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thing in stronger language. "No medic tion of any kind, Etlan or otherwise,
until we have a clear idea of what we are looking for. Perhaps you have
forgotfo that friend
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Hewlitt has already been affected by Etlan nati vegetation, when it ingested
toxic fruit prior to falling fro a tree?
"I have not forgotten," said Murchison, "that the younger Hewlitt survived two
falls without injury. That was very fortuitous and it may also be significant
if we assume that something in the fruit he consumed before the first fall
caused the hyperallergic reaction following the flyer accident. The" record of
events during and after the second fall are supported by objective clinical
evidence, but the circumstances surrounding the first is subjective,
uncertain, and supported only by childhood memories that may prove to be
untrustworthy. For example
"Considering the small physical size of the patient at the time," she went on,
"the file:///F|/rah/James%20White/Final%20Diagnosis.htm (144 of 266) [7/1/03
1:38:07 AM]
Final Diagnosis.htm distance fallen may have been exaggerated. The fruit
consumed, which was later identified by others as being highly toxic, may have
been a visually similar but nontoxic variety, and the period of
unconsciousness afterward could have been due simply to natural fatigue after
a long afternoon at play. Children can tell tall stories, and sometimes in
retrospect they can even believe them themselves, but until we have objective
evidence . . . Patient Hewlitt, please control your emotional radiation!
He was trying very hard to suppress the anger and bitter disappointment he was
feeling, because Prilicla's fragile body was being shaken by the emotional
gale of
Hewlitt's making. Murchison was the only same-species medic on board. When she
was not being the cool and clinical team pathologist, she had been a friendly,
relaxed, competent person who instilled trust. Certainly he had liked and
trusted her and had thought that she, at least, was beginning to believe him,
but she had turned out to be just like all the others
"I did not call you a liar," she said, apparently reading his mind, "only that
at present I need more proof that you were telling the truth.
He was about to reply when the voice of the communications officer cut him
short
"We have a signal that the ground vehicle with Majoi Stillmanxm board is
leaving the base," said Lieutenan Haslam. "He is estimating arrival in
eighteen minutes.
CHAPTER 18
Hewlitt watched with a mixture of surprise and professional interest as the
stout, grey-haired man who was to be their guide unfolded from his tiny ground
vehicle and came forward to meet them. Stillman was not in uniform and was
wearing instead the native dress of short cloak, kilt, and soft, calf-length
boots. The outfit looked comfortable and not without a certain style, even
though, in this instance, the flowing line of the cloak was spoiled by the
wearer carrying too much junk in the concealed pockets. Unlike the coveralls
worn by Murchison, Fletcher, and himself, he could tell that the garments were
not the product of a synthesizer. He
file:///F|/rah/James%20White/Final%20Diagnosis.htm (145 of 266) [7/1/03
1:38:07 AM]
Final Diagnosis.htm was considering the possibility of introducing the Etlan
kilt to a few of his more sartorially adventurous clients when Prilicla
drifted forward to meet the other halfway
"Friend Stillman," said the empath, "I must begin by apologizing for meeting
you at the bottom of the boarding ramp, rather than inviting you inside where
you could satisf the intense curiosity you are feeling about the ship, but
formed the impression that Colonel Shech-Rar did not wan us to take up too
much of your time.
It had already taken several minutes for Stillman t recover from what must
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have been his first meeting with Cinrusskin empath apart from a brief,
appreciative glanc at the eminently noticeable Murchison, he had bare! noticed
the others-
 and to find his voice
"I-^-I've retired, Dr. Prilicla," he said, smiling. "My tim is my own, not the
colonel's, so take up as much of it as yo like. And yes, I've heard a lot
about
Rhabwar and woul dearly love a look over the ship. But if it is all right with
yoi I
think we should do as the colonel says first so that I wi have more time left
to satisfy my curiosity about othe things.
"As you wish," said Prilicla. "What were the colonel instructions to you?
"To visit the house first," Stillman replied. "The preset occupants work on
the base, but they have been excuse duty for the rest of the day and should
have returned horn by the time we arrive. There may be a problem if you wai to
meet the dentist in person. At present Dr. Hamilton is vis iting our other
base, on
Yunnet continent, and is not due t return for another three days, but if you
only need to talk t him he has instructions to contact you as soon as
possible; the house or the ship. After that you will be able to spend i much
time as you require in the ravine.
They were being given full cooperation, Hewlitt thougl cynically, but with
such enthusiasm that they were beiri allowed the minimum time to think or
guard their tongues The exterior of the house looked familiar except for tr
front entrance, file:///F|/rah/James%20White/Final%20Diagnosis.htm (146 of
266) [7/1/03 1:38:07 AM]
Final Diagnosis.htm which had been enlarged and its stej replaced with a ramp
to allow easy passage to the Traltha residents, who had seen their approach
and were waiting ju inside the door to welcome them. Stillman, who was
obviously well known to the couple, introduced them as Crajar-ron and
Surriltor. They exchanged names without, of course, performing the uniquely
Earth-human custom of shaking hands. The interior of his once familiar home
was completely unrecognizable
Most of the room dividers he remembered had disappeared, as had all but a few
chairs and relaxers needed for other-species visitors because Tralthans, who [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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