Robert Hoskins

“ They were soon ready. Dillon grabbed up his bag, and he followed the native out into the storm. The rain blew straight toward them, and they bent forward, into the wind. The trip to the village was a fight all the way.
The village itself had become isolated; an island in the midst of a shallow lake. They waded across, to the hut that was Bila's. He held the hangings aside, and the Earthmen stepped into the stink of the alien crowd.
The omnipresent lamps were lit, and the smoke hung heavy. Both of the Earthmen were soon wishing they had protection for their smarting eyes. ”

“ There is no one left with the necessary knowledge. You will come?"
"I'll come, Bila. But first I must get a bag from the office. With it I may be able to help the boy."
"Ah, you too have an herb basket like the priest's? Truly you are a friend of the Gods."
"Not quite like the priest's," said Dillon, smiling. "But it serves much the same purpose." He hurried up the path and into the shack, emerging a moment later with the first-aid bag that was standard equipment for all men isolated from the services of a doctor.
"That's where you made your first mistake," said Cassidy. ”

“ The drugs in the bag were all intended for use by Terrans only, and an attempt to aid the slight alien might only result in death. Whereas if he were left alone to ride out the fever, he just might come through all right.
Kylano let out a muted sob, and struck out wildly, nearly hitting Dillon in the face. He cursed, and turned to his bag, selecting the most catholic antibiotic it contained. He looked up at the watching crowd, but they just stared back impassively. He cursed again, and swabbed a spot on the native's arm, and thrust home the needle. ”

“ Hopelessness took the place of question, and he turned, and stumbled from the hut, and into the storm.
"Take the man to the post," said Bila. Several of the men hurried to do his bidding. They carried Cassidy out into the night, without looking back.
"Simple," said Cassidy. "Just like I said." He was hunched over his coffee, his ham-like hands soaking up the warmth from the cup.
"Simple," said Dillon. "I don't get it. Just why did they stop me from treating the woman?"
"We come from the stars, which the natives associate with the home of the Gods. ”

“ They were days of intensified effort for Dillon, as he went about the task of setting up the rest of the post. The warehouse came first, and the living quarters. The office that had been serving double-duty reverted to its primary function.
Occasionally a few natives would drop around to gaze at the work-in-progress, but they would soon grow bored, and drift away to other amusements. He had twice been back to the village to look at the boy, but so far nothing else had come up to require his meagre medical knowledge. He was beginning to think that he might last out until the priest returned. ”

“ His head was capped with close-cropped gray curls.
"Why?" he repeated. "I've been studying it ever since it first cropped up, and I must admit that it's been beyond me."
"I must confess, Dillon," said Cassidy, "I wonder how you ever rose to the managerial ranks of Extrasol. I find it hard to imagine a personnel man stupid enough to put you in charge of even a backwater planet like this Kash. Surely somebody in the home office must know how dumb you are?" ”

“ He bent over the man, and turned him over. Cassidy's face was white, and the sweat rolled off in rivulets. Dillon felt for a pulse, and then pulled out a stethoscope. Baring the other's chest, he listened for a beat.
"What is it, Dillon?" asked Bila. "What is wrong?"
"I don't know. He's sick." He looked worried.
"Sick?" The natives stared at each other, unbelieving.
"Yes, sick! Earthmen get sick too, you know!" He bared Cassidy's arm, and swabbed it clean. Then he pressed home the needle he had prepared for the woman.
"He will get well?" asked Bila. ”

“ With our priest gone...."
"Why did your priest leave on such a long journey, Bila? I should think he would be more concerned with the care of his flock."
"The ways of the priesthood are beyond the comprehension of ordinary men. When the Gods speak to them, they obey, no matter how onerous the orders may be. If men must suffer during their absence, it is unfortunate. But it must be."
"Then I'd think that your priests would see to it that someone in the village would know what to do in case of emergency." ”

“ The natives have been so taken in by your ridiculously lucky flukes that they think you're the next thing to a God. Right?"
"Right." Each looked as though the other were something unmentionable, left over from the last cleaning of the cesspool.
"So we just...." He leaned forward and outlined his plan.
Five days passed, peaceably. The natives gave the post a wide margin; not even Bila showed his face. Dillon began to think that maybe there was a chance things would go back to normal by themselves; and that Cassidy's plan would not be necessary. ”

“ But when you were unable to save me, another man from the stars, and therefore presumably a close acquaintance of the Almighty, they could come to only one conclusion: The Gods withdrew their blessings from you. ”

“ As soon as I dress for the storm, and get my bag." He turned to do so, then was struck by an afterthought. "By the way, do you mind if Cassidy comes with us? He would appreciate the chance to see your village." ”

“ Regulation 1287-63C, paragraph 119 states 'no man shall give medical aid to alien races unless a team of certified specialists has checked out all such medicines with respect to such race and certified them safe. ”