Waking up to hot and cold spells and shivers Liam slowly realized what was happening to him. He had a fever. His throat felt parched and he was in desperate need of some water. Groaning he pushed himself up. The pain in his shoulder was still there, though different than before. It felt hot and that made it worse somehow. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed he tried to stand. Instantly the room swam and he had to sit down again before he fell. Leaning forward he supported his head on his right hand and took a couple of deep breaths. He had never felt this bad before. His body shivered uncontrollably and his teeth chattered. He was being consumed by flames one moment and freezing the next. Slowly his vision cleared and the room stopped spinning. Giving standing another try he slowly put his weight on his feet and this time he managed it. He wrapped a blanket around his shoulders and slowly made his way to the door. He opened it and had to wait until his eyes adjusted to the light in the cave. As he stood there he could hear part of a heated discussion and heard his name.
�You�re sure this wasn�t Liam�s idea?� The voice belonged to Julienne Belman.
�Yeah, I�m sure! Liam would have told me about it. I have no idea who authorized this. Not that it really matters. Whoever is responsible just bought him an alibi.�
Intrigued Liam stepped forward into the cave. In normal circumstances it might have been funny to see Augur, Melissa and Julienne turn as one to face him, but just then he felt cold invade his body and he clutched the blanket closely about himself in an effort to keep warm. Seeing his discomfort Melissa rushed over and she helped him to a chair.
�You shouldn�t be out of bed, Liam,� she told him as she touched his forehead and cheeks. Where before he had just been warm, he now felt hot and clammy to her touch. She did not like it one bit.
�I was thirsty,� he said.
�I�ll get you something to drink then.�
As she walked away Liam wiped his hand over his face and turned to Augur.
�So, what were you talking about just now?�
�Well, there is an unexpected development. Here, look at this,� his friend said as he handed him a Global. The news flash was short and to the point.

�In a statement issued just minutes ago the Resistance let the world know that they are holding Major Liam Kincaid hostage. This is the first open action the Resistance has taken since President Thompson declared the state of emergency just yesterday. Major Kincaid, Protector to the North American Companion Da�an, has been missing since yesterday afternoon. The anonymous spokesman for the Resistance said that they will set Major Kincaid free in return for the release of all Resistance members currently being held aboard the Taelon Mothership. No official reaction to this news has so far been given by either the Government or the Taelon Synod.�

Frowning Liam handed Augur the Global back.
�I don�t understand this,� he said and Augur shrugged.
�Neither do I, but right now I don�t care. You have just been given an alibi. You are still Da�an�s Protector!�
�That may be so, but whoever is responsible has also made sure that we can still not go to a hospital. It would raise suspicions if he turned up again so soon after this news,� said Julienne in frustration as she slanted a look at Liam. He sat slumped in the chair, shivering constantly. His eyes were unusually bright and his cheeks an unhealthy shade of red. Perspiration made his face glisten and his breathing sounded strained. Melissa came back and handed Liam a glass of water. He downed it in one go and still felt thirsty afterwards.
�Liam, why don�t you go back to sleep now?� said Julienne and he instantly shook his head.
�No, I have to stay here.�
�Then at least lie down on the couch. You�ll be much more comfortable there. Look at yourself, Liam. You can hardly stay upright in that chair. Besides I want to have a look at your shoulder. Your wound needs redressing," Melissa pleaded with him and in the end he nodded. Between them the two women got him to his feet and to the couch where they made him lie down. As Julienne went to get a pillow Melissa carefully unwound the bandage. Liam hissed as the bandage came lose from where it had got stuck to his skin and she smiled an apology. Frowning she studied the wound. It looked red with infection and when she cleaned it Liam moaned softly with pain. When she was done bandaging him again she placed the pillow beneath his head and pulled the blanket up to his chin. For a few minutes Liam struggled to stay awake, but his throbbing head made it difficult to think and he soon lost his grip on reality. As he fell into a restless slumber Melissa looked up at Julienne.
�The infection is getting worse. Well have to do something soon, Julienne.�
Just then Augur�s Global beeped and he opened it to see Doors� face.
�Are you okay, Jonathan?� asked Augur and the other man nodded.
�Yes, I�m fine and safe. How is Liam?�
�Not good. His wound is infected and he needs medication. Can you help?�
�I�ll see what I can do. Put Dr. Park on. I need to know exactly what she needs.�

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