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Thammah let out a laugh. “Our good Dr. Hayter high as a kite! Well, they last about 12 hours in Thaf’ell biology. Don’t know if that helps you though.”

“It might. I’m working with Matias to compare the two species. But I didn’t call to discuss either Dr. Hayter’s health or the stims,” she clarified. “I know you are busy. But I am hoping that you can delay your flight to Haseon for a few more minutes.”

Thammah did stop loading then and looked at her with a lifted eyebrow. “Sure, but why?”

“The Osiris has some medicine that I need to administer to the Pilot,” she said. “But I need to prepare a bit before we go. I promise I will not delay your flight to the planetside any longer than necessary.”

Thammah nodded. “Jace definitely needs a pick-me-up. He was amazing, Daraja. You couldn’t believe all he was able to do even without the Osiris or the use of his body.”

Or the use of his body… No one told me anything about that! If they had, I would be down there already!

“Tell me everything about the Pilot’s condition, Thammah,” she said as she went over to the medication that the Osiris had sent to the Med Bay.

Thammah described Jace’s symptoms as she picked up the soft plastic bag the medicine was in. It was cold to the touch. The liquid appeared thick. More like a gel than water. She grabbed one of the insulated, white containers and set the gel inside. The container would keep it cold.

“Thank you, that clarifies things somewhat,” Daraja told her. “I will be there as quickly as possible.”

“We won’t leave without you. I can always come back up to get you,” Thammah offered.

“Thank you, but I know that you are needed on Haseon. You are not a shuttle pilot,” Daraja said.

Thammah grinned. “I’m whatever I need to be. But I’m also the only trained pilot by a long shot on the Osiris. I’d only trust Jack to get you down safely, but he’s captaining the ship right now.”

Daraja knew just how well Jack Parker was doing at that job: excellently. He had saved countless lives and he’d done it with grace. She was not surprised as he was Jace’s father.

“I understand. I will be quick,” Daraja assured her. They cut off communication. “Not that we are not pressed by a departure time, Osiris, you can explain to me what is in this medicine now.”

She continued to pack up other things she might need. The comm was truly a remarkable instrument. It was not just a communication device, but instead a portal to all of the Osiris’ systems. She had a miniaturized version of the scanners in the Med Bay itself along with various sensors that could analyze blood and tissue, assess injuries, and indicate medication necessary. She secured one of the small backpacks that contained various medicines that might be needed other than what the Osiris had given her.

The Pilot does not require any of these other medications. You need nothing more than what I have given you, the Osiris sounded peeved.

“How would I know that when you have not given me any information on the Pilot’s current health or what this medicine is? You are even blocking me from accessing his vitals,” she said just as peevishly.

You do not require this information to perform--

“I am a doctor! I am the Pilot’s doctor! I do not give strange liquids to my patients without understanding what they are and what they will do,” she responded, stopping dead in her tracks.

I will contact another physician to do as I ask--

“Oh, you can try, but no one is going to do this!” she told the AI.

They will comply--

“No, they will not. If they do, they will be reported and removed from duty. No good doctor would give the Pilot this without understanding what it is and what it will do,” she stated. “Our patients are our first and only duty. I will do no harm. Do you understand?”

The cursor blinked. Daraja tilted her head to the side, but did not blink. It was as if they were in a standoff.

You will not understand even if I do explain, the Osiris responded, blinking first.

“We will not know until you start explaining,” she pointed out.

I will explain while you walk, the Osiris stated.

She gave a faint smile and started walking. She went first to Dr. Hayter’s side and called over Dr. Mendoza.

“Dr. Hayter, I must leave, but Dr. Mendoza will take over your care from here,” Daraja explained.

“Seems like you won the argument,” Dr. Hayter said with a dreamy smile.