Page 73 of The Brotherhood

“I’ll be in touch in four hours.”

The line cut.

8-Bit stood with his breath stuck in his lungs for several seconds before exhaling all at once. He looked at the phone now shaking in his hand. That was too fucking easy.

He yanked open the door and headed down the hall leading to the med bay.

Spook stepped out while he was still a ways off and spotted him. They met up and 8-Bit pulled him into a brief embrace.

As soon as they parted, Spook searched his face. “You good?”

8-But nodded. “I am now.”

Spook’s eyes narrowed. “Tell me.”

“I just got off the phone with the man holding Beth. The Master of Mayhem. A direct line obtained by none other than our AL.”

Spook’s face sobered in shock. “Holy fuck.”

“He answered immediately. Says he’s bringing her here in four hours.”

Spook’s jaw tightened slightly. “What did he say exactly?”

“Confirmed he has her. Asked if her husband was alive. Asked for coordinates and a number to call when they’re five minutes out. That was it.”

Spook paused his pacing. “Asked if her husband was alive?”

“Yep. Thought it was weird too.”

He eyed him for many seconds. “You think he’ll show?”

8-Bit scoffed. “I can only fucking pray.”

Spook ran a hand down his face, leaning over to hold his knees. “Who all knows?”

“You so far. I’ll tell the rest when they get here.” He pulled up his map again. “They’re all five to ten minutes out.” He pocketed his phone, glancing at the door where Eveque was. “He’s fighting?”

Spook’s tension suddenly seeped out of him all at once with a sigh. “Like a beast.” He suddenly straightened and eyed him with a tired but curious look. “It’s odd timing.”

“What is?”

“You getting that number right when Eveque decides to speed things up. It’s all him doing it,” he informed lowly. “That machine is just a program designed to follow a genetic pattern and his is…” He shook his head with a heavy breath then seemed to realize. “I’m talking to the choir here.”

“Brother, this ain’t nowhere near my expertise,” he assured. “I get the jargon for the most part, but that’s about it. And yeah, it’s pretty fucking odd timing, now that you say it.”

Spook slid both hands over his face as he turned to the wall of frosty windows. “Thank fuck,” he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest and staring out. “Having her back when he wakes up.” He tossed 8-Bit a look. “Fucking best news to give him. Kiss your cyber friends for me.”

8-Bit gave him a warning glare. “Faithfully married here.”

Spook’s single laugh slipped out then faded as he returned to looking blindly into the darkness. “Another day on the horizon,” he barely said. “Is Seer coming?”

Worry edged the question and 8-Bit pulled his phone out, looking at the map again. He showed it to Spook. “He’s currently in first place.”

Spook looked and gave another single laugh that sounded like a burst of relief. He faced the darkness again nodding. “Good,” he barely said. “Righteous bastard,” he added, the weak scold catching in his throat.

8-Bit tensed at hearing his turmoil.

“You know Maggie’s pregnant?” Spook lightly threw out.

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