CHAPTER 19

Vitiates

CORPORAL ANDERSON knew the moment the Healer entered the room. When he saw who she was with, he felt an almost debilitating nausea, physically and mentally. Getting too close to the Healer would alert her to his presence, not to mention the possibility Primeris would recognize him. She had access to all the files of unit members.

Damn! he thought when they moved in his direction. His nerves screamed. The Healer's energy was devastatingly painful, both physically and mentally. You aren't a normal Healer. I need to let Sister Harlie know Primeris has chosen a Healer, a powerful one. This isn't good, not good at all.

*  *  *

"You're sure?" Major Harlie asked.

"The pain was excruciating. Nothing like I've ever experienced before. If she had gotten any closer, I think I would have screamed or passed out," Corporal Anderson said, rubbing his forehead. He still had a slight headache from the encounter.

"I warned the Council decades ago that such a Healer would appear one day."

"What could they have done? Our laws forbid us to interfere with Healers or their missions. We should have done something before she was born. How did she get past the Sentinels? What if there are others like her? It could be disastrous for all of us."

"None of us are infallible, Brother. We do our best, but often it's not enough. Whether it's Healer or Vitiate that moves mankind to its final destiny is unimportant, as long as the final results are what we want."

"True. What do we do now?"

"I'll send word to the Elders. You make sure that only our strongest Vitiates are assigned to her for now. Tell them to keep a safe distance. No one is to take any action without my knowledge. Watch her, nothing more, understand?"

"Your wishes will be obeyed, Sister. May you harm only the deserving," Corporal Anderson said.

"May you harm only the deserving, Brother," Major Harlie replied.

After he left, she activated her desk phone and dictated a number. Within seconds, a female voice answered.

"Convene the Council," Major Harlie said. "I know it will take time... No, we must meet as soon as possible. Try to get them here by next Tuesday... If it wasn't important, I wouldn't have called. A crisis may be brewing as we speak... Yes, yes, please do what you can...  Thank you, Sister Robere... May you harm only the deserving."

Deactivating the phone, Harlie turned her attention to a small plastic case on her desk. The cover was labeled 'Colonel Walter Cranley, KIA.' Inside was a memory chip describing in great detail how he had died serving his country. Shaking her head, she picked it up and flipped it like a coin. Tomorrow he was being buried with all the military honors deserving of his rank. His family would be present and she had been ordered to give a speech about his extraordinary dedication to duty and family.

At least the duty part is true. He didn't give a shit about his family. You've got to love military mentality, Major Harlie thought. Eliminate problems quickly. Cover everything up and move on.