Legacy of the Pantheruos

Relax...

Raptor's POV

I slowly opened my eyes, feeling a wave of disorientation as the room came into focus. The steady hum of medical equipment and the soft beeping of monitors provided a rhythm to my awakening. My body ached, and I could feel the familiar, dull throb of pain that was a constant reminder of the battles I'd fought. The healing factor was kicking in, but it wasn't quite ready to get me up and running just yet.

As I started to sit up, I was met with a gentle but firm hand on my shoulder. The nurse, a tall woman with an air of quiet authority, looked at me with concern. "You've been heavily injured in combat, Colonel. You must rest easy for now."

I glanced out the window, taking in the sight of the Major Medical Trauma District on Pantheruos. The view was a mix of advanced technology and the familiar warmth of home. I was relieved to be back, but I wasn't about to lie around like an invalid.

"I'm fine," I said, my voice rough but determined. "I'm fully healed."

As I made another attempt to get off the bed, the nurse's grip tightened, her expression unwavering. "I understand you're eager to get back to work, but you've been through a lot. You need to take it easy."

I scowled, frustration boiling over. "Your slowly getting on my fucking nerves, lady." I managed to keep my tone controlled, but the irritation was palpable.

The nurse's eyes narrowed slightly, but her demeanor remained calm. "Colonel, I'm just doing my job. If you push yourself too hard, you could make things worse. We've been monitoring your condition closely, and you need to follow the recovery protocols."

I gritted my teeth, feeling the strain of both the physical pain and the mental toll of being laid up. "I get it. I'll follow the protocols. Just... let me sit up."

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded, allowing me to adjust my position. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and took a deep breath, feeling the faint sting of soreness but also a growing sense of determination. I had been through worse, and I wasn't going to let a little discomfort keep me down.

The door to the room opened, and I saw Father and Mother enter, their faces a mix of relief and concern. Their presence provided a welcome distraction from the incessant beep of the monitors and the oppressive atmosphere of the medical bay.

"Hey, kid," Father said, his voice a mix of affection and authority. "How're you holding up?"

I gave a small, weary smile. "Better now. Just trying to get back to normal."

Mother stepped closer, her expression softening. "You scared us, Raptor. We're just glad you're safe."

Father nodded in agreement. "We're all relieved to have you back. But remember, no heroics. You need to take it easy and let yourself heal properly."

I sighed, realizing that despite my frustration, they were right. Pushing myself too hard would only delay my recovery. "Alright. I'll follow the protocols. Just... don't make me stay here any longer than necessary."

The nurse gave a small smile, her demeanor softening slightly. "We'll make sure you're comfortable and on the path to recovery. But remember, we're here to help you get back to full strength."

Father gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "That's the spirit. We've got a lot of work ahead, but we're a team. We'll get through this together."

As they settled in to talk, I glanced out the window once more, feeling a sense of peace mixed with the residual ache. The battles had been fierce, and the road to recovery would be long, but I knew I was surrounded by those who cared. That was a comfort in itself.