Chapter 7 - The Extraction
The door to Trauma Bay 3 banged against the wall as Daniel rushed inside, dropping to his knees beside the hospital bed where Emma was sobbing uncontrollably.
"You're safe, Emma. I've got you," Daniel said, pulling the trembling girl into a firm, protective embrace.
Emma buried her face in his wet jacket, her small frame shaking with delayed shock. "He... he tried to get in through the window earlier. He said we belonged to him."
"He's not getting anywhere near you again," Daniel promised, looking up at Dr. Harrison, who was already turning back to the medical tray with intense focus. "Doctor, how is Olivia? Can you get the device out?"
"We don't have a choice. The anesthesia is wearing off, and her vitals are spiking," Dr. Harrison said, his hands steady as he picked up a specialized endoscopic surgical tool. "Hold her steady. This is going to be delicate."
Outside in the hallway, the sound of heavy boots and flashing blue lights filled the air as city police reinforcements, led by Captain Vance, flooded the pediatric wing, cuffing the corporate mercenaries and securing the perimeter.
Dr. Harrison guided the thin fiber-optic camera down Olivia’s throat, working with practiced, surgeon-like precision under the glaring surgical lights. The heart monitor beeped in a rapid, tense rhythm.
"I have visual," Dr. Harrison murmured, sweat beading on his forehead. "The polymer capsule is lodged right at the junction of the small intestine. It’s fracturing."
"Can you extract it intact?" Sarah asked, standing guard at the door with her weapon holstered.
"If I slip by a millimeter, the casing breaches, and whatever is inside will contaminate her bloodstream," Dr. Harrison replied grimly. "Hold her breath steady."
For thirty agonizing seconds, the room fell completely silent except for the rhythmic beep of the monitor and the quiet sound of Emma praying under her breath, holding her sister's limp hand.
Clink.
Dr. Harrison pulled the slender instrument back out into the open air. Resting on the tip of the sterile retrieval basket was a small, titanium-encased micro-data storage cylinder, no larger than a grain of rice, encased in a shimmering blue polymer shell.
"Got it," Dr. Harrison exhaled a long breath, dropping the capsule into a sterile biohazard containment jar. "Nurse, prep for immediate toxicological screening and seal that container in lead-lined evidence."
Olivia stirred on the bed, letting out a faint, sleepy moan as her eyelids fluttered open. She looked around the bright room, her eyes locking onto Emma.
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"Emma?" Olivia whispered, her voice raspy.
Emma broke away from Daniel and threw her arms gently around her twin, burying her face in Olivia’s shoulder. "We're safe, Livvy. We're finally safe."
