Pegasus In Space
- Автор: Маккефри Энн
- Серия: Talents #3
- Язык: английский
- Жанр: Научная фантастика
Электронная книга - «Pegasus In Space». Краткое содержание книги:
For an overpopulated Earth whose resources are strained to the breaking point, there is only one place to look for relief: straight up. With the successful completion of the Padrugoi Space Station, humanity has at last achieved its first large-scale permanent presence in space. But there are those who, for motives of their own, want Padrugoi to fail. Standing in their way are the Talented, men and women gifted with extraordinary mental powers that have made them as feared as they are respected--and utterly indispensable to the colonization effort. Now, as sabotage and attempted murder strike the Station, it's up to the Talented to save the day. Only who is going to save the Talented?
Pegasus in Space is the tale of Peter Reidinger, first Tower Prime!
Johnny had to be persuaded to Peter's return to work after the MRI, but Dirk was clearly pleased at Peter's diligence. Johnny even added his mental push to Peter's on the second shipment. Peter kept his pleasure over that to himself. It would be so easy for him to just duck out at the last moment and leave all the 'port to Johnny. Then he'd tell him the destination and prove to doubting Johnny Greene that his gift did not have limits.
Johnny did suggest that they 'port themselves and Ceara down to sick bay, preferably right into the room with the MRI equipment.
"I also don't want anyone thinking you've got a medical problem," Johnny said to justify that maneuver.
"Assassins just don't fall out of convenient lockers, Johnny," Peter replied but he didn't object.
There was enough space in the MRI chamber to accommodate all three. The main sick bay was more than adequate for normal problems; a special section dealt with anoxia and other space accidents.
Only when Peter levitated himself to the required supine posture on the MRI bed did he feel the least bit apprehensive. He'd had numerous MRIs, but this time it was different.
Ceara took a set of the goggles from the hook near the programmable screen on the wall, which was out of Peter's line of sight.
"These are virtual reality glasses. I can see the anatomic structures of your body, Peter."
The shell of the MRI passed over his body and the results slowly began to scroll down the screen. There was complete silence once the shell was back in the ready position.
"Well, I'd like to have Commander de Aruya verify this," Ceara finally said, removing the glasses.
"Why, what's wrong?" Johnny demanded before Peter could.
"Because the MRI shows me extensive neoneurogenesis."
"What does that mean?" Johnny asked.
Peter smiled. He knew.
"The nerve endings are bonding. There's an apparent reconnection of severed nerve endings, neurofilaments, nerves, and sheaths." Ceara swallowed audibly. "No, I'm wrong. They have bonded! I can see the original insult to the spinal column. The severed microbundles are fused together. In the human body, the individual neuropils grow much like the roots of a plant."
Peter's mind stopped with that explanation. Grow? Like a plant? Amariyah! He was only peripherally aware of Ceara and Johnny discussing his original injury and paralysis, the recent fractures. Ceara was saying she wanted to compare this scan with all previous MRI files. Would the Center release them to her? And bring up a specialist, like Dr. Markstein? Could she now ask Commander de Aruya to give a second opinion?
"Does that mean Peter is no longer-" Johnny stopped, unable to voice a word he had scrupulously avoided using in Peter's presence.
"From this MRI, the original injury has been healed. The nerves have rejoined: the spinal column is no longer severed." She paused, took a deep breath. "Technically, he's whole again. But that doesn't mean it won't take considerable time and effort for him to rehabilitate his muscles." Ceara spoke slowly but with a tinge of awe in her voice. "He's overcome so much already."
"I think," Peter began, unable to curb his irritation at being demoted to a "pronoun"-especially by Ceara-"that I would like to feel again!"
"Oh, Peter, I do apologize," she said, bending down to look into his eyes where he still lay on the MRI pad. Her face was red with embarrassment. "How unprofessional of me. Here. Sit up."
Even through his irritation, he felt her keenly mortified chagrin.
"Do you mind if I ask for Commander de Aruya's opinion? This is out of my area of expertise."
"Yes, of course," Peter said, raising himself to a sitting position. He wondered what it would be like to make such a simple everyday movement physically. The shining fact was that possibly now he would have the choice! But more than that, he added very privately to himself, I would like to pee and crap like any other male. He'd managed to ignore the necessary presence of the waste-bag, but he would be so glad to be rid of the damned appliance forever!
A wiry fit man, Commander de Aruya kept his thick white hair trimmed like a skullcap and his dark eyes dominated a mature countenance. He gave a professional smile that faded the instant he saw the MRI screen. He shot Peter a startled look and another at Ceara. He donned the goggles and peered intently at the MRI image.
"Yes, I see." He regarded the screen intently, an index finger tracing the image of Peter's spinal column until he came to the old damage. "Mr. Reidinger, if you wouldn't mind, may I do a second scan?" When Peter assented and resumed the supine position, he added. "Save this one, Dr. Scott."
Peter, head in the chin rest, closed his eyes and fervently prayed with all his soul that the second reading would mirror the first. Dear, dear Amariyah! He couldn't wait to hold her! Yes, hold her, in his arms and feel her dear body. Rhyssa and Dorotea would be over the moon. And he smiled at the phrase. He'd been there, too.
"Thank you, Mr. Reidinger," said the smooth baritone voice of the commander. "You may sit up now."
Ceara was empathing him very strong positive joyful encouraging thoughts.
Hey, Pete. Looks the same to me! Boy, are Rhyssa and Dorotea going to rejoice! Johnny said triumphantly.
"Have you any idea how this neoneurotropism occurred?" De Aruya's eyes were sparkling in his eagerness to hear Peter's answer. "Somehow-and I'd give a lot to know how-your body has reformed the vast network of nerve tendrils that comprise the nervous system in your spinal column."
"I think," and Peter considered his words, still awed by the miracle, "my friend, Amariyah, is a microkinetic. Only she doesn't know it."
"A microkinetic?" De Aruya was obviously having trouble crediting such a source.
Ceara did not. "Oh, my word, like Ruth Horvath was?"
"I can't think of any other explanation, Commander," Peter said, feeling his heart lift within him as he stared at the second MRI image on the screen. "It is a unique Talent and I know of no other person who is so gifted. She does have an extraordinary skill with plants. Nerves are, as Ceara just mentioned, filaments the way roots in a plant are."
"Hmm," and Commander de Aruya made the appropriate contemplative noise as he stood, left hand supporting his right arm as he rubbed his chin, eyes intent on the MRI.
The buzz of the comunit startled them all.
"Well?" asked Admiral Coetzer.
"He's okay, Dirk. More than okay," Johnny said, the nearest to the unit. "Much more than okay. And," Johnny turned back to Ceara and the commander, "quite able to get on with his job. Aren't you, Pete?"
Peter didn't wait for permission but stood erect. "I am fit to continue the day's schedule, am I not, Commander?"
"Well, yes, ah, I see no reason why not. May I access your records?" The commander recovered his poise sufficiently to be completely professional. "Whom do I ask?"
"Martin McNulty at the Eastern Parapsychic Center," Peter politely supplied. "Coulson was the SA orthopedist who vetted me for my current duties."
"Coulson, yes. Good man," the commander said in an absent tone, obviously still trying to correlate the information on the MRI and his knowledge that Peter Reidinger had been paralyzed for much of his life.
"So, shall we get back to work, Pete?" Johnny asked, laying an affectionate hand on his arm.
Peter did feel that as the slightest pressure, closed his eyes, and smiled.
"You're all right?" Johnny asked, increasing the pressure.
Peter opened his eyes and smiled. "I'll need some calories when we've finished."
"Any damn old thing you want," Johnny said, separating the words in ardent assurance. Let's go and let the good doctor tell the commander all about us unique parapsychics.