“She found me,” Merle says. “I was a young man then and working closely with intelligence in Milton. We arranged for the monorail fire and enough biological information inside of it to make it look as though Emma was in the car at the time.”
“I’ve been supporting the Carson Alliance ever since. In fact, I’m here to offer my support now.”
“Emma is in contact with all our operatives in the major cities,” Merle says. “She’s worked closely with Taylor Wick for many years.”
“I’ve been in touch with him,” she says. “He heard a rumor that they’re starting to mobilize the specimens from Project Mindstorm. I think it’s a safe bet that they’re going to attempt to retrieve their runaways.”
“We’re going to have to move quickly.”
Dr. Charles hands a data chip to Errol, and he loads the additional information into my head via the blocking chip he installed. Donald Cross has handpicked four soldiers to accompany me to the first checkpoint, the small town of Marra. From there, I see the route to the next stop where I’ll meet up with Taylor Wick and be led to Mills Pharmco.
“It’s straightforward enough,” I say after going over the data.
“I’ll go with you to the first checkpoint,” Riley says.
“The hell you will.” I glare at her. “You’re staying right here.”
“It’s a two-day trip, Galen. You’ll need injections so you can stay at peak performance.”
“You can give me what I need, and I can inject myself if you really think it’s necessary.”
“You’ll need me if you have a reaction to it.” Riley turns and narrows her eyes at me. “You’re still not at your maximum dose, and you know what kind of side effects there can be. You’ll need me close to keep you centered.”
“Then I’ll go without them.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Watch me.”
I take a deep breath, well aware that the entire group is watching our exchange. I keep waiting for Merle or Anna to speak up and join my side, but they say nothing.
“I have to be there anyway,” she says.
“What for?”
“I can verify the drugs you get are the right ones,” she says. “If you end up with something else, at least we’d still have a chance to correct it without having to start all over again.”
“If you provide me with all the information I need, that won’t be necessary.”
“I’m going.”
“Anna can do that, can’t she?” I look to her, pleading with her to help me make my case, but she’s not going for it.
“Oh, hell no!” Anna points a finger at me from across the table. “Are you crazy? I’m not going.”
“Anna’s not trained for anything like this.” Cross folds his arms over his chest.
“And Riley is?”
“I have been,” Riley says. “All the doctors at the Mills Conglomerate have had similar training.”
“No!” I stand up. I can’t take any more talk about her putting herself in danger.
Riley stands right along with me, her hands balled into fists and placed on her hips.
“Galen, please…” Merle starts to speak, but one look from Riley, and he closes his mouth.
“Galen, come with me.” Riley speaks the words directly to me and then turns and walks out of the room.
I comply without thought to her order.
“Holy shit,” Errol mumbles as the door closes behind us. “I guess that puts the whole relationship into perspective, doesn’t it?”
I follow Riley into the hall where she turns to face me.
“I don’t want to argue about this,” she says.
“Good,” I say. “Don’t.”
“I’m going.”
“It’s insanely dangerous, Riley,” I tell her. “How can I protect you if you’re going to insist on putting yourself in that kind of situation? You’re supposed to guide me into combat, not participate in it!”
“Is it more dangerous that jumping out a helicopter right before it explodes?”
“We didn’t have a choice then!”
“And we don’t have a choice now!” Riley takes a deep breath. “We’re only talking about me going to the first checkpoint. Marra is four miles into Mills territory. It’s a rural area with no military presence. I’ll be fine.”
It’s clear she isn’t going to give in, and my chest aches at the thought.
“How am I supposed to do this when I’m going to spend the whole time worrying about you?”
“You don’t have to worry about me.”