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suggested things he could take credit for but only after running my suggestions by Fisk first. Just like I said. If you’re still in doubt, you can always check my story in some way that wouldn’t incriminate you.”
    “I don’t understand,” Dillon said. “What caused your godfather’s…General Albright’s…indecisiveness? No one’s ever heard of the man being quite so…well…so hesitant .”
    “Since you’ve been honest with me, I’ll reciprocate. But please don’t repeat this to anyone who’s not on the High Council. They’ll be sent classified notices explaining what I’m about to tell you. Okay?”
    “Speak freely, Lieutenant You have my undivided attention and my promise of silence. It is the very least I can do.”

Chapter Three
    “I’m sure you’ve heard of Cygnus Fever,” she said.
    Dillon suddenly understood almost everything. That sentence exposed the situation for what it really was—making him feel like the nastiest germ that’d ever existed. “Creator’s blood!” he sadly muttered.
    Keira nodded. “The embassy physician only just discovered that my…that General Albright contracted the fever. As you probably know, it hinders normal brain activity. You also know we have inoculations for it but one percent of Earth’s population doesn’t respond to the shots, for some odd reason. Unfortunately—”
    “The general fell into that one percent,” he finished.
    “He didn’t know about it before he came here. Cygnus was his last duty station, as I’m sure you’re aware. But the disease is almost undetectable until symptoms appear. In my godfather’s case, they showed up just as he arrived on Mythreal. He couldn’t seem to put facts in his head and keep them there. He couldn’t make decisions about things that were formerly inconsequential. Knowing something was wrong, he consulted the embassy physician…that’s when vestiges of the fever were discovered. And that’s when he told General Fisk, as the nearest ranking supervisor in this sector of space. Just as standard operating procedure requires.”
    “Yes, as I understand it, the disease impairs cognitive function.”
    “It’s treatable, thank God! The damage can usually be slowed or even halted. But I’m afraid what has already been done is permanent.” She shrugged. “Scientists…well…they don’t know why some people given shots get it when most never will. A lot of our veterans got exposed before doctors knew about that one percent issue.”
    “I’m so sorry about this, Lieutenant I had no idea. Nor did the general, I’m sure. And that’s the worst part.”
    “He didn’t want every pirate in this sector knowing he couldn’t make or even accept a war plan when things were getting so mixed up in his head. As to why it took so long to get him relieved…it took months for legislators on Earth to haggle over a replacement.” She paced a few steps before standing in front of him again. “If you’ve ever been to Earth you know what our politics are like. Legislators can’t agree on any damned thing with the end result very little ever gets done. They all had their separate, damned ideas and made numerous suggestions as to who should take charge on Mythreal.” She then explained more fully.
    “Earth Force…the law enforcement branch handling the entire affair…wanted a say in matters. The silly haggling went on and on even while doctors kept saying my godfather needed to be relieved as soon as possible. That’s why Fisk was chosen when he should have been sent to the Beta Seven sector. Now, somebody else will have to take Fisk’s place there .”
    “I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for your godfather and you,” he softly told her.
    “I honestly think he may be one of the vets whose condition won’t be easily treated.”
    “How can you be sure?”
    “Because our physician here has had him on the required meds since discovering the disease existed. He’s not improving. In fact, one