Lucian pushed open the laboratory door.
The atmosphere inside was cold enough to freeze. Two men faced off several yards apart, neither looking kindly at the other.
Soldier Boy leaned against a metal table, arms folded, looking as sour as if someone had just stiffed him out of millions. Bombsight sat on the other side. He had only recently awakened from the cryogenic chamber, but his eyes remained fixed on the door.
The moment he saw Lucian enter, he stood.
"Where's Little Headliner?" He stared urgently at Lucian and took a step forward. "You said she was safe. Where is she?"
"She's fine." Lucian turned and headed outside. "Follow me."
Without a moment's hesitation, Bombsight hurried after him.
Soldier Boy watched for a couple of seconds, then followed. He didn't know what Lucian was up to, but since Lucian had specifically brought him in to see his old teammate, he probably had something else for him to do.
At the end of the corridor, Lucian opened the door to another room.
Sunlight streamed through the broad windows onto the floor. Little Headliner sat in a wheelchair, basking in the afternoon sun.
Bombsight practically charged inside.
Little Headliner turned at the sound. Once she saw who it was, a smile slowly spread across her face.
"Robbie, you're here."
Bombsight knelt on one knee before the wheelchair, reaching out with trembling hands to touch Little Headliner's face. He looked her up and down, afraid she might have suffered even the slightest injury.
"Are you all right? Did they do anything to you?" Bombsight's voice shook.
Seeing the concern filling his eyes, Little Headliner smiled gently and clasped his hands.
"I'm fine," she said softly. "Really."
Only then did Bombsight calm down a little.
He looked down at that wrinkled hand, his chest