Page 13 of Resolution
“Yes, sir,” they chorused, taking their positions. Rogens seemed lost when it came to what he was expected to do but Cutlem saluted smartly and handled the ropes with efficient motions.
“Once we’ve landed, wait for my signal and then create the hole in the fence,” Jeff said to Madrigan.
“Ten seconds, no longer,” she agreed, fingers dancing over the controls of the larger-than-normal handheld she’d brought. “I still think you’re crazy. And remember when the field goes back up it’ll cut you in half if you’re not in the safe space.”
“Got it.” Jeff flashed her a grin, glanced at Les to make sure he was ready and then the two men climbed over the edge of the wall and began their descent, moving carefully inside the narrow space which existed between the wall and the sizzling edge of the force field. The climb was a simple one and they were boots down shortly. The rig was lowered to them on Jeff’s signal and he and Les got it situated so they could drag Frawkins from where he’d landed and slide him into it.
“Ready?” Jeff asked.
“Seven hells, no. I must be nuts. You Special Forces guys are a whole different kind of insane, aren’t you?” Les’s voice was gently chiding but good humored.
“Get me out of here,” Frawkins shouted, voice tense with pain. Evidently the effects of the illicit feelgood were wearing off fast. “Help me.”
“That’s what we came to do,” Jeff said. “Listen on my signal the fence is going down where you are and we’re going to drag you to the wall. It’s gonna hurt, it’s gonna aggravate whatever your injuries are but there’s no other way.”
“Just do it,” the other man said on a sob. “Don’t leave me out here.”
“You grab his legs and I’ll go for his shoulders,” Jeff said.
Les flexed his fingers and nodded, hunkering down in a crouch. Jeff mimicked the position and yelled, “Now!”
The fence flickered and the ever present buzz changed pitch and intensity. A narrow gap appeared in the dazzling lights right in front of Jeff and he and Les moved forward to collect their target.
“Nine seconds,” Madrigan shouted and continued the countdown.
Jeff got a good grip on Frawkins’ shoulders and he and Les moved in tandem to drag the screaming man into the tiny safe zone. The infected stirred and lunged at them but the force barrier closed the gap, slicing the outstretched arms off, to lie wriggling on the dirt. Jeff took his blaster, issued by his Glastine superiors as part of his equipment and scorched them to ash.
Frawkins had passed out, which was a good thing as there was no space to move around where they were. With a lot of effort they got him fully into the harness, fastened the straps and gave the signal to pull him up. Then they used their auto ascenders to rise themselves and a few minutes later stepped onto the edge of the wall and jumped to the walkway, where a small crowd had gathered. Jax Driscoll, the man in charge of the next section of the wall was working to get everyone in position and focused on their duties, which Jeff appreciated.
Captain Briskinn had arrived. “Good work, you two,” he said to Jeff and Les. “Is he alive?”
Frawkins chose that moment to groan and struggle against the harness.
“Seems to be, sir,” Jeff said. “We should get him to the infirmary—he’s probably got major internal injuries from the fall he took.”
“He wasn’t bitten or scratched?” the senior captain asked.
“No, sir, the infected stood and watched him. They came after us fast enough but we’re unscathed as well.”
Briskinn’s hand went to the bracelet on his wrist but he didn’t make any remarks about it. Addressing Madrigan, who was leaning insouciantly against the wall, he said, “Next time, if there is one, don’t cut the fence.” He raised his voice so everyone in earshot could hear. “Anyone else chooses to get high and make an attempt to fly off the walls, we’ll be leaving them where they fell. No exceptions. I’m not putting more lives at risk to save a fool who chooses to break the rules of the camp.”
Jeff and Les exchanged glances but neither made a comment.
Driscoll muttered something sarcastic about the decision changing if one of Quantike’s original guard was involved. Jeff took note of the fact Driscoll didn’t have one of the bracelets on his wrist. He needed to get to know Driscoll better, sound the man out about what he knew of how Glastine was run, but not now obviously.
Madrigan gave Briskinn a sloppy salute. “Aye aye, sir, no more rescues suitable for an action trideo, got it.” She dropped her used up feelgood to the walkway and ground it out under her boot. “Glad I was here to see it, Pearson. I’ll buy you a drink later in the officers’ mess.”
With the help of the other two guards, Jeff and Les got Frawkins off the walkway and onto Captain Briskinn’s waiting cart. He was laid as flat as he could be in the back and they drove off to the medical building. Les remained behind at Briskinn’s order, to take charge of the wall detail and make sure the squad stayed alert and focused after all the excitement.
Briskinn didn’t volunteer any conversation on the short drive so Jeff remained silent as well, although he had all kinds of questions. He guessed the captain wouldn’t answer any of them in any case. As he was pulling up to the facility where Dr. Sharpton, the nurses and Melly waited, he did say, “This incident is classified, Pearson. You’re not to discuss it with anyone, not even your wife. Am I clear?”
“Absolutely, sir.”
While Briskinn and Dr. Sharpton supervised, Jeff helped the staff get the moaning, complaining Frawkins onto an antigrav gurney and moved inside.
“What happened?” Melly asked as they moved through the halls.
“Fell off the wall.” Since Briskinn was in earshot, Jeff kept his answer brief. On the subaural com he added, Found out what the bracelets do—they protect the wearer from the infected. We can talk tonight.
