"Well, still, it seems like a battlefield isn't the place for you," he said once she resumed her ministrations.
"It seems like even less of a place for you, Robert7. Besides, the battle is over and people are talking about a lasting peace in this area, which means you have no reason to threaten me with that rifle you can't even lift. Now please, stop squirming and stay still while I bandage you."
"I'm sorry, but it hurts."
"It'll hurt more if any of the injuries get infected," she snapped in response and covered the last of the cuts she could see.
"I…I don't understand. I mean…okay, the fighting is over, but why would you help me? Not that long ago, we were fighting each other. How…how long ago was it?"
"A couple of days now. Some folks from the desert came in and pushed your FEMA asses out of town. I think they didn't want to risk losing more troops here, even if they won. I merely assumed that you don't know how the battle ended and are curious as to why it's me and not one of your comrades coming to rescue you."
He nodded slowly. "Well, I guessed that when no one came looking for me after a day buried under that building."
"Speaking of that, I do remember there being lung complications from inhaling so much dust. Aside from the other injuries."
"Which means I'm still confused as to why you're spending resources to help me."
Jessica13 sighed and shrugged noncommittally. "I don't know. There's something I was told about, and I think that carries over. Like I’ve promised this world every ounce of goodness, sanity, and brotherhood I can give it. Not that it's much, but if it means treating someone in need, I guess that's how it works."
He studied her as she double-checked to make sure she hadn’t missed anything. "I guess that means I surrender to you now."
"Not that you had a choice. Now, let's see if someone can make sure you won’t die sometime today due to internal bleeding or something. Let's get you out of here."
Mini moved the Minato to where Robert7 lay and slowly pulled him up to support the man while they scrambled out.
She wasn't sure if they would find a doctor there but hopefully, they would find someone better equipped and trained than her to handle a person who was wounded.
Chapter Forty-Six
Robert7 wasn't one of the most talkative characters in the world, although Jessica13 didn't think she would have been that talkative while she was marched into the town she had failed to capture.
Of course, she wouldn't have said anything at all and FEMA's fighters probably wouldn't have bothered to take her in either.
"Where are we heading?" her captive-patient asked. He was perched on the Minato's back and used a couple of smaller, empty crates to give him a position to relax on as they moved through the town. It probably wasn't that comfortable but it was certainly better than being trapped as he had been with little option but to wait for help.
The people of Auburn certainly put the hours in to rebuild their home. It wasn't the kind of place she could think of as home for herself. There were too many confining walls, which she now realized had been one of the things she had left Sanctuary to avoid. Of course, it wasn't something she had thought of at the time, but after months spent in the open, she doubted that she could spend too much time in that kind of environment again.
But it was still their home. People needed something established, a haven where they could protect their children and loved ones, and she could understand that. They willingly expended the effort it required. Those who still had mechs continued to help to clear the rubble, although a couple of the ruined mechs had been repurposed and taken out into the fields, where crops were being sown to raise food to sustain the rebuilding process. Not much reconstruction would happen on empty stomachs, after all.
Others had worked to set up temporary living situations in the town center for those who had lost their homes. A few buildings still remained standing, of course, but those were already filled to capacity.
Jessica13 remembered asking why people didn’t reclaim the buildings that hadn’t been demolished, and one of the builders still in the town had explained that the attacks had weakened the structures and many were currently on the cusp of total collapse.
They didn't appear to know of any way to effectively repair them. All they could think of was to tear those down and build something else. No one seemed overly distressed about it.
Maybe it was simply preferable to living in a building that could collapse on top of them at any time of the day or night.
They continued the journey through the town, where a few of the makeshift shelters were open and long tables were set up. Kitchens worked to stir huge pots of steaming liquid, and clay ovens had already been stoked to bake bread that was kneaded in large amounts by a group that had been designated to prepare the food for the rest of the residents.
They were all brought in and organized to work together to supply the other elements that would enable them to accomplish the enormous task ahead. While they could have thrown everyone at the physical and material demands this involved, Mayor Jones had proven to be an effective leader. People knew something was being done to repair Auburn and were willing to make sacrifices as long as it meant that everyone worked toward the same goal.
Maybe the man didn't have the same raw charisma Hammerhand did when
