Pirates (2015) by Jim Rudnick

Author:Jim Rudnick [Rudnick, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Military, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Amazon: B012BYZSDQ
Publisher: RUDNICK PRESS
Published: 2015-07-21T12:00:00+00:00

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He woke with a start and realized that first, he had lived through the Jael’s attack and then that somehow his right leg wouldn’t move. Groaning, he continued to try to sit as he wiped the grit from the corner of his eyes, and he was pressed back down into the bed gently.

“Take it easy, Sir. You’re fine ... all you need is a bit more rest and another day with your leg in the auto-Doc,” a soft voice said.

As he fluttered open his eyes, he was able to focus on the form beside his bed. It looked like a nurse.

“Uh ... where am I,” he croaked out, “and how long have I been in Sick Bay?” he asked as he glanced around the room. Beside him was the stand for his IV, and down by the right side of the bed, a machine housed his complete right leg from mid-thigh down to past his foot. While he knew what an auto-Doc was, he’d actually never had an injury before that would have required using one.

“Captain, you’re on the Achilles and we’re making quick time back to d'Avigdor and the rest of the Duke’s party directly to the tender, and we took off just a few hours ago. Our ETA is tomorrow night, which is a good thing as that will give your broken leg the full thirty hours it needs to be mended.” She fussed with his sheets and smiled down at him, patting his arm and handing him a glass of water.

“And if you don’t remember, the Duke has told us all that you saved his life on that hunt,” she added. “And to those of us who know the man, we are all grateful that you did just that too!”

“Uh ... the Duke? Is he alright?” Tanner asked, sipping the water carefully from the straw.

She nodded at him.

“Yes, he’s fine—oh, he’s got lots of scrapes and a few bruises and lacerations from the beating he took. And his shoulder had big canine teeth bite marks that more than 100 stitches and an hour in the auto-Doc fixed up quickly. But on the whole, he’s fine. He said for me to let him know soon as you were awake too,” she said as she moved away to the wall comm unit and talked quietly for a moment into it.

She then busied herself with the auto-Doc settings, checking various dials and vials that he could see. He’d heard that an auto-Doc could fix just about any major wound or broken bone that any human might encounter. And while he’d never had the need for one, he was sure that his leg would come out of the machine whole and ready for use. At least he hoped that was true, he thought as the door to Sick Bay slid open and in came the Duke who smiled at Tanner and walked immediately to his side.

“Captain, never did I imagine that including you on my hunting party team would be the best decision I’d ever make.

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