Tana could hear the sound of Captain Dundas mumbling to herself as she accepted the call. Lisel moved a couple more steps away, and even the medtechs looked worried.
"Hello, Captain Dundas," Tana said in her best neutral voice.
"Honest to God, I ought to drop kick the three of you out an airlock at my first chance. We haven't even been here a day, and the three of you --"
"We --"
"Bombs! Damage to historical buildings --"
Hearing the word historical set Tana off. She threw herself off the bed and shook the pocketcomp as though she tried to shake some sense into it.
"People tried to kill us! They threw bombs. They shot Krisin, and he's in the operating room --"
"Shot Krisin?" Dundas said, her voice suddenly much softer.
"Yes, ma'am. With one of those damned historical projectile weapons. I don't know how he's doing. It seems to be taking a long time. There are crazy people up here. Can we go back and fight the were? At least I can recognize them as enemies."
"Tana --"
"Sorry, Captain."
"Where are you?" Dundas asked.
"Aspen."
"Huh. I'll be there in a few hours."
"People are throwing bombs at us, Captain," she repeated. "They shot at us --"
But the line was dead.
Tana turned to Lisel with a shake of her head. "You were no help."
"Thank you. I didn't think you noticed."
"She is coming here."
Lisel winced and then gave a steadier nod. "Good. She'll come with her guards. You might want to warn people, Tom."
Tom gave a nervous nod. Tana realized that colonists made him nervous. Or maybe it was colonist warriors with Catchin crew.
Or maybe they were not acting the way he expected. Tana had noted that everyone else was angry and showing it. Tom expected rage and didn't realize she already felt it. However, being a fighter pilot meant she had to keep her temper in times of danger, which they faced here.
Tana was sure she couldn't explain it to the man. He expected an outburst, and probably all the more so since she'd been over the top talking to the Captain.
Dundas understood, though.
Why didn't Medtech Ret come back out?
Tana sat on a chair as close to the room as she could get. Lisel brought one over to sit by her, and the others left them alone. Tana knew Tom was handling problems. Earther troubles, and she was glad to leave it in his hands.
However, if that door didn't open soon, someone was going to be sorry --
And the door opened. Medtech Ret stepped out, saw her, and gave a quick nod.
"Sorry, sorry. We got into a discussion about styles of ski equipment, and I just lost track of time. Krisin suggested I get out here before Tana tracked down a fighter and shot her way in."
"Ski equipment," Tana replied.
"Don't attack him," Krisin said from inside the room. "Let's try not to make enemies of every human we meet."
Ret stepped out of the way and let Tana go into the room. Lisel followed. Krisin didn't look bad at all, except for a medpad over his side.
"The Captain is on her way," Lisel warned. "And she's not happy."
"For some reason, she thinks this is all our fault. Like we make trouble everywhere we go."
"Oh stop, stop -- don't make me laugh --"
He had a hand to his side and kept baring his teeth, obviously an attempt not to laugh too hard. Tana would have thought it funnier if Captain Dundas was not on her way.
Tana suspected Ret had given drugs to Krisin. Maybe she should ask for some and hope to survive the Captain's arrival.
Lisel paced. Tana wanted to as well, but her leg hurt a bit now, and besides, she didn't mind sitting with Krisin right now. He slept. She had never seen him relaxed before. Was that a purr?
Tana smiled. He couldn't see --
And something blew up -- something big -- and far too close. The room shuddered. Krisin woke and leaped from the bed and nearly knocked her down. Then he grunted and went to his knees.
Medtech Ret rushed into the room. "Yeah, that was close and big ... and I fear I know what blew up. That would be the old medunit before this one was built last month. They're trying for you people. Fools."
"Someone is going to point out they missed the new location," Tana said. She helped Krisin back to his feet. "What do we do?"
"Out the back door. The rest of you get out of here. No, go, go. Keep away from any of the zealots. Put on your coats and act like panicked tourists."
"The panicked part will be easy," the woman who had treated Tana said.
And then they were quickly gone.
"Let's go," Ret said. He looked at Krisin and said nothing, but Tana could see he was worried. Lisel moved up to help the Catchin when he needed it, and Tana moved to the other side. Ret led the way to a spot behind some equipment and storage cabinets. Tana didn't see the door until Ret opened it.
"Take coats and hats," he said, pushing open a closet. Just do it. You'll look more like locals. Yes, even you, Krisin."
None of them argued. Tana could hear people yelling in that cold hell beyond the door, though none of them seemed too close. If they could get away from the building --
She pulled on coat and hat. Ret did the same, and he took a cautious step out. Tana followed, still wishing she had a laser pistol. She pulled out her pocket comp.
"Captain, don't try to contact us. More trouble. We're on the move, and Krisin is on his feet. I strongly suggest you don't come here."
She not only shut down but also shut off the pocket comp entirely.
They were on their own now.
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