Free Ashlyn Chronicles 1: 2287 A.D. by Glenn van Dyke, Renee van Dyke Page B

That was your own fault. I’ll help Martinez, Doc,” Paris offered.
    Victor gave no reply as he continued analyzing Ashlyn’s data. “Why she’s still alive I have no idea. I have never seen such vast amounts of cellular and internal organ damage in a living person. Her core body temperature is way below the minimum threshold. She should be dead. I guess, for now, just keep her warm until I’m done with Steven.”
    Victor then joined the others who prepped Steven.
    Stratton held Ashlyn in his arms, coddling her—trying to keep the blanket tight around her. He had noted the missing patches of flesh from her exposed shins, elbows, arms, and hands. The flayed skin made it painfully obvious that she had fallen several times on her way up.
    It was easy to see that her face and body were perfection personified. Her waist-length black hair neatly tied into a ponytail that lay about her neck. Just beneath it, the glint off her silver locket attached to a necklace caught Stratton’s attention. Its center blue gem glowed, emanating flowing, swirling energy.
    The team worked to get Steven prepped. Victor, in trying to get Steven’s heart started, ran a quick scan. A pang of sadness hit him as he saw that there was no brain activity. Reaching into his med kit, he pulled out a little black box. Placing it on Steven’s chest, he pushed the green button. Three spindly, little legs came out and dove into Steven’s chest. A moment later, a little blip appeared on the monitor.
    “What is that, Doc? Did you get his heart started?” asked Paris, hopeful that Victor had saved him.
    Victor shook his head. “It’ll just give his family a chance to say goodbye. He has no brain activity.”
    “Victor, does that mean that—?” asked Stratton, looking down at Ashlyn.
    “If what Tynabo said is true—I guess so.” Victor nodded. “But we’ll do what we can. Maybe my team can find a way to save her.”
    Ashlyn was now one of them. Her selflessness in her struggle to save one of theirs had earned their admiration and loyalty. Henceforth, every person in the room would be willing to lay down their own life to protect her.
    Minutes later, Robbie announced that he was about to land.
    Stratton opened the door, waving them on. “Hurry it up, guys; the radiation is hot out here. We’ve only got a small window.”
    Victor then added, “I’ll start the decon process aboard the shuttle.” Victor knew that a lack of protective armor meant that he and Ashlyn needed it the most.
    Before taking the final step aboard the transport, they took a moment to look at their surroundings. It wasn’t a city anymore. It was a barren, apocalyptic wasteland, scorched and brutal. Seeing the brick building that had saved them, so simple in its appearance, it seemed miraculous that they had survived.

Chapter 4
     
     
     
     
    “Tynabo?” said Ashlyn, her voice barely audible. Her eyes fluttered open for the first time since her rescue. “Tynabo?” A quick glance around the room revealed that she was in a hospital. Her left arm was hooked up to an I.V. unit attached to the bed. Behind her, on the wall, a screen displayed her vitals.
    The door by the end of the bed opened. “I thought I heard you. Glad to see that you are finally awake. I am Renee, from the Bioscience Department. I’m temporarily assisting here in the med unit. We’re a bit understaffed right now.” The two women exchanged smiles as Renee touched Ashlyn’s arm with reassurance. “Now that you’re awake, you won’t need this anymore.” She removed the I.V. from Ashlyn’s arm. “You were asking for Tynabo?”
    “Yes. It’s really important that I speak with him.”
    Renee pulled a chair up to the side of Ashlyn’s bed. Speaking softly she said, “First, there seems to be a bit of confusion as to what we should call you. Do you prefer D’na or Ashlyn?”
    “Ashlyn or Ash. D’na is Tynabo’s pet name for me. It’s his idea of an inside joke.”
    Renee smiled. “So, tell