Calix hissed through her teeth, “What report is she talking about?”

“You called Morgan?” asked Kira. “You betrayed us?”

“If that’s what you want to call it,” said Heron. “I’ve put up with your emotional self-discovery long enough, and it’s time to stop shut up and get things done. If Dr. Morgan can use your biology to solve expiration, then I’m giving it to her.”

“When are you going to understand this?” asked Kira. “This is what Samm just said—we can’t pick sides anymore!”

“And he was very impassioned,” said Heron.

“What did you do?” Samm demanded. “Specifically.”

“I located a working broadband radio and called back to D Company on the repeaters we had set up,” said Heron. She looked at Kira. “I gave you your chance, and I did everything I could to help you, but the answers you’re looking for aren’t here. I’m done screwing around.”

“This is a peaceful community,” pleaded Calix. “If you bring a Partial army here, they’ll destroy us.”

“There it is,” said Samm, looking up. Kira looked at the ceiling, saw nothing, and looked back at Samm to see him tilting his head. He wasn’t looking, he was listening. She frowned and did the same, trying to hear what he’d heard.

“What is it?” asked Calix.

“I don’t hear anything,” said Kira, “just a—a droning sound, like a buzz. It’s very faint.”

“That used to be one of the most recognizable sounds on the planet,” said Heron, “but you haven’t heard one in almost twelve years.”

“What is it?” Kira demanded.

“A turbine engine,” said Heron. “On a cargo plane. Morgan’s army is already here.”

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Kira ran for the pile of strips she’d torn up for Samm’s arm. “Sorry, Samm, you’re going to have to wait a little longer for that bandage.”

“The meds were enough,” he said, through clenched teeth.

Kira dove back to Calix’s side, pressing a wadded sleeve of the suit coat against her leg wound and wrapping it as quickly as she could with the makeshift bandages.

“Why bother?” asked Heron. “You don’t even know—”

“Shut up,” said Kira. She tied the strips firmly, putting as much pressure on the bleeding hole as she dared without turning the bandage into a tourniquet. “How does that feel?”

“Fine,” said Calix. “How long before I can kick this Partial girl in the ass?”

Heron raised her eyebrow.

“Stay here,” said Kira, wrapping another bandage around Calix’s hand. “I have painkillers in my bag—don’t take too many. Someone will be back to find you.”

“Where are you going?” asked Calix.

“Out to meet them.” Kira shook her head. “If no one comes, look for antibiotics, and get as strong as you can before trying to cross the wasteland. It isn’t kind to people with leg wounds.”