03 Solar Flare - Spark Series (25 page)

Azor’s communication with Xera had soon
included an exchange of email with her husband, Ryven. He was
beginning to like what he’d learned about the man, though he
suspected Brandy wouldn’t appreciate him right away. He was very
formal, cool…the way Azor had once been with her. He smiled, though
it couldn’t last, under the circumstances.

The Scorpio surgeon had examined Brandy’s
legs and shaken his head. They’d been removed before she’d
completely woken from hibernation. It was easier that way, both
emotionally for her, and physically. There was no need to sedate
her for the operation when she was already out of it. She’d
prepared for the possibility when she’d entered cold sleep.

He doubted it would make her awakening any
more pleasant.

He and Xera had a quiet truce while they
waited for Brandy to wake up, but now she looked at him curiously.
“I’m still not certain why she gave up her grudge against you. I
thought she’d hate you to the grave.”

He smiled wryly. “We called a ceasefire. More
than that, you’ll have to ask her.” He sobered, considering the
grudge she’d hold for losing her legs. He had a feeling it was
going to be rough. She’d know that it wasn’t their fault, that it
had been inevitable, but she had a history of extreme hostility
under duress. Feeling helpless brought out the worst in her.

Xera sighed. “I warned Ryven there might be
fireworks if my sister ever visited. He thought I was teasing him.”
She exchanged a look with Azor. “You’ve known her the most
recently. How bad do you think it’ll get?”

He considered the sleeping, peaceful face,
and frowned. “She’s not happy with your husband for stealing you
away.”

Xera crossed her arms. “I shouldn’t be
surprised. I should probably warn him.”

“I think he’ll figure it out,” a soft voice
croaked from the bed.

Azor glanced at Brandy sharply. Her eyes were
open. One brown, one blue, her eyes blinked and tried to focus. “It
seems like I just went to sleep.” She shifted and tried to sit up,
only to be gently pushed back down by Xera.

“Let me get you a drink first,” Xera said.
She took a glass of juice and hit the button to summon a nurse. The
doctor himself came in while Brandy was finishing it off.

Azor had longer to study the language, so he
understood the doctor’s greeting. In their own domain, doctors were
exempt from the custom that demanded superiors speak first. “How
are you feeling?” the doctor asked Brandy.

Brandy frowned at her sister for translating.
“I caught that,” she said in Scorpio. She studied the doctor for a
moment before comprehension dawned. She sent a swift glance down.
The sheets lay flat and smooth below her knees. With a moan, she
lay back and closed her eyes.

No one spoke as the doctor checked her
vitals. Once he was satisfied with the readings, he turned to Xera.
“You’ll be pleased to know that we’ve successfully removed all of
the infection. Her body is completely clear of the pathogen. It
will take a few days, of course, for the healing to progress enough
for us to install a temporary set of prosthetics. Once we’ve
fine-tuned the devices, we’ll be able to take the next step and
convert to some that have the look and feel of real limbs. Only a
surgeon and those who already know will be able to tell the
difference.”

He glanced at Brandy. “We will talk about it
when you are feeling better,” he told her. “If you have any
questions, just ask. I’m at your disposal.” He waited a moment,
then gracefully accepted her silence. “Ladies, sir,” he said
respectfully, then left them to their privacy.

Brandy stared at the ceiling, her face stiff
with fierce emotion. She saw a remote on the bed and reached for
it. “Which one is up?” she muttered, fiddling with it. She cursed
as her head started to go down and her legs, elevate. Then she
found the right button. Once she was upright, she looked around. “I
want to move out of here.”

Xera and Azor exchanged swift glances. He
spoke first, “Now?”

“That’s probably not a good….” Xera trailed
off as she examined the wild rage in Brandy’s eyes. “Um, I’ll check
with the doctor.”

“Get a chair,” Brandy bit off, her voice a
furious whisper. “I hate hospitals! Nothing but pain happens
here.”

Azor could see the edge of panic she was
veering toward. He weighed the consequences and told the doctor as
he came in, “It’s either a chair to ride out of here or something
to knock her out. It won’t be pretty if you sedate her.” His
expression said he was willing to take whatever route the doctor
deemed necessary. She was going to lash out no matter what they
did.

The doctor was a military veteran and had
seen his share of amputees. He knew the physiological problems
involved. His blood-red eyes were thoughtful as he considered her
request. “I’m willing to allow some movement…if she’s willing to
accept some medicine to calm the adrenaline.”

Despite her annoyance at Xera’s translating,
Brandy needed it, because she wasn’t following the conversation
well. Once she understood, her lips pulled back in a snarl. “No
more meds.”

The doctor shrugged. “Just the drug, then.
I’ll go get it.” He made to leave.

Brandy breathed heavily as he moved to the
door, then gritted out, “Fine! Get me a chair and I’ll take the
damned stuff! I want out.”

He inclined his head. In moments he was back
with a patch and a magnetic levitation chair. He stuck the patch on
her arm and lifted her into the chair himself. “There you go. Have
fun.”

He looked at the others. “Have her back in
twenty minutes. She’ll probably be tiring by then.” His warning
look implied he’d come looking for her himself if they didn’t.

Xera smiled gratefully at him. “Yes,
doctor.”

In spite of the drug, Brandy’s eyes remained
hard and cold as Xera pushed her out the door. Azor followed, more
for moral support than anything. Much as she might resent the world
right now, he knew that Brandy drew strength from them.

If anything, the curious, though respectful
glances of the crewmen increased the bleakness in Brandy’s eyes. If
they were home, he knew she would be doing something active to burn
through her emotions; riding her speed bike, perhaps. In lieu of
that, he was afraid she was going to self combust.

His fears proved well founded. In the next
few days she simmered with unspoken wrath. He stayed by her side,
sleeping in an adjoining cot, giving her silence when she needed
it. Only when the doctor brought her new prosthetics did she
finally look interested. Intense, in fact. She stared at the lower
legs like they were a weapon she loathed, but one she was
determined to master.

The doctor put them on an anti-gravity tray
next to her bed, close enough that she could pick them up and
examine them if she liked.

She didn’t touch them.

Unperturbed, he picked one up. Its housing
was black, with large, glowing blue panels along the calves and
over the arch of the foot. The overall effect was sleek and
stylish. The top was tapered like a pair of boots, designed to slip
over the stub below her knee and provide support. It also
eliminated the sharp, flat line that would have otherwise marked
the transition.

He explained, “We installed the necessary
interface when we performed the amputation, so there will be no
additional surgeries required. Although these legs will simulate
the sense of touch, you will be a little clumsy at first. Be
patient. We have a therapist who will assist you.” He considered
her. “We can attach these today, or you can take the time to think
about it—”

She growled. “Put ‘em on.”

He smiled slightly. “Of course.”

The actual procedure was relatively quick.
The legs would not come off without medical assistance and a
wrench. She nodded as he explained, intent on one thing—walking. As
soon as he’d finished with his instructions, she swung her legs
over the bed.

Azor and the doctor each grabbed an arm.

She stood up, looking down at her feet. After
a moment, she said, “It doesn’t hurt.”

“Good,” the doctor said.

“I was kind of used to it,” she said,
grudgingly.

Azor rolled his eyes. What a thing to be used
to.

The first steps were awkward. “It’s weird. I
can feel them, but it’s different than I’m used to,” she said,
concentrating. “I’m going to need a few hours of practice.”

“Not all at once,” the doctor warned. “It’s
unwise to fatigue yourself.”

She ignored him.

Xera, who’d been banished from the room
yesterday for provoking Brandy’s temper—an easy thing to do these
days, looked around the doorway. She smiled broadly at her sister’s
progress, but wisely kept her mouth shut. Ryven stood at her side,
looking interested in the proceedings. He had formally introduced
himself before, of course, but the meeting had been stiff and
hostile—on Brandy’s part, at least. He’s wisely stayed away until
now.

Brandy looked up and saw Xera. “Come and get
the other arm. We’ll go for a walk.” Ryven she ignored.

The doctor surrendered his arm with
instructions to, “Take it easy. Fifteen minutes this first time.
You may go again in a few hours.”

Brandy scowled at him. “I’ve been walking my
whole life. Fifteen minutes is—”

“Sufficient, for now.”

Azor and Xera ignored the growling noise she
made and escorted her out of the room, compensating for her
wobbling. She concentrated fiercely on placing her feet just so. In
spite of her protests, she did fatigue quickly. She was putting a
measure of her weight on her arms, and the unfamiliar tension was
draining. She didn’t protest too badly when they returned her to
her room.

She lay back on the bed, breathing hard.
“We’ll do it again in an hour.”

“Two hours,” the doctor interjected,
inspecting her legs. “Fifteen minutes.”

Brandy opened her mouth, her expression a
warning that whatever she had to say wouldn’t be pleasant.

Xera cut her off. “Sounds good. I’ll be back
in two hours, then. As a matter of fact, I’d love to bring the kids
by to see you. They haven’t met their aunt yet.”

Brandy frowned, blinking as she digested
that. She looked disturbed. “I…I’d like that.” She bit her lip.
“Has Gem written yet?”

Xera’s smile broadened as she stepped farther
into the room. “She did. She’s doing good, going a little batty
because Blue won’t let her go back to work. I’ll forward her emails
here, if you like.” She glanced at the electronic tablet beside the
bed.

Brandy sat back, more relaxed than she’d been
in days. “Yes. See you soon.”

Azor walked Xera out. Once the door was
closed, he smiled broadly. “That is much better.”

Xera nodded, relieved. “At least now she has
something she can do to take her mind off it.”

“As long as she doesn’t overexert,” the
doctor cautioned. “I see no reason why you can’t take her to the
private quarters you’ve prepared for her. We’ll want to see her
back here daily, though. She is still in recovery.”

Xera smiled. “She’ll be glad to move, I’m
sure. She’s not fond of hospitals. Thank you for putting up with
her temper.”

The doctor looked thoughtful. “I’m actually
pleased with her recovery. The angry ones do much better than the
melancholy. She’ll do well, I have no doubt.”

Xera smiled brightly at him. “We’ll see to
it.”

Thanks to his remarkable physiology, the
Hatir retained a sluggish awareness even in cold sleep. He knew his
cover was blown. It had been foolish for him go hunting on that
space station; Azor was not a stupid man.

Very well. He could probably expect armed
guards when he woke—it was what he would do. He smiled. There were
ways around guards, and sensors.

He would enjoy this hunt.

Brandy had asked Azor to fetch the gifts
she’d brought from home. Since she was not inclined to meet her
nieces lying down, she fiddled with the bed controls until the top
had risen like a recliner and the bottom had shifted down a little
below the knee. She had arranged the pillows to support her arms,
so that she could be comfortable holding the baby.

Assuming the baby was comfortable being held,
of course. Xera didn’t have clingy children, did she? Some kids
refused to leave their mother. She hoped they weren’t shy of
strangers.

Xera soon came in. She held her infant son,
and her husband Ryven had Xera’s daughter by the hand.

“Hello,” Brandy said, directing her attention
to the little girl first. The baby would not get jealous if he were
ignored for a moment. “I’m Brandy, your aunt.”

The little girl nodded solemnly. “I know. I’m
Hai-ami,” she said in her little girl voice. She didn’t look shy,
just curious. She had Xera’s black hair and her father’s curious
eyes; orange, rimmed in red. They looked like little candle
flames.

“Well, aren’t you a sweet sight? You look
just like your mother.” She shot a sardonic look at Ryven for
giving her his eyes, but it was softened by the glimmer of tears.
This was Xera’s child, and it felt good to finally meet her. “You
have no idea how much your aunt Gem would love to be here now.”

The child looked back gravely. “You don’t
look sick.”

Brandy’s mouth quirked at Xera hushed her. So
that’s what they’d told her. “Xera, she’s going to get a crick in
her neck from looking up here. Put her up by me and let me answer
her question.”

Xera sent her a look for interrupting her
parenting, but lifted her daughter to the bed. Ami looked at her
doubtfully, so Brandy settled back, relaxed and unthreatening. “You
have a fair question there, Ami. See, I wasn’t so much sick as
grumpy.” She pointed down. “They chopped off my legs.”

The little girl looked down, aghast. “That
was mean!”

Brandy laughed a little. She could see Ryven
stiffen out of the corner of her eye. Maybe he thought he should
snatch away his daughter before Brandy ruined her innocence. This
was the way she’d been raised, though. Their father had always been
frank with them. “Not really, though I don’t like it. My legs
were…sick. The doctors couldn’t fix what was broken.”