Chapter Seven
There was a pause and then Za'tok appeared as a hologram.
"What is it, Ba'zon? I'm busy!" he said angrily.
"Minister, I need to ask you something," Ba'zon said.
"Yes, what?"
"I was just informed that one of my patients suffered a violent death after receiving the patch."
"Oh really, who?"
Ba'zon looked down at his notes.
"The one who had the serial number you requested. 35Z689Y."
"Oh yes," Za'tok said. "He has died?"
"Yes, Minister."
Ba'zon noticed that Za'tok didn't seem too shocked at hearing that.
"What is your question, Ba'zon? As I said, I'm very busy," he said when Ba'zon didn't say anything.
"I want to know what is in that vaccine."
"It is no concern of yours what is in it. Your job is to administer it to the population."
"Yes, but if some people are having a violent reaction from it, maybe we should wait and run more tests and---"
"No further tests are needed, the vaccine is safe!" Za'tok said angrily.
"But, I was told that the patient, To'lan, went on a violent rampage and nearly killed several people before he suffered convulsions and died in the street!"
"Who told you this?"
"His name is Doctor John Smith. He said he was a specialist in communicable diseases and he was summoned here to study the Nok flu. He wanted to know---"
"Who summoned this Doctor Smith?"
Ba'zon paused.
"I don't know…I assumed you sent for him," he said.
"I did not. I've never even heard of this man. And I'm pretty sure no one in the ministry summoned him either."
"Then, who is he?"
"How should I know?" Za'tok said.
He narrowed his eyes.
"What exactly has this man said?" he asked.
"He's just been asking about the Nok flu and the number of victims. He was here when To'lan was and I guess while they were in the waiting room; he talked with him so he knew who he was when To'lan went on the rampage. Then, he came back accusing me of lying to him and wanting to know what was in the vaccine. He also said that there was a crowd around the dead body and they told him that a hundred people have died from the flu so far, but I know of only three and I told him that. He doesn't believe me which is why I decided to call you."
"Why concern me with this? I don't know this, To'lan."
"No, but you were the one who wanted the serial number of his chip. You said you wanted to perform a test. What kind of test?"
"That is none of your business, apothecary. Your job is to administer the vaccine. I suggest you remember that before you find your license revoked. I can make things very difficult for you and your family, Ba'zon. Keep that in mind."
"Yes, Minister," Ba'zon said softly.
Za'tok paused a moment.
"This Doctor, is he coming back to see you again?" he asked.
"Maybe, like I said, he wasn't satisfied with the answers I gave him so I'm sure he'll be back."
"Then, I want you to find out who he really is. I did not request the services of any doctor and I want to know why he is here and if he intends to harm us. It is vital to planetary security that we find out his identity as quickly as we can before he carries out his sinister plans."
Ba'zon frowned.
"He didn't seem sinister to me, Minister. I never really felt threatened by him or his students."
"Students?"
"Yes, he has three medical students with him from the University on Pollos Eleven."
"There is no university on Pollos Eleven. Pollos Eleven is a desert planet. No one lives there, let alone attends university.," Za'tok said.
Ba'zon stared at him.
"But, why would he lie?"
"I don't know, but I want you to find out before he and his so-called students threaten the Terserian government."
He paused.
"Did you give them the vaccine by any chance?" he asked.
"Yes, Minister, I gave it to all of them."
"Were any of them enhanced patches?"
"One was, yes."
Za'tok smiled.
"Excellent. That may come in handy if they get out of line."
Ba'zon's mind was burning with more questions, but mindful of his job, he remained silent.
"Is that all you needed?" Za'tok said.
"Yes, Minister."
"Good, then let me get back to my work."
Ba'zon bowed his head.
"Yes, Minister, good day."
"Good day."
Ba'zon watched as he stepped out of range of the holoprojector. He reached down and switched it off feeling even more confused than he had when he first switched it on.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Za'tok turned off his holoprojector and walked out of the room. He walked across the hall and went into his office.
He sat down at his desk and turned on a tiny monitor. He waited a moment until he was connected with his boss. He bowed his head reverently.
"Just checking in, my lord," he said. "I'm happy to report that the test was a success. The chip worked perfectly. Soon, the plan will be set in motion."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The Doctor and his companions sat together at a small table outside a café. All of them had ordered juice and they were sipping it while they talked over the events of the past few hours.
"What are we gonna do, Doctor?" Rose asked.
The Doctor sipped his juice while he stared off into space.
"We need to talk to that woman in the hospital. The one who survived the flu. I want to find out what she knows. How did she survive the flu when others have died," the Doctor finally said.
"How do we find out who she is?" Mickey asked. "Go back to Ba'zon?"
The Doctor took a sip of juice while he considered that.
"No, I have a feeling Ba'zon won't tell us," he said.
"Then, how do we find her?" Martha asked.
"Oh, I expect if she is the only one who has survived the Nok flu, she'll be very well known," the Doctor replied.
"So we just go to hospital and ask for her then?" Rose asked.
"We can try. I'm not sure if they'll let us talk to her since we aren't family or friends, but I can always use my John Smith cover and tell them I want to interview her to find out how she survived the flu. At any rate, she is our best bet right now. Ba'zon is being uncooperative and there are too many rumors flying around now so other Terserians would be unreliable."
"So, we go now?" Martha asked.
The Doctor nodded.
"Yes, the sooner the better. I want to see this woman before someone moves her or prevents her from talking to us," he replied.
He stood up and beckoned to the others.
"So, come on team, let's go pay a visit to this woman and find out why she survived this flu."