Chapter 5, part 1
To be just an outside observer to the first impromptu negotiation between two representatives of Humanity and the Loroi was at first aggravating. In fact he nearly cursed Lieutenant Allerberger at a couple of instances for his approach but he had to concede that things went far better than he initially expected. He would have done things differently but results are results and he had to give the marine at least that much. For the moment the alien diplomat was silent as she ‘talked’ telepathically to the rest of her kind in order for them to prepare their equipment and to inform the two officers that would inspect the marines and the airlock.
A communications alert at his console drew his attention and he let out a sigh when he saw the caller’s ID, knowing that it was something that he had to get over with he accepted the call and the face of Lieutenant Commander Miranda Jacobson,
Matveyev’s medical officer, appeared on his screen.
“Captain, I have just been informed that Private Gomez will be treated by the aliens.” She immediately said with an accusatory tone.
“Yes doctor, that is correct.”
“Let’s not play games here captain; everyone was briefed about the potential risks that exposure to alien viral and bacterial micro organisms entail. It’s true that cross species contamination is only a distant possibility but the severe allergic reactions that several Orgus and Humans had when they were infected by alien bacteria are well documented and known. The private’s life will be at risk if he suffers such a reaction at the condition he is in.” The doctor said with enough force in her voice that he was surprised that she didn't jump out of the screen to start yelling at him.
“Lieutenant Allerberger raised that point with the alien diplomat and he was reassured by her that they have the necessary equipment and know how to prevent such a reaction.” Captain Asteios replied almost mechanically.
“I must also inform you that the treatment of abdominal wounds is a very delicate procedure, the biological information that we will send won’t be enough to teach them how to treat such a wound.” Doctor Jacobson insisted.
“The Loroi diplomat has reassured us that the information will be more than enough to properly calibrate their medical equipment.” He hoped that she would take the hint this time.
“We don’t know what kind of medical equipment they have and we can’t put the private’s life on their hands just because they said so. I fully believe that this course of action puts Private Gomez’s life at risk and as ship’s medical officer I request that you belay his treatment by the aliens.” He knew that this was coming and yet for some reason he felt relief at her words.
“Doctor in any other circumstances I would agree with you but let’s not play games here…” He begun dryly.
“But Captain…”
“Doctor, these aliens, the Loroi; are one of the two major combatants of the interstellar war that humanity will soon be flung into. They are telepaths and they are looking an awfully lot like us. In fact ‘Blue Elves’ is the best way to describe them. In addition to this similarity they say that we are somehow immune to their telepathy, we can’t say if that’s true or not but both sides have to address our similarities before we can even begin touching that subject. We have a temporary advantage in our current situation but that doesn’t mean that we can ignore the fact of how much they must distrust us if our telepathic immunity is indeed real; this distrust may turn into something nasty later on unless we set things straight here and now. I would also like you to know that I , the marines and private Gomez himself know that the Loroi insisted on treating him because they want a guinea pig.” He managed to say with a stable but straight voice.
“I know that captain but as a doctor I have to put the well being of
Matveyev’s crew at the forefront. For this reason alone I want it put on record that I object to the treatment of Private Gomez by the aliens.”
“That’s your prerogative doctor and I won’t hold it against you. If it makes you feel any better Lieutenant Allerberger will be overseeing the Private’s treatment and you will have a direct line with him.”
“That doesn’t put my mind at ease captain.” The doctor replied dryly.
“Neither does it put mine. In any case I want you ready to analyze the Loroi’s biological information when they send it to us.”
“Yes sir.”
“Is there anything else doctor?”
“No Sir.”
Closing the call he cursed himself for this whole situation. The decision to have Private Gomez be treated by the aliens wasn’t an easy one and he couldn’t say that he agreed with Lieutenant Allerberger completely about it. It was the marines call however and they took it while looking at the big picture.
“It will take a couple of
bimas to bring the necessary systems online.” The Loroi diplomat said, drawing his attention back to the screen in front of him.
“How long is a
bima?” The Lieutenant asked.
“A
Bima is 64 Solons and a Solon is a moment of time, a heartbeat.” The Loroi explained.
“So a couple of minutes, more or less.” The Lieutenant commented. “You systems must be amazing if they can be activated so quickly.”
“Thank you; the Loroi Union prides itself for its advanced technological level.”
“Indeed, do you trade your technology with your allies?” The Lieutenant asked.
“Of course, it’s one of the founding pillars of the Loroi Union, alongside mutual defense and free trade between the Union members.” The Loroi diplomat replied.
I don’t need to be a telepath to sense the buts in that sentence… Captain Asteios thought when he heard that.
“That sounds admirable.” Lieutenant Allerberger replied.
“Many in the Union believe so as well, the same cannot be said about the Hierarchy however.”
“Indeed.”
At least they can sell themselves well to a potential ally even when they distrust them... The Captain thought as he put everything that he heard in order.
“I have to ask about your space suits, do you breathe a different mix of air or are you afraid of an infection?” The Loroi asked.
“The latter, some of the Orgus suffered from severe allergic reactions when they came in contact with some common bacteria, the same happened to humans as well when they too came in contact
with bacteria that the Orgus brought with them.”
“As I already told you, our medical equipment fully negates the risk of cross species contamination and any possible allergic reactions your people may suffer will be quickly dealt with.” The Loroi commented.
Knowing where this was going Captain Asteios activated his comm line to the Lieutenant.
“It’s your call lieutenant, private Gomez will already go through decontamination, one or six won’t make any difference to the procedure.”
The view wobbled a bit as the Lieutenant nodded in acknowledgment and begun to take off his helmet. Thankfully the suit’s micro camera was located at the suit’s torso and the image stayed as it was.
“The air… is stale.” The Lieutenant commented after he took a deep breath and the Loroi diplomat looked perplexed for a second before speaking.
“We had to take measures in order to conserve what little energy reserves we have and as a result our life support systems are working at half capacity.” She replied.
“In that case why have the gravity systems on? If they are anything like ours they consume more energy that the life support systems.”
“Our gravity systems are very efficient, consuming even less energy than our life support systems. As to why, our enemy is known for their monomaniacal pursuit of their target, we use the gravity systems to anchor us in place in case they would bombard the asteroids from a distance in an attempt to find us or even out of spite.”
“In theory the tremors from a nearby explosion would be enough to lift even a ship of that size due to the low gravity.” Captain Asteios commented and the Lieutenant just nodded as the corridor’s lights were suddenly turned on.
Chapter 5, part 2:
http://www.well-of-souls.com/forums/vie ... 938#p18938