Chapter 3

           CaptainWillemVanTrompwasamanofhumanityandgoodsense.Heradioedahead:"Mypassengermustnot,repeat,mustnotbesubjectedtothestrainofapublicreception.Providelow-geeshuttle,stretcherandambulanceservice,andarmedguard."

           Hesenthisship’ssurgeonDr.NelsonalongtomakesurethatValentineMichaelSmithwasinstalledinasuiteinBethesdaMedicalCenter,transferredgentlyintoahydraulicbed,andprotectedfromoutsidecontactbymarineguards.VanTromphimselfwenttoanextraordinarysessionoftheFederationHighCouncil.

           AtthemomentwhenValentineMichaelSmithwasbeingliftedintobed,theHighMinisterforSciencewassayingtestily,"Granted,Captain,thatyourauthorityasmilitarycommanderofwhatwasneverthelessprimarilyascientificexpeditiongivesyoutherighttoorderunusualmedicalservicetoprotectapersontemporarilyinyourcharge,Idonotseewhyyounowpresumetointerferewiththeproperfunctionsofmydepartment.Why,Smithisaveritabletreasuretroveofscientificinformation!"

           "Yes.Isupposeheis,sir."

           "Thenwhy-"ThescienceministerbrokeoffandturnedtotheHighMinisterforPeaceandMilitarySecurity."David?Thismatterisobviouslynowinmyjurisdiction.Willyouissuethenecessaryinstructionstoyourpeople?Afterall,onecan’tkeeppersonsofthecaliberofProfessorKennedyandDoctorOkajima,tomentionjusttwo,coolingtheirheelsindefinitely.Theywon’tstandforit."

           ThepeaceministerdidnotanswerbutglancedinquiringlyatCaptainvanTromp.Thecaptainshookhishead.