The Bee's Knees

Austria (Part 2)

Bee was aware of being carried, the noise and commotion getting quieter, before she was placed down on a soft surface. In her adrenaline swirling haze, she felt her chin being lifted and she saw the bloodied mask of Ghost in front of her, but couldn't find it in her to focus.

A medic came and started to check her out. In the fog, she was aware of hearing Ghost's distinctive voice raised "What the fuck were you thinking? What's wrong with you?". She could feel her stomach lurch at his anger but Bee ignored the shouting, wanting to remain in the soft numb fog.

Bee slowly became aware of people around her talking loudly as the medic tended to her wounds. She didn't care who they were and didn't want to look at them, allowing her adrenaline and pain addled mind to muffle the sounds.

She gradually became aware of the noise around her quieting as the fog started to lift. Lifting her throbbing head with difficulty, she saw Ghost sat in the chair in front of her. He had taken off his face plate and was wiping the blood off it.

Ghost sensing eyes on him, lifted his head and saw Bee looking at him. "What's got into you Bee? The commander has pulled you off contract and wants you in the brig. You put two sergeants in the bloody infirmary. What the fuck is going on in that head of yours?" he asked gruffly, obviously still frustrated.

When Bee didn't say anything, Ghost yelled "Fuck. You've always been unpredictable, reckless and impulsive, but........I never expected this, Bee" he added more quietly.

"The sergeants said you went nuts and attacked them when they made a stupid comment. Said you were unhinged. Fuck sake Bee, I heard you screaming and shouting from down the hall and found you punching the shit out of one of them, the other one knocked out cold on the bloody floor" Ghost added, the stress evident in his voice.

Bee looked back down at her hands, absentmindedly picking the blood out of her nails. She wanted to yell and scream and cry, but nothing would come out. She was in shock.

Ghost looked at the young woman in front of him completely perplexed at what had happened. She wasn't speaking at all. She looked like she was in a state of shock, which worried him more. "Commander wanted you locked up for the night. I told him I'd guard you in the infirmary till you're cleared to meet him in the morning. You'd better get some rest" Ghost said quietly.

Bee slowly laid down on the bed with her back to Ghost, not wanting to face him. Although Ghost's presence relieved some of her fear, she couldn't sleep, her mind was too full of screaming and shouting and pain. The feeling of panic at being trapped and fearing for her life, still fresh in her mind. Hot silent tears ran down her face as she remembered hearing the anger and disappointment in Ghost's voice. 

After a restless night, the medic arrived early in the morning and checked Bee over and agreed that she could be cleared to meet with the base commander. She walked silently with Ghost to the office, ignoring the stares and whispers of the base personnel as they passed them in the corridors. She could feel the anger and frustration radiating off the large man walking behind her.

Bee sat at the desk facing the commander, Ghost standing behind her, as if on guard as though he feared she would run. Bee looked up at the commander's grim face and remembered that same familiar, stern look of accusation and desire for retribution. 

A small scared voice inside her head whispered, "They're gonna get you anyway. Tell the truth, just tell the truth". Bee told the truth in great detail, with no evident emotion. From the comments in the mess hall, to the threats in the corridor, to the ambush in her office. 

The commander listened intently before taking a deep breath "I have two highly decorated sergeants who accuse you of starting a fight with them, with you attacking them in an unhinged rage. Both sergeants are still in the infirmary." he stated solemnly.