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  “Speaking of whom…” Mac paused for a moment and adjusted her legs. “He’s back at Northland Base. He wants to talk.”

  Talice stopped her pacing. “Then he’s got something for us. Colonel Fawkes is using him as a lure.”

  “Really? Why wouldn’t Fawkes just send you a message?”

  Talice sat again and shrugged. “We… haven’t talked for a while. Since before I about dropped dead. Ancient history, most likely.”

  Mac gave her a look. “Okay, but… why?”

  “I told you a long time ago. My bugs. Having kids. They don’t mix.”

  “Your decision or his?”

  “Come on, Mac… mine.”

  Mac sighed. “I’m sorry, Princess.”

  Talice rose to pace again. “Look… we’ve still got half a year before we can do anything. Let’s work together to get stronger, and stay in touch with the team. Then we can all decide together. Maybe we’ll open a used-merc merchandise shop.”

  Mac grinned. “We’d have to steam clean all the HCSs.”

  Talice laughed, then sat again and took Mac’s hands. “But you know the most important thing to me?”

  Mac shook her head, a smile starting to form.

  “Watching Bud’s face when you walk into The Olde Place on your new legs. That would really make my day, lady.”

  * * *

  Ten days went by, then serious stuff began. Resistance training started, and as the old saying went “It’s not the years, it’s the mileage”. Whatever “mileage” was. Talice had to look it up.

  Mac was nearly in tears after the first three days. For that matter, so was Talice. So they leaned on each other’s shoulders, fighting back the whimpers and moans and screams. Mac joked that it all sounded like the worst sex movie she’d ever seen.

  They pushed each other and themselves to their limits, then past them. Mac’s Drill Instructor voice resurfaced. Talice’s “anything worth doing is worth overdoing” attitude returned. Somehow, some way, they pushed past the pain and agony and frustration while cheering each other on.

  All the while, Babs and her therapy team kept track of every lift, every stretch, every set, every cycle of exercises. Took vitals. Monitored meals. Upped Talice’s intake of Super-Hydration fluid to four bottles a day. Changed her Cemlac-12Ultra patch twice a day and watched for toxicity.

  Babs made them feel like they were training for the Theian Olympics, but it was even more important than that.

  They were training for the rest of their lives. Whatever might come.

  It went on for sixty days.

  By then, Mac was standing on her own. Still not ready to walk, but close.

  Talice held her old DI as she cried with joy that night, careful that no one else would hear.

  * * *

  The Office of Doctor Barbra Cromwell…

  “So do you think I’m ready to rejoin the living?” Talice sat with Babs, going over her chart and looking anxious. She set the SLATE away, waiting for an answer.

  “Do you? Honestly, Talice, you’ve probably been ready for the last ten days, but I kept you here for a couple of reasons.”

  Talice nodded. “Let me guess… my language around your young interns?”

  They laughed quietly together.

  Babs grew more serious. “I wanted you here for Mac. She’s still struggling, and it’s going to take time. Any cloned limbs or organs have to learn a lifetime of experience in less than a year. Mac is on schedule, but it’s our schedule, not hers.”

  Babs brought up a page on the SLATE. “I have an offer for you. You’re going back to the training center, right? And Mac will be living there as well?”

  “We’ve got a bit less than two years on the lease and that’s the plan. I still have my apartment in Anchor Prime, but I’m at the Center most of the time.”

  Babs considered for a moment. “Facilities at the Center are still pretty good. If I release Mac to your care, and follow up in person once every ten days or so, can you keep her on schedule? She’s got to stay on it or there will be serious issues down the line.”

  Talice shook her head. “Like what? I thought—”

  Babs raised a hand. “Yes, and so did Mac, until I explained to her. If she doesn’t continue to stimulate her legs adequately, they could atrophy in a hurry. Basically, she has baby legs, never used. She’s got over forty years of catchup to do. Standing on her own after ninety days beyond the attachment surgery is… well, it’s barely on schedule. She needs to be walking before half the year is up.”

  Babs rose and poured tea at the sideboard and set a cup before Talice. She sat and drank from her own. “You’re ready for the real world again. There’s nothing more you can do here. Either the C-12Ultra is gonna work or it isn’t. And I’ll be honest, Talice… I don’t know how much more your system can take. We’ve made progress with a cure, but we still don’t have it. And we might never. We think the C-12Ultra is good for another three or four years, maybe longer. After that…”

  Talice was silent, then drank slowly. “You’ve kept me alive longer than promised, and for that I’m truly grateful.” She looked at Babs. “I can go back to my real job if I want?”

  “Since you enjoy getting shot at so much, I’d never keep you from it.”

  They laughed again.

  “The main reason I’m asking is simple. If you’re not here, Mac may slack off.”

  Talice shook her head emphatically. “No, not Mac. Never.”

  “I’ve seen it happen. If she’s around you to work with her, she’s much more likely to continue. And progress. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt if you kept up the exercises, too. You’re not getting any younger, lady.”

  “So I get to be her DI? Sure that’ll work?”

  “It’ll work. Mac respects you. You’re like her annoying little sister. She needs that sort of annoyance right now, more than anything.”

  Talice drank again, considering. “If you’re there every ten days, I can probably do it. Still, if you show up and I’m dead, you know who did it.”

  Babs smiled. “Good. I’ll talk to Mac later today and tell her the good news. But you have to promise you’ll keep her on task. Seriously, Talice, if she ever wants to walk again, it will be your doing. What she’s going through has a success rate of less than sixty percent. Some people just… give up.”

  “Not Mac. She’ll work herself to death before that.”

  Babs nodded. “And that’s where you come in. She’s in your hands. Stay on top of the situation and make her work. Do it with her, and it will be better for both of you.”

  Talice sighed. “Yes, doctor. Hua.”

  Babs stood, smiling again. “And on second thought, a change of plans. Let’s go tell her together.”

  * * *

  The Office of Lt. Colonel Harlan Fawkes…

  Talice entered the outer office of the Base HQ.

  The young orderly smiled and rose. “Ms. Wyloh. We haven’t seen you for a while. I hear you’re doing well.”

  Talice nodded, forcing a smile in return. “I received a commtext from the colonel, and I assume you got a copy. Is he available?”

  “He was expecting you to respond quickly.” The orderly opened the corridor door leading to the inner offices. “This way, please.”

  Talice noticed the fresh paint and new pictures on the wall as they made their way. She stopped before the expected door, but the orderly motioned her further down the corridor.

  “We’ve done some rearranging. New arrivals, and all that.” She knocked at the last door on the left and opened it. “Ms. Wyloh, sir.”

  Talice stepped into the office and came to attention. The door closed. Fawkes rose from his desk. For a long moment, they simply held each other’s gaze.

  “Welcome back,” Fawkes said at last. “Good to see you.”

  Talice showed a tight smile. “You, too. I…”

  “Tea?”

  “Sure. Yes, please.” Anything to keep my mind from where it’s going right now. Gee
z, this is a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be.

  Fawkes drew tea from the dispenser and handed the cup to Talice. He motioned to the chair, and she sat. He took his ever-present cup of coffee to his desk and sat as well.

  “I hear Mac is doing great, too. I stopped in during her early recovery, but haven’t seen her for a while.”

  Talice nodded. “We’re headed back to the training center tomorrow. Start getting the gang back together.”

  “Speaking of which…” Fawkes picked up a sheaf of papers. “There are things going on that might interest you. Do you still have your benefactor?”

  “Scarbach?” Talice chuckled. “Yeah, he’s on retainer, you might say. Abie and her crew, same thing. Bird One is ready to fly.”

  “You probably heard Gorg Evans is back in the fold, too.”

  Talice nodded. “Is there a reason you simply didn’t tell me instead of Mac?”

  Fawkes gave her a look. “You were in serious shape at the time, Talice, just out of medical stasis. I happened to mention it to Mac during our visit. No malice was intended.”

  “… Okay, I can understand that. So what’s up? More Nemesis? New bad guys needing a butt-whipping?”

  “Before we talk about details, tell me what the status of your team is.”

  Talice sighed. “Scattered to the winds. I’ve heard from most of them recently, but it may take time just to get everyone back together. If you haven’t heard, Nikolay and Bělinka are parents now, a little girl. And Martin was killed in an operation with another team.”

  Fawkes shook his head, frowning. “I’d heard none of that. Very sorry for Martin, he was a good Marine in his time. And I guess a congratulations to the new parents is in order.”

  “So the team makeup may change quite a bit, as you can imagine.”

  Fawkes drank his coffee, considering. “Then the next question becomes a bit more important. Are you still interested in doing this?”

  Talice set her cup aside. “Mac and I talked about this a while back. She still has sixty days before she’s walking. I’m basically her handler now, Babs wants her to get back to a normal setting, not the Therapy Center. I agreed to help her along.”

  Fawkes looked away, still thinking. “I’m not sure this is a good idea then—”

  “Colonel, the core of the team is still intact. Niky and Bělinka may still be interested. If so, we just need a replacement for Martin. If not, we need a new comm expert and an ordnance wizard. The big guys are all still on board, I would imagine.”

  Fawkes nodded. “Why don’t you confirm with everyone and let me know? Then we’ll talk about the mission.”

  Talice leaned forward. “So it’s really a mission, not just ‘things going on’?”

  The colonel sighed. “You don’t have a ‘slow down a bit speed’, do you?”

  You should know. Talice sat back. “You’re right, I need to talk to everyone personally. For all I know, Rory may be a sheep rancher by now.”

  Fawkes actually laughed out loud.

  She stood. “I’ll get back to you in a couple of days, if you can spare that much time.”

  Fawkes stood, and nodded. “That’s fine. In the meantime… would you like to have dinner together tonight?”

  Talice hesitated, then grinned. “That same old place?”

  “The Running Foxxe, yes. They miss us there.”

  She dithered, then shrugged. “I could probably stand to get away from the Base for a few hours. Shall I meet you there, say 2000 Hours?”

  Fawkes nodded. “Looking forward to it. And Talice…”

  She paused at the door.

  “I’m glad you’re better. I was very worried for a while.”

  “Yeah… I guess what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.”

  She closed the door quietly as she left. Okay, Wyloh, now what? I haven’t seen him for damn near a year and the memories all come back like yesterday. Keep your knees together, or you’ll really be in trouble.

  * * *

  The Running Foxxe…

  Talice was greeted by the hostess and shown to the table that had become the customary one for her and Fawkes, when they had been regulars… two years before. She drank half a bottle of sparkling water before he arrived. The C-12Ultra seemed to be working, but she noticed she was more thirsty than before.

  Fawkes arrived, handsome as ever. Talice still had no evening wear besides her black pantsuit, and it almost hung on her slender frame now. She hadn’t gotten back to her pre-“I know I’m gonna die this time” weight and didn’t care. She was alive, and knew the colonel was aware of her condition.

  She rose and gave him a brief hug. He was trim in a classic houndstooth jacket, crisp white shirt, and dark trousers. Talice almost felt underdressed, with all the Dress Blues and LBDs in the place.

  They sat, and Fawkes slid a small box across the table. “A ‘glad you’re better’ present.”

  Talice opened the box, having an idea what was in it. Yep, there it was… the commset disguised as an ancient wristwatch, the same one he’d given her before. That she’d returned.

  “I take it this is a peace offering?”

  “Yes. Honestly, it may be handy next time you’re out of town.”

  She sighed. “Thank you. Actually, I sort of missed it.” She slid it onto her wrist and tightened the clasp.

  Fawkes watched approvingly. “I’ve worried about you for over a year. I was afraid we’d never get to do this again.”

  “And is there jazz in the plans for tonight?” “Jazz” was a code word between them, meaning “we need to talk in private about business matters”.

  Fawkes paused before shaking his head. “Tonight is just for us, and a pleasant evening. Maybe a walk later, if you’re up to it.”

  Talice recalled the last time she and Fawkes had taken a walk. We spent a lot of time together horizonal as that evening came to a close. And most of the next day. Easy, Wyloh. Reminiscing can get you in a lot of trouble.

  “In that case, let’s order, because I’ve not eaten since this morning.”

  “Appetite problems? Everything okay?”

  Talice showed a crooked grin. “Saving it up for tonight. I’m gonna sample the whole menu if I can.”

  Fawkes smiled.

  Dinner was grand, and three hours later they were at the waterfront. Talice had steered them toward Harbor Row, Pier Thirteen, where… so many things had happened. Damn near getting into a fight, first with a couple of would-be muggers, then a horny security guard. Meeting Jance face to face, twice. Then with the colonel… and everything that followed.

  “So, is it business you want to discuss?” asked Fawkes, recognizing the place.

  “Yes and no. I guess.”

  “That’s what I like about you. Good, direct answers.”

  They laughed together.

  “Colonel, Jance Sukano is still out there somewhere. Mac and I have talked about this, and she says I should let it lie. I don’t know if I can do that.”

  “Personal or honestly business reasons? It’s important, Talice. You have to know in your heart why you want to find her.”

  “Both. For me, why the hell has she singled me out? For other people…”

  “Like who?”

  Talice looked at him squarely. “You know the answer to that. Aya. Gorg Evans. Hell, my whole team, who risked their lives after Jance’s plans fell apart. If not for Aya, I don’t know if we could have saved anyone. Not even ourselves.”

  Fawkes nodded, looking grim. They watched the waters for a while as a yacht docked at the end of the pier. The harbor was quiet tonight. Three couples strolled by, laughing together. He waited, as they passed beyond earshot. “And as you’ve probably worked out, all of that is part of this mission situation. Gorg is back. He wants to talk. He’s going back undercover.”

  Talice shook her head. “Why? What more does he have to prove?”

  “Same as you. He talks about Aya all the time. Like you talk about Jance.”

&
nbsp; Talice looked into the distance. “When does all this go down?”

  “As I said in my office, depends on your team. If there’s any way, bring Nikolay and Bělinka back.” Fawkes held his hand before Talice could reply. “I know, they’re new parents and likely won’t do it. But this could be more important than even the Crius operation. That’s what Gorg needs to find out.”

  Talice mulled his words, thinking. “So… if he’s going undercover again, this must mean, what, sixty days at least.”

  Fawkes nodded. “Which gives you and your team time to get back in shape. You have the training facility at your disposal. If you need personnel for exercises, let me know. I’ve got plenty of new recruits you can show how real Marines fight.”

  Talice stood a little straighter. “Thank you. Okay, that’s business, unless there’s something else. What now?”

  Fawkes moved a bit closer. “I really hadn’t thought about it…”

  “Bull.” Talice grinned.

  He put his arm around her, and she leaned into his embrace.

  “Let’s just enjoy the ocean air for a bit. We’re both still healing from a lot of things.”

  Talice snuggled closer, breathing in his scent. You got that right. And now I don’t know what the hell to do. Fucking bugs. Fucking hormones.

  She kissed his cheek and sighed.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Do We Have the Time? (Part Two)

  Head Count

  “Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons.

  And they will follow you into the deepest valley.”

  Sun Tzu, “The Art of War”

  Bergan-Okafor Marine Training Facility (decommissioned)…

  They gathered once again; perhaps for the last time, perhaps not. No one knew. Not even Talice. If she had her choice, it would never end. They’d all just retire and tell stories to each other of how they escaped death… again. And again. And again. Then laugh their butts off, raise a toast, and do it all over.

  Mac had made it safely, settled in well, and for three days she and Talice did their diligence at the fitness center early. Babs had given Talice a SLATE filled with routines, schedules, meal info, checklists, checkboxes, and assorted notes and recommendations. The kind that were not really “recommended”, they were “mandatory”. Talice was determined not to let Mac fail. Or herself, for that matter.