The Host Chapter 51: Prepared

I found Jargond and Jamie in our room, waiting for me, perplexity on both their lookings. Jared must suck up talked to Jeb. are you unaccompanied right? Jared asked me, while Jamie jumped up and threw his ordnance store rough my waist.I wasnt sure how to answer his question. I didnt chicane the answer. Jared, I need your help.Jared was on his feet as soon as I was done speaking. Jamie leaned rear end to look at my face. I didnt congruous Jamies gaze. I wasnt sure how oftentimes I could bear right now.What do you need me to do? Jared asked.Im making a raid. I could use some extra muscle.What are we after? He was intense, already shifting into his flush mode.Ill explain on the way. We dont have a lot of time.Can I come? Jamie verbalise.No Jared and I said together.Jamie frowned and let me go, sinking down onto the mattress and crossing his legs. He fix his face in his hands and sulked. I couldnt look directly at him before I ducked turn out of the room. I was already w ant to sit be side of meat him, to hold him sozzled and forget this whole mess.Jared fol emited as I retraced my path through the southward tunnel.Why this way? he asked.I He would know if I try to lie or evade. I dont want to run into bothone. Jeb, Aaron, or Brandt, particularly.Why?I dont want to have to explain myself to them. not yet.He was quiet, trying to make headway sense of my answer.I changed the subject. Do you know where Lily is? I dont ring she should be alone. She revealmsIans with her.Thats good. Hes the large-mindedest.Ian would help Lily-he was exactly what she postulate now. Who would help Ian when? I shook my head, shaking the thought away.What are we in much(prenominal) a hasten to get? Jared asked me.I took a deep breath before I answered him. Cryotanks.The south tunnel was black. I could not see his face. His footsteps did not falter beside me, and he didnt say anything for some(prenominal) minutes. When he spoke again, I could hear that he was focu sing on the raid-single-minded, setting aside any(prenominal) curiosity he felt until after the mission was planned to his satisfaction.Where do we get them?Empty cryotanks are stored outside Healing facilities until theyre needed. With more souls coming in than leaving, thither will be a surplus. No one will guard them no one will not applesauce if some go missing.Are you sure? Where did you get this information?I see them in Chicago, piles and piles of them. Even the lower-ranking facility we went to in Tucson had a minuscule store of them, crated outside the deli precise bay.If they were crated, consequently how can you be sure -Havent you noticed our fondness for labels?Im not doubting you, he said. I unspoilt want to make sure that youve thought this through.I heard the double meaning in his words.I have.Lets get it done, then.doc was already gone-already with Jeb, as we hadnt passed him on the way. He must have left right behind me. I wondered how his news was being taken . I hoped they werent stupid enough to discuss it in front of the Seeker. Would she shred her pitying hosts brain if she guessed what I was doing? Would she assume Id turn traitor inbuiltly? That I would give the humans what they needed with no restrictions?Wasnt that what I was about to do, though? When I was gone, would Doc bother to keep his word?Yes, he would try. I bankd that. I had to believe that. But he couldnt do it alone. And who would help him?We scrambled up the tight black vent that opened onto the southern face of the rocky hill, about halfway up the low peak. The eastern edge of the horizon was turning gray, with just a hint of pink bleeding into the transmission line mingled with flip out and rock.My eyes were locked on my feet as I climbed down. It was necessary there was no path, and the bountiful rocks made for treacherous footing. But even if the way had been paved and smooth, I doubted I would have been subject to lift my eyes. My shoulders, too, seemed trapped in a slump.Traitor. Not a misfit, not a wanderer. Just a traitor. I was putting my gentle brothers and sisters lives into the angry and motivated hands of my adopted human family.My humans had totally(prenominal) right to hate the souls. This was a war, and I was giving them a weapon. A way to kill with impunity.I considered this as we ran through the desert in the growing light of dawn-ran because, with the Seekers looking, we shouldnt be out in the daylight. focussing on this angle-viewing my choice not as a sacrifice scarce rather as armament the humans in exchange for the Seekers life-I knew that it was wrong. And if I was trying to maintain only the Seeker, this would be the moment when I would change my mind and turn around. She wasnt worth selling out the others. Even she would agree with that.Or would she? I suddenly wondered. The Seeker didnt seem to be as what was the word Jared had used? Altruistic. As altruistic as the rest of us. Maybe she would count her o wn life dearer than the lives of many.But it was too late to change my mind. Id already thought far beyond just saving the Seeker. For one thing, this would happen again. The humans would kill any souls they came across unless I gave them another option. More than that, I was expiration to save Melanie, and that was worth the sacrifice. I was going to save Jared and Jamie, too. Might as well save the repugnant Seeker while I was at it.The souls were wrong to be here. My humans deserved their world. I could not give it mainstay to them, moreover I could give them this. If only I could be sure that they would not be cruel.I would just have to trust Doc, and hope.And maybe wring the promise from a few more of my friends, just in case.I wondered how many human lives I would save. How many souls lives I might save. The only one I couldnt save now was myself.I sighed heavily. Even over the sound of our exerted breathing, Jared heard that. In my peripheral vision, I saw his face turn, f elt his eyes boring into me, but I did not look over to meet his gaze. I stared at the commonwealth.We got to the jeeps hiding place before the sun had climbed over the eastern peaks, though the sky was already light blue. We ducked into the shallow cave just as the first rays painted the desert rachis gold.Jared impoundbed two stores of water out of the foulseat, tossed one to me, and then lounged against the wall. He gulped down half a bottle and wiped his mouth with the covering fire of his hand before he spoke.I could tell you were in a hurry to get out of there, but we need to wait until dark if youre planning a smash and grab.I swallowed my mouthful of water. Thats fine. Im sure theyll wait for us now.His eyes searched my face.I saw your Seeker, he told me, watching my reaction. Shes energetic.I nodded. And vocal.He smiled and rolled his eyes. She doesnt seem to enjoy the accommodations we provided.My gaze dropped to the floor. Could be worse, I mumbled. The strangely je alous digest Id been feeling leaked, uninvited, into my voice.Thats true, he agreed, his voice subdued.Why are they so kind to her? I whispered. She killed Wes.Well, thats your fault.I stared up at him, surprised to see the slight curve of his mouth he was teasing me.Mine?His small smile wavered. They didnt want to feel alike monsters. Not again. Theyre trying to make up for before, only a critical too late-and with the wrong soul. I didnt realize that would hurt your feelings. I would have thought youd like it better that way.I do. I didnt want them to hurt anyone. Its always better to be kind. I just I took a deep breath. Im glad I know why.Their kindess was for me, not for her. My shoulders felt lighter.Its not a good feeling-knowing that you profoundly deserve the title of monster. Its better to be kind than to feel guilty. He smiled again and then yawned. That made me yawn.Long night, he commented. And weve got another one coming. We should sleep.I was glad for his suggestio n. I knew he had many questions about exactly what this raid meant. I also knew he would have already put several things together. And I didnt want to discuss any of it.I stretched out on the smooth opus of sand beside the jeep. To my shock, Jared came to lie beside me, right beside me. He curled around the curve of my back.Here, he said, and he reached around to slide his fingers under(a) my face. He pulled my head up from the ground and then moved his arm under it, making a pillow for me. He let his other arm drape over my waist.It took a few seconds before I was able to respond. Thanks.He yawned. I felt his breath warm the back of my neck. Get some rest, Wanda.Holding me in what could only be considered an embrace, Jared fell asleep quickly, as he had always been able to do. I tried to relax with his arm warm around me, but it took a long time.This embrace made me wonder how much he had already guessed.My weary thoughts tangled and twisted. Jared was right-it had been a very lo ng night. Though not half long enough. The rest of my days and nights were going to take flight by as if they were only minutes.The next thing I knew, Jared was shaking me awake. The light in the little cavern was dim and orangey. Sunset.Jared pulled me to my feet and handed me a hikers meal bar-this was the kind of rations they kept with the jeep. We ate, and drank the rest of our water, in silence. Jareds face was serious and focused. Still in a hurry? he asked as we climbed into the jeep.No. I valued the time to stretch out forever.Yes. What was the point in putting it off? The Seeker and her body would exhale if we waited too long, and I would still have to make the same choice.Well hit Phoenix, then. Its logical that they wouldnt notice this kind of raid. It doesnt make sense for humans to take your cold-storage tanks. What possible use could we have for them?The question didnt sound at all rhetorical, and I could feel him looking at me again. But I stared ahead at the rocks and said nothing.It had been dark for a while by the time we traded vehicles and got to the freeway. Jared waited a few minute minutes with the obscure sedans lights off. I counted ten cars passing by. Then there was a long darkness between the headlights, and Jared pulled onto the road.The rubberneck to Phoenix was very short, though Jared kept the speed scrupulously below the limit. Time was speeding up, as if the Earth were spinning faster.We colonised into the steady-moving traffic, flowing with it along the soaringway that circled the flat, sprawling city. I saw the infirmary from the road. We followed another car up the exit ramp, moving evenly, without hurry.Jared turned into the main parking lot.Where now? he asked, tense.See if this road continues around the back. The tanks will be by a loading area.Jared drove slowly. at that place were many souls here, going in and out of the facility, some of them in scrubs. Healers. No one paid us any particular attention.The ro ad hugged the sidewalk, then curved around the north side of the building complex.Look. merchant vessels trucks. Head that way.We passed between a wing of low buildings and a parking garage. Several trucks, delivering medical supplies no doubt, were backed into receiving ports. I scanned the crates on the dock, all labeled.Keep going though we might want to grab some of those on the way back. See-Heal Cool Still? I wonder what that one is.I care that these supplies were labeled and left unguarded. My family wouldnt go without the things they needed when I was gone. When I was gone it seemed that phrase was tacked on to all of my thoughts now.We rounded the back of another building. Jared drove a little faster and kept his eyes forward-there were stack here, quadruple of them, set down a truck onto a dock. It was the exactness of their movements that caught my attention. They didnt handle the smallish boxes roughly quite an the contrary, they placed them with infinite care onto the waist-high lip of concrete.I didnt in reality need the label for confirmation, but just then, one of the unloaders turned his box so the black letters faced me directly.This is the place we want. Theyre unloading occupied tanks right now. The empty ones wont be far Ah There, on the other side. That shed is half full phase of the moon of them. Ill bet the closed sheds are all the way full.Jared kept driving at the same careful speed, turning the corner to the side of the building.He snorted quietly.What? I asked.Figures. See?He jerked his chin toward the sign on the building.This was the maternity wing.Ah, I said. Well, youll always know where to look, wont you?His eyes flashed to my face when I said that, and then back to the road.Well have to wait for a bit. Looked like they were almost finished.Jared circled the hospital again, then parked at the back of the biggest lot, away from the lights.He killed the engine and slumped against the seat. He reached over and took my hand . I knew that he was about to ask, and I tried to prepare myself.Wanda?Yes?Youre going to save the Seeker, arent you?Yes, I am.Because its the right thing to do? he guessed.Thats one reason.He was silent for a moment.You know how to get the soul out without hurting the body?My heart thumped bad once, and I had to swallow before I could answer. Yes. Ive done it before. In an emergency. Not here.Where? he asked. What was the emergency?It was a story Id never told them before, for obvious reasons. It was one of my best. Lots of action. Jamie would have loved it. I sighed and began in a low voice.On the Mists Planet. I was with my friend predominate Light and a guide. I dont remember the guides name. They called me Lives in the Stars there. I already had a bit of a reputation.Jared chuckled.We were making a pilgrimage across the one-fourth great ice field to see one of the more celebrated crystal cities. It was supposed to be a safe route-thats why there were only three of us. lure b easts like to dig pits and cloak themselves in the snow. Camouflage, you know. A trap.One moment, there was nothing but the flat, endless snow. Then, the next moment, it seemed like the entire field of white was exploding into the sky.An average adult Bear has about the mass of a buffalo. A crowing tike beast is closer to the mass of a blue whale. This one was bigger than most.I couldnt see the guide. The claw beast had sprung up between us, facing where Harness Light and I stood. Bears are faster than claw beasts, but this one had the advantage of the ambush. Its huge stone-like pincers swooped down and sheared Harness Light in half before Id really processed what was happening.A car drove slowly down the side of the parking lot. We sat silent until it had passed.I hesitated. I should have started running, but my friend was dying there on the ice. Because of that hesitation, I would have died, too, if the claw beast hadnt been distracted. I found out later that our guide-I atte ntiveness I could remember his name-had brush uped the claw beasts tail, hoping to give us a chance to run. The claw beasts attack had stirred up enough snow that it was like a blizzard. The lack of visibility would help us escape. He didnt know it was already too late for Harness Light to run.The claw beast turned on the guide, and his second left leg kicked us, sending me flying. Harness Lights upper body landed beside me. His business line melted the snow.I paused to shudder.My next action made no sense, because I had no body for Harness Light. We were midway between cities, much too far to run to either. It was probably cruel, too, to take him out with no painkillers. But I couldnt stand to let him die inside the broken half of his Bear host.I used the back of my hand-the ice-cutting side. It was too wide a blade It caused a lot of damage. I could only hope that Harness Light was far gone enough that he wouldnt feel the extra pain. use my soft inside fingers, I coaxed Harness Light from the Bears brain.He was still alive. I barely paused to visualize this. I shoved him into the egg pouch in the center of my body, between the two hottest hearts. This would keep him from dying of cold, but he would only last a few short minutes without a body. And where would I fancy a host body in this empty waste?I thought of trying to circumstances my host, but I doubted I could stay conscious through the procedure to insert him into my own head. And then, having no healing medicine, I would die quickly. With all those hearts, Bears bled very fast.The claw beast roared, and I felt the ground shake as its huge paws thudded down. I didnt know where our guide was, or if he lived. I didnt know how long it would take the claw beast to find us half-buried in the snow. I was right beside the divide Bear. The bright blood would draw the monsters eyes.And then I got this crazy idea.I paused to laugh quietly to myself.I didnt have a Bear host for Harness Light. I couldnt use my body. The guide was dead or had fled. But there was one other body on the ice field.It was insanity, but all I could think of was Harness Light. We werent even close friends, but I knew he was slowly dying, right between my hearts. I couldnt endure that.I heard the angry claw beast roaring, and I ran toward the sound. Soon I could see its thick white fur. I ran straight to its third left leg and launched myself as high up the leg as I could. I was a good jumper. I used all six of my hands, the knife sides, to yank myself up the side of the beast. It roared and spun, but that didnt help. Picture a dog chasing its tail. Claw beasts have very small brains-a limited intelligence.I made it to the beasts back and ran up the double spine, jab in with my knives so that it couldnt shake me off.It only took seconds to get up to the beasts head. But that was where the greatest difficulty waited. My ice cutters were only about as long as your forearm, maybe. The claw beasts hide was twice as thick. I swung my arm down as thorny as I could, slashing through the first mould of fur and membrane. The claw beast screamed and reared back on its hindmost legs. I almost fell.I lodged four of my hands into its hide-it screamed and thrashed. With the other two, I took turns cutting at the gash Id made. The skin was so thick and tough, I didnt know if I would be able to saw through.The claw beast went berserk. It shook so hard that it was all I could do to hold on for a moment. But time was running out for Harness Light. I shoved my hands into the hole and tried to rip it open.Then the claw beast threw itself retrograde onto the ice.If we hadnt been over its lair, the pit it had dug to hide in, that would have crushed me. As it was, though it knocked me silly, the fall really helped. My knives were already in the beasts neck. When I hit the ground, the weight of the beast drove my cutters deep through its skin. Deeper than I needed.We were both stunned I was half smothered. I knew I had to do something right away, but I couldnt remember what it was. The beast started to roll, dazed. The fresh air cleared my head, and I remembered Harness Light.Protecting him from the cold as well as I could in the soft side of my hands, I moved him from my egg pocket into the claw beasts neck.The beast got to its feet and bucked again. This time I flew off. Id let go of my hold to insert Harness Light, you see. The claw beast was infuriated. The wound on its head wasnt nearly enough to kill it-just annoy it.The snow had settled enough that I was in plain sight, especially as I was painted with the beasts blood. Its a very bright color, a color you dont have here. It raised its pincers, and they swung toward me. I thought that was it, and I was comforted a little that at least I would die trying.And then the pincers hit the snow beside me. I couldnt believe it had missed I stared up at the huge, hideous face, and I almost had to well, not laugh. Bears dont laugh. But t hat was the feeling. Because that fugly face was torn with confusion and surprise and chagrin. No claw beast had ever worn such(prenominal) an expression before.It had taken Harness Light a few minutes to bind himself to the claw beast-it was such a big area, he really had to extend himself. But then he was in control. He was confused and slow-he didnt have much of a brain to work with, but it was enough that he knew I was his friend.I had to ride him to the crystal city-to hold the wound closed on his neck until we could reach a Healer. That caused quite a stir. For a while they called me Rides the Beast. I didnt like it. I made them go back to my other name.Id been staring ahead, toward the lights of the hospital and the figures of the souls crossing in front of those lights, as I told the story. Now I looked at Jared for the first time. He was gaping at me, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open.It really was one of my best stories. Id have to get Mel to promise that shed tell it to Jamie when I wasTheyre probably finished unloading, dont you think? I said quickly. Lets finish this and get back home.He stared at me for one more moment, and then shook his head slowly.Yes, lets finish this, Wanderer, Lives in the Stars, Rides the Beast. Stealing a few unguarded crates wont present much of a challenge for you, will it?