The Medic - Book One

CHAPTER TWELVE

Tuesday and Wednesday were quite possibly the busiest days Percy had at HQ thus far. Between building a training schedule for the coming training weekend, having appointments, preparing the med bay for the stand-in medic, and the heaps of paperwork that came along with all of those, he was completely and utterly swamped. He felt like he hadn't had a non-work-related conversation with someone at all, and Street was doing some security gig down in Long Beach with the team, leaving Percy alone in the evenings as well.

On Wednesday night, Percy found himself in a whirlwind of activity, darting from one end of HQ to the other as he gathered the myriad of equipment and supplies he would need for the weekend training session. His list was long and detailed, a testament to the thoroughness with which he approached his responsibilities, covering everything from safety gear to medical supplies, to the specialized training tools that would be essential for the waterborne tactical exercises.

The base was quieter at night, the hustle of the day replaced by the soft hum of fluorescent lights and the occasional echo of footsteps in the distance. Percy moved with a purpose, his fatigue momentarily pushed aside by the urgency of his preparations.

By the time he had checked and double-checked his inventory, ensuring nothing was overlooked, the clock was nearing midnight. He then turned his attention to packing his personal belongings, trying to anticipate what he would need for the unpredictable demands of the weekend.

The process was meticulous, his mind running through various scenarios and contingencies, from changes in weather to potential injuries he might need to address. Percy packed his bag with the precision of someone who had learned to be prepared for anything, his years of experience in the field guiding his choices.

As the night wore on, the weight of his exhaustion became increasingly difficult to ignore. His movements grew slower, his focus wavered, and the tempting call of his bed grew louder with each passing hour. Yet, he pressed on, driven by the knowledge that the success of the weekend depended on his ability to plan and prepare with care.

It wasn't until the clock read 5 a.m. that Percy finally allowed himself to pause, his preparations as complete as they could be. He stood in the middle of his apartment, surrounded by the organized chaos of his efforts, and let out a long, weary sigh.

The thought of crawling into bed for a mere two hours before he had to be up again for the shuttle was both a relief and a torment. The promise of sleep was sweet, but the knowledge of its brevity was a bitter pill to swallow.

With leaden steps, Percy made his way to his bedroom, his body crying out for rest. He fell into bed without bothering to change, the cool sheets a small comfort to his overworked muscles. Sleep claimed him almost instantly, a deep, dreamless void that was all too brief.

When his alarm blared at 7 a.m., jolting him from his slumber, Percy felt as though he had only just closed his eyes. He groaned, the reality of the day ahead crashing down on him with unforgiving clarity. With a monumental effort, he forced himself out of bed, his body protesting every movement.

Percy showered quickly, turning the water as cold as possible to wake himself up, but it didn't do much. He almost fell asleep standing up. Then he shoved an apple in his mouth, grabbed his duffle bag, and headed out the door. He vaguely remembered murmuring a friendly good morning to the stand-in medic as he passed through the med bay, but zoned out the rest of the way through HQ. He was never more grateful for his idea of leaving all the equipment near the loading bay so he didn't have to drag it across HQ at that ungodly hour of the morning.

As Percy stumbled into the loading bay, his eyes barely focused and his movements sluggish, the contrast between his usual sharp demeanor and his current state was stark. The team, already gathered and waiting, noticed his condition immediately. Street, in particular, felt a twinge of concern seeing Percy so worn out, his normally vibrant energy reduced to a mere shadow.