“…Fifteen minutes ago the transfer of the 109 prisoners from the Mothership started as the Resistance accepted the offer made by the US Government and the Taelon Synod. This is considered to be the first victory for the Resistance since President Thompson declared the National State of Emergency just three days ago. In exchange for the prisoners Major Liam Kincaid, who was apparently wounded during his kidnapping, will be delivered to DC General in the next couple of hours…”

“This is it.” said Julienne and Augur nodded, suddenly nervous.

“Yes, it is.” nodded the hacker.

“I’ll wake Melissa.”

*********************************************

Kneeling down beside Melissa’s bed Julienne softly shook her shoulder. Melissa blinked against the light and frowned when she saw her friend, instantly worried.

“Julienne? What’s wrong? Is it Liam?” she asked.

“Liam’s fine. His fever is almost gone. But we have to move him. Renee Palmer’s actions have gotten results.”

“They’re releasing the prisoners?”

“Being moved as we speak. Renee will be here soon. We have to get Liam ready.”

“Give me a couple of minutes.” nodded Melissa as she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Julienne left her alone and just as Melissa finished dressing she heard the doors of the elevator open. Renee Palmer emerged just as Melissa stepped into the cave, her fingers combing her hair. The young woman wore black denims and a black sweater, obviously ready for action.

“It’s time.” She stated simply. Her gaze sought out Melissa and she smiled at the doctor.

“Dr. Park. You’ll be paged within the next half hour. The staff at DC General wants you there to treat Liam when he arrives. You are his doctor of record, right?”

“Yes, I am. But the last time I looked I was still under suspicion.”

“Not anymore. A couple of hours ago new evidence came to light. Your good name has been cleared.”

“You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?” Melissa said with a small smile and Renee smiled back.

“I hope so, Dr. Park. We don’t have much time left. Liam has to get ready.”

Nodding grimly Melissa walked to the bedroom, followed closely by Julienne. Sitting down on the edge of the bed she looked at Liam for a few moments. His cheeks still held a light flush, a sure sign that the fever had not left him completely yet, but he slept deeply. She felt relieved now that she knew he would be alright, but she was fearful as well. A million things could go wrong between this bedroom and the one he would be assigned at DC General, things she did not want to think about. As if she felt her friend’s worry Julienne placed her hand on her shoulder to squeeze it gently.

“It seems such a waste to wake him now that he sleeps this peacefully.” Melissa said a little wistfully and Julienne smiled above her.

“Yes, it is, but it has to be done. For all our sakes.”

“You’re right, but I don’t have to like it.”

Melissa turned her attention back to Liam. Softly stroking his cheek she called out his name en he opened his eyes. Seeing Melissa above him a smile curved his lips.

“Dr. Park. I did not expect you to still be here.” he said drowsily, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. How are you feeling?”

“Sore and tired. What happened?”

“What do you remember?”

“Just bits and pieces. I remember feeling hot.”

“You developed a bad infection in your shoulder and got feverish.” explained Melissa and she quickly smiled in reassurance when Liam glanced at his left arm, “Don’t worry. Your shoulder and arm are still there. Jonathan got you some antibiotics and you’re well on your way to recovery. Do you remember the news bulletin that stated you’d been kidnapped by the Resistance?”

“It does ring a bell somewhere in the distance.”

“Well, the Taelons bought it. They agreed to release the people they were still holding onboard the Mothership. Doors is having them moved somewhere safe. Now it is time to honor our part of the agreement, which is delivering you to DC General.”

“Is this all Doors’ idea?” asked Liam, somewhat awed by what had happened in the last couple of days.

“His and Renee Palmer’s.”

“I don´t know who she is, but I’d like to meet her.”

“You will soon enough. For now though we have to get you out of bed and into your clothes.”

Liam simply nodded and tried to sit up. Only now did he realize how weak he really was. Getting out of bed would have been impossible without the help of both Julienne and Melissa. The room spun out of control by the time he was standing and he had to take a several deep breaths to clear his head. Getting dressed proved to be a painful affair as his left arm got jarred a number of times and he was pale and sweating by the time they finished.

Jonathan had graciously delivered a fresh shirt with the antibiotics as Liam’s shirt had been cut to bits to get him out of it when he had first been brought back to Augur’s place after the shooting. Last Melissa draped his wool jacket over his shoulders. Looking down at the shoulder of the jacket Liam winced when he saw the bullet hole and the dark blood caked around it.

“Is something wrong, Liam?” Julienne asked when she saw his expression and he shook his head.

“I’m fine, Dr. Belman. I just realized I’ll have to go and buy myself a new jacket now.”

“Yes, it does seem a waste, doesn’t it? Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s meet Renee Palmer.” Liam nodded and leaning on Melissa he walked out of the bedroom.

Augur looked very happy to see him back on his feet as he came toward him and gave him a quick pat on the right shoulder.

“Hey, kid, good to see you´re doing better. How are you feeling?” he said and Liam smiled at his friend.

“Still a bit sore, but I’ll live.” He would have said more but just then Renee Palmer moved away from the console she had been leaning against and stepped into his line of vision. For a moment she looked him over as if to size up her opponent. Then she stepped forward.

“Major Kincaid, I have heard a lot about you,” she said as she extended her hand.

“And you must be Renee Palmer.” answered Liam as he accepted her hand and shook it.

“Correct. Jonathan thinks quite highly of you. He wants us to work together.”

Really, thought Liam, now that would be a first. But he did not speak these words. Instead he kept on smiling at the blond woman.

“That would seem to be in both our interests, Miss Palmer.”

“And humanity´s. Please, call me Renee.”

“Alright, Renee, I´m Liam. I take it you´re here to take me to DC General?”

“Yes, I have a van parked and ready outside the church. Are you up to this ride?”

“Looking forward to it. I haven´t been outside since…” Here he nodded towards his injured shoulder and Renee nodded in sympathy.

“I´ll be gentle,” she promised.

Just then Melissa´s pager beeped. Looking at it she saw a number at the hospital and she silently accepted Augur´s global.

“Melissa, I´m so glad to see you.” said a female voice on the other end.

“Likewise, Suzan. You paged me?”

“Yes, have you been following the news these last few hours?”

“You mean the news concerning Major Kincaid? Yes, I´ve seen it.”

“Then you´ll know that we´re expecting him any moment. We would like you to come over, seeing as you are his doctor of record.”

“Do you have any information on the nature of his injury?” Melissa asked. She had to make this sound good. Her colleague shook her head.

“No, nothing. I´m assuming though that it´s nothing life threatening or they would have called for help by now, don´t you think?”

“Maybe. Okay, I´m at my sister´s place now. I can probably make it in about half an hour. That is if the roadblocks let me pass without making too much trouble.”

“I´ll make sure everything is ready for the both of you. Should Major Kincaid arrive before you do, don´t worry. He´s in good hands.”

“I´m counting on that. I´ll see you in a bit, Suzan.”

Closing the connection and handing the global back to Augur Melissa turned to Liam. He looked nervous and she squeezed his good shoulder in support.

“Alright, I´m leaving now. How long do I have before you arrive, Renee?”

“I´m giving you an hour head start. That should give you enough time to get to DC General. Don´t worry, Dr. Park. I´ll take good care of Liam for you.”

“Make sure you do that. Liam, I´ll be seeing you a bit later. I´ll make sure you get the room with the best view.”

“Thanks, Park.” Liam grinned and he pulled her close for a quick hug. Augur escorted Melissa to the elevator and Liam watched her back until the doors closed behind her.
Julienne got up from the couch.

“Would anyone like to eat something before we take further action?” she asked.