Chapter 9—Simone

HAWK'S TESTING HAD proven she'd had a unique experience. She was even faster and processed more quickly than any of the other four. The challenge before them was to figure out how Hawk had adapted so well and replicate it to make their cybernetic humans function optimally.

Her mind was preoccupied with the process and dissecting what had gone differently with Hawk when klaxons blared, shattering the relative calm of the colony. Simone jerked upright from her workstation, heart pounding. Through the reinforced windows, she glimpsed the unmistakable silhouettes of Sventian warships descending upon them like a swarm of locusts.

"Vorn's launched his next attack." Tiberius's voice crackled over the comm, laced with urgency. "All personnel to battle stations immediately."

Simone's mind raced as she sprinted toward the command center, her lab coat billowing behind her. They'd anticipated this day, but the reality still struck like a blow to the gut. She burst into the war room, met by a flurry of activity.

"Sitrep?" Her clipped tone demanded an immediate update.

Tiberius, his cybernetic enhancements glinting under the harsh lights, straightened from the holographic display. His optic enhancement focused on her for a second as though scanning her. He probably was, wanting to reassure himself she wasn't about to faint with terror. "The Scourge has us surrounded on all fronts. They're pummeling our outer defenses with heavy artillery."

His expression hardened, a steely resolve etched into his features. "But they're about to face something they've never encountered before."

Simone felt a surge of pride mingled with unease. The biocircuit integration had unlocked unprecedented capabilities within Tiberius and the Iron Wolves, but its true potential remained untested in the crucible of battle.

"You're certain your team is prepared?" She searched his eyes.

Tiberius met her gaze fearlessly. "We were born ready." With a subtle nod, he signaled to his mercs, and they fanned out, assuming their positions with precision.

Simone watched, awestruck, as Tiberius seamlessly coordinated the defense efforts. His movements were a blur, his reflexes operating on a plane far beyond human limitations. He issued rapid-fire commands, his tactical acumen amplified by the neural interface's computational power.

Outside, the first wave of Sventian ground troops breached the perimeter, swarming toward the colony's heart. Simone's breath hitched as Tiberius and the Iron Wolves left the illusory safety of the command center and engaged the enemy, their cybernetic enhancements propelling them into a whirlwind of lethal efficiency.

Tiberius moved with a fluid grace that belied his imposing stature, his enhanced musculature and synthetic fibers granting him superhuman strength and speed. He deflected enemy fire with uncanny precision, his cybernetic eye tracking multiple targets simultaneously.

Beside him, Lancer's bionic arm transformed into a high-caliber cannon, raining a hailstorm of concentrated plasma bursts upon the advancing Sventian forces. Hawk soared overhead, her enhancements allowing her to jump so high and hover so long it gave the illusion of flight, allowing her to rain down suppressing fire from above while evading return volleys with ease.

Simone watched, transfixed, as the battle unfolded before her eyes. The Iron Wolves fought as a seamless unit, their neural interfaces enabling instantaneous coordination and shared tactical awareness.

"Come on," said Izzy, tugging at her arm. "We need to make sure the lab is secure."

"Of course." She followed her friend out of the command center, heading back to the lab. The Sventians had breached the building, and the battle raged around Simone as she sprinted through the smoke-filled corridors behind Izzy. Explosions rocked the colony, sending tremors through the floor beneath her feet. She stumbled, catching herself against the wall as debris rained down.

Somewhere behind her, the unmistakable sound of heavy footfalls echoed, drawing ever closer. Vorn's deep, guttural voice carried over the din, taunting her. "You can't escape me, Doctor."

Realizing he was there to hunt her made it far realer than it had been when she'd first heard the news he wanted revenge for her shooting him. In the haze of smoke, she lost track of Izzy and found herself running down a corridor that wasn't familiar, shrouded as it was in the haze.

"I've seen your pretty upgrades, and I want them and all the tech." His chilling words echoed from behind her.

Simone reached into her pocket to extract a laser scalpel she'd placed there earlier. It hadn't been intended to be a weapon, but it would have to do. Her grip tightened on the laser scalpel clutched in her hand. She refused to be taken, refused to let her life's work fall into the hands of that ruthless scourge.

Rounding a corner, she recognized where she was when the smoke cleared somewhat and was soon in the main laboratory, slipping through a maze of workstations and cutting-edge equipment. Her territory was now a potential trap. She darted behind a bank of computers, chest heaving as she fought to control her ragged breaths.

The doors hissed open, and Vorn's towering form filled the entrance, his cybernetic claw glinting menacingly. It looked so crude compared to the symmetrical beauty of the cybernetics the Iron Wolves bore. "Come out, come out, little scientist." His lips curled into a predatory smile. "I promise I'll make your death quick if you surrender peacefully."

Simone remained motionless, her mind racing. She had to buy time and hold out until Tiberius and the others could reach her.

"Your toys are impressive," Vorn said, stalking through the lab, his footsteps heavy and deliberate. "But they're nothing compared to the power you could wield at my side."

"I'd planned to kill you for what you did to me, but..." He paused, cocking his head as if listening for any telltale sound that might give away her location. "Join me, Dr. Wiley. Become my consort, and together, we'll reshape the galaxy in our image."

Simone clenched her jaw, revulsion churning in her gut. She would never submit to that monster while a single breath remained in her body.

Vorn's shadow loomed over her hiding spot. "Hello," he said with a wicked grin that held a menacing edge.

She tensed, preparing to strike.

"Don't be a fool," he said, sounding almost indulgent. "Your resistance only delays the inevitable. You will see to my enhancements, and you'll either come with me to serve my will, or your tech will, but you won't win against me."

His words irritated her, making her act rashly. In a blur of motion, Simone leapt from her cover, the laser scalpel raised high. Vorn's eyes widened in surprise.

Their gazes locked, and time seemed to slow. Simone saw the hunger in his eyes, the twisted desire to possess her, to break her will and bend her to his whims while turning her invention into a way to strengthen the Scourge and set them loose on the galaxy.

Never.

With a feral snarl, she brought the scalpel down in a vicious arc, aiming for his exposed throat. Vorn reacted with blinding speed, his cybernetic arm deflecting the blow with a resounding clang.

The impact jarred her bones, but she refused to relent. She pressed the attack, raining down a flurry of strikes, each one fueled by her determination to survive, to protect all she held dear, and to keep him from tapping into the power Tiberius and the others now had. His crude illegal enhancements were no match for what her tech could give him, and unleashing that kind of power through him on the world was abhorrent.

Vorn parried her blows, his laughter a deep rumble. "Such fire," he said with a vicious grin. "I'll enjoy breaking you."

Feinting left, Simone ducked under his guard and slashed at his midsection. The scalpel's searing beam sliced through his armor, drawing a thin line of viscous fluid.

Vorn roared in pain and rage, his fist lashing out and catching Simone squarely in the ribs. The force of the blow lifted her off her feet, sending her crashing into a nearby console. Stars danced across her vision as she crumpled to the floor, gasping for air. The scalpel clattered from her grasp, its beam sputtering out.

Vorn loomed over her, his expression twisted into a rictus of fury. "You'll pay for that." He reached down, his cybernetic claw extending toward her throat.

Simone's fingers scrabbled across the debris-strewn floor, seeking any weapon or means of defense. Her hand closed around a jagged shard of metal, and she gripped it tightly, bracing herself.

As Vorn's claw closed around her neck, she struck, driving the shard deep into the joint of his wrist, which was still fully biological, with every ounce of strength she could muster.

Vorn bellowed in agony, recoiling as blood spurted from the damaged limb. Simone seized the opportunity, rolling to her feet and snatching up the scalpel once more.

With a feral cry, she charged, the scalpel's beam flaring to life. Vorn turned, his remaining hand raised in a futile attempt to deflect her attack.

The searing blade sliced through his outstretched arm, cleaving it from his body in a shower of sparks and fluid. Vorn's agonized howls echoed through the lab as he staggered back, clutching the cauterized stump.

Simone stood her ground, the scalpel raised, chest heaving with exertion. "I'll never let you have my technology, Vorn," she shouted with defiance.

Before Vorn could respond, the doors burst open, and Tiberius stormed in, his cybernetic enhancements glowing with power. His gaze swept over the scene, taking in Simone's battered form and Vorn's grievous wounds. "Simone." His voice was both relief and fury as he crossed the distance in a blur of motion.

Vorn snarled, his remaining hand transforming into a wicked-looking blaster. "This isn't over, human."

Tiberius moved with superhuman speed, interposing himself between Simone and the Sventian leader. His cybernetic eye tracked Vorn's every twitch, his muscles coiled and ready to strike.

The deafening roar of battle faded into the background as Simone's world narrowed to the two towering figures before her. Tiberius, his cybernetic enhancements humming with power, stood ready, shielding her from Vorn's wrath.

Simone's breath caught in her throat as Tiberius shifted positions, his muscles coiling like taut cables, ready to strike. His optic implant tracking Vorn's every move as his reflexes operated on a plane far beyond human limitations.

In a blur of motion, Vorn raised his blaster, the muzzle glowing ominously. Simone's heart raced as her fingers tightened around the laser scalpel. She braced for the inevitable clash.

Tiberius's cybernetic arm lashed out, deflecting Vorn's first volley with a resounding clang that reverberated through the lab. Vorn snarled, his blaster arm recalibrating with lightning speed, unleashing a rapid-fire barrage of plasma bolts. Tiberius weaved and dodged, his enhanced agility allowing him to evade the lethal fusillade with ease.

Simone watched, terrified but unable to look away as the two clashed, their movements a dizzying dance of violence and precision. Tiberius pressed his advantage, raining down a flurry of blows that forced Vorn onto the defensive.

With a feral roar, Vorn lashed out, his cybernetic claw slicing through the air like a whip. Tiberius twisted, narrowly avoiding the strike, and countered with a vicious uppercut from his cyborg arm that struck the Sventian leader.

Vorn stumbled back, his blaster arm swinging wildly, unleashing a torrent of plasma fire that scorched the lab's walls. Simone flinched, ducking behind a console as shrapnel and sparks rained down around her.

Through the haze of smoke and debris, she glimpsed Tiberius closing in, his movements fluid and relentless. He battered Vorn's defenses, each blow landing with bone-jarring force.

Vorn's laughter echoed through the chaos, a deep, mocking rumble. "Is that all you've got, human? I expected more from the great Tiberius Pe?a."

Tiberius didn't rise to the taunt. He feinted left, then struck with blinding speed, his cybernetic fist slamming into Vorn's midsection with the force of a small artillery shell.

The impact lifted Vorn off his feet, sending him crashing through a bank of computers in a shower of sparks and twisted metal. Simone ducked instinctively as more debris rained down around her.

Vorn emerged from the wreckage, his armor rent and scorched, but his eyes burned with a maniacal gleam. "Not bad, human. I look forward to having your enhancements, but I'll be able to fully use them. You're too weak to have such a gift." With a flick of his wrist, a wicked-looking blade extended from his remaining cybernetic limb. He twirled the blade, his movements almost casual, as if taunting Tiberius to make the next move.

Simone's grip tightened on the laser scalpel. She knew better than to intervene. Tiberius's enhanced reflexes and combat prowess far outstripped her own, but every fiber of her being yearned to stand at his side, to face this threat together as partners.

As if sensing her thoughts, Tiberius glanced over his shoulder, his cybernetic eye locking with gaze. Tiberius gave her the slightest nod, a wordless reassurance, before turning his attention back to Vorn. His stance shifted, his body coiling as he prepared to engage once more.

Vorn charged, his blade a blur of lethal steel as he unleashed a whirlwind of strikes. Tiberius parried and deflected each blow, his movements a seamless fusion of raw power and calculated precision.

The two clashed in a whirlwind of violence, their enhanced forms striking with the force of colliding asteroids. Simone could only watch as the battle raged around her, having trouble keeping track of how fast they moved.

Tiberius seized an opening, his cybernetic fist slamming into Vorn's jaw with a sickening crunch. The Sventian leader staggered, his blade clattering to the floor as he fought to maintain his footing.

Seizing the advantage, Tiberius pressed his assault, raining down a relentless barrage of blows that battered Vorn's defenses. Each strike landed with bone-jarring force, the sound of rending metal echoing through the lab.

Vorn snarled, his remaining hand lashing out in a desperate bid to gain some respite. His cybernetic claw raked across Tiberius's chest, scoring deep furrows in his armor and drawing a thin line of blue fluid.

Tiberius grunted, his expression tightening with pain, but he refused to relent. With a feral roar, he unleashed a devastating uppercut that lifted Vorn off his feet, sending him crashing to the floor in a heap of twisted metal and sparking circuitry.

Silence descended over the lab, punctuated only by the crackle of exposed wiring and the ragged sound of Vorn's labored breathing. Simone emerged from her cover, her heart pounding in her ears as she approached Tiberius.

He turned to face her, his cybernetic enhancements still glowing with power, his expression a mix of triumph and concern. Without a word, he pulled her into a fierce embrace, his arms enveloping her in a protective cocoon.

Simone melted into Tiberius's embrace, drawing strength from the solidity of his form, the reassuring thrum of his cybernetic enhancements. His arms enveloped her, a protective cocoon shielding her from the chaos that raged around them.

For a fleeting moment, the sounds of battle faded into the background, replaced by the steady beat of his heart, and the rhythmic whir of his synthetic components. Simone reveled in his presence and the certainty he would always stand at her side, no matter the odds.

All too soon, the respite shattered as a thunderous explosion rocked the colony, jolting them back to the grim reality they faced. Tiberius's grip tightened, his body tensing as he scanned the smoke-filled lab for any lingering threats.

"We need to regroup," he said, his voice a low rumble that reverberated through her bones. "The others will be converging on our position."

Simone nodded, reluctantly extricating herself from his embrace. Her fingers trailed along the scorched furrows in his armor.

As if sensing her thoughts, Tiberius caught her hand, his cybernetic eye locking with her gaze. "We'll be okay."

His conviction bolstered her resolve, and she squared her shoulders, pushing aside the lingering tendrils of fear. "I know," she said, her voice steadier than she had anticipated.

The sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention, and Simone turned to see Lance and the others emerging from the smoke-filled corridors. Their armor bore the scars of battle, but their eyes burned with a fierce determination that mirrored Tiberius's own.

"Status report," said Tiberius, his tone all business as he slipped seamlessly into his role as commander.

Lancer stepped forward, his expression grim. "The outer defenses have been breached, but we've managed to contain the Sventian forces within the secondary perimeter. For now."

His gaze flicked toward the twisted heap of metal and sparking circuitry that had once been Vorn. "Their leader is down, but they're regrouping under a new command structure."

Tiberius's jaw tightened, his cybernetic eye flickering as he processed the information. "We need to press our advantage while we still can. Hawk, what's our aerial situation?"

The lithe sniper stepped forward. "The skies are clear for now, but they've got heavy artillery inbound. We'll need to neutralize those cannons before they can bring them to bear."

Tiberius nodded, his expression grim. "That's our priority. Lance, take Brick and secure the artillery emplacements. Hawk, provide overwatch and take out any stragglers."

His gaze shifted to Simone, and she saw a flicker of concern cross his features. "You should retreat to the secure bunker until we've regained control of the situation."

Simone opened her mouth to protest, but he raised a hand, his expression brooking no argument. "I can't afford any distractions, Simone. Worrying about you could get me killed."

She wanted to argue, to insist on standing by his side, but his words gave her pause. This wasn't about her pride or her desire to contribute. This was about ensuring the survival of everything they had built, of every life that depended on their success.

With a reluctant nod, she acquiesced, tightening her fingers around the laser scalpel still clutched in her hand. "Be careful out there," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Tiberius's expression softened, and he reached out, his cybernetic hand cupping her cheek in a tender gesture. "Always," he promised. With a sharp nod to his team, he turned and strode from the lab, his movements purposeful and determined. Simone watched him go, her heart swelling with pride and fear.

As the sound of their footsteps faded, she was alone in the ravaged laboratory, surrounded by the twisted wreckage of their battle with Vorn. She cast a glance at the Sventian leader's motionless form, her lip curling in disgust.

A flicker of movement caught her eye, and she tensed, her grip tightening on the scalpel as she scanned the shadows for any lingering threats. A low groan echoed through the stillness, and she zeroed in on the source—a crumpled figure half-buried beneath a pile of debris.

Cautiously, she approached, her steps light and measured. As she drew closer, she recognized the battered form of Izzy, her friend's face streaked with soot and blood.

"Izzy." Simone dropped to her knees beside the other woman, fingers fumbling for a pulse. Relief washed over her as she felt the steady thrum of life beneath her fingertips.

Izzy's eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused and dazed. "S-Simone?" Her voice was a ragged whisper, laced with pain.

"I'm here," Simone soothed, her hands already working to clear the debris pinning her friend. "Just hold on, okay? I've got you."

With a grunt of effort, she heaved aside a twisted slab of metal, freeing Izzy from the wreckage. The other woman cried out, her face contorting in agony as Simone gently eased her onto her back.

Simone's breath caught in her throat as she took in the extent of Izzy's injuries. A jagged shard of shrapnel protruded from her abdomen, her blood seeping in a steady crimson flow.

"Oh, Izzy..." Simone's voice wavered, her hands hovering uncertainly over the grievous wound.

Izzy's fingers closed around her wrist, her grip surprisingly strong despite her condition. "Don't...give me that look," she said, her lips quirking in a ghost of a smile. "I've...had worse."

Simone chuckled even as tears stung her eyes. Trust Izzy to maintain her sense of humor, even in the direst of circumstances.

Steeling herself, Simone reached for the medkit tucked into the pocket of her lab coat. "Just hold still," she said, her fingers deftly retrieving the necessary supplies. "This is going to hurt, but I'll be as gentle as I can."

She set about stemming the flow of blood and stabilizing Izzy's condition. Her hands moved with a steady surety born of years of experience, her focus narrowing to the task at hand.

As she worked, Izzy's gaze remained fixed on her, her eyes shining with pain and a surprising amount of cheer. "You always...did have a way...with sharp objects," she quipped, her voice strained.

Simone smiled as she applied the final dressing to Izzy's wound. "And you always did have a knack for finding trouble," she retorted, her tone laced with affection.

Izzy's laughter dissolved into a fit of coughing, her body wracked with spasms of pain. Simone's heart clenched, and she reached out, her fingers brushing the sweat-dampened strands of hair from Izzy's brow.

"Easy," she soothed, her voice a gentle murmur. "Save your strength. You're going to be just fine."

Izzy's eyes fluttered open, her gaze locking with Simone's. "You know...that's not true," she whispered, her words laced with a finality that sent a chill down Simone's spine.

"Don't say that," Simone chided, her voice wavering despite her best efforts to maintain her composure. "We've been through worse scrapes than this, remember? That time on Arcadia Prime when we –"

"Simone." Izzy's fingers tightened around her wrist, her grip insistent. "Listen to me."

Simone fell silent, her throat constricting as she met Izzy's unwavering gaze.

"You're going to have to upgrade me if I'm going to live. Make me a cyborg."

She didn't hesitate as she gently lifted Izzy onto the metal console closest to the equipment. There was no biobed operating, so it was riskier than the others' conversions, but this was Izzy's only chance.

The makeshift operating table gleamed under the harsh laboratory lights, casting eerie shadows across Izzy's pale face. Her hands trembled as she reached for the biocircuit interface, the decision pressing down on her like a physical force. "Are you sure about this?" asked Simone.

Izzy's eyes fluttered open, a weak smile tugging at her lips. "Do I have a choice?" She coughed, a wet, rattling sound that made Simone's stomach clench. "Besides, I always wanted to be part robot. Think of the pranks I could pull."

Despite the gravity of the situation, she chuckled. "Only you could joke at a time like this." She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves as she began the delicate process of integrating the biocircuit interface with Izzy's nervous system. The room filled with the soft hum of machinery, and the steady beep of medical monitors.

As Simone worked, her mind raced through calculations and procedures. She had to be precise, meticulous, and work without the biobed keeping Izzy in perfect homeostasis. One wrong move could spell disaster. The responsibility pressed down on her, threatening to crush her.

"Talk to me," said Izzy, her voice strained. "Distract me."

Simone nodded, her eyes never leaving her work as she started speaking. "Remember that time on Epsilon Prime? When we sneaked into the restricted zone to study those bioluminescent fungi?"

Izzy's laugh turned into a pained groan. "How could I forget? You tripped and fell face-first into a patch of spores. Your skin glowed for a week."

"I looked like a human nightlight," said Simone, carefully attaching neural connectors to Izzy's cerebral cortex. "The looks I got in the cafeteria were priceless."

"Not as priceless as the look on Professor Hadley's face when you showed up to give your presentation," said Izzy. "I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head."

The conversation flowed between them, a lifeline of normalcy in the chaos. Simone's hands moved with precision, her focus absolute as she integrated synthetic components with organic tissue.

Hours passed in a blur of intense concentration and delicate maneuvering. Simone's back ached from hunching over the makeshift operating table, but she refused to stop. Izzy's life hung in the balance, and she wouldn't fail her friend.

As the final connections were made, Simone stepped back, her breath catching in her throat. Izzy lay motionless on the console, her body a hybrid of flesh and machine. The biocircuit interface pulsed with a soft, blue light, syncing with Izzy's vital signs and forming small, visible webbing in lines throughout her skull.

"Izzy?" Simone called softly, her heart pounding. "Can you hear me?"

For a long, agonizing moment, there was no response. Slowly, Izzy's eyes opened. The ocular implant glowed with an otherworldly blue light. " This is amazing."

Simone sagged with relief. "How do you feel?"

Izzy flexed her fingers, watching as synthetic muscles rippled beneath her skin. "Like I could bench press a spaceship." She paused, her brow furrowing. "But also like I might throw up. Is that normal?"

"Your system is still adjusting." Simone ran a diagnostic scan. "It'll take some time for everything to fully integrate, but your results are nominal."

As she spoke, the lab doors hissed open. Tiberius strode in, his cybernetic enhancements still glowing from recent combat. His eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. "What have you done?"

Simone straightened, squaring her shoulders. "What I had to do to save her life."

"I can see that." He approached cautiously, his gaze fixed on Izzy's newly augmented form. "Is she...stable?"

"Hey, I'm right here," said Izzy, slowly sitting up. "And I'm fine. Well, mostly fine. A little nauseated and kind of buzzy, but fine."

Tiberius nodded, a hint of approval in his expression. "Impressive work, considering the circumstances." He turned to Simone, his face softening. "We've done it. The Sventian Scourge has been defeated."

Relief washed over Simone, threatening to buckle her knees. "It's over?"

"Not entirely. There are still pockets of resistance, but their main force has been routed. Vorn is dead, and their fleet is in disarray."

Simone closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment to absorb the news. When she opened them, she found Tiberius watching her intently.

"You should rest," he said softly. "You've been through hell."

She shook her head. "Not yet. I need to monitor Izzy's integration process. Make sure there are no complications."

Tiberius stepped closer, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder. The warmth of his touch seeped through her, a stark contrast to the cold metal of the lab. "You've done enough for now," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Let the medical team and Dr. Valeria take over. You need to recharge."

Simone wanted to argue, but exhaustion weighed heavily on her. She glanced at Izzy, who gave her a reassuring nod.

"Go," said Izzy. "I promise not to turn into a homicidal cyborg while you're gone. Well...probably not."

Despite everything, Simone laughed. "All right, but I'll be back soon to check on you."

As she allowed Tiberius to lead her from the lab, she cast one last glance at Izzy. Her friend waved, the gesture slightly jerky as she adjusted to her new cybernetic enhancements.

The corridor outside was a flurry of activity, personnel rushing back and forth as they dealt with the aftermath of the battle. Simone leaned against Tiberius, suddenly aware of how drained she truly was.

"Come on," he said, steering her toward her quarters. "You need to rest."

She nodded, too tired to argue. As they walked, her thoughts drifted to the future. The Sventian Scourge was defeated, but at what cost? And what would this mean for their colony?

She pushed aside the thoughts, focusing on the steady rhythm of his footsteps beside her. For now, they were alive. They had survived. Everything else could wait until she had slept.

As they reached her quarters, Tiberius paused, his hand hovering over the door controls. "Simone," he said, his voice low and intense. "What you did back there, with Izzy, all by yourself, was incredible."

She looked up at him, confused by the admiration in his eyes. "I did what I had to do," she said simply.

He nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "That's what makes you so remarkable." He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up."

As she entered her quarters, the door sliding shut behind her, she found herself smiling despite her exhaustion. They had faced impossible odds and come out the other side. She collapsed onto her bed, her body finally giving in to the bone-deep weariness that had been building for hours. As she drifted off to sleep, her last thoughts were of Tiberius, of Izzy, and of the strange, wonderful family they had forged.