Code Blue - Emergency by James White

Author:James White [Emergency, Code Blue]
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science fiction, Adventure, Fiction, Medical
ISBN: 9780727840905
Publisher: Severn House
Published: 2010-01-21T15:40:40+00:00

Chapter 11

Time slipped past and Cha Thrat felt that she was making no progress at all, until one day she realized that she was performing as routine tasks that only a little earlier would have been impossible. Much of the work was servile but, strangely, she was becoming increasingly interested in it and felt proud when she did it well.

Sometimes the morning assignments contained unpleasant surprises.

Today you will begin moving power cells and other consumables to the ambulance ship Rhabwar, Timmins said, consulting its worksheet. But there is a small job I want you to do first—new vegetable decoration for the AUGL ward. Study the attachment instructions before you go so that the medics will think you know what you're doing... Is there a problem, Cha Thrat?”

There were other and more senior technicians in her section—three Kelgians, an Ian, and an Orligian—waiting for the day's assignments. She doubted her ability to take over one of their jobs, and hers was probably too elementary for the Lieutenant to consider swapping assignments, but she had to try.

Perhaps the Earth-human would accord her some of the earlier special treatment that, for some reason, had been completely absent since she had been put to work.

'There is a problem, Cha Thrat said quietly. The note of pleading in her voice was probably lost in the process of translation, she thought as she went on. As you know, I am not well liked by Charge Nurse Hred-. lichli, and my presence in the AUGL ward is likely tjb cause, at very least, verbal unpleasantness. The bad fe/al-ing for which I am largely responsible may fade in tim e, but right now I think that it would be better to seiud someone else.”

Timmins regarded her silently for a moment, then it smiled and said, Right now, Cha Thrat, I wouldn't want to send anyone else to the AUGL ward. Don't worry about it.

Krachlan, it went on briskly. You are for Level Eighty-three, another fault reported in the power converter at Station Fourteen B. We may have to replace the unit...”

All the way to the Chalder level, Cha Thrat seethed quietly as she wondered how such a stupid, insensitive, cross-species miscegenation as Timmins had risen to its high rank and responsibilities without sustaining mortal injury at the hands, claws, or tentacles of a subordinate. By the time she reached the AUGL ward and entered inconspicuously by the service tunnel lock, she had calmed sufficiently to remember a few, a very few, of Timmins's good qualities.

She was relieved when nobody came near her as she went to work. All of the patients and nursing staff seemed to be congregated at the other end of the ward and dimly, through the clouded green water, she could see the distinctive coveralls of a transfer team member. Plainly something of great interest was happening back there, which meant that with luck she would be able to complete her work undisturbed and unnoticed.

Seemingly it was not to be her lucky day.

It's you again, said the familiar, acid-tongued voice of Hredlichli, who had approached silently from behind her.

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