Page 40 of Star Champion

The female held a tablet and the man a device that he touched to foreheads then read the digits from a tiny screen to his companion, who then recorded the information. She had pale skin with pink cheeks, shiny black hair in curls, and blue eyes.

Black hair and blue eyes—Jemm had never seen anyone with that coloring. Her associate was as startling and wondrous as she was. The man’s complexion was on the opposite end of the spectrum, his skin a rich brown. He was older, completely bald, his scalp as dark and shiny as a kuu-nut. But his brows and beard sprouted gray hair. It was rare to see Baréshtis with dark facial hair, and rarer still for any fella to have enough to form a beard like this man from Earth. The Trade Federation was a fair-haired, darker-eyed civilization overall, except for the highbornVash, conspicuous for their pale eyes and tawny hair and skin. But even they had only golden hair to shave from their jaws.

The Earth-dweller aimed a friendly finger at Nico, his eyes sympathetic. “You with face injury—go last place in line,” he said, his accent thick. When Nico stood in place, the man apologized. “My sorry. Many people you. Too few us.”

“No, that’s all right,” Nico said. “I don’t—”

“We hope more…personnel here soon. My bad Basic, your language. Will learn, but Doctor Randall will know more. CJ!” he called out to her. Looking stressed, the female held up her index finger and mouthed words in an unfamiliar language while she kneeled in front of the skinny little boy, who appeared so frightened by the sight of her that tears trickled down his sunken cheeks.

“You are doctors?” Jemm asked.

“I am nurse—physician’s assistant. We are three doctors and three nurses here. Too few.” He exhaled, and, despite a concerned glance at Nico’s battered face, was itching to return to the others in more desperate need. “We no think so many in need.”

Jemm thought of the medicine Sir Klark had given her for Ma earlier that was for infections and inflammation, but not for anything worse, which was what she feared. But it was all they had on board. Jemm spoke up before the Earthman moved on. “I’d like my mother to come here. How long will ya be around?”

“Here for good. In tent, until we make something more…” He seemed to search for the right word.

“A more permanent structure,” the female doctor walked with purpose over to Nico, her black curls bouncing. She looked very young to be in such a position of authority. “Jesus. What happened to you?”

“It ain’t nothing. It—”

“Your nose is broken,” she said crisply.

“Aye, I know, but—”

“Badly.” She reached for his swollen nose and palpitated it.

Nico winced. The doctor turned on a handheld light beam to peek inside his nose. She held his chin between the crook of her index finger and thumb, moving his head this way and that. Jemm was amazed Nico had not ducked away yet. Instead, he let her examine him, one corner of his mouth tucking into a crooked, pleased grin. The dozer, he was enjoying the attention from the pretty lass.

“There is airway obstruction. When did this happen? Today?”

Nico seem to come out of a fog when he realized the doctor was speaking to him. “Aye, but—”

“Someone did a number on you, big guy. Anything else get hit—ribs? Stomach? Was it fists or kicks?”

“Like I said, it ain’t no bother.”

She let out an exasperated huff. “It does not matter if I am in the Congo or here in space, you men of danger are the same. It never is a ‘bother’, until the damage is permanent,tough guy. Get in line.”

“Not tonight, Doctor See-jay. I do appreciate the offer, but I got plans I gotta keep.”

A hint of amusement flickered in her blue eyes at Nico’s use of her given name. “I advise you—do not wait too long. I am sure you get a lot of attention from the girls. Yes? But girls do not like snoring. But, if snoring loudly is something you want to do for the rest of your life then, please, do not repair the schnoz.” She slipped the portable light in her pocket.

“Schnoz?” Nico blinked at her.

“That means nose in Earth slang. When you come back, ask for Doctor Randall.” With her quick smile came a mischievous wink. “Or CJ. Whatever will get you to return and be treated.”

To Jemm’s surprise Nico said, “Aye.”

The doctor resumed her examinations of the other Baréshtis in need of care.

“Bring Ma when ya come back,” Jemm told Nico, but his attention had followed the young female Earth doctor. “Nico!”

“Aye. I’ll bring Ma, too.” He reached in his pocket for a vape, sticking it between his lips, then remembered the flycar and returned the smoke to his pocket.

Sir Klark radiated relief like a radiation glow when they left the site of the Earth-dwellers. He might not know her deepest secrets, but it was clear he had a few of his own. She was dying to know what they were.

CHAPTER13

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