Elenora bustled about the command center, but her mind was not on her work. Instead, she was rethinking the abruptness of thrusting a Choosing ceremony on Jewels. She had seen the younger woman's devastated expression, and it tore at Elenora.
She would have done it differently if she could, but Jeremy was right. They couldn't wait any longer, and giving Jewels time to brood was never good. Elenora rubbed her neck, trying to relieve some of the tension in her body. Brigadier General Maussey was another area of concern. She disliked him immensely. His greed and need for revenge were unhealthy.
"Dr. Cosmit!"
She bit back a snarl. Even thinking of the irritating man was enough to summon him into reality. She schooled her features and turned to him. "Yes, Bg. General?"
"We've been summoned to a vid conference with the President. They want us there ASAP."
Elenora was surprised. She could tell that Maussey was, too. "Yes, Sir." She swept by him and headed for the side room reserved for such conversations. She sat without waiting for Maussey to do so. She noted his scowl and felt a perverse joy at aggravating him.
He sat and activated the screen. The feed started, and Elenora saw that the President was not alone. She shivered when she recognized his companion. She felt her stomach knot.
"Brigadier General Maussey. Doctor Cosmit. Allow me to introduce Colonel Manroe, an agent with the Psi-Ops division. He will be presiding over the Choosing ceremony."
"Sir, do we really need him? The Choosing has always been done without high-ranking officials present," Elenora objected. She did it, not for Jewels, but for herself and Jeremy. Manroe had a reputation that people whispered about. And if you were on his radar, nothing good ever came of it.
"Yes, Dr. Cosmit, we do. This is a special ceremony. We have aliens present who not only wish to watch, but have some of their warriors participate."
"What!" roared Maussey as he jumped to his feet, knocking his chair over. "No!" he slammed his fist down on the table. "I will not allow it! The ceremony should be for human psionics only."
"Sit down, Bg. General. You will allow what I order," the President sternly rebuked the man.
Elenora silently agreed with Maussey, but she wasn't going to foolishly yell at the President. "Sir, are you going to allow them to participate?"
It was Colonel Manroe who answered. "Yes, we are. In the rules for the Choosing, it states that 'a contender must have proven psionic abilities, be of good standing and of good health.' Nowhere does it say human psionics only."
She grimaced. She hated legal loopholes. "Sir, we should reconsider this plan. The last time such lasting contact was made between Jewels' mind and a Gatoan's mind, she almost died. Do you wish to risk that again?"
"She will be fine," Colonel Manroe assured her.
"How do you know that? Are you her physician? No, I am. I'm telling you right now. The stress she has been under for the last week is debilitating to her performance as an officer. Sir, I must insist that the aliens be denied."
"Tell me, Dr. Cosmit, are you protesting because you really care or for appearance's sake?" Manroe's penetrating gaze bore into hers.
Uncomfortable with his scrutiny, Elenora put her hands on her hips and glared. "Because I care. Why else would I object? She's fragile. I'm not going to let you break her to suit your own ends."
"It is unfortunate that you feel that way." The President leaned back in his chair. "Colonel Manroe is coming now to observe. The aliens have been told they will be participating, but we are limiting their entrants to three, with the Prince being one of them. Now, if there are no further objections?"
Maussey opened his mouth to speak, but the President ignored him. "Good. I expect a live feed be sent to my office as well as Psi-Ops headquarters. We are all very interested in the outcome. We will adjourn. Good afternoon, BG. General, Doctor."
Elenora sat and fumed. She was so tired of the disrespect. After this Choosing, she was asking for reassignment. She didn't want to be Jewels' doctor anymore. And, Jeremy would be free to relocate with her. She stood, cast a sideways glance at the furious Maussey, and left him to his own devices. She had a Choosing to prep for.