I Monstrum

Chapter 10 -Recovery

      Steve woke up eight hours later. His whole body ached, but he felt he had sufficient rest. A quick shower, breakfast and a coffee was all he really needed. After that he would visit Samantha, to see how she was doing before reporting to captain Haines. On the way he met Rachel.

      "Hi Rachel."

      "On your way to see... what did you call her? Sammy Whammy, wasn't it?"

      "Yes, but Raych, don't call her that, or tell anyone about that name okay? It will hurt her feelings.

      "Hey, no problem. Your secret is secure."

      "Okay thanks. I better get going."

      "One more thing, Steve."

      "Yeah?"

      She walked up to him and gave him an affectionate big warm hug. "Thank you, for saving our lives."

      "It wasn't only me. Sam..."

      "I know, which is precisely why I will be visiting her later. She deserves a 'thank you' too."

      "Yes, she does. I'll tell her that you'll be by later."

      When he walked into the med bay, Steve saw Samantha sitting up in bed. She looked tired, but remarkably okay, pretty good, considering what she had been through.

      "How's the leg?"

      "They say that with therapy and treatments, I'll regain full use of it again."

      "That's good news. How long do they figure the recovery will take?"

      "Some muscles were torn, but they were able to reattach everything properly, so probably three or four months."

      "Sounds about right. Sam, I just want to thank you for your bravery, you helped save our lives. I have to admit, I've never seen courage like that and I've seen a lot."

      "Right back at you Steve. I have never seen anyone do anything like what you did either. I mean that flip was crazy!"

      "Heh, so was your running on the wall."

      "Ha yeah. Seriously, though Steve, I... I can't remember much after that. I remember, I was being carried, but not much else, besides the pain of course. However, Graham and Joe said that you carried me all the way out of that place. For that I should thank you."

      "You would have done the same for me."

      She smiled that mischievous smile and said, "That's right and you're heavier than me."

      "Heh, right. Well, I just wanted to see how you were doing. Rachel said she would drop by later. Expect a 'thank you' from her too. I better get going, I have to report to captain Haines. He's already viewed the recordings of our mission. I'll come back later and bring you up to speed on that."

      "Do you think their are any others?"

      "You mean still alive in the tunnels?"

      "Yeah."

      "Maybe. I'm thinking he'll probably send me in again, for more. If there are any more."

      "You mean, you'll go back in, alone? I don't like that. Who will watch your six? You know it's not wise to go in alone Steve."

      "Yes, I know, but that didn't stop you from doing it, did it?... Anyways, don't worry about that, just concentrate on getting better. I'll be back after my meeting on the bridge. Get well."

      On the bridge, everyone stopped talking as soon as he walked in. All of them looked at him.

      "Okay, people get busy doing what you're supposed to be doing. Mister Blake doesn't need your attention. You can talk to him later if you want when you're off duty. Mister Blake please join me in tactical."

      After they entered the room with a large table in the center, instead sitting down, the captain walked over to the window and gazed outside at an asteroid nearby.

      "Of course, you realize that we'll need to send you in again. Is that okay, Mister Blake? I really hate to do that to you again. Especially, after reviewing the recordings of you and Miss Fenton. You went through a lot. How do you feel? I mean physically of course. The whole experience must have been horrifying."

      "My muscles feel a bit stiff from over exertion, but otherwise, I'm okay."

      "That's astounding... Why are you a miner? It doesn't make any sense. With your abilities you could have done very well if you remained in the military."

      "Well sir, it's a long story. I..."

      "You don't have to answer that. I'm sorry I was just saying my thoughts. Do you think you can be ready to go back in... about five hours? If I was in that asteroid with that monster in there, I would be absolutely frantic. Those poor miners. What will I tell their families?"

      "Five hours is fine sir, but I'd like to select my weapons and calibrate them for this sort of thing. I'll also need an extra power pack for the power armor suit."

      "Whatever you need, you take. Thank you for saving those people."

      "Samantha helped a lot with that."

      "I know. I've never seen anyone move like that except for you."

      "It's true, she's amazing, even by military standards."

      "I'll have to check on her later, and thank her as well."

      "She would like that, sir."

      On the way back to see Samantha, Steve decided to bring her a coffee from the galley. When he arrived, he put the coffee on her bed table.

      "That's for me?"

      "Yes, I thought you could use another one. I know the coffee here, is not as good as this stuff from the galley."

      "Thanks a lot... yeah.... the stuff I had earlier was hours old. It almost tasted like yesterday's coffee rewarmed."

      "I know what you mean. Listen, Samantha I need... to go back. The captain wants me to be on the shuttle in a few hours. I can't stay very long, because I have to select weapons and another power armor suit. So, I should say, 'see you later.'"

      "Okay, but Steve please do me a favor."

      "Sure, what would you like."

      "For you to come back. I don't want to lose another... Friend."

      "Don't worry," he smiled, "I will. Do you know why?"

      "I just gotta meet the father, of the bravest person I know."

      "I'll make the arrangements, when you come back."

      "Plus, I want you to take me for a walk on the beach. You know, by the island that becomes a peninsula at low tide, with the pool on it? The one you told me about."

      "Uh, yeah... sure."

      "Okay, I have to go. See you later."

      He leaned over and kissed her forehead. His closeness made her heart beat faster. He smelled so good. Was that... cologne? Then he simply turned around and left.

      "The island that becomes a peninsula... I don't remember telling him about that."

      She wondered what else she told him.