Chapter 9
Josie
While Daer extracted blood samples from the little boy, Josie checked his mouth and throat for the signs she feared. They were there: ulcers that told her the child was suffering from radiation poisoning. Eating was too painful for him, and he was growing weak. She jumped back as the boy vomited bile, his empty belly heaving and tears began rolling down his pale face.
"He needs fluids, and lots of them," she told Daer.
"This is part of what is happening to Talonia, is it not?" Daer asked.
"It's radiation poisoning. He ingested it from the plants and even the dirt he got in his mouth. I don't think it's severe, but he's so small and dehydrated, it's not okay either. His thyroid should take care of clearing it once he's had fluids. If not, we'll need to treat him with potassium iodide."
"I do not have any," Daer replied.
"Luckily, I do. I knew we might be subjected to radiation considering the situation, so I brought it just in case."
Maxxus entered with three more children and an adult. They were all from the same village. "The children say they cannot eat. They are hungry, but it hurts to put food in their mouth, and when they do it comes back up. They played in the ash and dirt around the village. This man drank from the waterfall. He too cannot keep down food, and his skin is peeling. The others have no symptoms of illness." Maxxus spoke matter of factly, though his facial expression was one of despair.
Josie gently touched his cheek and replied, "It's going to be okay. We can treat them, and they will recover quickly. Just remind everyone to stay away from the damaged areas and never to eat or drink from the food or water they find that looks less than perfect. I'll test the dirt and water here immediately. Don't let anyone eat the grain or vegetables they brought with them until I test it as well."
"It has already been taken to the storage areas where we are keeping the food for rationing. I do not know if their bags have been emptied and mixed with what was there. I will find the soldiers in charge and hope for once they were lax in their duties, " Maxxus stated.
"Please, let that be the case. If all the food reserves are contaminated, it will be catastrophic. We brought food and seeds for more, but without your supply, we'll all go hungry more often than not. Any more crops brought in by refugees will have to be tested before they get anywhere near the storage facilities. What about the first village, the one near here? Didn't they bring crops?"
"Most of what was given to the city had been in storage. The fresh vegetables were watered by an unaffected waterfall. The villagers had ceased to use the water from the contaminated one as soon as it began to lose its color. We have all eaten from their contributions, and I believe it is pure," Maxxus explained.
"Rain can be contaminated too. It could cause problems with the crops, but I think Kelan's efforts to fix the atmosphere may have kept the radiation to an acceptable level. We'll see as soon as I get done in here. Until we find the correct formula, we'll have to keep using others as patches and hope that's enough to keep us from total destruction."
"Do your best. No one can ask for more than that. I am glad you are here." Maxxus's eyes sent a message, making it clear his statement meant more than a general welcome. His worry and concern for the planet did not mask the desire he felt for Josie. The heat in his gaze promised a special, private welcome to be administered as soon as possible.
Maxxus
Maxxus became frustrated as the days passed. His hands itched to touch Josie, and his body ached from denial. For two weeks he had to hold back his desire as Josie worked day and night testing and retesting the air, ground, and water. Her land rover left before dawn and returned after sunset. Even then she was not content with her research. She wished to travel farther, perhaps spending days away from the city.
Maxxus fought against the idea. Reports from his scouts were trickling in. Small patches of dead trees and grass were discovered across the planet, yet most of the villages claimed to be doing well. Two more groups came trailing in, having been forced from their homes by the scouts when it was found that they were eating only stored food and it was running low. New communication devices had been delivered to the outlying villages, so communication was now simple once more. Maxxus declared that Josie's studies should be confined to the nearest problem areas. He did not believe she would discover anything far away that she could not find here. Reluctantly, she agreed.
During the two weeks of testing, Josie tried three more formulas. Each seemed to help for approximately forty-eight hours, then deteriorate. The citizens were losing confidence in her ability to save Talonia, and that made her fight harder. She slept less and worked more. Maxxus could see how thin she was growing and the dark circles beneath her eyes. She had to rest, and he was ready to force it upon her.
When her hovercraft arrived in the darkness, he was waiting in the shadows near her ship. She must have sensed him there, for her head spun back and forth, searching for the life she felt, but could not see. She stumbled from exhaustion on her way to the ship's ramp. Maxxus reached out and caught her, sweeping her up into his strong arms. She stiffened, but soon relaxed as she recognized Maxxus.
"Put me down. I'll be fine in a second. My legs were just a little wobbly."
"It is more than that, and you know it. You have worked yourself into illness. I will not allow it to continue. I know what you are feeling. I have been there myself, but you cannot help if you are ill, or worse yet, if you die. I command you to take tomorrow off and rest. Kelan will deploy the newest formula, and you have covered the area over and over. Nothing more can be done for now," Maxxus told her.
Josie's eyes shot flames as she replied, "You can't command me to stop. You're not my king. I make my own rules, and I know my own body. I'm fine. I'll rest when I say, not you."
"You are being childish, and that is not like you nor is it acceptable to me. It proves my theory that you have reached your limit. You will rest. I will force you to. "
"You can't force me to sleep. My mind will continue working even if you lock me up," she argued.
"Then I will give your mind a better topic to consider," Maxxus said. His head lowered, and his lips met Josie's in a kiss that stopped her brain from functioning. "This is what you need, and so do I. I have waited for you long enough. We both knew the truth the moment you arrived two weeks ago. You are my mate. Do not try to deny it."
"I wasn't going to," she whispered. "Kiss me again. I need to feel your desire. I thought the words I had heard from your lips that day were all in my head. You've stayed away from me all this time, and I began to doubt what I felt between us."
"Spend tonight and tomorrow in my arms. I will erase all your doubts, leaving my mark upon your soul. We will be refreshed and revitalized through our joining. Let me show you how it is between destined mates."
"Won't we be missed?" she asked, though at that moment she really didn't care.
"Anyone who it matters to will figure it out. I have not endeavored to hide my feelings about you. They have been prominently displayed every moment since you stepped off the ship. If no one noticed, then they have not been paying attention."
