United as One Read Free Page B

place up to date. When we arrived late last night, I saw that Sam’s dad, Malcolm, was already here, helping a crew of electricians install some of the Mogadorian tech recovered from Ashwood Estates. As far as the army is concerned, Malcolm’s basically an expert on the extraterrestrial.
    Sam and Daniela’s conversation has trailed off, and I quickly realize that it’s because of me. I’m silent, eyes straight ahead, and I’m pretty sure my expression is stuck in neutral. They don’t know how to talk to me anymore.
    â€œJohn, I—” Sam puts a hand on my shoulder, and I can tell he’s going to say something about Sarah. I know what happened to her hurt him bad, too. They grew up together. But I don’t want to have that conversation right now. I don’t want to give in to grieving until this is over.
    I force a halfhearted smile. “Did they give you any tapes for that VCR?” I ask Daniela, clumsily changing the subject.
    â€œ WrestleMania III ,” she says, and makes a face.
    â€œHell yeah, I’ll be by to pick that up later, Danny,” Nine says, emerging from one of the many hallways with a grin.
    Out of all of us, Nine looks the most rested. It’s only been about a day since he and Five brawled all over New York City. I healed the big goon back in New York, and his own superhuman stamina has apparently done the rest. He pats Sam and me hard on the back and joins our procession down the hallway. Of course, Nine acts like there’s nothing wrong at all, and, honestly, I prefer it that way.
    As we pass by, I glance down the hallway Nine camefrom. There are four heavily armed soldiers there, standing guard.
    â€œEverything squared away?” I ask Nine.
    â€œYeah, Johnny,” Nine replies. “They got some pretty whacked-out prison cells in this place, including one that’s straight up padded walls. With Chubby tethered to some cushions and strapped into a straitjacket, he ain’t going anywhere.”
    â€œGood,” Sam says.
    I nod in agreement. Five is a complete psychopath and deserves to be locked up. But if I’m being brutally practical about winning this war, I’m not sure how long we can afford to keep him in a cage.
    We round a corner, and the elevator bank comes into view. Overhead, the halogen lights buzz loudly, and I notice Sam pinching the bridge of his nose.
    â€œMan, do I miss your penthouse, Nine,” Sam says. “Was the only hideout we ever had with mellow lighting.”
    â€œYeah, I miss it too,” Nine replies, a note of nostalgia creeping into his voice.
    â€œThis place is already giving me a serious migraine. Should’ve gotten some dimmer switches to go with those VCRs.”
    There’s a crackle of electricity over our heads, and one of the bulbs flickers out. The hallway lighting is suddenly a whole lot more tolerable. Everyone exceptfor me pauses to look up.
    â€œWell, that was weirdly timed,” says Daniela.
    â€œBetter, though, isn’t it?” Sam says with a sigh.
    I hit the button to call the elevator. The others gather around behind me.
    â€œSo, they’re, uh . . . they’re bringing her back here?” Nine asks, his voice lowered, being about as tactful as he can manage.
    â€œYeah,” I say, thinking about the Loric ship right now descending towards Patience Creek, filled with our friends and allies, and the lost love of my life.
    â€œThat’s good,” Nine says, then coughs into his hand. “I mean, not good. But we can, you know, say good-bye.”
    â€œWe get it, Nine,” Sam says gently. “He knows what you mean.”
    I nod, not prepared to say anything else. The elevator doors open in front of us, and when they do, the words come spilling out.
    â€œThis is the last time,” I say, not turning around to face the others. The words feel like ice in my mouth. “I’m done saying good-bye to people we love.