Epidemic Outbreak

Prologue

Parker Bones rolled back with a moan in the cot, while a croaking and repetitive sound drilled his ears, tearing him away from a well-deserved restful sleep, which had begun so well that he hoped he would not wake up anymore.
This could not be the alarm clock: the PCP Ascendant was set up according to the preferences of the entire crew and, depending on the section, behaved differently. Having had the enormous fortune of having a single cabin, therefore, he had been able to personally choose a Mozart adage as his personal morning ringtone. No, that was the vessel's internal communication system, and it was the thing he hated more than anything else on board.
With the exception of the Ascendant commander, Ethan Malkovich.
"Hello?" He grunted, pressing the button on the nightstand with a fist.
"Mr. Bones, are you awake?" Asked the Captain's dark face, appearing instantly over the receiver, a portion of white sphere that now emanated a faint light.
- Now yes, I suppose ... - yawned, sitting on the cot - What can I do for you, Captain? -
"He can get dressed and run on the medical bridge," the man replied. "We have a Beta class emergency, I need your help."
"No, you need Dr. Lassiter's help," Bones replied, rubbing his eyes. "I'm just the security officer, I know nothing about medicine. I can not cure a cold.-
Malkovich's face frowned.
"I gave you an order, Bones." He replied. "Do not mess with me, not after the day I had."
- Of course, mine was as smooth as oil ... I had to lock up three miners, what have I ever done? -
"Bones, I warn you!" Exclaimed the other.
- Okay, okay, do not blow up the coronary, I'll get ... - he sighed, doing to get up.
"It would be better if you hurry," Malkovich said. "Because the emergency is about his prisoners."

Bones stifled a yawn, fixing the brown safety jacket over his shoulders. Despite the Captain's insistence, he had not even bothered to put on his uniform, merely slipping into a pair of decent trousers. If the gray shirt with which he slept he did not like it, he could easily go fuck himself.
He slipped through the quiet corridors of the dormitory section to the elevator, and from there he reached the medical bridge. The doors opened into a bright, white room, so much so that for a moment she had to blink, annoyed.
"Ah, Mr. Bones ... finally he honors us with his presence."
Remaining the reply, Bones advanced into the room, reaching Captain Malkovich who was waiting for him, standing by the balustrade that led to the isolation lane. Beside him was Dr. Lassiter, who, with his head covered with sparse gray hair, expression lines and small, round glasses, constantly reminded him of a pug.
- I did as quickly as I could. I do not know how to cross the walls yet.- Bones replied - So, this medical emergency? -
Dr. Lassiter nodded, pointing beneath them.
"Look," he answered.
Bones sighed, leaning his elbows on the railing: below them was a glass at least two inches thick that completely isolated the room beyond it. Inside there were three occupied beds, and as was announced Bones could recognize the miners he had arrested the day before lying on the mattresses. Two of them slept, even though they were visibly feverish, while the other neurotically moved his gaze from side to side, convulsively embracing a vase with a small ornamental plant inside.
"Interesting," he said listlessly. "And so?"
"It's his prisoners, Bones!" The Captain snapped, looking down at him and swelling his chest, so that the uniform's coat of arms stood out even more. "He could at least pretend he cares for something!"
"It only matters to me that they do no harm, Captain. That's why I get a salary. They're sick, but what can I do? What, by the way? - he then asked, turning to the doctor - When I took them in, they seemed to feel good.
"We're not sure," Lassiter replied. "We're still taking exams. An hour ago, more or less, they began to show signs of suffering. Symptoms range from fever to paranoia.
"And that justifies a class-class emergency?" Bones asked. "A little fever?"
- Normally not, but after what has happened in recent days the situation is worrying. After all, they were among those who went ashore yesterday morning. There could be a connection. "
Bones sighed.
- Okay.- he said - And what have I got to do with it? What do you want me to do? -
"For once, his favorite thing, at least for the next twenty-four hours," the Captain replied, seriously. "That's right, nothing. I have already contacted my superiors, I explained the situation to him. The orders are to remain cautious and wait. What is happening is very strange, and they say we could use the help of a specialist. She will support him since his arrival for the duration of his stay here on board. I expect the utmost cooperation, Mr. Bones. "
He grunted.
- To the orders ... - mumbled, listless.