Assessing Survival by Viola Grace Page B

her, and he entered his own pass code into the pad. They entered the final lock and waited for the scans to confirm they had been scoured.
    Niko waited with her until the lights were green and they could enter the base once again. She released the seal of her helmet and inhaled fully.
    Niko dropped the used tanks into the recycler and unsnapped the splitter from her helmet.
    He picked her up, and she tried protesting.
    “I am taking you to medical, Stitch. Any personnel who have had any cognitive dissonance outside the base must report to medical. That currently means you.”
    “I can walk.”
    “It is either me or a gurney. Take your pick.”
    It wasn’t that she didn’t like being carried; it just wasn’t a gesture that she was used to. “I will take you.”
    He grinned. “Glad to hear it.”
    When they arrived in the medical centre, Captain Blue was there, and he raised his brows. “Is there something wrong?”
    Stitch scowled at him. “No, I just thought that Niko needed the workout.”
    Niko bounced her a little. “She ran out of oxygen on our way back through the airlocks.”
    Captain Blue was suddenly all business. “Right. Set her down on the scan table.”
    Niko set her down, and Captain Blue gave her an injection. He paused. “Oh, damn. I should have had you remove your suit first.”
    Stitch sighed. “You are enjoying this.”
    “Only a little. Captain Lukai, if you would help? I am assuming that you have experience getting out of a suit.”
    He gave Captain Blue a dark look. “Yes, if you give me a sheet for her, that would be appreciated.”
    Captain Blue suddenly got the expression that she remembered from waking up with him ordering her hand around. He considered her a toy to play with.
    He left and got a sheet.
    Niko stripped her as efficiently as possible and pulled the sheet over her as soon as it was feasible to do so.
    The scan was quick, but Captain Blue actually took on a serious expression when he stared at the results. “What was your previous lung capacity?”
    “Not great. I spent years running to increase it. I grew up with serious lung issues.”
    “Your lungs have been restored to their genetic state. That means that you can’t properly exert yourself without passing out. You are just not efficient at processing oxygen. I am amazed that you were admitted to the armed forces.”
    “I wasn’t really. I got along with my mental requirements. That is what was needed, a planner. Someone who could look beyond the wounds and turn them into weapons. The doctors couldn’t or wouldn’t do it. You should know; I designed you.”
    He blinked. “What?”
    “I was a consultant on your case. I suggested the micro control unit to help you in surgery, and Lucky wrote the program for it.”
    “Oh. Well, thank you.”
    “It was my job, and I take my job very seriously.”
    “Well, due to your genetics, avoid running. Your nanites will keep repairing them to the current state. You will be starting over every day.”
    She tried to make a fist, and her body slowly reacted.
    “Great. Can you flush the paralytic now?”
    “Sure. Of course. If you suffer any more lightheaded episodes, let me know.”
    He held a small device to her neck, and her hand was released from stricture.
    Niko picked her up again and carried her to her quarters.
    She rubbed her head. “I just want to rest.”
    “So, rest. I will be here when you wake.”
    He tucked her into bed before he peeled off his clothing and crawled into bed with her. He wrapped her in his arms and rubbed his chin along the crown of her head.
    She sighed and relaxed in his arms. The time in the machine might have been supposed to keep her up, but her body wanted what it wanted. Right then, it wanted sleep.
     

Chapter Eleven
     
     
    “Niko?” She rolled over, and the sheets were cool where he had been lying.
    “Well, if he can’t be here when I wake up, as he promised, I will just kick him out after sex.” She didn’t know who she was