THE SECOND CRADLE - BOOK TWO OF THE IRON CRADLE SAGA Chapter 9: CHAPTER NINE- Heroes March

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CHAPTER NINE ROSLYN RESEARCH FACILITY: Heroes March "Tanya, you're gonna have to stop." I could see the strain on her face, and I knew damn well she was pulling deep into her stamina. It had been a little over four hours now, and Tanya had spent most of that time trying to heal the sick and the wounded, including her own mother. "How far did you pull?" I asked as I helped her down onto a bench. "Pretty far, Gavin. I'm sorry. I know that this puts more pressure on the team. But I had to make sure that she got that last round of treatment before we go." "It's all right, just sit and rest for a little bit, okay? We have some time before we push back into the tunnel." I took a moment to look around at what used to be a cafeteria. The colonel and what was left of the Marine security detail were busy, lined up down a table. They were reloading magazines with ammunition and taking on supplies that Rosalind had phased out of the lower level. My father was over talking to the professor and ARi, and I looked down to find my mother grabbing my hand. "Mom, when I'm gone I need you to do something for me. I need you to help Roslyn and Professor Giles convince the others to go into stasis." I looked at her for a moment, and I could see the strain on her face. "Please, Mom. I know Dad's gonna want to stay out for a while, but if you go in, I know eventually he will too." "Gavin, I can't leave your father out here," she said, and I could feel her hand as it began to tremble. "I'm going to be gone for a long time. It's not going to be like it was last time. I want to know that I'm coming home to my family. I want to know that while I'm gone, you're safe. You don't have to do it right away. But promise me you will." She paused for a moment and took a breath before looking up and over at Tanya. Without a word, she took a tissue from her pocket, reached up, and dabbed some of the blood from Tanya's nose. My mother caught the quick glare I was giving her. "Gavin, I don't understand how all this works yet. But I'm assuming that whatever this fine young lady did to heal her mother, has taxed her.” She smiled softly at Tanya before sitting back. "And I'm sure I'm going to hear all about how ‘you've’ been doing the same thing the entire time you've been gone." Again, I glared over at Tanya, but she just shook her head in response. "I didn't say a word." "No, and she didn't have to. I know the man I married, and I know my son. Gavin, you've tried so hard your entire life not to be your father. But, baby, we can't help who we are. You were always going to run off and do great things." She took a deep breath, holding it in for a moment before releasing it. "We each have our role to play in this, don't we?" She let go of my hand and stood up for a moment, looking across the room at my father. He caught her watching him and gave her one of his corny winks. I saw her attention go from my father to ARi, who was also looking at me from across the room. "Do you love her, Gavin?" Again, I immediately glared back at Tanya. Tanya just smiled. "You know, Gavin, for a smart guy, you're kind of an idiot sometimes." Looking back at my mother, I realized that nobody had told her anything and that I had just told her everything. I looked back across the room at ARi. I sighed. "Yeah, Mom, I think I do." A smile tugged at the edge of her mouth. "I'm happy for you, Gavin." "I'll do as you ask," she said, taking another quick breath and finding her resolve. "But not until I know that everyone is okay. Deal?" "Deal," I said as I stood up and gave my mom a hug. I walked over to the other side of the room to join ARi. The group was standing around three mechanical drakes. They were circling Roslyn, flaring their fin blades as Roz demonstrated some of their capabilities. "I'm afraid this is all I'm going to be able to make for a little while." “They're amazing, Roz. Under different circumstances, I would love to have ARi spawn Bishop. I think he would get a kick out of this.