“If someone gets sick and I can’t help them here, I need to be able to get them to medical facilities.”

“That’s a small risk,” Sveta said.

“There were two incidents in the last ninety minutes. One pulmonary embolism and one joint dislocation from a food operations tech.”

Imp spoke up, “I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t want to go charging into whatever stopped the Wardens dead in their tracks and have to worry about retreating past these guys.”

“Convince us,” I said. “Give us information. Enough that we feel safe enough to leave you behind. How does this work?”

Close-mouthed.

I drew closer to him, using my aura. “Who are all these people?”

Close-mouthed. A staunch refusal to speak.

“What happened to the first wave of attackers?”

“I’m not in a position to know. That’s not my purpose.”

“Where is Teacher?”

“I’m not in a position to know.”

“Have any injured come through from elsewhere?”

I stopped floating down, now at a height where I could stare into his eyes, while he did everything he could to avoid looking into mine. I kept my aura tight enough that it only affected him. And the people on the nearby bench, I supposed.

Oddly enough, it was the signs of their agitation that got to our doctor here.

“Some. Don’t disturb them or hurt them.”

“Where from?”

He pointed at the end of the hangar-sized space that was furthest from the door we’d come through.

I softened my tone, while keeping my aura on ‘high’. “Convince me we can leave you behind us without worrying.”

I could see the pull, gentler words after harsh, scary ones. Like he wanted to oblige.

“I can’t.”

“If we shut off that end of this room, what happens?” I asked, indicating the door we’d come through.

“No medical facilities, limited water.”

“And that door?” I asked, indicating the one we’d be using.

“No food, no showers.”

“People can go two weeks without food. You don’t need showers,” I told him. “I can’t imagine a situation where people on the other side can’t get through a stone wall if my side loses.”

“We’re healthier with access to food and showers.”

I addressed Capricorn. “We’ll seal that door after we’re through. Minimizes hazards, keeps them from coming behind us.”

He nodded, switching, and the barrier he’d been working on became water, which immediately spread out into a thin layer across the floor.

“I can’t allow it,” the doctor said. “These people are my responsibility.”

“You can’t stop us,” Swansong said. “It’s the best compromise. Accept it.”

I saw the doctor’s expression change, concern, almost mortal alarm.

“Don’t,” Samuel said.

The doctor twisted around, drawing in a breath.

“Defense—”