The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(46)

“Gideon,” she whispered. “Gideon, if you’re in there...”

Foamy blood and saliva slid down his cheeks as he grunted, his body seizing. His eyes rolled up into his head. His body went limp, his clenched hands once more going still.

“I asked you a question, Dr. Curran. What is happening to him?” Omondi said, towering over the table.

Dr. Curran barely glanced at him. “Give me a moment.”

“I want to know what is happening to my man now,” Omondi persisted.

Whirling about, Dr. Curran glowered at him. “We’re trying to assess the situation. I suggest you shut up.”

Omondi fell silent, but his mouth was twisted into an angry grimace. He rested his hand on Gideon’s arm, his stance protective.

Maria grabbed a sterile cloth from a nearby counter and wiped Gideon’s mouth and face. No one stopped her. The techs and Dr. Curran attentions were intently directed at the monitors and their pads.

“We’re not leaving you,” Omondi whispered to Gideon, leaning over him. “We leave no one behind.”

Resting her hand on Gideon’s chest, Maria felt the stillness of his heart. “How did you knock him out? I didn’t know we could do that to Scrags.”

The robotic arms were busy depositing their samples into the machines set along one wall. Dr. Curran didn’t look up as she answered. “We didn’t knock him out. Like I said, we’re trying to assess his condition.”

“If you didn’t knock him out, why—”

“I said, Vanguard Martinez, we’re assessing his condition. Perhaps you had best leave the room while we work.”

“We don’t leave our people behind,” Omondi said.

“You’re not on the battlefield yet,” Dr. Curran snapped back.

“Is it over?” Gideon’s voice was a mere rasp.

Startled, Dr. Curran hurried back to his side. “Gideon?”

“Is it over? Am I turned yet?” Gideon stared at the doctor through cloudy eyes.

“Yes, it is. We had a slight...anomaly though. We’re going to need to keep you here a little longer than we anticipated,” Dr. Curran said swiftly.

“Anomaly?” Fear filled Gideon’s eyes. “What happened?”

“You’re going to be okay now, soldier,” Omondi assured him.

Dr. Curran glared openly at Omondi. “We will have to do more tests. The rest of the procedures will have to be rescheduled.”

“We need to move forward and soon,” Omondi reminded her.

“I am aware of the situation, Chief Defender Omondi.”

Silence seemed like the best option in Maria’s opinion. She wasn’t sure what she had just witnessed, but it had unnerved her. Omondi was a man of singular focus, as was Dr. Curran. They were already locked in a battle of wills. Maria kept her hand on Gideon’s shoulder and his gaze slid toward her. Fear was in their depths, and she squeezed his shoulder, trying to reassure him.

The door to the room opened behind them. Maria was not surprised when she heard Mr. Petersen’s voice.

“Chief Defender Omondi and Vanguard Martinez, could you please follow me?”

Reluctantly, Omondi stepped away from the table, giving Gideon a thumbs up. Maria smiled at the frightened man before following in Omondi’s furious wake.

The door had barely slid shut when Omondi’s proper tones, edged with anger, cut through the air. “You said the procedure was safe.”

Mr. Petersen quirked a slight smile. “And it is. To most of you. We were aware there could be some...” he seemed to consider a possibility of words before opting to use Dr. Curran’s. “Abnormalities may occur when dealing with experimental procedures. You must keep in mind that though Gideon is in good health, he is not a soldier. He does not have your strength and stamina. Apparently, this resulted in complications.”

“Then give him the cure, Petersen.”

It was clear Mr. Petersen didn’t like the tone in Omondi’s tone. Or perhaps he just didn’t like taking orders. Maria wondered again who exactly the bland man in white truly was.

“We will assess his situation and give you a report later. But for now, why don’t you return to your rooms. We will debrief you as soon as possible.”

“If you suspected that one of us could have an adverse reaction to the procedure, I should have been told. I was given the impression that everyone selected for this mission wouldn’t be in danger of complications.” Omondi towered over Mr. Petersen, but it was obvious Mr. Petersen was not intimidated.

“Your presumption was erroneous. Now, follow me,” Mr. Petersen said in a tone that made it clear he didn’t expect them to argue further.

“What else aren’t you telling us?” Maria said, not able to ignore her misgivings any further.

Mr. Petersen had started to turn away, but at her question, he swiveled back around on his heel. His cool gaze studied her for a moment, then he said, “The information imparted to you is all you need to do your mission. Is that clear?”

Maria and Omondi exchanged looks. She could see her superior officer’s silent order to stand down in his body language and gaze. With a nod of her head, she fell silent and into step behind the man in the white suit.

She wouldn’t be surprised if her and Omondi’s wristlet alarms would be deactivated.