"Hi there Lawrence," Kevan added to the linguist.
"Hey," Lawrence said, nodding back. "When you're better, we've got a lot of notes to compare."
"Mr. Phelps!" Dr. Melovich exclaimed, "I don't think you understand. Due to the now two attempts that have been made on your life, Commander Norlen feels you'd be much safer if moved to his command ship for now. Relations with this race is tenuous at best. If we need to pull out of here for any reason, he does not wish to leave you behind." The doctor had leaned forward and was near whispering, as if afraid that the Rich'ti were listening in on them.
"Removing me would make the relationship with the Rich'ti even worse," Kevan replied. "And Rich'ti do not run when they have met a challenge. I will lose some of the ground I have gained here if I run just because an attempt was made on my life. It is important for me to stay on this planet right now. And it is also important that the fleet stay here and fight. If we don't help the Rich'ti fight them now, the Brey-hahd will only be coming for us next. Right now they've just been testing our borders. But I've already tried to explain this in the communications I've sent." He sighed heavily, an action that seemed to rasp across his lungs painfully.
"We need to ensure your safety, Kevan. Commander Norlen was very clear on that. He will be coming to see you himself later, but asked for me to come confirm you were being properly treated here and to make arrangements for your safety."
"Lawrence, please step outside the privacy bubble and ask someone for Kir'let to come in here would you?" Kevan asked while quickly beginning to type up a message on his datapad. "Dr. Melovich, hold that thought a moment."
"Sure thing," Lawrence replied, looking relieved to step away from the disagreement, even if only for a moment. By the time he got back, Kevan had the message finished. He held up a hand to forestall any questions.
"Kir'let," he said in Rich'ti. "I need this message communicated with Agronet immediately and I need a response immediately too, so you will need to contact him directly." He handed her the datapad, which she scanned over quickly.
"Right away," she replied with a smiling nod. She immediately turned and left the bubble without another word.
"What was that? What did he say?" The doctor's face was beginning to turn a light shade of red.
"I have reqested that Agronet allow a small contingent of military personell to be posted in my area of the diplomatic section of the building," Kevan replied. "For the moment, Dr. Melovich, I assure you that I am safe here under Urish'tal's watchful eye. I am expected to be moved back to my own quarters in the diplomat quarters. While I already have a Rich'ti guard there, made up of people Agronet trusts, as well as a Rich'ti bodyguard who was injured trying to stop this last attack on my person, I don't see a problem with a couple of armed Human guards added in for good measure. I have informed Agronet that this is a common procedure at Human embassies with other races, and am hoping he will take no issue with it. However, having them come down without his approval would be ill-advised."
"That should satisfy the good Commander's safety concerns. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to rest my lungs and not speak again until Kir'let comes back with Agronet's response to the request."
He closed his eyes for a moment, in the hopes of getting the doctor to leave him alone. The one side of his chest felt like it was on fire at this point and he didn't know how much he had left in him before he just passed out again. He suspected Urish'tal would not be pleased with him for overdoing it, but he didn't see that he had much choice just then.
