Tomorrow's Gone (#Wattys2015)

Chapter 23: Unbidden Love

My muscles tensed at his words. I approached the glass, the only thing separating us from the outer space. "Is she out there?"

Captain Mercury nodded. "Yes, Phoenix. We can initiate rescue," he affirmed.

I pressed my lips into a tight line, my eyes scouring the outside space. There was a meteorite field before us. And very, very far off into the distance, I could see a small, black speck. Zoe's escape ship. Relief washed over me. "I want this to be swift. We must remove the earthling from danger as fast as possible. Do you understand?" I turned toward the Captain and gave him a stern look.

"Yes, boy. I will do all I can at rapid speeds," he assured me.

"Alright. I have other needs to attend to. I trust that you can handle this yourself?" It was more of a statement than a question. Nevertheless, Captain Mercury nodded.

I hurried out of the room, toward the infirmary, which was on the second level of the ship. I found Leo at the entrance, nervously biting his clenched fist. When he saw me, he straightened, a passive look replacing his distressed one. "Sir, our wounded soldier is this way, if you could please follow me."

I followed him. He took me past empty cots. The room was filled with the soft hum of technology. There were panels around the room with important information regarding the ship's state. The sharp smell of antiseptic hit my nose, invading my senses. I cleared my throat as I walked down the metal floor, my footsteps echoing through the large room. We stopped before a cot, partially covered by curtains, obscuring my view of our wounded soldier.

I attempted to remain as stoic as possible as my eyes landed on the soldier's face, but my façade cracked. Callisto was reclined against the bed, his face pallid, ashen. His wavy, pale green hair plastered to his forehead. He was clad in a flimsy white gown, a blanket neatly covering his waist. His eyes were firmly shut, his breathing labored. "Callisto," I breathed, shocked.

Callisto was an old childhood friend of mine. We used to scavenge Astronoma together... that was before I was upgraded the leader of the army, protector of Astronoma and Earth. Before the weight of two planets rested on my shoulders.

Callisto was one of our most avid soldiers. He was the most brave and valiant one. That was why seeing him so feeble and weak surprised me, wounded me. "Has he woken?" I managed to choke out, hesitant as I approached his side.

Leo shook his head slowly. "No, sir. He has remained unconscious since--- since the explosion," he said, horror slipping though his calm demeanor.

I swallowed hard. "Will he ever wake?"

Leo shrugged. "We are not certain, sir. The doctor has yet to establish a firm diagnosis," he explained.

Just as he said this, Doctor Pandora stepped in from behind us, a solemn look on her face. Her violet hair was pulled back into a severe bun at the nape of her neck. Her soft features pulled into a frown, her magenta eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hello, sir," she greeted.

"Doctor," I replied curtly. "What have you been able to conclude?"

Doctor Pandora sighed, slipping her delicate hands into her coat's pockets gingerly. "His case is most puzzling. It appears the bomb was injected inside him. As well as an unidentified drug that caused him to lose memory of this, possibly obey orders from them." She shook her head in deep dismay, frowning, grooves forming in her already wrinkling skin

I mirrored her frown. "But... how?"

Doctor Pandora shrugged. "That I am not sure of," she confessed.