Page 72 of Healing Creek
“Yes,” said Jennifer. “I know.”
“We have a lot to talk about, but first I need to check in with my mate.” She sat on the end of the bed and tilted her head as if listening.
Jenny frowned. “What—”
Grace held up a hand to stop her sister’s question and whispered. “She does this sometimes. Just wait.”
After a moment, Feeona whispered, but it didn’t seem to be directed at anyone in the room. “We’re both fine. The sister is here with us…We’re still working on the plan…I promise.” Feeona’s eyes popped open and she turned to face them. She met Grace’s gaze. “Creek’s fine. Scratches and bruises.”
She sighed in relief. “What about the others?”
“Our pack is the same. Except Carn. A concussion they think. The bigger they are, as the saying goes. Two other dogs were shot with plasma riffles and have some burn injuries. Sen says it’s nothing life threatening.”
“That’s good.” But her sister wasn’t looking good at all. Grace wanted to tell her sister that their family was coming but knew she couldn’t do that. She reached out and gently touched her cheek. “I’m so sorry, Jenny.”
Jennifer closed her eyes and leaned into the touch. “Nothing for you to be sorry for, Grace. I just wished I’d found something to help you. It’s all been such a waste.”
Feeona stood up and looked out the narrow opening in the door then turned back to face them. She gave Grace a look that said they needed to move on to a more constructive discussion.
Grace took her sister’s hand. “Can you tell us how many guards there are and what their routine is?”
“There were ten guards and Mondo brought ten more, so twenty-one. There are usually two guards in the lab with me and Dr. Smith during the day and two more in the hallway outside the lab. They escort me back here as soon as we’re done working for the day.” She hugged herself in the self-soothing gesture again. “I’m sorry I don’t know more.”
Grace looked up at Feeona for help. She wasn’t sure what else to ask.
“Where are the computers and terminals in this building?”
“The server and primary coms unit is in Dr. Smith’s office. Just terminals in the lab and they require passcodes for different levels of access.”
Feeona shrugged. “Not a problem. For passcodes it’s just a matter of time. Have they set up any sort of security station or room?”
“Not that I’ve seen.” Jennifer shook her head. “But I haven’t been to the dormitories since Mondo arrived.”
Feeona’s gaze dropped to the floor for a moment as she listened. “Nothing in the barracks. That’s good. They’re still expecting our guys to be low tech all the way.” She shook her head and smiled. “It’s a little insulting, really. They know Samantha and I are helping. What time will they come for you in the morning?”
“I expect Dr. Smith will want Grace and me in the lab soon after sunrise. She’s been anxious to test your blood.”
Grace said, “How much does Smith know?”
“Not much. They had someone hack my lab computer when they kidnapped me.” She managed a close-lipped smile. “It took them a while. But they only found a reference to the comparative DNA analysis I was working on. Not the actual results. I’ve always been very careful with your medical records.”
“Do they know about the medi-bots?”
Jennifer flashed a look at Feeona then back to Grace as she shook her head. “Not yet.”
But they would soon enough.
Grace stood and looked through the narrow hole in the door. She could see the guards in the hallway. She wanted to speak to Creek and hear his voice so badly. She knew he was in one of the rooms nearby. But she wouldn’t give the guards anything to use against him by letting them know he cared for her. She could whisper and he would probably still hear her, but she wouldn’t tempt him to answer. She knew what he would tell her if he could. Be brave, believe in her own strength, and use the element of surprise.
As she stood there drifting in thought, her vision started to dim around the edges. Damn. It was a terrible time for the effects of the reduction in medi-bots to start to catch up with her. Hopefully the nutrition packs she’d been taking would help them rebuild in her bloodstream before the symptoms got too bad.
Grace turned her attention back to the room and the moment in front of her. Feeona was back, sitting on the foot of the bed with her eyes closed. Listening to Seneca? Or guiding her drone? Roma was wrong to underestimate the alliances the escaped Arena Dogs had made.
Carefully, concentrating on her footing and vision, Grace sat back down on the bed beside Jennifer and wrapped an arm around her battered sister. “If we have a few hours, let’s use it to finish making our plan.”
***
Just after sunrise four guards came into the basement to escort Grace and Jennifer to the lab. Luckily her vision was clear, but weakness made her limbs heavy as she stood and walked.
