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posted out in this direction. Why? Did I get some kind of weird infection?”
    Kvi smiled. “You can say that. Females of the Adru-Skari have two states, unfixed and fixed. It refers to their mating status.”
    “Right. What does that have to do with me?”
    “Your status is moving into what we would consider to be fixed.”
    She blinked and gave her physician a narrow-eyed look. “What does that mean? Why am I getting so itchy and achy when I am out socializing?”
    Kvi chuckled, her voice deep and amused. “Your biology is setting you to be receptive to one particular Adru-Skari. Do you know who it was that scratched you?”
    “Yes. Is there an antidote?”
    Kvi tilted her head. “Not really. It is not something that is required under normal circumstances.”
    Mel gritted her teeth. “These are not normal circumstances.”
    “Oh. Right. I will work on it. Most of the species around here aren’t susceptible to the Adru-Skari change.”
    Mel felt like grabbing Kvi and shaking her, but she said, “Please see what you can do. I might have to resign my commission if it continues much longer. This is enough to drive me mad.”
    “Stay away from men who are sexually interested in you. It will ease the feeling of irritation and nausea.”
    Warily, Mel said, “I haven’t experienced nausea yet.”
    “Oh, you will.”
    With that admonition from her doctor, Mel suited up and headed back to her quarters.
    She put on her education unit and sat, learning about the Adru-Skari. The more she learned, the more she looked at her arm with irritation. Her own skin had betrayed her.
    She had confidence that Kvi would find some kind of a cure or a suppression method for her, but how long it would take was the issue. Mel had a massage and a pleasure session scheduled for the next day. It was her day off and she really needed Tymo to take his time.
     
    Tymo held her hair as she vomited into the receptacle in the lav. “What is wrong, Agent Geller? You normally like a pre-sex massage.”
    She glared at him and shook. “I told you to back away. Do it or I will knock you on your ass.”
    He stepped back and frowned. “I don’t understand what is wrong.”
    “I do; I just can’t believe it. Get me my clothing. I will pay you for the full session and get out of your hair.”
    “But, I want you here.” He reached for her again.
    “Stop. I have to go abstinent until this illness sorts itself out. I have already been to medical; it isn’t communicable, but it is a very violent reaction to being touched by anyone who has sexual interest.”
    Tymo looked at her with horror. “That is terrible.”
    Mel stood up. “You have no idea. My clothing. Now.”
    She was careful not to touch him as she got dressed, she nodded politely as she passed him, paid a surprised Moffin and then she headed for her quarters with her jaw locked.
    When she arrived in her chamber, she threw herself on her bed and bawled at the loss of the one thing that made her life on Makuada truly enjoyable. Paying someone to touch her had seemed odd at first, but she had thrown herself into the practice and now enjoyed her days off, knowing what to expect. That one predictable pleasure had become her focus, no matter whom she chose for the day.
    She was alone in the universe, and for the first time, she actually felt it.
     
    Several hours after her humiliation, her com chimed. She wiped her tears and went to the unit. “Display.”
    Dr. Kvi smiled brightly at her, her gravel-grey skin looking hard and slightly shiny in the light of the monitor. “Agent Geller, I have found the information I was seeking. There is no cure or antiviral for the infection you received, but there is a treatment.”
    Mel blinked. “What is the treatment?”
    A knock at her door had her turning toward it.
    “I had it sent to your quarters.”
    “I think it has arrived.”
    “Let me know how it works out.”
    Mel opened her door, and she stumbled back when Dornin-tah stepped