“It might.”
“Can you inject it into my thigh, then? The gossips would have a field day screaming I was doing illicit feelgoods if I’m seen with an imprint mark. I know CLC swears the cruise staff will be discreet, but there are too many prying eyes.”
Emily administered the inject where Liora indicated. “Are you sure you can’t skip this whatever it is at the dance venue today?”
Liora rose, going to the vanity, and selected a hairbrush from the clutter spread over the surface, stroking it over her lustrous pink and mauve mane. “I know you must think we’re rich, being trideo stars, but I only just hit the big time with the Gantaran Fairy Queen franchise. My husband prefers to make his own trids, which the critics praise, but unfortunately practically no one sees, although everyone claims to be a fan.”
“He wins awards. I’d almost think that was part of his name—‘award-winning’ Sid Daburkn.” Emily tried gentle humor.
“Yes, but our production company doesn’t begin to earn back the sunk costs. We have expenses you wouldn’t believe. No one gets far in the trid industry these days without a lot of favors being exchanged, a regiment of people having their hooks into you. Well, maybe for the people in the top tier, the business is different. I hope I find out someday.” Liora’s expression this time was closer to the vids and stills of her that appeared in the much-maligned media. “So we got to travel in style on this ship in exchange for doing an infotainment special about the fabulous time we had on board and all the exciting features. Mutual promotion.”
“So the beach yesterday—”
“And the dance show today. Right. I have to do a routine with the cast, and my husband is going to sing. My first paying gigs were as a dancer, a long time ago.” The actress began applying makeup, her voice growing stronger and more vibrant with each stroke of the applicator. “Say, this stuff you gave me is nothing short of miraculous, Doc. I’m better already. When can I have the next dose?”
Repacking her kit, Emily frowned. “Tomorrow. Once every twenty-four hours at most and only for a few days. I don’t advise you dancing.”
“Will it hurt the baby if I do?” Eyes wide, hairbrush forgotten, the actress stared at her in the mirror.
“No, but the medication is only masking the symptoms temporarily, an artificial improvement. You need to rest and hydrate. Promise me.”
“I swear. One little spin around the stage to satisfy the sponsor, and then I’m done.” Liora winked. “The vitamins are tricky—I don’t want word getting out before I have to announce the pregnancy.”
“I’ll have them delivered discreetly, I promise. And no one will have access to your medical record but myself and the Ship’s AI. We have a strict privacy protocol in place.” Leaving her revitalized patient, Emily rejoined Jake and Sid in the outer room. “I’ve given her something to temporarily relieve the nausea and other symptoms,” she said. “But as her doctor, I strongly advise against too much activity in the next few days.”
“I see she told you we’re going to perform this afternoon,” Sid said. “My wife’s a trouper. She’ll be fine.”
“Are you having any symptoms yourself?”
“Space travel agrees with me,” he boasted. “I’m rarely sick under any conditions.”
“I hope your good health continues,” Emily said. “Call me directly if anything changes with your wife. The Ship can connect you straight to me, any time of the day or night.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
As he emerged into the corridor right behind her, as if they were in formation, Jake said, “I didn’t realize you were such a big fan.”
Raising her eyebrows, Emily said, “I’m not following you.”
“Telling Maeve to let them call you direct. You didn’t offer personalized and immediate service to Falyn.”
Wondering if he was attempting to tease her, Emily weighed her words carefully. “I can’t discuss my patients with you, but there’s a good reason I authorized direct contact if needed.” Anticipating his next question, she smiled to soften her remark, and added, “And I promise, there’s nothing you need to be aware of about Mrs. Daburkn.”
Both got off at the casino level, since sickbay was also on the same deck. “Good, glad to hear the reassuring news. Or lack of news, I guess,” Jake said. “I’ve got to go sign off on the security arrangements for their little performance in the theater. A limited number of passengers will be admitted to watch, and Red notified me there’s quite a crowd gathering.”
“Already?” Surprised, Emily said, “Liora indicated to me the event wasn’t for a few hours.”
Jake shrugged. “I gather the celebrity couple are going to do a meet and greet for a few people.”
“Not a good idea when we’ve got a norovirus outbreak.” Troubled by the idea of a social gathering of total strangers, which would probably include handshakes, Emily stopped beside the sickbay portal.
“Should we cancel this?” Jake’s eyebrows drew together in a frown. “The event was heavily advertised as a feature on this leg of the cruise, and extra fees were charged for passengers who wanted to attend. I’d need Captain Fleming’s permission.”
Emily tapped her fingers on her personal AI, weighing the considerations. “No food is being served, right? And the bathroom facilities at the theater are adequate?”
“No food, except maybe backstage for the cast only. The designers of the ship over-built the restrooms on this level, so there’s no problem with adequate facilities,” was Jake’s prompt answer.
“Have the entire area thoroughly cleaned before and after the event, keep Maeve’s sanitation robos on standby in the area in case someone is taken ill, and I’ll approve the event proceeding as planned.”
“Absolutely, Doctor.” Prompt as always, Maeve chimed into the conversation.
Emily made a face. Jake gave her a puzzled glance. Ex-military AI or not, the Ship was getting on her nerves. Always watching, always taking part in the conversations, always judging. Startled by the direction her thoughts were going, Emily said, “I’ve got to go.”
He caught her elbow with a gentle touch. “Right, but we’re still on for dinner tomorrow, yes?”
“Picnic on the beach deck. I haven’t forgotten.” She held up one hand. “If the medical situation hasn’t become critical. I’d be regretful but I’d have to cancel on you.”
“Noted.” He leaned closer, and she caught a whiff of his crisp aftershave. “But as our only doctor, you require downtime too. We need you in good health.”
“I’m the best judge of my own condition.” He was so close she had the impression perhaps he was going to kiss her, and warily she moved back a step. Grinning, he sauntered away. “I’ll pick you up at your quarters at seven tomorrow night, standard time.”
The portal behind her opened as someone exited sickbay, and Emily hastened inside, mentally switching gears as she surveyed the crowd in the waiting area.
She was conferring with the captain and Maeve when Jake arrived the next evening. “The number of new patients today was actually lower than I expected,” she said as she let her date into the cabin, speaking to Fleming but glad to share the information with Jake as well.
“Do you think the outbreak is contained?” The captain’s voice was crisp over the comlink, his demeanor calm as always.
Emily frowned. “It’s a bit too soon, based on my research today into norovirus. Usually, we’d see the spike in fresh cases continuing for another day or two.”
“My countermeasures have been extremely thorough, Doctor,” Maeve said. “My sanitation robos have enhanced their efficiency at cleaning biohazardous bodily fluids by one hundred and thirty-five percent.”
Frowning as she contemplated the dubious statistic, Emily shook her head. “Let’s don’t celebrate or let our guard down too soon. The symptoms can take a day or two to present, especially in otherwise healthy sentients. At least I don’t have any nonhuman higher sentients on board to worry about. Norovirus can be lethal for cer
tain species. I’d say continue the extra housecleaning, put out a reminder message tomorrow morning, if you would, Captain.”
“Will do, Fleming out.”
The vid connection flickered and disappeared.
“Ready for dinner on the beach, Doc?”
“You don’t have to go to any extra trouble on my account,” she said. “We could eat in the dining room, or even the officers’ mess. Tonight I’m daring enough to handle either one.”
“I’m working up to more public and complicated meals, believe me. But I wanted to keep this evening casual, and I have something I want to show you afterwards.” He ushered her into the corridor and toward the gravlift. “I found it helpful to spend time on the beach when I came on board. And it’s remarkably free of other people in the evenings, unless there’s an event.”
“Being deserted is a point in its favor,” she said, striving to match his tone and not allow herself to dwell on the horrors of the beach at Fantalar.
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 th
at 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.”
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