...is a disease designed to kill us?

Yes, that is my belief.

It is abhorrent. I cannot think of another time in the history of Alastere that there's been anything like this.

I am certain when the news comes out, Cryostoria will be brought to trial for violation of international law.

But I am a doctor, not a politician, and it's my job as a doctor to keep it from spreading, and to cure it.

But...

...what does this have to do with my mother...?

Mister Malady, a number of weeks ago, when the weapon was first deployed against us, Leera Malady was among my staff that was helping treat the wounded from the attack.

We had no idea what the barbs were, and one pricked Leera.

Leera was patient four, and the currently the last one alive of the first seven to be infected. Earlier today, at her request, I performed a new experimental surgery to try to stop the infection.

It has not worked, but has given us valuable information about the disease that we could not have obtained otherwise.

The disease is in its last phase, and she is only kept alive by the machines. But they cannot outpace the rate of its spread at this point.

I believe Leera Malady has less than two days to live, and that is a generous estimate.