Alien Rule by Tracy St. John

Author:Tracy St. John [John, Tracy St.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781461051237
Amazon: 1461051231
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2011-06-13T23:00:00+00:00

104

Egilka‘s eyes were bright. ¯Then the other news I have is even better. Guess what the medics found?‖

He told them, and Clajak‘s heart leapt. Even Pwaldur‘s anger might have little bearing on their clanning Jessica. It was going to be all right.

* * * *

Jessica returned to consciousness slowly. A warm breeze wafted over her face, bringing the sea salt scent of the ocean with it. She heard the muted rumble of waves rolling onto the shore. No scent of bacon and coffee edged the air, so Mom and Dad were still asleep. Her sister Lindsey hadn‘t begun to snore softly yet, always the precursor to her waking. It must still be early.

Summertime in Florida was the best. No school, no responsibilities except to put on her full-bodied bathing suit and frolic in the surf all day, broken only by sandwiches, potato chips and soda for lunch. The day would end with Dad cooking burgers on the grill, then a movie or a round of Monopoly at the dining table.

She sighed happily. The only thing keeping her from a perfect morning was the slight headache pulsing behind her forehead.

A man‘s deep voice intruded, his staccato speech garbled. Jessica‘s eyes flew open to meet Clajak‘s intense stare.

¯Yes, she is awake. Hello, stubborn beast.‖ He smiled and stroked her cheek.

¯Hi, spoiled brat,‖ she said, wondering at the whispery thinness of her voice.

Sudden homesickness warred with the swelling joy to see him there.

She shifted and noticed her left arm was encased in wraps and a sling. The memory of the soldiers‘ attack returned, and suddenly Earth didn‘t seem so good. ¯Is Michaela okay?‖

¯She‘s fine. We made her leave a few hours ago for some much needed rest.

She‘ll be back soon.‖

Jessica peered around, not recognizing the room she and the clan were in. She smiled at Bevau and Egilka as they joined Clajak next to her bed. The bed was comfortable but utilitarian. The sheets held the softness of many washings. The rest of the room was soothingly bland, much like the nicer hotel rooms on Earth. On her right was a table with a small vid screen. A pair of sage green loungers flanked a wall of windows. The two suns lit a powder blue sky. To her left, a wheeled tray table, tall enough for her to reach comfortably, waited with a pitcher of water and a cup. Strange machines she didn‘t recognize but seemed familiar lined the far wall.

¯I‘m in the medical center?‖ she guessed.

They nodded. Egilka said, ¯You‘re doing very well and should be able to leave tomorrow morning.‖

The sound of the far-off ocean and the scent of sea breeze persisted despite her being fully awake. ¯It smells and sounds like home back on Earth. ‖

Clajak continued to caress her cheek, his smile softer than she remembered.

¯Michaela told the Plasian medics what atmosphere to provide. They believe familiar surroundings with positive connotations help the healing process.‖

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