Duty, Honor, Planet: 01 by Rick Partlow

Author:Rick Partlow [Partlow, Rick]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-07-31T05:00:00+00:00

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Jason lifted slowly from a fuzzy darkness, only gradually aware of an irritating itch in his side and a cool, pleasant sensation on his chest. He opened his eyes cautiously, but the lights were dimmed and it took only a moment for his vision to adjust, and for the light-colored blur above him to solidify into Shannon Stark.

"So you're finally awake." She smiled, squeezing out the wet cloth with which she'd been bathing him.

"How long..." he began to ask, but the words caught in a ball of cotton deep in his throat and died with a dry croak. Shannon handed him a cup of water and he gulped at it gratefully, took a deep breath before he was ready to attempt conversation again. "How long have I been out?" he finally finished the question.

"Oh, about..." She checked her wristwatch. "Fifty-six hours."

"Jee-sus!" His eyes popped open wide and he sat up suddenly, surprised that the sudden movement didn't cause him more pain. "Two days?"

She pushed him back gently. "Take it easy. The Marine medic says you had a classic case of emotional and physical exhaustion, compounded by loss of blood and a lingering concussion. They've got a Smart Bandage on you now," she nodded at the black plastic patch adhered to his wound, "but you've got to stay off your feet and let it work for a couple days."

"Never liked the idea," he grumbled, grimacing at the bandage, "of an army of little genetic goblins chewing at my insides."

"Aren't you the throwback?" Shannon laughed, using the damp cloth to swab at his forehead. "I don't believe I've ever heard medical nanotech called 'goblins' before. Anyway, the bacteria will have the muscle grafted back together soon, and you should be on your feet in no time."

"Is..." He hesitated. "Are the others all right?"

"I haven't seen Ms. O'Keefe," Shannon told him, "but Mulrooney tells me she's fine, physically. She's probably still in shock emotionally. Carmella and her children are doing okay---I don't think the girls have stopped eating since they got here. But their father's death will hit them sooner or later."

"What about you?" Jason caught her eye.

"What about me?" She evaded his gaze, trying to concentrate on the sponge bath.

"Lambert told me what happened," he explained, covering her hands with his. "I was pretty groggy, but I got the gist of it. I guess maybe it's a little better now that you know some of them survived, but I know what it's like to watch troops die following your orders. It took me a long time to get my head right---I'm not even sure I have yet."

"I'm okay," she assured him. "I'm dealing with it. But thank you," she ran a hand affectionately over his cheek, "for thinking about me."

Jason thought he saw a moment's indecision behind her eyes, just before she leaned over to kiss him. It was just a chaste, friendly kiss at first, but then he was slipping his arms around her, ignoring the slight pain the motion caused in his side.

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