Lightning Game (GhostWalkers 17)

Rubin found the same problems inside the man as were in the first patient—a mixture of animal and human parts that just didn’t fit. “I need you to clear your men out of here, Sean. The men who are capable of hearing telepathically anything Jonquille hears, I need identified. Don’t screw around. We don’t have time for that. I’ll be giving her instructions to try to save one of these men and I can’t have interference. Identify them now, before they leave this room.”

“Andrew and Hudson are both capable of hearing what Jonquille hears,” Sean said.

“Malichai, I need lines in this patient as well. He’s going to need oxygen and blood. We have to put him out. I don’t want his veins collapsing. Same with Leon. I’ll need them side by side, but with enough room for me or Jonquille to get around both patients. I need water for both of us to drink. Two good chairs. If possible, darken the windows in here. If not, keep everyone away. Zeke, I’ll need Joe and Wyatt. Get them here fast. Sean, I need a couple of volunteers willing to donate body parts if necessary, but they have to be the closest to these two in DNA that you are aware of.”

“That would be Christian and Simon,” Sean identified without hesitation.

“If they agree, bring them here along with Hudson and Andrew.” Rubin was snapping orders, aware time was slipping away.

His team was setting up fast as they always did in the field. They were good at it, sterilizing the operating tables, getting lines into veins, transferring patients onto the tables. They had two more makeshift cots waiting for the donors who would be put out as well. Bellisia hurried in, a towel wrapped around her, clothes in hand, looking for a bathroom in which to change. Her blood type was RH-null, a very rare type that was compatible with all types, making her blood very sought after. It meant she was born without any antigens in her blood.

Sean hurried away to find his volunteers and the two men the GhostWalkers had to make absolutely certain they couldn’t hear one single word said between Rubin and Jonquille. Surgery would be done in this room on the two patients, but it wouldn’t be done with scalpels. It would be done with minds. No one could have that information outside their own unit.

Of the two patients, Milo was really laboring to breathe. Both struggled, but Milo couldn’t seem to pull oxygen into his lungs and from his lungs into his bloodstream. Rubin again positioned himself over the man, his palms a scant inch from his chest, Jonquille on the other side, mimicking his action. Her gaze flicked to him.

Rubin gave a slight shake of his head. “We still have company,” he reminded.

Hudson and Andrew were sitting in chairs, frowns on their faces, no doubt wondering what they were doing while doctors appeared to be setting up a makeshift operating room. Malichai approached, asked their names, leaned over them and gave each one a shot. Within moments they slumped over.

“Out. I’ll keep checking them, Rubin. You’ve got a go here,” he reported.

“Our donors are heading to sleep slowly,” Ezekiel said. “They’re both strong and very cooperative. Bellisia despises giving blood, it really hurts her, but she’s ready whenever you need her to transfuse.”

Rubin nodded, his concentration on Milo, assessing the damage to the man’s insides, what parts were usable and then how they could best connect them and make them work long-term. He blocked everything out but the task ahead of him.

This is impossible.

No, it is simply one thing at a time. Surgery, just as if you were in an operating room. We have to keep him breathing. He’s struggling. So that first. Then his blood pumping. Once we deal with those two things, we can fix each problem. He kept his voice calm and certain, infusing her with confidence.

Jonquille followed his lead, dealing with the lung issues first, making certain their patient could get oxygen to his lungs, into his bloodstream, heart and brain. They would have to reroute the blood away from the heart to deal with the heart issues, but one thing at a time.

Once we stabilize Milo, we’ll do the same for Leon and then you’ll have to operate on one while I take the other.

Jonquille’s head snapped up. She shook her head. “No. Absolutely not. This is complete reconstructive surgery of the entire inside of his body, Rubin. I’m not capable of that. In an operating room I wouldn’t be capable. No.” She started to back away, complete panic on her face. “I would kill him.”

“Jonquille. I don’t believe you noticed, but our patients are dying. They don’t have anyone else. If Zeke could operate, he would. If Wyatt could, he would have done so already. We are their only chance. We don’t have time for discussion. I know you can do it. You just follow what I’m doing.” Rubin was very calm. “Look at him. You’re all he’s got. Take a breath. We’ll do this one step at a time. Joe will be with you for anything you need. He’s experienced and fast. Wyatt’s right here as well. Look to me if you get into trouble.”