I know, George muttered.
Thank you, Holly answered, but what happens now.
We report back and say we hit you. You must destroy your suit, though, Jaddig so the radio stops transmitting. Also, you must get off this road. There is a village about fifteen minutes ahead with military police waiting. That was another reason we had to stop you.
I see, Holly replied. Have you any suggestions?
About two wedden back is a local side road. It services some ranches but leads across to the next highway. From there, you're on your own, I'm afraid. Bikut turned to George. You are thorough. I notice the military marks painted out. That's good. We almost missed you. It was only when we saw your hair, Holly, we knew this was the combo we were after.
Is it safe to continue using this vehicle? George snapped.
Probably, Bikut replied. Many ranchers use them. Perhaps later you could paint it red or blue. The locals tend to use these colors. She turned to Jaddig and reached out her arms. I must return. Ognje, my friend flying up there, will be worried and we can't be late reporting back to base. Make sure you get your wounds seen to.
Thank you, Jaddig whispered. With all my heart I thank you.
That is from us all, Holly added. Her blue eyes smiled into the opposite yellow ones.
I have never been near a human before, Bikut replied in a soft voice. Our help was for Jaddig and not yourselves. Her reputation is spreading throughout our land and the Blue Watch is recruiting more members because of her bravery. We have our own struggle but one day perhaps our two species can be friends. Take care Generation 7 Leader Holly Jurjevics. You and your mother are also highly respected by the Blue Watch. Perhaps we will meet again some day.
Her wings unfolded and she rose vertically, smiled once and disappeared above the trees. There was a brief glimpse of the other winged female joining her and the pair was gone.
Right, we now need to get some treatment for your burns, Young lady, George snapped. He turned to Graham. The boss left that suit over by the trees. I want it destroyed, Bowman?
Right away, Sarge. Graham grinned at Holly's nod and walked away.
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Chapter Seven
Jaddig never mentioned the extent of her injuries but it soon became obvious that her two left arms and torso were burnt. As well, her wings were torn with the scaly tissue curling up. The victim screwed her eyes shut and set her lips in a thin line as she diverted her mind to cut off pain signals. This helped but did not cure anything.
It is beyond us, Suzi confirmed a few minutes later. Jaddig cannot suppress the pain for ever. We can give her a morphine injection but I am hesitant about undoing her body suit. If we pulled a layer of burnt skin off with the material, shock could set in.
I'll be all right, muttered Jaddig. There is nowhere to go. You must head across that country road Bikut mentioned.
Yes there is, muttered George. That highway the side road leads into must continue to a bigger center that has a hospital.
There is a small city called Hyfra about sixty kilometers away but we can't risk it, Jaddig protested. I'm okay. There could be a few scars maybe but, what the hell!
Speaks English well and lies like a trooper, Graham commented.
We vote, Holly said with that air of stubborn authority. Either we stay on back roads or take the highway and find a hospital.
The vote was four to find a hospital to Jaddig's one. The crucnon stared at everyone with tears in her eyes. You can't, she sobbed. There's too much to lose.
We have voted, Holly replied. If the vote had gone the other way, you would not have objected. She gave a smile. It's called democracy, Jaddig, something the Blue Watch wants. In a democracy, you are sometimes be on the losing side.
And if we plan our moves, we'll be fine, George insisted.
Hyfra was a rural service city built beside a small river that meandered through a broad valley. It was mid afternoon when Charlie, with the fake lumber back in place so the interior couldn't be seen, was driven down the one main street. As well, mud had been plastered over the front windows to hinder any view of the interior.
George was holding a blanket around a shivering Jaddig at the back while Suzi sat pinch lipped in the third body suit. Fake arms had been made into a permanent fold across her waist and a bandage covered her human nose and eyebrows. A helmet hid her hair. Holly was driving the combo and Graham sat beside her gazing at a map Jaddig had sketched of the town.
The emergency hospital sign looks like three intersecting triangles and the word is grutnaut , he said, It will be painted green.
They were stopped in a line of traffic at an intersection. A light in front shone a bright yellow triangle. Suddenly, without warning, the black sides of the yellow slipped up so the shape became a rectangle.
Go, hissed Graham but Holly was ready and Charlie moved forward. Middle lane. I see a green sign pointing right... That's it. Watch out there's another stop signal.
Holly was perspiring but, so far, all had gone well. Except for being bigger, the road and buildings around could have easily been in New Seattle. She changed gears and passed another intersection until another green sign appeared. There was a left turn, easier because it was on her side of the road and another two blocks of travelling before a large three story building appeared set back from the road in trim lawns and a garden of red and blue flowers. Grutnaut Hyfra Nkypg a massive sign stated.
It says Hyfra Women's Hospital, Suzi translated
The emergency entrance sign looks like a hexagon, Graham explained. That seems to be their main emergency or danger symbol. There it is, he gasped and pointed to where the road divided into two.
Right, Holly replied and pulled in beside another combo parked by an opened door. She turned to Suzi, It's up to you now. Best of luck.
George squeezed Suzi's hand and held the back door open so she could help Jaddig out. After a brief thanks the crucnon grabbed an overnight bag and stepped out.
They've gone. You'd better find a parking lot, George whispered as he clicked the door shut. We're too conspicuous here.
Holly nodded, reversed around and made her way up the other driveway to a half-filled parking lot. Now was the worse part. The waiting!
The hospital interior was unexpected. A cream corridor with a hexagonal shaped ceiling disappeared around a corner twenty meters away and that was it! There was no entrance foyer, counter seats or even signs.
You go, gasped Jaddig who could barely stand and screwed her eyes up. Don't risk being recognized. She bit on her lip in a failed attempt to suppress the pain.
No, Suzi retorted. I'll stay until I find out what we have to do.
She stared around, they were at the hospital but, in the haste, the humans had not really thought beyond the fact. If Jaddig had to spend a long time in care, what should they do? She could not just be abandoned and left... Thoughts ran through the scientist's mind. Come on, she whispered and placed an arm around her friend.
Jaddig grinned, reached out for Suzi's fake arm and pulled it out so it appeared two arms were holding her. Don't worry, she grimaced. You look a perfect crucnon.
The pair walked forward up the silent corridor to a forty-five degree corner and followed it around. At the other end of this section, a wingless female clicker dressed in a green uniform stood staring at them. Suzi stopped and gulped. This was it!
Not another one! snapped the clicker and glared at Suzi. And what happened to you, Miss?
Suzi frowned and remembered the bandages to hide her human face. There was a car accident, she muttered in her accentless Vybber. I got cut up a bit.
More like another coming out party, snorted the female clicker. You young ones never learn. She glared at Jaddig and shrugged. It isn't right. The military have a lot to answer for.
Jaddig stared across at Suzi and shrugged. Neither of them had any idea what the angry crucnon was going on about.
Well, get along to the winged female ward, the nurs
e, or whatever she was, continued. Second ward to the left. She fixed Suzi with another gaze. Got a hangover, too, Miss? she said in a slightly more reconciliatory tone.
Me...err not really, Suzi muttered.
Fair enough, the clicker retorted. I wondered about the dark glasses. She smiled for the first time. I guess I was young once. Some coming out party, aye?
They followed the nurse along until they came to a door that slid aside as they approached.
The scene inside was a complete contrast to the empty corridor. The ward was filled with about thirty iron beds and a clicker just like Jaddig occupied almost every one. They were all young winged females and some were screaming, others moaning in agony while others again just sobbed. The loudest noise came from a curtained off bed where a high pitched shriek filled the air.
Take the third bed, the nurse snapped at Jaddig. I'll get you a sedative. She switched her eyes onto Suzi and frowned. Were you one, too?
No, Suzi gulped.
Then you're lucky, the nurse pulled back the bed blankets and nodded at Jaddig. Off with your body suit, Miss and slip into that hospital gown on the bed.
She was about to walk away when Suzi decided she'd better take the initiative. Err Nurse, she said.
Senior Sister, if you please, the clicker stood back and glowered. There's no respect for authority these days.
I'm sorry, Senior Sister, Suzi began to regain her confidence. Do we have to sign any admission forms or anything?
For this! The Senior Sister laughed and waved two right hands around the ward. Are you going to wait for your friend?
Suzi frowned. She had visions of Jaddig having a long stay. Another scream filled the air from the female in the adjacent bed. How long? she asked.
The Senior Sister's face softened again. Come back in an hour, she said. At least your friend can control her pain, not like some of the young madams here. The worst is already over for her.
An hour! gasped Suzi.
Yes. What did you expect; ten minutes.
No, of course not. I'll be back to see her then.
She turned to Jaddig and, in spite of herself, shuddered. Her friend was just slipping into a yellow gown and Suzi glimpsed at her shoulders and back. Jaddig's whole left side was covered in bloated red skin with a long layer hanging down like human sunburn peeling off but a hundred times worse. Her wings hung limp and tattered.
I'll be right, Jaddig whispered...
Yes, Suzi gulped. She was horrified at the disfigurement of her friend. The blast of the explosion must have completely engulfed her.
The senior sister began to pull a curtain around the bed. You might as well wait, she said. I reckon your ten minutes will be closer than my hour. There's a seat at the end of the ward.
Suzi nodded, reached out, squeezed Jaddig's hand and walked past the screams, sobs and shrieks to a small wooden seat. Every so often a smiling wingless female would go up and thank the senior sister or a nurse then disappear. The minutes ticked by. Suzi, deep in thought, placed the overnight bag she was still holding on the floor and tried to make sense of the situation. She was a scientist but had allowed emotion to cloud her mind. There must be some logical reason for all the winged females screaming in agony around the room. A fireball wouldn't have hit them all.
A shriek filled the air and it was from Jaddig's bed. Suzi's face drained white and she stood up with trembling hands. She wanted to run in to help her friend but held herself back.
The Senior Sister returned. I see you have brought a change of clothes, she said and reached for the overnight bag. Most of the girls don't bother. Give us a few more moments.
Ten minutes later, almost to a second, Suzi heard a cough and glanced up. Jaddig stood there smiling. She was dressed in her woolen blue jersey and jeans and looked perfect. The bloated skin on the side of her face was gone. Her friend held up her jersey and showed a bare tummy, slightly tanned and perfect. More amazing, though, something else made Suzi gasp. There were no wings; not even stubble.
Retro-metamorphosis, the crucnon explained with a grin. My problems weren't caused by the explosion at all. They never told us losing our wings would be so painful. Come on. Lets go.
You mean... stuttered Suzi.
Yes, I'm fine, Jaddig grabbed the human's arms. I really am.
Just as they walked out, the Senior Sister strolled up with a grim determined expression and touched Suzi's cheek.
Just as I thought. Warm blood, she snorted. Take care, Human Girl. Some of my colleagues are not as liberated as I am. Look after yourself. Eyes flicked at the patient she had just helped. You, too Jaddig Qarte, she muttered. You were either very brave or very foolish to come here. Take the advice of a cynical old nurse and use the old highway south. Under no circumstances should you attempt to cross the river or try to return to the hills. Everyone is looking for you.
There was a thin smile and the pair found themselves alone in the corridor.
She knew! gasped Suzi.
Yea, Jaddig replied. It was a pretty pathetic disguise, you know. She frowned. But how did she know me, I wonder?
Suzi shrugged. Come on, Holly and the men must be worried.
The rain outside had reduced to misty drizzle but it took a few moments to find Charlie as all the vehicles were square shaped with six wheels and varied only in color and size.
There it is, gasped Suzi. Tucked in the corner by the hedge.
Jaddig grinned, walked up to Charlie and flung the driver's door open. Going to let me drive? she snapped.
Holly swung around in fright and stared at the wingless clicker smiling at her. It took a few seconds for her to realize who it was. Her eyes light up.
Jaddig! she exclaimed. My God, you look wonderful. What happened?
It was Suzi who explained, in graphic detail, what had happened. It was like a torture chamber with moaning and screaming everywhere, she added. Poor old Jaddig. I thought she was seriously injured.
We all did, Graham grinned.
Yeah, and now you almost look human, George grunted.
Thanks, smiled Jaddig. I'll take that as a compliment.
We swapped number plates with another combo, Graham said. That's why we were over here by the hedge. In this weather nobody came near us.
Good, replied Jaddig. If all of you get behind our fake wall I'll drive. Without wings, I'll just be an ordinary rancher heading home with a pile of lumber. She stared around the untidy cab. We'd better remove everything human from the front, though. Even on the old highway the sister told us about, we may be stopped. She grinned again and held up a tiny plastic card. A credit card, she added. I stole from a bag of a screaming female next to me in hospital. With luck, she won't realize it's gone for hours.
Is that money? Holly asked.
More or less, Jaddig answered. If you all don't mind being cramped in the back for another hour or so, I'll get us some fresh food and other supplies.
Go to it, Girl. George chortled and reached across to give her an affectionate hug.
By late afternoon, with Charlie refueled and restocked, they headed out of Hyfra. Jaddig had bought a map of the city and surrounding hinterland and found the old highway more or less headed in their direction for twenty kilometers before rejoining the main highway outside the urban area.
Ten minutes later they arrived at a roadblock.
Get out! snapped the officer after the combo ground to a halt.
Jaddig stared at four soldiers lined up with weapons raised and climbed down from Charlie, slung her arms away as the male reached for her and walked across the road. She stopped and swung around.
You do not touch females. Do it and I'll report you to your division headquarters, Junior Guardsman Doropen! she snapped after reading the clicker's nametag.
Why are you driving a military vehicle? Doropen eyeballed her without a flinch.
It's army surplus, Jaddig replied haughtily. Though her heart raced she was determined not let the soldiers intimidate her. The situation wa
s precarious, she knew lone females were often attacked and civilians forced into military service or, worse still, just disappeared. Of course, that had already happened to her when she was dragged out of her university bed those months before and forced to take the hormone treatment.
An uncontrolled shiver passed through her slim body. She glanced up and saw three soldiers swarming over Charlie. The three doors were all open as well as the hood. She could see the lumber and a soldier attempting to wiggle a bit out. He grunted for a moment and moved on.
Jaddig's eyes shifted to a circular side window. The wood behind had shifted just a fraction and something shiny showed. It was an arrowhead and she knew her human friends were waiting and ready. That small sign of support gave her the confidence to continue.
Your papers! Junior Guardsman Doropen demanded.
Jaddig reached in a pocket and extracted a small pentagonal card, stolen with the credit card from the hospital. She had no idea of the name, occupation or address written on it. If they asked her to repeat the details, she was doomed. However, the guard sniffed and handed it back to her. Meanwhile, clickers were crawling under their vehicle and examining behind the tires.
All clean, Junior Guardsman, a soldier reported. Do you want the lumber unloaded?
Jaddig froze but she realized Doropen's eyes watched every move she made. One false eye flicker and he would know something was amiss. I hope you put every bit back, she snapped with her tone controlled so it did not reflect the turmoil inside. It took half an hour to load.
These are dangerous roads for a lone female, Junior Guardsman Doropen answered and turned to the other clicker. Leave it, he ordered. Start on the next combo. We're getting behind time.
He handed Jaddig a yellow stamped card, and saluted. Show this at the next road block and you will not need to go through the same rigorous inspection.
Thank you Junior Guardsman, she replied and gazed into his eyes. Tell me, what are the road conditions like?
Some flooding by the river but not too bad, he answered in a more cordial voice. I don't think you'll have any trouble.
The female gave a flash of a smile, climbed aboard her vehicle and drove slowly forward beneath the raised barrier. When they were safely down the highway, the hinged wall came down and Holly slipped over to the front seat beside her.
Generation 7 Page 8
