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CALLI CRIED OUT, kicking her legs, restlessly moving against her fathers. Orion rocked her, trying to soothe her, but she only cried more. Kara swallowed back tears; no one should suffer like this family was. She sent a speaking look at Tarsk as she tipped her head towards Calli. Tarsk stood up and touched Orion’s shoulder, then flicked his finger at Calli.
“Let me hold her again,” Tarsk said, his voice soft.
“Orion knows what he’s doing,” Zeph snapped, glaring at Tarsk.
“I can see that, but I can purr. You saw what that did before.” He held his hands out again, and Orion hesitantly placed the fretful toddler into his arms, smoothing down her hair and placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
Tarsk settled back on his stool and cradled the child close to his chest. His purr vibrated and increased in sound and Calli nestled into him, one little hand grasping onto the fur on this arm. Tarsk brushed his other paw over her in a gentle stroking sweep, his eyes serious and focused.
Kara knew that look all too well. She’d been on the receiving end of it innumerable times, whether she’d wanted to be or not, since he’d levelled it at her when her augmentations needed fixing. She looked at Calli snuggled into his arms. If Tarsk could fix her, with all the changes and conflicts to her internal organs, and just about every other part of her, then helping Calli should be straightforward. Tarsk wouldn’t say anything without Isra’s permission, though. Secrecy had become second nature to them both since joining the Elites.
Kara flicked her gaze to Isra, giving her a level stare, before cutting her eyes back to Tarsk and Calli. With their eyes, a minuscule twitch of an eyebrow, the tilt of a head, and a speaking look at Zeph and Orion, they conveyed their thoughts. Isra was not too happy about it, but Kara knew she could see the value in helping Calli; it would get Zeph on their side. One less person being antagonistic could make all the difference in keeping Isra safe.
Arlen and Daku had been quietly talking, the words washing around her, even if they hadn’t said anything of much import. Tarsk remained mute, as he continued to purr under Zeph’s critical watch.
Kara tapped one finger on the table, and Tarsk flicked his attention to her. She gave him a slight nod, encompassing Calli and him. Tarsk immediately sought confirmation from Isra, who gave him the same nod. His purring increased and Kara picked up the happy note underlying it.
“Zeph,” Kara broke into the conversation. He blinked and looked at her. “What you said before about your medical facilities, was that an exaggeration, or true?” She cocked her head to the side, waiting.
Zeph frowned, shooting a narrowed eye glare at her. “We don’t live in the dark ages, no matter what you Imperials named our section of space.”
Beside her, Arlen coughed pointedly, and Zeph sighed, his jaw clenching.
“Our equipment is damn good,” Zeph said, still glaring at her.
Calli squirmed and wailed before Tarsk soothed her again. Zeph started and looked at his daughter in anguish.
“Why do you care?” he mumbled, his eyes remaining on Calli.
“Because Tarsk is a highly skilled surgeon.” Kara clasped her hands in front of her. “In fact, he’s actually worked in Queen’s Central, and only the best work there.”
Zeph and Orion both stopped breathing as they stared at her. Then their breaths whooshed out noisily as they snapped their attention to Tarsk, where he still held Calli, purring away. Desperate hope flared to life across their faces.
“You had better not be joking about this.” Orion rose, his face hard. Zeph snagged his hand and held it tight, but his eyes were equally hard and intent.
Tarsk inclined his head and the purr faded. “Kara is quite correct. If you are willing, I can see what I can do for Calli.” He looked down at her, brushing his paw along her cheek. “No child should suffer for the mistakes of generations before. As long as you have the right supplies, I will be able to help her.” He quirked his lips. “Actually, even if you don’t, I’m quite good at improvising.”
Orion collapsed back on the stool, the fight leaving him. He and Zeph sat there, clutching each other, still afraid to believe, but Kara could see the hope slipping through.
“You can really heal Calli?” Arlen demanded.
“Tsk, I will need to see her medical records and do a complete workup, and a few exploratory investigations, but I don’t see any major reason why I wouldn’t be able to help her.” He gently rocked Calli.
“How can you be so sure?” Arlen probed and Zeph and Orion hung on the question.
“I have successfully dealt with preemie cases before, some more severe, others less so. Even if there is an underlying problem, I can work with that. I know how to save those that others would give up on.” He turned to Zeph and Orion. “I promise you I will do my utmost to help her.”
Orion leapt up. “I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Isra cleared her throat and everyone turned to her in slight surprise, as she had been sitting there in silence, largely ignored. “I know you are eager to have Tarsk start straight away. I would be in your place too, but we have been travelling and under strain for days.” She turned a concerned look on Tarsk and Calli. “I would think it best if Tarsk rested first. Don’t you think so?” She turned to Zeph and Orion for confirmation.
Kara suppressed a smile. How easily Isra controlled the situation and turned it in the direction she wanted it to go. For giving Tarsk time also meant they could collaborate and make sure their stories remained consistent.
Zeph looked torn, but Orion placed a hand on his back, and finally, he nodded. “Alright. In the morning then,” he said. “I’ll get you a copy of her medical file tonight.” He reached out to take Calli, but paused as Maktin, the Ghelpen guard from the hangar bay, strode towards them.
Arlen stood up and met him halfway, their heads bent together, whispering. Kara tipped her head, but a quick warning touch from Daku had her turning back to the table. Zeph had been watching her, but his expression eased as she went back to eating.
Yet she monitored Arlen.
Her brother crossed his arms and shook his head once with a quick look shot their way. Maktin muttered something to him and clicked his scales, the yellow hues shimmering. The urge to listen to their conversation ate at her, yet Zeph’s hard eyes watched her. Arlen tapped his foot, then scrapped his hand back through his hair before dropping his arms to his side.
She shifted, easing her fork back on to her plate. Her gaze dropped to her meal, her shoulders hunched. Daku wrapped his arm around her, brushing his lips over her short hair.
“You okay?” he murmured.
Kara reached down and squeezed his hand where it rested on her waist.
Arlen held up his hand, silencing Maktin, before turning back to their group.
“Zeph, we’ve got to go,” Arlen called to him.
“I’ve got Calli to look after,” Zeph said.
Arlen pressed his fingers to his brow and held them there for a second. “I know, but he wants to see us. Now.”
Zeph sighed and picked up the sleeping Calli, kissing her on the cheek. “Tomorrow, poppet, you’re going to feel better. I promise you.” He gave Tarsk a hard stare, daring him to disagree. Threatening him if he should fail.
Tarsk inclined his head, remaining calm.
Orion took Calli, and Zeph stalked over to Arlen and Maktin. The trio quickly departed, with Zeph shooting them a last hard stare.
Kara had a feeling their time on this Free Peoples Coalition mothership wasn’t going to get any easier. Who this ‘he’ that had Arlen and Zeph running?