Page 54 of Evan and the Alpha

Something in me quails in fear. I shake my head. “No, nope.” I cling tighter to Sobek. “I’m not going on the ship.”

Scott frowns at me. “Why not?”

I twist so I can meet his eyes. “I’m just not.”

Dad frowns at me reproachfully, but it’s Scott who says, “The equipment’s not mobile, Ev. You have to come on board if you wanna get checked out.”

I frown. “Don’t you have—”

Scott shakes his head. “Not on the cruisers. On a ship like theColumbia? Yeah, absolutely—totally mobile med bay. We’re not equipped for a field hospital.”

“Oh.” My heart sinks a little.

Scott looks me up and down. He makes a couple of false starts at words, but Sobek says, “Two of you will stay here.”

Scott sighs. “Yeah, okay,” he agrees. “I’ll leave the whole damn crew grounded if it makes you feel better, Ev. Can’t take off without them.”

I scowl at him, because I know the AI in the ship can absolutely take off without a human crew. Sobek gives me a beseeching look though; he’s been very worried about me, and Darwin’s been talking up our medical equipment, so I know Sobek wants me to undergo an exam. Or maybe several exams. Whatever will make him feel better, reassure him that I’m healthy.

“Okay,” I agree.