Savage pushed him down again. “Shut up, Shitstain.”
Scud rolled to his side and watched both men march away in different directions. “Join a motorcycle club, they said. It’ll be fun, they said…”
“There is no way I’m going to allow a civilian to go on a military operation.” Colonel Vickers stood behind his desk, his finger jabbing into the fake wood top.
“I understand that, sir, but she’s adamant.” The duty officer stood at attention. “While I agree it goes against procedure, she is correct in her assumption.”
Vickers raised a brow. “And what assumption might that be?”
“That she would be best suited to determine what was relevant research and what wasn’t.”
Vickers eyed the man as he sat. “What about Captain Hollis? Isn’t he assisting in her duties?”
The duty officer shook his head slightly. “She claims that he’s in the way more than anything. He’s not skilled in the work they do, and his laboratory procedures are…less than desirable.”
Vickers snorted. “Beggars can’t be choosers.” He leaned back in his chair and rocked slightly, his mind working. “These are…troubling times, to say the least. We’re literally scraping together what we can to keep things going. We can’t expect experts in every—”
“Sir? If I may?” The duty officer interrupted. “I understand your misgivings about allowing her to go. Honestly, sir, I share those same misgivings. But after rethinking the situation, I think it might not be such a bad idea.”
Vickers raised a brow at him and leaned forward. “You can’t possibly agree with her?”
“Permission to speak freely, sir?”
Vickers waved the man on. “These aren’t the times to stand on protocol, lieutenant.”
The man smiled. “Exactly, sir. That’s exactly my reasoning.”
“I’m not following you.”
“Colonel, she’s worked in the field for decades and now she’s trapped on a ship. Her only human interaction has been with other…eggheads.” Vickers smiled slightly at the expression. “Allowing her out into the field gives her a break, and we can be assured that the mission would be carried out as quickly as possible.”
Vickers pursed his lips as he mulled the idea. “I still don’t like it, but you make good points. Allowing our lead researcher a field trip might not be such a bad idea.” He turned empty eyes to the command duty officer. “Maybe if she gets a taste of something else, she’ll redouble her efforts to find an answer to this plague.”
“Exactly, sir.”
Vickers stood and the CDO jumped to attention. “Very well, lieutenant. Inform the good doctor her request has been granted. We’ll send her out on a chopper to check on Hollis and his people. But she is to remain inside the transport at all times until they reach Fort Collins. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Dismissed.” Vickers watched the man do an about-face and exit his office. He stepped to the small wet bar and poured himself a whiskey. As he savored the drink he tried not to imagine where they’d be if anything happened to LaRue.
He swirled the dark amber liquid in the glass and threw it back quickly. “Do not let us down, doctor. Too much is at stake now.”
“Is this really necessary?” Roger asked as he peeled his shirt off.
“Unfortunately, yes.” Vicky swallowed hard, her eyes shooting over her shoulder and behind the curtain that Candy was pacing behind.
“I’m obviously not infected.” Roger pulled first one boot off, then the other.
“By all rights, we should have done this the moment you walked in here.” Vicky scribbled something on her chart and kept her back turned to him. “We check everybody new that comes in. You just…slipped through the cracks.” She swallowed hard and watched Candy’s shadow pace back and forth.
“If I was infected, I’m pretty sure I’d have indications by now.” Roger tossed his pants onto the stool and sighed.
Vicky nodded. “I’m sure. But we did find a young lady not too long ago that had been scratched and didn’t turn. We believe she is immune.” She cleared her throat and pretended to write more in her chart. “That’s who Hatcher was escorting north when he ran into…well…your people.”
“You mean Simon’s people. I was just…” He trailed off. “Right. My people.”
Vicky glanced at the pants on the stool. “You’ll have to be…uh…completely…”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m ready doc.” Roger sighed.
Vicky turned and had to catch her breath. “You, um…certainly…” She averted her eyes.
Roger leaned to the side and waved his hand in front of her face. “Doc? I’m over here. I’m sure I ain’t got nothing you ain’t seen before.”
She nodded, her face flushing. “You’re correct. I just haven’t seen it put together quite like this before.”
Roger shrugged. “I’m naturally lean. I get it from my mom’s side of the family.” He gave her his best smile, then slowly turned around. “See? No bites, no scratches.” He glanced over at the curtain and noticed that Candy was no longer pacing. “No hickies, either.”
Vicky snorted as she glanced over her shoulder and could nearly see Candy freeze. “I hate to ask, but…” Roger gave her a questioning look. She swallowed hard and tried not to blush. “Could you lift…your…” She pointed.
Roger grinned at her and shook his head. “Sorry, doc. My last doctor told me not to lift anything heavy. Bad back, ya know.”
Vicky flustered and Roger chuckled to himself. “Sorry. Bad joke.” He lifted and allowed her to inspect.
Vicky quickly turned away. “All done. There’s a basin with warm water and soap if you’d like to wash. Fresh towels are right behind you.”
Roger shook his head. “I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”
Candy raised her voice, even though it was a sheer curtain between them, “We can have some brought in for you. We have a community clothes stash.”
Roger shrugged. “Okay, then. Why not.” He picked up the hotel-sized soap and flashed Vicky another brilliant smile. “Any chance for a razor, too?”
She flushed and nodded. “I’ll have one brought in for you.”
As she exited the exam area, Candy fell into step with her. She waited until the door was closed before stopping her. “Well?”
Vicky’s face flushed
