Emerald Flight: “Star Wing” (continued)

Devereux stared at the screen, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. More than anything, she wanted an audio feed from the infirmary so she could what was being said.

Activating it now, though, might startle the creature.

Hawkes stood before the kneeling alien, looking as uncertain as Devereux could ever remembering seeing him. Under other circumstances, she might have found the scenario more than just a little amusing. Right now, she was not entirely willing to believe that the winged alien might not still suddenly rise up and tear into her Tactical Officer.

Gathering his composure again quickly, Hawkes gestured subtly to someone out of the feed’s field. Devereux saw a head with a long ponytail dash past the feed pickup.

Ramsey.

The alien was visibly agitated as Ramsey dashed past it toward Hope. It remained where it was, though, kneeling before Hawkes with its head lowered. Devereux released a soft breath of relief as Ramsey safely reached Hope and Hawkes remained unharmed, She had been unaware that she had even been holding it in.

Ramsey performed a quick visible examination of Hope. When that was completed, she said something to Hawkes, to which he responded by signaling someone else out of range of the screen. One of the Security officers—Sykes, Devereux realized—appeared and moved cautiously toward Ramsey and Hope, while never taking his eyes away from the alien.

After receiving instructions from Ramsey, he helped her lift Hope, cradling her limp form carefully between them. The alien’s agitation increased. Hawkes’ hand moved closer to his weapon. Devereux swallowed hard, ready to send an armed assault team to the infirmary.

New life form or not, I need by ship and crew in one piece.

Ramsey and Sykes maneuvered Hope onto one of the diagnostic beds. At Ramsey’s gesture, Sykes moved quickly away, keeping as much distance between himself and the winged alien as possible. Ramsey activated the bed. Devereux saw its pale blue aura glow into life as it began its scans.

The alien seemed slightly less agitated now, she noticed, but was still far from calm. Devereux wondered just the extent of its patience was.

Whatever it is, Hawkes will find out an instant before we do. She studied the screen for a moment. He needs to get that thing contained again before we find out.