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worked on her son’s preferred mate for hours, the cells hadn’t been destroyed by the blast, they had been swollen until pressure on the spine had caused the lack of control. Scar tissue was the greatest problem, but the enzymes that would do the most good were not tested for Gaian use.
    She was staring through the surgical scope when she felt her son enter the room. He carried the same energy that she did, but he could do so much more with it. She enjoyed being a scientist, biologist and researcher as well as a standard physician to the ills of the Nine.
    “What is it, Cav?” She didn’t look up but kept slowly unravelling the scar tissue from Niika’s spine.
    “Will she be all right, Mom?”
    She paused for a second before continuing. The care and worry in his voice was far deeper than she had assumed.
    “I will do my best. It will take a few more hours, and she won’t be awake until tomorrow. Go, get some rest. Update the council with your findings, just leave me to do my work.”
    She felt his bow.
    “Thank you, Mom. I will also set up some quarters for her to recuperate in. She won’t be comfortable here. Your staff is far too interested in her.”
    “Do what you like, Cav. Now, shoo, Mama’s busy.”
    She smiled and continued her work with enthusiasm, recognising that she was saving the mobility of her future daughter-in-law, whether the Gaian was aware of it or not.
     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Eight
     
     
    The lack of pain made her lightheaded. Nik twisted to one side, and to her shock, her knee bent up to brace her in an old reflex that hadn’t been used in years.
    She giggled and wriggled her toes. She reached around and felt the plasticky skin over her scar. One more test. With great care, she slipped her feet off one side of the bed and kicked them for a moment before she stood upright.
    She weaved slightly as she tried to balance against braces that weren’t there. With her lower lip between her teeth, she slid one foot forward then another. Nik grinned and quickly jumped up, spinning in the air to face the other direction. She hooted with triumph, but her reflexes weren’t up to snuff and she ended up face down on the bed. It was a small price to pay for mobility.
    A slow applause brought her around with a jerk. Dr. Meevin was there with several pieces of fabric over one arm.
    “I see you are testing my handiwork.”
    Niika grinned. “It is very good. I can move freely again.”
    “Excellent. Now, let’s get you showered and dressed then back to medical for a check. I am not letting my son in until you are clothed. He is close to the edge of control as it is.”
    Niika blushed and didn’t mention that he had already seen her naked and it didn’t seem to matter.
    The mysteries of the solar shower were explained to her, and a bright flash later, her hair and skin was squeaky clean.
    “You have four daughters, Dr. Meevin?” Niika was tugging on the tight amethyst trousers that were the first layer of the clothing she had been brought.
    “I do. Cavos is an excellent caretaker. He was wonderful while Whyander and I worked. Of course, when I came here, my husband had to remain with our daughters. I will be off rotation in another four months, and then, he will come to the Mother ship while I handle the last days of their childhood.”
    Niika pulled on the long emerald chemise, the sapphire tunic that ran to mid-thigh and the elegant and peculiar ruby coat that was cut to the waist in front, exposing her legs but covering her arms and backside in a swirling flow of fabric that reached her ankles. Everything had gold and black embroidery on it but allowed complete freedom of movement.
    Dr. Meevin was impressed. It was obvious in her gaze. “Well, he was right about the sizes, and you do look enough like one of the giant Stone Folk to pass in dim light.”
    “Why aren’t you the same shade as Cavos?”
    “The women aren’t grey, dear. The men did the mining and the women, the science. The