Nimisha's Ship
- Автор: Маккефри Энн
- Язык: английский
- Жанр: Научная фантастика
Электронная книга - «Nimisha's Ship». Краткое содержание книги:
When Nimisha takes an experimental ship on a solo test flight, something goes horribly awry, marooning her light-years from home on a planet as deadly as it is beautiful. Now the ruthless members of a rival branch of the Rondymense family are given the chance they've been waiting for: to reclaim the Ship Yards by any means necessary.
Only Nimisha's ingenious child, Cuiva, stands in their way. But for how long? For just when her daughter needs her most, Nimisha is in a precarious situation herself--and unable to help. But Nimisha has never given up in her life--and she's not about to start now . . .
"You what?"
"Medical necessity. Can't have him infecting anyone else until I've discovered what antidote can prevent its spread."
"Its spread?"
"It could, you know," Doc said. "But you had the good sense to wash immediately when you arrived, Captain. I would suggest that you shower with this gel as soon as you return to your ship." A phial of a dark brown liquid rolled into one of the unit's apertures.
Jon and Nimisha exchanged quick glances, and just then the gurney team arrived. Doc's extendibles had by then encased Karpla in a full cold suit.
"Put him in your medical unit in the Acclarke and advise it to monitor him. I'll send what information I discover directly there," Doc told Meterios.
She gave a sharp nod toward Parappan and Amin, who had brought the transport, and left without further comment.
"What happened to him?" Ace Parappan asked as he and the yeoman, Fez Amin. loaded Karpla's body on the gurney.
"Went where the Sh'im told him not to," Jon said succinctly.
"Yeah, he liked hunting with the little guys," Ace remarked.
"Good shot all right, but won't listen to anyone," Fez said.
"You put him in cold sleep, Doc?" asked Parappan.
"Only safe place for him right now. Don't touch the body bag again. Roll him into the cold sleep unit and when it's closed, take a thorough, long shower with this gel." Two phials rolled out of the dispenser drawer.
As Fez put the phials in his thigh pocket, he turned to Jon and said casually, "We got our four-month resupply, sir, just before the wormhole ate us. In case there was something you might need."
"C'mon, Fez," Parappan said, but he winked at Jon as they guided the anti-grav gurney out of the hatch.
Doc waited until they had left.
"Into the shower with you, too. Grab the gel in the dispenser and scrub yourselves well. I'm closing the ship and will add a powerful detox to finish cleaning the air."
"The children…" Nimisha started toward their rooms as Jon scooped up the large bottle of brown liquid.
"They're in no danger. I instigated emergency closure and oxygen the moment I had a good look at Karpla's condition," Doc said. "Get scrubbed."
They did, with none of the foolery that often accompanied their showers.
"We didn't need this," Nimisha said, dressing in fresh clothing. She could see that their cabin had been vacuumed, and the air had a decidedly medicinal taint to it. Fortunately when they reemerged into the main lounge, the air there smelled once again of Erehwon's summer aromas.
"Doc, Meterios was in close contact with Karpla. Will that detergent keep her from getting it?"
"Too late for her, I fear," Doc said. "The dust is contagious. She had it on her hands and face and then tried to brush it off when she came in here. Helm informs me there is no trace of powder now in this ship."
"Fraggit!" Jon muttered.
"I don't think I'd wish that sort of allergy on anyone, much as she makes me dislike her," Nimisha said. "How long before she starts scratching?"
"1 can't tell, Nimi, but I suspect by tomorrow, she'll be showing signs."
"Then tell her crew to stay the hell away from the Acclarke," Jon ordered.
"Helm has already done so since I declared a medical emergency," Doc said.
"I have warned everyone," Helm said.
"What about those poor guys carrying the stretcher?" Nimisha asked.
"They'll be fine," Doc said easily. "That's why I put him in a body bag. No further danger of contamination. Hopefully the cold will also wither the powder, since it thrives in heat." The medical AI made a throat-clearing sound. "It occurs to me, Lady Nimisha and Commander Svangel," he went on formally, "that treatment for this condition may only be available back where exotic diseases have been studied. And often cured."
Jon and Nimisha exchanged glances, and Jon began to chuckle. "You didn't have a hand in this, did you, Doc?"
"Me, sir? No, sir," Doc said with what sounded like a genuine indignation. "But it does give us a legitimate reason to send the Acclarke back to Vega as fast as Helm can take it. Karpla is, and Meterios will shortly be, dangerous to both humans and Sh'im. Their condition is unlikely to deteriorate once they are both in cold sleep…"
"Especially since those were Meterios's original orders," Nimisha said drolly.
"And they can be dealt with by medical authorities on their arrival. I strongly urge you to take my advice in this matter."
"Doc?" Nimisha began, her expression severe.
"One grabs occasions as they arise, Lady Nimisha," he said at his most courteous and cryptic.
"What was it they used to say about gift horses?" Jon asked, raising an eyebrow as he gave her a charming lopsided grin. "And whatever they got in that four-month resupply should be appropriated as fast as possible."
"Jon, we shouldn't," Nimisha said, aghast.
"Why not? Those two won't need it, and if there's some fresh homegrown produce-"
"There is," Doc interrupted. "I had Helm check with Four's Helm. D'you want the manifest?"
"We can make sure the crew it was designed for get it, love," Jon said, touching her elbow. "Sure won't last four years back to Vegan Headquarters. And we'll be having visitors who'll have run out of the supplies they came with."
"Yes, we will, won't we?" Nimisha wavered.
The next few days were fraught with nervous tension, begun when Captain Meterios informed Captain Svangel in a tone bordering on hysteria that she had awakened to find herself itching unmercifully.
"Your Doc can handle it," Jon said, "but if you have anyone else in the Acclarke, get them out!"
"As you well know, Commander," she said, her voice dripping venom, "my crew-" She paused to emphasise her displeasure. "-prefer the native accommodations."
"As mine do, for that matter, Captain. Get into the medical unit. We'll be over-"
"You shouldn't risk it." Nesta Meterios said, her voice frantic.
"Once you're in the medical unit, our Doc will tell yours the procedures to instigate, Captain Meterios," Jon said firmly. "As I am senior serving officer, I hereby formally relieve you of your command, Captain Meterios, and it will be noted that your illness came about in succouring a member of your crew. Please proceed immediately to the medical unit."
When there was no outraged refusal, Jon and Nimisha exchanged surprised glances.
"You heard Karpla," Doc said. "She can't be as bad off as he was when she brought him here, but that doesn't mean she isn't suffering a lot."
Jon strode down the passageway.
"You will, of course, not go in there without full decontam gear," Nimisha said.
"Damn sure," was his reply as he hauled open the storage units.
"That won't be necessary," Doc said soothingly. "Helm'll decontam the entire ship once Meterios is in the medical unit. And she's wasted no time either."
Nimisha crossed her arms over her chest and, foot tapping, regarded the medical unit. Somewhere it should have eyes that she could pin with her glance when necessary, like right now. She could almost appreciate those who did not like dealing with AI units on the grounds that there were no eyes to contact or anything humanoid about them except their programmed voices.
"How often do you AI's talk to each other, Doc?"
"Only in emergency situations, my dear Nimisha. And this is one, you'll grant."
"Yes."
Jon came back into the main cabin, properly accoutred, masked, and wearing an oxygen tank.
"I told you that it won't be necessary," Doc said, sounding peeved. "As if I would risk anyone else."
"You risked Meterios," Jon reminded him.
"I did not. Karpla did. The contagion had already passed between them when she assisted him here. I even give Meterios full credit for that act of mercy."