Star Cruise - Outbreak Read Online Free Page A

she’ll remember. I’ll check with her toward the end of the afternoon. She’s pretty much all business, hasn’t even been to her cabin yet.”  
    “Nothing like Meers, then.”
    “Totally different. The medical staff’ll have to up their game while Dr. Shane’s in charge. She’s used to military hospitals, where people jump at an order. Not sure how the chain of command approach’ll go over with the passengers, since she can’t pull rank on them.” He switched subjects as they arrived at the crew gravlift. “Did you check out the person who was heckling Princess Falyn?”
    “No priors, just a hothead. Saw her with her handlers in the corridor and took his chance to show off to his buddies, act tough. Guess he figured he’d be safe on board the ship. I gave him a stern warning. Do you want me to set an extra guard on Her Highness’s quarters?”
    “Her regent doesn’t want any visible support from us. She’s afraid it’ll send a message Falyn’s forces are weak. The old harridan was very clear in our preflight briefing.” Jake rolled his shoulders. “I hate seeing a kid used as a political pawn, and I sure don’t want anything happening to her on our watch.”
    “So I’ll tell Jayna and Clint to run surveillance with Maeve’s help.” Red was matter-of-fact. “Why in the seven hells did Falyn’s people take her to the sickbay? Shouldn’t the doc go to her? Royalty and all?”
    “Supposedly, the pet was sick. I think the princess wanted an excuse to get out of her suite.”
    Red made a face. “I would if I was locked in there with Lady Scorsshyn twenty-four seven. She gives me the shivers.”
    “And I’m assuming the regent wasn’t averse to making it clear Falyn is well guarded and can travel safely.” Jake shook his head. “I hope the hotheads don’t pull any more stunts. We don’t have specific intel on terrorist activity, or a presence on the Zephyr , but reports have been wrong before. She may look like a little girl, but she’s the figurehead for a massive, entrenched power structure.” He checked his wrist chrono. “Captain’s expecting me. See you later.”
    Red continued on his way with a wave as Jake stepped into the restricted-access gravlift to the bridge.
    When he arrived, Jake found the command crew working efficiently around Captain Fleming, who acknowledged Jake’s arrival with a level stare and a salute with his raised mug of genuine Terran coffee. “Well? Is the new doc settled in?” Fleming took a sip.
    “She gives off an intense attitude, but she’ll fill the position fine for a few weeks, satisfy the regulations.” Jake kept his concerns about Dr. Shane to himself for now. Surely the military wouldn’t have allowed her to resign and transported her home without at least minimum treatment for wartime horrors. She’d seemed pretty anxious more than once, especially in the crowd by the casino, but got herself under control fast. And her manner with Princess Falyn and the pet had been pleasant enough, once she accepted the idea of playing veterinarian.  
    As if reading his mind, the captain said, “I’d be intense too if I’d seen the frontline service our new doctor has on her record.” Fleming eyed him over the lip of the chipped mug, which bore the insignia of his last military command. “We have a schedule to keep, and even if this is a continuation of the shakedown cruise, there are passengers who want to reach their destination. Meers better have a solid-gold excuse, or he’s banned from setting foot on my ship again. Sorry to drop this problem on your shoulders, Jake, but you’re responsible for making sure the new doc sticks it out with us until we get a permanent replacement.”
    “No problem, sir.” He hoped to get to know her better. At a minimum, he wanted a chance to thank her properly for saving his life. The assignment from Captain Fleming was no hardship.
    “Now tell me about the incident with Princess Falyn today outside the