Seeing (Return of the Nine) Read Free Page B

broken three times.”
    The focus shifted to her wrist, and the doctor hummed to herself before disappearing into the outer office. She came back brandishing another hypogun, and before Vida could brace herself, she was jabbed in the arm and that limb felt like it was being dipped in fire.
    Vida writhed on the table, and Ziggy wisely kept back. This was knowledge she didn’t need.
    When the first wave of agony faded, Vida was covered in sweat. She sat up with a dazed expression. “You could have warned me.”
    Dr. Meevin winced. “Sorry, you may experience some slight discomfort. It is an enzyme that the Balance have been working on to restore harmony in the body. I didn’t know what it would do to a Gaian.”
    “That was the worst of it, right? It was just my arm, right?”
    The doctor winced. “I think so. You may want to contact Researcher Lerinian. He designed it.”
    Ziggy helped Vida off the table. “I will bring her in tomorrow morning. We will consult with the researcher.”
    Vida hobbled out of medical feeling far worse than she had entering it. They hopped back onto a pod and were whisked through several distinct neighbourhoods before arriving at a series of structures all lined with heavy plexi to allow for a full view of the stars.
    “Oh wow. The Balance, I presume?”
    “Yeah, they have battle shields that cover those views during a fight. All the different races have their own environments. It was part of the initial agreement to get this ship together.”
    Unlike the area near the shuttle bays, there were no people randomly milling around. Occasionally, a cloaked figure would pass through the open area near the rail, but they didn’t stop or even look over.
    “Come on, Vida. The labs are over here.”
    Vida closed her eyes and sighed. This area of the ship was the kind of spot she could get around on her own. Every path was clearly marked by the slow paces of dozens of the robed figures. Their energy was all slightly different, but it vibrated and swirled with a slow and steady roil of light against dark. Whatever the Balance was, it was powerful.
    Pain began to tighten on her arm, and it spread through her chest. She tried to hide it, but Ziggy had her ways of knowing these things. “Come on, Lerinian’s lab is this way.”
    They walked past the occasional silent robed figure until they were in a wheel of large bubbles filled with lab tables and equipment. Ziggy looked into one and scowled. “Damn. I thought he would be here.”
    Another crippling wave of pain went through her. “Can you call him?”
    A robed figure approached. “May I help you, Potential?”
    The voice was low, even and soothing. It rang like a deep soft bell to Vida’s fried senses.
    “Yes, I am looking for Lerinian. Is he around?”
    “He is doing a locked meditation. May I assist you in some way?”
    Vida’s tense muscles were the only thing holding her up. Her teeth were clenched and the pain was spreading.
    “Dr. Meevin administered a treatment that Lerinian had been working on to my friend here, and she is having a rather extreme reaction to the meds.”
    “Ah, the regeneration project. There are other contributors with the research, including myself. If you will come with me, I will run a diagnostic.”
    Ziggy turned to follow him and Vida moved more slowly. Her entire body was going into rigor.
    The member of the Balance opened the door to his lab, and when his hooded gaze turned toward her, she heard his bell-like tone curse. He quickly grabbed her and brought her into the lab. The medical bed was firm under her, but her body couldn’t appreciate it.
    “Easy, Lady. I will counteract the treatment. It was never tested for use on Gaians.”
    Vida muttered through clenched teeth. “I guessed as much.”
    Ziggy was wringing her hands. “What can I do?”
    The man said, “Call the Gaian, Ularica. She has a compression suit that she has been working on. It will help with the pain.”
    Ziggy went to the com unit