Chapter 2
***Nancy***
On the way to the transport station, Nancy's wrist communicator buzzed. Without missing a stride, she commanded, "Communicator on." Then she answered, "This is Nancy. How may I helpyou?"
A man's voice came from the communicator and made her smile, "Hey, girl; it's Rick. I'm guessing you won't be in the office today. I think we're going to close it for a couple of days and go volunteer at the recovery center. I bet that's where you're going to be too. It's looking really bad, isn'tit?"
Nancy replied, "It's getting worse by the day. I think it's a great idea to close the office. I doubt too many people will care about suing for human rights during this mess anyway. I'll see you at the center. I'm stepping up to the transport platform now. It will get me there in less than fiveminutes."
Rick stated, "I really love alien technology. The new transport cuts travel time down by two thirds. It's amazing. I bet the walk from your house to the station takes longer than the trip into thecity."
"You would be right about that, but I don't mind. It's sunny despite the slight chill in the air. The walk gives me time to get my head straight and prepare myself for the traumatic scene I'll find at the recovery center. Lord knows you can't think when you're zipping through the streets on a transport. See you on the other side." Nancy turned the communicator off and stepped aboard the transport. Its doors shut, and the scenery became an instant blur. She barely had time to acclimate to the forward thrust before it came to a sudden stop indowntown.
Thankfully, the center was several streets north of the raided lab. Nancy didn't have to fight her way past the rioters. Rick and the other office employees were waiting by the entrance to receive their volunteer assignments. They waved her over to join them. She could see medical transports already sitting at the back door. Though the aliens with life-threatening issues had already been taken to local hospitals, some of the ones that were being processed might need medical attention as well. If so, the transports wereready.
Rick was assigned to the showers. He would oversee passing out towels, soaps, and clean clothing. The others were sent to sort out the nutrition for each species. Nancy was given the registration desk. She would be checking the aliens in, processing their paperwork, and deciding exactly what kind of help they needed. Did they need a place to stay, medical help, a job, or did they just want to be sent back to theirplanet?
The first alien to come to her desk was a Voltuni female. Like all Voltuni women, her sexy curves were a sight to behold. This one was stunning and didn't look sick at all. It surprised Nancy. She had expected to see her drained of energy, as the one on the news had been. The confusion must have shown on her face, for the woman instantly explained, "I was given an electrical infusion during transport, otherwise I would be dead. I am due for another one very soon. I cannot stay here very long. My energy is drainingquickly."
Nancy replied, "I won't keep you long. I understand the issue. These floors are concrete and won't help you retain your charge for long. I need your nameplease."
"I am Vera. I was in the lab for three years. My brain has been tampered with. I cannot absorb enough electrical energy to stay charged more than two hours at a time. I need to go back to my planet so that I have a constant supply. Can you helpme?"
"I show that a Voltuni spaceship will be in the area in two days," Nancy answered. "I will send a distress signal to them and have them pick you up. In the meantime, you will be given a room to live in and provided with a portable charging station. Here is a tag with your registration number on it. Show it to a volunteer at the food station, and they will give you anything you ask for." She pushed a button on her communicator and told the voice on the other end, "I need someone to show Vera to room 307 and make sure she has a portable chargingstation."
The Arkani contingent came as a group. Although their normal appearance was pale, thin, and veiny, they looked even worse. Their skin was gray instead of flesh-toned, and they were emaciated rather than thin. She recognized them from the news. They were the ones who had aided the giant Milisarian Knight. She felt honored to meet such fine individuals. Jumping out of her own chair, she dragged over enough seats for all of them. They gratefully collapsed into them. "How long were you imprisoned in the lab?" sheasked.
Sad eyes looked into hers and replied, "I have been there for seven years, but the others only five. We were used to cure others’ illnesses. Our healing blood is almost depleted. We can recover, but need much rest and nutrition. We wish to help refugees from Arkani, who are now integrated into yourworld."
Their selfless attitude took Nancy's breath away. "Do you need to go to a medical center forhealing?"
Four heads shook in unison. "There is nothing a doctor can do that our bodies will not do on their own. Give us nutrition and a place to rest. We will slowly replenish our blood supply. Then we can help others, if your world will allowit."
Nancy had to give each of the courageous and generous Arkanis a big hug. They returned them with enthusiasm. She made sure they were given rooms close together and had nutrition paste straight from their planet, instead of the synthetic version from Earth. These little heroes deserved thebest.
The Reptilarians broke her heart. They were covered in scars and cuts that were unhealed and becoming infected. It made her sick to imagine how they had gotten that way. Their normally tan scales had a yellow cast to them. It meant they had not gotten enough sunlight for a very long time. When asked how she could help them, they begged for sunlight and water. She replied, "I'm sending you to a very special medical center. It was built by your own species and has sand pits where you can bask in the sun or hide in the depths. Your wounds will be treated, and you'll receive ample hydration. You will be cared for by your own people. After you are better, you can choose to stay on Earth or return toReptilaria."
The mighty Milisarian Knight came last. He stood tall with the help of thick, treelike crutches. Nancy didn't see a chair large enough to accommodate his size. She apologized, “It appears we are lacking in seating arrangements for a strong knight. I need to see that the situation is remedied for future use. I hate to think that there will be a need, but as things stand, it isn't looking good. I'll try to keep this short, so you can go laydown."
"You chatter a lot. It reminds me of our human queen. Do not worry, for I am trained to endure pain and can stand here as long as you need me to,” the knight repliedtersely.
Nancy's eyebrows rose at his tone. She asked, "How long ago were you captured? You mentioned the human queen. I guess that means you've metDestiney?"
"It is Queen Destiney. Though human, she must be honored by her status. I was taken only a month ago. My leg was already broken at that time. It has not been treated and is growing together the wrong way." He took a deep breath and said, "It must be broken once more and aligned correctly. I would have set it myself, but they kept me sedated too long. May I send a message to our commander, Nabvan? He will send a transport forme."
"Lucky for you, my sister is married to Nabvan. I need to get in touch with her anyway, so I can tell them you're in need of a ride home. First, we have to deal with your leg." When he started to protest, she added, "I'm sure you would like to continue to be a knight. If the leg isn't handled quickly and with the best of care, you won't be able tofight."
The large, handsome man nodded his consent and asked, "Is it true? You are the sister ofAlexis?"
"Unfortunately, yes, I am," Nancyanswered.
He frowned and said, "I do not understand. I would consider it to be quitefortunate."
"I'm sure you would," she retorted. "Don't let my testy attitude bother you. It's not your problem. I'm sending you to the hospital where your leg can be fixed. I promise to notify your commander. Go to the man with the red armband and give him these papers. Goodluck."
Mentally and emotionally exhausted, Nancy took a break. Her snacks tasted like dirt in her mouth. The injuries she had seen and the atrocities the aliens had endured left her unable to enjoy her food or the beautiful day. As much as she hated to do it, she needed to reach out to Alexis for help. The Milisarians had dealt with this mess once before, and Alexis had friends in high places here on Earth. The government would listen to her and hopefully give the matter a much higherpriority.
With a long sigh, she turned on her communicator and commanded, "Give me a satellite feed to Milisaria." It replied, "The connection will take an hour. A tone will sound when it is made." An hour wasn't that long to wait. It used to take days to send messages back and forth to Milisaria. Now, with these new communicators, they only needed an hour to set up a connection, then it was the same as speaking face to face. With an hour to let go of her hostility towards Alexis, she decided to go for a walk in the freshair.
