Page 90 of Protected By the Convicts
“Thank you, Manager,” Vaughn said.
“Dr. Caster. . . Don’t get your hopes up. Even if I can arrange to get her off of Veenith. . .” Foley paused and shook his head. “She’s been there a week. A lone female. It’s not likely she’d still alive.”
* * *
VAUGHN
Three days later, two guards arrived at the med-center and escorted Vaughn to Foley’s office. Sersie sat on a chair across from Foley, the botanist’s leg bouncing fast enough that Vaughn glared at him until he stopped.
“Ky’Li and Ren are still working in the mines,” Sersie said. “They should be here.”
Vaughn put a hand on Sersie’s shoulder and gave a slight squeeze. Ky’Li and Ren’s presence wouldn’t change whatever was about to happen. Vaughn didn’t want one more delay. Every minute that passed could mean Hannah’s life.
Foley motioned him to sit. “I investigated your claims, Dr. Caster. You were right. Mr. Lachlan Raines took the data to The Company. Investigators tracked the data’s origin to terminal 17 in communications, to one Brody Rivers.”
“And?” Vaughn asked eagerly.
“Per The Company rules, she didn’t simply steal an asset, she stole and endangered the cultivation of future profits. She is indeed a Level 5,” Foley said, his expression grim.
Vaughn’s stomach sank. He wanted to throw up.
“You mean you can’t make an exception?” Sersie asked. “For the woman who saved the Company millions? Billions even?”
“I can’t change her level. Only The Company can do that. I requested a level upgrade for her and was immediately denied. I’ll try again, but I wouldn’t hold your breath. The severity of being a Level 5 is in place to discourage Level 5 behavior. Imagine if The Company started making exceptions, if people believed that Level 5 wasn’t permanent.”
“Fuck,” Sersie said.
Vaughn stood there, unable to fully process. He’d had such hope that they’d be able to save Hannah. She’d saved him months ago, all of them, and they couldn’t save her.
“I’ve spoken with Manager Thorne on Veenith. He’s agreed to an exchange of sorts.”
“I’ll go,” Vaughn said without thinking about it. He’d do anything to save her. “I’ll take her place. Let her come here.”
“Me too,” Sersie. “And Ren or Ky’Li. Take whoever you want.”
“You are speaking on your unit’s behalf, Mr. Campós?”
“I know what they’d say.”
“He’s right,” Vaughn added.
“Mr. Satterley is free to go home in three weeks,” Foley reminded them.
“Doesn’t matter,” Vaughn said. “He’ll gladly trade with her. Ask him if you don’t believe me.”
“Interesting. In any event. The doctor they have on Veenith is new and overwhelmed. Dr. Archer never ran a med-center before and there are no other doctors there, only a few med-techs. I would have only sent you in for a month or so, Dr. Caster, in exchange for Ms. Raines’s return to Narkos. Dr. Archer needs help getting Veenith’s med-center back into shape.”
“Would have?”
“The problem rests with your unit mate. Hannah Raines has already been assigned to another unit. On Veenith.”
Sersie started forward, toward Foley. Vaughn put an arm out to keep Sersie from doing anything rash. “Undo it. Let her leave.”
“I’m not preventing this from happening at this point. The manager there told her about the opportunity to return here. She turned him down.”
“What does that mean exactly?” Sersie asked, unable to make sense of what Foley was saying.
“I’m saying Hannah Raines prefers to remain on Veenith, in her new unit.” Foley signed a piece of paper and held it up for them to see. “Your unit is officially dissolved, Dr. Caster. You may reform with other solitaires or form a new unit once you’ve found a replacement.”
“A replacement what?” Sersie asked, still in shock.
Vaughn’s hand gripped Sersie’s shoulder. “A replacement for Hannah.”
