Page 46 of Sol Survivor

“Are you sure?”His brows knitted even as he curled his fingers into a fist.

“My chest, please.Let’s not bruise my face, shall we?”

He spread his thighs, pulled back his fist, and punched her.Again, the force pushed her back a few steps, but she’d felt nothing.

Closing her eyes, she listened to the incoherent whispers in the reaches of her mind.Screaming at them to remain there, she ran, ignoring Nikko calling her name.Tiny would know what was going on since she had taken a blood sample yesterday.Bursting into the med bay drew a yelp from the blind woman.

She clasped her chest, panting for breath.“Vic, you scared the shit out of me.”

“Sorry, Tiny.Did you get the results from my bloodwork?”Every muscle in Vic tensed, waiting, ready to explode into action.

“Yeah, but they make no sense.”She raised her face to the ceiling.“Computer, explain Vic’s bloodwork results.”

“Victoria Barnes’s blood contains an overabundance of nanites.This is to be expected with her recent implants.However, these nanites are not decreasing in number and dying off as designed.In addition, an unknown organism has merged with them and may be the reason for the nanites’ extended life.”

“What?”Vic squeaked.

“There is no clear indication of how they entered your system.Removing them will be impossible since they have fused with your DNA,” the computer continued in her monotone voice.

“What?”Vic slumped onto a bunker, gripping the metal railing.

“It is unusual.The nanites encourage your body’s healing process and are integral to post-implantation.It now appears that they will remain indefinitely.”

“Thank you, computer.”Farg.Vic gazed at Tiny.“What doesn’t make sense?”

“The existence of these organisms, Vic.When you enter a public area on the Lunar Base, a sterilization spray neutralizes all manner of bugs.Yours are…foreign.I can tell you that.”She waved a plastic model of a worm.“They carry the memory cells we find in human brains.”

“Right.”That explanation didn’t help.Vic drew in a ragged breath.“Am I dying?”

“No, they’re not harming you.They’re commensalistic since I can’t see what they gain in this symbiosis.They’re repairing minor damage to your liver and kidneys—the natural decay from a diet with insufficient hydration and nutrition.”

So much for Carne’s expensive medical team.“Okay, fine, great, but can this explain the shimmer?”

“The what?”Tiny furrowed her brow.“As in glitter?You’re glowing?”

“Kind of.Nikko punched me, and I didn’t feel it.”

“Oh, dear.”Tiny giggled.“That must’ve irritated him.”

Vic hadn’t checked his reaction, too focused on her Drafe-like armor.She would have to chat with Drafe.Excitement coiled in her stomach, and those whispers rose in a crescendo, as if urging her to reach out to him.He had a smart band, and if it was possible, perhaps she could hear his rasping voice again.

Pushing off the bed, Vic rose.“According to you, I’m well, and I don’t need to panic.”

“Yes, and I’ll have to inform the captain.”Tiny typed on a small console, then paused.“Only the captain.Medical results are considered confidential.”

“Good to know.”Vic liked that, when at Carne a yeast infection was open for discussion and ridicule.

“We are traveling to the best medical facility in the galaxy….Well, past it.”Tiny’s hurried words sparked Vic’s instincts.Why would they, an ice hauler, visit a medical facility?Unless they bought ice from the source.

“Thanks, Tiny.I’ll find Sarg, and let him punch me again, as a peace offering for abandoning him on the training mat.”

“Enjoy.”Tiny waved at the bed even though Vic was at the door.

She strolled to the gym, slipped inside, and raised her hands as if she approached a rabid animal.

Nikko waited, his arms folded across his chest.“What the farg was that?”

“An expected issue with my nanites.”She wasn’t about to reveal that a little of Drafe had found a home in her.That was for Drafe’s ears, though how she would reveal that with the fargen ship listening in was beyond her.“Go ahead, Sarg, punch me again.”She smirked.“You know you want to.”

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