Vanguard: Awakening

Freedom's Price: Chapter Twenty-Four

Cedric awoke with a jolt, taking the environment in around him. He was surrounded by whites and blues, the walls of the medbay no doubt. He quickly looked down, it seemed his mess had been cleaned off of him. He wore a comfortable white gown, the feel of his bare ass against the bed he now resided in felt awkward. He looked around, and saw Killer sleeping in a nearby chair, her body covered by her wings. Did he see Grey before? When was that? He looked around, but saw no clock. He shifted his gaze to Killer - and a jolt of pain shocked his head. He felt sleepy, tired, and his left arm felt like he'd just finished a three hour workout. His mind blanked as he stared at Killer's sleeping form. Was she okay? Was she alright? Did she need anything? Wait, what?

Cedric held his panging forehead with both hands, fighting the instinct to protect and preserve. He just met Killer, they had no repertoire. Why did he care so much, damn it? He forced the thoughts away, as painful as it was. He felt a distinct guilt for doing so, a guilt that he shouldn't feel. Killer was just a loyal asset, right?

He continued to stare at Killer, entranced. He heard the chattering of a beak and a sound somewhat reminiscent of someone clearing their throat. He ignored it. After a few moments, the sound happened again. He wanted to turn his head, but couldn't. He was busy right now, couldn't they respect that?

"Excuse me."

A shy male voice finally freed him from his stupor.

"Huh? What? Oh, sorry. You are? Wait, you're the corvid from before."

The bipedal crow nodded. He had slick black feathers, and was expertly preened. He had claws for hands with his wings attached, similar to Rainbow. He cleared his throat once more with furled claws. He wore a set of clean white scrubs that seemed quite out of place for a pirate vessel. With his other claw, he held tightly to what appeared to be a dedicated medkit, similar to the one the medics used when tending to himself and Bengal - but much larger.

"Yes, I am Tender." Cedric chuckled painfully at his name.

"Something amusing?" He clacked. He did not appear irritated, but seemed to be genuinely curious.

"Sorry, it's just that the battle plans we were readying yesterday also involved raiding a tender vessel - the Helmsberg."

Tender narrowed his eyes to him, out of concern more than anything.

"That's wasn't yesterday, I'm afraid." He said simply.

Cedric cocked his head, "What do you mean? I know I passed out after Grey grabbed me, but I'm already awake now here in the bed."

Tender stroked his beak thoughtfully. "Perhaps... You should see something."

"What? What's wrong?" Cedric asked, now feeling genuinely scared - he hadn't been this afraid of the unknown for a long time.

Tender gently pulled away the curtain that was in front of them, revealing the sleeping form of Grey - her left arm no longer natural, but now replaced with what was clearly a well-crafted prosthetic. Cedric gasped in horror at the sight. He jolted from his bed, leaning his right arm against it as he stepped forward - startling Tender.

"Who fucking did that." Cedric growled towards Tender, rage filling his body.

"Who fucked with Grey?"

"Well, I'm afraid Scourge..." Tender said steadily. "That you did."

"I... What?" Cedric slumped onto his medical bed, desperately attempting to make sense of the situation.

"That's impossible... I'd never... To Grey of all people. Maybe to a stranger, even you - but to Grey..."

Cedric held his face in his hands, processing the information.