Kusac winced.
“Just one more, then I’ll dress the wound,” Vanna said, taking out another ampoule. “You should have a fever because of a minor infection in the wound. You haven’t, but Carrie has.”
After injecting his arm, she sprayed more of the antibiotic sealant over the wound and rebandaged it securely.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but Carrie pulls the pain from those she cares about without knowing she’s doing it,” mumbled Kusac.
“Tell me about it tomorrow. You should feel a lot better by then,” she said.
Kusac rose to his feet, then staggered, nearly falling over.
“Careful now,” warned Vanna, catching hold of him.
“What have you given me?” he groaned, trying to focus on the medic.
“A hefty dose of antibiotic and analgesic, plus a mild sedative. I want you to sleep properly tonight.”
She gestured to Skai to pull down the bunk beside Carrie’s and helped Kusac weave his way over to it. As he sat down heavily, she swung his legs up for him.
“Now sleep,” she ordered, pulling the blanket over him.
Kusac grabbed her arm urgently as she was about to move away.
“Watch Carrie for me,” he whispered.
Vanna frowned, glancing over at Skai. “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “I’ll keep an eye on you both.”
“Preliminary checks finished, Captain,” Mito said, turning away from the console. “Do you wish a status report?”
Garras looked up. “Carry on.”
“The interior of the pod and the life-support systems are stable, therefore the inner hull has not been breached. I’ve opened the sphincter valve and we are now on an external air supply. Air filters are sound, so no indigenous life can enter.”
“What about the state of the transmitter?”
“The automatic transmitter linked to the scientific programs is not functioning. Without the benefit of an external examination, I presume that the outermost hull, containing the experimental packages, has suffered damage sufficient to shut down the experiments. As for the transmitter, I have no information at present. We cannot gauge the extent of any damage until morning, but we seem to be in no immediate danger of being overrun by anything from outside.”
Garras rose stiffly to his feet, supporting himself against the hull. “Well, we knew that the pod had ceased transmitting, now we know why. I assume that the Valtegans have destroyed our satellite, which leaves us with only the manual emergency transmitter. Have you located that yet, Mito?”
“No, sir, but I have located an inventory and procedure check for anyone having to use the pod. It should be listed there,” she said, returning to the screen.
“Have you found the galley area?” continued Garras, peering round the column to where Vanna was dressing Guynor’s tail while he continued to check the panels.
“I’ve located the food heating unit,” Guynor replied, “but no food.”
“Is this what we’re after?” asked Skai, holding up several packages. “I’ve also found what looks like the water purifier, and it’s full.”
“In that case, I suggest we all eat and sleep before doing anything more,” said Garras, rubbing a hand across his scalp and scratching his ears. “It’s been a long day. Is there an electronic alarm system, Mito, or do we have to post a watch?”
“The alarm is already set and functioning, Captain.”
“Stand down from duty,” said Garras tiredly, moving over to one of the bunks, but Vanna was there before him and had it pulled down and waiting.
“Will you be able to sleep tonight, or do you want a sedative?” she asked, concern showing in the angle of her ears and the flicking of her tail.
Garras shook his head. “I’m so tired that I don’t know if I can stay awake to eat,” he confided. “It will be tomorrow when I’ll really need those pills and potions of yours, especially one for that most tenacious of all diseases, age.” He groaned as he swung his legs up and lay down.
Vanna laughed. “I haven’t got anything for that, I’m afraid, but I should be able to do something for the minor aches and pains.”
“What about Kusac and the girl? How are they?”
“He’s got a minor infection in his shoulder and all the signs that he should have a fever,” said Vanna, “but it’s Carrie who has it, not him.” She hesitated. “I’ve treated them both for the fever symptoms, but this link of theirs worries me. It’s so unlike anything we know. I’ve never heard of a crossover of physical problems to this degree. Their link seems so much more intense.” She shrugged. “Perhaps I’m wrong, after all, between us we know next to nothing about Leska Links, and Kusac seems to be plucking what he knows from thin air. It’s almost as if the Link is telling him.”
Garras took hold of her hand. “You’ve really taken to these two, haven’t you?”
“Yes,” she said. “Before we crashed here there was a ...” she searched for the appropriate word, “... vulnerability about Kusac. He didn’t seem to have much experience of life. Now, well, you can see for yourself. It’s as if he’s a new, stronger person now he has the responsibility of Carrie.”
“As a Telepath he should have been incapable of fighting Guynor,” said Garras, “but since he returned, there is little that is typical about him. The things he’s doing now with Carrie make me sure that he’s a much higher Grade than his official military listing says. I wouldn’t be surprised to discover he’s well placed in one of the Telepath Clans. That young man is used to giving orders as well as obeying them.
“What about Carrie? What do you make of our young Terran?”
“She’s good for him. I like her. As a species, I think we’re not too dissimilar in outlook. As a Telepath, in my humble opinion as a non-Guild member, I would say she’s as powerful if not more so than Kusac, and I agree with you about his rating. He’s certainly not a Fifth Grade, judging by what he’s been doing lately.”
Garras’ eyes were closing with tiredness. “You should have spoken to Kusac sooner, Vanna. You are always underestimating your own worth.” He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze before releasing them.
“I have a feeling all hell will break loose over these two once the Khalossa arrives. They’ll need all the friends they can get. How would you like me to insist you are seconded from me to the Ship’s Medical section as the only Medic with a working knowledge of Terran physiology? I know you want to work in xenobiology. This could be your only chance.”
Vanna was stunned, unable to think of anything to say. What Garras was suggesting was not only a chance for the career she’d always wanted but an advancement in rank as well.
“I take it that means yes,” said Garras, yawning. “Now go and get some food and rest, that’s an order.”
Chapter 8
It was dark in the pod when Carrie woke. She felt for Kusac, sensing him nearby, but he was still deeply asleep. There was a brief moment of panic until she remembered that she had passed out as the pod hatch opened.
Her head still throbbed as she tried to move it to look around her. She ached all over. She began to shiver, finding it difficult to breath. Pain flared agonizingly in her shoulder, making her whimper.
Almost instantly, Vanna was at her side, rubbing the sleep from her own eyes as she switched on the personal light above the bunk.
She took one look at Carrie, then glanced over to where Kusac slept on the next bunk. He was beginning to move restlessly. She turned back to the Terran girl, briefly touching her damp forehead and then feeling for her pulse. It was weak and rapid as was her breathing. Her color was odd, too. Instead of her usual pinkish brown, she was almost gray.
“I’m cold, Vanna, and it hurts,” whimpered Carrie, looking up at her with eyes made huge by fear.
I don’t know enough about her, Vanna thought, beginning to panic. Then common sense took over. Wait a minute, there’s nothing wrong with Carrie, it’s Kusac! What did he say about her? She takes the pain from those she
cares for? And she was suffering his fever earlier? Then right now she’s in shock because of his shoulder wound!
“It’s all right, little cub,” she said, touching her fingertips to the girl’s cold cheek, “I’m here, I’ll see to it.” She pulled Carrie’s blanket back and began to loosen her clothing. Several of the fastenings were unfamiliar, but she managed.
Then she added her own blanket to the one Carrie already had and wrapped them both loosely around her. As she folded the girl’s jacket to place under her legs, she reviewed the drugs she would use for a Sholan. There was nothing she dared use on the Terran for fear it would cause more harm than good. With any luck she wouldn’t have to if she could treat Kusac independently.
She checked her again, taking her pulse and feeling her skin temperature. At least the shivering was diminishing.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” she said. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”
Moving carefully around the sleeping bodies, she went over to Mito’s bunk and began to shake the Sholan awake.
“Vanna? What’s up?” Mito asked, blinking as she sat up.
“I need your help,” said Vanna. “Carrie’s gone into shock because of Kusac’s wound, and I daren’t treat her. I need you to help me monitor them.”
“I don’t understand. Why should she go into shock?” whispered Mito as she got up.
“She’s using their Link to take his symptoms away from him. It’s apparently not something she can control. I want you to watch Kusac for the moment and let me know if his condition changes,” she said, leading the way back over to where the Leskas lay.
Vanna squatted down beside Carrie, reaching under the blankets to take her hand. She felt a little warmer, but her pulse was still erratic.
“Carrie,” she said, “I need your help. Kusac’s the one who’s ill, not you. I can’t help him because you’re stopping his symptoms. You aren’t helping him, cub, you’re making it worse for him—and yourself. There’s no need for you to suffer like this.”
Carrie turned to look at her. “I don’t understand you. How am I making him worse?”
“You are using your Link to take his pain, Carrie. You mustn’t do that, it stops me from treating him.”
“I’m not!” she said fretfully, trying to pull her hand away.
“Yes, you are,” Vanna insisted gently, preventing her from breaking their contact. “There is nothing wrong with you, Carrie. The pain you feel is Kusac’s, not yours. You have to break the Link, cub, or I can’t treat him.”
“But I’m not doing anything.”
“Carrie, you are. Trust me. You have to block your Link to Kusac so that I can treat him. I don’t have any psychic suppressants, so I can’t help you. You’ll have to do it on your own. Block that Link, Carrie,” she urged, giving the human’s hand a squeeze.
“My head hurts so,” she moaned.
“I know, cub,” said Vanna soothingly. “Just block the Link and it will stop, I promise.”
Pain flared through her shoulder again. “I’ll try,” she whispered, shutting her eyes.
“Vanna, what’s ...” began Garras, pushing himself up on one elbow.
“Hush!”
“Kusac’s beginning to pant,” said Mito, “and his breathing is getting shallower.”
“Good girl!” said Vanna, her free hand caressing Carrie’s cheek. The color was rapidly returning to the girl’s face now and her breathing was becoming deeper and more regular. “In a minute, Mito will sit with you while I see to Kusac.”
Carrie nodded, eyes still closed, as Vanna let go of her hand.
“Mito, get me an IV pack and catheter,” she ordered, picking up her Medic’s kit as she moved over to Kusac’s bed.
Quickly, she checked him over, finding him now exhibiting all the classic signs of shock.
“Kusac’s gone into shock,” she said, glancing briefly up at the Captain.
She swabbed Kusac’s right forearm down, inserting the catheter when Mito handed it to her. Securing it round his arm, she then unsealed the IV drip nozzle and connected them. Above the pull-down bed there were several hooks set into the hull and one of them was placed at an appropriate level. She hooked the pack onto that.
Carrie was peering past Mito, watching as Vanna loaded the hypo gun and gave him two shots.
There was no pain now, even her headache had cleared. Did blocking the Link make all that difference? If Kusac was right, then it meant she had wasted some twenty years of her life suffering the full quota of Elise’s pain for no reason. He couldn’t be right; it didn’t bear thinking about if he was.
She felt along the Link, trying to work out what she had just done and why it had been necessary, but she could find nothing to explain it. She lowered the block slightly, feeling again the pain Kusac was experiencing. Immediately, she pulled back. She couldn’t cope with any more pain, especially not through another link.
Vanna was perched on the end of Kusac’s bed, holding his wrist. Sensing Carrie’s gaze on her, she looked up and smiled encouragingly.
“He’ll be fine,” she said. “He’s beginning to respond to the treatment.”
“Can I help? He’s in so much pain, Vanna, I don’t know how he can stand it.”
“Not for much longer. I’ve given him the strongest analgesic I have. He’ll sleep, which is-exactly what I want him to do. You can help by keeping that block up and by resting. I need to be sure I’m picking up all his symptoms. Garras will give me a break in an hour or two. You try and get some sleep.”
Carrie began to sit up, but Mito pushed her back.
“You heard Vanna,” she said, not unkindly. “Stay in bed and rest.”
“I need to be with him,” she said. Though the Link was blocked so she couldn’t feel his pain, she was still aware of him mentally and of his anxiety and his need to feel her touch.
“Rest, cub,” said Vanna, letting go of Kusac’s wrist to run some other checks on him.
For the next hour Kusac was semi-delirious with the fever. He called constantly for Carrie and eventually Vanna had to give in and let the girl bring her bedding over to the floor beside his bunk.
Carrie sat near his head, holding onto his hand. Keeping the Link blocked was taking a lot of concentration and energy. She hoped she could keep it up.
He quieted then, drifting off into a natural sleep, but every time she tried to let go of him he began to toss fretfully.
Mito turned in, taking back one of Carrie’s blankets. Then Garras relieved Vanna, letting her sleep till dawn.
Carrie napped as best she could, leaning against a piece of equipment that Garras had brought over and padded with his blanket.
She had the time to think her own thoughts now, time apart from Kusac. Why did Links have to bring her pain? She had just been freed from one such bond, and now this.
She put her head back against the support and closed her eyes. Granted that without Kusac she would probably have died when Elise had, but was a future similar to her past one to be wished for?
... a bond of shared joys as well as pain, echoed in her mind. Kusac. He was the difference, literally a world of difference. A faint smile crossed her lips as she remembered some of the shared pleasures of the last few days. His hand stirred in hers, briefly tightening its grasp and then relaxing, as did she.
The noise of the last changeover roused her. Kusac was still sleeping. She knew the fever had broken and his pain was under control. She tried again to ease her hand from his and this time he didn’t stir. Her stomach growled faintly, but she was too tired to want to move and the hunger pangs were not very insistent.
As she curled up where she was, a faint glow from the central column’s two VDU screens drew her attention. She raised herself slightly on one elbow to get a better view.
One was obviously a computer control screen. The other seemed to be a view of the swamp outside the pod. Day was breaking and the sky was tinged with light. She settled down and began to drift into sleep.
This time, she woke with a jolt. Sunlight was streaming in through the open hatch and strange bumps and bangs reverberated throughout the pod.
“Here, drink this,” said Vanna, thrusting a steaming mug into her field of vision. “Kusac’s fine, he’s still sleeping soundly.”
“I know,” Carrie mumbled, taking the mug from her. “What’s this?”
“A protein drink,” Vanna said soothingly. “It boosts up the energy levels fast. Did you manage to get enough sleep?”
Carrie sat up and blinked, clearing the last of the sleep from her senses.
“Some,” she said, taking a cautious sip of the drink, then a large mouthful. “Not bad,” she said. “What’s been happening?”
“Mito and Guynor have located the manual transmitter and are checking to see if the satellite is still in orbit. Garras and Skai, as you can hear, are checking the outer hull for damage.”
“Don’t let them clear the vines off the pod or we’ll be too visible from the air,” she warned.
“Don’t worry, they know what they’re doing,” Vanna assured her.
“How long will Kusac be on the drip?”
“That’s finished now,” said the Medic, squatting down beside her. “He’s just utterly exhausted, and the analgesics will keep him tired. He’ll probably sleep for another few hours yet.”
Carrie finished the drink before getting up. “What are we supposed to do today?”
“Fetch and carry for the others because we can’t help them.”
Carrie looked round at Kusac. Because of their Link, she was able to read his expressions and body language. Just now he lay partially curled with his back to the hull. His shoulder was beginning to hurt again. She reached down to gently touch his face.
“He’s in pain again,” she said.
“I’ll see to it when he wakes,” said Vanna.
“Captain,” called Mito from outside where she and Guynor were working on the portable transmitter. “It’s no use. If the satellite is still in orbit, it isn’t receiving us. Without a hyperspace relay, we have no chance of reaching the Khalossa.” Mito’s ears were laid flat against her skull and her tail was flicking jerkily, showing her deep distress.
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