“Now that was odd,” she muttered, programming the skip to return to Bay 27.
Odd that the Star Service tracked her down on the promenade, certainly, but even more extraordinary that Admiral McCall wanted her to re-up, with the rank of captain.
Why?
She decided to return to Katana, personally overseeing the unpacking and installation of the baby paraphernalia before settling down in her cabin to read.
Dana?
Shalee sent the plea as a whisper.
Yes, Your Highness.
Janz has me worried.
Dana lowered the link-reader to her lap, sank back in the high-backed chair, while stretching her legs under the desk.
When will the ship arrive?
We are still many hours away from Centauri.
He’s in pain?
Yes, his spine...Doctor March tested and found weakness above the weave. He is deaf from the attack...and disheartened.
Dana sighed. Shalee, they should have put him in a C-FIIN for transport.
Too late…
Suggest sedation, because every movement makes the situation worse.
If they sedate, I cannot communicate with you.
Then coax him into a deep meditation.
I have done that. Please? Meet us at the medical center? Just having you there may calm him.
I will be there.
Shalee was silent a long time before telling Dana, Xalier is dying. Doctor March is beside the coffin now. He’s telling Kieran it is hopeless and to let him go.
“Don’t trust him,” Dana blurted out aloud and telepathically.
I will pass that on.
Dana picked up the link-reader, doing a search on the anatomy and physiology of Felidae males, memorizing every page, also delving into additional medical studies by experts on the feline race. There was one known expert in the Republic medical community with the capability of saving Xalier. That man was Francis Calagura, the Director of Competency at MED-SCI, Earth.
Kieran abruptly ordered Doctor March away from the coffin and called to security, “Detain the doctor in a cabin with full surveillance.” He wasn’t sure why he suddenly distrusted the doctor, but the feeling was too strong to be overruled. He lingered near the side of the medical transport nodule, glancing at the readings. They meant nothing to him, but he felt compelled to do it. Then, he headed up to the bridge.
“Mackenna, punch it.”
The young Star Service officer did not hesitate. “Aye, sir.”
Dana changed to her uniform and went out to the skip just as Baker was entering the bay with some packages of his own.
He read her expression and asked, “Off again?”
“Commodore Jai’s shuttle is inbound with some wounded. I’m heading over to spaceport medical.”
“Mind if I…” Baker left his packages atop some of the crates and moved to join her. “I know most of the emergency room nurses from when I went kite flying at Forever Pointe, and busted up my leg on landing.”
Dana felt no urge to protest and slid farther on the front seat to give him room.
“How modern are the facilities?”
“Oh, top of the line. Prince Ferris is their benefactor and funds all the research and oversees the acquisition of the latest medical instruments.”
“Do they have a Felidae specialist?”
Baker scowled. “Not likely…all Alphans…”
Dana knew then why Shalee was so afraid. She sent a message to Prince Korwin via the skip’s COM device, apprising him of the situation. She added that Admiral McCall was trying to steal her away from him.
Korwin sent back, “I’ll double whatever he offers. Promise you won’t accept?”
“PK, no fear.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” Dana signed off with “DD out,” reverting to the special code name that Prince Korwin gave her during their days at academy.
As the skip came to a stop at the medical center waiting area, Baker offered a hand to help her out. He escorted directly to reception.
“Doctor Cartwright needs to speak with the emergency staff.”
“The supervisor,” Dana corrected, “tell him he has a special needs patient incoming.”
The android-receptionist — one far more sophisticated than MCE ever dreamed of having back in her intern days — quickly demanded, “Credentials.”
Dana hissed.
Baker handed over his and urged Dana to do the same, reminding, “Being on the ambassadorial and royal registry always opens doors.”
They were quickly led away by an AN to a pre-scrub area.
Baker hesitated to approach the observation window. Dana had no such aversion. She knew the doctor beyond the glass. And he recognized her.
“Ah, Doctor Cartwright, so good to see you.”
The Elder Alphan statesman wore green hospital scrubs and a clean room mask, just the way MCE required.
“Doctor Santero, Commodore Jai is bringing in…”
“A Felidae. Yes, I know. We’re preparing a sibling to donate blood for a transfusion and attempting to duplicate a lung for transplant, but I doubt we will be successful. Do you know the patient? Are you certified on pulmonary?”
He knew her specialty, so the question was definitely pointed, a jab. However, she flung back a retort, “I recently reviewed all the medical texts on the Felidae and can assist if you need me. There’s an expert at MED-SCI, Earth-Station One.”
“Memorized them? You have full recall?”
She responded, “Yes, Doctor.”
“Good. That might come in handy. As soon as the patient arrives, you should scrub.”
Dana added, “Your second patient has inflammation post-spinal weave, and acoustic trauma to both eardrums.”
“Yes, Captain Macao…” Santero didn’t mask his distaste.
Dana sensed the animosity. “You may want to refer him to another doctor, one who has no immediate agenda.”
Santero frowned. “Are you accusing me of discrimination?”
Her eyes narrowed. “It’s rather obvious, Doctor. His brother was apprehended, after all, in the assassination attempt.” Dana knew the doctor’s issue went much deeper.
It had to do with Janz Jai mating with Shonedren Captain, Princess Shalee Raja Macao — one of the highest ranking escorts for the Shonedren Ambassador — and he had no use for them.
Shalee? Dana stared down the man. Was he the doctor who…
Yes!
He let you die?
And he will let Xalier and Janz die, too.
Tell Kieran to divert to Earth! Go to MED-SCI and ask for Doctor Calagura! I’ll meet you there!
Dana backed off a step. “Doctor, I will lodge a formal complaint against you when I return. Perhaps even a malpractice investigation.”
She motioned for Baker to follow her out. At the skip, she sent Korwin a plea, ending with, “Janz and Xal need me. I must go to Earth.”
They waited for a response only a brief moment.
“I’m coming…we’re coming. We’ll be there soon. Ready the ship.”
Dana turned to Baker. “Let’s load up the last of the nursery items, and I’ll start the preflight.”
Baker entered the destination in the skip computer, programming for immediate return to Bay 27.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Janz staggered from the bed to the robo-chair, energized by Shalee’s adamant warning. He steered out of his cabin and straight to the bridge.
Kieran glanced over his shoulder from the copilot chair. Brother? he sent via telepathy.
“Divert to Earth,” Janz said aloud, “otherwise, Xal will die.”
Both eyebrows shot upward as the Commodore prepared a comeback.
Janz didn’t wait for it. “Dana is meeting us there. She said to seek out Doctor Calagura at MED-SCI. She suspects Doctor Santero of collusion in Shalee’s death.”
Mackenna returned just then from his coffee break and took to the pilot seat. “Sir?”
“Divert to Earth,” Kieran ordered.
After running the preflight and getting the ship ready, Dana sent an alert to Star Service Command at Earth-Station One. They responded favorably, saying the medical team would be ready.
She then went down to the nursery, finishing the set-up in the layout she remembered seeing in a catalogue. It seemed the logical thing. EM could adjust things later if she chose.
She heard Baker greeting the Prince and Princess. Carlton soon called out that the hatch was closing.
Dana went up to the rotunda in time to see LittleJohn with baby Eloren in a basket. She couldn’t help but smile when the little android called, “Greetings, Doctor Cartwright.”
“Hello, LittleJohn, so good to have you with us.”
Korwin looked concerned as they all went up to the bridge. Once Micah was seated with the safety bar in place, LittleJohn handed over the baby. Dana brought out a shoulder sling, one of the recent acquisitions, and helped EM into it. “This relieves some of the back strain for you.”
EM beamed, enjoying having her hands free. “This is ideal. Thank you.”
Dana quickly went to the pilot’s seat, offering, “Preflight is complete. We’re ready when you are, PK.”
“As you will, Captain.”
She called to the spaceport controller for permission to take-off. They were soon underway.
With the course entered in, she turned to Korwin. “Thank you for this. I know it’s the right decision.”
“Should we call ahead?”
“Already did. There are two Felidae at the Star Service Academy donating blood for the surgery. A friend of mine is a Felidae specialist. He’s waiting at MED-SCI for Xal’s arrival, to perform a lung transplant.”
Korwin had one more question. “What about Captain Macao?”
“I’ll need to correct the weave and perhaps do an audio osseointegrated implant to restore his hearing.”
“I can assist, if you like; I did quite a few of those during my internship.”
Dana smiled.
“You, two, really do make a perfect team,” Micah commented, with a broad smile.
Still a few hours out from Earth-Station One, Dana visited the galley to have something to eat, taking her link-reader to review additional research on surgical techniques and spinal weaves.
Korwin joined her with his link-reader.
Dana indicated her screen. “There’s a new medication still in experimental stages, but it promises relief from the swelling post-op. Captain Macao seems a perfect candidate for a clinical trial.”
“I’m seeing some new audiology reports as well,” Korwin offered. “Being an ambassador has kept me so busy, I fell behind in my reading. All these journals,” he chuckled, “and I don’t have full recall like someone I know.”
“You need to brush up on pediatrics, too,” Dana reminded.
“Why do you think Admiral McCall wants you to re-up?” Korwin tested.
She put her soup spoon down and dabbed a napkin to her lips. “I never liked McCall. He and Taurian used to go at it, sometimes heatedly.”
“My father was not…fond of him either. He keeps his distance from me.” Korwin set everything aside and went to the duplicator. “Need some coffee?”
“I’m good,” Dana answered.
He ordered one for himself and returned with the steaming cup. “McCall was Barrett Cartwright’s protege.”
“I don’t remember him being a bigot,” Dana said with a sigh, thoroughly frustrated. “When this is all over, I’m going to visit Forever Pointe, and go flying.”
Korwin raised only one eyebrow. “When this is all over, you and your mate will go flying.”
She shook her head.
“Yes, DD! I had the dream again; it was more vivid than before. You and Kieran Jai,” he grinned in the face of her pessimism, “you’ll see.”
She found it difficult to concentrate on the texts after his pronouncement. “PK? Where do you live on Earth? Cray had a tiny cabin at the spaceport, hardly suitable for a family with an infant.”
“Katana requires a much larger birth than Cray’s ship, Stiletto. I keep a place at the New Mexico spaceport. Ever been to Albuquerque?”
“Always meant to attend a medical conference there,” Dana set aside her link-reader, “but never went.”
“That’s why I keep a place there. I actually lectured at quite a few conference, before I met Micah. She likes the dry, desert air better than other areas on Earth.” He sipped his coffee. “There are skyboxes you might want to consider. Oh, wait, the Commodore already has a place there.”
Korwin’s grin was contagious.
“How convenient,” Dana said with her cheeks blushing, “not too close, I hope?”
The attention bell sounded over the COM and Baker called down the announcement, “We’ve reached One’s outer marker, Captain.”
“On our way,” Dana returned.
Korwin took his coffee when they headed up to the bridge, finishing it as Katana closed in on the massive space station. “Don’t dock. We’ll MAT directly to MED-SCI.”
Dana requested a slot at the inner circle, but was told an incoming with a medical emergency had priority.
She countered, “Yes, and we have aboard Ambassador Kord, and one other doctor, who will be tending one of those patients.”
After a brief pause, a different voice came back with a response. “Ah, Ambassador Kord, please hurry. Take slot seven on the inner ring. Have your captain switch to external control.”
Dana complied, feeling the station autopilot begin to maneuver the Dagger Class ship in between two much smaller vessels.
“Set for station keeping,” the voice ordered.
“Roger, One.”
Dana set the controls, then released her lap restraint. “Are weapons permitted on One now?”
Korwin assured, “As long as you are with me.” He sent the empty coffee cup down a recycling chute. “Mister Baker, please remain aboard with EM and the baby. Carlton will come with Dana and me.” He went below to whisper a good-bye, and then returned to the rotunda with his medical kit hung by the strap across his chest.
Dana and Carlton took places on the MAT pad at his sides.
“Station One? Three to medical,” Korwin ordered through his voice-badge.
Dana stood on his left, suddenly feeling queasy.
When they materialized at the base, she knew why.
Three nurses and a young intern swarmed around the C-FIIN, elbowing Commodore Jai aside.
Janz was seated in the robo-chair, clinging to the arms.
Dana rushed to Macao. “Janz?”
“He can’t hear you, Dana,” Kieran cautioned.
She took the Captain’s hand from the controls and squeezed, closing her eyes.
I’m here, she told him.
So dizzy, he cried.
Prince Korwin sank to one knee beside the robo-chair and began to use a medical scanner. “Let’s try that new anti-inflammatory in combination with an anti-vertigo med.” He programmed the injector and pressed it against Janz’s neck, just above the collar on the sickbay jumpsuit. “Should take effect quickly.”
Dana felt Janz return the pressure on her hand. She opened her eyes and smiled.
“So glad you’re here,” he said aloud. “Feel better already.” He tested letting go of the chair arm, and even opened his eyes. They widened seeing the Prince.
Korwin took some further readings and caught Dana’s gaze. “We need to get him out of this chair. The position is putting additional pressure on the thoracic spine. I’m detecting a small fracture.”
Dana took the scanner Korwin offered and reviewed the readings. “Indeed, a very small fracture. I think we can do a minimally invasive fusion on that.”
She and Korwin stood aside as a nursing team brought a gurney and eased Janz up onto the bed. They followed the floater into the adjoining emergency intake room.
Kieran watched, then sank down into the robo-chair
, and moved it to the side. Only when he stepped away from it did he notice Carlton. “Don’t worry, they are safe inside.”
Carlton nodded agreement, but he didn’t have to like it.
“You look exhausted, PK,” Dana whispered after the second implant was complete. “Take EM and Eloren home, and get some rest. I’ll stay.”
“I used to be able to last much longer,” the Prince lamented, checking the diagnostic readings above Janz Macao’s bed, nodding in satisfaction. “Keep him quiet.”
She smiled and nodded.
“Shall I send the Commodore in?” He asked, yawning while taking off his gloves and face mask.
“Sure,” Dana copied his movements. “We do make a good team, PK. Maybe McCall’s offer is deliberate — to keep us apart.”
Korwin chuckled. “To keep you and the Commodore apart, too.” He gave her shoulder a friendly pat before heading out.
Kieran soon peeked in and, receiving her nod of approval, crossed to the bedside, giving his brother a quick overview. Then, sliding an arm about her shoulder, he whispered, “How long will he be out?”
“Maybe another hour,” Dana answered, leaning her cheek against Kieran’s chest, seeking comfort. “His career is over, you know.”
“I wondered about that.”
“The Star Service will never re-certify him for active duty.”
“Nor Xal,” Kieran added. “He’s in recovery — stable but serious. Doctor Calagura sends his regards, by the way, and demands we have dinner with him at The Viewery in a day or two.” He bent and kissed her forehead tenderly. “Maybe we should all retire and go gallivanting.”
“Janz needs aquatic therapy, like you had at Medical Center East. Korwin has a residence near Medical Center South, at the New Mexico spaceport. He said you have a place there, too.”
“I do. They have aquatic facilities.” He nuzzled her neck. “Xal will need some serious R&R. Might be a good place for all of us to spend some time.”
“Dry heat is good for lungs,” Dana counseled.
Dana Cartwright Mission 3: Kal-King Page 23