Condition Evolution 4 by Kevin Sinclair (books for 10th graders TXT) 📕

bit of a stink if they’re ever uncovered, especially if he’s just a dickhead and not a traitor at all. I’ve thought about it, and I just can’t see a scenario where he could have been in touch with the Fystr.”

“How about when Ogun deserted their ship, and they were alone for a while?”

“But the Fystr had Ogun. What deal could Rufus offer? All the Fystr were after was to capture us lot, and no one knew if we were alive at that stage.”

“Damn, you’re right. So, he’s just an incompetent tool then?”

“We won’t discount anything, but for now we just keep a close eye on him without going too far. And before you bring it up again, too far is putting one of the Veiletians in the horrible position of having to creep around after him, on a ship where they’re tolerated rather than welcomed.”

“That’s just another thing against him isn’t it? But that’s all problems for later. We need to move.”

We left the ship to find one of the Apochros waiting for us.

“Hey there,” I said as we descended the ramp.

“Good day to you both. My name is Abrial,” he said with a slight bow. “I am Ialos’s assistant, and I will be your guide to our medical facility.”

“That’s all great, Abrial, but who the hell is Ialos?” I asked.

“Oh, my apologies. Ialos is Accre’s doctor.”

“Wait a second,” Ember said, holding a hand up. “Accre’s doctor? As in this whole planet only has one doctor?”

“Yes, that is correct. Other than myself, of course, though I am her apprentice. Now we should hurry, as Ialos is waiting for you.”

“Okay, dude, lead the way,” I said with a gesture for him to get moving.

Abrial headed off into the town, or village, or whatever the fuck it was. Ember didn't let the walking interrupt her questions. “What happens when someone is ill in a city across the other side of the planet?”

“Illness and injury that require a doctor are exceedingly rare for the Apochros. Should someone require the attention of a doctor, only one of us will travel to the location.”

“What! To the other side of the planet?” I asked, incredulity plain in my words.

“Yes. What is unbelievable about that? From any of our cities, it takes approximately 20 minutes to travel to the furthest point on the planet.”

“Ah yeah,” I snapped my fingers with the eureka moment, “I'm thinking in terms of my home planet's infrastructure. But I suppose we could easily get around the planet from here in that time if we used the Uprising.”

“I am glad you understand,” he responded, and I felt Ember nudge me in the ribs. I turned to see her smirking.

We all fell silent for the rest of the walk to the medical facility. It was an uninspiring building, visually pretty again, but lacked any sense of what I expected from a clinical hospital. Inside, I was surprised again; there wasn’t a load of fancy equipment or machinery, and part of me began to suspect these Apochros were having a laugh at our expense. A few things looked quite cool, but I had zero clues as to what they were. I didn’t bother to ask either as my eyes fell on Ogun’s body. He was looking much better. Apart from the gross red-purple blobs at the end of each severed limb.

Ember saw Jezai and spoke first. “It seems a very frugal medical facility. I honestly thought you guys would have clinical areas brimming with technology.”

“As Fystr we did and would build bigger, stronger, and smarter than any other species, constantly adapting and improving. As Apochros, we have discovered that the real power does not lie with technology, but within us. Most of what our talented doctor and her assistant achieve is down to their own powers, fortitude, and knowledge of the harmonious workings of the body and mind.”

“What you’re saying would make sense up to a point, but we’ve seen your ships, they looked very techy.”

“Everything we use is advanced; however, the ships you have seen so far belong to our alliance members, those races we work with and live alongside in this sector of the galaxy. The ships of the Apochros are less reliant on mass technology. Instead, they are designed around our own abilities. This makes for far more responsive and intuitive combat and flight capabilities.”

“Shit!” I exclaimed. “This I need to see.”

“I had hoped to give you a demonstration before we part company and personally feel duty-bound to help in your quest in any way I can. While we cannot aid you directly, for many of our kind fear we will lose everything in doing so, I cannot ignore we have a bond and for me a responsibility toward you. And while they may not have found my people yet, I fear it is only a matter of time before they do. The Fystr are a resilient foe with long memories.”

“It’s a shame though, right? From what I’ve seen, and you’ve just said, you could well and truly fuck them up if they come knocking on your front door.”

“I am in complete agreement. We would show strength and hold our ground admirably. And between us, I would at least like to see yourlittle army thrive,” he said with a good-natured smile. “Alas, I do not rule alone. All views must be balanced through our council.”

“We would like to thrive too,” Ember butted in, “but do you think we should wake Ogun up at some point today?” Up until that point, I hadn’t even noticed the other person in the room. They must have come in while we were chatting about intergalactic war. They now stood by Ogun’s bedside waiting patiently.

“Yeah, sorry,” I said sheepishly.

Jezai nodded confidently to the medic to begin the process to rouse Ogun. My heart was suddenly in my mouth. Ogun’s eyelids slowly flickered open. For a moment he seemed okay as his eyes focused, then he began to scream a truly horrific sound that somehow captured the