COVER BREATHING ORIFICE, he explained and turned back to the screen just as the view cleared to the `Dini bridge.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CAPTAIN PLR, MRG WITH BREATHING DIFFICULTIES, WATER AND AIR IMPURITIES, COLOUR POOR, OXYGEN ADMINISTERED, MOISTURE TO BODY PART. OThER REMEDY?
Thian had no time to be pleased that he got all the words out in the proper order and with good accent. He saw Dip’s nod of approval and then Dip ploughed over the screen. On seeing who was answering the call, it bowed first, exhibiting full poll eye to the senior `Dini in a mark of great respect before Dip added a few medical details to Thian’s statement.
GREAT URGENCY REQUIRES DIRE MEASURES, Dip told Thian after a brief exchange. MRG MUST BE IMMERSED IN WATER, ANY KIND, UNTIL MEDICAL CAN ARRIVE. THIAN CAN TRANSPORT? Dip’s tone slowed to one of query and entreaty.
ANY TIME ANY PLACE, DPL. REQUEST MEDICAL TO ENTeR A PERSONAL CAPSULE, INFORM ME WHEN READY AND I WILL TRANSPORT IMMEDIATELY.
Dip conveyed that message and bowed respectfully again as the screen cleared to the Vadim’s bridge.
`Well, did you straighten it all out, Mr Lyon?’ Captain Ashiant replied, a scowl still in place on his prominent brow. He was a big-chested man with a heavy neck, big features, and he was probably even more imposing in the flesh. Concern for Mur made Thian more reckless than diplomatic but too much was at stake.
`We need to immerse Mur in water, anywhere will do. It’s not a full grown `Dini, and it needs continued oxygen. A medical person is coming..
`It’ll take a day or two … ` the captain began.
`It’ll take a minute, Captain, once I have a pic of the `Dini hold, permission to use the Vadim’s generators for a `port to the same hold we arrived in…
`It’s that bad?’ Thian had been ready to use any lever required to cut through protocol to get the help Mur required so he was momentarily at a loss.
`Yes, sir, I’m sorry it is.’ `Sickbay’ll have a water bath for you. Come to the bridge as soon as you’ve settled your friend.
Kiely?’ and the bark was back in the captain’s tone.
`You lend all assistance necessary… and I’ll see you later, mister.’ Kiely gulped as the screen blanked.
`It wasn’t your fault, Kiely,’ Thian said. `I’ll explain.’ The relief in Kiely’s eyes was heartfelt. Thian bent to pick up Mur and carry it over his shoulder before he clasped Dip in the other arm.
`Now think of the sickbay for me, and join me there!’ Startled, Kiely once again flashed Thian the vision he needed and he `ported them directly into the examining room in the most dramatic fashion.
`You don’t waste time, do you?’ said the chief medical officer who immediately stepped forward.
`This way,’ and hurried the trio towards a cubicle.
A small bath was filling with water, the same off colour stuff.
Non-potable, Thian thought bitterly, but water.
MRG, CLOSE ALL ORIFICES, Thian told his friend as he gently lowered the pale, shaking `Dini into the tub while Dip did its best to keep the oxygen mask in place. `If there’s another mask, Dip will show you where to place it for best effect,’ he said to the doctor.
`Certainly,’ and a snap of his fingers produced a second breathing apparatus from a very attentive corpswoman. `I’ve never dealt with a `Dini patient before, Mr. .
`Lyon.. Thian supplied. `You don’t by any chance speak any `Dini ?` “Fraid not,’ and the physician was genuinely regretful.
Thian saw that the immersion was having some effect for Mur’s colour slightly improved.
`Well, Dip speaks Basic. I’ll leave it here. I’m getting a `Dini medic over.’ `But that’ll take . .
`Not very long, if you’ll show me where the bridge is.
The doctor inadvertently visualized the bridge in his public mind and Thian paused long enough to thank him before he transferred. There was no time for the usual protocol or procedures. `Dinis were rarely ill – especially on humanoid planets – so Mur’s unexpected malfunction was of major concern. It couldn’t be just the bad air and the inadvertent ingestion of even worse water. Mur must be physically imperfect. It would be like losing a hand, Thian thought, to lose Mur.