I found Orion beneath a fallen tree.
Half his uniform was soaked in blood. Dark, poisoned blood kept welling from the silver bullet wound. Coffee beans lay scattered across the snow, and he was still clutching a torn paper bag.
When he saw me, he actually smiled.
"I was going to find you one that wasn't quite so bitter."
I shifted back, dropped to my knees, and pressed both hands hard against the wound. Blood poured between my fingers. The silver poison had already spread through his veins to his heart.
"The medic is on the way."
Orion looked at me but did not call me on the lie.
I hauled him onto my back and began running toward home.
"You're not dying. You still owe me a cup of coffee."
"Commander..."
"Be quiet. Save your strength."
"Let me finish." His voice faded to a whispe
