Tyrek, our science officer and usually the most reserved, said, “I have a concern, Captain.”
I nodded and told him, “Go on.”
“We are in a crisis situation. My concern is that major decisions, even ones in battle to protect the ship, may need to be made and rather hastily. You have many successful missions but only once faced battle, with the Nurrin. With you being acting captain, my recommendation is having Kasen to be your first officer. He has the experience you lack,” Tyrek explained. Most of the members of the group nodded.
“I agree, Tyrek. Excellent suggestion. Kasen, do you agree to serve as my first officer?”
“Yes, Captain,” he affirmed. “Now what are your orders?”
“We were ordered to leave orbit and we should do so. Relations can be rebuilt at some later point. Right now Quinn and Kai’s lives are in danger. Now I understand Kai’s parents would like us to bring him home. That’s an excellent place to receive further medical assistance. Kasen, please inform our navigators to set a course for Sigma Seti Six.” I commanded the crew. They rose and quickly left the small room. Only Kasen remained. “Is there something else, First Officer?”
“If I may, Captain Del, that was well done. If you had shown any hesitation the crew would have chosen me over you even though you outrank me.”
“I know,” I responded. As I sank back into the chair, I added, “I had a good role model. I hope I can pull this off. I just have to get us to a safe harbor. Should be easy enough.”
Kasen laughed, “You better, Captain. If you don’t, Quinn is going to kill you if you hurt his ship.”
----------
Never tempt fate. I forgot. The moment that I entered the bridge I knew we were in serious trouble, that this was not going to be an easy mission. Freelyn was waiting for me. He pulled me aside and spoke in hushed tones, “Del, this is looking grim. I dissected that creature and cannot find anything that would have poisoned Kai or Quinn. In fact, I don’t know why they are even ill.”
“Not an allergic reaction?”
“No, it’s not,” Freelyn stated. “There’s more. Brync is now feverish and lethargic. I think these are related events.”
I said, “But he wasn’t even stung.”
“Yes, exactly, Del. This is moving quickly, perhaps a virus the away team picked up on the planet or from the slug.”
“Investigate further and keep me updated, doctor. Are Kai and Quinn stable?” I asked.
Freelyn laid a hand on my shoulder, nodding. “That’s been my top priority, Del. Don’t worry.”
As Freelyn left the bridge, Kasen approached. He told me, “I’ve relayed the order to take us to Sigma Seti Six, Captain. Should make orbit in twelve hours.”
“Good, we need their help.”
----------
Six hours later the situation worsened impossibly. Nearly simultaneously the doctor and my first officer were exhibiting the first signs of illness. Kasen excused himself to the Medical Bay and when he arrived it was my mother who informed me that Freelyn had been put to bed only moments before. I fought back the panic. The two most trusted advisors I had aboard the ship were going to be of no use to me.
“Did Freelyn get any further in his examination of this virus or whatever it is?” I asked her.
She explained, “He did. He thinks the slug carries this virus naturally. It is quite potent to the Polvo unfortunately. His body seems like its perfect host. In Xolians the incubation period is a bit longer, faster of course if stung directly. But Del, the worst part is that it is airborne now. Meaning…”
“Meaning we’ve all been exposed through the ventilation system,” I interrupted.
“Yes, Del. How are you feeling? You’ve been exposed more to Kai and Quinn than other crew members.”
“I’m fine, no issues. Hope it stays that way.”
----------
My next command decision was a difficult one. After considering my options I knew that taking this ship to Sigma Seti Six or to Xolia put both populations at risk to this deadly virus. New Earth, with their military biohazard centers, had faced such crisis situations before. I knew my preference lay with my mate’s wonderful forested planet but I couldn’t base the decision on my love for Xolia. Groaning, I came to the only sensible conclusion I could. I told Jory, “Inform Sigma Seti Six we have an unidentified virus aboard and cannot proceed to their planet. Explain the same thing to Xolia, please. Tell them we are heading to New Earth for quarantine. Set our course.”
“Yes, sir.”
It only took Jory a few minutes to get a response from all three planets. Sigma Seti Six and Xolia were as I expected. They sent their condolences and were offering fresh food and replenish our medical supplies. New Earth’s answer was terse and pissed me off.
Jory reported, “Captain, New Earth replies as follows, ‘Captain of Narada Marant, Xolian vessel. We cannot comply with your request for medical assistance at this time. Our quarantine centers are filled to capacity with H17 patients. Recommended course of action is to remain in open space in full quarantine until one month has passed without new illness. Broadcast in Intergalactic standard a warning to other ships to keep away. It’s signed by the New Earth president, Captain.”
“Looks like we need to stay put awhile. Duron, set up the warning beacon. If anyone needs me I’ll be in Medical,” I said.
Once in the walkway, I slammed my fist into the wall. “Damn it, what the High Hell am I supposed to do now?”
My mother came around the corner and surprised me. “Easy. Don’t mess this up.”
“What’s going on, mom, why aren’t you in the Medical Bay?”
She sighed. “Bonner, Stoalyc and Jace all need to be brought down.”
“The crew members that worked on the space runners? That virus is potent,” I said. “I’ll come and help you.”
--A month later--
By week four there was no need to bring the crew to us. They were already there. Each bed was occupied as was the floor and nearby hallways. My mother and I, having remained illness free, took turns making food, giving medicines for fever and keeping an eye on our patients. I was exhausted but we started to see a glimmer of hope. Kai awoke one morning, shifted from a blob into a more recognizable mollusk then slowly pulled himself together into humanoid form.
I stood by him as he roused. “Glad to see you are finally getting better, Kai. How do you feel?”
Hoarsely he rasped, “Weak but much better. Where’s Brync?”
I pointed out his lover in another bed nearby, “Right over there. He’s doing a bit better too. Let me see if I can find you some fish stew and in the meantime get some rest.”
As I passed my mom, I nudged her gently and nodded in Kai’s direction. I told her, “Looks like things are getting better.”
She frowned. “Oh, Del. Stop tempting fate. Seriously.”
----------
But things did look better. A few days later, Brync too was able to keep his eyes open and even sat up to eat a little. Freelyn, still bedbound, grumbled about my care from time to time and got on my nerves so badly I threatened to give him a shot of sedative. For a time, he was peacefully silent.
I joked with my mom, “When Quinn wakes up, I’m taking a long nap. I deserve it.”
“Oh you know it, sweetie. Me too,” she said, tucking the doctor back under his blankets. When he gave her a grim frown she leaned over and kissed him. “Hush, Free. You’ve been in good hands.”
“Mom, please,” I gasped, teasing. “You’ll traumatize me all over.”
“Hey, Del,” Brync called out from the bed he now shared with Kai. “Come here a minute. Nurse Mila too.”
As mom and I entered the curtained area Kai looked up at us apologetically and stated, “The swelling is back, that’s all. I feel fine. I don’t think this is related to the virus.”
Mom snorted. “I’ll be the one that decides what is related or not, Kai.”
Brync explained, “It started swelling last
night but this morning it looks like a blister filled with puss or something.”
I piped up, “Not any kind of blister I’ve seen. Any ideas, mom? Infection?”
“I’ll know more when I drain it out.”
We waited patiently as she wiped the reddened lump on Kai’s arm, pulled out a needle and gave it a gentle poke. Letting out a collective low sigh of relief, we watched as it drained clear liquid. Doctors or not, we all knew clear fluid was better than yellowish red ooze. Kai and I made faces when she squeezed it making it dribble faster.
“Ok, now I think I’m going to puke,” I announced.
Kai hissed as she continued to press the sides of the shrinking lump.
“What’s wrong, Kai? Hurt?” Brync asked holding his lover’s free hand.
“No, but I don’t know. It feels weird, like something moved,” Kai remarked.
We all leaned closer to observe the small hole. Nothing was moving. Mom straitened and batted Kai on the knee lightly, “Are you trying to give me a heart attack, shifter? There’s nothing there.”
“I didn’t say there was! I said it felt like it!” Kai answered back hotly. He pulled his arm from her grip and cradled it protectively.
“Kai, I’m sure the nurse didn’t mean…” Brync started telling the young octo-shifter.
I caught sight of something orangish red sliding out of the wound. “Tell me that’s not what I think it is?”
“What?” Kai shouted nervously, tossing his arm outwards. Brync jumped back just as the slug was flung off his lover’s arm. It landed with a wet plop on the floor and with incredible speed crossed the room and disappeared behind equipment.
“Well, this sucks,” Kai said. “Are we back in quarantine?”
“Most likely,” I remarked.
“I’d better go see if there’s a larva in Quinn’s wound too and get it out of there if there is,” my mom told us.
----------
“What do you mean you won’t help us?” I demanded hotly of the Xolian on the view screen. “Your son and half the crew are still very ill and now there’s a creature running loose somewhere. Luckily my mother killed the one in Quinn but the one that escaped could be infesting the unconscious crewmembers with eggs. We wouldn’t even know it till the damn things hatch. What do you expect me to do?”
Quinn’s First Father, the King of Xolia, spread his hands calmly on the table as he spoke. “It is the same with all inhabited planets, Captain, in the Intergalactic Treaty. A ship carrying or otherwise infected with any unknown species cannot come in to orbit. If it were to breach the quarantined ship it could wipe out whole ecological systems. There is an unmanned fueling station nearby where we can leave fresh food and medicines. You’ll need to destroy it after you’ve resupplied to keep others from coming into contact with the slug. My recommendation is find it, contain it from breeding. Search each one of the crew members and transport those that are proven slug free to an uninhabited moon until you are certain everyone is clear.”
“And the ship? How do I know it is clear of the slugs?” I inquired.
The King sighed, stating, “I’m sorry. The safest thing would be to destroy the ship, Del. We will send a rescue crew for you.”
Oh Hell no. I was not going to blow up Quinn’s ship. I’d find a better solution. “I’ll find another way,” I told him.
--A month later--
We kept an eye on the unconscious crew and even though we were still in danger from the slug my mother did not like my idea to save us at all. “But, Del…”
“It will work. No one else will help us,” I argued.
“Quinn will have a fit,” she responded. “He’ll kill you. I can’t tell you what a very bad idea this is. Are you sure we can trust them?”
“No,” I said. “I don’t think I can but what choice do I have? We’re facing a crisis here. I either accept the Xolian King’s suggestion of abandoning the ship and destroying her or we turn to our new allies.”
“Do as the Xolian King suggests, Del. I wouldn’t call our old enemies allies.”
“Destroy the ship? Over my dead body!”
“Del, you will be dead when Quinn finds out you’ve asked the Rathian Raiders for help!”
I nodded. “Well, they may kill us anyway. But if they say they are willing to help… a Raider is to be mated to the prince after all… then I say we should accept that help graciously.”
“Let’s hope they say no,” my mom grumbled.
Unfortunately for her, a couple of weeks later, the Rathians said yes. Rescue was on its way.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Quinn:
I couldn’t remember how I got aboard my ship but when I awoke from a fever-induced dream I found myself in the Medical Bay. Uncharacteristically, it was crowded with nearly every bed occupied by a crewmember. I groaned as I turned my head in search of my physician, it felt like broken glass at the base of my neck. A screeching headache pulsed between my temples as my eyes adjusted to the dim light. When I was finally able to focus it wasn’t Freelyn’s face that greeted me. Startled to find myself being stared at by Hastor the Rathian, I growled deep in my chest, preparing to launch myself at him.
“Del, he’s awake! Yeah, he’s snarling at me. I think he’s feeling better,” Hastor announced, highly amused.
“What’s going on? How did you end up on my ship?” I croaked hoarsely.
“Everyone on your ship was ill. Only humans seem to be immune to this virus spread by the slugs.” Hastor shrugged.
“Virus?” I asked, squinting at him suspiciously. ”What are you talking about?”
“Well, if you hadn’t been shirking your responsibilities by sleeping all day for months at a time, you’d know what’s going on!” My mate announced as he approached.
He was extremely heavy now, his belly enlarged to the point of bursting. He rubbed his back idly as he stood next to the bio-bed.
“Mind updating me, Del? How long was I in a coma anyway? You looks as big as a ship. ” I asked him confused.
“There’s the loving mate I remember,” Del smirked. “We were in quarantine in open space over two full months. You’ve been in and out of consciousness.”
I looked around for my physician. “Where’s Freelyn? ”
“He and Brync took ill about a week after you were brought aboard, followed by Kasen and most of the Xolian crew. Everyone is still weak. The good doctor is resting in his quarters,” Del explained.
I glanced around slowly but even the slightest movement made the pain worse. Two Raiders seemed to be assisting other patients. I asked, rubbing my temple, “Why the High Hell are there Rathians aboard, Del?”
When I caught Del’s frown, I added, “What is it? I know that face. Just tell me.”
“There’s bad news, I’m afraid, Quinn. The slug laid a larva in Kai and it hatched out. Now the Rathian teams say they found more and that he ship is infested. We contacted your father but he recommended destroying the ship. The only ones that offered help were the Raiders.”
I sat up abruptly and tried to stand, nearly managing an angry shout, “You let them have free reign on the Narada Marant, Del?”
“Quinn, lie down. We are fine. I’ve got this under control,” Del said firmly. “They haven’t been allowed anywhere unescorted except the Docking Bay, a few sleeping quarters and the Medical Bay.”
“Where are we exactly?” I questioned him as he steadied me by grasping an elbow.
“Rathia,” Del replied. “We picked up Braxx and Hastor from the moon yesterday and entered orbit a few hours ago.”
“Rathia,” I said, stunned. We were very vulnerable. “For how long?”
“Until my Raider King deems your ship is free of infestation,” Hastor answered haughtily.
“So basically, indefinitely?” I replied glumly.
“Yes, basically,” Hastor said. “You are our guests, of course.”
“Oh high hell,” my mate responded. “I did
n’t think about when they would let us leave, Quinn. I just wanted to save the ship.”
“I know, Del. As acting Captain, you made a tough decision. I’m sure we can negotiate something,” I told him.
“Rathians, don’t negotiate, Quinn but you know that,” Hastor added with a wicked grin.
“Shut up, you lowlife rat or I’ll throw you out an air lock!” I snarled.
CHAPTER NINE
Braxx:
Rathia, a deep grey colored planet, turned slowly in the Narada Marant’s Ready Room window as Hastor explained the deal the Raider King wanted to make with my brother. I frowned in concentration. Having been with Hastor for over four months I knew when he was up to something.
Hastor set forth the simple parameters again, “My King wishes to assist the Xolian government, our new friends, by welcoming you to Rathia and inviting you to a relaxing stay on our planet as we locate and remove the dangerous pests, sterilize the ship. We do not have as delicate an eco-system as Xolia and this brings no danger to the Raidership.”
Quinn smirked, leaning forward in his chair and making eye contact in to a battle of wills with Hastor. He snapped, “Friends? How long have we been friends, Rathian?”
“Your brother has accepted the Blood Bonding. It was the first step to our official mating. Both governments benefit from this. My King is allowing me to handle this situation for him as a sort of ambassador and as such my mate and I will be allowed to live on Rathia,” Hastor stated.
My brother raised a brow at me. I nodded, answering his silent question, “Yes, I accepted the Blood Bonding. As far as living here on Rathia, it could be worse I guess.”
Behind Quinn, Del piped up, “We get a holiday on lovely Rathia while you solve the ship’s slug dilemma? Your government is doing this as a show of friendship?”
Hastor grinned, spreading his hands. “Naturally. I know the Xolians would do the same.”
“Not for rats, Hastor. You’d be locked away, questioned and your ship dissected for illegal technology,” my brother informed him.
“I’m shocked, Quinn,” Hastor scoffed. “I assure we will not be imprisoning, torturing or stealing from you as we would from others. You’ll be allowed to visit our largest city, mingle with citizens, get to know us and all we ask in return is that you open your minds to learn about us, respect us.”
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