Though small, nearby Mutare wasn"t without amenities. The clinic was happy to see Nosuma instantly, without a wait or even an appointment. The small inn quickly found three adjoining suites for the Institute group, two guards occupying rooms on either side of the room for Nosuma and Kwena.
She"d slept in the tent inside the Vumba Zimbabwe last night and then had come into town to have her bandages changed again and get a room for the night, at least until arrangements could be made to get all five statuettes to Institute Headquarters in Harare.
The inn had secured a holocom for Nosuma to use and had waived the usual surcharges normally levied for interstellar coms.
“Father,” Nosuma said when the com to Alpha Caeli went through.
“Nosu, my child,” said his voice, breaking with compassion
