"Jacqueline Lichtenberg - Dushau Trilogy 01 - Dushau" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lichtenberg Jacqueline)

Krinata wondered if Finemar's malfunction could explain Fedeewarn's death. She said to Finemar,
"You've admitted a malfunction. It makes sense to lighten your caseload under such circumstances, so on
my authority, transfer the Dushau to Arlai as a specialist physician." She appealed shamelessly to
Finemar's physician's programming. "It's the best way to insure the well-being of the Dushau in your
care."

Finemar blinked expressionlessly. Krinata had never seen a Sentient take so long to make a decision. But
then he said, "A sensible suggestion. I feel it is wrong to follow it, but I do not know why. Undoubtedly,
the malfunction is impairing my judgment. Arlai, send your instrumentality to me at once. I'm beginning to
waken the patients who will be remanded to your care."

Again he began to sign off, but this time Krinata stopped him. "I think it would be wise if I were present
when Jindigar wakes. Several times he expressed gratitude for my presence. It seems to stabilize him
somehow."

Arlai looked surprised, but said, "That can happen on rare occasion, and if so, then it is crucial that you
be present."

Finemar looked from one to the other of them, perplexed as no machine ever should be. "I have data that
this is true. But I also have specific instructions."

Arlai replied, "It is unwise to follow sourceless instructions, for how will you explain your actions in the
event of disaster?"

In evident distress, Finemar agreed to permit Krinata's presence, and the two Sentients vanished from
her screen. She snatched up her leptolizer, deactivating the screen, tucked the piol under one arm and
headed for the infirmary.

The hospital section was on the top floor, in a far wing of the oldest part of the structure. She set her
leptolizer to home on the infirmary, and followed its colored light display until she was thoroughly
disoriented. At last, she found herself in a pleasant reception area, wide windows providing a spectacular
view of the sunset over the crystal and ebony spires of the Allegiancy capital.

She paused, breath caught in her throat, once again ensnared by the upwelling of emotion she'd felt
before the throne. The Allegiancy, for nearly two thousand years, had utilized the best within each of
those who served it, remaining impervious to their inevitable, mortal pettiness. The greatness of the
Allegiancy was in the way it also captured the dedication of people like Jindigar. Such an organization
was worthy of her devotion, even her life.

As she approached the monitor screen to announce herself to Security, she felt purified by her perception
of the glory outside those windows. A small scurry passed her, three packages on its deliver platform. As
Security admitted her to the corridor of in-patient rooms, she set her leptolizer to home on Jindigar, and
found herself following the scurry right to the end of the hall and into a large room with three beds and a
heart-stopping view of the city and the sunset.

There were just a few puffs of cloud scattered about the purple sky, arranged to complement the capitol
buildings as if by the Celestial Artist.

Two attendants, a Holot and a Lehiroh, were working over Jindigar and the other two Dushau. As the