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“So what have you discovered, Krna asked when they reached Commander Aw’s office.

“We’re not entirely certain yet,” Commander Aw said. “But something concerning has turned up of the med scans we did on our two problem councillors. Both are showing similar lesions in certain areas of their frontal cortex. Lesions that were not there at their last medicals.”

“I’m not really familiar with human neurology.” Krna asked. “What would the significance of these lesions be?”

“Well…” Commander Aw turned to the doctor who was sitting with her. A staid looking white woman. “Could you take this Jess?”

“I can,” she said. “In the long term probably very little unless they spread as they are relatively small and the patients will learn to adjust to them but in the short term they could cause impulsivity and risk taking behaviour.”

“So that might partially explain why both of them are acting out of character?” Krna made a sound that was halfway between a hiss and a whistle that Amanpreet recognised as the Kska equivalent of tutting. “Odd that’s it’s both of them. Do you know what caused these lesions.”

“Well there’s no sign of trauma nor of any known disease state,” she replied. “And it’s a bit too coincidental… I’m suspecting it’s some sort of attack but I have no idea who or how. We’ve done biopsies and are going to be scanning everyone to look for other cases. We’ve finished the medical staff and they are all clear. We’re doing the security staff right now. So far no one else is affected.”

“What about the men who were paid to attack Merit?” Prima asked.

Jess shook her head. “No, but we think they were only involved because they were hired.”

“Can you check me and my crew next?” Amanpreet asked. “I’d rather be in control of myself.”

“Of course,” Jess said. “Why don’t you call them.”

***

The scans did not take long and afterwards they waited for the results with some trepidation but it was only a few minutes before Jess appeared with a smile on her face.

“Good news, I take it?” Amanpreet asked.

“Yes, well mostly,” she said. “No one in your crew has any lesions but there is something.” She turned to Kaine. “Something is happening in those areas of your brain but we are fairly sure we can stop it before any lesions form. We do want a biopsy because it might tell us more about what is happening.”

“Of course,” he said.

“And I’d like you not to navigate until we are sure you are clear.”

“I’d say not,” he agreed. “Navigation and risk taking don’t mix.”

“Good,” she said. “Let’s get that biopsy done and start the treatment that should help then.”

“Okay,” he said. “Let’s do this.” He looked over at Amanpreet. “No need to wait, Am. I’m sure Commander Aw will give me an escort back.”

***

By the time he returned to the crew’s rooms it was early evening and Amanpreet was helping Vanna prepare dinner for everyone. As soon as he opened the door Prima ran over.

“Kaine! Are you okay?”

He gave her a tired smile. “I’m fine. They wanted to be sure the treatment was working before they released me.” He looked at the others. “Have you seen the news yet? They found more people who’ve been affected and the biopsies are all showing signs of some kind of toxin but that’s not the strangest thing.”

“Argh, don’t keep us in suspense,” Mark said as he pulled up the news stream.

“The victims seem to be producing the toxin themselves,” Kaine said. “We all share a gene sequence in common that is usually inactive but has somehow been activated. They aren’t sure how though, but…” he trailed off.

“But,” Amanpreet prompted.

“But they think it’s artificial and Jess says it bears a strong relationship to the enemy’s DNA.” He shuddered. “One of my great great great grandmother’s did claim to be an abductee… I always thought it was just a family legend but maybe they booby trapped us.”

“Seems possible given that they were apparently experimenting on your ancestors,” Prima said.

“I just hope this is the worst of it,” he said. “But what’s worrying me is how did they trigger it.”

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