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“That is what I’m thinking, yes.”
Liv nods, then takes a step to the left of Dawes, looking up at the next woman along. I can’t see much of her - just closed eyes, a little button nose, full lips.
“Sorry,” I say to her, wishing there was some other way.
Most of the raskarrans are upstairs still. Gregar lurks in the corner, eyes glued to his mate. Shemza is close by, ready to assist in whatever way he can, his mate Lorna with him to translate. Maldek’s also standing by, his brother with him, but like Gregar, they stick to the shadows, keeping out of the way.
I push the buttons that lower the pod into a horizontal position. The raskarrans all tense at the electronic sounds, the mechanical groaning. My own heart thunders in my chest. I know how to do this, was taught the right things to press in what order. But there’s a big difference between doing something with trainers and supervisors watching, using an empty pod, knowing you can’t fuck it up that badly and holding a life in my hands. A life I’ve just selected to practise on, as callous and cruel as Mercenia so often is.
But not callous, not cruel. To be that, I’d have to not care, I remind myself. And I don’t know this sleeping woman, but I do care. I don’t want to hurt her.
As if he can sense my unease, Maldek steps up beside me, putting a hand on my shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.
He radiates confidence, faith in my ability, and I try to breathe that in with his scent. Trust myself.
“Okay,” I say. “Ready?”
Lorna nods. “We’re ready.”
I initiate the defrost sequence. Done right, it should only be a matter of moments before the woman inside starts waking.
To cold and confusion. Maybe to a hole in her memories.
But also to friends here to help her, even if some of them are big and green with fangs and claws.
The pod counts down, a light on the front flashing red in time with the sharp electronic tone. Then, finally, the light flashes green.
A hiss and a clunk. The front of the pod levers open.
Revealing the sleeping woman inside.
* * *
