Commander Reardon lit Elise’s board. She leaned into a mic. “No, a hormone was definitely the contaminant. More likely this is spread from”— then she knew— “chickens. How many of your people who had sick fowl on board, are now sick with flu?”
A large number of captains raised their hands and began to interrupt each other. An appalling number reported both sick chickens and following flu-like symptoms.
Commander Reardon pushed back from the table, alarm written on his face. “I’m declaring an emergency meeting of all medical directors from all ships. I need to get a handle on this disease before it becomes a fleet-wide epidemic. How can so many ships already show symptoms without my knowledge?”
Naomi leaned in to explain. “At first, we thought it a simple virus, but it’s spreading rapidly.”
The Commander lifted both eyebrows in alarm. “It sounds like it’s more than a flu. Have all medical directors interface here as soon as this shift is over.
“Meanwhile, I’ll send information on the reported solar system to every bridge. I want all astrogators to study it and identify locations of possible habitable planets. Report back with the information. Now to expedite, I’ll address individual requests and dismiss those who have no further business.”
***
The meeting concluded, she staggered to the bridge and collapsed into her captain’s chair, gripping its broad arms in order to stop the room from spinning. Sweat beaded her forehead and nausea roiled her stomach.
“Captain, are you all right?” Joss Wiley’s concerned face leaned into hers.
“A touch of an upset stomach.” She shifted, trying to get comfortable.
His eyes widened in alarm and roamed the bridge to land on Tango, who nodded, unhooked his gear, and sauntered over. They exchanged unsettled glances. “We’ve got enough eyes here on the bridge, Captain. “You look like you need to lie down a bit. Take a short break. Settle your stomach. We can handle the bridge.”
Fingers unbuckled and unplugged her from her seat while a large tan hand gripped her arm to help her rise from the chair.
She stood up, feeling the room whirl faster and faster. Stumbling forward, she felt herself swept up into muscled arms as Trajan picked her up and strode out. “Call Dr. Luttrell right away,” he shouted over his shoulder.
The last thing she heard was Tango on the comm calling John.
***
Consciousness returned with someone lifting her head. She lay on a strange bed in an unfamiliar white cubicle. John’s face loomed over hers. “You’re sick, Elise. I want you to drink this and get well.”
She heard a rustle of cloth from somewhere nearby. “Dr. Luttrell, that’s the experimental serum. You can’t give her that. We don’t know yet what the side effects are. You said…”
“I say a lot of things, and most you should ignore, Beth.”
Elise swallowed the thick, slightly bitter concoction and closed her eyes.
“There, it’s done, and I’ll live with the consequences,” he murmured as he patted her arm. “Now get better, my love, and prove me a savior.”
The hand lifted. Dimly, she heard, “We have a serious plague spreading among the ships, and I fear the entire fleet will become infected soon. Pull out the contagion protocols and get them in place. I’m going to the bridge. Trajan, she’s all yours. Follow the nurse’s lead on medical care, but protect her from physical harm. People will get irrational when they find out there’s plague.”
***
She awoke in a sweat-drenched bed. “Water,” she croaked. Immediately, a cup pressed against her lips. Her eyes were so crusted and gummy that she could hardly see. A small hand patted her arm as a panicked young voice shouted, “Jacob, Jacob she’s conscious.”
By the time anyone else appeared, it was a lie.
The next time she opened her eyes she saw a scrawny kid playing a video game on a handheld next to her. She made a noise and he looked up. Dark curls fringed startling green eyes that peered out over a white mask. “You’re awake.” He tapped a number onto his handheld and reached for a cup. Lifting her head, he brought it to her lips. “It’s a special broth.”
The thick liquid tasted bitter and lumpy. She sat up stiffly, taking in her surroundings.
“I’m Jacob.” Serious eyes stared at her, making her uncomfortable. The name sounded vaguely familiar. She scowled at him.
He gazed away and nervously adjusted his protective face mask.
“I have to get to the bridge.” She swiveled sideways, sitting on the edge of the bed. When she tried to stand, she almost lost her balance.
The kid reached out his hand. “Whoa there. Dr. Luttrell will be here soon. I texted him that you were awake.”
“My clothes. Where are my clothes?” She pawed at the flimsy nightgown.
He went to a drawer and pulled out an outfit. “We kept your stuff here. Take it easy. The doc said you should wait for him.” He put a hand on her arm as he placed the clothes next to her on the bed and looked away.
She pulled out the IV in her arm and the data patch that had been stuck to her skin. Grabbing clothes, she sat on the bed, stuck her legs in the pants and proceeded to slip on the dark tunic. She patted her hair in place, feeling its neglect. She tried to finger-comb out tangles.
The boy leaned forward; his voice rose with anxiety. “You really need to hold on until Dr. Luttrell gets here.” Again, he tapped frantically into his handheld.
She stood up, feeling much more stable and took a few steps forward. “I need to see what’s happened to my ship.” She stumbled and caught herself.
“You have to wait!” The kid grabbed her arm. “The whole ship’s contagious. You can’t go out there.”
She shook his hand loose and staggered to the door. Palming the lock, she used her captain’s override to open it. As she marched forward, she ran right into a broad muscular chest. Trajan stood in front of her, arms crossed, breathing heavily, with a deep frown on his face, he looked down at her. “Going somewhere?”
She became aware of human voices almost at a subliminal level. Moans, cries, and shouts all formed a dim background within the ship. “What has happened?”
“A plague has hit the fleet.” Trajan peered down at her. “People are dying.” He gently turned her back.
The boy skidded to a halt next to them. “I texted the doc,” he gasped, wringing his hands. “I told the Captain not to leave.”
“Dr. Luttrell is busy. I’ll take her.”
“I can come.”
The name, Jacob, surfaced in her memory. “Is this the boy Frank Stoddard talked about?”
The kid stiffened. “Stoddard talked about me?”
“Long story.” Trajan shot her a warning glance. He gestured her forward out the exit.
A figure dashed away from a nearby corner.
Trajan frowned out into the corridor. “Damn Stoddard and his gang of thugs.”
“Someone’s posted a lookout,” Jacob shouted.
Trajan tugged on her. “Keep a sharp eye out. Let’s hurry. We want to avoid an ambush.”
Elise slowed. “Why would they ambush us?”
She examined the ship, noticing the unkempt, unclean, almost abandoned appearance. The various posts, computers and system boards where people usually congregated stood empty and untended.
Up ahead in the corridor, several men ran toward her. She heard a manic shout. “You brought this on us. You!”
Elise turned. “What is that man yelling about?”
Jacob piped up, “He keeps saying that you brought those people from the Explorer onto our ship and contaminated it.”
“Shut up, Jacob.” Trajan raised his head and roughly pushed in front of her to shield her. A laser beam scorched a piece of nearby equipment. “Take cover. They’re firing at us!” he shouted, jerking her next to a jutting panel for protection.
A bright flash nearly blinded her.
“Crimey!” Jacob slid next to a blocky bin and flattened against the wall. Anothe
r beam sliced the air and a call post shattered. A shard of metal slashed across Trajan’s front and ripped the fabric of his jacket.
He grunted in anger.
As the men edged closer, Elise recognized Frank Stoddard. “This is all your fault,” he howled, staggering forward. His face looked contorted and saliva spit from his mouth. Behind him, a commotion occurred and his men fell into the shadows. Still standing, Frank raised a shaky blaster, but a dark form stole up behind him, gripped and twisted his wrist. The blaster clattered to the floor.
“Got him, Boss!” a female voice exclaimed.
Frank collapsed, cursing. As she emerged into the light, two others joined Mika The guards bent down and handcuffed the moaning attackers. With a gasp, Frank glared up at Elise. “All her fault,” he accused.
Disease had decimated the tough guy who had once been Frank Stoddard. The bowtie hung crooked, a ribbon dangling. Not only had he physically changed, he acted deranged.
Trajan waved Elise back while he walked up to Frank who gazed up at him from the floor. Slowly Stoddard stood up and faced Trajan. “More than half the ship’s dead and spaced, thanks to your captain.” He wiped at a sweat-laced forehead. “I’m dying. Funny how Luttrell’s magic elixir ran out before I could get any, but he made sure she did.” He pointed toward Elise.
Wordlessly, Trajan took Frank’s arms to secure him.
The man moved in close to the guard, breathing heavily. “I’m dying, and now …” He spat in Trajan’s face. “… you’re going to die too.”
Chapter 17
Luttrell’s Cure
Appalled, Elise watched as Trajan calmly ordered his guards to take Frank away and lock him up. Wiping his face with his hand, he glared after the departing group.
“Oh, my God! Trajan!” she whispered hoarsely. “What’s he done?”
He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Calm down, Captain. I’ll be okay.”
She shuddered. “Okay? He’s contaminated you!”
Mika patted her shaking shoulders. “Trajan’s been inoculated,” Mika explained. She scowled as she watched the other guards drag Frank and his men away. “Dr. Luttrell gave us the antidote early on.”
“Antidote?”
“The doc’s serum has saved a lot of us.”
“What about Kane?” She peered around wildly. “Where’s Kane? He’s the guard who saved my life.”
“Captain, let’s get you to the bridge.” Trajan’s grip on her arm felt suddenly painful.
Mika eyed Trajan, then turned to her. “Kane’s dead.” Her eyes welled up with tears. “He got the plague.”
“Okay, Jacob. Go home. Your job’s done,” Trajan muttered.
“No one’s there. Mom and the kid got sick and died. Da’s dead too. Couldn’t they use people like me at the lab? I’ll do anything. I’ll clean up, I’ll put on labels, I’ll…I just don’t want to go home and be alone with too many thoughts.”
Closing his eyes, Trajan nodded. “Mika take him to the lab. See if the doc can use him.”
She sighed. “Come on, Jacob. Let’s see if we can find something for you to do.”
Trajan accompanied Elise to the bridge. Two strange guards nodded at them and slid the door open.
“Captain on the bridge.”
Her breath caught at the announcement. She was home. She was safe. She was on the bridge of her ship…and alive.
Two of her crew swung around. A wave from Jazz greeted her, and then a palm up “wait” gesture as she continued her conversation in her headset.
“Captain, welcome back.” Tango sounded glad to see her, although he appeared tired and worn.
She grinned at him. As she surveyed the bridge, the smile faded. “Where’s everyone?”
Tango’s face froze.
“Where’s Jensen?”
A clatter came from behind her. “Right here, Captain. Heard you’d returned and came to the bridge as soon as I could.” An out of breath Jensen scrambled through the entrance.
“And Joss?”
Tango and Jensen exchanged looks. Tango gulped before he answered, “He didn’t make it. He wasn’t on duty when Dr. Luttrell first came and gave us the antidote; then the doc ran out. By the time the lab made a second batch, Joss was too far gone.” Tango wiped at his face; his shoulders slumped. “He left a wife and two sons.”
Disconnecting from her call, Jazz stared at the floor in quiet sadness while the bridge paused.
“Tate. Tate’s missing too.” She felt her heart pound in her chest. Fear of still more loss spiked adrenaline through her.
“Oh. Yes.” The crew gave out worried glances until Tango spoke up, “Commander Reardon lost his comm officer to plague. A majority vote of the bridge volunteered Tate to replace him; at least until the Commander finds a more permanent solution. To be honest, we’re hoping he will keep him.” Grins traveled all around. “Fingers crossed.” Eyebrows raised.
Shaking her head, she eased into the Captain’s chair and started plugging in. “I need to talk to Dr. Luttrell. Connect me to his Medlab, Jazz.”
Jazz held up a hand, and Elise noted with fond memory the bright purple butterfly tattoo at the base of her palm. “Shuttle bay is on the line now, Captain. I’ll put your call through to Dr. Luttrell next in the queue. However, I can plug you in to the shuttle bay call if you want.”
“Do so.”
Jazz nodded. Elise heard a click followed by Jazz’s voice, “Shuttle bay, be prepared to receive The Pilgrim’s Pride. The package should be standing by at your location. We’ve cleared our personnel to board.”
A rough voice answered, “Jaden Hendricks, here. Acknowledged. We need more hands, bridge. We’re short-staffed and Admin is not helping.”
“Administration is not even acknowledging,” muttered someone near the mic.
“Captain has recovered, and we’ll address the issue soon. Be informed our hands are full at the moment.”
“Oh, okay. Acknowledged. The shuttle has just landed. Package and personnel are boarding. Pilgrim’s Pride said to give you their thanks. Also, tell Captain Fujeint welcome back from us. Glad she’s recovered.”
“Thank you, shuttle bay,” Elise said into her mic.
“Hey Captain, glad you’re back. Send us some help here.”
A warm glow shot through her at the enthusiastic greeting. “It’s good to be back.”
Someone nearby quipped, “I take it she hasn’t been back long.”
“The shuttle’s ready for takeoff. Captain, I’ve got to go. Glad you’re well. Over.”
“Rodger. Captain out.”
Jazz faced the captain, a frown on her face. “Dr. Luttrell isn’t answering.”
Easing off his headset, Tango caught Jensen’s eye and pointed to his board. Jensen nodded and took the helm, pretending not to listen.
Elise gazed at her second. “So, catch me up.”
Tango shifted a bit in his seat and stared off into the distance as he gathered his thoughts. “After you fell sick, the disease spread like wildfire all across the fleet. People died faster than we could cure them. Dr. Luttrell’s serum is limited and painstaking to make. The disease got ahead of us.”
At her station, Jazz tapped buttons on her board, unhooked her headset, and joined the solemn conversation. “He sent a batch immediately to Commander Reardon and promised more as soon as the lab could make it. We just didn’t have an adequate supply and couldn’t get it distributed quickly enough. People caught the disease and died before the Medlabs could save them.” Her voice quavered as she told the awful story.
A cough came from Tango as he leaned forward. “The, er, antidote is highly experimental. Dr. Luttrell hadn’t planned on employing it quite so soon or for that particular purpose.”
Jazz added, “And highly controversial, once we realized what it was.”
She slanted her head. “It cured me.”
“How do you feel?” Jazz’s studied gaze made her suddenly uncomfortable.
She assessed her conditi
on. Energy flooded her body, her mind felt sharp. “I feel good. Why?”
“The serum contains replicating nanites.” Tango exhaled. “He made me drink it before he told me, but it works. Actually, I’ve never felt better. Cured my carpal tunnel problem, a butt rash, and...”
Holding up her hand, Jazz admonished. “Too much information, Helm.” She stopped, noticed her board. “Dr. Luttrell is on the line now.”
Elise felt a thrill. John had saved her life, and she wanted to thank him and tell him she loved him without the whole bridge listening. She toggled her secured line and nodded for Jazz to send the call over.
“Elise! Glad you’re well.” John’s voice sounded rough and raspy. “They broke into the lab and stole my last batch of serum. I promised Commander Reardon more. The Valiant’s desperate. People are still dying…”
“John, I—” She started to thank him, but he interrupted, “I’m so tired, Elise. I feel like I might collapse at any minute, but I can’t. People are dying everywhere. I need more serum.”
“John, can I send you help?”
“Without immunization, they’ll just die.”
“You must have people who are immunized.”
“Yes. Amy, Eric, Sallie, Jeff, some other lab workers, but not enough, and they’re in no better shape than I am. They’re exhausted too.”
“I’ll get Trajan to track it down.” A chill ran down her back at his frenzied state. He never panicked.
“You need him to protect you. Frank Stoddard has his vigilantes out, and the corridors are dangerous. Dead contaminated bodies are lining the walls. Crazy people, ill people, and some bent on mischief are wandering loose all over the ship. I suspect Stoddard’s men broke in and stole my last batch. We’re just lucky they didn’t kill anyone while stealing it. Also, David Jackson is throwing bodies out the airlock before they breathe their last breath. He claims he’s limiting contagion. Also, I’m almost out of material to make more serum.”
“John, listen to me. I’ll try to recover…”
“They’ve drunk it by now or handed it out to other vigilante gangs. It’s gone. People are dying. I’ve got to make more. Make…more…I have to go.”
The line went dead.
A World Too Far (Terran Trilogy Book 1) Page 8
