USS Adams: No Escape (USS Hamilton Book 6) by Mark Wayne McGinnis

Author:Mark Wayne McGinnis [McGinnis, Mark Wayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Avenstar Productions
Published: 2022-08-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

Genoma, Stratham Hold

Lost Tombstone Star System

Captain Gail Pristy

Dr. Kline had stepped away, needed back in Medical. Pristy had been made aware of the fact that the death count had grown on Genoma to forty-three. Forty-five if you counted the two dead Yuppa discovered just outside Stratham Hold’s wall. And, apparently, nine Grish prisoners up on Sanctuary had come down with the virus, three of which had died. How long before her own crew on Hercules would succumb to that same fate?

“Strange…” she said aloud. “Stratham Hold has been in quarantine lockdown. How the hell did the virus spread to space?”

Resnick was across the room, talking to Derrota. He turned and said, “This virus is airborne transmissible but can also be contracted via tactile contact. I would bet someone here has quansported something, equipment, medical supplies maybe, up to Sanctuary.”

He was right, of course. She immediately hailed Dr. Kline.

“Kline,” the doctor replied, sounding harried.

“We need to stop quansporting anything up to—”

“Already figured that out, Gail. Tactile transmission…Got to go.”

Pristy looked at Derrota and then back at Resnick. “It seems your prediction about our fate is coming true.”

“It wasn’t a prediction; it was what we call a forward glimpse. So, be assured, it will happen. And the two of you will, I’m sorry to say, die within days.”

“And you’re here to give us a way out…if we do as you want. Which sounds a lot like blackmail,” she added.

“More like coercion,” Resnick said with a half smile.

“And your Grand Consortium directive’s scruples?” Derrota queried.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures. You help me, I’ll help you. It’s as simple as that.”

“Considering that my fate, or all our fates, is in your hands? Fine. But you stop this virus first. Stop the dying. Only then will I agree.”

The general shook his head. “There will be no turning back from this, Captain Pristy. You, and certain others here, will be inducted into my…services. Know this. It’s a one-way ticket, I’m sorry to say. You’ll be time travelers. Others here in your group will be employed in the support of our mission.” He looked at Derrota. “That means you, Dr. Kline and Superintendent LaSalle, and maybe those military men and women currently stationed here within this compound.”

Looking irritated but also resigned, Pristy said, “Already somewhat used to that, General…having been, at least to some degree, forcibly inducted into Quintos’s crazy pirate schemes. I don’t see we have any choice now with this either…whatever this is. So I’m in.” She looked to Derrota. “Stephan?”

“I’m most definitely in. But I believe the general is not asking for volunteers here. He’s asking you, Gail, if you’re willing to have personnel, all of us here within this compound, be unceremoniously drafted.”

She looked at Resnick. “You need an army; I get that. But you were willing to sacrifice dozens of humans, not to mention the Yuppa and Grish. I don’t like your methods.”

He smiled.

“You find that funny?”

“You forget what I do for a living. I’m a time traveler. No one has to die.

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