Page 36 of Desperate Measures

Before Toni could respond, her com went off. Checking the frequency, she was relieved to identify it as Stacy’s. “Hey. Bryant’s squatting in your office.”

“Good. It’s where he’s supposed to be. We have a state of emergency.”

“I’m just becoming aware. I went to the clinic, and they’re busting at the seams from the hospitals’ overflow of flu patients.” The dread that had come over her at the medical facility deepened.

“I’ve been informed. It isn’t flu. Listen, Toni, I know how certain situations have been presented, so right away, I’m telling you it’s okay to trust Ken Bryant.”

Toni’s gaze flicked to him. He stared back, his expression having softened to blandness. “Sure I can, along with all teenage girls and freedom lovers everywhere.”

“There’s a back story you aren’t aware of. He’s on our side, but you must keep it quiet. I’ll fill you in later since Ken has his hands full keeping the government running.”

Toni blinked. She’d heard Bryant’s argument, which was he’d married his too-young bride at her father’s request in an attempt to keep her out of Copeland’s bed. He’d further claimed he’d been compelled at the risk of his life to give her up in the end. It was true?

Stacy was talking, and Toni forced herself to pay attention. “What’s important is you do whatever you must to stay healthy. The death toll from this epidemic is rising steadily.”

“You said it isn’t the flu?”

“Doctors and researchers don’t know what we’re dealing with, but it’s bad. It’s hit Mercy and New Bethlehem as well…all three Earth-exclusive sites at damned near the same instant. There’s also a pandemic happening on Kalquor, but it’s entirely different. Non-infectious to the humans living there.”

Earthers and Kalquorians were falling ill at the same time? It couldn’t be a coincidence. Toni thought of the overwhelmed clinic, and her mouth went dry. “Is it the Darks?”

“We think so. They destroyed the Bi’isils and perhaps got hold of their biological experiments. The Kalquorians were certain there was a secret lab that escaped the inspection teams’ searches.”

“The Bi’isils loved their weaponized bacteria and viruses,” Bryant muttered.

There was another planet populated by a large human contingent. Toni and Stacy’s mother lived on a colony occupied jointly by Earthers and Kalquorians. “What about Haven?”

“So far, no cases have been reported of either of the illnesses. Haven has enacted stringent controls on incoming visitors, shipments, and would-be immigrants. They’re also watching and listening for anyone who might be ridden by the enemy.” The relief in the elder sister’s voice was evident. Their mother was safe, at least for the time being.

It allowed Toni to relax a little. “We have those orphans coming.”

Bryant took up the subject. “I’ve been on the com with Haven’s governors. Once they’re free of Galactic Council space, the orphans will be diverted there, as long as Haven doesn’t fall prey to either virus. If it does, the Open Arms Orphanage refugees will be lodged on Alpha Space Station until it’s safe for them to land here.”

“I guess I might be out of a job,” Toni remarked.

Stacy chuckled. “It’ll be waiting for you. Even if the orphans don’t end up on Earth, you’ll have your hands full once the dust settles. For now, take your butt home and sit tight. Food and necessities will be delivered. Ken’s seen to registering you for emergency supplies.”

“You can com me if anything comes up you need help with,” Bryant added.

“Thanks.” Toni eyed her sister’s surprising ally. Could he be trusted? She supposed she had no choice but to do so.

* * * *

Toni had been home two hours and was already restless. She’d switched on the news vids and found the flu was the only story being covered. It took twenty minutes to hear the latest, then the newscasters began repeating themselves. She wasn’t much for passively watching dramas or comedies even when she wasn’t so keyed up by worry, so it wasn’t long before she switched the entertainment system off.

She commed her mother on Haven. Rosa was all right but worried about her daughters. “Can’t you go to the space station? I’d feel better if you were away from there.”

“I’m staying home, away from everyone else’s cooties,” Toni reassured her. She didn’t mention she’d been in the clinic, surrounded by the sick. She had confidence the sanitizing system she’d passed through twice would have caught and eradicated any bug ahead of its ability to infect her. She hadn’t been near the ill patients for long, so she had to be okay.

Having set her mother’s mind at rest after a nice conversation, Toni cast for something to do. She’d never been a homebody, always eager to leave the house and be physically active. She paced the rooms, feeling the anxiety of inaction.

She went to the kitchen and briefly considered baking cookies or an extravagant meal. It would keep her busy for a little while, but it meant eating a ton of food. She tended to put on weight easily. I could freeze most of whatever I cook. Then I’ll bring the leftovers to Stacy to share with her harem when this nonsense is finished.

No. The temptation of good food would overcome her in the end. Toni sighed and left the kitchen.

She wandered the ground floor, hoping to find some activity to occupy her. Then she went upstairs. “I can’t even clean. It’s done,” she announced to the bedroom once she’d poked around the second floor. She noted the echoing quality of her lonely voice and shivered.

Talking to herself…bad idea.

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