Terran Times 02 - Deal with a Dhemon (23 page)

Viola Grace

he next day was her final trip to medical for Ther customs checkup. She snuck out of Kassil’s quarters the moment she woke up, and tiptoed down the hall to her own rooms. Spending several careful minutes in the sanitation chamber, she cleaned off the evidence of the night’s activities. Washing off the sweat and blood, carefully cleaning the teeth marks on her neck that Kassil had left behind. As she dressed, she gave a sigh of relief at the sight of the high collar of her blouse and jacket covering the marks and bruises.

By the time Etion arrived, she had run her clothing of the night before through the cleanser, and was sitting attentively in front of the record station. Learning basic phrases in the Dhema common language. There were, of course, many dialects, but Dhema had come together to use one common language for the purposes of trade and treaties.

He paused as he came into the room, sniffing 54

Deal with a Dhemon

the air slightly, a puzzled frown coming over his features. “Was there someone here last night, Sam?”

“No, Etion. Why do you ask?” Well, it was the truth. She kept her expression bland and curious.

“I thought I smelled… never mind. Are you ready for your last trip to medical before we land?”

“You betcha. Let’s go.” Sam stood and smoothed down the heavy silks of her skirt. She straightened her shoulders and walked out the door and into the hallway.

Doctor Carvio was brusque and thorough. The scanners registered her health and well being. As the results scrolled across the monitor in Dhemon, the doctor frowned. He moved the scanner over her pelvis once again and double checked his results. He gave her a searching look.

“We need to use the immersion scanner this time, Miss Samantha. Please move into the chamber.” He nodded to the scanner door, tucked against one wall, and she walked into it, clothing and all.

A minute later, the doctor pronounced her fit and suitable for transplant to Dhema. He dismissed her and suggested she get some rest.

She seemed tired.

“Etion, I need to speak with you before you go.” The doctor called to her escort as they began 55