As
the doctor bent close to examine the weapons commander’s game injuries, Lidon
put his mouth to the Imdiko’s ear. “When
was the last time you were around a fucking
Nobek, Doctor?”
Tranis’
eyes widened as Degorsk flushed at the obvious innuendo and moved his head so
the smugly smiling Lidon couldn’t get so near.
As if he’d been asked a serious question, he answered, “I’m around your
self-destructive breed all the damned time, Commander. And none of you will let me do what I can for
you. Like refer you to a surgeon who
will make it so you don’t have to use a brace to walk around?”
Lidon’s
evil smile was replaced by a scowl. “You
know better than to suggest I lose my marks of honor.”
“I’ll
have them leave every last one of your ‘marks of honor’. Hell, I’ll get them to give you more to show
off if it will make you happy. I know
surgeons who will grant you plenty of mobility you don’t have now. Not to mention, spare you so much pain.”
Lidon
gave him a dark look. “I am not spending
weeks on end in recovery and rehabilitation.
I had more than enough of that after the injury.”
Degorsk
sighed. “Stubborn, stubborn. You are a Nobek’s Nobek.” He put his scanner away. “The hits you took today didn’t do anything
but bruise you. Will you at least
consent to pain inhibitors so you can do your job at maximum effectiveness?”
The
Nobek’s tone was almost gentle. “Will it
make you happy?”
The
Imdiko deadpanned, “Ecstatic. I might do
backflips in my unmitigated joy.”
Lidon
bowed his head. “‘The true master
receives joy from serving his servant.’”
Degorsk
narrowed his eyes. “Which of us are you
calling the servant?”
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