gauntlets. The rounded projection on what was presumably the forebody, was almost certainly the cranium, but it was covered by sensors rather than a transparent visor so that he was unable to obtain a direct view of the facial tegument and features. There was a large area of scorching covering the upper surface, or possibly the underside, of the body. He couldnât be sure without removing the suit.
âWhat is it, Doctor?â said Danalta. âIs it alive?â
âIâm not sure,â he replied, and indicated to the fourth litter. âMove the Earth-human casualty ashore, quickly, and assist Murchison and Naydrad with it until I join you or send for another litter. Iâll need this area to be clear of all other sources of emotional radiation if Iâm to be absolutely sure whether or not life is present.â
The emoting of Danalta and the Earth-human casualty diminished with distance to merge with the faint, background feelings of the medical team and the rest of the casualties. Without false modesty Prilicla knew that out of the entire Cinrusskin race he possessed one of the most sensitive and analytical empathic faculties his planetary history had ever recorded. For several long minutes he concentrated on using it.
And found nothing.
His disappointment was severe enough to make his limbs tremble. He knew that he was capable of detecting the emotional radiation of every species known to the Federation, right down to the tiny, savage feelings of non-sapient insects, but this was a thinking member of a new star-traveling species. Perhaps he had finally encountered one that thought and felt on a sensory level that was beyond his detection range. He was having feelings of personal doubt and inadequacy as well as disappointment.
Sometime and somewhere, he told himself as he lifted the scanner and keyed for the metal penetration setting, everything has to happen for the first time.
Prilicla moved closer until his head was only a few inches from the bulbous swelling in the protective garment which, in the majority of life-forms, was the location of the cranium and the nerve center of the sensory equipment. Slowly and carefully he passed the scanner over the area, continuing for several minutes to scan with his feelings at ultra-short range while at the same time searching with the instrument for clinical signs of life in any underlying organic material. He could not believe it when he found neither. He even had trouble finding his voice.
âFriend Murchison,â he said finally, âI have a casualty here which requires further examination. Do you need me there?â
âWe do, but not urgently,â the pathologist replied. It emitted a sudden burst of concern before it brought the feeling under control. âYou have been with that one for over half an hour. The situation here is that all four casualties have been cut free of their suits but there are a few small areas where pieces of burned clothing and charred body tissue are adhering, which will require surgical separation. The escharred areas and deeper burn locations where obvious necrosis has taken place will need to be trimmed away and the sites covered with surrogate skin until proper replacement surgery is available at the hospital. Meanwhile, IV nutrients, rehydration, and replacement of lost protein is currently under way while the casualties are being supported on cushions of cool, sterile air. Their present condition is critical but stable, and one of them, the last one you sent to us, is barely on the plus side of terminal. We may lose that one. Earth-human vital organs donât take kindly to being casseroled in their own juices. But you sound as if you might have another casualty for us. Is it a new boy on the block?â
Prilicla hesitated, then said, âIâm not yet certain whether it is a casualty for treatment or a new specimen for postmortem investigation. Certainly Iâve never encountered a
âWhat is it, Doctor?â said Danalta. âIs it alive?â
âIâm not sure,â he replied, and indicated to the fourth litter. âMove the Earth-human casualty ashore, quickly, and assist Murchison and Naydrad with it until I join you or send for another litter. Iâll need this area to be clear of all other sources of emotional radiation if Iâm to be absolutely sure whether or not life is present.â
The emoting of Danalta and the Earth-human casualty diminished with distance to merge with the faint, background feelings of the medical team and the rest of the casualties. Without false modesty Prilicla knew that out of the entire Cinrusskin race he possessed one of the most sensitive and analytical empathic faculties his planetary history had ever recorded. For several long minutes he concentrated on using it.
And found nothing.
His disappointment was severe enough to make his limbs tremble. He knew that he was capable of detecting the emotional radiation of every species known to the Federation, right down to the tiny, savage feelings of non-sapient insects, but this was a thinking member of a new star-traveling species. Perhaps he had finally encountered one that thought and felt on a sensory level that was beyond his detection range. He was having feelings of personal doubt and inadequacy as well as disappointment.
Sometime and somewhere, he told himself as he lifted the scanner and keyed for the metal penetration setting, everything has to happen for the first time.
Prilicla moved closer until his head was only a few inches from the bulbous swelling in the protective garment which, in the majority of life-forms, was the location of the cranium and the nerve center of the sensory equipment. Slowly and carefully he passed the scanner over the area, continuing for several minutes to scan with his feelings at ultra-short range while at the same time searching with the instrument for clinical signs of life in any underlying organic material. He could not believe it when he found neither. He even had trouble finding his voice.
âFriend Murchison,â he said finally, âI have a casualty here which requires further examination. Do you need me there?â
âWe do, but not urgently,â the pathologist replied. It emitted a sudden burst of concern before it brought the feeling under control. âYou have been with that one for over half an hour. The situation here is that all four casualties have been cut free of their suits but there are a few small areas where pieces of burned clothing and charred body tissue are adhering, which will require surgical separation. The escharred areas and deeper burn locations where obvious necrosis has taken place will need to be trimmed away and the sites covered with surrogate skin until proper replacement surgery is available at the hospital. Meanwhile, IV nutrients, rehydration, and replacement of lost protein is currently under way while the casualties are being supported on cushions of cool, sterile air. Their present condition is critical but stable, and one of them, the last one you sent to us, is barely on the plus side of terminal. We may lose that one. Earth-human vital organs donât take kindly to being casseroled in their own juices. But you sound as if you might have another casualty for us. Is it a new boy on the block?â
Prilicla hesitated, then said, âIâm not yet certain whether it is a casualty for treatment or a new specimen for postmortem investigation. Certainly Iâve never encountered a
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