Star Cruise - Outbreak (11 page)

Flying close together in the gravlift a few moments later, Emily and her companion made short work of the ascent to Deck 5, which was entirely given over to the holo beach. A short distance from the gravlift Emily found herself walking onto real, shimmering white sands for a second time, facing the cleverly designed, endless oceanic vista.

“Just like Tahumaroa Two,” Jake said. Pitching his voice like a tour guide, he intoned, “The original designers spared no expense—” Laughing, he reverted to his usual baritone. “Actually, the builders skimped pretty badly, but when our Line bought the ship, we spent quite a bit to upgrade the hologram installation. It’s one of the most popular features on the ship.”
 

“And nothing like Fantalar, thankfully.”

“As I promised. You can trust me.” He took Emily by the elbow. “Maeve had our picnic delivered over here by the holo trees.”

The beach was deserted under a faux twilight sky. Only Meg, surrounded by the three Enzell kids, remained on the sands, collecting toys and towels. Emily veered toward the small party, Jake following without protest. “Hey, Meg, how are you and the Enzell family this evening? Any odd symptoms to report?”

Meg straightened, putting a hand to her back. “To be honest with you, I’m tired. I forgot how much energy keeping up with three kids requires.”

“You’ve been here all day?” Jake asked.

Meg shook her head. “Just this afternoon. Mrs. Enzell is under the weather.”

“She was swimming with us and building sand castles yesterday and this morning,” Syl piped up. “But then after lunch, she got sick.”

The adults exchanged glances. “I said I’d entertain them here on Deck 5 while Mr. Enzell took his wife to the cabin.” Meg stuffed the last towel into the carryall.

Concerned, Emily asked, “Did the family call sickbay?”

Meg pushed her hair off her face. “I’m sure her husband must have. A little Galamialate, and she’ll be fine, right, Doctor?”

Syl plunked herself in the sand, arms crossed over her stomach. “My snack and juice didn’t go down good, Meg.”

Emily knelt in the sand beside the little girl. “Are you feeling sick?”

Syl nodded, her face white. “My tummy hurts.”

“I should get her to their cabin,” Meg said.

“Let me check her vitals first. I’ll probably have to give her some Galamialate.” Emily dug for the scanner in her small medkit. “But I’ll need the parents’ permission, as this isn’t an emergency and she’s a minor.” She evaluated the two brothers, watching her with serious expressions. “Are you guys doing okay?”

Matching nods but the elder, Marc, had a wary look on his face and seemed a bit pale. Emily bet she was going to be treating him sooner than later.

“I’ll be glad to help you get them to their parents, Meg,” Jake offered.

Handing the older boy the carryall full of sand toys, she frowned, glancing from Jake to Emily. “I don’t want to interfere with your evening. You’re both off duty now, right?”

“The passengers come first,” Jake said.

Emily nodded her agreement with his sentiment. “A doctor is never truly off duty.”

“I’ll keep your dinner at the proper temperature until you’re ready to eat,” Maeve said from thin air.

“All right then, it’s settled.” Jake picked up the sick little girl, and Meg and Emily shepherded the two boys off the beach deck.

“I wish that was the real Fairy Queen I met at dinner,” Syl said as Jake carried her effortlessly through the corridor. “She could make me all better.”

“I don’t do magic, but I’ll help your tummy stop hurting,” Emily said. Seeking to distract the child, she added, “I met a real princess on board the other day.”

Eyes wide, Syl lifted her head from Jake’s shoulder. “What was her name? Can she do magic?”

“Her name is Falyn, and I don’t think she does magic either, but she does have a cute pet named Midorri.”

Jake stepped into the crew antigrav lift, and as she followed, Emily stayed close to him and the child. Meg was right on her heels with the two boys, who were excited about being in the crew passageway. The brothers began doing acrobatics, playing a noisy game of tag, zipping up and down the grav flow, and Meg fell behind, calling them to order.

Syl was absorbed in the story of the real princess. “Can I play with her? When I’m all better?”

Remembering the way Falyn looked and acted like someone two decades older than she was, Emily shook her head. “I don’t think she gets to play much.”

“Hard work, being a princess,” Jake added, amusement in his voice. “Not as much fun as being a regular citizen like you, Miss Syl.”

Her father greeted them at the entrance to the cabin. “Dr. Shane, I’m glad you’re here. We’ve been waiting an hour for one of your staff to make a house call. My wife is under the weather with this stomach bug.”

“Your daughter’s showing signs as well,” Emily said, moving past him and heading toward the master bedroom. “I’d like to give them both a dose of Galamialate. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine. My stomach’s impervious to anything,” he said, rubbing his ample belly. “Considering we ate all the same foods, too bad my kids didn’t inherit my guts. Is this contagious from person to person?”

“A norovirus is normally only transmitted through touch or contamination of surfaces,” Emily answered. “If I may have some privacy to examine your wife.” She slid the portal closed and crossed to the bed. Mrs. Enzell smiled weakly and tried to sit up as Emily approached. Indicating for the stricken passenger to lie back and relax, she began her scan. “Symptoms started right after lunch?”

“Yes. I’ve been in the bathroom most of the afternoon.” Mrs. Enzell rubbed her stomach gingerly. “Can’t even keep water down. Lords of Space bless Meg for taking the kids for me. Can I have some of that medicine you were talking about?”

Emily finished her rapid exam. “Of course. I need to give a dose to your daughter. She’s complaining of an upset stomach now. I should give the boys and your husband some to ward off the virus.” She administered the dose. “This probably isn’t the cruise you expected when you won the contest.”

“No,” Mrs. Enzell admitted. “Although it’s been an incredible experience right up until this virus hit like a rogue comet.” She rubbed her eyes, seeming about ready to cry.

Emily patted her arm. “As soon as the meds kick in, you’ll be frolicking on the beach again, I promise. We’re only four days out from Harilon so there will be plenty of time left to have the fun you were promised. Now try to rest and be sure to drink a lot of fluids as soon as the nausea eases. The ship can provide soups and teas. I don’t need you in sickbay with dehydration.”

“I’m not much of a frolicker. I wade and swim a little bit.” Mrs. Enzell sank against the pillows with a heartfelt sigh, closing her eyes.

 
Emily dimmed the lights and rejoined the others in the outer room, realizing with a quick glance that Meg had departed. “Your wife should be fine by tomorrow,” she said to Mr. Enzell. “Is Syl in bed?”

“Yes, Meg helped me get her settled before she left.” The father led the way into the closest bedroom, which Syl had all to herself apparently. The room was cluttered with toys and dolls. The little girl was curled up in bed with a bedraggled, stuffed animal, so much loved that Emily couldn’t tell what sort of creature it was supposed to be.

She sat on the edge of the bed and pretended to scan the toy pet first, which made Syl giggle faintly. “He’s fine. Now let me examine you.” As she’d expected, the child was in the throes of a gastrointestinal upset, although the handheld scanner couldn’t identify the virus any more than Maeve had been able to. Emily spoke to Mr. Enzell in a low voice. “Let me give Syl her meds, and then I can provide you and your sons with a dose each as well, to ward off symptoms.”

“I’d rather wait until we’re actually sick,” Mr. Enzell said. “I don’t much like taking meds.”

Surprised, Emily decided not to argue, given the fact norovirus wasn’t normally life threatening, just highly unpleasant. He’d change his mind fast enough if the symptoms hit. She tended to the girl, examined the boys to be thorough, although neither was showing any symptoms. Then after a few pleasantries and thanks from Mr. Enzell, she and Jake were on their way to the beach deck to resume their evening plans.

“I should check in with sickbay,” she said as she crossed the sand toward the dinner Maeve had supplied.
 

“Go ahead, I don’t mind.” Jake ushered her to her chair. “I heard what you said about always being on duty.”
 

“New cases keep occurring, as with Syl and her mother.” Emily surprised herself by offering an apology of sorts. “I want to keep a handle on things, and I’m not used to working with this staff yet.”

“No problem, I totally get it.” Jake poured them each a drink and set out the food while she called her office.

“Everything under control?” he asked as she dropped her AI into her pocket. “You’re frowning.”

She shook her head. “The level of new cases is lower, which is good. And no urgent calls.”

“Something else bothering you?”

“Frankly, I’m a bit uncomfortable with the skill level and attitude of some of the nurses. Not Bevar or Vicente, who are both ex-military and top notch. The day nurse—Relba?—she’s been something of a challenge since day one.”

Jake paused. “I’m sure Captain Fleming would want a full report before you leave us at the end of the cruise. Dr. Meers was responsible for hiring the medical staff when we crewed the ship.”

Emily laughed. “I need to remember this isn’t a military vessel, and you probably don’t have too many life-or-death situations. I’m sure the existing staff is all much better at dealing with pampered guests than I am.” She surveyed the dishes—a luscious salad with chilled seafood of various types, freshly baked rolls, five kinds of dressing and, off to the side, an assortment of desserts. “This is some picnic Maeve laid on.”

He raised his eyebrows. “How do you know I didn’t pick the menu?”

“Oh, sorry. I tend to think Maeve’s in charge of all aspects of life on this ship.”

“She doesn’t handle everything, I assure you.”

“Well, it’s delicious.” Emily popped a tangy bite of spiced shrimp into her mouth and savored the taste. “Is there a special occasion?”

“This is a get-to-know-you-better dinner,” Jake said. “Since we have to work together for the next few weeks. And you seemed uncomfortable with dining in a group setting, although I’ve heard you were excellent with the guests at the captain’s table the other night. And even though you appeared to be having fun at the beach party, you ducked out early. You need time off, away from the job, especially with the outbreak going on.”

Unaccountably disappointed, she set her fork on the plate, the food suddenly tasteless. “So is this part of your babysitting duties? Make sure the doc with possible PTSD issues takes a break? Doesn’t go off on another bender when she’s needed most?”

He gave her a level glance. “Partly, although I told you before, it’s not babysitting. It’s watching out for another veteran’s well-being. Although, I must say you seem like a different person today from the woman who came on board.”

“It’s true,” she admitted. “When I’m busy, I don’t have time to think, no flashbacks. I volunteered at the ER on Harilon in an attempt to stay meaningfully occupied.”

“There’s a fine line between being occupied and being overwhelmed,” he said, pouring the dressing on his salad.

An awkward silence fell for a few moments. Wanting to ease the tension and feeling it was her fault the conversation had withered, she said, “I enjoy the holo sunset Maeve is providing. You were right, this place is lovely and—and not at all like other places.” Emily raised her glass. “A toast to peace and quiet in the right measure.”

“I can drink to that.” He clinked glasses with her. After taking a deep pull on the feelgood, he set his glass on the table and said, “I have something else to show you on our ship later, after dinner. A special feature I think you might like even better than the beach.”

“Now you’ve got my curiosity engaged,” Emily said.

“Good, but we should enjoy the meal first.”With a wicked grin and a wink, he leaned closer and said, “Anticipation and all that.”

After dessert, Jake said, “Are you ready to see something no passenger and few crew members ever behold?” Leaving his chair, he held out his hand.
 

She patted her lips delicately before dropping the napkin next to her plate. “As long as we’re not going to visit Maeve’s core, yes.”

“I promise, we won’t be going anywhere near Maeve’s consciousness capsule.” As Jake walked off the beach hand in hand with Emily and strolled into the corridor, he asked, “Is it all AI’s you have a problem with, or just ours?”

“You’re imagining things.” Put on the defensive, she allowed her annoyance to come through.
 

“Maybe.” Jake eyed her. “You get a tone in your voice whenever you talk about Maeve.”

“Every military ship I’ve ever served on had its own version of Maeve,” she said. “But AI’s are usually less personal, less likely to speak up at any moment. I guess I’ve never considered how a civilian AI, especially on a cruise ship, has to interact with other sentients. She can be a bit overwhelming. Intrusive.”