Shaping Faith, Chapter 18

It was another week before Lani was able to get out of bed. The healing seemed primitively slow to Verona, but the doctors assured her that it was only because they didn’t have access to a MediGrow, a miraculous but expensive machine that accelerated cell growth and could repair almost any wound.

During that time, Verona made a point of visiting Lani daily, remembering from her short stay in prison what it felt like to be confined in a small space for days on end with little human contact. Lani was bored out of her mind, as was only to be expected.

“I never realized how much we rely on the Holonet until it’s gone,” she complained to Verona the day after the doctors had allowed her to take a few struggling steps to the bathroom and back. “When I was sick I would just watch the vids all day, but here there’s no connection. I could read, but nobody has anything worth reading. I’ve been stuck going over maps and the other curriculum they have on our timepieces.”

Verona winced. “I just realized – I haven’t read any fiction since I got here. We just don’t have the time, and nobody has novels anyway. It’s kind of sad.” Once, the idea of not reading for several weeks would have astonished her, but now enjoying a book seemed to be something that belonged to the other Verona, her past self. This new Verona had bigger things to worry about, more important work to do.

Verona watched Lani shift in her bed, trying to sit up straighter. The bed wasn’t a true hospital bed – it was just a simple wooden frame with a large mattress. Lani was propped up with several pillows and blankets to support her back, with several tubes connecting her to various medical machines gleaming by the bed’s headboard. Verona sat on a stool beside the bed.

The room wasn’t really a room – it was one of the old dorms, converted hastily to a hospital ward when the other base was abandoned. So far, the military hadn’t discovered it, but most of the group was convinced it was only a matter of time before one of the captives talked. The room was partitioned with large, thick panels of wood that kept themselves upright because they were Shaped almost like bookshelves, but with only one shelf in the center. They weren’t by any means soundproof, but the other patients usually had the decency to pretend not to hear each other’s more embarrassing moments of convalescence.

Verona heard Lani give a small gasp of pain and whipped her head around.

“It’s nothing,” Lani said, seeing her alarm. “I just turned wrong, that’s all.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be on painkillers?” Verona said.

Lani waved her hand dismissively. “The other members of the squad need them more. I can handle a little pain. Could you help me fix these pillows?”

Verona frowned at that, but let it pass, standing up to help Lani adjust the pillows behind her back. “What about the others? How are they doing?” She knew Lani had been annoying the nurses with her constant requests for information.

“Veriah’s doing a lot better,” Lani said, her face lighting up. “They think after everything heals, she’ll be able to walk just fine.”

“What about what’s-his-name – Trenton?”

Lani’s face fell. Trenton had taken a lasergun shot directly to his arm, mutilating his hand. “They’ve managed to save the limb, but only three of his fingers. He won’t be playing the leptichord anytime soon.”

Verona swallowed. It was saddening news. “And if they had a MediGrow?”

“They said they could have, probably. They’re really upset about it.” By the look on Lani’s face, it was painful for her too. For Verona, it was just another reminder of how far they were from true civilization.

“Well, if we can’t afford it, what can they do?”

“They think they should get more funds, of course,” said Lani. “I can’t say I blame them. I don’t think the Council realized how risky this was going to get – they’ve only been doing operations like this for about a year, and this is one of the first ones that has gone this badly.”

Verona nodded. It was somewhat comforting to hear that this was a rare occurrence, but only a little. “You know, there’s going to be another mission soon.”

“Really?” said Lani. “They don’t tell me anything now that I’ve been bedridden.” There was a definite note of frustration in her voice. “What kind?”

“They said it was just routine – a meeting with an operative on the Homeworld or something. But it’s not for another week at least.”

Lani frowned. “Usually there are meetings like that almost every day. They must be lying low, trying not to draw attention to us.” Her face grew dark, as it always did when they mentioned the failed mission.

Verona decided to change the subject. “I talked with Analia again today,” she said.

“Oh, how is she?”

“She says she’s moved now, and she’s getting settled in. She’s not sure what she’s supposed to be reporting on, though.”

“They haven’t given her any specific assignments?”

“No, not yet.”

“Well, then just tell her to keep an eye on people – who they are, what their position is on different topics, that sort of thing. The Council is always looking for new allies, or people who can be bribed to vote the right way,” said Lani. “You know, most of our meetings are with informants, or people on the black market that help supply us. Government raids aren’t worth the risk.”

Except for the one you went on, Verona thought, the small bubble of anger inside her growing. “Really? Then what about the one that put you in this state?”

“That was an exception.”

“Why?” Verona asked tersely.

Lani shook her head, looking tired. “I can’t tell you that, Verona – you don’t have the clearance. I hardly know the half of it myself.”

“But what are you going to do now?” Verona asked, fearing she already knew the answer.

Lani just looked at Verona, slightly incredulous. Her eyelids were drooping now – talking tired her quickly. But her voice was firm and resolute, and her hands clenched on the white blankets. “Try again, of course. And as soon as we can.”