Haven's Army

Chapter 10

"So no casualties?" I asked in surprise.

James shook his head. "No one died, thanks to the anti-poison."

"Don't get all high and mighty," I said with a grin.

He shrugged. "They were aiming to show off their new weapons with the poison and didn't think we might actually be smart enough to create something against it."

"So Emma died for nothing?" Laura's voice quivered. It was the first time in a while she had spoken to anyone but Percy. When we turned to her, she clung to Percy's arm and shied closer to him.

"No," James said. "It taught us that the poison existed. Without it, we wouldn't have been prepared to retaliate. We started developing it just after...that."

She shook her head.

We were back on the sea. Percy and Lloyd had come in to see Dennis when they had heard he was slowly recovering. He had finally awoken but was still having a hard time doing anything. Laura had, of course, followed Percy.

Dennis shifted. "Percy, Lloyd," he said weakly.

"Yes?" Lloyd replied. Relief showed itself in his voice.

A weak grin spread across Dennis' pale face. "I imagine I'm quite clammy. Get it?"

Kathryn and I looked at each other. She gave me a quizzical look. I shrugged. I understood it as well as she did.

Percy rolled his eyes. "That was really bad."

"You must be really sick, brother" Lloyd continued. "Your jokes are wearing thin."

Dennis pouted. "I know. This has got to be the worst part of being poisoned. I can't even think of a decent joke."

Percy grinned. "Well Lloyd and I will make sure not to get poisoned, okay?"

Dennis nodded. "I don't know what I'd do if you two were hurt."

"Well you lay in bed and recover and then you can protect us all you like," Lloyd promised.

Dennis smiled. "They think we're dead."

"What?" Laura asked.

He turned to her. "The Buccaneers think we're dead. They'll tell Louis and we'll have an opportunity to strike."

Laura looked surprised, as if she hadn't thought of that herself, which she probably hadn't. I hadn't.

Dennis turned to me and Kathryn. "Tell Naomi we need to set out for the Halo immediately."

"You need time to recover," I argued.

He grinned feebly. "We'll have time."

• • • • • • • • • •

Naomi had already taken everything into account and had ordered everyone to pack up.

"Why is she in charge?" Kathryn asked. "It just doesn't make sense. No one likes her. She isn't even mourning over her fallen comrades."

But as I watched Naomi bark orders and rush around the deck, it was clear to me why.

"No, she's the only one fit to lead," I said. "Look at the rest of us. She's the only one who's managed to pull herself together and take action."

Kathryn thought for a moment. "I guess so."

"Besides," I continued, "being in a position of power is hard. Look at her." She had dark circles under her eyes as if she hadn't slept and she was losing weight, which meant she probably wasn't eating either.