Page 60 of Protected By the Convicts
Single file, the three men followed Ky’Li through the thick jungle growth. Vaughn tried to push his emotions to the bottom, to focus for Hannah’s sake. Though she was alive, from Ky’Li’s behavior, it didn’t sound good.
Ky’Li stopped when they reached a well-hidden cave along the mountain range.
“Only Ky’Li,” Vaughn said to Ren and Sersie, stopping the men from going in with him. “I don’t want to overwhelm her. Let me assess her condition and start treatment first.”
Ren and Sersie’s faces showed their worry, but they remained outside.
Vaughn had treated a lot of mangled, burned, even chewed up bodies during his years on Narkos, but never had the sight of a patient affected him like that of Hannah laying there battered and bruised.
“Hi, there,” Vaughn said as he knelt beside her bedroll.
Eyes opened and watched him, even as he moved to his pack for a med scanner, but she didn’t speak. “May I touch you, Hannah? I’d like to remove the blanket, to check your injuries and treat you.”
She failed to respond. Vaughn glanced up at Ky’Li. “Has she spoken to you?”
“Just your name when I left.”
Slowly, Vaughn peeled back the blanket and then a bloody shirt beneath. It took all his strength not to swear or show anything other than calm on his face. If he viewed her as his lover, then he’d break down. She needed him to be a doctor right now.
“Give us some privacy, Ky’Li. Keep Ren and Sersie company outside, okay? I’ll be out as soon as I can.”
Ky’Li caressed her cheek and whispered something in his native tongue. Vaughn didn’t know what he said, but Hannah’s eyes lifted, and the hint of a smile surfaced. Their Hannah hadn’t given up. Vaughn rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
* * *
REN
Ren followed Sersie in. Hannah was sleeping. Vaughn had updated them, but still, seeing her lying there, so utterly still, so battered and broken, was not something he was prepared for.
“I think she sprayed Griggs before he could rape her,” Vaughn said, as he moved away so Ren and Sersie could get close. “That’s why she has chemical burns on her hands, chest, and face.”
“The device had a targeting system to shoot away from the user,” Ren said between gritted teeth. He walked away, hands on hips. He couldn’t believe this was happening. After all the precautions they’d taken for her, with her. . . They hadn’t anticipated what Dresden would do.
“The wind,” Sersie said. “We didn’t account for wind.
“Fucking—” Ren cut off his language. She wasn’t in a coma according to Vaughn. He didn’t want his language upsetting her.
“It helped save her,” Sersie added.
“It didn’t save her!” Ren shot back. “Look at what that animal did to her. Broken arm, ribs, and hand. Bruises everywhere. . .”
“She’s alive, and she’ll heal.” Vaughn sounded quite clinical. Ren didn’t know how he was managing this. Ren was going crazy, feeling utterly helpless.
Sersie at least was stroking her hair, keep her company while Vaughn watched over her, periodically checking her vital signs. Ren couldn’t bring himself to touch her or get close. She seemed too fragile as if she’d break if he touched her.
“We need a plan, Vaughn,” Sersie said. “We can’t take her back. Dresden will give her to someone else.”
“We leave,” Ky’Li said. The soldier made everything sound so simple.
“And go where?” Ren asked, having trouble containing his rage. “There’s no potable water on this world. We’re dependent on the water treatment plant.”
Ky’Li stood at the entrance to the cave, standing watch. He hadn’t said much, beyond briefing them of how he’d killed Griggs and two men in his unit. “We’ll boil the water, to get rid of parasites.”
“Boiling won’t remove the veridium. The mineral is toxic,” Sersie added.
“Then Ky’Li takes her into the jungle,” Vaughn said. “We set up a drop or several. Leave supplies, including treated water.”
“But—” Sersie started to object, then shut up when he looked up at Vaughn. The doctor’s face was implacable.
