For The Many

Chapter 9

It's been a while since I got my voice back now. My ear has healed, and Marta has been on a few more rescue missions, so there are now a fair few extra people around. Most only needed minor treatment, so were soon in the Holding Unit, but some needed more care. Click made sure to never be in the Medical Bay with them, though, which confused me slightly. He hadn't seemed to have an issue with being in the same room as me, but I suppose my most recent reaction to him was over zealous. I don't know what I was thinking... Trying to flip a bed. Jeez, I really am stupid.

Marta is nice, though. She listens even if I am being stupid. I like her.  

- Evan Durand, July 14th.

“Evan,” Marta called from the entrance to the Medical Bay. He groaned, sitting up in his bed and leaning on his hands to meet her eyes.

“What is it?” He asked, a long yawn following his words. That's all he seemed to be doing recently – sleeping and yawning – and he was beginning to get irritated at himself for it.

“I'm going on another rescue with Click, so I can't talk to you until later, okay?” He sighed, slightly annoyed, before assuring her that he understood. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just a little bored. Do you think I could come with you and Click?” Evan knew before she even said a word that it wasn't a possibility – shock registered and her face dropped – but he couldn't help but hope.

“No, no you can't, I'm afraid. You're still ill-”

“No I'm not!” He roared, and she blanched. His eyes narrowed as he realized what he'd done, before he turned his face away from her to glare at the machine that recharged her robotic arm.

She gave one, final look of concern before sighing and turning to leave. Click was just leaving his office as she turned, so she raced to meet him to avoid further awkwardness. “Ready to go?” She asked, and Click nodded.

It hadn't taken long to reach the complex that they had targeted for their next rescue, but the pair sensed something was off the moment they entered the hangar. More Shifters were there than had been at any other rescue mission they had been on to that point, which put them both on edge immediately. Marta was just thankful that Click had, once again, memorized the floor plan, and knew exactly how to get to those they planned to save.

They steeled themselves, holding their heads high as they walked with confidence in their uniforms. They received no suspicious looks as they made their way through the hangar towards the entrance to the maze that was the corridors, nor were they bothered when they made it to the Holding Unit, which they noted was far more open plan than any they had seen. In most cases, rooms branched off from one, main corridor, but in this complex, they had a central room which all of the rooms opened out into. This was somewhat peculiar, considering the Shifters in this complex were in no way sympathetic towards the humans, but they dismissed it. “Which room is it?” Marta whispered, but she got no verbal response. Click just walked towards one of the rooms and placed his hand on the green display screen.

The door opened, and once more, they were faced with a small group of people huddled opposite it. Neither had chance to even identify the gender of any of the occupants, as they were accosted immediately. “Stop where you are!” A female Shifter with short, navy hair spat. They halted. “What business do you have with this group?” She had sharp cheekbones, full lips and a scar that ripped through her bottom lip and most of her left cheek. They both tried to avoid focusing on the scar, hoping to persuade her that they were supposed to be there.

“We're taking them for medical attention,” Click said. The Shifter seemed unimpressed.

“We've had word of two beings, who we believe to be humans, going around, claiming to offer medical assistance to other humans. Prove you are not them.” Marta heard the sound of a flick knife, then saw it gleam in the dimly lit room. “Cut your palms,” she demanded. Click took the knife with deliberate motions, being careful not to alarm her, before running the blade along his hand. Purple filled his palm, and she seemed satisfied.