They sat there for some time as he continued to pet her and as she began to tire out. Her pulse slowed down and continued to do so the longer he was with her. When she moved to lie back down, he swept her hair from her face.
“We still don’t have nuggets to give you,” Rylie chuckled under her breath.
“I know.”
“How will we pay you? It could be years before the next harvest...if we ever have one again.” She closed her eyes and sighed wearily.
“Don’t worry about that now. And with any luck, now that Fert Tech is gone, everything will go back to normal. There’s no point in having technology if you don’t know how to use it.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s true. And you?”
“What about me?” Netto rested his elbows on the slat and threaded his fingers, needing to be closer to her.
“What will you do now?”
“Stay until you’re better.”
Rylie smiled up at him, her eyes hooded, her body pliant and limp. “You’ll still be here when I wake up? I don’t want you to leave without saying goodbye.”
Netto stiffened and lifted the breather.
“I’ll be here.”
She opened her lips and he placed the apparatus back into her mouth. He remained with her while she slept.
Chapter Nineteen
***
Nearly a week wentby before they left the southern colony. Netto, with the frustrated help of Zeph, oversaw the cleanup of the colony and plant. It would take months, possibly years before the damage Fert Tech caused could be undone, but it was doable, and it was worth it. The thought of the clear waters came to mind, he wanted to swim in it with Rylie.
The EPED sent backup after Zeph sent in their report. Mia, their handler, annoyed but not surprised. Netto listened in on the call but didn’t contribute. The bottom line was that they needed the glass and the fact that they were not bringing it back would not go over well with the EPED.
They couldn't be blamed, not with Fert Tech's involvement. The EPED not only had their glass but now had a very pricey situation on their hands. There'd be a significant loss of money with no hope of a return until the environment righted itself.
Fert Tech would pay. Netto was certain of it. No one drained the EPED’s funds without repercussion.
