The Gender Game 5 by Bella Forrest (uplifting novels .txt) 📕

by bringing Maxen, but she had also taken pains to make sure he got out in the confusion—and had lost her brother in the process. Everyone in the room knew it.

“I agree,” I said. “Better to be cautious than foolhardy. Melissa, if we assume Ashabee is compromised, is this location secure?”

“It is, reasonably. Ashabee pointed out a few places, including an abandoned farm, but I actually found this place on my own, on a lark. He didn’t know about it, so that makes it safe. For now.”

I accepted this with a nod and then looked around. “Anything else?”

Everyone shook their heads, and I nodded again. “All right. Let’s get to it, then. Amber, Owen—discuss what you’ll need for the mission before you get packed up. I want a list for Ms. Dale, so we can keep our inventory organized. Bring it back to me before you head out.”

The effect of my declaration was immediate. Thomas slipped out of the room, muttering about plans and strategies, while Amber and Owen nodded and scooted closer together, quietly discussing what they needed as Amber scribbled on a piece of paper.

Ms. Dale got up and moved over to me, resting a hand on my shoulder, dragging my attention from the two of them. “How is she, really?” she asked, and I sighed, rubbing my eyes in a futile attempt to relieve the headache starting to form.

“She’s going to get worse if we don’t get her that help,” I replied, and Ms. Dale squeezed my shoulder tightly.

“She’s tough. And you made a good call tonight. Several, actually, but the one about the Liberators… I’ve thought it over, and it’s a good idea. They have training, and they can help us. I’m just glad you came to the decision.” I gave her a curious look, and she shot me a half-smile, her expression wistful. “I thought if I brought it up, it would seem too… self-interested.”

Frowning, I reached up and covered her hand with mine, giving her a little squeeze back. “How is he?” Ms. Dale knew I was referring to Henrik. She didn’t respond, but I could tell when her expression froze into that unreadable mask that his prognosis still wasn’t good. “We’ll get them to come,” I told her, confident. “Dr. Tierney will be able to help him.”

Ms. Dale gave me a hard look. “You and I are too old to believe in miracles, Mr. Croft.”

“Whoa—I’m not that old,” I retorted. “But please, tell me, what was the earth like before the destruction of mankind?”

She withdrew her hand and smacked me smartly on the arm, but she was smiling, a twinkle in her eyes. I chuckled as I rubbed the spot, and then turned to Amber and Owen, who were in the process of rising from their chairs. Owen handed me the list, and I skimmed it, noting the subvocalizers on the equipment list.

“Looks good,” I said with a nod. “Just make sure you grab enough for the three of us.”

8

Viggo

There was a long pause after my announcement, and I saw confusion flit over the faces of everyone in the room. Amber gave me an especially dubious look. “The three of us?” she repeated, her voice rising with the question.

“Yes,” I replied, standing up. “You, Owen, and me. I’m going with you.”

Owen gave me an alarmed look, shaking his head. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Viggo. You might want to sit this one out.”

“Yeah,” said Amber. “We might get a pass because the Liberators have known us for a long time, and that alone might make them willing to hear us out. If you’re there… they won’t be so inclined to talk to us.”

“Well, that’s too bad, because I’m going,” I replied calmly. Owen and Amber exchanged looks, and I noticed Amber shift her gaze over to Ms. Dale, a pleading look in her eyes. I suppressed a sigh. I knew this was not going to be an easy sell—it was why I had waited until after the meeting to bring it up. Yet I was resolved to go with them, whether they liked it or not. I just needed to convince them.

Ms. Dale studied my face closely, crossing her arms. “Why do you want to go?” she asked.

“For one thing, Violet’s life is on the line,” I replied. “But honestly, it’s more than that. We’re trying to convince them not only to break from Desmond, but also to join with us. And that means with Violet and me. They need to come to terms with the fact we aren’t traitors.”

“I agree, but it still doesn’t make sense, Viggo,” replied Owen. “Why not let us go, show them the video, and then explain about you?”

“It’s a point of integrity at this point, Owen,” I replied patiently, my weariness thrumming underneath the argument like a sluggish current in my brain. But this was important, dammit. “I need to show them that, in spite of them supporting Desmond when she ran us out, we’re still willing to be their allies,” I continued. “It’s the best way to put a positive foot forward.”

Owen seemed to take a moment to consider. “That’s a good point,” he said. “I hadn’t thought of it like that.”

Amber gaped at Owen and then shook her head emphatically. “It’s admirable, but still a really bad idea. They don’t trust you, and they’ll trust us less with you there.”

“That might be true,” I replied, “but we have no idea what you’re walking into. For all we know, they’ll throw you in a cell and call Desmond. I’d rather be there, just in case—because I know cells and how to get out of them. We’ll work better as a team. Besides…” I let a little smile crawl onto my face. “I think it might actually bother me if something happened to you both.”

A ghost of a smile crossed over Owen’s face, but Amber rolled her eyes at my joke, clearly not amused. She opened her mouth to argue, but