Vale of Stars

Vale of Stars Read Online Free PDF Page A

Book: Vale of Stars Read Online Free PDF
Author: Sean O'Brien
care.”
    Jene fought to control her anger. Three times in one week she was having this discussion—and in both cases, she found herself the only advocate for the unlucky children of radiation’s curse. “Even if you’re right, what of it? The girl will receive the necessary care. Bobby Yancey has been with us for six years, and he’s doing fine.”
    “Yes, the Yancey child. I’ve met him. The Yanceys live near me, you know.”
    Jene grunted.
    “I’ve no doubt you are right about your conclusions, Doctor, but you are aware we are within half a year of planetfall?”
    “So?”
    “At which time, resources will be slim indeed. You and the medical staff have all you need on Ship, but when we disembark and begin the colonization process, you will no longer be able to practice the kind of medicine you have become accustomed to. You will have to adapt to rather harsh conditions. I believe the term you doctors use is ‘frontier medicine.’” Arnson chuckled once, then grew serious again. He looked away, focusing neither on Jene nor the Councilmembers. “It will be at least two years before Ship is fully dismantled and shuttled down to the surface. What do you plan to do with Yancey and the other Class D’s during this process?”
    Jene clenched her fists. “You are proposing—”
    “I propose nothing, Doctor. I simply asked a question. What will you do with the Class D’s?”
    Jene stared at him for a moment, then her gaze found the other Councilmembers. They were all awaiting her answer. They seemed quite content to let Arnson do their talking for them—no doubt his views were the views of the Council. Jene wondered how many other colonists shared the Council’s attitude.
    “The medical staff will handle the children.” She said it evenly, as close to emotionlessly as she could.
    “How?”
    “That’s not a concern of yours.”
    “I should think it is a concern of all aboard. If you don’t have a plan, it is up to the Council to formulate one and execute it.”
    Jene’s voice raised on its own. “This Council you’ve formed is simply, by your own admission, an oversight committee. You have no power to enact legislation. Ship has been a direct democracy for one hundred and eight years and all your comic-opera meetings won’t change that.”
    Arnson matched her fury with coolness. “You are quite right, Doctor. The Council has no power. No formal power, at least. I simply asked you, from one shipmate to another, what is going to be done. Surely, the medical personnel aren’t keeping their plans a secret?”
    Jene saw a slight shifting in the positions of the other Councilmembers. They had heard the implication in the last remark. She also heard Arnson use the term “shipmate,” a recent innovation of the Council.
    “You know there’s no secret agenda among the medical staff.”
    Arnson paused a fraction of a second and allowed a smile to spread across his orderly face. “If you say so, Doctor. And yet, you still have not answered my question. I am concerned for the safety and well-being of Ship and all in her. Why will you not answer?”
    Jene glared at him. She knew he was not asking out of genuine human concern for the unfortunate mutants under constant care; he was playing rhetorical games with her. She thought of storming out of the Council Chambers, but the urge to resist authority, to “fight the good fight,” as her grandfather used to say, made her answer.
    “All colonists will continue to receive care at the highest level we can provide them.”
    “And if that means choosing between a Double-A and a D for medical resources?”
    “I can’t make a blanket answer. Such developments must be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.”
    Arnson sighed—the first real sign of annoyance he had displayed. If he was tiring of the game, good. Jene wanted to leave, but her grandfather’s memory would not let her depart until she had won some sort of victory, however small.
    “Surely, Doctor, you
Read Online Free Pdf

Similar Books

The Widow's Kiss

Jane Feather

The Ties That Bind

Warren Adler

Wild in the Moonlight

Jennifer Greene

The Auction

Kitty Thomas

The Sword of Bheleu

Lawrence Watt-Evans

The Herbalist

Niamh Boyce