Page 24

She did and realized the Cetix would get there before she even got halfway to the sub-basement.

Jace continued, You’ve got to be clever about this, Thammah. You’ve got to be in a place where you can move fast. Get to where it’s going, not where it’s been.

She stopped herself from dropping down off the roof onto the ground. She turned to the windows that were directly behind her. Those would lead her into the second floor. If she jumped down, she would likely have to run in and up again as the Cetix skittered its way. She knew Cetixes could climb sheer surfaces at a 90-degree angle at speed.

I’m heading to the elevator bank, she sent.

Good idea. It’s almost there, Jace responded.

She took the butt of her gun and smashed it against the plasti-glass. It took a few tries before the glass folded in on itself and she pushed it inside, following after it. She stepped into a living room. This apartment was currently unoccupied, but she winced a little as she crunched over the safety glass and made her way towards the door to the hallway.

Where will it go? She asked as she shouldered open the door and dashed out into the hallway.

Where there are the most people, Jace responded.

Damnit. Of course.

A schematic of the building appeared on her comm. There were more red dots--heat signatures--of people huddled in the quarters. The building was unsurprisingly sparsely occupied at the moment. This was a feast day where the Thaf’ell went to parks and other outdoor events. They rarely stayed home, especially if they lived in a rather desolate spot for homes like this one.

There were plenty of offices and shops nearby, but the Moturin Compound was the only other large living structure. But she saw that there was a cluster of people on two floors--the 24th and 25th stories--two people on the 24th and five on the 25th. Seven people didn’t sound like much, but when one person being infected was enough to destroy a whole planet, seven was… well, unthinkable.

If she didn’t get there in time… If she got there after the fact… If she had to do what she’d been trained to do for cycles…

But to civilians, she realized. Just normal people. People who were enjoying a day off from their labors. Having a meal together. Playing games. Taking a nap. And then there’s a tapping on the vent above their beds and then…

Cold sweat coated her face.

It’s there, Jace sent and she could hear the dread in his voice, the urgency, even though it was in writing. It’s heading up a vent. Damn, moving even faster.

She glanced at her comm and saw the red dot surging upwards from the sub-basement and cruising past the basement and the first floor. It would be above her soon enough. That vent, she noted, provided heating and cooling for the apartments.

Can you send anyone to help me? There’s a lot of space to cover here! She pointed out.

I know! We’ll be coming. Just try and hold out, Jace said, and there was dissatisfaction in his written voice.

Thammah dashed down the hallway to the elevators, keeping an eye on that red dot. Was it slowing down? Was it thinking of making a stop off? That vent likely had openings into every apartment directly on either side of it. Most of the other red dots--the Thaf’ell--were farther away from the vent by two or three apartments so she didn’t think it would bother with those. No, it would only go after those more distant people after taking out the easier prey. Not a good idea to get stuck in a smaller vent and not be able to get out quickly.

You said there are two still alive. Where’s the other one, Jace? She asked.

The cursor blinked. She had a ridiculous feeling that Jace had taken on some of the Osiris’ traits of not responding being a response.

Oh, it’s here, Jace replied finally.

Where?

In the Compound.

Yeah, I guess that. But where in the Compound, Jace? She demanded to know.

Outside my door, Jack finally admitted.

Fuck! Another favorite human swear word put into good use. Are you okay? Do you need assistance?

She was actually slowing, prepared to dash back out of the building and to the Compound. The carpet was microfiber with swirls of blue and green on it like bubbles underwater. She’d seen human 1970s architecture and it reminded her of that mixed with their cleaner 1920s look. It had been comforting--and strange--to see that the Thaf’ell and humans, no matter how far apart, had developed some similar styles. She thought the humans would appreciate this while few Thaf’ell would.

No, Thammah, those people are dead if you do that, Jace said.

I know, she answered.