Originally Posted by
Sub-Zero MKA
Goddamn it! Just when she thought everything was starting to go well, a viral outbreak had started ripping through the planet. Thousands of people had been infected, but he didn't mention any deaths, so she assumed that meant it wasn't fatal. That was good. “Quarantine those infected in one area. No one gets into or out of the area without a hazmat suit. Find out the source and determine how that person contracted the disease. If it's from outer space, we need to alert the other colonies.”
“We already know the source. It's an elderly man named Pea.” He handed her a screen with Pea's information. “He said he was at the arena watching the Tournament and having a conversation with someone when he suddenly passed out. When he came to, he was in the hospital and had next to no power. He still hadn't recovered his ki. Neither have any of the others infected.”
He was at the tournament? That meant that countless people could have been infected. She hoped that they all went to the nearest hospital, where it would be easier to quarantine them to protect the others. “Who was this person he was speaking with?”
“She didn't tell him much about herself, but she did say her name was Hilda. World Police used the security footage at the Arena to find her.” He handed her a color image of an extremely tall woman in a scanty cloak speaking with Pea. “She doesn't make any hostile actions, but when he passed out, she left.”
“I see.” She didn't look like a Saiyan, so she must have been a visitor from another world. Her face was obscured, so she couldn't tell what she looked like. “If she left instead of getting help, then she might know something. I'll give this to the Galaxy Police and ask them to search for her. Maybe they know something we don't. In the meantime, take a sample of the virus and send it to Turrip. I want them to analyze it and develop an antivirus. Tell them to exercise extreme caution, as it's highly contagious and spreads quickly.”
“Understood, Milady.”
When he left, Sarada and Maiz were left alone again. “A biological contagion. The one thing Saiyans can't defend against,” the latter said quietly.
“You think this was an attack?”
“I don't think. It's happened before. The Tuffles were the ones who developed the SaiyAIDS virus, and that was, what, ten years ago? We still haven't developed a cure. I don't have much hope in this regard, either.” After a moment, she continued. “Those infected are weak, feeble, powerless. If this spreads to the entire planet, we'll be left vulnerable. You and Ishtar are our best chance of defending against any external threat, so it's imperative that neither of you are infected. It's for the best that you two are leaving soon.”
If it was an attack, she couldn't delay on Earth for much longer. As soon as Jagam and his ally were dealt with, she needed to return here to Vocado as soon as possible in case this Hilda woman returned with an army. “You're right, but I won't be gone long. As soon as Jagam is dead, I'll be returning here. Hopefully by then, the GP will have a lead on this Hilda woman.”
“You think they'll help?”
Sarada wasn't surprised Maiz asked that question. It wasn't a secret that they weren't well-liked, even by the GP. She even said as much to P-Sta months ago. “Innocent lives like Pea's have been altered dramatically. If the law is as unbiased as they like to claim, they have no choice but to investigate. If this is an act of war, I need to know where she is so I can respond accordingly.”
Maiz nodded, satisfied and impressed by her answer. “Very well. I hope they find something soon. We haven't sent the last of this woman.”
Sarada nodded her silent agreement. “I'll make a statement later on today.”
Maiz nodded. “Good. Show the people you're on top of this. They need someone to look to for guidance and to keep them calm and rational. That person is you.”
This was what she knew would happen. Eventually, something would come about to test her mettle as Queen. This was it. She needed to remain level-headed, and have a clear and concise plan of action.
She turned around and started for the palace. As she walked, she tapped her wrist to contact her personal servant. “Set up a press conference in one hour. I need to a statement regard the outbreak.”