Change Horizons: Three Novellas Read Online Free Page A

protector’s mandate to change anything I don’t agree with, right?”
    “Certainly,” the chief said cordially. “We’ll make the protector and the little prince proud.” Spouting platitudes was evidently what this man did best.
    Gemma turned to the administrator. “Now listen. Don’t bother with the computers. Use pens and paper if need be, but start treating the patients. This is an order relayed through me by the protector herself. Do I make myself clear?” She clenched her fists so hard her blunt nails pressed painfully into her palms. Willing herself to relax her fingers, Gemma saw color leave the administrator’s face, turning her chalky white.
    “The protector? You speak for the protector personally?”
    “I do.”
    “Sir,” O’Eso said hurriedly, “we need to simplify and speed up the registration process and begin seeing patients. By decree of the protector.”
    “Forgo our routines?” The chief, who Gemma now knew had to be replaced as soon as possible, frowned. “I’m not sure, what if—”
    Ciel joined them, her face serious. “People might be dying on your doorstep. You need to command your staff to start doing their job.”
    “Medical transport units are on their way, but it will take them a couple of hours.” Gemma pulled her backpack off. “I suggest we start triaging. Are your wards operational?” she asked O’Eso.
    “Two wards of five, Doctor.”
    “What about the other three?”
    “They have beds, but that’s about it.”
    “Then send in staff, anybody, to get the beds ready. I don’t care if the rest of the equipment is up and running.” Gemma looked around. “I see at least five senior citizens who should be lying down instead of sitting propped up here. I can’t imagine how the ones outside are faring in the heat.”
    “I’ve already begun organizing the healthy individuals out there to help move the most sensitive cases into the shade. I estimate there are at least four hundred adults and twice as many children.” Ciel pointed toward the entrance.
    Gemma’s jaws tightened. “Children. I read the reports, but it still is unfathomable that the Onotharians placed children in camps.”
    Ciel’s eyes, like deep oceanic ice, narrowed. “A perfect way of maintaining crowd control behind the fences. Get caught doing something against the rules, the children paid the price. Very efficient. Once in a while they made an example of someone’s child just to make sure we didn’t forget.”
    We. A chilling sensation chased along Gemma’s back. It certainly sounded like Ciel had firsthand knowledge of the camps. Thinking back at the dossier Jacelon had provided on Ciel, she realized that she’d merely browsed the first half before nodding off. Clearly there was something she needed to check later.
    “I know you’re weary of my type of medicine, but I’m going to put those chopped-down singuisa bushes to good use. These people are no doubt suffering from all kinds of infections, not to mention dehydration.”
    Gemma would have balked at the idea of offering some voodoo tea to patients when the perfect rehydration fluids could be administered instantly via imbulizers and short-term infuzers. But since the clinic wasn’t fully operational to receive casualties, and certainly not this many, she had to grudgingly concede that it was a good compromise. “Fine.” She used her communicator and summoned the marines she hadn’t wanted to bring with her to the clinic. She could hear the sergeant’s slight exasperation but let it slide for now.
    “Bring my subspace communicator from the hovercraft. Meyer out.” Gemma stepped outside where she saw Ciel and some of the refugees heading over to the uprooted singuisa bushes. She heard moans and silent crying, but also children’s laughter, and the contrast somehow gave her a feeling that this was just the beginning. Normally she paid no attention to any foreboding. The thought of a woman of science such as herself even