ShakenandStirred by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page A

safety and she retrieved and heated ration packs for all three of them.
    Nuris carried the water pouches and food and they made their way back to the warden's office without incident.
    Vortex consumed the food with focussed intensity and she realized it had been several hours since they had eaten. Shake had simply forgotten that her body was hungry. It was a bad habit that she thought she had shaken.
    She continued a quiet conversation with Nuris until a chirp on the com warned them that another ship was en route.
    Their relief was here and now they could go home. Teklan waited.

    Chapter Ten
    Vortex gave her flight lessons on the way home. They used the proper jump corridors and it took them a little longer, but she took the controls for at least half of the time.
    "I heard what you told him. You knew you couldn't leave without me and yet you left the safety of the shuttle." His non sequitur made her blink.
    She thought about her answer for a moment. "Yes. Yes, I did. It wasn't a choice. It was a conscious decision. You weren't safe and he would have killed you if there were no reason to keep you alive. The fact that it was the truth just helped him believe it."
    He opened and closed his mouth, so she leaned over, flicked the com and sent the landing request to the surface of Teklan.
    "You have no idea how relieved we are that you are back alive, Shake. Reset is standing by to treat the wounds that an Officer Nuris reported."
    "Great. We will head straight to medical. Is Might back yet?"
    "No. He had some organizational work to do. He is returning tomorrow. Welcome home." The com officer had a smile in his voice.
    "Thank you." She disconnected the call and listened to Vortex's low tones as she brought them in for a landing.
    A ground crew and a pale woman in a Guardsman uniform was waiting for them when Shake brought them to a halt.
    "You can open your eyes now, we are home. Vortex?"
    He was grey. His body slumped to one side. She shook him and when he didn't respond, she ran to the hatch and swung it open. "Is one of you medical?"
    The woman nodded, her navy hair swinging around her. "I am Reset. How badly are you injured?"
    "It isn't me, it's Vortex. He isn't moving and his colour is bad."
    Reset came in without another word. She was at Vortex's side and laying hands on him in an instant. "Aw hells. Help me get him out of here."
    Reset took his torso and Shake took his legs as they moved him to the exit. He was heavier than he looked.
    "Mist! Get your ass over here!" Reset hollered and a cloud shot out of the base and came toward them.
    The cloud wrapped around Vortex and lifted him from their grip, straightening him and gliding him at full speed to the interior of the base.
    "Shake, pleased to meet you. Come with me. I am going to need your help with him." Reset started to jog after her patient and gathering her strength, Shake followed.
    The cloud deposited Vortex on a medical bed and Reset shooed him out. "We have to strip him and I need to cauterize those wounds. The Oshanic are far more susceptible to infection than standard races. If he wasn't altered for water breathing, I would be able to give him direct healing, but he is, so I can't."
    Shake followed Reset's lead and helped her shuck the suit off him. The wounds were swollen and angry. His skin burned to the touch.
    "I may have to tank him, but we have to drain and seal these wounds first. If you assist me, I will be able to get this done a lot faster."
    Mute, Shake nodded and took the instrument that Reset handed to her.
    "Now, when I lance the wound, you sluice it out. His body will absorb most of the fluid so don't be shy. You are hooked to a ten-gallon pump." Reset took a short breath and sliced open the first of four wounds on his ribs.
    Shake mechanized her motions, ignoring his whimpers and moans as each slice exposed muscle and bone. She had to do it, so she did it.
    She was shaking with fatigue by the time he was cleansed and Mist returned to lift him