The Fist by M.R. Forbes

Author:M.R. Forbes [Forbes, M.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

Soren awoke to the gentle hum of the Athena’s mechanical operations. For a moment, disorientation clouded his mind as he tried to reconcile the unfamiliar surroundings with his last conscious memories. Everything felt slightly off and surreal at first.

Especially when he glanced to his side, where Jane still slept peacefully. It was strange, seeing her face so close, yet knowing she wasn’t his Jane. The same curve of her cheek, the same slight furrow between her brows even in sleep. But the differences served as a constant reminder of the bizarre situation they found themselves in. A small scar near her left ear, a feature his Jane didn’t have. The way her shorter-cut hair fell across the pillow. The hardness of years of war had chiseled her much leaner face. That was the greatest difference of all, stark and sad, though a benefit to him because it set this Jane apart from his Jane. Still, he had come to care for her too, just in a different way.

Careful not to disturb her, Soren slipped out of the bunk. The cool metal of the deck against his bare feet sent a small shiver through him, fully waking him up. He gathered the basic clothing that Private Dorn had delivered earlier—a neatly folded stack of gray and black fabrics—and made the short trip to the head.

Once there, Soren took a moment to study his reflection in the mirror. The face that looked back at him was more haggard than he was accustomed to, with dark circles under his eyes and stubble on his face.

”You’ve looked better, old man,” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his disheveled hair, more light gray now than blonde. But unlike Jack, at least he had hair. He was glad someone, probably Dorn, had left them each a new hairbrush, razor, and toothbrush and paste sometime during the night. “But first a shower…”

The shower was a welcome respite, the hot water washing away the grime and tension of his visit to Glaive. He wished he could stand there and enjoy it longer than it took to get clean, but his stomach was starting to gnaw at his backbone. After quickly drying off, he shaved before taking care of his hair and teeth and dressing in the provided basics—a simple gray t-shirt and black cargo pants.

Feeling refreshed, Soren retraced his steps back through berthing, where Jane remained fast asleep. That wasn’t surprising. The loss of blood and the need for her body to heal had no doubt left her more fatigued. He had also gotten the sense that having him nearby provided some measure of additional comfort to her. He couldn’t help wondering if, despite all Grand Admiral Strickland had done, she still loved the man. If he were in her place, would he?

Considering how much his Jane still loved him after all their years together and all that she’d gone through as his wife, he decided that he would.

Leaving berthing, he made his way to the galley.

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