Howling in pain, The Kraythonian staggered into the surgery clutching his upper right arm with upper and lower left hands. Dr Carl Peters slipped on the translator headset. His speech needed to be precise, clear, un-rushed. Miss-translation could have unfortunate consequences.
"Hello sir. What appears to be the problem?"
A wall-mounted speaker bellowed grunts and gargles, an interpretation of Dr Peter's words in Kraythonian tongue. The Kraythonian barked and growled a response, distain seeping through pained expression.
A formal, English male voice politely translated in Dr Peters' earpiece.
"Do you have a problem with your eyesight? I'd have thought it obvious that my arm is causing pain."
Kraythonians were known for their forthrightness, …show more content…
Now they were commonplace and believed to improve intergalactic relations. It had been Carl's father who'd persuaded him to work in such an environment. "See the universe," He'd said. "Meet new and interesting species. Experience cultures from other solar systems." Much of what Carl had learnt thus far was either confusing, scary or down right frustrating.
It didn't help that humans, particularly young, newly arrived humans, weren't well looked upon by the Kraythonian contingent on the mine. And with them making up the majority of those on the station, particularly in positions of authority, this occasionally made matters awkward for the young doctor.
The Kraythonian's viewed Carl, as best any Earth language could translate, as a 'Lower-form'. To have any chance of ascending the social ladder you needed a nomination from a 'Higher-form', which basically meant anyone of a higher social standing. Which basically meant anyone else on the base. Carl had thought being a doctor would put him in better stead, but the Kraythonian's saw the young, fresh faced human rather than his profession.
Curse the Kraythonian's for their beliefs and