Layla Nash - Frrar

M aisy frowned as she charged another wound-healer and attached it to the fractured arm of one of the younger Xaravian crewmembers. It had taken two days for the young warrior to finally admit he was in pain, and instead of facing Mrax, the Xaravian doctor, he chose instead to slink into Maisys sick bay. Apparently it was less humiliating to ask for assistance from the human doctor, since she didnt rate the same kind of respect or admiration as the grim Xaravian doc.

She fumed, clenching her jaw until she heard her teeth grind, and turned away before she said something she regretted. The Xaravian sat quietly at least, though Cecily Griggs, the security officer seated on the empty gurney and swinging her legs like a kid, wouldnt keep her damn mouth shut.

Jess is doing much better. That clinic figured something out with the antidote and managed to synthesize some kind of proteins that reversed a lot of the damage. She and Trazzak are going to head back to Dablon Seven to clean up some of the boneyard and figure out how many of the traitors old ships they can resurrect.

And thus why Maisy fumed. Shed been the one to go with Trazzak and Jessalyn to Dablon Seven, when Jess was dying from some mysterious toxin and they had to figure out who among the rebels was trying to betray them and turn everyone over to the Alliance. Maisy had been there, not Griggs or Violet or Isla. And yet still Isla insisted that Maisy stay behind, since it was too dangerous to confront the Dablonians and try to purchase the super-advanced-weapon-whatever that theyd developed to sell to the Alliance.

Maisy was just the ships doctor. She was just the one whod saved all their lives at least once, some of them more than that. And Griggs would be a walking pile of broken bones if it werent for Maisys expertise and patient tending. She put up with more bullshit than anyone else on the ship.

And still they didnt treat her like a real adult, a real officer.

After their old captain sold the female members of the crew to a passing Xaravian ship, Maisy hadnt been completely on board with staying with the rebels and their shoddy ship and questionable manners and antiquated medical knowledge. Theyd dragged everyone into one catastrophic adventure after another, and Maisy gritted her teeth and went along because they needed her. And shed sworn an oath as a doctor to take care of her crew. Shed do it even if it scared her out of her mind and made her want to pee and almost killed her.

Griggs picked at her cuticles, still muttering something about the Dablonians and traitors. Maisy didnt look up from adjusting the settings on the wound-tender. How long are they going to be out there?

Hard to say, Griggs answered. She rolled on her side on the gurney, frowning as she watched Maisy work. Apparently the traitor amassed quite a collection of old ships and rusty buckets. Vrix thinks we can resurrect a whole fleet of fast ships, but Im not so sure. It could be weeks, maybe months.

Maisys eyes narrowed. Well, when I was out there, it looked like three or four dozen frames and two or three times as many junkers. So Im sure they can start piecing things together.

Thats right, Griggs said. You were out there when Trazzak tried to arrest Jess. I keep forgetting.

Yeah, well, everyone keeps forgetting. Maisy pointed her I mean business finger at the young Xaravian and tried out the few commands she knew in Xarav. Rest. Dont move.

He nodded and mumbled something, his scales still a little yellow-orange with pain. He wouldnt ask for painkillersnone of them would. Shed learned that the hard way in the first few weeks of treating the Xaravians. Along with their prickly senses of honor and the elaborate rules they had for combat and food and pretty much everything, they refused to show weakness. And acknowledging pain was clearly a weakness.

She rolled her eyes and hooked a small pain management capsule to the tender, dialing it up until the Xaravians eyes went half-closed and he relaxed for the first time since hed walked in.

Maisy went to the supply closet to start restocking everything, unable to stand still with Griggs still there.

The security officer sounded carefully disinterested. I guess its been easy to focus on Jess and Trazzak as being the center of that adventure. You and Frrar both went along. How was that, being in a small crew?

Maisy repeated the doctors oath a few times under her breath as she struggled to find calm. It was fine. Dont you have something to do? Surely your mate needs some supervision.

Nah, Griggs said, still so casual that it set Maisys teeth on edge.

Shed never been good at confrontation, except when in the middle of a medical crisis, of course. Then she could even put Vaant, the big captain of the Galaxos and Islas mate, right in his place if needed. But the rest of the time...

Maisy gestured at the other side of the room where the large bins bolted to the wall kept the extra supplies. If you insist on lingering here and annoying me, make yourself useful and bring me more of the regeneration capsules and the life-support sensors.

Something going on, Cunningham? Griggs asked, but at least she went to the bins and started pulling out the supplies Maisy asked for. Whats with the attitude?

Im sick of everyone acting like Im some kind of helpless, ridiculous child, Maisy said. It was easier to speak her mind with her back to Griggs, since that way she didnt see the security officers expression. Maisy didnt think she could take it if Griggs laughed at her. Im a doctor. Im the youngest doctor ever certified by the Fleet Academy. Im brilliant. And yet all of you still treat me like Im like Im She trailed off, staring at the cupboards but not really seeing them.

Like youre our kid sister? Griggs finished. She dumped a few armfuls of the supplies onto the counter next to Maisy, but at least she didnt insist on seeing Maisys face. The security officer didnt return to the bins but instead leaned against the counter and studied the rest of the sick bay and the spaced-out Xaravian ensign. Whats the big deal?

How much do you enjoy it when Vrix tells you what to do because hes trying to keep you safe? Maisy planted both fists on the counter so she wouldnt throw the supplies around. She needed to breathe and try to meditate and get control of herself. They definitely wouldnt trust her with any important missions if she had a damn temper tantrum in the middle of an argument. How well does that work out?

Its not the same, Griggs said quietly. Look, Maisy, I know were tough on you and maybe we try to shelter you a little from

A little? Maisy scoffed and folded her arms over her chest, turning enough to scowl at the other woman. Im a Fleet officer, the same as you. I mean, I was a Fleet officer. Just like you. I passed the same tests that you did, I went through the same training, and I qualified on the same weapons. Most of the same weapons. You cant treat me like Im some... some... helpless civilian. And yet you do. All of you do. And Im sick of it!

We dont want you to get hurt, Griggs said quietly. She reached to touch Maisys arm. Come on. Its because we love you and worry about you and need