Page 20 of Warrior
Surgery.
Would I let George cut into Ewok in the dirty, dark, damp, dreary place? If it would save Ewok's life—in a heartbeat.
"Would you be able to use a portable medi-unit?"
Daicon’s question jerked me from the memories of the physicians of Gray’s Anatomy saving lives with paperclips and salad forks.
“Is it of Garoot origin?” George’s eyes grew wide and hopeful.
“Yes,” Daicon nodded, his gaze molten gold when they flashed to me.
“Where is it?” I clutched Daicon's arms, my fingernails digging into his pelt, but he gave no notice of discomfort save when he spoke.
“The unit is still on my skiff.”
“Your skiff?” I jolted. “What’s it doing on your skiff? Why didn’t you bring it with you?”
Daicon's eyes widened, his mouth opened slightly, and his forehead wrinkled as he stared at me. “Because I intended to be back on my skiff long before now.”
Oh, that’s right.
If Daicon's mission went as planned, we would both be long gone from this moon. I was the one that wouldn’t leave without the children.
"I can retrieve it," he said. The wash of relief that flowed over me was nearly crippling before he added. "It may take a while. I landed the skiff several kilometers away to avoid detection.”
“How long?” George frowned.
Daicon’s eyebrows furrowed. “Four or five hours.” He said the words, but I knew that if the task needed to be done quicker, he would somehow make it work.
George’s nod was jerky—worried but tethered to hope.
“I’ll leave now.” Daicon turned on his heel, taking the steps up to my room four at a time.
I glanced at George, hesitating.
“Ewok will sleep for a while.” The young healer gave me the permission I needed to take off up the steps after Daicon.
I stepped into my room as Daicon pulled supplies from the hiding spot under my cot. He’d retrieved his enviro suit from its original hiding place. It was large, made of what looked like matte gray canvas and resembled fancy scuba gear. There was a bag made of the same material that I knew held his water skin and gun, plus his axes. Normally, watching him strap the massive double-bladed weapons across his back would terrify me. Now it provided an odd sense of comfort.
“Will it be dangerous?” I whispered. The anxiety in my voice was obvious, and I swallowed hard against the knot in my throat.
Daicon shrugged, slipping the sleeves of his suit over his arms. Most of the time, he wore fitted leather-like pants and a sleeveless vest. Seeing his finely chiseled arms disappear into the shimmering gray fabric sent a pang of regret through me.
“Just being on the moon’s surface is dangerous,” he said, but with a teasing lilt to his lips.
“Dangerous for anybody else, maybe. But I have a feeling you’ll just fine.”
The quirk on Daicon's lips turned into a full smile, causing his golden eyes to sparkle. I stepped closer. It was an action as involuntary as breathing.
“I will be back as soon as I can.” The playfulness in his eyes shifted to something darker, something dangerous. “Do not leave the common area. When I return, I will find the guard who hurt Ewok and… punish him."
I didn’t need the translator thingie in my head to tell me what Daicon meant. Somewhere a vault opened in my brain, Sunday school teachings from years past roaming free again.
Love thy neighbor. Turn the other cheek. Forgive each other.
I pushed the thoughts away like pesky bugs.
Not this time.
