The first thing Liam became aware of as he slowly woke up was the pain in his left shoulder. It had not been a dream then. He had been shot and operated on by Dr. Belman. The details were fussy though as if seen through a haze and he did not know what had happened since he had passed out. Opening his eyes he gazed up at the ceiling. He was lying in Augur�s bedroom. Turning his head he smiled when he saw Dr. Belman sleeping in the chair by his bedside. Her head had lolled back and her mouth was opened slightly.
Turning his attention back to himself he took stock of how he felt. His shoulder throbbed painfully, but it was not as bad as it had been during the operation. He felt incredibly weak though, probably an effect of the amount of blood he had lost. But all in all he felt better that he had ever hoped possible under these circumstances. Very carefully he pushed himself into a sitting position and he had to take several deep breaths to clear his head as dizziness suddenly jumped him. Okay, so maybe doing this was not the best idea he had ever had, but he had to know what was going on. He was still the leader of the Resistance and he had his duties. When the dizziness faded away and his vision cleared again he slowly stood. His knees felt like they were made of jelly, but they supported his weight well enough and he walked to the door of the bedchamber, cradling his left arm in his right. By the time he lowered himself into a chair behind Augur�s computer console he found himself panting. Switching it on he searched for news of the other Resistance cells
and quickly wished he had not. During the night messages had started pouring in from all over the United States and the news was not good. Everywhere people had been arrested or they had simply gone missing, going underground. Deaths were being reported too. Of Lilli there was no sign anywhere. Julia and her team were facing trial and would most likely be put to death for their supposed part in the attempt on Thompson�s life.
Rubbing his face wearily he sighed deeply. Ever since he had assumed the role of leader of the Resistance this scenario had played in the back of his mind. Sooner or later the Taelons would strike back. He had lived with that fear, hoping against hope not to see this vision come true. Now that it had he was at a loss as to how to cope with it. Truth be told he had never before felt so much his true age. He was scared and worried sick about Lilli. He remembered their last conversation all too well. But the news did not say anything about the Mothership being the object of sabotage, so maybe she had not gone through with her insane plan. The other option he did not even want to think about.
�Liam, what are you doing out of bed?� Julienne suddenly said behind him and he started, biting back a moan as the movement jarred his injured shoulder. He waited for the pain to fade and looked up into her worried face.
�I have to know what�s happening out there. Hell, I should be out there, helping to get people to safety,� he said passionately and Julienne saw the pain in his eyes.
�Liam, you are hurt and you need to heal before you can even think of entering into active service again. But I do understand how you are feeling. How are things out there?�
�Not good. Only a small portion of the Resistance cells has checked in so far. They are reporting many of their members getting arrested. Some people even got killed trying to escape arrest. As to the other cells�I can�t even begin to guess what�s happened to them.� Here Liam paused a moment, �I woke up thinking that this was all a bad dream. The truth is much worse than that.�
Lost for words Julienne softly pressed his right shoulder and she could feel the tension there. In a comforting motherly gesture she pulled him against her and stroked his hear.
�Don�t give up, Liam,� she said softly, �As long as even one Resistance cell is still operating there�s hope. You have to believe that.�
�I�m trying,� sighed Liam, �I�m just so tired of all of it sometimes. Of never being able to live a normal life, of having to look over my shoulder every step I take, of watching the people you love die around you. Some days I just want to pack it all in and leave.�
�I think we all feel that way sometimes, Liam. But you�re not alone in this. I�m here and so are Jonathon and Augur. We are all going through the same thing you are going through. If you ever feel the need to talk or you just need a shoulder to cry on, give me a call. Okay? Anytime.�
�Thanks. I�ll keep that in mind, Dr. Belman,� smiled Liam.
�Good. Now I want you back in bed, young man. You still look way too pale for my liking.�
�I�m fine, really,� protested Liam as he carefully pushed himself up out of Augur�s chair and turned to face her. Dr. Belman planted his fists on her hips and looked ready to do battle and Liam met her stare for stare. Just then Augur walked in, clad in his bathrobe and sleepily rubbing his face. He froze when he saw Liam and Julienne.
�Am I interrupting anything?� he asked and Julienne threw him a look that would have frozen a fire. Wincing Augur threw up his hands and retreated towards the kitchen.
Julienne turned back to Liam and for a few moments they looked at each other. In the end Julienne gave up. What she saw in Liam�s eyes made her feel uneasy. It felt like looking into the eyes of three people at the same time. Sandoval was in his eyes and so were Beckett and Ha�gel, but Liam himself was there too. In the year that had followed his birth Liam had depended on all three of his parents to help him find a place in the world, often relying on their experiences to help him get out of sticky situations. But somewhere during that year he had also developed his own personality. And it was a strong one.
�Alright! Have it your way, Liam. But don�t expect me to catch you when your body finally decides it has had enough!� she fumed at him and he nodded, �Let me at least put your arm in a sling.�
She firmly pushed him back onto the chair and rummaged through her bag until she found the sling. Helping him put it on proved a painful affair and by the time Julienne was ready Liam was pale and sweating. She threw him a `I told you so` look, but he ignored her as he walked to the couch and seated himself. Truth be told he did feel lousy, but he was not going to show it. There was work to be done and he intended to do it. He looked up as Augur approached him with a steaming cup of coffee, which he gratefully accepted.
�So, what was that all about?� asked Augur as he seated himself beside his friend and Liam shook his head.
�You don�t want to know,� he answered, �I�ve checked your messages. From what I can tell the Resistance is history.�
�That bad, huh? Any word of Lilli?�
�None. I haven�t heard from Da�an either.�
�And that worries you?�
�It does. It could mean one of two things. Either my name was mentioned in one of the interrogations and I have a price on my head, or Da�an has been arrested too. Zo�or was wary of him these last few months.�
�Was your name mentioned in one of the news reports?� asked Augur.
�Not yet, but that doesn�t say anything. It could be a trap.�
�In that case we had better lay low until we are sure things are safe again outside. Now, how about some breakfast?�
�Sounds good. I am kind of hungry. Yesterday afternoon was the last time I had anything to eat,� nodded Liam and Augur got up.
�One breakfast coming right up.�
Walking to the kitchen Augur quickly set out to bake some eggs and bacon. He looked up when Julienne suddenly stood next to him.
�That smells too good, Augur,� she smiled and he grinned back.
�I may not be much of a cook, but I sure know how to fry an egg. Can I get you any?�
�No, thanks. I�m going home.�
�You�re sure? It could still be dangerous out there.�
�I know, but I don�t want to raise suspicions by suddenly disappearing of the face of the earth. Besides I may be able to track down Melissa. Keep an eye on Liam for me, will you? I tried to talk him into getting a little more sleep just now, but he flat out refused. Call me if anything changes.�
�Alright, I will. Sure you won�t join us for some breakfast?�
�I�m sure, even if my mouth is watering. I�ll be back in a couple of hours.�
�I�ll see you out.�
Julienne grabbed her coat from the couch where she had dropped it the evening before. Did it really feel like another lifetime? Liam looked up and raised his eyebrows.
�You�re leaving?� he said and she nodded.
�I�ll be back later, but right now I have to know what is happening out there. If I can I�ll try to find out about both Lilli and Melissa. And I�ll see about getting you some painkillers.�
�Be careful.�
�I will.�
Liam looked at her back as Augur helped her into the elevator and she disappeared from sight. Noises to his right made him look the other way and he saw Doors emerge from the spare bedroom fully dressed. The man looked surprised to see Liam sitting on the couch.
�Liam, how are you feeling?� he asked.
�Sore, but I�ll live. How about you?�
�Pretty much the same, though I got a good night sleep. Is that breakfast I�m smelling?�
�It is, Jonathan. It won�t be long now,� grinned Augur as he stepped out of the elevator.
�Where�s Dr. Belman?� asked Doors.
�She�s gone home to see if she can found out anything about Lilli and Melissa. She�ll be back later,� replied Liam.
�I�m leaving too after breakfast.�
�What? Jonathan, you�re a wanted man. What happens if you get caught?�
�I won�t be. Look, Liam, I still have some friends who are willing to help me. I know that down here is the safest place in the world, but I can do so much more out there. I have made up my mind on this matter, Liam. Don�t argue with me.�