Page 60 of Alien Healer's Touch

I pulled back to study her face. "They delivered the medicine?"

"Yes." Mirelle tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, the maternal gesture making me wonder how haggard I must look. "Phillips brought news yesterday. The treatments worked—the epidemic is contained, and most are recovering, though slowly for some. Frakes managed well, thankfully."

My shoulders sagged as days of accumulated tension released. "Thank the stars."

"Come," Lazrin said. "You both need food and rest. The others will want to speak with you after."

I glanced at Kavan, who'd remained quiet during our reunion. Our eyes met, and a current of understanding flowed between us that transcended the need for a translation stone. Our journey had transformed us both. Together.

"The others?" I asked as Mirelle guided me toward the central buildings.

"The marked women. Those who chose to stay rather than return to Hammond's camp." Her voice lowered. "Conditions there have deteriorated. We need to talk."

Kavan cleared his throat. "I must report to Elder Rylis. I will join you later."

I watched him go, an emptiness spreading through me at even this brief separation.

"Something's changed," Mirelle observed quietly.

I turned to her, forcing my attention away from Kavan's retreating figure. "A lot has changed."

After eating and washing away days of grime, I entered a circular chamber where six women waited. Mirelle, Rivera, Jen, Talia, Elana, and Maya. Each displayed the distinctive silver markings that distinguished us from other human survivors.

Mirelle stood as I entered. "We've gathered everyone currently in the settlement. Some remain with Hammond, by choice or otherwise."

"Like Claire," Jen added, fingers tracing the patterns on her wrist.

Mirelle nodded. "Selene, what you and Kavan discovered could change everything. We need to understand what these markings truly are. What they mean for us."

I inhaled deeply, looking at these women who, like me, never asked for the changes forced upon them. "The markings form part of an ancient communication system. A neural integration network designed to bridge physiological differences between species."

"Species?" Rivera leaned forward. "The Nyxari designed this technology to communicate with other aliens?"

"Not exactly." I struggled to articulate what I'd experienced firsthand. "This predates even Nyxari recorded history. They didn't create this technology—they discovered it, just as we're discovering it now. It was designed to transfer knowledge, particularly medical knowledge."

"That aligns with my observations," Elana said. Her fingers absently traced the silver lines along her forearm. "My understanding of plant properties has expanded beyond what should be possible."

Talia nodded. "Plants respond differently to me now. As if they recognize something in my touch."

"It's an adaptive system," I continued. "Kavan and I activated an interface in the ruins that enabled direct connection. The markings serve as conduits for information transfer, adapting based on individual talents or needs."

"That explains why they manifest differently for each of us," Mirelle said.

Jen cleared her throat, her young face unusually grave. "I overheard Hammond's men at the perimeter two days ago. They didn't realize I could hear them from such distance."

Everyone turned to her.

"They mentioned 'moving the subject to newly exposed ruins.' I think they meant Claire." She looked down. "They said Commander Hammond wants to 'test the integration theories' at the new site."

My stomach knotted. "What new site?"

Rivera spoke up. "The seismic activity uncovered previously buried structures in the western canyon. I've detected unusual energy patterns from that direction—different from the eastern ruins you explored."

"How different?" I asked.

Rivera's eyes unfocused slightly, as they did when she used her enhanced perception. "More... active. Unstable. The patterns shift constantly, unlike the steady hum from the eastern structures."

I exchanged a troubled look with Mirelle. "Hammond doesn't comprehend what he's dealing with. These systems are delicate—and dangerous when misused."

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