The Valiant - Michael Jan Friedman [66]
I would like to return to my ship now, said Picard, and put together the engineering teams that will help you.
Excellent, Williamson told nun. And I will put some teams together to help you .
It seemed like an arrangement from which both sides could only benefit. Picard hoped that it would actually work out that way.
Greyhorse peered through the oval window at Serenity Santana and her Magnian physicians. Then he turned to Law, the medical centers director, who stood beside him in a white lab coat.
This is how you treat all your patients? he asked.
Law, a small man with Asian features, shook his head. Only those who can be treated this way. Direct mental stimulation is a valuable tool, make no mistake. But in many cases, were still forced to resort to Pharmaceuticals or even scalpels.
On the other side of the window, Santana was lying on a narrow bed under a set of low-hanging blue lights. None of the four doctors surrounding her was actually touching the woman. Instead, they seemed to be leaning over her, eyes closed, focusing on an invisible process.
Whats your success rate using this kind of procedure? Greyhorse wondered aloud, his inquiry sounding more blunt than he had intended.
Law smiled. Very high, Im pleased to say. More than ninety-eight percent. And we are constantly trying to improve on that. He watched his colleagues work on Santana. Of course, in the present case, the problem was a little more complicated, since the patients injury took place days ago and had already been treated in other ways.
The ships surgeon looked at the smaller man. Are you saying I actually set you back?
The colonist shrugged. Just a little. The important thing is that Serenity will be fine.
You sound as if you know her, Greyhorse observed.
I do, said Law. She was a playmate of my eldest daughter. But then, most people in Magnia know each other, if only by family or reputation. After all, Doctor, were a small community. Its only recently that our population has begun to nudge a hundred thousand.
In the city, you mean?
The Magnian smiled again. Very few people live outside the city. Despite the complications created by our telepathic abilities, we have come to enjoy the feeling of having others in close proximity.
Greyhorse didnt understand. It seems to me that proximity would tend to preclude privacy.
Not here, Law told him.
Picard saw Simenons blood-red eyes narrow in disbelief. You promised them what ? he spat.
The second officer, who was sitting on the other side of the lounges black, oval table, frowned at the engineers response. I made available our technical expertise to help them repair their shield generators. It seemed like an eminently reasonable offer, given their willingness to come up with the parts we need.
Simenon harrumphed. You call it reasonable to put your crew in the hands of the same people who led you into an ambush?
Picard regarded the Gnalish, one of three individuals whom he had invited to this meeting. The other two were Jomar and Vigo, the acting weapons chief, who sat on either side of Simenon.
It is true, said the second officer, that we may be placing the fox in charge of the hen house. Nonetheless, I am inclined to trust the Magnians intentions in this regard.
After what they did to us? the engineer asked.
Picard nodded. Shield Williamson could have denied his peoples role in the ambush, but he chose not to do so. He told me what they had done and why, without pulling any punches.
Simenons eyes narrowed, but he didnt try to interrupt. The second officer took that as a good sign.
Furthermore, he said, Williamson could have refrained from mentioning his mixed feelings about the Federationbut again, he chose the path of honesty. He leaned forward in his seat. I believe the Magnians will hold up their end of the bargain, Lieutenant. And I also believe that my people will be safe on the planets surface.