Bootstrap Colony (47 page)

"There about I think, some goes to
the black market, and some is fed to the animals for various reasons. But we're
getting a diminishing supply, that means it’s finite."

"Yeah," the doctor said.
"So there is an end to this?"

"No, I'd like to tell you there is
doc, but this is the world we live in now. Better get used to it or find
another line of work. Don't try mine, its worse. Just a suggestion."

"Great," the doctor sighed,
rolling his shoulders. "The ankle biter as you call it is also in ICU as
well.” He shook his head. "Severed the foot, ripped up the calf,
dislocated hip and knee, and shattered most of the bones in the leg."

"Ouch." The cat had probably
shaken the kid like a rag doll when it had taken the foot.

The doctor sighed. "Yeah," he
said softly. "You could say that. Ouch."

"I tell you what, let me buy you a
cup of coffee and some dinner now..." Shane said in sympathy as he patted
his shoulder. "At least while we've still got stuff on hand."

"I'll skip the coffee. I need to
sleep. But I'll take you up on dinner. If your lovely wife doesn't mind."

"Great," Shane said nodding.
He waved to the door and followed the doctor out.

"Thought you'd be with your
family?" the doctor said as they made their way through the crowd.

"Jen is busy with Doctor Phillips
again, the girls are volunteering at the day care, and Nick has training
tonight."

"Oh, so I'm you're date?" the
doctor asked amused.

"Something like that doc. That way
if I'm propositioned I can foster the better looking ones off on you and run
for cover."

"Gee thanks," the doctor said,
grinning.

"Survival instinct," Shane
said sounding smug. "Jen would have my ass if I even thought of
straying." His lips flickered in a quick smile as the doctor chuckled
softly.

There are concept images of the aliens
floating around on the web. Some may be on my blog by now. More will be posted
later.

Expect
the book around the middle of 2013! (I hope)