But...they couldn't pilfer what they needed for long...someone would get wise.
It's time for action; the rest will work itself out!
"Da," he thought projected. "Come. Bring your backpack; empty it first."
****
Gem had been following Loni's mental musings, agreeing with them fully, but she had some plans of her own. As soon as the men went to load up on fresh food, she rose from the mat, and started after them, intending to go above, not toward the fruit stands.
The little ones have needs, also...
"Lydia, stay here," she ordered verbally. "I'll be back shortly."
Gem had her thoughts on the future, too, but, just not as far distant, as were Loni's plans. She knew the infants wouldn't stay small for long. Beyond six months, they would need different garments, and...they could not subsist on breast milk alone. They would need to be introduced gradually to ground meal, and pureed fruit, and vegetables, as their teeth came in.
While visiting the Physician's offices, when they had given her the supplement, that Loni had immediately thrown away, she had seen the large pharmacy, and storage area, for the infants and mothers. It contained a huge store of baby food, and like paraphernalia.
With her baby held close against her shoulder, Gem caught up her backpack, climbed the ladder heading up, then proceeded down the corridor leading to the area she sought.
I definitely need a snuggly like Lydia has, to free up my hands...and boxes of dried pabulum...jars of puree. Lydia's baby is older by more than two months, so we'll need this fresh supply quick enough.
She was aware, it had all come from her home planet; pilfered by those who worked on the wards there. That way, she was confident, it was all safe...even the pureed meats.
But...are the medications? Baby cough syrup; salves; fever drugs...maybe?
There was no telling what the climate outside on the surface would be like for a young child, nor what future infections might develop. It was safest to use conventional methods of repair, where ever possible...less drain on the healer's system, then doing it, out right mind regeneration every time. Their bodies needed to learn to heal themselves.
In here the atmosphere is controlled...best be prepared for all eventualities.
She stuffed her empty backpack with all she thought of use.
Now for baby clothes...and diapers. Towels are just too harsh on their tender bottoms.
As she planned, Gem was so intent on her appropriation, she did not realize, behind her, Lydia had disobeyed her suggestion.
****
Lydia quickly slid her little one carefully down the front of her snuggly, then safely bound it to her breast.
No way are you leaving me behind again, all by myself!
Grabbing her backpack, Lydia slung it to her back, and hurried after Gem. But Gem had a head start, yet Lydia was certain she had headed up, not down. It wasn't long, and Lydia had lost sight of the other woman.
At the top of the ladder, Lydia turned the opposite way, the wrong way. The hall was filled with smoke, and an odorous stench that took away your breath, but she felt this was the direction Gem had gone, so she doggedly continued on.
Soon Lydia was coughing violently, gasping for air. With the edge of the baby's wrap, she attempted to protect her own mouth and nose, but her eyes were watering, as well. At least, deep inside the snuggly, her infant seemed protected.
Where ever did Gem go? Why is she so determined to come up here, anyway?
Lydia met no one; it appeared all personnel had vacated the premises.
Need to get a mask to protect my lungs...
****
Loni and Da had not been gone long. With their backpacks loaded down with fruit, beverages, and other edible necessities, Loni stepped from the ladder, Da following.
The older man immediately realized the camp site was empty, and his mind reached out in panicked search for the thoughts of his mate. His first notion was that Galar had somehow survived, or that Scar had returned, and one, or the other, or both, had stolen Gem again.
With relief, he found her mind; Gem was perusing the shelves of medications in the upper maternity levels.
Why didn't I think of that? Of course, we'll need such things!
"They are getting baby supplies, up above." Loni showed Da in his head. Of course, though he hadn't seen them both, Loni assumed the women were together. "You find Lydia, get her out, and meet us at the ledge on the outside...by the crossing to the new village."
Da nodded understanding, and took off, ahead of Loni, up the ladder.
For a moment, Loni lingered.
Is there anything important we are leaving behind?
No. Not really. No need to return.
****
After filling her pack with expropriated contraband, Gem felt curious. She desired to see what the facility looked like; where the birthing women were kept, and...the other babies.
Where are the younger males raised?
For the first time, she noticed how the air was filled with a slight haze of smoke. From a nearby shelf, she grabbed up a surgical mask, and put it on, then stuffed a handful of the same masks into the front of the snuggly that now held her baby.
It wasn't long, and she found a room filled with cribs. Each one contained a sleeping boy child, not more than a year old. Her heart went out to these young ones, but she knew she couldn't save all of them.
Maybe...I could just take one of them...
But, she could never carry everything...and the room was
