Something had woken him up and for a while Augur did not know what it was. Checking his watch he saw that he had slept for nearly three hours. Then a console beeped somewhere to his right and he instantly crawled off the couch.
�What�s that?� asked Julienne from the doorway of the bedroom as Augur made his way over to the console.
�I programmed my systems to warn me if there was any news regarding Liam,� answered Augur as he typed in some commands. To his right the viewscreen came to life.
��.the latest news on the kidnapping of Major Liam Kincaid by the Resistance. Kincaid has been missing for almost 36 hours now. The Resistance has demanded the release of all prisoners still being held onboard the Taelon Mothership in exchange for Kincaid. In a joint statement by the US Government and the Taelon Synod a message was just sent to the Resistance. Of the people still in custody 109 will be set free. However the group still believed to have been responsible for the shooting of President Thompson will not be released. The world now eagerly awaits the reaction of the Resistance. In other news today��
Augur and Julienne stared at each other in stunned silence. Then Julienne felt herself begin to smile.
�Is this the good news we have been waiting for?� she asked and she saw the saw hopeful smile mirrored in Augur�s face. Finally they saw a way out of the madness that was their world these days. Before Augur could reply his Global beeped for attention. It was Renee Palmer.
�I take it you�ve seen the news?� she asked and Augur nodded.
�Yes, we have. Good news at last.�
�If we decide to accept these terms, yes.�
�Do you have reason not to accept them?�
�Our demands were very clear. We asked for the release of all prisoners.� came Renee�s answer.
�Oh, come on! You can�t expect the Taelons to set free the ones that hospitalized Thompson.�
�Julia and her team were set up. Or don�t you believe in her innocence?�
�Yes, I do, but there�s still the matter of proving it. In the meantime it won�t hurt Julia�s ego to spend a little more time behind bars.� replied Augur and it made Renee laugh.
�I�m beginning to like you, Augur. You and I think alike.�
�Augur, what about Liam?� whispered Julienne behind Augur and on the small screen of the Global Renee nodded her head.
�I heard your question, Dr. Belman. I�m not moving him yet. The prisoners have to get to safety first. But it won�t be long now. Be ready to move him as soon as I give the okay.�
�Fine,� nodded Julienne.
�You�ll hear from me soon.�
With those words Renee broke the connection and silence descended once more. Julienne got up and walked back to the bedroom.
Leaning against the doorframe she studied Liam�s still form on the bed. By now the antibiotics had a firm grip on the infection and for the first time in 24 hours Liam slept deeply, peacefully, as his body knitted itself back together.
Walking up to his bedside she carefully checked his temperature and pulse. Though he still felt warm his high fever had come down quite a bit over last couple of hours.
Pulling up the chair Julienne sat down to observe Liam�s slack face. His mouth sagged a little, making him look boyish. He shifted slightly with a deep sigh and murmured something in his sleep. Julienne did not hear what he said, but the fleeting smile crossing his young face made her realize that he really was at peace.
A soft cough behind her made her turn to Augur who stood in the doorway.
�How is he?� he asked and she heard the worry in his voice. Smiling she beckoned him over with a finger against her lips to keep him quiet.
�He�s going to be fine, Augur. His fever is coming down rapidly. He is out of danger.�
Augur�s sigh of relief was audible and his customary grim reappeared on his face. It made Julienne realize suddenly how much she had missed that grin over the last couple of days.
�That�s the best news I have had all day. I feel like celebrating!�
�Don�t start partying too soon. Liam still has to get to hospital.� laughed Julienne.
�Renee Palmer is taking care of that.�
�Let�s hope so.�