The Murdered Sun - Christie Golden [23]
Had the crisis truly been over, she probably would have followed that instinct. But the ship was still in danger, even though that danger was not immediate, and she would better serve her crew if she didn't feel as though any sudden movement would cause her to pass out.
"Captain!" Kes's soft, lyrical voice was filled with concern.
The slim young Ocampa female approached Janeway quickly. There was blood on her leaf green outfit and slender hands, Janeway noticed. But the girl's large blue eyes were strong and steady.
None of this had shaken her. "What happened?"
"I took a tumble on the bridge," Janeway explained. "I know something tore, but I'm not sure just how bad it is." Gently, the nurse laid cool fingers along Janeway's arm, probing.
Despite herself, Janeway hissed in pain. Kes grimaced in apologetic sympathy and indicated a bed that was still occupied.
The holographic doctor was just finishing up. He ran the scanner up and down the patient's leg, his eyes fastened on the readings given by his medical tricorder. He did not look up, but he was aware of his captain's presence.
"And here she is in the flesh, Captain Rough and Ready herself," he snapped. "And what new, exciting adventure have you embroiled us in this time, Captain?"
After the tense battle on the bridge, the doctor's sarcasm was a refreshing breath of normalcy. Others might find his taut, strident attitude irritating, but at this moment it was music to Janeway's ears.
She could feel the knot in her belly, that cold hardness that had been there since the little Verunan vessel had hurtled out of the concavity, starting to untie.
She rejoined in kind. "Defending gentle dinosaurs against faceless aliens who live in a giant black hole." Close enough.
His dark eyes met hers for just a moment, then lowered again to the tricorder. "My fault for asking," he sighed. Addressing the young man on the table, he announced brusquely, "You're fine.
You may return to duty now." The man hurriedly vacated the bed, seemingly relieved at the thought of returning to perhaps a second battle rather than remaining under the good doctor's scrutiny for a moment longer.
With a smile and whisper of soft fabric, Kes had gone, leaving the captain to the doctor. There were other patients she needed to help.
Janeway eased herself onto the bed. "During the battle I took a spill.
I tore something in my right shoulder, maybe did something else to it as well."
The doctor nodded absently. His instruments whirred softly as he ran the scanner down her arm. "Torn ligaments and a hairline fracture of the humerus. Nothing serious." He reached for an instrument, activated it, and shone the warm red light on the injured area. At once Janeway felt the pain begin to recede.
"I've noticed some other injuries that are harder to explain.
Two people," he nodded over at the other beds, "suffered internal injuries. They bled from all orifices, but there was nothing to indicate a direct blow. Just what kind of battle were we in?"
"We were struck by a very powerful gravity wave. Your patients suffered from a brief intensification of the gravity surrounding their bodies--from one g to, I'd guess, maybe three. There were no casualties, were there?"
"Negative. They were in a lot of pain, and there was some damage, but they'll be fine."
"I wasn't kidding about the dinosaurs," she continued, watching him work. "Well, at least not much. We've encountered a bipedal sauroid race that's presently under attack. We were defending them when we were attacked by the gravity wave weapon." Her face sobered as she recalled Viha Nata's plight. "They've suffered terrible tragedy. I'd like to do what we can to aid them. I know our supplies aren't unlimited, but when the dust settles with the Akerians, perhaps we could assist them in tending to their wounded."
The doctor snorted. "So now I'm to play nursemaid to dragons, hmm?
Well, it will be an interesting challenge, if nothing else." The pain had completely