Children Of Gaia

Chapter 24

Felix sat in the infirmary deep in thought. Though he felt relieved he didn't find any more tumours, he still had no answers to his questions. In addition to two deaths he couldn't justify. He was plagued by speculation, they were supposed to be free of the Scourge. How is it now killing them all the way out on Earth? Gaia came in for an update, she was also surprised to hear there were no others like Bligh and Silas among the group she mustered. Felix removed from storage the sample taken from Silas to show Gaia. Just like Bligh's tumour it had already grown in size.

"What should we do with our samples?" Felix wondered. "Should we turn them over to the Earth authorities and let them study them? We aren't really equipped to analyse them here."

"I'm not really sure dear, there is too much still unknown but I don't think we should hand them over. For now I think it would be prudent to destroy them and scan everyone here," she added.

"Right. It would be easier to go house to house. I'll get Lloyd, Eva and Emelia to scan as well. I need you to recall everyone back to their homes until further notice but first, could you please check me?" Instructed Felix with a nervous chuckle.

Gaia nodded and reached for the scanner. "Oh dear," she murmured a moment later.

"What? What is it, Gaia?" he asked frantically.

"You are free from Scourge infection,"
She confirmed. "But you appear to have a rather large tumour within your epithalamus region."

"Great, just what I needed. Are you certain it has nothing to do with the Scourge?"

"Yes, absolutely. It also appears benign according to the scan but we should investigate further once we get a handle on our current situation."

"Agreed. It can wait until we've checked everyone," nodded Felix.

Then Gaia remotely patched into the PA system. "Hello my children. It seems as though some of you are being adversely affected by the hot and dry conditions out here. In the interest of health and safety, doctors will be coming out for a quick check-up, this is compulsory for all. Effective immediately, all people will return to their designated homes and remain there until you've been visited. That is all."

None of her children had heard Gaia take such a stern tone before, they all trusted her without question, but there were some that were uneasy about being forced inside yet again for their supposed own good. Still, all the refugees complied as there was only one truth they all knew and shared, and that was that Gaia would always protect them.

Mere seconds before Felix and Gaia could put their plan into action a noise halted them. The vial harbouring the sample from Silas had started to crack. The tumour had expanded enough that its sheer volume was breaching its containment. Before Felix could say a word the sample escaped and with a form resembling a starfish it scurried across the floor toward freedom. In an instant Gaia burst from her position so quickly Felix's eyes could not follow. She reached out, forming a fist and crushed the creature with an almighty thud.

"Quickly go find Lloyd or Emelia before it regenerates!" Instructed Gaia as Felix was still trying to register.

"Right!" He agreed and took off.

Lloyd was still only next door so there was no need to search for Emelia. He and Felix stormed into the infirmary, his right arm weapon engaged to find Gaia standing by a brown mass on the floor quivering. Lloyd raised his arm taking aim.

"Wait!" Felix called out. He ran over to the wall claiming the fire extinguisher and removed the pin. "Ok now." He instructed. Lloyd fired a single burst leaving a small crater and charred marks on the floor. Felix reset the pin in the extinguisher, luckily their accommodation was fire retardant.