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“Booby, how are things going with the clinic’s systems?” Booby had been the one to make contact with Holly’s ship after Sinead had returned. They’d spent a while raging and discussing what a moron Talyn was and what a big mistake he was making. After that, they’d talked about how to get him to change his mind. It had been Holly who’d suggested they simply take him. Get Talyn away from the clinic and make him see what he could have if he opened his eyes.

“I’ve made friends with the clinic’s systems. It won’t know what’s happening when I sneak in the back door and play with the controls. It’ll be the distraction you need while you grab Talyn. You will get in and out before anybody realizes what we’re doing.”

Sinead nodded as she stared at the port screen in front of her. She had a clinic floor plan displayed, showing the operating room where Talyn would be taken.

“I still can’t believe he’s going through with it,” Sinead said.

“I can confirm he is,” Booby said. “Nothing I said changed his mind when he came to say goodbye.”

She shook her head. “And he thinks that by doing this, he’s making my life easier?”

“Talyn’s convinced you’ll be trapped if you stay with him. He worries that you won’t leave because you pity him.”

A flash of anger hit Sinead. “That’s my decision to make. And I don’t pity him. I...” She couldn’t say the words, but she knew how she felt. When she did finally say them, she wanted it to be to Talyn when they were alone. That was after she’d thumped him around the head for being so stubborn and thinking he was helping them both by doing this.

Holly smiled at Sinead. “You’ve got a great guy. He’s prepared to give up everything, literally his mind, to give you freedom so you don’t feel tied to him.”

Sinead blew out a breath, trying to calm the frustration she felt. “This is my life. Talyn’s making decisions that will affect it forever. He should have spoken to me before doing this. We’re going to show him he’s wrong. We’ll convince Talyn that we can help him. Booby, are you with me?”

“I’ll do everything I can,” Booby said. “I’ve also constructed an algorithm, so I can override direct orders from Talyn if he tries to return here or puts his life in danger again.”

“You should have used that algorithm to get him the hell out of here before he entered the clinic,” Sinead said.

“I was tempted, but Talyn feels great pain. If we don’t succeed in our rescue mission, an expunge will assist him.”

“We’re not going to fail.” Sinead turned to Holly. “All set?”

“I’m ready to run interference at the reception. I’ll go in and ask questions about their facilities because I have a friend I’m concerned about. I’ll distract the receptionist and keep tabs on any security. I’ll warn you if they come your way.”

Sinead nodded. “I’ll sneak in the back, get into the operating room, and get Talyn out.” A wave of panic hit her as she stood and walked away to stare at the outside of the clinic. She had to believe Talyn still wanted her. But even if he didn’t, if after all of this he still said they were wrong for each other, at least she’d gotten him out of danger. That would have to be enough.

Holly’s hand landed on her shoulder, and she gently squeezed. “I know this is a gamble, but it will be worth it.”

Sinead blinked back tears. She couldn’t doubt herself now. She turned and nodded at Holly. “Is everyone ready?”

“Ready, willing, and able,” Booby said. “I’m linking into the clinic’s systems now.”

Holly nodded at her. “I won’t let you down.”

They walked out of the ship together and gave each other a big hug before Sinead slipped around the side of the clinic, leaving Holly to head to the reception.

It was time to rescue Talyn. It was time to stop him from making the biggest mistake of both of their lives.

Sinead’s heart pounded as she kept close to the wall of the clinic to avoid being noticed by the security cameras. Booby was live on her wrist comm and would be her guide into the clinic.

“Keep walking for another fifty steps,” Booby said. “You’ll come to an external door. That takes you into a service corridor.”

Sinead nodded as she recalled the clinic schematics in her head. She had to get through the service area where deliveries were made, walk past six patients’ rooms, and turn right into the area where the doctors conducted operations.

“Wait,” Booby said. “There’s movement in the service corridor.”

“Coming this way?”

“You need to hide. Now!”

Sinead threw herself behind a low stone wall, landing on sharp stones as she ducked out of sight just before the door opened.

A Koob came out carrying a bag of trash. He disappeared around the side of the building and returned a moment later before going back inside.