Traveler in the Dark

27

"What happened?" demanded Al Jahi. Leroux was still trying to restart the Captain's heart, but Alice knew it had been too long.

"I— I don't know," she stammered, "I was just sitting here reading lab reports when the monitors went off. He just— crashed."

"Too much sedative," grunted Leroux as she pressed on Stratton's motionless chest. She glanced up at the screen. "What did you give him?"

"Me? Nothing, I swear. Check the logs, you'll see."

Al Jahi hesitated for a moment and then tapped something into her feed. "There's been no authorized bursts." She tapped again. "And the emergency cabinet hasn't been accessed."

"Had to be someone. An extra hundred milligrams of Rem didn't just spontaneously appear in his bloodstream," said Leroux. "Another burst of adrenaline, Oxwell, now."

Alice punched in the code as Leroux continued to work. She shook her head. "Nothing, Joan. His body isn't making it anymore."

"Then get a dose from the cabinet," she snapped.

"He's gone. His brain isn't—"

"I need a dose from the cabinet," she insisted. She turned to Al Jahi. "Chione? We can spare one. It's Gabriel—"

Al Jahi ran to get it herself. "In his port," gasped Leroux, still pressing. Alice didn't move forward to help, though Al Jahi's hands shook too much to get it on the first try. She watched the Leroux fall into her training, her body following the pulsing wave of press and release, press, release and retreat for the computer to administer a shock and then returning to do it all again. The only sound for a few moments was the deep whoosh of Leroux's breath and the periodic ring of the computer. Alice felt her own breath even out as the minutes ticked on. He wasn't coming back.

"I need another dose of adrenaline," said Leroux.

"It's not going to save him," said Alice. "It's been too long. His body has shut down."

"Please, Chione."

Al Jahi shook her head and pulled Leroux's hands from the Captain's chest. "I'm sorry Joan. Oxwell is right. It's done."

Leroux fell a step back. She wiped the sweat from her face and sank into a nearby chair. "But I saved him," she muttered, "He was stable."

"It wasn't your fault," said Al Jahi. "I— I better notify the others."

Alice knew she had mere hours, perhaps less, before the shock of the news wore off and the others would begin to question her in earnest. She had to get rid of the syringe. "I think I need— I think I'm going to be—"

Leroux looked up at her, still dazed. "You need to throw up Oxwell?" she asked blankly.

Alice nodded. "I think so," she gasped, sucking in great whooping gales of air.

"Whoa, Oxwell, sit down," said Leroux, springing up. "You'll hyperventilate."

"No, I need air. I need— outside."

"Okay, okay, take it easy, we'll get you outside." Leroux put a hand on her back and led her down the hall toward the equipment lock. "It's been a terrible few days for you in particular. First Dorothy and now— I'm sorry, Alice. I've been so wrapped up in everything I didn't even think. Maybe we should call Dr. Cardiff."

"Let me just— I just need space. Just for a minute."

They'd reached the lock. Leroux opened the door. "Can you get down the ladder?" she asked.

"Yes, I think so," said Alice.

"I'll get Dr. Cardiff. We'll give you a minute."

Alice nodded her thanks and climbed slowly down into the open air. She bent over her knees for a moment until she was certain Leroux had gone. There would only be a few moments until either Dr. Cardiff found her or the others returned from the field lab. She hurried to the charred remains of the isolation chamber, ignoring Issk'ath as its eyes followed her. They'd never believe it over one of their own anyway. But she made certain to press into a small space behind a bubbled, blackened wall of burned plastic so that it could not see what she did. Alice made certain the syringe was recapped and knelt beside the emergency cabinet. The metal had dented in the blast. Too far to open the doors. She swore under her breath, but then her fingers found a small gap at the hinge. She pushed the slim syringe through and heard it clatter against the shelves inside. It would take someone a decent effort and tools to get it open. She'd have time to think of something else if they tried.