Page 84 of Zalis
The grumpy doctor was staring at her.
“You are awake. Speak,” he ordered.
Gemma wanted to rub her forehead, but her arms were too heavy. Sleep lingered, and it took a few seconds to process what Dr. Kalen said. “What? You want me to bark like a dog?”
“Malicious compliance, very good. The procedure did not impair your sarcasm.” He almost sounded approving. “You understood me and replied in kind. The new translation chip is integrating into your brain. You may experience a headache and blurred vision.”
“Where is Zalis?”
“I am here,” Zalis said.
She rolled her head to the side. There he was. She wanted to smile, but while her brain was on board, her body was not getting the message. The best it could do was flop out a hand. He understood because this man who said he had difficulty understanding people and reading their unspoken cues totally got her and held her hand.
“How do you feel?” the doctor asked.
“I feel fine.” Great, actually. She felt floaty, aware of her body but only in an abstract way.
“That is because we injected you with what we callthe good stufffor the surgery.”
“That’s the medical name?” she asked, more interested in exercising her sassing muscles than getting an answer.
The doctor seemed to understand this, or they really did give her the good stuff, because he wasn’t being rude or condescending. “The effects will wear off. If you are in pain, we can administer a pain reliever.”
“I’m fine.”
“Do not suffer because of pride,” Zalis said.
“I won’t.” She gave his hand a squeeze, so the motor control was returning. He squeezed back gently.
Dr. Kalen held out a small vial. “This belongs to you.”
Gemma dropped Zalis’ hand and took the vial. The chip inside was no larger than a grain of rice. “It’s so small.”
“It is a standard translation chip.”
“Do I keep it?” she asked.
“Wear it as a trophy taken from a fallen enemy if you wish,” Kalen answered.
Gemma shivered. No thanks. She didn’t want that thing anywhere near her. “Can you destroy it? I don’t want it.”
“I can analyze it and determine if it was used for tracking,” Zalis offered.
She wanted it erased from existence but if there was information that could help track down the missing women, then she needed to put her feelings aside. Besides, it was healthier to know, to take control of the situation and all that.
“I can have it incinerated,” Kalen offered when she didn’t answer right away.
“No, let Zalis analyze it,” she said. “Use it to catch those bastards.”
The doctor gave a quick nod, as if approving. “You will stay twenty-four hours for observation.”
“But—” she started to protest.
Kalen’s expression grew serious. “You had brain surgery. Implanting a translation chip is easy. Any fool with an injector can do it, but to remove it without damage is complicated. You will stay. You will rest.”
That was directed toward Zalis, who dipped his head as if agreeing.
This seemed to satisfy the doctor. Something in the way he stood a bit straighter whispered to Gemma that he was about to leave. Before he could go, she blurted out, “I want therapy.”
