Read Scrapyard Ship 7: Call to Battle for Free Online

something there he couldn’t remember ever seeing before. More than just confidence—it was more like an emanating force that seemed to be growing. Not only was she the acting president, she was actually owning the position.
    She sat up in her chair and looked into each face. “We have no time to waste with chit chat. Our country is on the verge of collapse. With much of the populace infected … roaming the streets like zombies—medical services, utilities, our nation’s whole infrastructure, is barely operational. We’re in deep trouble. And that doesn’t even address the impending troubles we’re facing in space, with three fleets of Craing warships ready to attack us.” Nan hesitated, then continued, “I’ve been talking with the admiral and the truth of the matter is there’s very little we can do about the Craing. Steps are being taken to bring the Alliance together again … but that’s a slow, methodical process. We don’t know why the Craing have held steady. We can only hope it’s a good sign. So, to bring us up to date on the situation here at home, Admiral, can you tell us about the progress being made on the science front?”
    Jason turned in his seat to look at his father. His salt-and-pepper gray hair had grown longer, hanging well over his collar. He also seemed to be growing a full beard.
    “In Ricket’s absence we had to solicit help from that Caldurian, Granger. As you all know, our history with him has not been smooth. None of us are under any illusion about him and his self-serving motivations. With that said, his scientific capabilities are probably on a par with Ricket’s. He’s agreed to work with our own top-level scientists and to utilize some of the Minian ’s advanced technologyto see if there is anything we can do to treat those infected.”
    “How’s that coming along?” Jason asked.
    “Actually, pretty well. Research has started on board the Minian . Its lab is holding four subjects.”
    “Peovils,” Jason interjected.
    Nan smiled at the word she knew Mollie had assigned to the molt weevil zombies. “Yes,” the admiral continued, “okay … peovils … and with a combination of nanites injected into their bloodstreams and specific, programmed, MediPod treatments—the four have made full recovery.”
    Nan continued, “The problem is scalability. Granger is confident we’ll have a full cure within days. But, as of right now, it takes twenty-four hours, and dedicating full use of one of the Minian ’s MediPods for even one person’s recovery. Obviously, that’s not a long-term solution for the millions infected.”
    The admiral jumped in, “It was actually that pirate kid, Bristol, who’s come up with the most realistic approach. It still takes twenty-four hours for the treatment to take effect, but it doesn’t require a MediPod. I can’t even attempt to relay all the science involved, but basically he’s modified a multi-gun to fire off a combination of injectable nanite-infused projectiles, along with an energy … some kind of modified plasma pulse … that renders the subject unconscious long enough for the treatment to take full effect.”
    “So, like … we roam the streets, with these modified multi-guns, shooting all the peovils we come across? And a day later, they wake up perfectly human again?” Orion asked.
    “Basically, that’s the idea. It still needs to be fully tested.”
    “Sign me up for that,” Orion said, showing genuine interest. Billy looked at Orion with raised eyebrows. “I’m just saying … it sounds like an effective—”
    “Just stop while you’re ahead,” Billy said with a smile.
    “So we have made at least some progress … some hope of dealing with this catastrophic infestation,” Nan continued. “But that’s far from being our only problem right now.” Nan stopped speaking and took a sip of water. “North Korea is looking to use this calamity as a power-grab opportunity.”
    “You’re serious?” Billy asked,