Abel eyed his brother as they made their way back towards the infirmary. One of Cain's hands was clearly broken, but this wasn't what concerned Abel. It was the way his brother had been acting both before he had noticed Abel and after. There had been a wild sort of fever about his brother. He had killed the enemy with a single-minded fervor.
A shiver raced through Abel. The Cain he knew was always by the book, to the point he was rather annoying about it. He had never given a single hint he would slaughter a room full of people without a second thought about it. Perhaps he had seconds thoughts about it. Abel wasn't Cain and contrary to popular belief he couldn't read Cain's mind.
The only bright side about all of this was it seemed Asran and Barack had both warmed up to Abel. Well, at the very least they were both no longer frightened of him. It was a good sign he was able to counter Hall's damned order to destroy the camera. As far as these two went at the very least. There was still a chance the rest of the colony would never come to accept Abel.
Ugh. If only he had thought of a back up plan to ensure his family's safety. The chances of gaining the entire colony's support was looking grim after day one. Granted the day wasn't over just yet.
They exited the elevator and made their way back to where Abel had left Tabitha in charge of the medical bay's defense. He knew the enemy had already vanished from the area given what had been reported. Thus, it was no surprise they met no resistance as Abel led them back towards the medical bay.
The barrier was still in place when Abel came into view of the space set up to defend medical bay during the attack. The soldiers moved into attention the moment they saw Abel and Cain approaching. There was no look of fear in their eyes as there had been before. Nothing remained of it. Instead, their salute felt almost earnest.
It was a matter to ponder later. Right then getting Cain medical attention needed to be seen to. "Asran, escort Major Nightlord into the medical bay. Make certain someone sees to his injuries."
Cain's eyes narrowed. "Abel," he started.
"It isn't up for debate," Abel bit back the urge to snarl at his twin. "You're injured. Not only that but you're the leader of the colony. With you now being under my care, you need to be in the medical bay." Abel turned his attention to Tabitha.
The lieutenant had stopped a few paces away, only taking a step towards them when she noticed Abel's gaze on her. "Sir." She saluted both Abel and Cain. "There were no attacks on the medical bay while you were away. I had a few men scout the area and it seems the general vicinity is clear."
"Good. Take a few men with you and inspect further away from the medical bay on the starboard side. I'll have Barack do the same for port side."
"Understood." Her sharp gaze softened. A small smile on her otherwise stern features. "I take it you intend to remain here, sir?"
"Until it is determined to be safe," Abel stated. He had a nasty feeling that smile was telling him not to join a patrol. This could just be his imagination speaking though. He honestly wasn't certain at this point.
"Understood, sir!" Tabitha turned and went to gather a few men.
"I'll see to it as well." Barack saluted Abel before he went to gather a few men as well.
Cain hadn't moved and thus neither had Asran.
Abel scowled. "Cain," he started, dropping formality.
"Fine, fine. Just don't get killed." Cain sighed and started towards the medical bay.
A shiver raced through Abel again. It was all too easy to see his brother sword still in hand and eyes wild with fury. Abel shook his head. He couldn't think about that. It did him no good to dwell on what couldn't be changed. The ship needed securing and he needed to organize more patrols to ensure something like this never happened again.
Cold settled in his gut. What if this was only the start? The first attack for a much larger scheme?
Abel forced himself to take a deep breath. Again, not something to think about right then. He needed to make certain the civilians were safe. Yet, there was no sending more people out until it was confirmed all locations were secure.
The soft sound of people walking towards Abel made him turn. His gaze fell over a security detachment that had been sent to the bridge. It wasn't the full group. Three of them flanked –
"Seth!" Abel moved towards his little sister. His heart light as he looked her over for any sign of injury. There was none. Relief washed over him in a dizzying wave. His precious little sister was unharmed. If those rebels had harmed her… but they hadn't and that was what mattered in the here and now.
"Hi!" Seth gave their childhood salute as Abel approached her. "The bridge is all clear," she reported with a small smile. "I left a few of the security there to ensure it remains that way."
"Well done." Abel returned her smile with one of his own. He didn't know if it showed how relieved he was or not. All that mattered was Seth and the bridge were safe. "Was anyone lost in the defense?"
"Nope." There was no hint of pride in her voice. "But I couldn't capture any prisoners as well. They retreated when they realized what was going on. The group killed those who were injured in their retreat which meant they left no one we could question."
Damn it. What the hell was wrong with that group? It made Abel all the gladder he hadn't sided with them, being enhanced or otherwise didn't warrant killing your own people.
"It's fine," Abel stated. "I'm just happy your safe and proud you kept the bridge from falling."
"Thank you, dear brother." Seth smiled, a real smile this time. Her green eyes glittered.
"I sent out two patrols, we'll know more once they've returned."
"All right." Seth looked around. "Where are Cain and Lilith?"
"In the medical bay. Cain broke his hand," Abel explained.
"Really? How?"
Abel hesitated. His sister had more than proven herself and thus he didn't doubt she had right to know what had happened. Still, to reveal what Cain had done and the reason why, would it be wise? Sure, Seth wasn't a kid, she only appeared thirteen. Heck, Abel knew his sister was one of the brightest minds on Earth. The fact remained she was his little sister. He didn't want to overly worry her.
Abel took a deep breath before he explained what had happened.
Seth frowned as her eyes widened. "They captured Cain? But he's the best fighter out of the four of us." Seth shook her head. "I can't picture him going without a fight."
"They most likely used a drug to knock him out. They attempted the same with me," Abel explained.
"Really?"
"I take it they didn't have a chance to do so with you."
"No." Seth shook her head. "I don't think the rebels even realized I was on the bridge until after they attacked it."
That was good. It meant the fighting wouldn't have been as intense there. Yet, what else could the rebels have been after? It didn't make sense why they would attack now. A ship, while designed to keep people alive in space, wasn't the safest place in the world to fight on. If the haul was breached, it could have spelled disaster for everyone on broad.
If the group had only wanted to get at Abel and his family than there was a better way to do it than at gun point. There was a chance whoever was backing this group had something else in mind. The Canadian representative for the colony being one of the rebels was also concerning. There was someone extremely powerful backing this group.
What was it they sought to achieve? The colony was the only means Earth had to survive overpopulation and the lack of raw materials. Sure, there was still the material they had mined, but all of it was in use and what little remained in the mines was already assigned to projects and repairing damages done over the years to the domes.
"It's a good thing they didn't," Abel spoke.
There was time to figure out what the rebels were planning. In the meantime, Abel needed to focus on ensuring the people of the colony were safe. He could have a group aid Sargent Kudza in learning more about what had happened in why. Given what little Abel knew about Solomon's health, it would be wise to place the group under his direct command. Solomon was a brilliant man; he would be perfect for the role, and it would still allow him to be charged with a section of security.
Seth nodded. "I just hope Cain's all right. He's never been defeated before or taken by surprise."
"He'll be fine." Abel placed his hand on his sister's head.
"Is there anything I should do to help here?"
"Sir." Tabitha walked over to Abel and saluted. "I completed scouting the starboard side of the ship. Everything is clear."
Barack stepped forward and saluted as well. "Everything is clear on the port side as well," Barack reported.
"Good. Divide the rest of the ship between the two of you and send out teams under your command. We'll have to start a level-by-level inspection of the ship. Lieutenant Barack, have some of your team head for the engines and start from there," Abel ordered.
"I'll have a few of my team go with you," Seth spoke up. "The maintenance crews can inspect the engines for damage then." Seth smiled.
"Good idea." Abel smiled at his sister. "Lieutenant Williams, I would like one of your teams to head for the bridge and start the inspection from there."
"Understood." Tabitha saluted.
"I'll have Lieutenant Solomon, if he is feeling up to it, coordinate the search effort from security," Abel continued.
A smile flickered across Tabitha's face.
Abel still needed to know what was going on, but for now they had a ship to inspect for damages and where the rebels had gotten off to. He needed his men. If Solomon couldn't patrol, then he could oversee all the security team when Abel couldn't. The man was tied for second beside Tabitha.
"I will see to the bridge, sir." Tabitha moved over to her team.
Barack did the same the moment Tabitha moved.
Abel instructed a few of the security team to remain here as Cain's, Lilith's, and the medical bay's guards. It would give Cain and Lilith two guards each and four for the medical bay.
Seth headed out with two of the security team who had been with her. She went with Barack's group who were stopping to pick up a maintenance crew at Seth's suggestion.
Abel watched them go before he slipped into the medical bay. He needed to speak with Solomon and see if he was in any condition to coordinate the search effort from security.
There was still the curtain drawn around the bed Solomon was in. Abel could just make out the voices of Kayson and Solomon beyond. He glanced around and noted Lilith was tending to other soldiers and civilians who had been injured during the attack. There were far more soldiers than civilians which was a good thing. It would have been ideal to have no one injured, but that wasn't feasible.
Abel crossed the space to the curtain just as Kayson slipped out.
"Lieutenant Colonel Nightlord," Kayson greeted Abel with a smile. "What can I do for you?"
"I need to speak with you and Lieutenant Solomon," Abel stated. He doubted Kayson would have left Abel speak with Solomon alone.
Kayson hesitated then nodded. "Very well." He led the way back through the curtain.
x – Solomon – x
Solomon looked up when he heard Doctor Williams return. He had heard the lieutenant colonel's voice and thus was far from shocked when his superior followed Kayson into the enclosed space. Solomon made to stand but was stopped when Abel held up his hand.
"There's no need to stand, Lieutenant Solomon," Abel stated.
Solomon's jaw tightened. He wanted nothing more than to stand and salute Abel, especially after everything he had done today. If any doubted Abel and his actions, then those doubts would have vanished after the attack. Or even in the aftermath of the attack.
"I'm not going to ask what's wrong," Abel began. "If you feel it is necessary to tell me than you can. However, I do need to know if you are able to oversee and coordinate the search effort and patrols today."
There was a hint to the tone the lieutenant colonel had. It was more than clear he wanted to know what was wrong with Solomon. There was a sincerity behind the words. Would he really no push to learn what was wrong with Solomon?
It didn't sound like the lieutenant colonel would be removing Solomon completely from his duties. Yet, he was taking him off of patrols. Solomon forced himself to keep his gaze locked on his commanding officer's.
There was a coldness to his eyes, but it wasn't from any emotion, merely the effect of the color of his eyes. The pale blue would have been off putting on anyone else. Even with his features straight there was a warmth there. There would have been one regardless of his expression. It was as if the lieutenant colonel couldn't hide all his true feelings from the world.
It was more than clear Solomon wouldn't be able to remain in charge of a patrol. Really there had been no chance after what had happened today for him to still be charged with a patrol.
"Understand this is not me removing you from being charged with the general patrol of the ship," the lieutenant colonel continued.
What? There was no way the lieutenant colonel had read Solomon's mind and he knew he made very little show of emotions. Yet, his commanding officer had read Solomon like an open book. Perhaps he could read what little emotion Solomon did show. Or it was just more than clear Solomon didn't want to be useless to the colony until he died.
"Lieutenant Colonel," Kayson started to protest.
Solomon wanted the doctor to not continue.
"However," Abel continued before Kayson could, "I would prefer if you coordinated those patrols from the security office. This way we would always have at least one ranking officer at security head quarts."
"Meaning you would like me to be placed in charge of even the other officers when they're on patrols in order to coordinate the effort, so no patrol is unaware of what the other is doing," Solomon stated.
"Correct." A small smile appeared on Abel's face. It softened his eyes.
"Doctor Williams," – Solomon turned to the doctor – "am I free to go?"
"You're not a prisoner," the doctor gave a small laugh, "but yes. Just come back after your shift so I can monitor your condition."
"Understood." Solomon let the doctor remove the IV before he stood.
"I will be remaining here," Abel informed Solomon.
"In case the medical bay is attacked again?" Solomon asked.
"Yes." Abel nodded. "I'll relay you are to take over for Sargent Kudza. Once you arrive, have him focus his efforts on the investigation into the events of today."
"Understood. The murder would most likely be the best place to start as it seems to be what the rebel forces used to draw you out, Sir." And what Solomon had fallen headfirst into the trap of. If he had known – Damn, it all. He had been so stupid to not even think twice about it being a trap.
"Good idea." Abel led the way back into the main sections of the medical bay.
Solomon followed. His body felt heavy and weak, but it was manageable. All that mattered was the task before him. He would live up to the trust Abel had shown in him.