Free Star Cruise - Outbreak by Veronica Scott Page A

“We’re prescribing Galamialate, which the ship tells me we have in good quantities. It can be given as a prophylactic as well.”
    “How do you recommend we proceed, Doctor?”
    “You need to do an all-ship broadcast message, sir. Tell people to stay in their cabins and call us if they experience symptoms. I’ve told Maeve to deactivate the room key codes to ensure compliance. They can get out, but they won’t be able to get back in.”
    Fleming frowned. “Seems a bit precipitate for you to issue that order without consulting me.”
    “Maybe I overstepped a little, but we have a chance to cut the virus’s chain of transmission.” She wasn’t going to back down. “Someone on my staff or I will visit any sick passengers as rapidly as possible for a diagnosis. I can issue a bulletin later, emphasizing proper hand sanitation.”
    “I can deliver Galamialate to all cabins,” Maeve offered.
    “No.” Emily spoke more harshly than she’d intended and saw the captain’s eyebrows rise. “We need to see the patients, make sure each individual is actually presenting with the virus and not something with symptoms mimicking a norovirus. You can track the progress of the outbreak, however, Maeve. I’ll prescribe Galamialate to family members, or persons traveling with someone who’s fallen ill and been properly diagnosed. This type of virus is usually highly contagious, so we need to get ahead of the wave now. You have to pull crew and staff from other duties and disinfect all surfaces people touch—handrails, the gaming devices in the casino, chairs and tables in public areas—”
    “I’m aware of the drill, Doctor,” Fleming said. “This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered a nasty stomach bug on a big ship. Maeve, alert the First Officer there’ll be a change in the daily work assignments.”
    “I need to speak to the chef in charge of the food preparation.” Emily was reviewing protocols in her head.
    “You think this is food poisoning?” Jake’s eyebrows were raised, and his expression indicated astonishment. “Chef Stephanie will go nova at the mere suggestion. She sets a high standard.”
    Emily hesitated a moment as a flicker of some emotion passed over Captain Fleming’s chiseled face. His jaw tightened, and she said, “Problem, sir?”
    “Handle the chef with utmost diplomacy, Doctor. The Line lured her away from one of our competitors at great expense, and she brought a following with her, many high-end passengers who enjoy her cuisine. She’s essential to my ship’s reputation.” Fleming spoke unemotionally, as if the chef was a piece of flight hardware.
    “I’ll be professional, sir,” Emily said, tamping down her anger at the inference she couldn’t be tactful. “But it’s my job to review the food handling now that we have a problem that may be food-related.” She gave Jake a look. “Not food poisoning, by the way—entirely different problem.”
    “Jake, go with her. You and Chef Stephanie get along well. Keep me apprised of developments. I’ll make the broadcast you suggested, Doctor.” The captain was gone, closing the link on his end.
    “I do not need you watching over me to carry out my professional duties,” Emily said to Jake, who remained in the loop, her voice louder than she’d intended.
    Eyebrows drawing together in a frown, he reacted to her tone. “I believe you, but we’ve both got our orders. When do you want me to meet you?”
    “I need to clear the patient backlog here in the clinic, establish a visitation schedule for those patients who are waiting in their cabins. Give me three hours.”
    “I’ll pick you up at the clinic, escort you to the kitchens.”

    The crew corridors of the ship were something of a maze, so Emily had to admit she was grateful for Jake’s company. “You make an excellent guide,” she said as she hugged the corridor wall next to him while allowing bustling crew members to pass. As she moved to the center of the hall