Zion's Children - pt 46

Byrin listened with half and ear as Levi and Miri talked about his strategy once he left Zeta Muria to face down the Conglomerate government. She was slowly gaining ground from the illness, but there was something different about her case that was still bothering the good doctor.

He was looking at the original readout of the vial of blood she'd injected herself with. The vial had only sat overnight, and hadn't been as advanced as other samples had been. It never mattered how long he'd kept the blood cold, the blood - no matter whose - would have active virus cells the next time he looked. There was no denying the sterility of the conditions, the blood never even contacted oxygen until they were looking at it in the microscope.

He slid back from his computer and closed his eyes. What was he missing? It was unbelievable enough to think that someone had engineered, but to try to think like them was too much. He leaned forward suddenly and from across the room asked, "Miri, are there still vaccinations in the storeroom?"

There was a moment of silence, as he had interrupted their conversation. Levi rumbled under his breath, but Miri answered, "Of course. For when babies are born or strangers come from outside the..."

"Save your breath Miri, he's up and left," Levi said.

"Well, that's odd."

"Sounds like normal Fleet behavior to me. With a few exceptions."

"Grandfather, Byrin usually lets me finish speaking."

"Does he?"

"Yes. I wonder what he wants....oh."

"Yes?" Levi was amused at his girl.

"He's going to look for the virus in the vaccine. I don't know why we didn't think of it sooner."

Levi growled. "That would be excellent proof of villainy."

Miri stifled her laughter. "I can't believe you just said that. You sounded..."

"Wrathful, perhaps? I'm practicing."

She could no longer stifle her laughter, much to her grandfather's delight.