  “You’re against the sale,” Morgan asked.

  “I’m keeping an open mind,” Premier Rivera said. “I have another meeting. Take the rest of your committee to see what they’re doing. If you can get a broader sense of their technology, do so. It could be important.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Morgan rose and left the room.

  ***

  Donna Lewis put on her stage smile, stood next to Alexander Wykes. “Welcome back,” Donna said as she looked directly into the camera. “As you know we’re covering live the demonstration of the health scanners and healing pads the Hylatians have brought to our world. With me now is Doctor Alexander Wykes who spoke so eloquently about Lydia Witter. Can you tell our audience what you’re doing here?”

  “We took applications from people who wanted to try out the health scanners and healing pads,” he said. Standing next to the table, he pointed to the different aspects as he explained. “We’ve got a monitor for the table. The patient, who was informed of all the risks and options, lies on the table while a scan is done. A human doctor who is trained in this technology reviews the scans. It is determined what is wrong with the person, if anything and then treatment options are offered.”

  “Are you offering only the Hylatian healing,” Donna asked.

  “No. If the illness is something we can handle with human medicine, we offer the full array of options,” Alexander said.

  “In some cases are the human techniques of healing better,” Donna asked.

  “If you have a headache,” Alexander said. “One of our over the counter items works as well as their healing pads.”

  “How many people will be seen during this week,” Donna asked.

  “We have six beds,” Alexander said. “The appointment times are set at one hour. If it takes less than the hour, we will call in the next person available. There are around a thousand people who will be seen.”

  “Are you running around the clock,” Donna asked.

  “We are,” Alexander said. “We’ve got our human doctors working twelve hour shifts.”

  “What are the Hylatians doing,” Donna asked.

  “They provided the technology,” Alexander said. “I suggest you ask them.”

  ***

  Justinian and Alexander consulted on a case about a boy who had uncontrollable fits. “Is it a brain malady,” Alexander asked watching the scan.

  “The brain is in excellent condition,” Justinian said. “There are no anomalies.”

  “What would cause this,” Alexander said.

  “Perhaps it isn’t physical,” Justinian said watching the mother hand the boy candy after she told him no.

  “You think this is behavioral,” Alexander said looking at the patient and his parents. The father spoke on his com, pacing back and forth paying no attention to the boy. The mother coddled him, hugging him to her. The boy pushed her away.

  “You might be right,” Alexander said. “Are we seeing any anomalies elsewhere?”

  “He is a perfectly normal and healthy male adolescent,” Justinian said. The boy slapped the mother as she continued to hold him close.

  “The question becomes do we tell them,” Alexander said.

  “It would be unethical to withhold our diagnosis,” Justinian said.

  “You know they’ll walk out the door and complain we didn’t do anything for them,” Alexander said.

  “We have the scans,” Justinian said.

  “All right,” Alexander said. “Let’s give them the news.”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Albright,” Justinian said.

  “What is it,” Mrs. Albright asked her voice going higher. “Is it a brain tumor?”

  “No, ma’am,” Alexander said. “He has no physical disease or problem. It might be he is spoiled and needs a firmer hand.”

  “I told you,” Mr. Albright said. “This has been a complete waste of time.”

  “It is possible he is acting out in order to get your attention, Mr. Albright,” Justinian said.

  “She deals with him,” Mr. Albright said.

  “You are his father,” Justinian asked.

  “I am,” Mr. Albright said.

  “Perhaps if you stepped in more,” Alexander said. “He would know he has the love and attention of both his parents.”

  Mr. Albright narrowed his eyes. Without responding to them, he said, “Let’s go. This was a waste of time.”

  ***

  “You are Justinian Legama from the Hylatian home worlds,” Donna asked.

  “I am,” Justinian said.

  “What has your role been in coming to our world,” Donna asked.

  “My role was to refine my healing skills while studying what little we knew about the humans,” Justinian said. Trinity watched from behind the cameras smiling at him for encouragement.

  �
��You’re a doctor,” Donna asked.

  “Not in the sense I have a medical degree from here,” Justinian said. “I have trained since I was three on healing at home.”

  “That’s very young,” Donna said. “Why so young?”

  “Healing skills show early in our people,” Justinian said. “Using our tutoring programs, I began studying biology and anatomy at six.”

  “You were able to do this at home with your family,” Donna asked.

  “On our world, we have a tutor device in every home,” Justinian said. “I saw my first patient under supervision from my mentor at the age of fifteen.”

  “What are you providing for this event,” Donna asked.

  “We are providing the technology,” Justinian said. “I am available if the human doctors need assistance in interpreting what the technology does or the readings they receive from the scanners.”

  “Why do they need help interpreting the readings,” Donna asked.

  “There are some medical issues your doctors have not seen before on the cellular level in order to be able to heal the people,” Justinian said.

  “Are these deadly medical issues,” Donna asked.

  “They can be. We repair damage,” Justinian said.

  “It looks like you’re needed,” Donna looked over his shoulder to see one of the doctors waiting for him.

  “Excuse me,” Justinian said before leaving her.

  “As you see,” Donna said. “They are processing through a number of people with human doctors directing the care. We’ll be right back after a few messages.”

  “We’re clear,” Teryl Duncan.

  “Who’s next,” Donna asked walking towards her producer.

  “We’ve got twenty minutes while we run a general background of how the aliens came here, contacted us and so on. Then you have Nic and Heidi before Lady Lydia and Lord Mycos,” Teryl said.

  “Did we get permission to do any post interviews,” Donna asked.

  “Yes, they’re after the interviews with Lady Lydia and Lord Mycos,” Teryl said. “Are you sure we should be showing them in such a positive light?”

  “You’re concerned about the government coming out against them,” Donna asked.