Page 73 of Salvation
“Wait.” Ambassador K’nil’s voice was low yet commanding, demanding the attention of the others. “I would hear Healer Bock and Disipula Yamata’s reasoning.”
Nick wet his lips with his tongue, casting a glance at Dante’s image. His friend remained silent, his arms folded across his chest and a pleased expression on his face. Clearly, he’d expected this to happen. That, in Nick’s mind, counted as full support. “We arefyhen.”
K’nil’s black eyes glittered, then he nodded. “Indeed you are.”
“I object,” Administer Corvus said. “The crisis is over. Disipula Yamata needs to complete her training. To keep two such highly Gifted healers monopolized is a disservice to others in need.”
She did have a point, but the dissenters needed them more. He laced his fingers together and rested his hands on the table. “When we first met with the committee, Ambassador K’nil told us he believes the dissenters are vital to our future. If that’s true, then they need medical care, which until we arrived they didn’t have. I’m not sure why this was the case, but we can discuss that later. They’re not going to trust just any healer to come in a provide it, but theydotrust us.
“Also, you’ve kept their location secret for a long time, but Haesi Velo is out there now, and she knows where they are. We’d be delusional if we believed she wouldn’t sell that info to the highest bidder.”
“Or she might come back after them herself,” Sakura added.
Corvus sat straighter. “And you would be in her way. No, I will not approve any action which could see you both destroyed. You are too valuable to both our peoples.”
“I think it is a brilliant idea,” Ora said.
Thank god. He’d hoped she’d be in their corner.
“Explain, Captain Solaris,” K’nil prompted.
“I am acquainted with Haesi, worked with her on a few occasions while we served in the Guardian Fleet.” Ora tapped one fingernail against her desk aboard theSparta. “Her mind is multi-faceted, and she has a great capacity for patience. She sees the long range goal and holds on to it. To her, instant gratification means very little.
“I have no doubt she suspects Nick and Sakura had a hand in healing the dissenters of the contaminant she created, so she will naturally conclude that the power they carry is stronger than any healer of our age. As long as they are at the sanctuary, she is unlikely to bother the dissenters again. Too risky. Also, she will be reticent to go after our healers because the dissenters have claimed them as their own. As we all know, Anferthians protect their own better than anyone could. To the death if necessary. Truly, the sanctuary is the safest place in the galaxy for them.”
“I agree with Captain Solaris,” Dante said. “Haesi will seek other ways to undermine the peace we are trying to maintain. We will need to be vigilant.”
Ambassador K’nil leaned back in his office chair. “I too agree with the captain, and I suspect K’rona and Storo do as well.”
K’rona nodded. “We do, your honor.”
“Nick,” Dante drew Nick’s attention.
“I know, Magister. My master healer status, right?”
Dante nodded.
“Sakura and I have already discussed this with your magister, Master Healer Klotho. As the chancellor of the Collegium, she is willing to send a qualified magister to oversee our individual training requirements.”
Regret flashed in Dante’s eyes. “I am sorry it cannot be me.”
“So are we, Dante.” The three of them would have been the dream team, but Dante’s priority was to oversee the New Damon Beach infirmary and satellite campus. It had been his brainchild, intended to insure he would be the one in charge of training him and Alex. He’d also helped Sakura build a solid foundation. “But there will be other Terrian healers eventually, and they will need your guidance as much as we did.” And Alex would still be there with him.
In his peripheral vision he caught the motion of Sakura’s hand swipe her cheek. He reached down and covered her other hand with his.
Dante nodded and Nick turned his attention back to Administer Corvus. She looked like she’d eaten a lemon.
The Matiran Administer shook her dark head. “I cannot abide by this.”
Time for the trump card, which she’d probably figured out already and was hoping no one would bring it up. “Four of the five committee members, plus both your healers, agree that leaving Sakura and I here is acceptable, Administer. That’s a majority.”
Corvus pursed her thin lips and nodded. “Well played, Healer Bock. It seems we have no choice. However, I still must register my strong objections to this action.”
That was about all she could do. “It’s your right, Administer.”
“Your reservations have been noted, Administer,” Ora said. “One final point before we close. We do not know if the Arruch have determined the location of the sanctuary. The fleet is closely monitoring the situation. There is discussion regarding future protection from the fleet for our dissenters. I will be in touch with K’rona regarding all progress and decisions on this issue.”
“Our gratitude to you, Captain,” K’rona said, inclining her head.
