Way of No Return (Champions of the Crystal Book 8)

Chapter 6: The Oncoming Storm

Sabrina woke nauseated, which made the appearance before the Bathiran legislature seem excruciatingly long. It was gratifying to see the happy expressions and receive the effusive congratulations of the legislators, but she wished she could have stayed in bed. When they finally got home, Ford said, "You can have lunch in bed."

"No lunch," Sabrina groaned. "Just some water, please."

"Water and the doctor to prescribe some anti-nausea meds," Ford replied. "There's no need to suffer through this, Sabrina. Just tell her what she gave you this morning isn't working."

"I will, believe me. Are you going up to the ship?"

Ford grimaced. "I'll check in with Father, but I'd rather stay until you're feeling better. Come on, let's get out of our costumes and get comfortable."

Ranja met them outside their rooms, ready to assist Sabrina with getting out of her formal gown and take charge of the jewelry. "After lunch," she reminded them, "you have the interview with the prospective Chief of Security."

"Good," Ford said. "I'll stay for that so Sabrina doesn't have to do it."

"Thank you," Sabrina said.

"Ranja, have the doctor come up when you have Sabrina settled," Ford said, going into his dressing room. "Then make sure she eats something."

Ranja called, "Yes, sir. Also, we've received several qualified applications for your personal assistant. Would you care to conduct the interviews, or have the Chamberlain do it?"

"The Chamberlain," Ford called back.

Sabrina gave a wan smile. "Ranja, I want Ford focused on saving civilization as we know it, not domestic concerns. Let's try to bother him as little as possible."

Ranja shook her head. "There are a lot of decisions that only one of you can make, and he doesn't like it when he thinks you're over-scheduled. I can't win, can I?"

"I can make decisions in bed as well as anywhere else," Sabrina said, "and what Ford doesn't know about my schedule won't hurt him."

"No, just the rest of us when he finds out," Ranja pointed out. "Are you going to bed, or would you prefer casual dress?"

"Casual. I'm not sleepy, and I think sitting up would be better than lying down. Besides, I'd still like to meet our new head of security if possible."

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Doctor Merith frowned over her scans this time, making Sabrina anxious. "What's wrong, Doctor? Is Lily all right?"

"Yes, yes. It's you I'm concerned with for the moment," Merith said. "You're suffering some cellular breakdown in several organs, which I believe is causing your nausea. The waste products aren't crossing the placental barrier, so the baby is safe, but your own health will only deteriorate if this continues." She studied the data for a moment more, then said, "Your circulatory and respiratory systems seem unaffected, which is fortunate."

"Khediva worked on those," Sabrina said. "Feel free to consult with her; I'm sure she'd share the data. She might have some ideas about what's happening now."

"Er...how would I go about getting in touch with a Wayship?" Merith asked.

Ranja said, "I'll put you in touch, Doctor. Major Kendara has access through her comlink, and the household system has the code as well."

"Is there anything you can give me?" Sabrina asked.

"It will only mask the symptoms."

"I'd settle for that."