Jettison is a science fiction novel that found its origin in the original Star Trek series (original text written in approximately 1975) and has evolved from there with "characters strong enough to stand on their own" in the words of one of the original reviewers.

May 30, 2000

Excerpt from Jettison

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       At the top of the hill that separated the village from the swamp, they took time out while Carter and Soudra attempted to treat Daniels' wound and revive him. The children merely settled down and waited while the Kashin moved into the brush to stand guard.
        The Kali was scanning the village below to watch for pursuit when her attention was drawn to activity beyond the camp clearing where the children had been penned. The missing warrior, Kol-tier, bound hand and foot, was being dragged about the camp while she was being stoned and speared by the angry tribesmen. Her agony was obvious, yet she did not cry out, and this seemed to anger the natives even more.
        Soorelia stepped up beside the healer, and now hissed in horror as she recognized the warrior below. The Kali turned and wordlessly took her rifle. Before Soorelia could protest, the Kali set it on kill, and fired. Kol-tier's body shimmered a moment and was gone.
        Next, she scanned the village for the missing weapons. Methodically, the Kali fired at each of the lasers as she located them, with a skill unmatched by most of the Fleet officers, she pin-pointed each and destroyed each. She only injured a few of the natives, those standing too near Kol-tier, and those who had held the stolen lasers.
        Her task complete, she sank down to her knees, head bowed, eyes closed, and did not resist as a concerned Soorelia reclaimed her rifle.
        Kah-rihl's angry scowl and her sudden move toward the Kali with another's sword brought quick action from Thalos. He stepped between them, suddenly forceful, no longer the embarrassed, chagrined officer who had broken taboo and was in disgrace, he now stood in protection of a priestess.
        His voice had an edge to it as he spoke to the angered Kah-rihl in her own dialect. He waved her aside with a stern command.
        Showing only the briefest surprise, the warrior nodded and obeyed him. Carter and the newly revived Daniels stared in disbelief.
        "Whatever he said, she's backin' off," Carter muttered.
        "That was her bond sister, I believe," answered Daniels. He had managed to sit up enough to see what had happened. "I'd love to know what he said."
        Thalos was scowling at the rest of the Kashin, and they were scowling back, but they made no threatening moves. He stood over the Kali, one hand protectively touching her shoulder. She seemed exhausted, and did not move. Neither would he.
        Soorelia's claws were fully extended and her neck hair ruffled. She was closely watching the exchange.
        "Ah believe we have what they used to call a stand-off," Carter said softly.
        "I think I know that term. Ouch!" Daniels winced. "Patch me up, Carter. We've ...got to get the hell out of here. ... That rock pile won't hold them for long."
        "Long enough. You're hurt pretty bad, Martin. Ah can't do much for you down here. In my opinion, the walk back through that swamp could kill you." Carter looked concerned.
        "We don't have much choice. Trong and Kathryn won't be back ... until they're scheduled to come back." His breathing was labored.
        "Exactly nineteen hours and twenty-seven point four minutes," Thalos filled in, joining them, his services no longer needed by the healer.
        The Kali had managed to regain her composure and was conversing with the Kashin, the tension in her voice and theirs was obvious. After a few anxious moments, the Kashin visibly relaxed and went back on guard. Soorelia's fur was down but, still edgy, she stayed near Thalos.
        The Kali turned her attentions to Daniels. Pushing him back down, she removed Carter's handiwork and the wound flowed red again.
        Thalos and Soudra pulled a protesting Carter aside as the healer mixed powders from her medical pouch and dropped them into the captain's wound. She clamped her hand on him for the briefest of touches. The powders frothed and roiled but Daniels showed no sign of pain. Fascinated, he watched his own treatment.
        Within moments, the bleeding had stopped, the wound was sealed, and the angry red blood-poisoning streaks were receding even as he watched. Carter was speechless as Daniels flexed his arm. Soudra merely nodded in agreement, she had seen Aldeb healers work before, and she had heard of the talents of the fabled Kali.
        "It will be sore, Captain, and will need attention once you reach your ship. But, it will hold for now, and you can make the march without fear." The Kali packed her pouch away and went to speak again to the grieving Kah-rihl.
        "Ah'll be damned," muttered Carter, finally regaining his voice as he scanned Daniels' shoulder.
        "She is an Aldeb healer," Soudra began.
        "She is a Kali healer," Thalos interrupted. He seemed to feel that no other statement was required.

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