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glad now that Aria had kept her out of their hands.
    Right on time the dispensary beeped, indicating Gem’s daily supplements had been delivered. Aria stood and briskly retrieved the vial for Gem, who rolled to her side and propped up on her elbow to accept the tube. Though she wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of putting more liquid on her churning stomach, she brought it to her lips, tipped her head back, and let it slip down her throat. Almost instantaneously, the nausea subsided and her stomach settled. Aria stood by observing her closely.
    â€œHey, your color is coming back. Feeling better?”
    â€œYeah — yeah… Much better, actually.”
    â€œThe real test is do you think you can eat?”
    â€œI feel like I can, but there’s only one way to find out.” Gem sat up slowly, swung her feet over the side of the bed, and paused a moment before standing — as if daring the nausea to return. It didn’t.
    Aria went to the closet to lay out Gem’s standard green uniform, while Gem washed up and re-braided her hair. Her reflection stared back at her in the mirror. She was still a little pale, but nothing like what she had been just a few moments ago. Whatever was in her supplement had done the trick. She felt one hundred percent better. But the incident was disturbing.
    Endfield was a healthy community. They ate well-balanced meals and snacks on a proven schedule. They exercised vigorously every day. All sickness had been expunged years ago. They were vaccinated, hygienic, and all the common areas were sterilized daily. She knew — it was one of her favorite community assignments.
    The training videos Gem had often seen showed the history of disease and how EROMI had developed cures and preventions for each of them, one-by-one. Thanks to EROMI and to Dr. Joseph Admatha, civilization was saved, and sickness no longer existed anywhere but in the histories. So, why — with all those advances in science and medicine — would Gem ever experience what she had gone through this morning? It didn’t make sense.
    She slipped on her uniform and smoothed the thin fabric. All set. It wouldn’t do any good to dwell on those questions anyway. Like the psychological health videos said, asking questions just made one unhappy. But still… even as she forced them from her mind, she could sense them taking root somewhere deep in her consciousness.
    As Gem strode out of the bathroom, she heard the monitor beep, indicating an incoming message. “ATTENTION: GEMINI-STEM 6418C — YOU WILL REPORT TO CLINIC-M FOR ASSESSMENT AT 0700. CONFIRM RECEIPT.”
    Stepping to the monitor, Gem scanned her wrist and repeated the message into the speaker. It beeped twice to signify the end of the transmission, then she turned to Aria who had been waiting for her.
    â€œReady?”

 
    Chapter Seven
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    It felt good to be home. True, his stay at home would be short. His promotion and orders had come through, and his new post was a few states to the west. Major Jennings would be headed to Washington state in a week.
    â€œAaron? Are you awake, honey?” His mother rapped gently on the door to his room.
    Aaron inhaled deeply and stretched out his full length on the bed.
    â€œYes, Mom. I’m awake.” He strained the words through a yawn. “Come on in.”
    The door opened about halfway, and Cary Jennings poked her head through and smiled.
    â€œGood morning, sweetie. Listen, breakfast is on downstairs. Your father has already left for the office, and I have a few errands to run for tonight’s party. You’re welcome to join me if you’d like. I know you haven’t been out much since you got home — might be nice.”
    â€œSure, Mom. That sounds good. I’ll just jump in the shower. Be down in about fifteen minutes. That work?”
    â€œPerfect! See you downstairs.”
    Aaron tossed the quilt back, swung his legs over the edge of