DFV Ethereal by Harris Tori L

Author:Harris, Tori L. [Harris, Tori L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780998533827
Amazon: B08LZRHLX3
Goodreads: 55812097
Publisher: AuthorToriHarris.com
Published: 2020-10-26T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Didara 4, South Estorian Continent, Scarsdow Forest

(Logging Cabin - 3.9 km north of Vently Ford)

“Hey …” a faraway voice echoed in a strange, bleary tone, then paused.

“Hey …” it repeated itself.

The sound might have been a bit louder this time, but it was still blessedly remote. Dryden’s subconscious mind felt certain the disembodied voice had been talking forever. He had no idea who it belonged to, nor did he particularly care. Thankfully, it was a small and inconsequential voice anyway … one he was almost certain he could safely ignore. Besides, it was probably nothing more than a figment of his imagination anyway … some sort of wood sprite … gnome, perhaps … or maybe just an annoying child at play in the distance.

“Emma, increase stimulation by seventy percent please,” the annoying, gnome-like voice said.

The AI responded by administering a bolus of adrenaline directly into Dryden’s bloodstream while concurrently applying direct electrical stimulation to several strategic locations in his brain. The sensation, he would later recall, was something akin to being submerged in a frozen lake while simultaneously being stung by an entire nest of Ganahar fire wasps near the base of his skull.

“Why!?” he yelped, sitting bolt upright and gasping for breath.

“Shhh! Quiet!” both Rick and Emma scolded in unison within the confines of his mind.

“We’re happy you finally decided to join us,” Rick continued, “but I need you to keep quiet and listen to me very carefully. You’re not dreaming. You’re awake … well … partially, at least. And you’re going to be okay, at least for the moment, if you will concentrate and listen to what I have to tell you.”

Okay … right … I understand. Dryden thought, desperate to do whatever was required to avoid more of what he had just experienced. I hear you. I’m awake and apparently still alive … to some extent, at least. Just please don’t do … whatever it was you just did … ever again. Where am I?

“You’re at the logging cabin Emma was taking you to, but you’ve been captured by a small unit of Estorian Federation cavalry. They’ve got you bound and blindfolded, and you’re currently sitting on the floor in a storage closet while they try to figure out exactly what to do with you. You’ve been unconscious for nearly twelve hours.”

And you’re, uh … Rick, are you not?

“Very good, my young friend. Come on now, it’s time to rise and shine. They’ve been giving you a sedative — that’s a type of medicine intended to keep you from waking up.”

I know what a sedative is, you fool of a gnome! Dryden snapped, causing waves of pain to course through his skull as if it had been rung like a gong.

“Gnome?” Rick asked, genuinely confused.

“You don’t want to know,” Emma replied on Dryden’s behalf.

Ugh, Gods. I need everyone to just please stop talking in my head … just for a few minutes, Dryden groaned.

“Ah, very good,” Rick continued without the slightest pause. “It sounds like you’re starting to come back around.

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