Free Vanguard by CJ Markusfeld Page A

a phased expansion.”
    “That’s good news. Medical needs more room to isolate these pneumonia cases. Plus dysentery is making a comeback. But at least we can manage that.” Anjali paused for a moment. “How are you doing, Sophie? Personally?”
    “I’m wondering what the hell I’m doing here.” Sophie rubbed her eyes. “Not on this mission. These last few days have been amazing. The team is working together better than I’d envisioned. Imagine if we could do this all the time. One global aid organization instead of thousands of small ones competing for donations.”
    “I know the mission is successful. I’m asking about you. No news on Vanguard?”
    Sophie shook her head, a lump in her throat. “No sign of him yet. No guarantee he’s here.” She stopped, her voice rough. “No guarantee he’s alive.”
    “We’ve only been here a week.”
    “And he’s been missing for nearly five months.” Sophie’s lips trembled at the corners. “I’ve sworn to find him no matter what it takes. But maybe he doesn’t want to be found.”
    “Nonsense,” said Anjali. “From what you’ve told me of Vanguard, he’d never abandon his family without a word. Nor do I think he’d do that to you.” Her voice softened. “Do you honestly think he would object to you rescuing him from this camp? After everything we know about this place?”
    “You have no idea the sorts of things he objects to,” said Sophie with a wry smile. “I’ve told him once in my life that I loved him. And that was ten years ago under highly emotional circumstances.” She looked down at the desk covered in her notes and sketches. “So yes, I have concerns about overstepping the boundaries of our relationship here. If I bump into him one day in the camp, it’s not like I can say, ‘Oh, hey, this is a crazy coincidence! When did you get here?’”
    “That’s something I want to talk to you about,” Anjali said. “Both Will and I agree that if we do find Vanguard in this camp, you need to keep your distance at first.”
    Sophie gaped at her. Not going to him if – when – she found him was like telling her to breathe underwater.
    “I mean it. You’ll need to get close enough to identify him. But until we can assess his state of mind, it’s better that he not know that you’re here.”
    “Why the hell not?” she demanded.
    “We don’t know how he’ll react, which is exactly what you’re worrying about right now, isn’t it? He might go ballistic. You want him to start screaming at you in Orlisian in front of the Soviets? That would be game over. Same if he flung his arms around you, sobbing with joy. No, we need to control the situation very carefully, or his life will be at greater risk.”
    Sophie mulled that over for a bit. “Good point.”
    “Back to your original concern,” Anjali continued. “You’re overthinking things, as usual. If I were imprisoned in a camp with this many people and a fruitcake Commandant, I’d be pretty damn glad to see you. He will be too.”
    That made Sophie smile, and she gave Anjali a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. And not just because you’re the best medical director in the field.”
    “Me too,” Anjali replied. “By the way, I’m staying back tomorrow. I want to equip the infirmary near the front of the building. It’s got all the basics; we just need to get it working.”
    Sophie looked at her in surprise. “Any special reason?” Getting Anjali to take any personal time away from the crisis zone when they traveled to the field was usually a struggle.
    “I’d like to set up a simple lab space to culture that pneumonia,” Anjali said. “If it’s bacterial, we can nip it in the bud earlier with the right antibiotic. Maybe even vaccinate.” She winked at Sophie. “Plus, it never hurts to have a little extra space when you might be expecting company.”
    They hadn’t even found him yet, and Anjali was already looking after him.
     
    ~~ - ~~
     
    Sophie spent her days