Deadman's Switch & Sunder the Hollow Ones Read Online Free PDF

got very lucky we stopped when we did.”
    â€œIt didn’t affect you?” Jake asks.
    â€œI think it’s because my body rejected the implant. I don’t know why or how. The man I overheard last night said he thought it could be because they used new materials.”
    I can feel him watching me, studying me. I can sense the questions forming in Jake’s mind, the suspicion.
    I sidle up beside Stephen. He doesn’t move, doesn’t even seem to notice I’m there.
    â€œDon’t get so damn close to him,” Kelly says.
    â€œHey,” Jake calls out, “Maybe it’s because of that medicine you take, that immunity booster.”
    Stephen’s head snaps up, making me jump back in surprise. His eyes are dark, his face hard. “Immunity booster? What immunity booster?”
    â€œShut up!” Kelly shouts at him. His voice echoes down the tunnel. He walks over and shoves his hand into Stephen’s chest. “You don’t get to speak, asshole!”
    I nudge Kelly aside and step closer. I reach into my pocket and withdraw the inhaler I’ve used my entire life. “This medicine,” I tell him, holding it up so he can see it.
    Stephen reaches for it, but I pull it away.
    Jake stumbles weakly to his feet and comes over. “Can I take a look?”
    I hand him the medicine. He reads the label, then starts to peel it off.
    â€œHey! Stop that!”
    â€œArcBio,” he mutters, showing me the familiar logo underneath. “Figures.” As if that somehow proves something. Or explains something.
    Kelly shrugs. “Yeah, so what? Arc’s got their hands in everything. You know that.”
    Yeah , I think. They’ve even got their hands on you . But I don’t say it. I snatch the inhaler back from Jake and pocket it. I turn and face Stephen again. “Why should this surprise you?”
    â€œIt wasn’t in any of your records,” he says. His voice is flat, fading. “Arc should’ve known.”
    I chuff. “You think?”
    â€œHe’s not going to tell us anything useful,” Kelly says. “I say we stop wasting our time with him.”
    I know Kel’s right. I know time’s running out and we still need to get the rest of the group back. Jake may be well on his way to fully recovering, but I can’t help wondering if spending so much time so close to the EM is hurting the others.
    I instruct Jake to sit tight. “Stay here with Micah. Don’t move. Use your Link for light. We’ll be back as soon as we can.”
    He nods tiredly and walks back over to sit down against the wall. “Be really nice if you could bring me back something for my head,” he says, wincing. “Still hurts.”
    Kelly lifts Micah out of the wheelchair and settles him next to Jake. Then he spins the chair around and hands it back to Stephen.
    â€œI’ll take it,” I say. “It’ll be faster.” I hand the pistol and flashlight to Kelly and set off back into the darkened tunnel. I can hear the scuff of Stephen’s feet as Kelly shoves him.
    â€œWalk faster, shithead.”
    â€œJust don’t shoot him. Okay, Kelly? Not yet, anyway. We still need him to push the wheelchair.”
    â€œHe doesn’t need his left ear for that,” Kelly replies.
    â€œJust… Never mind. Come on.”
    Kelly barks another command at Stephen. I expect to hear him stumble again, but there’s nothing but the chuff chuff of our footsteps and the drip drip of water from the ceiling.
    â€  † †
    The return to the tram only takes about twenty minutes. I quickly maneuver the chair over next to Reggie after confirming that he’s still breathing. Kelly hands me the gun and instructs Stephen to help get Reggie up and sitting. Stephen does as he’s told, though at his own leisurely pace. He reaches under Reggie’s arms. “Hurry up!” Kelly snaps. “On three.