by Ava D. Dohn
* * *
Eurawha frowned, concerned, as she sighed with relief at seeing Drorli’s return. “The child is sleeping quietly again, but for some time, everything went amiss.”
She looked up at the man as he tapped at some gauges to see if they might be broken or stuck. Although having never experienced any major mishaps with the reintegration of mind and body, it was something Drorli had often remarked of there always being a first time. “Hmmm... The numbers are all over the place. Breathing and heart rate normal, but her blood pressure is off the chart and… and… neuro-synapses are peaked at over one hundred. Still, the visual indicates a peaceful, deep sleep.”
He looked back at Eurawha, asking, “How long have you been monitoring these kinds of readings?”
“The gauges started acting up soon after you and the others left me.” Eurawha tapped the screen in front of her. “This is nothing compared to what first happened. I thought the girl was waking, a little sooner than planned, but not far out of line with what I’ve witnessed with some of the others. Only minutes later, the two waveform transponders and three attenuation monitors overloaded. I still can get no readings from the transponders and only sporadic readouts from the monitors. I’ve never seen the equipment break down this way before.”
She puzzled, turning some dials, “Her visual and audio senses redlined for nearly an hour. Had she been in a medical trauma unit, I’d of believed she was having a major stroke, but I can find no physical damage that would indicate any problem what-so-ever.”
Looking back up at Drorli, concerned, Eurawha asked, “Should I put her back in a coma and return the girl to the lab so we can analyze this further?”
Drorli studied the gauges and monitors for some time, checking and rechecking data while reviewing saved recordings of events. At length, he slowly shook his head. No… no, I think we will leave things as they stand. We’ll wait a while to see what happens. The child’s spirit has long been returned to her. It’s impossible to build for her another body without the likelihood of doing a great deal of emotional damage that might take months or even years to fully heal. Besides, there’s nothing more we could do for her back at the laboratory that cannot be done here. We’ll wait and see.”
He then offered Eurawha a respite from her stressful labors. “Hanna and Simeon have gone to picnic in the fields beyond the road. Why don’t you pay them a little visit? They’ve plenty of food taken along, as well as some of that good summer wine you favor. It’ll refresh you to take a break. You’re a faithful companion when it comes to assisting me, too faithful at times. Go relax a bit. I’ll let you know if help’s needed here.”
Eurawha nodded, accepting Drorli’s offer. As she gathered up a few things to take with her, she asked, “Do you want me to say anything to them? They’ll ask you know.”
Drorli shook his head. “Let’s keep it to ourselves. After all, it has been known that fingers sometimes dabble with these new arrivals, the same fingers that designed and built these machines in the first place. Better leave that go for now until we see where things take us. If they ask, tell them the girl’s sleeping peacefully, and that sleep is a good thing.”
Eurawha smiled. “That I can do.” She then gave Drorli a loving kiss and hurried out to find the others.
Drorli turned back to the viewing screen, watching Ishtar sleeping soundly. “What are you all about, little one? Why have the spirits waited until now to excite your heart with visions powerful and untold?” A shudder ran down his spine as he recalled reports from the earlier council meeting and the visions experienced there.