Ronin (Rebel Stars Book 3) by Edward W. Robertson

Author:Edward W. Robertson [Robertson, Edward W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Published: 2016-05-30T06:00:00+00:00

10

A dozen questions flashed through MacAdams' mind. There was no time for any of them. "How do we get him to the ship?"

"Security will be here before I can get a cart. We have to hide him."

MacAdams was about sixty percent sure Webber's back was broken. But if they didn't move him, Ulu's security would stick him on a work gang for the next twenty years. He bent down and scooped Webber up as gently as he could. Mina led the way through the trees. They'd entered the park on its west side, so they exited on the south. They drew a couple glances, but it was dark enough to act like the blood wasn't there.

A service path snaked between the shops. They ducked into it. Mina checked her hands for blood, then gave him a tight smile. "Back in five."

He nodded. She vanished into the darkness. While she was gone, he got out his tube of Stikkit—always be prepared—and sealed up the cut between his ribs and the worst of Webber's. Wouldn't do anything to treat internal injuries, but it lowered the risk of them bleeding to death in the next ten minutes.

Footsteps down the alley. A young couple holding hands. Standing over Webber, MacAdams planted his palm on the wall, making retching sounds. The couple hurried past.

Tires whispered. Sitting behind the panel of a cart, Mina rocked to a stop. MacAdams lifted Webber onto the back of the cart and covered him with a tarp from its trunk. Mina drove them to the vehicle elevator and navigated them to the port.

They climbed aboard her ship. Didn't have much in the way of facilities, but everything capable of crossing the System had a med bay. They ran tests, authorized the automated surgeon to patch up the worst of Webber's internals. MacAdams had been right. Broken spine. Eye socket and cheekbone, too, along with some ribs.

"Stable," MacAdams said. "But he needs real care. Time to forget about Gossamer and get out of here."

"We can do this," Mina said. "We'll be out of here before they turn on the morning lights."

"We?"

"You, me, and…wait, it's just you and me."

"Why would you help me?"

She laughed. "You idiot. Why do you think I made sure I got this job?"

"To bust my balls? You said you were getting paid."

"I am. But it's more than money. A few years back, Kaly told me it was Tera's decision to go to that rooftop. That you tried to stop her."

"And you believed her?"

"Kaly was Tera's best friend. She wouldn't back you unless it was the truth." Mina lowered her eyes. Her voice, too. "I'm sorry about how things went down."

A pang shot through his heart. "That was years ago. Don't matter now."

"Because you did what was right." Mina's voice was somehow soft but hard. "I didn't. Let me make it up to you now so I can quit carrying it."

"Appreciate the offer. But it won't work. We tried everything we knew. If your inside man turned on us, we're out of answers.

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