Up Against It - M. J. Locke [103]
After emergency surgery, the surgeon came out. “We have gotten Ian stabilized. He’s resting comfortably.”
“How does it look?” Sean asked.
“There is always the risk of organ damage, after a loss of so much blood. But I continue to be confident that he will recover,” he said.
“What about the arm?”
“We could begin to grow him a new limb as early as tomorrow, as long as his vitals stay stable. It will be several weeks before he has full use of the arm and shoulder again, and there will be quite a bit of pain for a while. Any sign of the family?”
Sean shook his head. “Not yet. Is he awake? May I speak to him?”
“Of course. This way.”
Recovery smelled of medicine and disinfectants. Life-support equipment made beeping and hissing noises, and nutrient tubes lay across the patients. People lay strapped to railed gurneys, with IVs and oxygen, hooked up to monitoring equipment, with nurses tending to them. Sean lofted over to Ian and laid a hand on his uninjured shoulder. The young man opened his eyes and eyed Sean blearily.
“Hi,” he said. His voice was a weak thread.
“Hi, hero.”
That brought a slight smile to Ian’s lips. “Am I OK?”
“The doctor says they should have no problems regrowing your arm. In due course you should have full use back.”
A sigh escaped the young man.
“The truth is…” Sean coughed. “You saved my life tonight.” He stepped back and gave the young man a military salute. That brought another faint smile. Then Ian closed his eyes.
“Rest,” Sean said. “I’ll be back later.”
On the way to Administration, Sean pondered again how the feral had ceased its attack after injuring Ian. From everything he knew about feral sapients, that was unheard of. They had no capacity for empathy. Like highly intelligent sharks, they were merciless—they ate up all digital space, took things over, and fucked with whoever tried to get in their way.
Maybe Tania would have some answers. He would talk to her tomorrow, when he briefed Jane.
* * *
Jane woke early the next morning. She left Xuan asleep and crawled out of the hammock. She might as well cede the night and get going.
Charles was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. He handed her sausages, a tube of oatmeal, and a bulb of steaming tea. “I’m dreadfully sorry we can’t offer you a proper perch for dining,” he said.
“Please, don’t apologize. You’ve done so much for us.”
While they were eating, Muffet the terrier came bounding in. It came sniffing over to Jane. “Go on,” Charles commanded, but Jane said, “No, it’s all right,” and slipped the little dog a piece of sausage.
“You’ll spoil her.”
“Sorry. I have a soft spot for big brown eyes.” Even when they’re on little brown ratdogs, she thought, and made a face at the dog, who bounced into Jane’s lap and wagged her tail ecstatically when Jane caught hold.
Jane stroked the dog’s wiry fur. “Charles,” she said, “I want to thank you and Rowan for taking us in.”
“No trouble at all, really.”
“Listen…” she hesitated. “I’m sure you know I’m in charge of response to the crisis that started in our life-support systems three days ago.”
His eyes widened. “Of course. But we didn’t want to pry…”
“I appreciate your discretion. But I’d like to give you some knowledge about what’s been happening. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors that we had a feral sapient in our systems.” He nodded. “We managed to remove the sapient last night. The city is no longer under threat. And,” she added, squeezing by brute force any trace of bitterness out of her voice, “our ice shortage is going to be solved soon, too.”
“Oh, excellent.”
Jane finished her breakfast. With a sigh, she said, “I should get to work. Thanks again for your hospitality.”
“Not at all, not at all.”
She took a bulb of tea back to their room. Xuan was drowsing but not fully asleep; she could tell by his shallow breathing and the way his eyelids pressed so firmly on his cheeks. Jane held the tea in front of