The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2, Elizabeth Price [crime books to read .TXT] 📗

over the woman's wound. She gently examined it, making certain it was an injury she could heal.

“Well, Captain Cembre, that's a nasty wound. I'll fix it for you and you can check on your crew yourself,” Sedom offered. The woman nodded, not caring how Sedom healed her as long as the metal was out of her shoulder.

With tender fingers, Sedom moved the skin and muscle away from the metal. The woman screamed out, holding onto Sedom's shoulder. Sedom eased the shard from her shoulder, then promptly covered it with her hands to keep it from bleeding out. A burst of energy flowed through Sedom's hands, healing the wound.

Zion watched Sedom from across the room, his eyes growing wide with panic. “Sortec!” he called, rushing to Sedom as her knees buckled. She collapsed into Zion's arms.

Sedom grabbed hold of Zion's arm, steadying her wobbling legs. “I'm okay,” she groaned.

Sallris Cembre felt to her arm, amazed that Sedom had healed her. She promptly helped Zion hold Sedom upright. “Chadon Sortec, I presume?” she asked. Sedom nodded. “You probably shouldn’t have done that, but thank you.”

“Go… go tend to your crew,” Sedom squeaked.

“Is she going to be alright?” Sallris asked Zion. He nodded, motioning for her to leave.

“Damn reckless girl. You can't jeopardize your life like that. We need a strong leader!” he reprimanded in his native language. He tapped a com control on his wrist that resembled a wrist-watch. “Danstu, I need your help down here. Sortec is about to pass out.”

Sedom blinked, looking at the wrist com. “Those are new.”

“Thank Danstu for not listening to you about the tech warehouse,” Zion said, his voice fading with her eyesight.

Some time later she woke on her sofa back in her own quarters. From her point of view, she could see Danstu's shadow as he worked at the dining table. Slowly she sat up, cupping her aching head. It was a simple fix, something she practiced many times. Why did it cause her to lose so much energy?

Garric rounded the corner, a cup of tea in hand. “She's awake,” he announced to Danstu. He continued to Sedom's side, handing her the cup of tea. “How are you feeling? You were out for quite a while.”

“I’d ask the same. When were you released?” she asked.

“Just before we attacked. Danstu,” he called.

Sedom took the tea. “I'm not sure what happened. It was a simple arm wound. I’ve healed plenty of them in the past.”

“From a Dellimex,” Danstu spoke up from the doorway. “Captain Cembre is a Windrit color. She drained your power without meaning to. She was quite concerned for your welfare.”

“But... she's Clove, no?” Sedom asked, even more confused.

Garric patted Sedom's shoulder. “We don't discriminate with our slaves. Her father was Clove, mother a blue Windrit. She’s quite a known rebel to the Marisheio. She’s been wanted for years.”

Sedom sipped her tea, nodding. “Wow, a celebrity. I should be honored she knocked me on my rear. So where are we now?”

“In Gathow,” Garric said. Sedom shoved him back playfully.

Danstu grinned at Garric's remark. “The Dormin arrived with extra medical staff. We took over ninety prisoners and rescued eighteen-hundred plus, including the crew and the cargo of the Almon. I'm not sure what you want to do with them all. We're waiting for your orders.”

Sedom felt to her aching forehead. “Um… what are your thoughts?” she asked Danstu, her mind too fuzzy to think straight.

Danstu handed Sedom a computer pad. Her eyes read over the blurring words and she nodded. “Looks good. I'll let you handle the preparations. And when this is all over, our priority is now to hire more medical staff,” she mentioned. Danstu agreed, then left. Sedom sat back on the sofa, sighing deeply. “I'm not sure whose running the Tasgool, me or Danstu?”

“As I see it, he is. But it doesn't matter as long as you’re getting results,” Garric said. “I have to admit, that boy is amazing. If the Marisheio had employed him, Gathow would have been found long ago and there would be no war.”

“A little too amazing,” Sedom spoke in a distant whisper. “I’m still not convinced he’s not a spy,” she admitted to Garric.

“A spy?” Garric laughed. “Even my people aren’t that good.” A frown appeared on Garric’s lips as he turned to the com station. He disappeared into the other room to investigate. “Sortec, com.”

She pulled herself off the sofa and practically crawled to her com station. Jasper was waiting for her to respond. “Sedom!”

She melted back in her seat. “Ah, not now, I have a headache,” she grumbled.

“Is everyone okay in Gathow?” Jasper asked.

Sedom nodded. “As far as I know. I had a run-in with… what was she called again?” she asked Garric, who was busying himself straightening up.

“Dellimex,” Garric answered.

“A Dellimex. I healed her shoulder and she sapped all my energy. I've just been briefed. Your people are here.” She felt to her woozy head. “Seriously, a Dellimex?” she asked Garric.

Jasper nodded several times, a meager grin on his thick lips. “Good… very good. The galaxy's abuzz over what you did. You’ve made a name for yourself today. Congratulations,” he said.

Sedom closed her eyes, relieved that their first real mission went well. “And so it begins. I’ll celebrate when I know for certain that the Marisheio have given up all hope of building a base here. Until then, I’ll be waiting.”

Garric peeked into the room, handing Sedom a wrist com in such a way that the Braum wouldn’t see him. “You’re being summoned,” he explained.

Sedom held up the com. “Busy, busy. I’ll call back later. Thanks again,” she said then ended their link. She examined the communicator, unsure how to use it. Garric pointed to a small button on the side. “Sortec,” she spoke into the com.

“This is