The Galactic Gourmet by James White

Author:James White [White, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Medical, Medical fiction, General, Science Fiction, Adventure, Fiction
ISBN: 9780812562675
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 1997-03-28T00:00:00+00:00

carrying a very small crew of specialists, and he must try very hard to make friends rather than enemies of them. Since the medical

team had come aboard he had been trying to do that, by negating his own importance and displaying a friendly and admiring curiosity about Danalta and, in time, the others. Surprisingly, it had not required a great effort on his part, but now he was wondering whether he had overdone the uncharacteristic charm and they secretly thought of him as being shallow and insincere, or was it simply that they were trying as hard to be friendly as he was. He was also wondering if he would have as much success making friends with Rhabwar's non-medical officers.

As if on thought-cue the internal comm screen lit up to show the Monitor-green-uniformed head and shoulders of an Earth-human.

"Casualty Deck, this is the Captain," it said sharply. "I overheard your last few minutes'

conversation. Doctor Prilicla, what is that, that walking Tralthan disaster area doing on my ship?"

Even though Control was at long range for the Cinrusskin's empathic faculty, the Captain's emotional radiation was causing the empath some minor distress. Without hesitation Prilicla said, "For the period of the present mission, friend Gurronsevas has been co-opted to the medical team as a non-clinical advisor. Its expertise could prove helpful in what lies ahead.

Please do not be concerned about possible effects on the structure of the ship, friend Fletcher.

The Chief Dietitian will be accommodated on the casualty deck, it requires no special life-support and it will not risk damaging your light-gravity furniture and equipment by going forward, unless at your express invitation."

There was a moment's silence, but Gurronsevas was too startled and confused by Prilicla's words, to be able to fill it with a question.

He had often heard it said that the little empath was not averse to bending the truth, a fact which Prilicla itself freely admitted, if by so doing it could improve the quality of emotional radiation in the area. An emotion-sensitive felt everything that those around it were feeling with the same degree of intensity, but the suggestion that

Gurronsevas could advise

Rhabwar's medical team on anything during the forthcoming mission was utterly ridiculous.

Doubtless the lie would improve the

Captain's emotional radiation, Gurronsevas thought, but the effect would be temporary.

"I feel your curiosity, friend Fletcher," said Prilicla, no longer trembling as the Captain's anger diminished to irritation, "and I intend to satisfy it as soon as possible."

"Very well, Doctor," said the Captain, then went on briskly, "We are presently in hyperspace cruising mode, estimating the Wemar system in just under four standard days and the ship is running itself. A few minutes before boarding I was given the coordinates of the target system and the preliminary briefing tape, which there has been no opportunity to scan, and told that we would be fully briefed on arrival. Now would be a convenient time to run the tape so that we non-medics can be let into the secret of what we are supposed to be doing there.

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