Page 59 of Homebound
Dr. Delano shook his head without looking up from his task. “It isn’t the goods they seek, or profit, or even knowledge. They simply keep to themselves. They live by a self-imposed code of conduct and adhere to a stringent no-interference policy. As the legend has it, once upon a time they used to racketeer all over the Universe terrorizing good citizens of every planet known to them and crippling intergalactic trade. But then something happened and they stopped. Maybe they finally grew up, evolved, who can tell? They no longer attack unprovoked. A violent race, it is fascinating how they keep themselves in check.”
“It sounds like they have rules and they follow them. Isn’t it that simple?” Gemma questioned.
“Yes, simple if you are peaceful by nature, which they are not. Rix males have a natural predisposition toward aggression. They’re predatory and highly reactive. Simply put, they like to fight. And they have the right physiology for it, strong and resilient. With four hearts.”
“Four hearts? You’re making fun of me, Doctor.”
“I’ve examined one. Drainage tube, please. Then sutures,” he switched briefly to the nurse.
Four hearts, huh. She was going to ask Simon about that.
“Rix possess astonishing abilities for regeneration,” Dr. Delano went on, so delighted to have a captive audience in Gemma’s face. “They put us humans to shame with their advanced adaptation to harsh environments. High tolerance for pain. Immune to most infections. A bite of a Perali wouldn't infect a Rix like it did your uncle.”
“That is so not fair!” Drexel interjected. “Aliens need to get off of our planet and live with other aliens. Off! We, humans, are delicate and aren’t made to withstand them pests. I’ve suffered enough at their ugly hands.” He became agitated.
Dr. Delano addressed him sternly, “Mr. Drexel, if you work yourself up into a fever, you’ll experience a setback. Is that what you want? No? Of course not. Keep your heart rate steady for me. Easy and calm, yes, like this.” He motioned to another nurse and she unobtrusively injected something into Drexel’s thigh. It helped. He shut up and his face smoothed out.
The doctor and his team of nurses performed the procedure to clean and pack the wounds in silence interrupted only by their brief exchanges full of medical jargon. Leena continued to watch them, her eyes round from wonder.
Gemma looked again at the illustration of the Rix alien. Something about the drawing bothered her but she couldn’t put a finger on it.
Uncle Drexel’s procedure complete, Dr. Delano approached Gemma pulling his soiled gloves off.
“I’ve added a new medication to help boost your uncle’s immune system. He’ll have sufficient supply and instructions to go.”
Gemma nodded. “Thank you so much. Does he need to come back again for a procedure?”
“Your uncle’s treatment plan includes five visits. Most people only require two or three but I’m afraid he’ll need all five. There’s extensive damage,” he sounded grave.
Gemma’s spirits sank. “I am so sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?” His brows rose slightly.
“Survivor's guilt, I guess.”
“Understandable. He’s got a long road to recovery. Please impress on him the importance of following doctor’s orders.”
“I will. Absolutely.”
Dr. Delano looked pleased. He glanced at the Rix picture. “It would be wonderful if we could borrow some of Rix genes to boost human recovery rates. In the future, we will.”
“You mean, have human and Rix babies?”
“Not in this sense, no,” the doctor looked vaguely crestfallen. “Our genetic codes are too dissimilar to interbreed. But dissecting individual DNAs and supplanting them in humans can have explosive implications.”
Dr. Delano’s eyes gleamed briefly with undisguised obsession and that zealous glimmer resonated with Gemma in a chilling way. She peered closely at the doctor wishing she could peek under his professional veneer to see what motivated him from within.
But the moment had passed and Dr. Delano was talking again about Uncle Drexel’s treatment plan. He asked if Gemma had any questions.
“No, you explained everything well, and we’ll go by your instructions. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. Be careful at your job in prison. Aren’t you the one who works with alien inmates?”
Gemma nodded.
“We don’t want to see you here as a patient.”
You won’t,Gemma thought thinking of what kind of damage the Obu could’ve done to her.I don’t have any money.
