Star Cruise - Outbreak Read Online Free

luxury cruiser, Doctor. Most people will expect to see you.”
    Patience fraying, she took refuge in the hot flare of anger. “Are you telling me how to run a medical office?”
    He backed off. “No, of course not.”
    “Then I suggest you go about your own duties and leave me to mine.” Opening the wall cabinets, one after another, more to stay in motion than because she cared what the previous doctor had stored there, she found a traditional white coat with the CLC logo on the pocket below the caduceus insignia. She grabbed it, tugging the garment on over her simple outfit. Twining her hair into a casual ponytail, she picked her personal AI out of her pants’ pocket and pushed past him, marching into the open reception area. She could do this. It was just like the ER on Harilon and nothing remotely like her military experiences. Therefore safe. “Who was here first?”
    “Me, Doctor.” A young woman slumped in a chair raised her hand, while her male companion hovered. “I have a terrible headache.”  
    “Please go into Exam Room 1, and I’ll be right there.” Emily pivoted from the passengers as a young woman in a CLC uniform with a nurse’s insignia rushed into the clinic. “Glad to see I have some support today—I’m Dr. Shane, just arrived aboard. Are you the nurse on duty?”
    Eyes wide, visibly surprised to see Emily instead of whoever she’d expected, the newcomer smoothed her uniform tunic with one hand and her hair with the other. “Relba Gittan, day shift, yes, ma’am. Sorry I’m late returning from my break, Doctor.”
    “If you could triage these patients for me and notify me when the woman in Room 1 is ready for me to examine, we won’t worry about it.” Emily smiled. She really didn’t want to be too much of a stickler on her first day in charge of Sickbay. “I understand sometimes unexpected things happen. I’ll be in my office.”

CHAPTER TWO

    “See you later, Doc.” Jake left the sickbay with a wave of his hand.  
    As he made his way toward the bridge, where Captain Fleming was overseeing the ship’s exit from Harilon and entry into hyperspace, his own second-in-command, Red Thomsill, fell into step with him.
    “So, how was the doc? Did meeting your angel go the way you expected? You were pretty excited about it at coffee this morning.”
    Wishing he’d kept his mouth shut about the subject of his fascination with Dr. Emily Shane, Jake said, “She’s strung pretty tight. I never even told her we’d met before.” He gave Red a sideways glance. “I’d appreciate it if you don’t mention it to her when you meet her. She obviously didn’t remember, and why would she?”
    “Yeah, conditions weren’t optimal at the time,” Red said. “Not to mention you were bleeding out, according to Jayna. I won’t breathe a word. Anything we should be worried about?”
    “I’m sure the doctor’s fine. I don’t think she ever expected to return to space. And her father apparently didn’t get her to agree to this temp job before he told his friend on the Line’s Board that she’d do it. She was still pissed at her dad when I showed up on her doorstep.”
    Red made a face. “Awkward.”
    “Yeah, the timing didn’t help the situation any, but I talked her into signing on. Then we get on board, she wants to see sickbay and her nurse isn’t on duty. She had patients waiting, including a sick pet, no less. All in all, not a good beginning. She handled it fine—she’s a pro, but not the best way to join a ship.”
    “Are you bringing her to the party tonight? Maybe we can show her a better side of being Nebula Zephyr crew. Everyone’s eager to meet your Dr. Shane.”
    “She’s hardly my anything, except the doctor who saved my life—watch that kind of talk.” He gave Red a glare to emphasize he was serious about the warning. “I’d appreciate it if she continues to talk to me for the rest of the cruise. I did mention the party to Dr. Shane, but I don’t know if