This World Is Taboo by [pseud.] Murray Leinster
page 4 of 157 (02%)
page 4 of 157 (02%)
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"Med Ship _Aesclipus Twenty_ reporting arrival and asking coordinates
for landing," he said matter-of-factly. "Purpose of landing is planetary health inspection. Our mass is fifty tons, standard. We should arrive at a landing position in something under four hours. Repeat. Med Ship _Aesclipus Twenty_...." He finished the regular second transmission and made coffee for himself while he waited for an answer. Murgatroyd came out for a cup of coffee for himself. Murgatroyd adored coffee. In minutes he held a tiny cup in a furry small paw and sipped gingerly at the hot liquid. A voice came out of the communicator: "_Aesclipus Twenty_, repeat your identification." Calhoun went to the control board. "_Aesclipus Twenty_," he said patiently, "is a Med Ship, sent by the Interstellar Medical Service to make a planetary health inspection on Weald. Check with your public health authorities. This is the first Med Ship visit in twelve standard years, I believe--which is inexcusable. But your health authorities will know all about it. Check with them." The voice said truculently: "What was your last port?" Calhoun named it. This was not his home sector, but Sector Twelve had gotten into a very bad situation. Some of its planets had gone |
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