“Affirmative,” Computer said.
“And it entered through natural holes…” Tears pressed at the backs of her eyes.“I haven’t had anything enter my natural hole for so long,” she wailed.
Why was seducing Dieter so hard?Every time she had any proximity to him, he treated her like a kid sister.Maybe it was time to give up on getting dirty with her hero.Maybe she needed to find another possible romantic interest.Trent?He was sweet to her, too.Grunt came across as too young, so he was a no.Sure, Captain had been specific, but with the way Leah’s voice hitched when she spoke to Nikko, some folks were getting it on despite the no-sex rules.
“We can replicate the organism if you wish to inject it.”
Tiny sniffed and offered the ceiling a watery smile.“Thanks for the suggestion, Computer, but I think I’m good.”
She could order a sex toy if need be, but it couldn’t compare to the intimacy she so desperately craved.“Damn blindness,” she muttered.
The door slid open.
She yelped and clutched her chest.A whiff identified the intruder.“Vic, you scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry, Tiny.Did you get the results from my bloodwork?”
Tiny frowned.“Yeah, but they make no sense.Computer, explain Vic’s bloodwork results.”
While the computer repeated the findings, Tiny dried her eyes using the hem of her T-shirt.
“What?”Vic gasped.
“There is no clear indication of how they entered your system.Removing them will be impossible since they have fused with your DNA,” the computer continued in a monotone.
“What?”Vic thumped against something.
“It is unusual.The nanites encourage your body’s healing process and are integral to post-implantation.It now appears that they will remain indefinitely.”
“Thank you, Computer.”Vic neared Tiny, bringing her sunbaked scent with her.“What doesn’t make sense?”
“The existence of these organisms, Vic.When you enter a public area on the Lunar Base, a sterilization spray neutralizes all manner of bugs.Yours are…foreign.I can tell you that.”She held up the worm.“Although they carry the memory cells we find in human brains.”
“Right.”Silence settled before Vic drew in a sharp breath “Am I dying?”
“No, they’re not harming you.They’re communalistic since I can’t see what they gain in this symbiosis.They’re repairing minor damage to your liver and kidneys—the natural decay from a diet with insufficient hydration and nutrition.”
“Okay, fine, great, but can this explain the shimmer?”
“The what?”Tiny frowned.“As in glitter?You’re glowing?”
“Kind of.Nikko punched me, and I didn’t feel it.”
“Oh, dear.”Tiny giggled, wishing she could’ve seen it.“That must’ve irritated him.”
Vic crossed to the door.“According to you, I’m well, and I don’t need to panic.”
“Yes, and I’ll have to inform the captain.”Tiny offered Vic her back to type on a small console.“Only the captain.Medical results are considered confidential.”
“Good to know.”
“We are traveling to the best medical facility in the galaxy…” Tiny paused as butterflies exploded in her stomach.A chance to visit a place few medical students got to?She considered herself lucky.“Maybe we can get them to assess you?”
“Thanks, Tiny.I’ll find Sarg and let him punch me again as a peace offering for abandoning him on the training mat.”
“Enjoy.”Tiny waved the worm even as her fingertips registered its molecular substance.“Shit.I forgot to ask if she had sex with her man.”
“Probable,” Computer said.
