Page 19 of The Red Woman on Mars

Goodness, she hated needles.

When Vivian had changed back into her dress, she thought of Camille’s serious expression from that morning and tucked another sealed vial into her pocket before she crossed the street to Hayes Community Hospital.

When Vivian entered the hospital waiting room, heads swiveled to stare at her and an excited murmuring traveled throughthe room. Vivian’s lacy yellow dress stood out against the drab outfits.

An older woman with an Earther build and a white old-fashioned nurse’s hat looked up from studying a tablet. “You must be the sister.”

Vivian licked her lips. “Is Delilah—could I—?”

“Your sister is very weak. Normally, I wouldn’t allow you to see her in this state, but Counselor Hayes sent word. Come.”

Vivian let herself be led through a corridor until, at last, she arrived at a private room. Delilah lay on a bed, eyes closed and breathing even.

“She’s sleeping now, poor dear.”

Vivian stood over her sister’s bed, unsure if she should touch her. Had Delilah’s skin always been so translucent? “Is she okay?”

The nurse frowned at the medical readouts. “Her fever has gone down. She’s had a full blood transfusion, which can be hard on a body that’s recently come out of nine months of zero-g.” She looked up at Vivian and gave her a reassuring smile. “She’ll be just fine, my dear. Just fine. You know, I went through the same thing when I arrived on Mars. And I went on to have three children.”

Vivian let out a slow breath. “Thank you.” From the pocket of her dress, she pulled out Delilah’s syringe. “May I? I don’t want her to miss a day of her hormone treatment cycle.”

The nurse’s eyes widened. “Was that granted by the Intelligence?”

“I suppose.”

“We are grateful for the gifts of the Intelligence.” She spread her hands in welcome. “Go ahead, dear.”

Vivian lifted her sister’s dress and whispered, “This will only hurt for a moment.” She opened the wrapper and plunged the needle into her sister’s stomach. Delilah whimpered slightly in her sleep.

When she looked up, the nurse’s lips were parted eagerly, and her head was tilted forward. The woman caught herself and pressed a fist to her forehead. “What an honor you have given me tonight, my dear. I’m a witness to history.”

Vivian disposed of the needle and pulled a chair to her sister’s bed without meeting the nurse’s eyes. She had no ambition to make history for these strange people and their weird god. She just wanted to protect her sister. “If it’s alright with you, I’ll sit beside her for a while.”

“Of course, dear.” The nurse hesitated. “I’m not sure I would have your courage. They say that in a single generation, you will break the cycle.”

Vivian rubbed one shoulder. What was there to be courageous about? A few needles? “We aren’t here to be brave. We’re here because the alternative was worse.”

“Believe me, I understand. Still, I’m grateful for your sacrifice. We’re all grateful. Right now, Earthers living on Mars have no legacy. No future. It’s a hard thing to see our children be unable to start families of their own. My sons—they’ll be alright, I think. They joined the militia, which gives them purpose. But my daughter … She struggles. Left for the Catena dome, actually.” She put a hand to her mouth. “I shouldn’t have told you that. Please don’t tell Counselor Hayes.”

Vivian raised her head, curiosity piqued. “The separatist dome?”

The nurse blew out her breath. “I haven’t seen her in five years.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Thank you, dear.” She shook herself. “Ring if you need anything.”

Veiled hints and unfamiliar politics—there was so much Vivian didn’t understand about Mars. She watched the comforting sight of her sister’s chest rise and fall. As long as Delilah made it through, nothing else mattered.

CHAPTER SEVEN

54 Sols to Presentation Day

The next morning, after a restless night sleeping in an enormous guest bed, Vivian came down the wide, open staircase to find Ivey seated at the dining room table while Caspian stood at a sideboard perusing the pastries.

“Ah, Vivian, there you are!” Caspian greeted her with a warm smile. “The doctors report that Delilah had an excellent night and will be ready to be released later today.”

A wave of relief washed over Vivian, and she sat down abruptly next to Ivey. In the Martian-sized dining chair, her feet dangled above the ground like a young child.