Stargate Atlantis 10 - Nightfall by James Swallow

Author:James Swallow [Swallow, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2009-01-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“Jennifer?” Laaro held out a sample vial to her. “I was told to give this to you.”

She gave the young boy a quick smile. “Hey, thanks.” Keller turned the tube in her hand and read off the numbers written on the side. Another disappointment.

Her thoughts clearly showed on her face. “I’m sorry,” said Laaro, as if the failure of the test solution was his fault.

“It’s okay,” she told him. “We’ll just try again.”

He watched her work for a moment. “Why did you choose this path, Jennifer?”

“Why did I become a doctor, is that what you mean?” She sighed. “I guess because it’s what I’m best at. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you find a… A path that leads you where you need to go. And along the way you can help people.” Keller paused and gave a self-conscious smirk. “Does that make sense?”

Laaro nodded solemnly. “It does. Do you think I could become a healer?”

“I don’t see why not.”

He nodded again, his eyes losing focus. “I… Want to help people. Like you do, like Kullid does.”

Keller realized where this was coming from; Errian’s condition had grown worse over the last day, and Laaro’s fears for his father’s well-being were bearing down on him. It was a lot for a child of his age to shoulder.

Kullid approached and the two healers shared a look. “Laaro,” he began, “it’s getting late. You should head home. Jaaya will worry about you.”

“I can help here,” insisted the boy, “at home I can do nothing.”

“You can help your mother,” came the reply. “Go on, go.”

“It’s okay,” Keller added. “We can talk more later.”

Laaro nodded dejectedly and left without another word.

Keller watched the youth go. “It can’t be easy on him,”

“It isn’t easy on anyone,” Kullid said, his kind eyes fatigued. “The sickness touches those who are well as much as those afflicted.”

“We will fix this,” Keller insisted.

“I know you believe that. But I wonder if it is time to seek out another resolution…”

There was a clattering sound from the sick lodge’s doorway, and the wooden slats came open awkwardly. Lieutenant Allan stood there, her face pale. “I, uh…” She took an unsteady step into the room.

Ronon rose quickly from the nearby sleeping pallet where he had been resting. “You all right?”

The officer blinked owlishly. “Not sure,” she slurred. “Everything’s all kinda… Colorful.” Without warning, her legs gave out from under her, and Allan tipped forward, her eyes rolling back into her head, her P90 dropping from her fingers. Ronon was there to grab her before she hit the deck. She gasped and went limp.

Keller was instantly at the woman’s side. “Give her some air,”

“The sickness—” began Kullid.

Jennifer shook her head. “She wasn’t taken.”

Ronon lay the lieutenant down on the pallet and swore beneath his breath. He turned her head and exposed a thin wooden blow dart in the flesh of her neck. “We got trouble.” He went for his weapons, grabbing his gun belt where it lay across a stool.

Kullid removed the dart and sniffed the tip.

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