Chapter 8 #5
“I’ll score them from one through five,” Malik decided. “Ones can wait. Fives are in real trouble.”
“Perfect,” she muttered and headed for the patient with black pants. He had a compound fracture in his arm, and the side of his body had been shredded. Quickly rolling up her sleeves, Heather went right to work.
Gabriel walked up to the other side of the treatment table and touched the wounded cat on the shoulder. “Your pain is fading and you are calm.”
Heather felt the tingling pulse of psychic compulsion and smiled at her mate.
She was thankful for his help, but didn’t let him distract her.
She immobilized the soldier’s arm. Realigning the bones would require surgery, so she focused on saving his life.
She cleaned the lacerations on his side and had just applied a coagulant when a feline shifter walked up with a large, rigid case.
“Malik said you’d know what to do with this.” He heaved the case onto a nearby table and then walked away.
After confirming that her patient was stable, Heather opened the case and gasped.
Nestled in protective compartments were three familiar devices.
The first was a molecular scanner, the second a tissue generator wand, and the last was a portable printer capable of manufacturing a wide variety of medical supplies.
Similar kits were used by first responders all over Earth.
“Where did this come from?” she asked Malik when things slowed down enough for conversation.
“Where do you think?” He nodded toward Natalie who stood across the room talking to Gabriel and Zion.
“I can’t help fearing that she’s a devil in disguise,” Heather muttered as she closed yet another wound with the tissue generator wand. She might not trust the source, but the tools had allowed her to treat patients quicker and more completely than she could have without them.
“I know of at least six cats that owe their lives to that devil,” Malik pointed out as he handed Heather a dampened gauze pad so she could wipe away the residual streaks of blood.
They continued to work until everyone had been treated, then Malik gave Heather a clean uniform so she could change out of her blood-smeared clothes.
Then Heather said goodbye to Malik and joined her mate.
Gabriel stood near the door with Zion. As Heather approached, she couldn’t help overhearing the end of Gabriel and Zion’s exchange.
“Your mate is impressive,” Zion said in his deep, rumbly voice.
Heather fought back a smile. It was nice to be appreciated.
“Yes, she is,” Gabriel agreed.
The pride and protectiveness rippling across their mind link meant even more to Heather than the words of praise. Her mate loved her. It was such a comfort to know that without doubt. She slowed her steps, not wanting to interrupt their conversation.
“It’s unlikely we will ever be friends,” Zion stated, hands locked behind his back. “But we have a common enemy. I would like to work with you to defend our villages against them.”
“My brother was right to join the alliance,” Gabriel said firmly. “I held out hope longer than I should have. The wolves are not interested in peace, and I am no longer interested in defending their actions.”
“Good.” Zion nodded then moved off across the clinic.
“That went better than expected,” Heather said once Zion was out of earshot.
“I was dreading the conversation. Now I’m thrilled that it’s over.”
Space inside the clinic was limited, so Gabriel and Heather stepped outside. The sun was bright, but the air was cold. Even so, the pine-scented breeze was welcome after the stuffy confines of the clinic.
Patrick approached carrying mugs that steamed dramatically. “I thought we could use something warm in our bellies before we head home.” He passed out the mugs, and they stood to one side of the clinic’s entrance as they sipped the Rydarian version of coffee.
“Malik told me the medical equipment came from Natalie,” Heather began after a few moments of companionable silence. “Will she give us a similar kit if we agree to participate in the program?”
“Would you like me to answer that?” Natalie asked as she stepped out of the clinic. “Sorry to interrupt. I heard Heather say my name.”
“You’ve got damn good hearing,” Gabriel muttered disapprovingly.
“If this is a private conversation, I’ll go back inside.”
“What’s the answer to my question?” Heather prompted, shooting Gabriel a warning look.
“Of course, I’ll provide a medical kit for Eagle Village,” Natalie told her with an encouraging smile. “The wolves will get one too, if they participate in the program.”
“Before we agree to anything,” Gabriel returned Heather’s warning glance, “I have a few questions of my own.”
“What would you like to know?”
“I know you work for the government, but who is funding your program?” Gabriel began. “Interplanetary travel is expensive. So are medical devices.”
“The Rydarian Project is being funded by a corporate collective. There are eleven members of the collective and all of them are involved in the rehabilitation of lawbreakers.”
Natalie’s answers seemed honest and Heather found herself wanting to trust Natalie. Still, Heather had been burned before and so had the hybrids. She looked at Patrick. What do you sense? Is she lying?
Everything she said so far felt like the truth, he confirmed.
“Why is this such a struggle for you?” Natalie asked Gabriel.
“I need to gather information. You have a need I can fulfill. Why shouldn’t we help each other?
Is it so hard to believe that I am proposing a basic barter?
No hidden agendas or nefarious intentions.
You let me study your developing culture and I’ll provide you with potential mates. ”
“The last time we took a corporation at their word, we were taken captive for seven years,” Patrick told her.
“Seven years?” she gasped, clearly horrified by the revelation. “I had no idea you guys were up there that long. No wonder you’re suspicious. I would be too. I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
Again, Heather looked at Patrick. Honest reaction, or damn good acting?
She meant every word she just said, Patrick assured her.
“You’re offering nineteen females and the sort of medical supplies you just gave the cats. And all it will cost us is information?” Gabriel persisted. “No testing or tissue samples?”
“I’m not a doctor,” Natalie assured him. “My interest is purely observational. I need to make sure the proposed facilities will work before the investors spend obscene amounts of money to build them. It’s as simple as that.”
Gabriel looked at Patrick, his features expressionless. Can I trust her?
I think we should still be cautious, but I don’t sense anything but sincerity.
Gabriel accepted the answer with a subtle nod and shifted his gaze back to the human. “My brother already gave his approval, so we would like to accept your proposal and begin a cooperative relationship.”
“Wonderful. The medical kit will be waiting when you return to your village.” She smiled broadly and held out her hand.
“Two down. One to go.” They shook hands then Natalie said.
“If I can’t convince the wolves to play by the rules like everyone else, I will divide the females between you guys and Zion. ”
“The wolves will lie to your face and wait until you leave to launch their next attack,” Gabriel predicted. “You can’t trust them.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Natalie walked a short distance away and then faded from view.
“The skimmer is behind that building,” Patrick told them, pointing off to the left.
They walked across the yard and climbed onto the skimmer. Patrick piloted the compact craft, so Heather sat beside him. Gabriel sat behind them and rested his hands on the backs of their seats. “Any predictions on whether or not I’ll regret that decision?”
Heather shot him an annoyed look. “Stop being so pessimistic. We have a flicker of hope for the first time in ages. Can we just revel in that for a while?”
“I have a better idea,” Patrick said as he activated the autopilot and pivoted to face them. “Let’s revel in the fact that our mate is amazing and we have something to look forward to at the end of the day.”
“Our mate is wonderful and we’re lucky to have her,” Gabriel agreed, his orange gaze beginning to smolder. “I officially shove Natalie to the back of my mind. She will either keep her promises or she won’t. We’ll be fine either way.”
“Damn straight.” Heather grinned.
Patrick pulled her onto his lap and kissed her passionately. “You were a rock star today. The cats were damn lucky to have you.”
Gabriel stood and moved into the aisle. He leaned over so he could capture her lips as Patrick released them. “I love you, mate. And I’m incredibly proud of you.”
She smiled at him. “It felt really good to be useful again.”
“You’re more than useful,” Patrick insisted. “You’re amazing.”
“And you’re ours,” Gabriel stressed.
They took turns kissing and caressing her all the way to Eagle Village, then Patrick carried her into their cabin and Heather’s mates demonstrated their love for her all night long.
The End