Flesh Wounds

Chapter Twenty "Just Maybe"

I was somewhere else. I could feel it. But I could not see. I had no clue what the date was. All I could tell is that I was somewhere soft.

I tried to move, I couldn't tell if I was but I could feel anything. I reached my hands up towards my face. I barely felt, but I could. Something was restricting my vision, I took it off.

I thought that would kill me, the brightness of the room. But given a minute I managed to look around. 

I wasn't surprised when I realized where I was. I've been here a few times but never for something like I was experiencing. It was the medical bay. I must have been transported back to base while I was out. I see few people in here, none of which I honestly knew.

I laid myself back down, letting some time pass as I had my head recover. As I stayed there, I saw many different things, my brain was rushing with thoughts. I had so many questions, so many plans, so many different reasons coming through. 

In a given minute I heard heavy steps coming my way. Solid sounding on the metallic floor. "Hey, Michael." 5000 started, and in hearing his voice I raised my head once again and opened my eyes. Clearly, this was a surprise to him, "You're awake. Took you long enough," He said shaking his head.

He already had brand new armor. Instead of his old black and green colors, he had switched to a dark blue. I don't know what this would resemble but he definitely went for a more tactical gear swap.

"Well," I started as I sat up, "Clearly it has been a while," I said pointing out his armor. "How long?" I asked of him.

5000 thought about it for a moment, "A little over a week now I guess."

1 Day Left

"Damn, I've been out for a while. How the hell.." I fell into thought for a moment. "Well, I wanted to tell you this earlier, Cade." I cleared my throat, this was going to be a little difficult for one of us, "The team is splitting up. I've talked about this only with Sparky but it was gunna be a little hard between us."

Cade said nothing, he just shook his head slowly, either in disbelief or disapproval. I continued the conversation solo, "I'm being sent off right now to something else. I found an alternative assignment for you, you'll be getting the best gear for some of it too." He was clearly debating what emotion he should be having at the moment. "A couple of intense agents, so decide what you say to them."

"When."

"Soon, way too soon."

...

..

After a while, I had finished my debriefing of 5000. Through all of the years I've been with him; This is honestly the first time we've had to separate, and this will likely be the last time I ever see him.

"You have my gear," I said, "Take care of it and I will continue to protect you."

He nodded, and then after putting his helmet on; placed down my sword handle on the small table next to me. Next thing I would know, he had left. The last time I'd see him was his back turned away. Hopefully that wouldn't end up true.

After around five minutes of silence and not trusting my legs again yet, I call over a medical officer and tell them I need to call down someone here so I could talk to them. 

Over the intercom of the base, an announcement is made, "Nick Reeds, to the Medical Bay," It repeats again and then the comms click off.

After only a minute Nick is in the room, still wearing his old armor and missing the helmet that goes with it. All of the equipment I had given him is gone, except for one piece.