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“Dallin included.” There was a sad note in Sloane’s voice.

He kept his gaze forward, not wanting to see her unhappy expression. “I had work to do. And I don’t need the rest like you do.”

“Everyone needs to take a break,” Sloane said.

Dallin didn’t respond. He never knew how to make things right with Sloane and usually ended up putting his foot in it and only making things worse.

“We need to check out all other alternatives before we settle on the waystation as the site of exposure,” Cleo said. “Everyone focus on this. Check the air filtration, water supply, food, and run tests on the animals we have on board. And double check the tests done on any animals sent to the sanctuaries. We need to eliminate the possible sources of the poison.”

“We’re a week’s journey from the waystation,” Dallin said. “We should return there and see if anyone else has fallen ill. This poison won’t have just affected this crew. And we have to find a sample to analyze.”

Cleo twisted her mouth to the side. “I’ll make a call to the waystation and see if they have any records of illness.”

“The problem with doing that, is it’s just a short-stay place. You go for a re-fuel or a weekend of fun. By the time you leave, you might not even feel ill, so wouldn’t report it to the waystation,” Hunter said.

“Do you really think the waystation is the source? We all went off and did our own thing while we were there,” Georgia said. “Are the Siblet really that smart to be able to get to us?”

Cleo nodded. “Unfortunately, they are. I’ll make some calls. And I need to inform High Command.”

“I’m with Dallin on this,” Angel said. “We can make the checks on board, but we should head back to the waystation while we’re doing that. We need the source of the poison to speed up our work on getting an antidote.”

“Do we have enough time to do all this?” Worry lines crossed Wren’s forehead. “If we’ve got this poison running through our system, it’ll eventually kill us, right?”

“It will, but slowly,” Dallin said.

Rexx scowled at him. “How slowly are we talking about?”

“It seems like it slowly disables each subject. Angel, how long had the crew members been suffering with symptoms before they came to see you?” Dallin said.

“Two or three days. Pain relief helps and fever treatments work, but nothing will stop the spread of the poison.”

“Our healing abilities won’t neutralize it?” Hunter said.

“You tell me. How are you feeling?” Dallin said.

Hunter grimaced. “Like I’ve gone ten rounds with a giant rabid beast on steroids. That’s a side effect of the poison?”

“It has to be. Your blood is showing the same markers as everyone else. But it seems it affects different aliens in different ways. Apexians seem to get tired and have no energy, while the humans suffer from sickness, fever, and hallucinations.”

“While we’re still all on our feet,” Cleo said, “we need to get to work. Divide into teams, and we’ll run tests on the ship’s systems to see if the poison is on board. ELVIS, plot a course back to the waystation, and get us there as quickly as you can.”

“At maximum speed, we’ll be back in five days, three hours, and twelve minutes,” ELVIS said.

“That’s too long,” Rexx muttered, one of his large hands closing over Daisy’s shoulder.

“We can’t go any faster,” Cleo said. “In the meantime, Angel, find a way to slow down the symptoms as best you can.”

“I’m on it,” she said.

“And Dallin, I need you and Sloane to keep working on finding an antidote.”

“I need a sample of the poison before I can guarantee any success,” Dallin said.

“Then let’s get that for you.” Cleo’s gaze was full of determination as she looked around the group. “Let’s get to work, everyone.”

***

It had been five hourssince the entire crew was informed they’d been given a dose of the Siblet poison. Most of them had reacted amazingly well, but Sloane knew that wouldn’t last.