Page 135 of Viral Justice

“How do you feel?”

Chapter Thirty-One

Ali wasn’t sure ifMax was having an epiphany or an aneurysm.

“How do you feel?” he asked again.

She’d been trying not to think about how she felt.

“You’re not coughing.”

She frowned. “No, I’m not. I don’t think I have a fever either. I hurt everywhere, but I’m not sick.”

They stared at each other until Warren groaned.

Max looked at the soldier, who was slowly regaining consciousness.

“It’s too soon to know,” Max said, answering the unasked question hanging between them. He turned back to Warren, his voice low as he asked the soldier about his injuries.

Ali made eye contact with Hunt and Jessup. “We need to clear the area, hunt down those three that took off after Max’s distraction and get in touch with our brass. I think Max is going to want more supplies dropped ASAP.”

“There are dead bodies all over the place, Stone,” Hunt said. “We need a fucking brigade in here to clean this shit up.”

“Yeah, we aren’t getting any sleep anytime soon. I’ll stay with Max. Can you two take care of our rabbit problem?”

“Yeah, we’re on it.” They waved and moved off at a walk rather than a run.

Ali didn’t blame them. She moved over to begin checking the bodies for weapons and made a pile near where Max was helping Warren get his clothes out of the way so he could check the man for broken bones.

“Max, we need help,” Ali said to him.

“I heard and agree. I used a radio I picked up off one of the dead extremists, but it’s no good for contacting our people. My sat phone got destroyed.”

“Akbar took mine.” Along with most of her weapons, knives and guns. “I’ll get it.”

“Is he still alive?” Max asked.

---