The Defiant

Army

Sparrow

Fuck was about the only word I could think of when Atlas was running across the glass to us. 

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. 

This was fucked. The world was fucked. We were fucked. If what Saya and I just saw was real... fuck!

When we landed back in our room, all four of us collapsed on the floor, and Saya and I scrambled to get up. Atlas pulled himself onto the bed and held his feet off the floor with a wince. The other guy... well, he wasn't in too good of a shape. 

"What the hell happened?" Josiah asked, rushing over to kneel beside Atlas and examining his bloody feet. Dakota and Levi rushed to the other guy and helped him up. 

"Long story," I said shakily. "First, let's get Atlas, Delta, and this guy to the med bay." 

My brain was running on pure adrenaline as I tried to heave the guy up so I could get walking. 

"I got him," Levi said, leaning down to lift the guy like his weight was that of a couple of grapes.

"Thanks," I breathed out. "Uh, Josiah, can you carry Atlas? And Ariah and Roan can carry Delta? I need to call Maralynn and do a couple of other things, so I'll be there in a few minutes,"

Everyone got set into motion, and I looked at Dakota and Saya. "Okay, you two get to come with me."

I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and dialed Maralynn's number. She picked up on the second ring. "It's early. What's happened?"

"We need to leave," I said shakily. 

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I'll explain more later. Call the doctors to the med bay now, and meet us there."

"Sparrow, I need more inform-"

"Do it!" I yelled, then hung up. 

I pointed at Saya. "How tired are you?"

He gulped, "Uh... kind of tired. A little?"

I grabbed his shoulders. "Can you safely bring Ezra here while taking Dakota with you?"

He stared into my eyes, and I felt his fear wash over me. He wasn't sure at all. I nodded. "Okay, how about without Dakota?"

He nodded slowly. 

I bit my lip. "Alright. Teleport to one of the others when you get him. We'll be headed that way."

He took a second and some deep breaths before disappearing from the room. I looked at Dakota warily before wrapping him up in a hug. "Holy shit," I breathed. My spine began to loosen, and I tucked my head into his shoulder. "I love you so much." 

I felt a bit ashamed that I wasn't rushing down to the med bay right now with the others, but I just needed to take a selfish moment to hold onto something and be comforted. 

Dakota's arms firmly clung to me. "What happened?" he asked. I could feel his heart pounding through his shirt, and a tear slid from my eye as I felt that organ go steady. He was alive, and he was with me. "I- I should tell everyone together," I said, pulling away from the comfort he provided. 

"Okay," he said softly. "What do we need to do right now?"

I took a second to collect myself. "We need to get ready for war."

When we got to the med bay, I felt my spine loosen a bit seeing the three get the care they needed. Atlas and Delta had chairs, and the guy was laid back on a bed. Dr. Jeralynn was looking over Delta. She shone a light into their eyes and got little response. She turned to look at Atlas. "Seems you got to them right on time."