If you missed the start of Alien Secrets, Flight of the Kestrel book 2, here is the link.
Chapter 6
Parks woke with a start at the sound of a red alert. He had been sent to his cabin, but had only been in bed half an hour and was groggy. He struggled to consciousness, wondering if he was getting too old for this. He went to jump out of bed, but couldn't because of his injuries. At least his instincts were still sharp.
He carefully pulled on his uniform and shoes and went out into the corridor. John Blackwell was passing.
'Commander, wait!' Parks grabbed the engineer’s arm. 'What’s going on?'
'Pursuit,' Blackwell said as he hurried away, 'looks like you brought some company with you.'
Parks headed for the bridge. Unfortunately for him the way to the bridge led past sick bay, and the door was open.
'Commander Parks!'
The voice of Doctor Nefar came through the open door. 'You are not fit for duty. Return to your quarters, and I recommend you strap yourself into bed and keep your breather at hand. I do not want to treat any new injuries.'
Parks started to protest, but the doctor came out and escorted him back to his cabin. The Doctor was after all one of only two men on board the Kestrel who had the right to give Parks orders.
Sebu Nefar was new to the Kestrel. He was Kohathi. Parks had utmost respect for the race, on their last mission another Kohathi doctor, Tofi Dathan, had bravely sacrificed his life to save others. The Kohathi take apprentices to continue their work, and Nefar had been Dathan's apprentice. He volunteered to join the Kestrel in Dathan’s place.
Sebu Nefar might have appeared to be a genial be-whiskered old man, as all Kohathi did, including the females. He was young for his race at a mere 82, and much stronger than he appeared. Parks knew better than to argue with Doctor Nefar.