'No wonder the disease could not be identified. It is a new one on Earth. Though it may have existed for a far longer time than we care to imagine. If this supposition is true then we are the vietims of a plague from another world. A disease against which our bodies have no defence at all, against which our medicines are totally ineffective.'
Jonquet's whispered words were loud in the silence that followed.
'Then - we are all dead men...'
'No!' Don shouted, trying to break the aura of despair that filled the control-room. 'This may give us a chance. I have enough equipment aboard to construct a R.N.A. analyser and duplicator. I haven't considered it before this because it is necessary to have only a single virus to duplicate, while there are many different kinds in our bloodstreams and those of the victims of the fever. I had no way of separating out the infectious strain, because that is a long and complicated laboratory procedure. But I do have a chance now to prepare a viricidal agent. Chief, don't I remember your telling me something about the meteorite that hit us still being lodged somewhere in the ship?'
'Yes, here in the unpressurized hold, in the centre of the ship.' He pointed to the spot on the blueprint. 'In the centre of the wheel here are the cargo holds that are open to space, bulk cargo and containers and that kind of thing. It's in there somewheres.'
'Could we find it?'
'Why yes, I guess so. But why...?'
'To get samples of this virus in its dried state. If particles that were brushed off as this thing went through the ship could reconstitute themselves and cause the disease, I see no reason why I cannot do the same in the laboratory. If I can, there is a good chance that I can manufacture a cure for the disease. It's a long shot, but I don't see any other possibilities of stopping the spread.'
'Sounds good to me,' Kurikka said. 'I'll get a spacesuit and track that thing. I'll bring it back if it's still there.'
'Get two suits - because I'm going with you. I want to be there when we find and examine it. I want to make sure it doesn't cause any more trouble when we bring it in'
'You're the captain, you shouldn't risk
It's more important that I be a doctor now. The ship's running smoothly enough. But I'm the only person who can do anything with this virus material - if it exists. I'll be coming with you, Chief.'
The door had opened while they were talking, but no one had noticed it. They wheeled about, now, when the voice spoke.
'No one is going anywhere.'
General Briggs stood in the doorway with a revolver in his hand. Doyle and two other men pushed in behind him, carrying lengths of metal.
'I am now in charge of this ship, doctor, and you will return to the sick bay where you belong. You made a mess of things after you assumed command, and I assure you that all the passengers feel the same as I do. They agree that a man who is used to command, myself, should act as captain. Now proceed to your duties - and forget this wild plan and any other insane ideas that may be hatching in your head.
'You are an ordinary doctor again, and I am in command of the Johannes Kepler!
In the shocked silence that followed this announcement the general and his followers pushed into the control-room. It was Chief Kurikka who reacted first, stepping forward, ignoring the gun that swung to cover him.
'What you are attempting is piracy,' he said, in a stern voice, used to command. 'By the ruling of the World Convention piracy in space is as vicious a crime as piracy on the high seas, and will be punished even more sternly. A life-sentence is the minimum penalty. You will not escape this. Lay down your weapons now, before you go too far. I'll take that revolver.'
It was almost successful. Some of the men behind Briggs lowered their improvised clubs and looked at each other worriedly. Kurikka strode forward determinedly his hand out for the gun. The general moved back before him.
'If you try to take this gun away I shall be forced to shoot you,' he said, no less positive than the Chief.
'Then you will face a charge of murder as well as piracy. You will spend the rest of your life in jail. Hand it over!'
Briggs stepped back again. 'Take him out, Doyle,' he ordered, without turning his head.
Doyle swung his bar, catching the Chief on the shoulder, knocking him to the deck.
'We are determined men,' Briggs said. 'We will not be stopped.'
The resistance was over. The Chief was on the deck, trying to rise. More armed passengers came in from the corridor.
'You won't get away with it,' Don said. 'You know nothing about the operation and navigation of this ship. And you can't count on the crew for any help.'
Briggs' mouth curved into cold smile. 'On the contrary, we have at least one man who knows a good deal about the operation of this vessel. The crewmen off duty will be locked up, and there will be at least two guards with every one on duty. They will not refuse to work, since that would endanger their own lives as well as ours. There will be no trouble, Doctor. Particularly with my first mate in command. You have met Dr Ugalde?'
Ugalde pushed through, holding a well-sharpened kitchen knife. He nodded curtly and went to sit in the captain's chair. Don was shocked, he had never thought that the Mexican mathematician would betray them. A sense of defeat overwhelmed him: he turned back to the general.
All right, Briggs, you have control of the ship for whatever good it will do you
'It will get us to Mars safely.'
'It will get you a certain jail term,' Kurikka said, struggling to his feet. 'Smuggling a weapon aboard a spaceship is a serious crime.'
'I am always armed, despite any petty regulations.'
'I don't care about your gun or even your stupid piracy,' Don called out angrily. 'But I care about the lives of everyone aboard. I must get that meteorite out...'
'No. Get to your patients, Doctor. I'll not tell you again.'
'You don't understand. I cannot cure them or even treat them. But if we can examine the meteorite I may be able to find a...'
'Take him out,' Briggs ordered, waving two men forward. 'I heard just enough of this harebrained theory to know that it is as mad as your other schemes. My first act when we reach Mars will be to propose that you be investigated by a lunacy commission. In the meantime - try to be a doctor, if you are still able to.'
Numbed by defeat, Don did not resist as two burly passengers pushed him into the corridor. They followed behind warily as he went up to the sick bay, then stayed on guard outside when he went in.
'What has happened?' Rama asked, frightened at the look on Don's face. He was even more frightened after Don had explained what had happened.
'We must resist, fight! You have saved all their lives and this is your reward. That such evil should exist in the world!' He began to throw open the cabinets, searching for the largest scalpels. Don tried to quiet him.
'That's not the way. These men are armed and ready. And they are frightened or they would never have allowed Briggs to bring them to this revolt. In fact it matters very little who is in command of the ship, as long as we get to Mars safely. What does matter is that I think I have found a way to manufacture a cure for this disease - but Briggs wont let me. We must do something!'