The Vanished Specialist (The Lost Planet 2)

“How is she?” Breccan asks and I grit my teeth at being discussed like I’m invisible.

“Her heart rate is high and her lungs are working overtime even though her blood-oxygen level is low.” With a sympathetic glance at me, he adds, “She’s having a very hard time breathing. I’m surprised she hasn’t lost consciousness.”

“Is there anything you can do?” Aria asks. I don’t look at her. She was supposed to be my friend, but her actions leave me feeling betrayed, alone. Without Calix, I’m bereft.

To me, Avrell says, “I’m going to administer a light sedative to help calm your nerves. It will hopefully alleviate the stress on your lungs and allow you to breathe more normally.” He preps my arm and inserts a small needle. I barely even feel the pinch. “It’ll take a few moments to take effect.”

I close my eyes and imagine he’s Calix, which allows me to relax in small increments. If I’m going to die, I don’t want it to be while I’m surrounded by these strangers. I must get well enough to find out where they’re keeping Calix so I can see him again, if only for a short while.

When I wake again, the room is empty. The only sound is the dull, monotonous drone from the computer as it reads my vital signs. The ache in my chest is still there, but much less pronounced.

I push to a sitting position and groan. Now that I’m not panicking and can somewhat breathe, all the other aches and pains my body is experiencing make themselves known. My head hurts, my stomach aches, and I could use a week’s worth of uninterrupted sleep. Despite it all, my first priority is finding Calix.

Swinging my legs over the side of the examination table, I get to my wobbly feet, dragging their monitors behind me. The room is about the size of a regular bedroom, with one door leading into what looks like an office, and another automated door that empties out into the hallway. I can’t access the hall door without one of those bracelets the commander had been wearing around his wrist.

“Good solar, alien Emery,” Uvie chirps in greeting. “How may I assist you?”

Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.

“Silent mode,” I order, remembering how Calix had used the command before. I’m shocked when she goes silent.

My stomach cramps and I double over. Much as I want to plot my escape to find Calix, it won’t do me any good if I don’t have the energy to make it to him. A quick search through the bay of cabinets near the exam table turns up more of the fruit Calix had given me before. I choke down a couple—their taste is no longer sweet on my tongue while I’m flooded with worry—then wash it back with a cup of water I retrieve from the sink.

I leave the empty container and the dripping cup on the counter, my attention turning to the office door. As I pushed through, thankful it’s unlocked and empty, I give a silent apology to Avrell for invading his privacy. Computers and strange medical contraptions buzz and whirl, but what interests me the most is the map on the wall opposite his desk.

Leaning forward to study the layout more closely, I can’t hear anything over the rush of blood in my ears. If I can find out where they’re keeping him, the reform cell Breccan had called it, then I can save him like he’d saved me.

“What are you doing?” comes a voice from behind me.

I screech and whirl around, my hand clutching at my racing heart to find Avrell leaning against the door, his pointed ears flicking. His lips are pulled back in a wan smile that bares his filed down teeth.

“Avrell, I-I’m just—”

“Trying to find a way to escape?” he finishes.

My stomach twists. “No, I was trying to find out where you’re keeping Calix.” Might as well be honest. I’ve already been caught.

Avrell gestures for me. “Let’s get you back to the bed. You need to rest.”

He tries to take my hand, but I pull away from him. “No, I don’t want to rest anymore. I want to know what you’re doing with Calix. He was only trying to help me. I’m not going to comply with any of your tests until you let me see him.” My voice rises with each word until the end when my words echo off the small room.

“What’s going on in here?” Aria says as she comes around the corner to Avrell’s side. Breccan, to my growing disappointment, follows close behind.

“What are you doing out of bed?” Breccan practically growls.

“She wants to see Calix,” Avrell informs them.

Aria is already shaking her head. “No, sweetheart, you need to rest and let Avrell figure out what’s going on. Trust me, he’s a good doctor. He’ll take good care of you.”