E:A Vol 7 Ch 9—January 8, 2121

Chapter 9: January 8, 2121

Victoria swatted at the hand on her cheek and cuddled closer to her sleeping son. Zy’nayth gently caressed her cheek again then kissed it. Finally, she realized that it was time to get up. She yawned, stretched and looked at the twins who were sleeping soundly. A hand on each forehead told her that their fevers were down.

“They are well,” Zy’nayth whispered.

“Good,” she replied. “You’re up already?”

“I have been helping in the infirmary. Things are worse.”

“You need rest. Take my spot, it’s all warm,” she said as the covers were pulled back. Her bare feet hit the cool floor. She took a deep breath, which resulted in another yawn, then stood. She had a long day ahead of her.

“I am fine,” Zy’nayth whispered.

“Take a nap,” she whispered back as she pulled her clothes out of the dresser. “I’ll get you after I shower and fix something for both of us to eat. Twenty minutes, Zy, please.”

He did wish to rest so he took off his leather jacket and boots and curled up around his children. He was asleep before Victoria even started the water for the shower. Victoria was as quick as she had promised. As soon as the bacon was done, the eggs whipped up, ready to scramble, she went and woke her husband.

“Twenty minutes on the nose,” she smiled as they walked together to the kitchen. David Chapman was asleep on a sofa in the living room, the puppies were wrestling with each other but the older dogs were sleeping in a big furry cluster in the middle of the room.

“Thank you for breakfast,” Zy’nayth said, “I will check the dogs then head back in the infirmary.”

“Stay with the kids until David wakes up. You wouldn’t want them to be without supervision if they get sick again,” she smiled, hoping to get him to rest just a little while longer. “Amelia will be here in about forty minutes. Becket and I are teaming up this morning. Just rest until David wakes up or Lia gets here.”

He sighed and looked at the clock. “If I am not there in one hour, you call me. I need to make sure Vice, First, and Science get some rest as well.”

“What? You have them working in the infirmary?”

“As I said, things got worse.”

“That’s not good,” she replied and hurriedly finished her breakfast. “I don’t want Science getting sick. He’d better not be overdoing it.”

“I am not letting him heal anyone. He is trying to find out what this is.”

“Okay. Tell Lia I’m sorry for leaving dirty dishes. You go right back to bed. I’ll call in an hour if you’re not there.”

She walked into the infirmary and found Becket checking the vitals on the nearest patient. “Give me the run down. My husband informed me that you’ve been here an hour already.”

Becket asked about the kids before going over what he knew, and that ten Rayth, those other than their family, were rotating healing shifts every four hours. “There’s not much we can do. We’re down to four hours between recurrences. The Rayth heal someone, they return four hours later with the same symptoms.”

Victoria tilted her head towards the lab. “He in there running tests?” she said speaking of Ja’val.

“Yeah, he needs a break. He’s getting cranky because the flagship isn’t here with all of his gadgets. I don’t like cranky Rayth.”

“I’ll check on him and if need be, get his boss to send him home,” she looked at her tablet at the treatments they were administering until a Rayth could get to the patients. “Danielson here?” she asked.

“He just left. Fred’s here and Cooper. Both fresh off of some sleep.”

“Okay, good. Have you had a chance to talk to them yet?”

“No, other than handing over patients to each other for follow-up.”

“Got it. I’ll touch base with them,” she said and went in search of doctors Fred Erickson and Cooper Middleton. Once she was sure everyone was on the same track, she went to the lab. “Okay, time’s up,” she said to Ja’val when she entered. “Go get some sleep. Then bridge to the flagship or your lab and do what you need to do.”

“I need to be here when the rushes hit,” he said, “no time to go to my lab.”

“Your boss said you weren’t supposed to be healing anyone. Don’t make me call him. He’s sleeping. You don’t want to be the reason I wake him up. Go. Kiss your wife, she should be walking in any second, then go sleep. At least one hour. Go!”

Ja’val stood and bowed, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Thank you.” She followed him out and grinned when the first thing Lutia said when she walked in and saw him was that he needed to go home and get some sleep.

Victoria checked on a few more patients, encountering Ny’van and Kol’non along the way and sent them to get rest.

An hour later she called her husband’s comlink. “I just finished my shower,” he said, “I will be there shortly. The children are awake, both are well. David is fixing them some breakfast.”

“Thank David for me. Did you check the pups?”

“Two were sick. The rest were fine.”

“Give the kids hugs and kisses for me,” she said looking up from her patient. “Gotta go, looks like a dozen more just walked in.”

Six hours later, near the end of her shift, things were getting even worse. Not only were people constantly streaming in after being healed four hours earlier, the symptoms were worse. Shaking, chills, nausea, and vomiting were becoming more severe in those who already had those symptoms and had been added to those that didn’t. Dizziness and rashes were now added to the mix of those with the worst of symptoms.

“Could be heat rash from the fevers,” Victoria suggested to Becket and Dr. Neville Danielson as they kicked around ideas.

“This fast? I suppose but definitely not normal,” Danielson replied.

“Nothing about this is normal,” she said, “which is why we’re brainstorming.”

“Any Rayth come down with it yet?” he asked.

“Other than the twins, no,” Victoria shook her head.

“Well, that’s good. Science come up with anything yet? Sorry, I’ve been out of the loop concerning his work on this,” Danielson apologized.

“As far as I know, he’s still sleeping. If he is, he was more exhausted than I thought. I told him at least an hour and it’s been six. Anyway, want me to send Lutia to wake him up?” Victoria looked at Becket.

“I hate to, but we need him. Kel’lan being tended to?” Becket asked.

“Alessa and Chris are in our chambers now with the babies, twins, and the dogs. David said your wife is out cold in our bedroom. She’s symptomatic but Zy took care of her.”

“David still holding up okay?”

“He’s got a touch of it, too. Won’t let my husband heal him. He said he’s not sick enough. Drink your tea, I’ll send Lutia after her hubby.”

Victoria walked out of the office and found Lutia trying to calm one of the patients. “A Rayth will get to you as soon as they can. We only have two on duty and they’re both out going to all of the departments and making house calls with Nurse Janice and Dr. Erickson. We have to wait. Be thankful we have them.”

“Jim, Sasha,” Becket said greeting two of the other doctors coming in for their shift, “Gonna team you two up with our Rayth friends. Jim, you’re with the Third Science Officer,” he said as the Rayth walked up, “and Sasha you’re with the Vice Chancellor. You’ll be going from residence to residence. Janice and Erickson, are making rounds. Keep in contact with them so you’re not wasting time showing up at homes they’ve already tended to.” He nodded to the patient that was giving Lutia difficulty, “Third or Vice, could one of you tend to her, please, before you leave?”

Victoria walked up, “Lutia we need your husband. I know he needs rest, but we need his help.”

“He just called. He’s up and will be here after stopping by your place to see Kel for a few minutes. Shouldn’t be more than thirty before he’s here.”

“Kel’s learning fast, just like Ky and Kenna,” Becket said before pulling Victoria aside and lowering his voice to a whisper. “I’m not one to panic, you know that. But I’m starting to now. If this was just a bad cold or flu, we can handle it. Tiring for us, but we can handle it. Now that these symptoms are getting progressively worse…” he sighed, “at this rate, your husband may have been a prophet. It could be life-threatening.”

Zy’nayth walked in and went right to the two senior doctors in the corner of the main ward. Becket repeated his worry to the High Chancellor. “I will personally check on the family and the control room crew then return here to help.” His hand went to Victoria’s chest, and when he was finished, he checked Becket. “Both of you had just a trace of the virus. I have gotten rid of it, at least for the moment.” He kissed Victoria’s cheek then went to tend to his family.

“Becket, you know this would be good experience for Hannah,” Victoria said as three more people walked in to be treated.

“We could use a hand, but I know the promise made to a certain little angel. If you and your husband decide to bring her in, I want her watched,” Becket said then smiled, “Hannah, not Kenna. Kenna’s not a problem.”

“I’ll pair her up with Lutia or Janice, whichever is on duty.”

“Well, go catch your husband. We could use a pair of hands right now. Of course, Kenna will want to come to keep an eye on her as well. If she does, it’s fine with me.”

“Be right back,” Victoria hurried after her husband. She caught up to him as he was about to walk into the control room.

“What is wrong?” he asked, concerned, stepping to the side of the corridor.

She told him about asking Hannah to help, “But I know you made that promise to Kenna about not letting Hannah come here and work until she finished her schooling and stuff.”

“I will talk to her then let you know what I think is best. I do not want my daughter to think that we are breaking promises. She was not happy that we brought Hannah here as it is.”

“We can get by without Hannah, I’m just trying to…”

“Let her see how things work in the middle of a crisis,” Zy’nayth said. “I know. Get back there, I will call you when I have talked with Mik’kenna.”

After checking the crew in the control room, Zy’nayth made a quick stop in the infirmary to see if anyone needed immediate attention, then he returned to his chambers and began checking the dogs first since the others said they felt okay. Then Zy’nayth took Mik’kenna into her room and shut the door.

“Honey, do you understand how sick everyone is?” he asked.

Mik’kenna nodded. “Everyone on Terra 2 sick.”

“Uncle Becket and your mother could use some extra help in the infirmary,” Zy’nayth continued, “and it would be good experience for Hannah, but I know what I promised you. You saw how busy the infirmary was when you went down. An extra nurse would be quite helpful at this time. I would not break my promise, but not only does Hannah need to understand how difficult working here can be, this would help Uncle Becket see how she works under such pressure. It may be that he will not be impressed and will not want her here.”

Mik’kenna nodded. “It ‘kay, Daddy. People sick and they need help. But Daddy, when everyone all better, she go back to Earth?”

“Most likely,” he replied.

“And you promise she not come back till she do stuff you said she need to do?”

“What if Uncle Becket wants her to stay here?” he asked.

Mik’kenna sighed. “I ‘pose. But I think she go back to Earth.”

Zy’nayth hugged his daughter, “I love you, Mik’kenna.”

Zy’nayth then called his wife. It wasn’t his place to send Hannah to the infirmary. Victoria made sure Becket was still okay with the idea then she went up to her chambers and talked to Hannah. “It’s up to you,” she said after presenting the offer, “it’s nothing exciting, and it is a lot of work. We have 5,000 very sick people with no end in sight. Expect very long hours.”

“I want to do it,” Hannah said. “I don’t have scrubs, though.”

“No problem, we’ve got plenty. Just wear comfortable shoes. Come when you’re ready.”

“I was gonna help fix lunch for everyone. I’ll be down in about thirty minutes…if that’s okay.”

“David, when she’s ready, can you show her to the infirmary, please?”

“Happy to,” he said.

Zy’nayth and Victoria ended up working another six hours before heading back to her chambers.

“Dinner is gonna be about ten minutes,” Amelia said, “did you talk Becket into coming home too?”

“He’ll be here about the time you serve dinner,” Victoria smiled. “Gonna take a quick shower.”

When she finished with her shower, Becket arrived. Zy’nayth went about checking everyone before they ate, then he sat down at the dinner table. He prayed then everyone spent what was left of their energy eating. All were too exhausted to talk.

“Honey, I’m heading back after dinner,” Victoria said, “you need sleep. I got plenty of sleep last night, you got maybe two hours the last couple of nights.”

“I have already worked out a rotation with the Vice Chancellor and the First Commander,” he said. “I am going to go in and sleep after I finish dinner. It is you who need rest. I can go longer than you without sleep.”

“I need Becket to get a full night of sleep. Sarah’s coming down with it, so I want to send her home to rest, hopefully cut it off at the pass. I have a husband who can heal me any time of the day or night, she doesn’t. Just four hours. Erickson will be back by then. And Becket is going home and getting a full eight. Aren’t you, doctor?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

“We made a big picnic basket full of sandwiches for you to take back to the infirmary,” David said. “I was going to but since you’re headed back, I’ll just stay and clean up. Chris and Alessa already took one to the control room crew then went around and told our family to stop in here if they’re hungry and they don’t want to go down to the mess hall…which is short staffed because most of them are sick.”

“Thanks everyone. The crew will appreciate it,” Becket said, “especially the Rayth. They tend to feel a bit out of place in the mess hall.”

Zy’nayth frowned. “They are all Rayth who have taken the serum. Have there been incidents?”

“Not that I’m aware of, but when I mention that they head down there, they kinda stumble around the idea and prefer to go to Kiva or bridge to the flagship. I just don’t think they’re completely comfortable with the idea yet. Wait, your flagship’s here?”

“Not yet, but that does not mean that my men could not bridge to it. In any case, I will work on that after we get through this crisis.”

“I think it falls on our shoulders,” Becket said. “I’ll invite them to join me for lunch. Even coming up here with the family would help, I’d think. They know most of us pretty well, but still, it’s a start. I’m sure my staff wouldn’t mind asking them to join them in the mess. I can mention it to John, too. We need to be more welcoming.”

Victoria ate quickly, then after hugging and kissing her kids, she took the basket of food and went back to work. Everyone was appreciative of the food and grabbed a sandwich when they could. A few hours later, Victoria finally called it a day and, along with Hannah, headed home for the evening. “No, you did very well. It’s just a matter of trying to comfort them at this point. The Rayth are doing all the hard work,” Victoria said, answering Hannah’s concern about not being much help. “Take vitals, give a reassuring word, move on. Not exactly exciting, but a kind word goes a long way.”

“I guess that’s where the experience helps. I’ve been so focused on the bookwork, I haven’t really worked on my bedside manner.”

“You did well considering we dropped you in on an epidemic for your first real-world experience.”

“Do you think Dr. McKenna will let me stay after this is over?”

Victoria shook her head. “You need to finish your schooling and do what we asked. That’s not up for discussion. However, your performance during this crisis will be taken into consideration. Hannah, I cannot emphasize enough that you better not be ‘doing your best’ during this time in order to secure a position here. Do this because you want to, not because you want to make an impression. We’ll know if you’re putting on an act. And if we don’t pick up on it, our Rayth friends will and believe me, if my husband senses anything amiss, he won’t let you work here.”

“Yes, ma’am. I guess I’m a little too over-eager, but I really am doing this because I want to. I really want to help people.”

“Good. You have a lot of potential. Go get some sleep. Sorry we can’t get your family your own quarters, but Vince doesn’t have the staff to get anything set up with everyone being sick.”

“It’s no problem. I’m sure Mom and Dad don’t mind. Dad can use this for political advantage or something. And Mom probably wants to make sure Zack will have a nice place to live.”

Victoria smiled as she showed her to the guestroom, “Good night. Remember 5:00 a.m. I’ll be up starting breakfast.”

“Can you knock on my door? Thirty minutes before breakfast.”

“Oh, here, I’ll show you the alarm clock. Raythian.” Victoria walked into guestroom and showed Hannah how to set the alarm and shut it off, then she went to her own room, changed into her pajamas and curled up beside her sleeping son.

She had trouble falling asleep, her muscles were sore from the tension of the situation and from being on her feet for so many hours. She tried praying, especially her children, and as she put her hand on Ky’nayth’s arm to pray for him, she felt something odd. Then she was sure she knew what was wrong. She immediately rolled over and turned on the night. “Zy!”

The light had awakened him before her exclamation. His eyes followed her arm as she pointed to her son. “Hives,” she said.

His hand went to his son’s chest and healed him, then he checked his daughter. She was still virus free.

“Daddy, I hot,” Ky’nayth said.

“You were running a fever,” Victoria said. “Daddy healed you. You’ll start cooling down soon. I’ll get a couple of ice packs.”

“Did you just get home?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Yeah. Sorry to wake you up,” she said to her kids, “Kenna, try to go back to sleep. Ky, let’s get you into a dry tee-shirt, you were sweating, honey.”

She went to the kitchen to get the ice packs as Zy’nayth helped his son change his pajama top. Victoria got her son tucked in then climbed in beside him. “We need to get this figured out. I hate seeing my babies so sick.”

“We are trying our best. Go to sleep. I will check the dogs,” Zy’nayth said knowing his daughter was about to ask him to.

Victoria nodded and closed her eyes after kissing each of her kids. After just a moment she bolted up, “Zy?”

He had just put his hand on the door, “Yes?”

“Any word from Earth? Aren’t your guys monitoring broadcasts? Do we know if there’s been an outbreak there?”

“It has hit there, but no word as to how bad. Why?”

“Got a feeling. Can’t quite put my finger on it. Too tired. Good night. Love you.”

January 10, 2121

Victoria forced herself to get out of bed. It was 4:00 and she was still tired even though she had slept soundly after getting Ky’nayth settled. Zy’nayth checked the twins finding both symptom free. After showering and dressing, Victoria went to start breakfast, Zy’nayth joining her.

“I take it you’ve been up a while,” she said as she got the pans going.

“An hour. I went to talk to Vince. A pre-planned meeting, I did not wake him,” he smiled at his wife knowing she would protest that the general needed rest as much as the others, “I would not do that.”

“I know,” she sighed, “the kids are going to get tired of eggs. I need groceries.”

“Make a list, I will see that we have what you need.”

“Just ask Lia to pick things up, please. It’ll be easier for her.”

“I was going to call the mess hall and have them assemble the items. I would simply go, pay, and bring them back.”

Victoria chuckled, “Sorry. Not thinking. Okay, what did you talk to Vince about?”

“He is going to make an announcement. Only the worst cases should go to the infirmary; the rest need to contact the med officer on duty. He will have some of his men handle the calls so your team will not have to deal with calls on top of everything else. When someone calls in, the name and symptoms will be taken down then a team of one human, one Rayth will go to their chambers. I also let him know that I will not allow any more Rayth to help down here. So far we have not become ill, but since our healing abilities have not been able to eradicate this in humans, and seeing as how aggressive this has gotten, I fear perhaps we may not be able to fight it off.”

“You’re right. No one is symptomatic, are they? Your men who’ve been helping?”

“No.”

“Good.”

He reached over to check and see if she had the virus but her hand grabbed his. “No.”

“Victoria if you are ill…”

“How many times did you have to heal Ky last yesterday?”

“Twice.”

“And Kenna?”

“I have not healed her other than when she went to the infirmary on her own.” He reached for her again but she swatted at him. “No. I have an idea. We need to talk to Ja…” Hannah walked in and Victoria caught herself, “the First Science Commander and Becket.”

“I will get the children for breakfast, then they can go back to bed. Good morning, Hannah.”

“Good morning,” she said. “Can I help with breakfast?”

“Sure. Can you make some toast and set the table, please?”

Mik’kenna and Ky’nayth came running in a few minutes later and pulled up their chairs to the small kitchen table. “Daddy, you check puppies this morning?” Mik’kenna asked.

“I will after breakfast.”

“Don’t heal them,” Victoria said. “My theory…let’s wait until we talk to Science and Becket before any more Rayth healing is done.”

“Yes, dear.”

“Good morning Ky’nayth, Mik’kenna,” Hannah said.

“Morning,” Ky’nayth replied. Mik’kenna looked at her, said good morning then looked at her mother.

“Aunt Lia say we maybe set up my big telescope today if it ‘kay. Do I put in my room? She say it be ‘kay there but maybe better in living room but I say I ask.”

“Well, she’s the expert,” Victoria said. “But I would prefer if your father or I saw where exactly she thinks it should go before you get it out and set it up.”

“When Daddy come to check us later, I ask Aunt Lia to show him. Daddy, you look please and find best spot. You know best place. I mean, Aunt Lia know, too, but you has more ‘sperience.”

“Honey, you coming to the infirmary?”

Zy’nayth nodded. “I believe you just stated you wanted to talk about this theory, so yes. And yes, Mik’kenna when I return, and when Aunt Amelia is here, we will find a place for your telescope and Ky’nayth’s train set. After breakfast, I want you to either play quietly in our bedroom or go back to bed until one of your aunts or uncles shows up. Keep your comlinks on. If you start feeling sick before I get back to check on you, call me.”

“Can we call if puppy gets sick?” Mik’kenna asked.

“Of course. But you heard your mother, she may not want me to heal them.”

“How long you be gone?” Ky’nayth asked. “I no want hiveys come back.”

“Shouldn’t take more than an hour to hash out my idea,” Victoria said.

“But you check puppies first,” Mik’kenna said as the scrambled eggs were put on her plate. “I know you say no healy, but I need to know if they sick. I can give extra cuddles and make sure they keep watered.”

“Hydrated,” Victoria smiled.

“I too tired to think of word.”

Victoria wrote out a grocery list for Amelia as she ate her breakfast, then after hugs and kisses for her twins, she and Hannah went to the infirmary. Zy’nayth stayed long enough to check all fourteen dogs. The kids went about getting out the dog food and fresh water then they both went back to bed.

As soon as Zy’nayth walked into the infirmary, Becket motioned to him, “Your wife has something up her sleeve, go on into my office. I’ll be there in a second.” He finished with his patient then went to his office. “Okay, love, what’ve you got?”

“Ja’val and I have just glanced through the records and going off of what we remember. But so far, it seems like those who were only healed once by a Rayth, like me, Lutia, and Janice, or those who just had a touch of this virus and were healed—well, we’re not getting sick as fast. Those who are healed again, get sick again. And the more often they’re healed, the faster they get sick. At least that’s my theory.

“Like I said, we’ve just started looking, I’m basing this on knowing who was sick with us down on Earth: Lutia and Be’atta, though we still think Be’atta’s may just be morning sickness since she wasn’t checked after she got a clean bill the first time. We assumed it was the morning sickness not this virus. Also, the sicker someone is, it seems that after being healed, it not only comes back quicker, but more severe. Definitely quicker.”

“Do you think Rayth healing is making us sick?” Becket asked.

Victoria shook her head, “No. Nothing like that. Ja’val did a quick check before you guys came in. Yes, this has hit Earth, Zy told me that last night. Anyway, there doesn’t seem to be a second wave.”

“It’s only been a couple of days, though,” Becket said, “depending on when it started down there, they might not even be through the first round. Also depends on where it started. A more rural area is one thing, a transportation hub is another. People in and out of other towns, other countries. It’s probably just the start of this down there.”

“I know, but…guys, I think that we need to let this virus run its course,” she said. “I’m symptomatic,” she looked at her husband, “No, don’t heal me. I’ve got a sinus headache, my left ear is ringing, I’m getting it back. But that also makes me the perfect test patient. I’m a doctor, I can record my symptoms, and if I’m wrong, my husband can cure me.”

“What about those who are extremely sick?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Those patients should be here,” she said. “We have to keep the fever down and keep them hydrated. We can monitor that better from here. When it comes down to it, this is just a severe cold. One that is extremely resilient to our attempts to rid our bodies of it.”

Becket nodded, “Our tests show nothing out of the ordinary. It does look like a virus, for all intents and purposes. We can continue our research, but maybe she’s right. Maybe we should ease up on Rayth healing. It may be that your healing isn’t allowing antibodies to form properly or quickly enough, and the virus is so virulent that without those antibodies, people get sick again. They’re healed, but because everyone is sick, and because they haven’t had time to build up antibodies, they just get sick again. When you guys heal us, you eliminate the virus, but our bodies are still susceptible to getting that virus because we haven’t built up a resistance to it. That’s why we keep getting it.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Just a theory, but might have merit.”

“And the virus is getting stronger,” Ja’val said, “we’ve confirmed that. It’s not mutating, per se, but it is stronger and hits harder with each round. I can understand the antibody theory, but that doesn’t explain why the virus gets stronger with each round.”

“There’s a lot at play here when we take Rayth healing into account…and not knowing exactly how it works,” Becket said. “This may be a mutation, we’re just not seeing it yet.” He folded his arms across his chest and nodded to Victoria. “I say we test her theory and let it run its course. We have to really be on top of this and the worst patients do need to be here, not at home. We’ll have to adjust shifts and such, we’ll need more coverage.”

“Very well,” Zy’nayth said, “I will keep my men here on-site, but they will not heal anyone unless it is life or death.”

“It’s going to be a mess. People are sick and that means they’re going to be hot tempered,” Victoria said. “If we say no more Rayth healing, those tempers may flare.”

“We can handle it,” Becket said. “So instead of the announcement Vince was going to make this morning, I’ll rework it. Certain symptoms mean you need to be here.”

Victoria nodded, “They can still call for a med team, and we can still send out staff to tend to them and assess whether or not they need to be here. Otherwise, I’d say, tepid baths, ice packs, lots of fluids, bed rest, the usual.”

“Perhaps,” Becket said, “we should offer Rayth services, to cut down on the possibility of a riot. Just warn them that we believe that it will only make things worse in the long run. And explain why we believe it. If anything, that will cut down on the chance of people rioting.”

“I think that is a good idea,” Zy’nayth said. “However, you should make the announcement instead of Vince. Coming from the Chief Medical Officer would go over better given you know the situation from a medical standpoint. You have a better way with people. No offense intended against the general.”

“Victoria, can you talk to the staff? I’ll make out what I want to stay then I’ll go talk to Vince,” Becket said.

“I will talk to my men,” Zy’nayth said. “The men will be available to you as they are scheduled. They can help Ja’val with research if not needed with other duties.”

“Honey,” Victoria said, taking his hand, “you can’t heal the pups or the kids. No matter how much Kenna pleads for the pups, and no matter how sick the kids get.”

He groaned his gravelly, frustrated groan. “I know. Mik’kenna’s big blue eyes are hard to resist. As are Ky’nayth’s, but I will remain strong.”

Victoria smiled and gave him a tender kiss. “You head home since you’re not going to be healing anyone, you can spend the day with the kids. You can telepathically talk to the dogs, right? Without hurting them? Maybe it will calm them when they get sick. And the cat. Has she been sick?”

“No. She has been well. And now that I think about it, the dogs have been virus free the last two times I have checked them.”

“Maybe they’re over it. Anyway, it might still be a good idea if one of us stayed home and since we’re going to stop Rayth healings, you’re the obvious choice. Plus you can get the kids’ toys set up.”

“That telescope is no toy,” he grinned. “But you are correct. You will be needed here even more. Do not hesitate to call if someone is seriously ill and requests help.”

“With your men keeping to the rotation, we’ll be fine,” Becket said, “except we will take you out of it so you can be with the kids.”

“Very well. Ja’val, you and your team keep working. This is just a theory. I hope my wife is right, but if she is not, we need to find a cure. Keep in close contact with the flagship. If things get worse on Earth, if they pick up signals that the virus is hitting the same people again, we need to know.”

“Kol’non already has the communications team on it.”

***

To the relief of Zy’nayth and Becket, once the announcement was made, no one complained. People were still very concerned and the calls for a doctor to make a house call was steady and sometimes overwhelming, but no one insisted on being healed by a Rayth. There were a lot of questions, but Victoria and Becket had prepped the med team well.

“This takes up far more space than I envisioned,” Zy’nayth said when Amelia showed him where they thought the telescope should be placed. “We should wait and ask your mother. The room is not properly furnished yet, she may have envisioned something else going here.”

“But she be in infirmary all day!”

“She needs to be there to help people.” He looked at Amelia, “Do you believe that this is the best spot for her telescope?”

“I’d love to see it out on the living room balcony but you haven’t given the okay for any of us to use the balconies yet. I know there’s some structural concerns. But it really does open up more angels for her.”

Zy’nayth looked at his daughter, “I will look into repairing the balcony. I cannot promise it will be fixed soon, but I should be able to isolate the problem so that when the flagship returns, we can make the repairs right away.” He sighed, “Of course that will mean everyone else will want theirs fixed as well. I suppose it will help morale, especially after basically being confined to their quarters during all of this sickness and the quakes.”

“Is it something our own people can fix?” Amelia asked.

“Not likely as you do not have the materials or any way of reaching balconies this high. Besides, Vince would prefer that you continue to dig out so they can open up more laboratories, work areas, and such.”

“Daddy,” Mik’kenna said, “since I no get to put up telescope, can I go help Mommy and Uncle Becket? I can take blood pressure and pulse. I learned. I helped Uncle Becket after attack. He said I did good.”

“You do not want to stay and help the puppies?” he asked.

“Well, I do but…Bubby is and I can come back if he get tired.”

“Are you sure this has nothing to do with Miss Hannah?”

“No. Aunt Lutia and Aunt Janice watching her.”

Zy’nayth held in his laugh. His daughter had apparently talked with her two aunts about protecting Uncle Becket. Zy’nayth tapped his comlink, “Victoria, would you like another set of hands?”

“You’re supposed to be tending to the kids,” she said.

“Mik’kenna is volunteering to help,” he replied. “The pups appear to be well, so she is not as worried about them. We cannot yet set up her telescope, so she would like to help you and Uncle Becket.”

“You know, she might cheer people up. Go ahead and bring her by. But just until lunch.”

“We will be right there. I will see if Ky’nayth wants to help, too.”

“Okay,” she said and disconnected the call.

Ky’nayth opted to stay with the dogs and Uncle Chris who was playing games with him while Alessa took care of the babies and got more acquainted with Holly, Michael, and Zachary.

Mik’kenna had put on her favorite pair of jeans that had red studs on the pockets and a red belt, her red baseball hat, red tee shirt, and matching red gym shoes. When she walked into the infirmary with her father, Becket walked over and lifted her up into his arms. “I hear you’ve come to help us. And you look ready to go!”

“I am! I ‘memmer how to take pulse and blood pressure. I be your assistant, right?”

Victoria watched from across the room and smiled. She finished up with her patient and then joined them. “You’re only here until lunch, then I’m taking you back home. But until then, you have to do what Dr. McKenna says, okay?”

“Kay.”

“She’s going to be my special assistant,” he winked. “Thanks for bringing her down, High Chancellor. She’ll be a great help.”

Becket set her down and led her to the private section where the most serious cases were. “Okay, what I would like you to do, is to come with me as I check in on my patients. I may need you to run errands just here in the medical bay. Or if I see that one of the nurses or the other doctors need help, I may send you to help them. Probably a little bit of everything.”

“I ready!”

“Well, Jared, how are you holding up?” Becket asked, calling up the chart on his tablet.

“Rotten. I’m burning up, I can’t keep food down. Nothing.”

“We can try broth. Prefer chicken or beef? Either will be bland.”

“Neither sounds good.”

“I need you to keep trying or I’m going to have to order an IV.”

“Doc, I can’t even keep water down. I don’t want the IV, but just the thought of food makes me sick. Give me the IV.”

Becket tapped his comlink and placed his order. “Nurse Geoffrey is at the dispensary, please go and pick up what I ordered,” he said to Mik’kenna.

Mik’kenna hurried through the infirmary. “Mr. Geoffrey, I here for Dr. McKenna’s order.”

“Got it right here Miss Mik’kenna,” he said. “Glad to see you helping out.”

“Thank you!” she smiled as she took the offered items and wound her way through the stream of nurses and patients back to Becket.

“Thank you, love. Would you take his pulse for me, while I get this hooked up?”

“Course,” Mik’kenna said and asked for Jared’s hand. She found the pulse, checked her watch and counted. “I get 64,” she said. “Concur with machine.”

“Perfect. I always like to double check.”

“Mommy does too. Oh, Mr. Jared, you out of ice. You want me to get more? I happy to.”

“Well, sure. Not sure I’ll use it, but good to have if my mouth gets dry.”

She hurried off again and returned just as Becket finished up with Jared.

“Try to get some sleep,” Becket said. “Fever’s down to 102˚ and looks like it’s been stuck there for the last two hours. But down is better than up.” He checked his watch, “No more meds for an hour. Headaches ease a bit?”

“Not much, but yeah.”

“And no rash. That’s good. Lungs,” he listened for a few more breaths, “still a slight wheeze, but nothing I’m concerned about yet. Hold out for an hour then one of the nurses will be distributing meds. Remember buzz for one if your cough gets worse or if you start getting hives.”

“I will.”

“Mr. Jared, can I pray for you?” Mik’kenna asked. “It sometimes makes me feel better.”

“I’d like that Mik’kenna,” he said, managing a warm smile for her. He wasn’t a religious man, but her earnest, concerned face drew him in.

Becket let her take her time while he moved on to the next patient. When she finished, she met up with him and to her shock, her Uncle John.

“Uncle John when you come here?”

“An hour ago,” he said then grabbed the sheets. “Gonna lose it.”

Becket reached over and grabbed the trashcan so John could throw up in it. Mik’kenna went running despite knowing she wasn’t supposed to. She returned just a minute later and climbed up on the bed. She had two cold, wet washcloths in hand. She climbed up onto the bed and put one on the back of John’s neck and dabbed his forehead with the other, just like her mother did when she got that sick. “It’s ‘kay, Uncle John,” she said as her free hand rubbed his back, again like her mother would do to her, “I sorry you so sick. Uncle Becket, he really hot.”

“Can you touch that ice pack there on his bed? Is it still cold?”

She reached down and shook her head, “All liquidy now and not cold.”

“Please go ask Geoffrey for two more medium packs, and please, don’t run.”

“Sorry,” she said. “I be right back Uncle John.”

She took the ice packs and tossed them on the floor, knowing she couldn’t climb down with them in her hands. She hopped down, picked them up, then went to get two new ones for her uncle. When she returned, she had them plus an IV bag. “Mr. Geoffrey said you called for this too.”

“I did, thank you, love.”

“I go get fresh water and ice now. Ice chips good for you.”

“Can you hand me that tray and my toothbrush?” John asked. “Need to gargle this taste out of my mouth.”

Mik’kenna dutifully did as she was asked then went and filled his water pitcher and his ice bucket. “I pray with you while Uncle Becket go to next person.”

“You’re such a sweetheart, thank you.”

Mik’kenna prayed with her uncle who started to get sick again just as they ended the prayer. She grabbed the trashcan and held it for him, but it was a false alarm. So she went and refreshed the washcloths and gave them to him. “You call for me you need something, Uncle John. I help. I special assistant to Dr. McKenna this morning.”

“Thank you little Miracle Blossom.”

Her smile widened and her eyes twinkled, then she kissed his cheek. “I check on you later.”

He gave her a wink before she trotted off to help Becket with the next patient.

When lunchtime came around, Becket returned to Zy’nayth and Victoria’s chambers, Mik’kenna proudly walking with him, holding his hand. “Victoria and Hannah will come by for their lunch after we go back.”

“How did my daughter do this morning?” Zy’nayth asked giving her a big hug and kiss.

“We kept her busy. She helped me quite a bit.”

“Daddy, you know Uncle John in bad ward?” she asked. “He really sick. Can I go back and help him after lunch?”

“I would prefer if you stayed home the rest of the day. We can check on him later.”

“He hasn’t slept,” Becket said, “I gave him a sedative so hopefully he’ll sleep this afternoon.”

“Bubby no feel good?” she asked. The boy shook his head. “I getting sick again.”

“Oh no. I learned lots from Uncle Becket, I help.” She climbed off of her seat and walked over and took his pulse and informed her father that it was normal for a Rayth. “He runny fever. He need to take bath and I can get ice pack.” Then she gave him a hug. “Love you, Bubby. I help and be nurse for you.”

“Sweetheart, you are such a blessing, but we can help nurse him back to health after lunch, please. I want him to try and eat a little something. As for you, you need to keep up your strength.” Then he looked at Becket, “Mind giving him a look before you head back?”

“Of course. Anyone else here feeling sick?”

Michael, Holly, David, Amelia, Chris, and Alessa all nodded.

“High Chancellor, after dinner, open up a couple of windows, get some fresh air circulating,” Becket said.

“The ventilation system in this facility cleans the air,” Zy’nayth said.

“Open the windows,” Becket smiled, “the breeze will be refreshing. It’s a psychological thing. David, Chris, Alessa, if you three want to stay here, I can order some cots to be brought over. David, I know you’ve been sleeping on the sofa, let me order a cot for you.”

“I’m fine. That sofa and the High Chancellor’s recliner are quite comfortable. Besides, I’ll probably sleep in my own bed tonight.”

“Same, Doc,” Chris said, “we’re just here for food. Well, I shouldn’t speak for Lessa. Honey, if you want to stay here, I don’t mind. I think our bed would be more comfortable for you. I can keep Mari here and help Lia and Dad watch over the babies. I’m off duty until noon tomorrow.”

“I will be here, Christopher,” Zy’nayth said, “you can go home and rest. And if you take Maressa with you, that is one less baby for Amelia to look after. However, she is more than welcome to stay here so that you two can get some rest.”

“I’d like to be home in my own bed. We’ll take Mari. Chris can take care of her,” Alessa said.

“I’ll stay here,” David said, “I can help with the cooking and taking the dogs out since Ky’s not feeling well and Kenna will be busy nursing him back to health.”

“Like I said,” Zy’nayth smiled, “I am here and can tend to the dogs.”

“Don’t you have an empire to run?” Becket asked.

“I do and I am tending to it,” Zy’nayth answered as both his and Becket’s comlinks buzzed. It was Victoria. “It’s John. Code Red,” she stated, and called out orders to the staff. She didn’t take the time to disconnect the call.

Becket and Zy’nayth both took off without saying a word. Mik’kenna looked around the table suddenly feeling very worried.

“Wonder what that was all about?” David asked.

Mik’kenna frowned, “I worried. Maybe infirmary ‘cause both Daddy and Uncle Becket go.” Then she began to tear up, “Maybe Uncle John! He in bad ward. He really bad. Maybe it him!” She began to head for the door but Chris nabbed her.

“Honey, sit and eat. You need to take care of your brother. I’ll go check,” Chris said. “Dad, I’ll call you if it is.” Chris took another bite of his food as he stood, then he headed for the infirmary. A few minutes later he called his dad. “It was John. Heart stopped. Victoria had him revived by the time Doc and Zy got there. Big guy is healing any damaged tissue.”

David relayed the information and those there held hands and said a prayer. When they were finished, Mik’kenna took her plate to the kitchen to be cleaned then she snuck out and made her way to the infirmary. She got all the way to private ward without being stopped by any of the staff. Her father, talking to Becket, looked down as she tugged on his long white jacket. “Daddy, he ‘kay?”

“He is fine,” Zy’nayth lifted her up so she could see. “It was reaction to the sedative Uncle Becket gave him. And you should be eating your lunch. You know I do not like you wandering the hallways unescorted.”

“I finish lunch. I worried. And I know how get here. Been here lots times.”

“I worry about someone snatching you away from me if you are not with an adult,” he replied and kissed her cheek. “I do not want to lose my precious girl. In any case, thank you for being so worried about your uncle. Come, we will go home and finish lunch, at least I will finish mine. Dr. McKenna, you too. My wife has things well under control, and you are not looking well.”

“I think it’s finally hit me,” Becket replied. “You get that sedative out of him?”

“Every drop,” Zy’nayth said. “After lunch, you and Amelia go rest. You can use our bedroom.”

“I can put in a couple more hours,” Becket said, “though not without food.”

“Honey, would you bring me a sandwich or something?” Victoria said, “I’ll work through so he can get a nap. Don’t want him wearing himself out, he’ll only get worse. I want to stay here to keep an eye on John.”

Geoffrey ran up, “Doc Victoria, they just brought the general in. He passed out at his desk.”