Page 7 of Alien Healer's Touch

"You should rest," he said, surprising me.

I shook my head. "Not yet."

"Even miracle workers need sleep, Doctor."

I looked up, trying to read his expression in the dim light. For once, the hard mask of command had slipped, revealing something almost human beneath.

"I don't care where the cure comes from if it saves these people," he said quietly, the admission seeming to cost him. Then his expression hardened again. "But that doesn't mean I trust your alien friends."

"They're not the enemy, Commander."

"That remains to be seen." He straightened. "I've arranged quarters for you. A guard will escort you when you're ready."

I nodded, too tired to argue. Hammond left, and I returned to my microscope, determined to work longer.

Later, I sensed someone standing beside me. I looked up, expecting Dr. Frakes, but found a woman in a security uniform. Dark hair pulled severely back, watchful eyes.

"Dr. Carter," she said softly. "I'm Zara. I'll escort you to your quarters."

Something in her manner alerted me. She glanced around carefully, then leaned closer.

"Not here," she whispered. "Wait until we're alone."

Curious but cautious, I gathered my things and followed her from the medical ward. Instead of taking the main corridor, she led me through less-traveled passages.

In a small alcove far from populated areas, she stopped abruptly. With one fluid motion, she pulled down her uniform collar.

Silver markings traced delicate patterns across her throat.

I gasped. "You're?—"

"Yes." She quickly covered the markings. "One of the lucky ones, according to you. Not lucky by Hammond's definition."

"How have you hidden it?"

"Carefully." Her eyes never stopped scanning our surroundings. "But I'm not alone. Others hide in plain sight."

"What about Claire?"

Zara scowled. "She's alive. In isolation. Hammond's moved beyond simple 'decontamination' surgeries."

My heart pounded. "What do you mean?"

"The artifacts he took during the raid on the Nyxari camp. He's found more." Her voice dropped lower. "He's testing them on Claire, seeing how the markings respond. And he won't let you leave once the epidemic is contained. You're too valuable for his experiments now."

Cold dread washed over me. "He's using alien technology he doesn't understand?"

"Exactly. And he's convinced it will give him control over what he calls the 'contamination.'" Her jaw tightened. "Claire was just the first. More will follow."

"How do you know this?"

"I serve on his security team. I hear things." She glanced down the corridor. "We need to move. They'll question why it's taking so long to show you to your quarters."

As we walked, she added, "Be careful what treatment you develop. If it comes too directly from Nyxari knowledge, he'll use that as proof of collusion."

"Thank you," I said, meaning it for more than just the warning.

Zara nodded once, her expression returning to professional neutrality as another guard passed by.

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