Roger shrugged. “Vicky says he needs to move around some but she thinks it’s too soon for something like this.”
“Let me guess, he’s going stir crazy, isn’t he?”
Roger shrugged. “I know I would be.”
Hatcher stared into the shadows of his office, his mind considering all the possibilities. “Okay, talk to Vic. If she says he’s okay for a car ride, take him along. Limit his movement, though.” He looked up and gave him a cautious stare. “Take security. We can’t know where the Zulus are taking refuge from the sun.”
Roger stood and poured Hatcher a quick cup of coffee. “We’ll be extra careful. As much as I’d love to hear how others might be doing, there’s no sense in taking unnecessary risks.” He set the cup in front of him. “I’m gonna grab a bite then let Candy and Mike know.”
Hatcher watched the man step out of the office and sighed. He had to admit, it would be better for them to know what’s going on outside of Rio Rancho. He’d also like to know that Hollis’ sacrifice hadn’t been in vain.
He pushed away from the desk and carefully lifted the coffee. He made his way down the hall and to the infirmary. He caught Vicky walking into her office and got her attention. “How are our live-ins?”
She sighed and gave him a crooked smile. “I’m guessing Roger told you that Mike wants out, come hell or high water?”
He nodded. “I told him to restrict him to the vehicle. No unnecessary moving around.”
She hiked a brow. “Good luck with that.” She leaned against the wall outside her door and snorted a short laugh. “He’s too big and too strong for me to impose my will upon, and Stella is the only one that can seem to get through to him. But I told him that we could wrap his middle much like we did yours. Maybe it will at least keep him from ripping his wounds open again.”
Hatcher reached for the door and opened it for her. “And the other guy? What’s his name?”
“He only said ‘Doug.’” She stepped in and pointed to the far corner. “He’s in there.”
Hatcher lowered his voice. “Has he said anything else?”
She shook her head. “Only that he didn’t want to be with Simon in the first place.”
“Funny how he kept rejoining him, then.” He took a sip of his coffee then moved toward the door. “I’m gonna have a chat with him.”
He pushed open the door and stepped inside the small recovery room. “Wakey-wakey. Time for the two of us to have a chat.”
“I’d really like to get a variable frequency device into the field first.” Broussard looked at the captain knowingly. “In the event that the virus mutated, we could narrow down the working frequency then simply record that sound to an endless loop and broadcast it.”
The captain nodded slowly, his mind considering the options. “Do we have a variable frequency generator?”
The tech shook his head. “Not currently sir, but we could easily create one. I could have one up and running by the end of the day.” He looked to Broussard. “With the doctor’s help, of course.”
“Very well then. Let’s get the thing built and we can track which frequency is the most effective.” He looked to the two researchers. “Anything else?”
Broussard was hesitant to respond. “Captain, I’d really like to accompany the field personnel on this mission—”
The captain held up a hand. “Absolutely not.” He looked at both researchers sternly. “Of all of you science types, this is the first group to come up with a workable treatment. I’m not risking any of your lives for a jaunt onto the mainland.”
Broussard held his hands up, hoping to interject. “It’s not simply to get away from the ship, Captain. It would further our research immensely if I could observe the subjects both before and after the application of the treatment.”
The captain shook his head. “We’ll have cameras installed. I can’t have you put at risk.”
Carol lifted her hand slowly and Broussard gave her a wide eyed stare. “Captain, I’ve…been exposed to the treatment. If it actually works, then the risk is minimal to me. I’d like to volunteer for the mission to make those observations.”
The captain’s eyes widened and he stared at the two researchers. “Why wasn’t I made aware of this?”
Broussard cleared his throat. “We, um, actually verified that it was our version of the cure just moment before you arrived. We couldn’t be certain that it wasn’t a common form of strep.” He averted his eyes and the captain stiffened.
“I really don’t like being kept out of the loop. Especially with something as important as this.” He glared at the two and Carol stepped forward.
“Sir, it was a complete accident, however, and please try to understand, once this treatment of ours is released full-scale into the environment, then everybody…every single person on the planet, will eventually become exposed to it.” She inhaled deeply and gave him a moment to comprehend her words. “It was inevitable that somebody aboard the ship would be exposed; it was only by accident that it happened to be me.”
“Accidents, huh? That means any one of us could have been exposed. If there was even the slightest chance, then I should have been made aware.” He crossed his arms and glared at her.
“Understood, sir. And in the future, if there are any circumstances that we question, you will be the next to know.”
Captain Proctor uncrossed his arms and glanced at the yeoman. “Prepare the insertion teams. Keep tabs on the ETs working on the generator.” He paused and glanced at Carol. “And get these two geared up for insertion as well.” He turned his full attention on the two researchers. “I’m giving direct orders to that chopper pilot to put you two in the safest, highest, most isolated location possible. If need be, we’ll give you field glasses and you can observe from
