Old Guard

The choice

I spent my days staring at this picture with this heavy weight on my shoulders that I just can't handle...

There was a knock on the door but Outis did not respond and instead put the photo aside and laid himself back into bed just as the person entered "Sorry interrupt your rest commandant." Hassen greeted but received no response "I know I'm the last person you want to talk too but it's important, your health is deteriorating." Hassen asked him "I know. Give it a few more days and I'll be out of your hair." Outis responded coldly as Hassen sighed "There's still time for you Commandant and that means you have a choice and it was not easy to persuade Nikola or Asimov of this choice." Hassen said causing Outis to sit up 

"You look a lot more worse than when I first visited." Hassen said noting his appearance being more pale and skinnier "Talk... or get out." Outis said tired and impatient "As a way to save you from succumbing to the virus I decided to have a private meeting with President Nikola and Doctor Asimov and after a long heated argument about what should happen to you. The only way to save you is by turning you into a construct" Hassen explained 

Outis felt his vision blur and the pain of his body aching "Ugh..." Outis fell back into the bed "I'll get the nurse, rest up for now and hopefully you'll give me an answer" Hassen said as Outis stared at the ceiling with the memories and thoughts racing through his mind with only one thing he could do which was close his eyes and wake up the next day.

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3 days later

The nurse was in the room asking Outis a few questions on his condition and noting down his appearance and how he responded 

"Commandant Outis, how are you feeling today?" The nurse asked the commandant that was sitting in a wheel chair instead being bed ridden "Like a pot of shit Nurse, but I'll be honest and say I feel slightly better being able to actually move" Outis answered with his raspy voice "How about your torso do you feel anything strange or immense pain?" The nurse asked "Well I feel pretty winded." Outis said chewing his breakfast "I see. Do you have any questions before I go?" The nurse asked "Not a question. More like a request that's unless you can't necessarily honor it." Outis said to the nurse "Of course sir." The nurse answered "Can we go on a stroll? I don't have much energy to continue going around on my own." Outis requested 

"Of course." The Nurse acknowledged his request "Alright let's go the breakfast here tastes like shit anyways" Outis joked causing the Nurse to smile sadly as she pushed him out and into the hallways of Babylonia "You know I really have to thank you for watching over me for these past few...was it months or days?" Outis asked "It may not feel like it but it has been a few months ever since you came in. I also have no problem taking care of you" The nurse answered "Well it's your job so it's kind of assumed" Outis chuckled before coughing as the Nurse quickly handed him a water bottle "Man I can't even crack a joke." Outis said annoyed before taking a sip of water before handing it back to the nurse before facing forward once again taking notice of the large groups of constructs walking around

"We've been getting more constructs lately." Outis noticed "Well you don't watch the news" The nurse said causing Outis to smile "I'm not interested in politics but I'm going to assume humanity is going on a counter attack?" Outis asked the nurse "Well it's more like we're mobilizing and we're currently waiting on the graduation for commandants like yourself" The nurse informed him as they moved by a group of constructs conversing with one another "Well I don't want the commandants of the future to be like me Nurse. There has to be someone that guides others and provides hope that shines brighter than the stars providing a familiar warmth and comfort that we have lost." Outis said causing the Nurse to smile warmly as he stared not at earth but the stars beyond the home humanity lost... deeply knowing that he has lost such hope  only a few months ago