He knew what they needed to do. As did Jake. But he wasn’t going to be the one to say it.
“We need to kill them,” Kaitlin said. She looked him in the eye. “I know you think so as well.”
“It’s your decision. I’ve been accused of being a cold-blooded killer too many times. If you can think of a way to let them live, then I’m all ears.”
A frown line formed between her eyes. They all knew the answer; the risk was too high. If the Others came around now, there was a good possibility that they’d regain control. They’d been taken by surprise this time, but that wouldn’t happen again.
“It’s too dangerous,” she said. “They have to die.”
Jake nodded. “I’ll go see to it.”
She closed her eyes.
Kane reached out and took her hand, held it tight.
A shot rang out, and her fingers tightened on his. Then another. Four in total. When she opened her eyes, they were bright with tears. “No more killing.”
“Let’s hope, this is the end,” he said. But who knew what the future might bring? “How are you feeling?”
She considered the question. “Okay, I think. My mind’s clearing.”
“That was intense.”
“Wasn’t it?” She shook her head and then grinned. “We fucking did it. We saved the goddamn world.”
He laughed and pushed himself to his feet, pulling her up with him. He might never let go of her again. He tugged her close. How long would it be before anyone turned up? Should they get out of there before the first of the curious humans arrived? He was surprised that no one was here by now.
Jake came up to them, rifle held loosely at one side, Christa held tight at the other. She looked pale but otherwise okay. “Stefan just picked up a call from the military. They’re on their way but have orders to set up a perimeter and not to approach the object.”
“That should give us a little time. Though we’ll be inside the perimeter.”
“I’ve got the user manual translated,” Christa said. “We might be able to use the machine to get away.”
“Oh hell, no,” Jake muttered.
Kane really wasn’t sure that was a good idea, user manual or not. Christ only knew where and when they would turn up. But beside him, Kaitlin perked up. “Yay. Time travel. When should we go?”
“No way. I’d rather face the entire United States Army,” he muttered.
“Don’t be a scaredy cat.”
“Stefan said something else,” Jake said. “He thinks something is happening with the spaceship.”
“We have to go look.” Kaitlin grinned. “We may never get another chance to see a real honest-to-God spaceship.” She thought for a moment. “Unless we go to the future, of course. I’ll bet there are loads of spaceships in the future.”
Kane shook his head, but he was so happy to see her enthusiasm that he couldn’t even bring himself to mutter “no way” again. “We need to get you to a doctor.”
“You’re a doctor. You can patch me up.”
She was right. He’d trained as a doctor eighty years ago, and he tried to keep up to date on current medical changes. But he wanted her away from here, somewhere he could keep her safe. Away from the military and potentially lethal aliens and... “I need X-rays, an OR, and God knows what else.”
“You can’t always keep me safe,” she said. “And anyway, it’s just a scratch. Well, a burn, not a scratch. But you know what I mean. Look.”
She turned so he could see the wound. And she was right. The burn had self-cauterized, leaving a long red scar, but it wasn’t bleeding. He sighed and admitted defeat. Kaitlin patted his arm. “See, you can learn new tricks. Let’s go look at the spaceship.”
Kaitlin was already heading off, tugging at his hand and he gave in to the inevitable. Besides, she was right. They might never get another chance.
“You’ll find I’m usually right,” she said.
