my wounds, and bandages the shallower ones.
After Dr. Edward checks Niall, he stops to examine me and stitch up the lacerations on my soles. When he finishes, he says, “Stay off your feet for a couple days.” He pauses. “If you can. I understand this is a…difficult time for everyone. Here’s a few extra strength pain meds. Only take them in an emergency. Understand?”
“Yes. Thanks, Doc. How’s Niall?”
“I can’t divulge his condition, but I’m pleased. And I’m sure his father will fill you in.”
“Did anyone else get injured in the blast?”
“A few minor bruises and a couple broken bones—mostly due to falling out of bed. I hear we have you to thank for that.”
Not really. More like the Q-net, but I did ask it to alert me so I guess I can take partial credit. I nod.
Dr. Edwards puts a hand on my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. “Thank you.” Then he leaves.
Not waiting for any more orders, I dress in the scrubs left for me, including soft booties, grab the bottle of pills, and limp over to Niall’s room. Radcliff is sitting on the chair next to his bed, but he stands when he sees me.
“Get some rest, I’ll be by again in the morning.” Radcliff rests his hand on Niall’s forehead for a moment. Then he turns to me. “Follow me,” he orders.
But this is my later. Huffing with frustration, I shuffle after him. He heads down the hall until we’re well out of hearing range then he stops.
“I told Niall about what Jarren planned with the HoLFs and the missile. Please don’t tell him about our counter strategies. I don’t want him to insist on being a part of them. Dr. Edwards says it’s vital he rests as much as possible and doesn’t get upset.”
“I won’t. What happened with the missile?”
“The satellite has defensive weapons that I can access. Since your and Beau’s worming allowed us to keep command of the satellite, I was able to destroy the missile before it hit the base.”
Nice to know. And now Jarren knows as well. “Jarren’s going to try to regain the satellite. I should strengthen our protections.”
“It’s imperative that we maintain control. Can you do it now, or are you too tired?”
As if I could sleep knowing that Jarren might be messing with our only defense. “I’ll do it now.”
“Good. Keep me updated.” He strides away.
I find an empty room and worm into the satellite’s programming and into my protective measures. They haven’t been tampered with, but I layer in another shield just in case. Then I ask the Q-net to alert me if anyone tries to bypass my worms. Once I finish, I hobble back to Niall’s room.
His eyes are closed and I’ve a moment of panic. But he opens them and gives me a sleepy smile.
“Hey, Mouse.”
“Toad.” I climb into bed with him.
He raises an eyebrow. “Aren’t you worried the nurses will kick you out?”
“Nope. They haven’t been able to for the last five nights.”
“Five…” He clutches the blankets. “No wonder Dad avoided the question.”
So much for not upsetting him. “You didn’t miss anything.”
“Really? I think a missile strike counts as a big thing.”
“Look at that, you can still be sarcastic. You’re well on the way to a full recovery.”
“Now who’s being sarcastic?”
“I’ve many talents,” I tease.
He scoffs. But then says, “Dad said you alerted him about the missile. Do you think Jarren will launch another one?”
“What I think is that you should let your father worry about that. But you won’t. Neither will I. I’ve no idea what Jarren will do next. What I do know is there was one good thing about that strike.”
“There is?” His tone is incredulous.
“Yup. It was loud enough to wake you up.” I lie down next to him. “I missed you.”
He puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. Or tries; he’s still pretty weak. I scoot until my head is resting on his shoulder.
“Thanks for staying with me,” he says.
“You’re welcome. But don’t do it again. That was the worst five days of my life.”
“Not including when you were shot by the looters,” he adds.
“Nope. Including that. I’ll take getting shot over you almost dying every time.”
“Love you, too, Mouse.”
It’s one thing to propose a plan. At the time you’re safe and warm and it’s all just speculation. It’s quite another experience to be implementing that plan. Doubts and worries about the success of the mission gather like sand grains in your shoes or in this