"Truth," Treyvon agreed. "When will you begin treating the other humans?"
"I want to treat the others first, and have sent word to have the Jerboaians brought here."
"Why?" Treyvon demanded.
"Each human is going to require a great deal of time. Not only with the time they will need in the deep-repair unit, but also, because they will need the use of our educator. Ashe Mackenzie had nearly succumbed to the injuries inflicted on her. Had she not, I would have delayed placing her in the unit."
"Why?" Treyvon asked again.
"Because I believe she would have tolerated the treatments better had she been rested and fed."
"You said she tolerated it well."
"Her body did while she was unconscious. But she woke before the unit had finished and she panicked, not understanding what was going on. If Nikhil had not been there, and been able to calm her because of their bond, she might have severely harmed herself."
"But that wouldn't be the case with the males. You could explain...”
"I would still like them to have some rest and nourishment before that. It would also be helpful if Ashe Mackenzie were completely healed and has experienced our educator. These beings have been treated harshly by two of the worst species the Known Universes have to offer. They are not going to readily trust us. We wouldn't if the situation were reversed."
"Truth," Treyvon found he couldn't disagree.
"The Jerboaians, Tafaians, and Nekeokians are known species and are used to repair units. They will not fight or question what we are trying to do."
"Also, we will then be able to return them to their homes sooner." Treyvon nodded his head in agreement. "I can agree with this as long as there are no humans as injured as Nikhil's Ashe was."
"The report I received from Parlan stated they were all able to walk onto the transport with no assistance."
"Alright. I trust your judgment on how to proceed with this." Treyvon rose from the chair. "I expect you to keep me informed."
"Of course, General."
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Parlan couldn't believe he'd been assigned this task. He was Warrior Parlan Spada! He could trace his manno's bloodline back to the dawn of the Kaliszian Empire, and his mother's manno's brother was currently one of the most influential Ministers in all the Empire. It was beneath him to have to be dealing with 'survivors'. If they were stupid enough to be captured by the Ganglians, then they deserved what they got.
But Goddess they stunk, and they were dirty, and they were ugly. Especially the ones he'd been ordered to guide out of the mine. And now... now he'd been ordered to bring them nourishment! There were warriors that didn't have his status that should be doing this menial task. Warriors like Gulzar, who had yet to achieve Elite status, and if Parlan had any say in it he never would.
Gulzar came from an inferior bloodline, one that had never produced an Elite Warrior and Parlan intended to make sure that bloodline never did. Gulzar didn't know his place, thought he would be Parlan's equal if he became an Elite. He was wrong. Gulzar would never be his equal. Pushing the doors open to the area where the survivors were housed, he stepped inside.
"Put them over there," he ordered the two warriors following behind him. All but the humans quickly moved toward the boxes, knowing what was in them. Parlan turned to face them.
"I forgot, you humans," he said the word as if it were distasteful on his tongue, "know nothing, and that I must speak Zaludian. I am Warrior Parlan. I am an Elite Kaliszian Warrior and General Rayner, the Supreme Commander, realizing I am the worthiest of his Warriors has tasked me with overseeing you. As you were with the Zaludians the shortest amount of time, you will be the last to see our Healer. Cots will be brought unless your species prefers sleeping on the floor." The look on the warrior's face said that is what he assumed.
"We would prefer cots." Craig stood facing the warrior. "Blankets would be appreciated too."
"I will order them brought," Parlan made it sound as if it were a hardship.
"And food."
Parlan growled at him. "That is what has been provided there." Parlan pointed angrily behind him. "General Rayner has ordered you to be treated as a Kaliszian."
"What does that mean?" Craig asked.
"It means you will receive three meals a day, just as a real Kaliszian would, even though you obviously aren't worthy of being one," he sneered. "It means a worthy Kaliszian on some other planet will have to do without because of it. It also means that new coverings will be supplied to you along with proper foot coverings. But before you place them on, you must cleanse. Wash that stink from your bodies," he expressed, as if they didn't know what that meant, and pointed. "The room is over there."