Chapter 54

MERIDIAN

Meridian entered the room, Oz and Rufflebucket in tow, along with Watt. The stocky man looked slightly pink and out of breath. Meridian was at least feeling better. It had taken his injuries a while to heal — something about that Vector character was interfering with it.

It looked like things were wrapping themselves up, though. Meridian turned to Brynn, who gave him a full report on the situation.

“We’ve captured Orion, who seems to have been behind all this. Aurora’s not here, must have left or escaped at some point. Elle dead, probably resurrected by now. Vector — the warsuit guy — escaped out the window. Othin and Vulcan are injured, and Sebastian…”

She turned to the old man, who was prone and unconscious and barely breathing. Grey was by his side, cradling his head. Grey looked up at Meridian and Watt.

“Can you heal him?” she asked.

Meridian already knew the answer, and shook his head sadly as Watt walked over to assess things for himself.

“Something about Vector’s weapons…it prevents healing,” said the automaton in his deep voice. “Did anyone else suffer wounds from him?”

No, seemed to be the consensus. That was very lucky indeed. Meridian wasn’t sure, but he believed that any death at the hands of Vector, even a Freelancer’s, might not be resurrectable, even if it occurred here in Atlas.

However, Helio was still unconscious and bound against the wall, and the black tendrils seemed to have spread over most of his body. Meridian walked over to him. Brynn did as well, and slashed at the tendrils with the side of her lance. They did not yield.

“We have one hostage?” asked Meridian. He looked pointedly at Juno. “What about…”

“Hey, big boy, I just work for who pays me,” said Juno. “Sorta like what’s her name that works for you.”

She meant Flora, Meridian had no doubt.

“Well, you’re a prisoner, too,” said Meridian gruffly, “though I suppose you’ll be treated as any honorable soldier. As for you,” he turned to Orion, “you shall suffer for what you’ve done here.”

The door opened again. After all that slamming open and shut, it looked like it was about to fall off its hinges. Lex entered the room, dragging Aethelinde behind her.

“This bitch is a traitor!” yelled Lex in a husky growl.

Meridian’s eyebrows shot up about twelve feet.

“Is this true?”

Aethelinde looked slightly ashamed — but only slightly.

“But why?”

“Said she got an offer from Omni,” said Lex, her voice dripping with disdain. “Their research labs are the envy of Atlas, and she just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to get to work there.”

Meridian’s face remained stoic. “An unusually poor decision,” he said simply.

——

“He’s…sick, I think. I don’t know how to heal him,” said Meridian, looking at Helio’s limp form, surrounded by scary-looking black tendrils. He turned pointedly to Aethelinde and Orion. “If either of you knows, speak now and your punishment will be that much less.”

Orion said nothing, did not even make eye contact.

Aethelinde, on the other hand, babbled excitedly. “I don’t know, but I’d be happy to study it.”

Lex glared at her. “Traitor.”

“Now, now,” said Aethelinde. “Don’t you want to see your brother again?”

Lex looked taken aback. She seemed to have only realized in that moment that her brother wasn’t there.

“Where is that pompous windbag?” she queried aloud.

Aethelinde cackled.

“He didn’t make it to the fight. I can fix what I did, and help try to cure Helio, if you’ll forgo your punishment.”

Meridian swiftly nodded. “That’s a deal.”

“That’s a WHAT?” said Lex. “No way. This bitch gets out of her punishment just by undoing something she did in the first place?”

“Hush, Lex,” said Brynn. “Meridian’s spoken.”

Lex grumbled audibly.

Aethelinde, Watt and Meridian began collaborating on what to do about Helio. Most of the others were standing around awkwardly.

“Okay, let’s look sharp here,” said Brynn. “Oz, please send your afterimages around to look for Titus, Celeste, Lockwood, Zuki, and anyone else. Garrison, Rampart, you two contact Flora and see if she can get the Helio Corps network back online.”

“It is Rufflebucket,” said Rufflebucket.

“I’m sure it is,” said Brynn. “Lex, you look after Orion. Khita, you look after Juno. Grey, you…”

Grey gave her a look that could kill a small animal.

“You, uh, do as you please,” said Brynn very carefully, backing away.

“Grey?” said Khita, taking her by the arm. “Do you want to…talk?”

“No.” The word was like a knife through cloth. “Come, Rio.” Grey stormed from the room. “We have a murder to avenge.”

Three murders, actually, said absolutely no one.

“I’ll…check on her,” said Khita, and she darted off after the huntress.

“Wasn’t she supposed to be watchin’ me?” asked Juno, seemingly amused.

“Right,” said Brynn, “What’s-your-name, you look after Juno.”

The young man pointed at himself, questioningly.

“Yes, you. Chop, chop.”

Othin obediently took Juno into a small side office on the floor, and Lex took Orion into another.