stable for a few more weeks until they can take
the child out, and put it in an artificial womb. But that won't be for
some time yet. If they can keep pumping blood replacement into her, and
transfusions, and there's no complications, there's a good chance at
the right time they'll pull the baby, repair the internal damage and
put on her new legs all in one shot, saving her the trauma of several
operations."
31 "I want you to send out word," ordered North, "if things start going
wrong, if they think they're going to lose my wife, abort the child. Do what they have to do to save
her."
32 "I'm sure," assured the Doctor, "they have already considered that
necessity and will act as need be, but they'd rather save both if they
can, and I think they can."
33 "I hope so," continued North, "I pray it!" North went out to the
assignment office. "I'd like to go out and be with my wife."
34 "There is no need, Commander," the Officer told North. "Your wife is
even now being put on a special pod with a Medical Team, and will soon
be on the battleship "God's Hope," on her way here.
35 The battleship will make no stops but take the most direct route for
Haven. They cannot leap with your wife in her present condition, but
they will make far better time than a freighter. They will be here
within a few weeks, long before your wife's surgery. The finest Team on
Haven will be waiting to repair her injuries."
36 North nodded. "The best thing to do," the Commander remarked, "is to
continue to prepare for your new patrol, and your exploratory missions!"
37 North reluctantly agreed, and the agonizing weeks of waiting began.
He got daily reports as the battleship made its way through The Empire,
but North longed for the day the ship would gain orbit. He felt