Zion's Children - pt 8

"This is a vicious disease," Doctor Alexander said, sitting down on a stool in the lab he had taken Byrin to. "High fever, with delirium. As far as I can tell, their immune systems are turning against them and attacking the healthy cells."

"Have you found the trigger?" Byrin asked, looking around. The high tech equipment they had brought with them hadn't been set up yet, but he could see that it would contrast almost violently with the quaint room, as did the equipment that was already present. There was a healthy array of equipment set up among wooden tables and chairs as well a as mixture of wooden and metal cabinets. At least the Conglomerate coloring was absent.

"You wouldn't be here if I knew what the trigger was." Alexander sighed tiredly. "I can't find anything in the water. The air is fine, better than anything you'll find on Earth. Pollen and mold counts are the same they've been since I landed here with the Admiral. Their food is better than the highly nutritious ConFleet ration bars. I'm fresh out of ideas."

"All right," Byrin wisely ignored the sarcasm he detected in some of the other doctor's comments. "Do you mind if I go over your data? Just in case you missed something?"

Alexander smiled roguishly. "If that were to come from anyone other than you, Gold, I'd be offended. It's all on the main computer." He waved toward the longest rectangular table and the machine that sat upon it. "Go for it. When Miri gets here, I'll leave the two of you to work on your own. And don't worry, she's well acquainted with our technology."

Byrin centered himself in front of the main computer and began to access its files. "What is it with her? I mean, you've set her above ConFleet officers and seem to prefer her. Doesn't anyone mind?"

"Other than your Lieutenant, no one minds. Because I'm not the only one that prefers her. Everyone here can see her potential, along with the countless others we have working with us. If this planet were a full partner in the Conglomerate, she'd have been sent of to the Academy before she'd finished high school. And she's just one woman. This planet is full of untapped potential. It's a waste."

"I heard the Admiral say the same thing." Byrin scrutinized an early test as he spoke. It didn't escape his attention that the older man hadn't exactly answered his question. Even if this planet was full of untapped potential, that still didn't explain Miri's favored status.

"That doesn't surprise me," replied the other doctor. "Archie's been trying to get this colony turned into a full Conglomerate partner for years. He's their biggest supporter."

"I gather as much. What seems to be the hold up? With the partnership, I mean."

"Left over anti-semitism."

Bryin turned his gaze to look at the other doctor. "Excuse me?"

"You don't know?" Alexander sounded shocked. "Zeta Muria is one of the first colonies ever formed."

The younger doctor cursed. "Which means it was formed primarily of Jews and Americans."

"Ah, so you do know a bit of history."

"Some." Byrin turned his gaze back to the computer screen, but his attention was divided. "Tell me more about the colony."