Read Recon Marines III: The Marine's Doctor for Free Online Page A

know if
she wanted to continue the mission though she wouldn’t let her
father down by backing out. The study of diseases, vectors,
treatments and genetic predispositions were her main areas of
interest. Nature did enough all on its own to destroy human life or
distort it in lethal or crippling ways. Most people believed she’d
inherited her father’s steely interior, but Molly doubted her own
toughness when forced to witness and record these crimes against
humanity and breaking every oath ever taken by
physicians.
    “ I would give a lot to
examine that live one,” Helen grumbled. “When are you going to tell
Lieutenant Big Shot how we run our discovery journeys?”
    “ I’m sure your father gave
Mak strict orders about your protection, Molly,” Hector said. “And
after what we saw today, you have to admit we’ve never been on a
trip like this one. A dangerous trip, that is.”
    “ Andy and Kory have always
been enough escort for us,” Molly said.
    They worked quietly then, though Molly
tried to hear anything from the ship’s open door. Mak had kept Andy
outside when they’d returned from the trip. Molly had grown up
among the military establishment. Poor Andy’s firing of his weapon
wouldn’t be easily explained or forgiven by someone like Mak.
Molly’s father might have gone so far as to discharge Andy, but Mak
couldn’t do that out here in the middle of empty space.
    Molly thought she should go speak for
Andy. He’d been an asset to her team in the past. But his actions
had shocked her. His attack on the creature seemed of fear and
anger. How could she trust him if he was so afraid of what they
might encounter that he would discharge his weapon against orders?
She sighed and went back to her work. Whatever Mak was saying to
Andy, it was a military matter.
    “ Look at this, Molly,”
Hector said.
    She left her workstation and went to
his side. A large viewing screen hung suspended at head
height.
    Hector pointed to the greatly
magnified image of gene pairs. “This is the gene that influences
white blood cell production. It’s been changed but without seeing
their notes, I don’t think I can identify what enzymes were
involved and how they were altered.”
    “ So part of their purpose
was to improve their subjects’ immune systems.” Molly wondered if
something good might have come from the inhumane studies. “It we
had a blood sample from the live one, we might figure out what they
did.”
    “ Fresh blood would be
easier to work with,” Helen said. “But I don’t think that wild
creature is going to volunteer a sample.”
    “ You’d have a sample if I
had shot it,” Andy said as he walked into the lab. He spoke quietly
and looked over his shoulder.
    “ Are you finished getting
your balls busted?” Helen had never hid her disdain for the
corporal.
    Andy curled his lip, but he looked
over his shoulder again. “The lieutenant has never worked in a
science unit before. He told me, ordered me, to send you to the
bridge, Molly.”
    “ I wanted to speak with
the lieutenant anyway.” Molly started for the door, but Hector
stopped her.
    “ Ask him how we can get
those blood samples. Maybe a Recon Marine can run that giant down,”
Hector said with a grin.
    Though she knew Hector was at least
half joking, trying to lighten the mood after Helen’s and Andy’s
sour exchange, Molly considered the idea. What was the use of
having a Recon Marine along if they didn’t take advantage of his
unique skill set?
    Mak sat in the pilot’s seat, working
on the ship’s AI unit. A thin wire connected the unit to the
rectangular object Mak had taken from the deserted lab. “Thank you
for joining me, Doctor.”
    Now was the time to settle the command
issues. “I chose to join you. I didn’t come to the bridge because
you ordered it.”
    Mak stood up and took a step to close
the distance between them. Did he seem taller here in the small
confines of the bridge? “Do you need to return to the lab for