2091: The Cryosoldier

Prologue 0-2

Sparsely lit, rough concrete hallways contrasted with the good mood they had felt just a day ago. Dress uniforms were replaced by patient gowns, food and drink by a day of abstinence. Now the team, consisting of Mary, Viktor, Charlèt and John, was on its way to anesthesia. From their demeanor and appearance, however, it seemed like walking to execution. A military doctor walked in front of them to lead them to the anesthesia room. The march was quiet, dark and depressing, while they shivered in their gowns. They had nothing on underneath, which bothered no one, if only it were warmer. After all, they had been in a communal shower together often enough. The only sound to be heard was the grinding of Mary and Charlèt's patient shoes, which were far too big for them. They didn't know exactly where they were going, as they had never been to this facility before. Mary's head was empty, she had already gone through all kinds of thoughts. She had gone through all the fears and considered all the possible ways out. She had no more strength to deal with her fate and the possible conspiracy behind it. Basically, there was nothing she could do about it anyway.

Five minutes earlier, they had said goodbye to their loved ones, hoping to see each other again. Tears flowed as Charlèt said goodbye to her husband and daughter without the certainty that she would ever see them again. Hugs were exchanged between Mary and her parents, accompanied by phrases about how proud they were of their daughter. John played one last time with his godson, the only family he legally owned, while Viktor stood enviously in the corner. His father couldn't come, the farm and his siblings needed him too much. He understood the decision, but still he had been sad.
Mary's thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the doctor walking ahead of them.

"Please enter the room on the right, lie down on a free gurney and wait until the staff arrives," he instructed them, pointing to the door before continuing past it down the hallway. Mary and the rest of the team followed the instructions. The room was sparsely lit, with white tiles and green wall paint. Overall, it looked more like a morgue than an anesthesia room. Mary was the first to lie down on a gurney to set a good example. Work surfaces with prepared syringes and fluids lined the walls, with locked shelves above them. The entire facility looked an unpleasant mix of gray and green. She would have liked a nicer final memory.

"So, that's it? The end of the line. To die naked in absolute cold.... and I thought I would be safe from my fate after Siberia," Viktor said jokingly as he lay down on the stretcher next to Mary. She immediately slapped him on the shoulder instead of answering."I don't know what he said, but if it was goodbye, I agree with him," the soft, bright voice of Charlèt sounded at the end of the row. "I doubt we will ever meet again. If any of you survive, please take care of my family." Even in that somber room, you could see the tears running down her cheeks.

While Mary translated what might have been her last wish into several languages, John lifted himself out of the wheelchair and lay down on the gurney. His face was slightly shiny, but that was from sweat. Although it took him several tries, no one would help him. He hated being offered help, no matter how well intentioned. Finally he made it and was met by a smiling Viktor."Rolli, get a grip on yourself. You all need to think a little more positively," he said, sitting up so he could see the others better. As he did so, he still looked at John. "The future will be waiting for us! John, you're getting new legs that will be better than these meat things we have." Then he turned to Charlèt, who was looking at him with bleary eyes. "You'll see your family again and grow old together with your husband and your child, and your child's children, too." He waited until Mary finished translating and then turned to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "And you will benefit most from the future and new technologies! In the distant future, I'm sure they'll have made breakthroughs in medicine, and we can finally give you an acceptable face." He started laughing, obviously expecting another punch on the shoulder, but got a sincere laugh instead.

In tears, Mary translated the announcement and the other two more or less joined in. Viktor had always been better at cheering up the team, and even in this situation he succeeded. Mary envied him for it.

Before anyone else could add anything, the room was suddenly illuminated by bright lights. Several doctors streamed in, shouting phrases to each other, but paying no attention to the four people in front of them.

"Put on IVs! Both arms, standard procedure!" a somewhat obese doctor in the background directed his colleagues. Mary couldn't look at him for long, as her head and gaze were forcibly pushed toward the ceiling. They all spoke English, albeit with different accents. Next, her hands were roughly pulled into the desired position. At first she felt only the pressure of fingertips on her skin, followed by an unpleasant sting as the IV was placed.

"Damn, I hate injections," she pressed out between clenched teeth.
"Venous lines placed at one, two, three, and four. Ready for administration."
"Put on the mask for the inhalant."
"Wait, we...," Mary couldn't finish the sentence. She was simply put on the mask with instructions to take a deep breath in and out. Actually, she still wanted to wish everyone good luck and the promise of a reunion. But her circulation began to feel strange, slightly dazed by the oxygen from the mask.

"Start the injection."

That was the starting gun for the end. First she felt light-headed, then tired. She tried to keep herself awake, but to no avail. Taking one last look at her comrades was all she wanted, but before she could turn her head, her eyes closed.