Read Online Quest For Earth by S E Gilchrist - Free Book Online

months of sucking in the sour smell of oil, plasma-plastic and stale air. The vehicle rounded a corner and trundled down yet another street that seemed to lead into the very heart of the city. Buildings now lay on either side of the road, edged with wide footpaths where the people went about their daily business.
    Rothe twisted in his seat, jerking his chin in the direction ahead. ‘The Corporation’s Headquarters. Only the Board and a select few are allowed beyond the entrance. Of course this law does not include yourselves.’
    Barid murmured his approval.
    â€˜Before you meet with the Board, all of you are required to undergo the “cleansing” ritual.’
    â€˜What nonsense!’ Barid spluttered and scowled.
    Rothe’s smile fled, leaving his face stony. ‘The laws must not be broken.’ Then he shrugged. ‘Everyone who enters the city for the first time must do this; it’s not a sign of disrespect.’
    â€˜We understand,’ Sherise said. ‘It is a wise precaution. Who knows what contaminants could have adhered to our persons or clothing. The last thing we wish to do is to infect your people with an illness.’
    â€˜Very well then. How long will such a process take?’ Barid said.
    â€˜Fifteen minutes each.’ Rothe’s gaze settled back onto Sherise and she had to stop herself from biting her lip at his close scrutiny.
    Perhaps it had been a mistake to speak out, but she’d recognised the implacable coldness in Barid’s voice. Whatever was on his mind, she could only hope that he wouldn’t sabotage the forthcoming meeting with the city’s rulers. Despite her repeated urgings before they’d departed from the Quinnie , she’d been unable to breech his stubbornness and encourage him to share his problem.
    But to order him to remain behind was unacceptable. Such an action would be too much of a dishonour for his rank and age. Especially when she had no logical grounds on which to base her disquiet.
    She’d just keep a close eye on him and do her best to soothe over any of his hasty remarks.
    The transporter stopped with a final hiss of steam.
    Rothe climbed down first, then extended his hand to Sherise, which she took with a smile of thanks. Once on the pavement, she stared up at the building looming over her and prepared to mount the steps. But Rothe was marching off down the footpath to the building next door and, without waiting to see if they followed, he disappeared inside.
    When Sherise entered the building she found herself in a large room which resembled a waiting area. The walls and ceiling were white, the tiled floor looked squeaky clean and a row of chairs, some of which were being used, ran along the sides of two walls.
    The few people waiting there all stared at them, wide-eyed.
    â€˜A medie chamber,’ she said, wondering why she was so surprised.
    Rothe, who’d been speaking to a guard stationed behind a wide counter, turned and said, ‘We call it a hospital. We’ll wait here. One of the nurses will take over.’
    A woman wearing a long-sleeved pale-blue tunic over white trousers approached with a friendly smile. Her eyes were bright with curiosity. ‘If you’ll follow me please?’
    They trooped down a corridor behind her.
    â€˜Well, this is such an exciting event,’ she said, glancing over her shoulder. ‘I’ve never seen an alien before and you look just like me! Nothing at all like what I expected.’
    Sherise laughed.
    â€˜Here we go.’ The nurse pushed open a door to their left and walked in. ‘Oh, sorry, I didn’t realise the room was being used.’
    A male nurse, judging by the similar clothes he wore, started and said, ‘Shit. I mean … you startled me. I didn’t know another cleansing was scheduled for today.’ He stood behind a counter embedded with several rows of buttons, dials and small screens. His jaw dropped as he