Terran Times 02 - Deal with a Dhemon (3 page)

As she watched, one of the mauve skinned 5

Viola Grace

Rranik stood and began to recite one of the laments. The goblin-like creature was off-beat and off key. In a few seconds the other patrons would riot.

“Oh, holy crap. I’d better get over there.” She strode over to the rear entrance of the stage and took the steps two at a time. She cued up the sound with a few gestures and stepped into the spotlight.

She was on her third number, the audience rapt with attention when the attack came. She was halfway through a spin when the blast struck her.

She flew backward, striking the floor. Pain flowed through her, emanating from her shoulder. Dazed and disoriented she sat up slowly. There was a tangle of bodies at the base of the stage and Moran and Adal running toward her. Sam felt a warm river running down her arm, and looked down to see a trail of crimson snaking its way to the floor.

That was the last thing she saw for several hours.

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Deal with a Dhemon

edical bays were the same all over the MAlliance. Designed to accommodate any number of species, they were extremely utilitarian.

Foreign metals were everywhere, diagnostic equipment, and medical devices designed to cater to the needs of aliens from across the galaxy were carefully stored against the walls.

It was the clean, metal-washed ceiling that Samantha noticed first as her eyes fluttered open.

The second thing she noticed was the medical tech that was bustling and clicking around her arm.

Several species were unable to speak Alliance common. It did not mean that they were unable to participate in Alliance matters. The C’vil were crablike, short and stocky. They also made excellent physicians. With practice, a well trained medical assistant could learn to speak C’vil. They acted as translators as well as assistants. It was the assistant who addressed her as the doctor made unintelligible sounds as he prodded at her arm.

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