Star Bound Liberty (Complete)

Chapter Seventeen

I didn't say anything for the first ten minutes of our journey back to the ship, especially when we passed what looked like the remains of a barricade that was being hastily packed away. I saw Ortiz nod to who appeared to be the head of station security as we passed. I kept a stupid smile on my face, pretending to watch the view. Up ahead I saw another squad of marines on foot moving silently back towards the Bransky.

'Can I quit smiling now, Sir? My face is getting sore.'

'Yes, Libby. We're safe now.' I nodded, relaxed my face, but not my body. It was thrumming with nervous energy. I was trying really hard to hide the body tremors but I don't think I had fooled anyone. I just walked into a firefight without any body armour, weapons or training. I had been completely at the mercy of my marine guard and their intelligences and whatever help came from Captain Teague and the Bransky. I looked around the team of 16 marines who were with us. I spotted Specialist Yahala from earlier in the evening. He was driving the grav lift with my stupid cargo on it and had a flechette rifle across his thighs. There was another three marines guarding my cargo. Cargo that was probably as insignificant as a bunch of vitamins and minerals and a couple of high end tablets loaded with medical machinery schematics.

'You do realise that all of this was for a crate of nutrient supplements and a couple of computers, right?' I murmured to the older marine. 'Oh and a years supply of Omicron B premium roast. That's coffee in case you didn't know. Bloody great stuff, but still only a coffee' I rubbed my head where I was developing a headache.

'Lets debrief once we're back on the Bransky.'

'Does the Captain know about all of this?' He flicked me a sharp look, then went back to watching our surroundings.

'Who do you think authorised the extra strike team?'

'This is a strike team?' I squeaked and tried to rub the prickle of goose bumps running up and down my arms. It didn't work. I took a deep breath. Then another.

'All transports, full stop.' I jumped at Ortiz's loud command. The driver followed his orders immediately and I nearly fell out of my seat. Ortiz caught me and wrapped his large hands around my upper arms. I was mortified that he could feel my body shaking so badly.

'Medic Florenze, please make your way Transport Two.' A moment later, a slim woman in marine body armour stepped up to his window. He opened the door and asked her for an emergency blanket rated for space. Next thing I know I'm being wrapped up in a scratchy piece of fabric and squished in between the Master Sargent and the medic. She put a strip of something across my forehead that I was convinced was a poor man's thermometer. I wanted to peel it off, certain I didn't need it, but I didn't even have the strength to pull my arm out of the cocoon they'd wrapped me in.

'Oh, come one. I'm fine.' I managed to get the words out between the chattering of my teeth.

'Sir, she's exhibiting signs of shock.'

'Yes, I know. Hold on, Private Moss. We're nearly there.'

'Now I am a Private? Typical.'

He called ahead to Doc Brandson to explain my condition and alerted the medbay that we'd be arriving in four minutes. I looked up and realised we were nearly at the military section of the city.

The cart I was in drove passed the line of marines and stopped right at the airlock. The medic got out one side and closed the door behind her. Ortiz got out the other and I was left in the cart, unsuccessfully, trying to shuffle to the edge of the seat to the door he'd left open for me. Then Sargent Burns reached in and tried to grab me but it was too sudden and I pulled away with a fright.