Page 227 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

Personnel need seeing.

Damage needs counting.

Kade begins on the fourth floor and works down, following routes so deeply trained into him that his feet require little instruction. Medical remains functional. The front treatment stations are busy with the ordinary aftermath of typical Iron Star violence: stitches, burns, cracked ribs, a shoulder being forced carefully back into place.

He checks the barracks, armoury access and internal checkpoints. Teams acknowledge him as he passes. Some look relieved to see him upright.

The Tower feels different somehow.

Kade finds Rike in Stores, standing over three open weapons cases with a ledger in one hand. Two Iron Star soldiers count sealed magazines onto a trolley while another checks armour plates for damage.

Rike looks up. ‘You’re supposed to be resting.’

‘So I’ve heard.’

‘Maybe because you almost died.’

‘Didn’t take.’

Rike grins. ‘Unlucky for us.’

Kade gives him the finger. ‘Status?’

‘Teams are rearmed. Damaged kit is being stripped and replaced. We lost a lot of ammunition at the Estate, but nothing we can’t cover. I’ve redistributed what we have until the next shipment comes in.’

‘Comms?’

‘Clean so far. We changed frequencies after the blanket attempt. Cole’s monitoring.’

‘Garage?’

‘Secure. Tunnel and both pressure gates checked. Nothing came through after you.’

Kade glances at the nearest case. ‘And the Front?’

‘Staying out of our way. I’ve pulled Street Teams for now, just until you replace Seth.’

‘Is his body still in the Cold Room?’

‘Affirmative.’

‘All right. Keep a tight lid on any gossip for me.’

‘I don’t deal in gossip.’

Kade gives him a look. ‘Uh-huh.’

As he walks away, Rike says, ‘I’m glad you’re still here.’

For a second, the words carry another meaning.

Still alive.

Still inside the Tower.

Still theirs.

Kade forces a small smile, knows that wasn’t what Rike meant.