Monument by Lloyd Biggle & Jr

Author:Lloyd Biggle & Jr.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, galactic empire, classic, sf, sci-fi
ISBN: 9781434448255
Publisher: Wildside Press
Published: 2012-08-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

In the background stood the geodesic frameworks for the clusters of small domes that were to constitute the medical center. A machine was at work leveling the top of the bluff on which the building was being erected. Talitha Warr strode about confidently, giving instructions; the foreman followed her, and Dalla followed the foreman, and both listened attentively.

“A sturdy wall,” Talitha said. “We don’t want anyone falling over the edge. Resident patients can come here and enjoy the breeze and the sea view.”

The foreman scowled and scratched his head. “Resident patients? The plans don’t call for no hospital accommodations.”

“The hospital will be at the rear of the medical center,” Talitha said. “As much as possible we’ll keep the patients in native-style buildings. They’ll be more comfortable in familiar surroundings. The center will house the various treatment and surgical and laboratory clinics.”

“I see.”

“Back there we’ll put the children’s playground,” Talitha said, pointing. “Over here I want a formal park laid out, with a fountain and the most attractive Langrian flowers and shrubs we can find. Now—about the road down to the beach. I want the grade as easy as possible. Sick patients will have to climb it, or their friends will have to carry them up. I’d like to have a lift for them, but I’m afraid it’d be too expensive.”

“Doesn’t have to be,” the foreman said. “We can cobble up something for you.”

Talitha shook her head firmly. “Uncle offered me a platform pulled up by ropes and pulleys and things, and I turned it down. I’m not having my patients falling out of a lift. Let’s just concentrate on making that road with the easiest grade possible.”

* * * *

Aric Hort and the Elder stood at the edge of the forest looking down at the medical center construction site and the lovely sweep of sea and shore beyond it. Hort lowered his binoculars. “Miss Warr is firmly in charge,” he said. “They seem to be making good progress. It’ll be an attractive building. I’m relieved about that—I was afraid they’d put up more of those hideous prefabs.”

The Elder said nothing. Hort looked at him for a moment and then he raised his binoculars again. “So Dalla is going to study nursing,” he remarked.

“Miss Warr will teach her,” the Elder said. “It’s all right, isn’t it?”

“Of course. Hard to argue against health care and medical centers and the like, even when Wembling is importing a thousand times the supplies and materials the medical center will require. Has the council bothered to look at the landing field lately? The cargo holders are piled eight high and eight deep all along one side of the field.”

“Narrif says he is tired of senseless complaints about the ambassador.”

“That’s unfortunate. They ought to have some notion of what a small building like the medical center requires. At a guess, ten cargo holders, and someone ought to ask the ambassador what he intends to do with the other six hundred. Let’s hope that Fornri and the attorneys will be ready to act the moment the council’s eyes are opened.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.