Occupation by Toby Neighbors

Author:Toby Neighbors [Neighbors, Toby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9781952260322
Publisher: Mythic Adventure Publishing
Published: 2021-09-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

McShera had brought a bag with fresh fatigues for me, along with, to my surprise, a set of light armor. I had been in the bulky, heavy armor for so long that I had forgotten how much I missed the more versatile body armor I had worn on so many missions. There was also soap and a razor in the bag. I carried it all down to where the technicians were removing the Orc bodies and peeled off to the bathhouse off the main level, where I washed myself three times. When I got out of the warm water, I felt like a new man. My left leg still hurt, but not as much as before, and putting on the clean clothes was amazing. Still, all the scrubbing in the world couldn’t erase the black and blue bruises, my mementos from fighting the Orcs.

I had to strip it all away again for my medical exam. McShera, who had since joined us in Havvar, had nearly a full suite of medical devices set up in the same building she had used as a hospital before. She scanned my body, then sent the medical information up to the Fleet in orbit using the communications system Trip had rigged by the time I’d finished my bath.

“Looks like we’re moving back in?” I asked.

“This place is a natural fortress,” Trip said. “My orders were to get it set up with power and communications for the science team when they arrive.”

“You look like you need some rest,” McShera told me, “but there’s nothing major wrong with you. The ship surgeon may have a different diagnosis once he’s read all the scan data. For now, you check out for duty on my end.”

“Thanks,” I told her, putting my clothes back on.

“Better check in with the brass,” Trip reminded me. “They’ll want a full report.”

I went over to the communications center, which was in the plaza. Most of the Orcs were gone, and one of the techs was scrubbing the spot on the stone floor where blood had pooled from the Orc I had shot with my pistol. I pressed a button on the communications unit, which lit up a hologram. It showed a small rotating ball that was slowly changing colors. Under the ball was the word “CONNECTING.” I was surprised that Trip could have gotten such a sophisticated communications unit up and running so fast.

Before I had time to marvel any further, the hologram changed to the image of a stern man with a gold oak leaf on his collar.

“Major Wizkof, sir,” I said, coming to attention.

“Staff Sergeant Vanhorn, it’s good to finally meet you. I must say, you do the corps proud.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The major nodded, somewhat begrudgingly. Something about his reactions still felt off to me.

“As I’m sure you know, we’ve done a full check on you since entering the system. My records indicate you are K-13 on medical grounds. As such, we are prepared to lift you out of there and get you back into a logistics position as soon as possible.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.