Life Support by Joseph L. Kellogg

Author:Joseph L. Kellogg
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joseph L. Kellogg

Andrew sat on the bed in his room with his knees pulled up to his chin. His heart pounded, his mouth was dry, and he prayed silently for peace, eyes closed, but it didn't come. A soft knock rattled the door, and Father Tanner poked his head in.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked.

“Go ahead,” Andrew said, letting go of his legs and standing up. He quickly tossed his blanket over the pistol that sat next to him on the mattress.

“Are you sure you're OK going with Damien?” Father Tanner asked.

“I don't really have a choice, do I?” Andrew asked, pacing back and forth. “There's a life on the line.” He scratched his head and ran his fingers through his hair, as if to tear out all the doubts and fears that circled in his mind.

“But how do you feel about it?”

“I'm nervous, scared. But I have to admit,” Andrew replied with a guilty smile, “it's kind of exciting.” Of course, he had originally thought the same thing about working in the mission field, and that wasn't exactly working out well.

“Excuse me if I don't share in your enthusiasm.”

“But I can't help but wonder about the failed reaction,” said Andrew, chewing on a fingernail. “We could have avoided all this if that hadn't gone bad.”

“Accidents happen,” said Father Tanner with a shrug.

“Well, what if it wasn't an accident?”

“You think it was deliberate?”

“I don't know. Eve's still really mad at me. You don't think she could have done it, do you?”

“I highly doubt it,” Father Tanner said thoughtfully. “It would take a special kind of crazy to try to kill our meal ticket.”

“Well I don't think she's crazy,” Andrew said, “but she is behind enemy lines in the middle of an inter-planetary cold war. Normal people don't end up in this kind of situation.”

“I suppose we can't rule it out completely,” said Father Tanner. He glanced over to the bed, and pulled back the blanket. “Is that a gun?”

“Yeah,” said Andrew picking it up carefully. “Damien gave it to me. 'Just in case,' he said.”

“I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but if it comes down to you or someone else, even Captain Rogers...”

“I know. I'm the one who's prepared for judgment. I'll... try to remember that.”

A shout echoed in from the hallway, followed by the crash of a slamming door. Andrew and Father Tanner exchanged glances and ran outside. They found the commotion in the captain's quarters, where Damien was grabbing at Ghenni and pulling him away from the bed as he shouted.

“Get your filthy xenner hands off her!”

Before they could stop him, Damien tossed Ghenni into the opposite wall, knocking a framed picture from the wall, shattering the glass on the floor. Father Tanner rushed forward and pulled Damien away, twisting him into an arm lock while Andrew ran to Ghenni and helped him up. The Trenthan's face was pale with fear.

“I'd appreciate it if you keep your hands off my people.” Father Tanner said sternly. “Now explain yourself.

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