Huff didn’t reply, and Magnolia sensed he was holding something back.
“Let’s give the doc some space,” Les said. “There’s nothing we can do for X right now.”
Huff left the room, and everyone else trailed him back into the hallway. Ton and Victor moved aside so he could open the doors. Magnolia held Miles back when the dog tried to charge into the room.
She glimpsed an operating space, the floor slick with blood. The view vanished as the doors closed behind Huff.
Right before they clicked shut, a gruff voice called out, “Shine!”
Miles pulled harder, trying to get out of Magnolia’s grasp.
“It’s okay, buddy,” she said. “Your dad’s going to be okay.”
“Is that X?” Layla asked.
“He’s calling out for shine,” said Rodger.
Ted pulled a flask from his jumpsuit. “I’ve got some.”
“Put that shit away,” Magnolia said.
“Come on, let the doctor do his work,” Les said, starting away. “We need to get to the rooftop.”
Magnolia stood her ground. She didn’t want to leave this hallway with X in such bad shape. “I’m staying,” she said.
Rodger nodded.
“I am, too,” said Michael.
Les stopped and then walked back to the divers.
“Look,” he said, “I know you’re both worried, but the best thing we can do right now is do our jobs and get Discovery ready for the next mission. I’m going to fly the airship somewhere safe, and I’d like you both with me.”
“The next mission?” Michael said. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Les gave him a cold look. “Commander, I don’t like your tone,” he said.
“All due respect, sir, but I don’t like being kept in the dark about things, and while you may not have known the extent of X’s injuries, I know there are other things you aren’t telling us.”
“You are a Hell Diver, Commander Everhart,” Les said. “And what I tell you or keep from you is at my discretion. Classified information has always worked that way in the sky, as it will here at the Vanguard Islands.”
“Sir, having served under Captain Leon Jordan, I understand very well how things have worked in the past.”
“Are you, too, comparing me to Jordan now, Commander?”
Magnolia had already done it once and regretted it, but now Michael had doubled down on what he earlier chided her for.
Les, who was not easily riled, breathed heavily. The heated conversation drew the gaze of the warriors holding security outside the medical ward.
“Let’s take this somewhere else, shall we?” Magnolia suggested.
“Good idea,” Layla said.
Michael seemed to back down at her touch, but then he pulled his arm away from her hand.
“X is lying in there near death, Captain,” he said. “If we lose X, we lose everything. I’m staying here to guard him.”
Miles whined again and finally got up and walked over to sit between Magnolia and Michael. She gently scratched the dog’s head.
Les still breathed heavily, but he seemed to calm down slightly. Michael had stepped up to the doors, trying to look around the shades that had been drawn over the windows.
“I know you’re upset about X, and that he’s like a father to you, Commander, but you need to think about the big picture,” he said. “Anger is the path toward mistakes. I know from experience.”
Michael also seemed to relax. He slowly turned from the doors to face the captain. Miles settled back down, once again sitting outside the doors.
“I’m sorry, sir,” Michael said. “It’s just…”
“Emotions are running high in all of us after what happened in Rio, and back here while we were gone,” Les said. He looked at everyone in turn. “As I said before we touched down, we have to stay vigilant. All of us.”
Michael nodded.
“We’re prepared for any and all threats,” Sloan said.
Ton, Victor, and a dozen militia soldiers came closer, ready to protect the king from any attempt to finish him off.
“The tower is on lockdown,” Sloan continued, “and our aerial defenses are operational. As soon as Discovery is back in the sky, we will have a second line of defense.” She turned to Les. “Assuming you aren’t planning to take it on a mission anytime soon.”
All eyes returned to the captain.
“That depends,” he said after a pause. He let out another long sigh. “I guess it’s time I told you all the truth, but first we need to get Discovery airborne.”
“Okay,” Michael said.
“Mags, Rodge, Michael, I need your help,” Les said. “Rest of the divers, we’ll need you, too.”
Michael unslung his laser rifle and handed it to Sloan. “Use this to protect X.”
“Mine, too,” Magnolia said, handing Sloan the other rifle.
Michael led the group of Hell Divers away from the medical ward, past the militia soldiers standing guard.
“Defend X at all costs,” Michael said. “He’s done the same for all of us.”
NINE
Les rushed to the rooftop with his team in tow. Since returning to the islands, he had only briefly seen his wife and daughter, and now he was heading back into the sky without even saying goodbye.
But he had a damn good reason. Their fate, and that of everyone on the islands, was wired to the heartbeat of a man ten floors below. A man who had been very hard to kill over the years—a man who some believed to be an immortal god.
It would take only one crazed Cazador to convince the others that this wasn’t the case, and the rumors spreading through the rigs seemed to be doing just that.
“He’s on his way to the Octopus Lords,” one militia soldier had overheard a Cazador saying at the trading-post rig.
“King Xavier has lost his mind,” another Cazador had said at the rig where they worked on the warships.
Les knew that if the rumors continued to spread and the troops rallied to finish off the king, they would start by hitting the capitol tower. Those weapons would also target their most valuable asset—Discovery.
As captain, it was Les’s responsibility to make sure they didn’t get the chance, even if it meant leaving his family behind. At least, from the sky, he could protect them.
He ran up the final stairwell, the sound of footsteps behind him. Layla had remained behind, but Rodger, Magnolia, Michael, and the greenhorn divers were following, all of them in their civilian clothing.
Sergeant Wynn waited for them on the rooftop outside the Sky Arena with several of his troops. They handed out several assault rifles and magazines.
“You might need these,” Wynn said. “Since we already unloaded most of the airship.”
The divers took the assault rifles, and Les took a moment to survey the rooftop. The area was devoid of civilians, but a militia patrol marched within view under the moonlight.
“What’s the status, Sergeant?” Les asked.
“All our weapons are directed at the Cazador ships and boats,” Wynn said. “Both Renegade and Elysium have moved positions, and dozens of smaller vessels have taken to the water with Cazador sailors and soldiers.”
“Holy wastes,” Magnolia breathed.
“Who is guarding the borders and watching for the machines or skinwalkers?” Les asked.
Wynn spat in the dirt. “We have vessels out there watching for hostiles, but not nearly enough.”
“What about Colonel Forge? Do we know where he is?”
“My scouts have reported he is on the warship Shadow,” Wynn replied, “and the company loyal to him has not joined Moreto yet. Forge is patrolling the border, watching for the skinwalkers, as directed by King Xavier in the last council meeting.”