Turning Point Read Online Free PDF

wet.”
    He turned to look at the form draped across the table.
    â€œA forest cat, eh? I’ve never had the chance to examine one of these beasties before. Isn’t he a darker color than usual?” His brown eyes twinkled briefly at her before he bent his head and began examining Kusac thoroughly.
    â€œThey come in all colors,” replied Carrie, clumsily trying to move her bowls and cloths out of his way. “Sorry to bother you, Jack, but he needed help.”
    â€œNo bother at all,” he replied, “provided that you return to bed after I’ve finished. I suppose asking you to go now is out of the question?”
    Carrie ignored his sarcasm. “Can you help him, Jack? I think he might have a fever, too. He’s panting and he feels very warm.”
    â€œWe should be able to do something for him,” Jack said, probing the livid wound gently with his fingers. “I’ll have to lance that gash though. The poisoning is certainly causing the fever. Pass me over some of that hot water and I’ll get started.”
    Two hours later, Carrie sat looking down at Kusac, waiting for him to come round. Jack had not wanted to risk an anesthetic of any kind, but luckily their patient had solved the problem by drifting off into unconsciousness.
    The injury had been quite deep and there had been a small piece of metal embedded in it. Jack had cleaned the wound thoroughly, but left it open to the air.
    â€œIf he’s like Terrestrial cats, when he’s feeling better, he’ll want to lick the wound himself. Frankly, that’s the best thing he could do,” said Jack, preparing a syringe. “I’m giving him a hefty dose of antibiotics to help break the fever, but there’s a risk that the drugs might react unfavorably with his metabolism. However, in his present weakened condition, we don’t have a choice. If I don’t try something, he’ll die.”
    â€œHe’ll live,” Carrie said confidently. “He’s fought the poison this long, he won’t give up now. He’s too much of a fighter. I have a feeling he won’t want to lick the wound, though.”
    â€œAnother one of your intuitions?” Jack asked as he busied himself taking blood and tissue samples from his patient.
    â€œNow don’t get upset,” he added hurriedly, catching her frown. “I’m not doubting you. You’ve got a way with the animals on Keiss. You really are wasted here at the Inn, you know. You’d make a grand assistant for me when I go on one of my field trips. If you want, I’ll have another try at asking your father to let you come with me when you’re better.”
    Carrie sighed. “I think we’ll be out of luck, Jack. Father seems to think women are more suited to the domestic role than anything intellectual.”
    â€œWe can but try,” he said, packing his samples away and going over to the sink to wash his hands.
    â€œAh, the luxury of hot running water,” he sighed, letting the water course over his hands for a moment or two. “Half my problems in Valleytown would be solved if every house had an adequate supply of hot and cold water,” he said, drying his hands and returning to the table. “I wonder if we’ll ever have anything more than a subsistence level of existence.”
    â€œWe will, if we can get rid of the Valtegans and if our second wave ship arrives safely,” said Carrie angrily, tears springing to her eyes. “And if Father actually helped the guerrillas, rather than ...”
    â€œHush, Carrie,” said Jack, enveloping her in his arms and hugging her tightly. “Let’s not open that old argument again. Your father does a good job leading the civil disobedience, and that’s risky enough given the Aliens we’re dealing with. Not everyone can pull up roots and hightail it out to the forest to be a rebel, you know. He’s had you and your sister to