“All right, Captain, we’re both prepped. Will you be observing, or should we call you when we’re done?”

“I’ll watch for a while,” the captain said as he waved them on.

Weston imagined for a moment that he saw the suits shrug before they turned away from him and entered the small airlock that separated the main med-lab from the isolation chamber. He sidestepped to position himself squarely in the center of the transparency and looked in at their visitor.

She swung her whole body around as the airlock’s status lights changed and the slight difference in pressure caused a low hiss to sound throughout the room. He saw her eyes open wide when the two ominous figures shuffled into the room, advancing on her with their hands visible.

CHAPTER 6

DR. PALIN SPOKE first, his voice clear and undistorted from the confines of his hazard suit.

“Hello, my dear. We are here to speak with you for a short while,” he said easily in English, not worrying about comprehension just yet.

Weston marveled at the change in Palin’s voice. His condescending tone was no longer present, and his words rang with confidence and compassion as he addressed the frightened young woman before him.

“My name is Edward.” Palin pointed to himself, repeating both his words and actions several times. He was sweating in the biohazard suit and kicked himself for not adding the optional thermostat package when he had selected the garment.

Over the induction set attached to his jaw, Palin heard the captain’s voice: “Doctor, please remember to activate the computer’s translation algorithms so we can all benefit from this.”

Palin acknowledged and tapped a quick command into the PDA strapped to his wrist.

“Computer translation systems are now activated. Please identify subject.”

“Computer, apply translation algorithms to the patient now occupying the medical isolation chamber.”

“Confirmed. Translation systems online. Begin when ready.”

Palin looked back at the young woman, her eyes now roaming the room looking for the source of the computer’s voice.

“It’s all right, my dear, please remain calm.” Palin almost laughed, telling her to remain calm when he was practically shaking.

He repeated his previous actions, pointing to himself and speaking his name, Edward Palin, with no results. Finally, he pointed to the other doctor, thumping him once on the chest, then pausing in confusion. “Say, what’s your first name, anyway?”

Rame scowled at the little man. “My name is Simon, if you must—”

“Simon Rame,” Palin cut him off, thumping him hard on the chest once more.

“Hey!” Dr. Rame tried to object, but Palin was already repeating the entire procedure, pointing first to himself and then again thumping Rame in the chest, stating their names in turn.

The woman stepped closer to Palin, tentatively reaching out her own arm and brushing his chest. “Edward?”