Cylo clenched his jaw.Was this female insane?Why did the Maloidian matter after what had happened to her?“He is being attended to and will be here when you are well.”
She frowned at Cylo.“Promise?”
He forced a smile he was far from feeling.“Yes, ensa.”
She held his gaze until the med-E.D.shut her eyes, and she drifted off.
“I do not know what they injected into her, but it took three variations of our usual sedatives to bring on sleep.”Qaff scowled at the female.“You best see to your promise,” he said, pointing his chin at Koddo running a med-gun over a pale-but-otherwise-fine Maloidian.“And have him heal you, too.We only have one med-E.D.”
Cylo harrumphed but approached Hiossu.“How do you feel?”
“I am well, Etterian,” Hiossu answered.“When the female is, too, I will share all I know.”
“Fair enough.”Cylo hesitated, not liking the Maloidian having free reign of his scimitar.“Koddo, escort Hiossu to the barracks.”
The Maloidian opened his mouth then snapped it shut.“You do not trust me.I understand why.I shall be patient, Etterian.”
“Operative Cylo,” he said, tapping his chest.When Koddo took the male away, Cylo returned to the med-E.D.“How long?”
Qaff held his gaze but said nothing.
With a huff and a last glance at the stubborn female, Cylo marched to the comm.“Fyca—”
“That was the brightest cloud no doubt seen from every surrounding landmass,” the pilot said, casting a glance at Cylo then grimacing.“I smell blood.”He rose out of his seat and removed his med-gun.
Cylo waved him aside.“And the women?”he asked.
Eight had better survive this.
Informing Malo of the loss of even one female wouldn’t be well received and might cost Cylo many feet of honor.Losing his hair wouldn’t be sufficient punishment to assuage his guilt.A dead human meant a doomed Etterian, male or female.
Fyca grinned while pocketing his med-gun.“They are in the officers’ quarters ordering meals off the rehydrator and cleansing.Qaff has tended to their wounds and neutralized the chemicals injected into them.”
“That is indeed welcome news,” Cylo said and tapped his O.D.I.“Olin, are you certain we did not miss a female?”
“There were no additional heat signals after we found Lady Eight.I made sure to rescan at the highest setting.”
“My thanks.”Cylo dipped his chin to his chest, having to accept Olin had done his best.The male was a respectable and experienced data officer, but Wren had planted doubt and mistrust in Cylo’s mind.“Fyca, please comm Supreme Commander Jokta.”
Fyca dropped into his seat and pressed the glowing keys on the console.“Connected.”
“Operative Cylo, I hear the mission was a success.”
“Indeed, Supreme Commander.”Cylo bowed his head when Jokta’s face dominated the display vid.“There were eight females, not seven.One is in critical condition in the med-E.D.I do not believe we can move her.”
Jokta hummed.“Medic Qaff has already communicated his findings.The medical council in Issneen is your only option.Deliver the females to thePhoenixand head for home.”
Just what Cylo wanted to hear.“I will send them on a kuta since we are not in porting range yet.I dare not waste a moment.”
“Agreed.We shall meet them with the full might of Etteria.”Jokta glanced down.A kaleidoscope of lights from his O.D.I.painted his chin.“A few scimitars are departing now to escort the kuta.”
“I have an additional request, Supreme Commander.Please task Data Officer Kemt to monitor the comms.I need to know if human bones were found among the debris.Also, start the search for other such facilities.”
“You believe a female was lost?”Jokta scowled.
“No, we did multiple checks, but if we missed one, then we will know to do a more thorough reconnaissance.”
“Mm, or perhaps improve the equipment utilized.I shall personally discuss this with Kemt.”The screen flickered to black.
