Page 21 of Spectral Seas (Spectral Worlds #2)

T HE MEDIC, A thin, mocha-skinned woman dressed in a Bureau white, skin-tight uniform, slipped a rubber ball into Abby’s palm then tapped the screen of the console beside him. The sleeve on his arm inflated, pinching against his bicep. He drew deeply from the oxygen mask strapped to his face and squeezed the ball. Satisfied with the data it was recording, the console let out a rapid fire stream of beeps. The sleeve deflated.

“How is our patient doing?” came a voice from behind. Abby glanced toward the mirror above the sink. Sure enough, standing at the door was his old colleague, Yun Lin, Director of the Homeland Bureau.

“He’s quite fine,” said the medic. “There’s still a slight trace of scarring in his lungs, but his nanites are doing their job and he’s on the mend.”

“Excellent,” said Yun. He slowly crossed the room then pivoted around to face Abby. The Director’s cerulean eyes pierced through Abby as if he were an exhibit. “Commander Squire is a living legend.” Yun smiled. “We want to keep him that way. ”

“I’m sur—” The plastic oxygen mask restricted Abby’s mouth from moving. He reached up and attempted to pull it from his face, but the elastic straps held it close.

“Let me,” said the medic.

Abby waited until he was free of the mask and sleeve then said, “I was going to say, I’m surprised you came all the way down to Homeland Plaza.”

“You shouldn’t be,” said Yun. “I read your report.”

“And?”

“You made some stiff accusations. I don’t have to tell you that there are some concerns—some feathers ruffled.”

“From the Koreans?”

“Among others.”

Abby smirked and rubbed the upper portion of his arm where the sleeve had pinched him. “That didn’t take long.”

“If you’re insinuating that upon your return the shadow you and Captain Serene discovered in the mine reached out to his employers, and that they in turn reached out to the Bureau, you are correct.”

“And what did our friends from the mining consortium have to say?”

“They’re concerned about the possible violation of rights and treaties.”

“Yeah. They’re a bit touchy about that sort of thing.”

“They are,” said Yun. “Add in use of an unauthorized quant and you have their full attention. Anyway, they’d like you and Captain Serene to continue your investigation.”

“And?” asked Abby. “There’s always an ‘and’.”

“And they’ve requested that their representative accompany you.”

“The sniff?”

“The sniff.”

“He’ll probably be helpful. ”

“I expected as much,” said Yun. “Do you really think the monks are responsible?”

“Someone is using an unauthorized quantum device. Whether they’re leapfrogging planes or originating in the Indicus Plane remains to be seen. I seriously can’t imagine that old abbot to be behind this.”

“No,” said Yun. “I suppose not.”

“Hold still please,” said the medic. She pushed a long, thick, hypo-syringe against Abby’s upper arm. “This won’t hurt a bit.”

Swoosh.

“Hey,” said Abby. “I thought you said it wouldn’t hurt.”

Yun grinned. “They’re trained to say that.” The medic gave Abby an apologetic shrug, then put the hypo-syringe on a waiting silver tray.

“What was that anyway?” asked Abby.

“An inoculation,” she said.

“I mean,” Abby said as he rubbed his arm again, “what was in it?”

“A cocktail of nano-medicinal biomachines.”

“Uh huh. Are they safe?”

“Well, the nanotoxicity build up is rated a bit high for this mix. But it takes a while, and your existing nanites will most likely correct any damage as is occurs.”

“Most likely?”

“You’ll be fine,” said Yun. He waved the back of his hand toward the medic in a shooing fashion. “Thank you for tending to my friend. You’re excused.”

After the medic left the room, Abby rose from the exam table. He grabbed his white shirt from the corner rack and watched himself in the mirror as he buttoned. “Is an inoculation really necessary?” he asked.

“It’s that or a suit,” said Yun .

“But the Indici atmosphere isn’t toxic. What did you jack me up with?”

“I assure you it’s on the square. There’s been a series of sudden illness in the Indicus Plane, and even death. The entire Plane is under quarantine.”

“What?”

“Oh, don’t sweat it. No guts, no glory.”

“Glory? You of all people should know better.” Abby straightened his mandarin collar then raked his fingers through his hair. “I suppose you’ve already spoken to the Captain.”

“Yes. She will meet you and the other Umbra in the Dome.” He slapped Abby on his sore shoulder then walked past him toward the door. “I have some other matters to attend to. I’ll look forward to your report.”

“Okay,” said Abby.

“Oh. One more thing,” Yun said from behind. “Prince Uhggwa has also requested to join you. He’ll meet you in the Dome as well.”

“You have to be kidding me. The Indici and the Viridians hate each other.”

Abby spun to face Yun, but he was already gone.

~*~