The Sword and the Dagger by Ardath Mayhar

Author:Ardath Mayhar [Mayhar, Ardath]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780931787775
Google: FDB8AAAACAAJ
Amazon: 0931787777
Goodreads: 1526404
Publisher: FASA Corporation
Published: 1986-09-01T16:25:54+00:00

* * * *

The messenger always hurried when he came into the room. Hanse supposed it was to impress him with the urgency of the news he carried, as well as the devotion of the man to his duty. It always irritated him.

"Well?"

"The mopping-up on Stein's Folly is complete. The last of the Liao forces have retreated to Redfield. Our casualties have been heavy, but not as heavy as we had originally expected. And your friend Ardan Sortek has been recovered from a hospital unit in the base used by Ridzik while on the planet"

Hanse felt relief surge through him. The tightness that had seemed to bind his heart so painfully now eased. He had dreaded other, worse news of his friend.

"I want a detailed report of his injuries and his present condition. The unit caring for him. Everything."

The messenger obeyed his gesture to sit. Hanse made himself settle into the deep chair behind his desk. He quieted his hands, breathed deeply, and concentrated on the words of his messenger. With his learned discipline, he would not forget a syllable that he heard.

"Ardan Sortek," said the messenger, going into his automatic-report mode, his voice sounding almost mechanical, "has suffered recent dehydration, starvation, broken left radius, badly stressed ligaments, right leg. Surface bruises, cuts, scratches, fungal infections." He paused for breath.

"Systemic infection, probably from contaminated food or water ingested. Mental disorientation is persistent characterized by repeated reference to injured child, to unusual fauna in the swamp on the world in question, and to some sort of doppleganger complex he has developed."

"Doppleganger? Doesn't that mean ghostly double..." Hanse said thoughtfully. "That is a symptom of mental derangement, is it not?"

"It can be, the MedTechs say. This is very deeply impressed upon his mind. He keeps linking it, strangely enough, with the Prince of Davion."

"Strange," said Hanse. "I have known that Ardan was not completely comfortable with many matters, but I hadn't thought it to be serious."

"The medical people are most concerned about his mental state. Their facilities are focused upon battlefield casualties, and they haven't the psychiatric staffing to deal with this sort of problem in the most effective manner. They suggest intensive care as soon as possible."

Hanse motioned for the man to pause, while he thought carefully. There were things Ardan knew concerning his own affairs that were best undisclosed, even to the most faithful MedTechs. If Ardan were seriously unbalanced in his mind, it was perhaps best to keep him away from New Avalon for the time being. The Court on New Avalon was rife with spies and informers, he knew, and Ardan could seriously compromise many affairs of state if he were to speak of them while not in his right mind. Hanse considered distances, facilities...and he had an idea.

"Is the Steiner DropShip still docked on the Folly?" he asked.

"It is scheduled to leave in three planetary days. The supplies have been unloaded, and a number of the badly wounded have been placed aboard for transport to the medical facilities on Tharkad," the messenger concluded.

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