AllFreeNovel
Share Us
2
I admit it,my first instinct was to drop whatever he handed me, and run. Explosive devices didn't tick anymore, but neither would a handful of nanobots.
Once I'd resisted the urge, I opened my palm and glanced down. It looked like a computer chip.
I thought about handing it to the security officers, but their eyes were on J'avet and the Chimera.
I quickly tucked the chip into my pocket and knelt beside J'avet.
His hand fell away from the bandage, allowing me to peel it back slightly. I sucked in a wince.
The wound on his head was shallow, but long and ugly. At first glance, it didn't seem to be infected, but it would leave an epic scar.
I replaced the bandage and turned my attention to the rest of him. He looked pretty beaten up. Fading bruises covered his face and what I saw of his neck. A long cut ran from near one eye, all the way down to his chin.
"We need to get him to the infirmary," I said. "I'll give him a full body scan to check for nanobots, then the doctor can treat his injuries."
The head security officer nodded. She waved for the others to bring a gurney which sat off to the side of the docking bay.
They wheeled it over and pressed a button on the side, which lowered the top of the gurney to the ground. From there, they carefully moved J'avet onto it, then brought it back up and walked away in a hurry.
None, I noticed, was a Freytaurian. I hoped their caution was misplaced. If the nanobots could make anyone a host, we'd all be in for a galaxy of trouble.
I placed a hand on the trackpad at the end of the gurney and guided it toward the door.
They say modern technology is supposed to make life easier, but I would have preferred an old-fashioned handle. One I could grip and push the thing around. A slip of a finger on the trackpad and the gurney would move sideways, or run into a wall.
Yep, they still haven't perfected the shopping trolley.
Brinley walked beside me, with half the security officers behind. The other half stayed with Chimera.
I presumed they would check her over for— I didn't want to think they might find dead bodies on board. Nope, I was not going to go there unless I was told implicitly they'd found some. Even then, I would have to see for myself.
"What do you think happened?" Brinley asked.
I looked down at J'avet and shook my head. "I don't know, but it's nothing good. Hopefully he'll be able to give us some answers soon."
It was all I could do not to shake him awake and demand them. I wouldn't give in to emotion. Doing that could kill him. He was an asshole, but I didn't want him to die. Quite the opposite, for some reason.
I needed him to live, and it was more than just wanting answers. He was the last person in the universe I should give two fucks about, but seeing him lying there…
Only the rise and fall of his chest and shallow breathing told me he was alive. If I had it my way, he would stay that way for a long time.
"The others will be fine," Brinley said. "They're probably on a pod, a few hours behind. You know how J'avet is. Maybe he wanted to make a dramatic entrance."
I snorted softly. "If anyone was going to kick everyone off a ship to make himself look good, it would be him." Only…even he wasn't that big a jerk. I knew Brinley was trying to make me feel better, so I did my best to play along. The effort was half-hearted at best.
"Edie…" Brinley said gingerly.
"I'm okay," I said quickly. "We need to concentrate on J'avet right now." By 'we' I meant me. Professionally, my patient deserved all of my attention. Personally—that was something I didn't need to think about right now.
"Of course," she said.
I turned my face to glance at her. "I'm sorry. I know this is as important to you as it is to me. They're your family too."
"The guys are like brothers," she said. "You're like a sister. If you hurt, I hurt. If they're in trouble—"
"You'll come with me to punch some motherfuckers?" I suggested.
