Maddox interjected, “Isthis wise? I know the Featay extended basic kindness to you inexchange for the help you gave their child but the fact remains –they attacked our scouting party without cause.”
“They had cause.” Allthree of them looked up to see Finnegan standing in the doorway.“We set up camp in their ayptach field.It’s one of their most valuable crops, so they fired some warningshots to scare us off, that’s all.” Moira asked Decker, “Did Iforget anything?”
“Nope, that’s pretty muchthe whole story.” She turned to Lindstrom saying, “I shouldn’t begone long, sir. I’ll check in with you when I get back.”
Upon attempting to leavethe room she found her way blocked by Moira. “Can I go with you toget the sample of the paste?”
“Uhh…” She looked atLindstrom. “Any objections, Commander?”
“With Kennedy temporarilyout of action, you’re in charge of Tactical, Decker. I’ll leavethat up to you.”
Naiche really didn’t want acivilian tagging along but she didn’t have the heart to disappointthe eager girl, either. Figuring the worst that could happen wasthe Featay would refuse their request, she agreed and they headedfor the village together.
***
After Decker left his room,Con talked Aqila into staying for a while. She happily indulged himand stayed by his bedside chatting for an hour and playing a fewhands of holo-poker on their hand-held computers. She thenreluctantly kissed him good-bye since she needed to get back to herwork in the lab.
Con swiped to his messageson his hand-held and saw a recent communication from Deck.Wondering what fresh news she could have for him already, he foundthat she was off to the Featay village for a sample of that gunkthey’d rubbed on his leg. Kennedy dashed off a note of approval. Hehad a vague memory of the relief that medicine had afforded him andtherefore saw the worth in this mini-mission.
There was a knock at thedoor and Con said, “Come on in,” assuming it was his lunch tray. Hewas mildly surprised to see Abigale Maddox enter but assumed thecaptain was there to check on his condition – not an unexpectedoccurrence as he was a patient in her ship’s Med-bay.
At his behest, she took aseat and began by inquiring into his well-being. She seemed greatlyrelieved at his favorable reply. “My chief aim in visiting youtoday, was to offer my sincere apologies for the behavior of mycrew. Prince and Vania are much grieved that you were injured –they acknowledge that it was due to their negligence. They bothwished to offer their apologies in person, but I thought it best ifyou were not overwhelmed with visitors so early in yourrecovery.”
“Thank you, Captain, but Ihope you’ll understand if I’m not quite ready to say all isforgiven. Maybe when I’m back on my feet again.”
“I completely understand,but I will insist on telling you that both of my crew members areextremely ashamed of the situation they put you in. ParticularlyPrince, who recognizes now that he was most at fault.” Maddoxhesitated, and leaned forward slightly. Almost conspiratorially,she continued, “I’m afraid he’s not quite the man he wants to be –or even tries to be. It’s not entirely his fault; he was simplyunprepared for the realities of our situation. We did manysimulated missions in preparation but….” Maddox sighed and shookher head. “…apparently it was not enough.”
With a somewhat cynicalhuff of amusement, Kennedy nodded in understanding. “The firstcaptain I ever served under, Captain Pulaka, had a saying aboutthat. ‘Simulated battle training is great – as long as all you everrun into is a simulated enemy.’”
“A very astuteadage.”
Smiling at the distantmemory, he agreed, “She was a very astute woman.”
“I suppose I should havebeen a more astute woman in choosing my crew – but I cannot seethat my other available choices were much better.”
“Why is that?”
“Most of the people whothe Lignatians chose as fitted for this mission, were quite youngand inexperienced.” Maddox stared sadly at the distant wall, hergaze unfocused. After a moment she turned back to Kennedy. “Thetrip to New Earth was intended to be an uncomplicated journey sothey concentrated more on genetic fitness, rather than missionfitness, I’m afraid.”
“Genetic fitness aspertaining to having children?”
“Yes. I do understandtheir concern – to successfully colonize New Earth, a growingpopulation would have been a high priority.” She sighed wistfully.“It is well for you on the Lovelacethat having children is not a concern. Your crewcan focus purely on mission fitness.”
Kennedy sat up straightand threw his shoulders back. “Well, some of us do have children, you know. Ourship’s pilot, Tanja Petrović, recently had a daughter.”
Oblivious to themetaphorical wound she’d poked, Maddox asked, “Oh, this I did notknow. You have children on your ship?”
“No, we can’t bringchildren on missions….” Con couldn’t stop the strident note thatcrept into his tone as he continued, “But they can be left withfamily, or there’s a great childcare center at TheRock.”
Maddox stared at himuncertainly for a moment; finally, she smiled and nodded. “Yes, itsounds very much how we rear our children. I gave rise to two thatwere reared in a nursery-collective. I don’t know them that well,but they are fine people, I understand.”
With a touch ofunnecessary vehemence, Con insisted, “It’s nothing like that.”
“Perhaps not.” She stoodup and gave him a slightly forced smile. “I suppose I have much tolearn of the ways of Earth. I will let you get some rest,now.”
After she’d left, Kennedyran the conversation over in his mind and winced at his idiocy. Hepicked up his hand-held computer while wondering if he should laterissue an apology to Maddox or simply let her think hisirrationality had been due to the strong meds being infused intohis body.
***
It turned out that theFeatay healers were willing to give Decker a sample of the treebark, which was the main ingredient of the healing paste, calledleckma. Ekno had been about to harvest more since they’d depletedmost of their stock in treating Con; the humans were invited alongto observe the task. Decker expected them to head towards theforest but instead, they were led deeper into the valley. Along theway, Ekno pointed out the ruins of the city, Featah, where theFeatay had once lived shielded
