The Program [COMPLETED]

Chapter Sixty

Methodic beeping stirred Aiden from his slumber.

He opened his eyes, white light blinding him, and he blinked wildly until his vision adjusted.

He was inside a hospital, laying on a cot and attached to an assortment of crazy wires and plugs. There was a vile taste in his mouth, and his limbs felt stiff and sore.

Footsteps approached, making Aiden tense up. Where was he? This wasn't the Second Unit Medical Bay he was accustomed to. He was elsewhere, in a place he'd never been before. It was vaguely similar to that of Second Unit, yet it was different in ways Aiden couldn't explain.

A doctor in a white lab coat stopped just before his bed. He noticed Aiden's conscious state, and immediately signalled to a nearby nurse.

"Please inform Director Graeme and the others that General Lycroft is awake," the doctor ordered. Instantly, the nurse took off, leaving Aiden alone with the doctor.

"Good morning, General," the doctor saluted politely. "I'm Dr. Cavan. You're in First Unit's Medical Bay, since we have the most advanced medical care out of all the Units, and you needed the best of the best."

"What happened to me?" Aiden asked, his voice raw.

"You were shot twice during your encounter with Orion. There were some complications, of course, as the bullet in your chest fragmented and you needed extensive surgery to have the bullet pieces extracted out. Your heart stopped three times."

"I've seen worse," Aiden remarked.

"The bullet in your hand, the one shot by Lieutenant Blanche, suffered no complications. It's been removed, and you should be set to heal in a matter of days with our medicine. However, just because your hand is feeling better doesn't mean that the rest of you is unharmed. As a result of your surgery for the bullet that entered your chest, we were able to regenerate your tissue, but we needed to infuse a portion of your heart with metal in order for it to properly function. This will take a little longer to heal."

"What about Zariah and the others? What happened with the missiles?" Aiden demanded. "I have to see them."

"They're already on their way," Dr. Cavan reassured him. "There's just one more thing I have to go over with you, General Lycroft, and that's the microchip that Orion implanted into your neck while you were unconscious."

"Were you able to get rid of it?" Aiden's eyes widened in fear.

The Medical Official nodded. "It took a long time, but our tech specialists discovered a way to remove it safely. You've been out a week and a half as a result."

Dr. Cavan stopped as the nurse from before returned, nodding respectfully to Aiden. "Director Graeme and his comrades are here for General Lycroft, sir."

"Thank you. Bring them in." The Medical Official gathered his things, turning to Aiden. "I'll let you catch up with your friends. Let me know if there's anything you need."

"Thank you, Doctor," Aiden replied. Seconds later, Aiden was greeted by Roman, Theo, Zariah, Dax and Farley entering his hospital room, their expressions relieved.

"Sleep well?" Theo smiled. Aiden noticed the small figure he carried with him, tucked into his arms protectively. It was bundled up in a soft blanket, snoring quietly every once in a while.

"Best one yet. Apparently my heart stopped three times," Aiden grinned. He gestured to the small infant curled up in Theo's arms. "Who's this?"

"They found her abandoned in Abree City. We've been asking around, but someone said that her parents died in the fighting. No one's been wanting to take her, so I thought I would," Theo said sheepishly. He looked down at the little girl, who was sleeping soundly against him.