Star Wars: X-Wing 02: Wedge's Gamble by Michael A. Stackpole

Author:Michael A. Stackpole
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Star Wars, Video Game Adaptations, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, TV, Movie, Space Opera, Fantasy, Adventure, Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction, Genre Fiction
ISBN: 9780307796226
Publisher: Spectra
Published: 2011-06-28T04:00:00+00:00

33

Though General Derricote’s office was no larger than his own, its stark white color made Kirtan Loor feel more vulnerable. He would have preferred waiting to deliver his message to the Director from his own office, but the delay the trip back would necessitate would not be acceptable. Ysanne Isard would be furious with what he had to say, so he saw no reason to compound her anger.

On one knee, he refused to look up when her image burned to life in the General’s office. “What is so urgent, Agent Loor?”

“General Derricote’s estimates of the incubation period for the Krytos virus in Sullustans was generous.”

“What?” Loor could not see Isard’s expression, but her voice sounded as it might if he had told her that the Rebels had just showed up with a Death Star. “Generous in what way?”

“Generous in his favor. He promised you ten days until the Sullustans began to sicken, but a dozen appears more correct. And …”

“There is more?”

“Yes, Madam Director. The virus has resisted airborne transmission. Contact with virus-laden fluids and tissues will still infect another individual, but fluid contact is still required.”

“This is impossible, Loor, and I hold you responsible for all this. Look at me!”

Loor lifted his face and saw molten fury roiling in her left eye. “General Derricote gave me false information.”

“He did that at Borleias, but you found him out.”

“But I didn’t have to be tracking Rogue Squadron’s activities on Imperial Center at the time. I was worried about your deadline, which came and went today.” Loor hesitated and found himself cringing in anticipation of her reply.

“The deadline was based on a ten-day incubation period followed by a week-long terminal cycle. This throws everything off.” Isard’s image towered over him. “What are the transmissibility figures? Is the virus jumping from species to species?”

“Flesh contact with ten ces of viral fluid results in a twenty percent infection rate and the virus is viable for thirty-six hours outside a host, longer if the conditions are warm and moist. The virus can be frozen and thawed without lost of viability or lethality. If the virus is actually injected or injested, as little as one cubic centimeter is enough to infect a subject.”

“And species migration?”

“General Derricote projects …”

“Projects! I want results, not projections.” Isard’s hologram slammed a fist into an open palm but the sound relayed by holo-link sounded muted and weak. “Order Derricote to begin replication of the current virus strains and release all of them into the water supply.”

Loor again bowed his head. “I anticipated your request. Derricote says that in four days he should have sufficient supplies to take care of the planet.”

“Tell him he doesn’t have four days. Full replication and production begins immediately and batches go into the water supply when they are complete. I want it done now. I will tolerate no more mistakes, his or yours, do you understand?”

“Yes, Madam Director.”

“And one more thing, Agent Loor.”

“Yes, Madam Director?”

“Your last report on the Rogues indicated this evening appears to be when they are taking their first step at liberating Imperial Center.

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