05:30 Floating in the Void

John was rotating slowly in the void. He was thankfully in a highly elliptical orbit of Yeager Station. Though that was about the only thing to be thankful for at this point. Numerous alarms were constantly going off in his suit. Several armor plates were damaged in the impact. His prototype battle rifle was flattened and cold welded itself to the back armor plate. The right shoulder pauldron was no more.

John began waking up. “Shut those fucking alarms off.”

He ordered a scan of the armor’s systems. Physically he knew he had at least two if not three broken ribs. He wasn’t sure about his right arm, but he knew the shoulder blade was broken. Better that then his back John mused. He could taste blood in his mouth when he coughed, that might explain where one rib was. Somehow the suit was still void worthy and wasn’t leaking any oxygen. The transponder along with communications were shot though. He was on his own to get back to the station.

“Calculate the orbit and display remaining oxygen.” John ordered his VI, the results were not favorable. “Arrest the spin, reduce oxygen production by thirty percent.”

The VI recalculated how long his oxygen would last. It would be a very uncomfortable ten hours, but he’d be within a few hundred yards of the station and still have plenty of air left over. The thought of drifting around for another ten hours wasn’t high on his want list.

“She’s gonna kill me if it takes this long. Recalculate if there’s a burn made to arrest orbit and head straight back to the station.” John winced with pain; he knew his consciousness had a time limit to it.

The VI indicated it was possible but not safe as the directional control on the harness were damaged. John was swearing to himself when he saw that. Using it at close range wouldn’t be too difficult, but he was too far away to make an accurate burn back in toward the station.

John decided the best course of action was to let his orbit hit its apex and then let it take him back in toward the station. He scanned the amplifier; it was the only thing that was working as expected. John missed this originally and immediately activated it and closed his eyes. He reached out with his mind to find Garcia. He was the only person John had any degree of a connection with that could help him in his predicament. A psychic ripple emanated from John when he located him.

‘Yes, this is happening and no you’re not crazy. At least not from this specific thing. I’m drifting in an elliptical orbit around the station. My suit and I are properly fucked up and I’d appreciate a pickup.’

Garcia had a stunned look on this face. He looked around the room. He shook his head and got back to the paperwork Commander Lee made him do.

‘Asshole, I’m drifting around the fucking station like a piece of trash. Hurry up and say something.’

“Uhm, Commander.”

Commander Lee spun his chair and looked down at the young lieutenant. “What is it?”

“So, this might sound unbelievable, but I just received two messages from the cadet that entered the ship.”

“You haven’t had any incoming messages that I’ve seen.” The commander was looking at a tablet, seemingly uninterested in the conversation.

“Uh, not that kind of communication, sir.”

‘For fucks sake, tell him I’m a fucking telepath, it’s in my fit rep already.’

Garcia shook his head. “Sir, he just said, and I’m paraphrasing here, that he’s a telepath.”

‘Pussy, you should have said what I said.’

“And now he called me a pussy because I paraphrased his last comment.”

Commander Lee raised an eyebrow at Garcia then rubbed his forehead. “Do you know where he is?”

‘I’m sending you a mathematical formula to calculate my orbit. Just type these numbers in that order and you’ll find me.’

Garcia opened up an application to determine orbits around the station. When that was opened, he began punching in the numbers and symbols that John was sending into his brain. To say that Garcia was completely weirded out by the ordeal would be an understatement.

“This is his orbit apparently.”

Commander Lee looked at it. “Match the orbit with his current location then get me visual confirmation…”

The commander didn’t even have to finish his sentence. The VI controlling an external camera zoomed in and found him.

“Son of a bitch, send out a shuttle to retrieve him. How hurt is he?”

“I don’t know sir. He said he and the suit were, in his words, fucked up.”

John coughed up some blood. He was drifting in and out of consciousness. The broken bones obviously had done serious damage internally. John ordered the suit to release its seals and locks when it detected a breathable atmosphere around him. A blinking red light was the last thing John had memory of before he lost consciousness.

06:30 Shuttle Hangar 2A

“We need to stabilize the patient. Preliminary scans show that he has a pierced lung and lacerated liver along with massive internal bleeding. We don’t know what else is wrong, but I suspect it could be the spleen.” The marine medic helped move an unconscious John onto a medical maglift.

John was moved into a surgical room with the utmost haste. The suit had detached the armor plates when the shuttle picked him up, but the medic onboard overrode the suits shut down of the void sheath. He kept that active until a doctor could confirm it could be shut down when they were ready to operate. Shutting it down too soon could cause more damage to the patient.

The doctor had John moved into a scanning bay. He wasn’t liking what he saw, individually nothing was life threatening but the totality of the damage done could be. It was going to take several hours to get everything fixed. His shoulder bone was completely severed, one rib pierced his left lung, another was embedded in his liver. Luckily the spleen was suffering from a minor rupture, one they could easily fix.

“Ok folks, order some O positive blood, when we’re ready for surgery we’re going to remove the void sheath. We may need to work quickly. We are going to have him facing down in surgery since all his damage is back there.”

The doctor gave his order of operation to the nurses and medical assistants. A second doctor was going to fix the spleen while he was fixing the broken bones.

“Tell the commander that surgery is beginning, barring any issues the surgery should be done by 11:15.”

The medical staff continued to clean and prepare. Five minutes later they entered the surgical room. A pair of nurses deactivated the void sheath and took it off John. They pointed out that a third rib had pieced through the skin, it was one more thing for the doctors to fix.

07:30 Cafeteria 1A

“Where the hell is he?” Andern asked.

“I think he called me last night.” Alice looked haggard. “But I don’t know if I was dreaming that or if it really happened.”

“This is John we’re talking about.” Kevin said that forlornly.

“Yeah, he brought got into a fight of some sort.” Thomas was eating some toast.

An enlisted soldier walked into the cafeteria. “Cadet Alice Robertson, are you present?”

“Yeah, that’s not a good sign.” Nathan said.

“I’m her, what is going on?” Alice stood up.

“Your fiancé was seriously injured when an umbilical struck his suit. He is in surgery now.”

“Is the surgery going on now?” Andern asked.

“Yes, it is.”

“Can we watch it?” Andern was struck by Kristin for asking that.

“Uhm yes, there’s observation room for surgeries…”

Alice and Andern dashed out of the room. The rest of them followed suit and booked it out of the cafeteria. The enlisted soldier was left bewildered at the exchange. The fiancé was obviously worried and wanted to be there for her significant other. The other cadets either wanted to watch a surgery of the friend or be there for each other, but at least one just wanted to see the surgery. He shook his head and took care of the food trays that were left behind.

07:45 Surgical Room 2 Viewing Room

“So, they said an umbilical hit him.” Andern said.

“Look at the screen at all of his ‘maladies.’ Damn good thing that power armor was as strong as it was.” Nathan was reviewing everything the doctors were needing to fix.

A pair of individuals entered the room. A younger looking lieutenant and a well-dressed older man. The cadets didn’t think they were together but kept on watching the surgery.

“Jesus, that was basically his entire shoulder blade they just screwed back in place.” Andern slapped Nathan on the shoulder.

“What the hell happened to him?” Alice put her hands to her mouth.

“I’m not sure whether or not I should say this but when he was exiting the ship as it was flying away the umbilical didn’t detach, it snapped and hit him with the recoil.” Garcia said.

All of the cadets stopped and looked back at him. “What do you mean leaving a ship?” Alice asked.

“Uhm, well they stopped, some people messed with the computer, then they were stealing his stuff. Then he said something about some people need a good killing. He was kind of out there.”

The older man in the back failed to hold back a laugh as he stood up and walked down to the cadets. “Young lady I presume you are Alice Robertson, John’s fiancé?”

“Yes?” Alice was still having a hard time taking everything in.

“That sounds like John.” Andern grunted which caused Kristin to elbow him.

“I’m Alexei Aspern, former director of Naval Intelligence and his old boss.”

“He’s the old man, right?” Nathan whispered to Thomas.

“Obviously.”

The room became a whole lot more active. Alice and Aspern talked while the rest were watching the surgery or scrolling through all of his injuries. Garcia was just feeling entirely out of place and confused at the whole situation.

11:45 Recovery Room A1

The cadets, except Alice, were in the waiting room. Aspern, Alice and three surgeons were in the room with John. John was still under sedation.

“What we saw was not natural. Human tissue does not rebuild itself like, well like this.” The first surgeon was replaying the video.

“His spleen was likely more damaged than it was when I was operating on him. It probably didn’t need my help at all, I just sped the process up for him.”

Aspern smiled. “Naval Intelligence is confiscating all videos and logs of this surgery. The official record will be short and simple state the surgery was a success. You are not to discuss this with anyone.”

“This should be in a medical journal. It would almost be a crime were we not able to write about that.”

“You will work with intelligence to write the paper. They will determine if it can be published.” Aspern left no leeway in his statement.

“With respect former director, we need to publish this, whether you allow us to or not.”

Just before the doctors left the room. “That young man was at the Apex Garden Massacre and was almost solely responsible for concluding it.”

The blood in the doctors’ veins chilled instantly. There were wild rumors about the massacre. Even wilder rumors about how it was ended. One thing wasn’t a rumor, the last two killers that were brought to justice were brutally murdered. No not murdered, the last two were butchered. The three understood instantly that the information was meant as a threat. Work with intelligence and the paper could be published. Don’t and something bad could happen to them.

“No one ever retires from intelligence, do they?” Alice asked as she sat down next to John.

“That’s not an inaccurate statement.” Aspern sat down.

“But you’re not going to say no to his help, when he willingly chooses to do just that.”

“Would you if you were in charge?” Aspern smiled.

“No, I can’t say I wouldn’t. Especially with someone as capable and willing as he is.” Alice had a painful smile on her face. “He’s like this because of the attack, isn’t he?”

“He has no actual memories of the attack. As you well know, he is compelled to fight first. It’s as if fleeing isn’t even an option to him. The attack likely changed something deep within him permanently.”

“Could it be something even simpler that he realized he was different and that he had to do something?”

“Our psychologists ruled that out, he has never once stated that he wants to make the world a better place. His actions say otherwise though. He has a unique moral code that he absolutely adheres too irrespective of the danger he puts himself in.”

John woke up. “Fuuuuuuuck.”

Aspern got up and took the glass on the counter and filled it with water. “Here you go son, my apologies for interrupting but I’d like to leave you in more capable hands.”

“Dr. Norman instigated this whole shit show. They wanted the armor.”

Aspern thanked him and left the room. Alice was holding John’s hand. She was angry and relieved and bounced back and forth between the emotions as she looked at John’s semi-broken form. Then she recalled the conversation that he had made that morning to find out if she was ok. But she was more interested in getting sleep than talking to John, which then made her pissed at herself.

“You’re not saying much, which means your pissed.” John said as he took a sip of water.

“I am, but then part of me isn’t. I think I understand better why you do all of this. And honestly I can’t be mad at you when you are the literal boogeyman to our enemies.”

“Sorry for getting hit by a ship.”

“Well, you got hit by a snapping wire, not the ship. And Andern and the rest got to see you operated on.”

“Wonderful. He knows I have all the same stuff inside as the rest of you right?”

Alice started to laugh. “Apparently not.”

“I’m going to hear about this every day that I’m here, aren’t I?”

“Oh at least.” Alice leaned over and kissed John. “Rest up. I’ll shoo the rest away; we’ll visit in the morning. Rest up.”

“Thanks. I love you.”

John was asleep before Alice left the room. When she got to the waiting room, she told her friends they’d visit in the morning and that they were leaving the medical wing. The problem with watching the operation was discovered when they got back to the cafeteria. The boys didn’t want to talk about anything besides John’s surgery while they were eating. Or how it was weird John’s insides of his back looked like theirs did. Or how ribs are not supposed to poke through lungs, the liver or skin.

The girls were beyond annoyed as these topics continued throughout dinner. So annoyed that they moved to the farthest table from them. Though after dinner they couldn’t avoid talking about the surgery.

Sunday 08:00 Recovery Room A1

John woke up and wanted to get out of bed. His right arm was in sling designed to immobilize his arm which made things more difficult. He managed to swing his legs off the side of the bed and then hopped down to the ground.

He had a minor stumble but caught himself before he fell down. He pulled the wires off him and went to the bathroom. When he came out two very annoyed looking nurses were ready to chew him out. A doctor came in and began checking him over.

“Well, I was part of the surgery and nothing about your physiology makes sense. I don’t think the brace is necessary anymore but you’re on limited exercise for at least four weeks. That shoulder blade is going to take some time to fully heal.”

“Or until you can get that metal out of my shoulder blade.” John stretched his neck. “What about the concussion?”

“I’ll give you some exercises, but the meds we gave you yesterday should fix and prevent the long-term problems. In the short term the exercises should work to bring some relief.”

“Thanks doc.”

A nurse walked in. “Here’s some clean clothes to change into young man.”

“Thank you, mam.” John took the clothes and nodded.

“We observed some odd things during surgery yesterday morning. I don’t suppose you can shed any light on that?”

“I’m sure Intelligence will allow you to write the paper you want too but trying to do so without their permission is going to complicate things.”

“Fine, but can you answer the question.”

“When you get the data, do a DNA comparison, that probably will give you plenty of answers. The results of that will then create far more questions.”

John smiled slapped the doctor’s shoulder. He changed into the sweats and then checked himself out of the hospital. He walked to the cafeteria, his back and shoulder hurt like hell and his muscles were on fire as he walked. His only thought was getting there before they shut breakfast down.

08:45 Cafeteria

“So, we going to see him after we eat?” Andern looked excited.

“You just want to talk about his damned surgery.” Kristin was shaking her head.

“Well yeah, I mean…”

“Stop it you ignorant ass, we’re eating.” Kristin was pointing her fork at Andern.

“Honestly, what is with you lot. Why does the surgery interest you guys so much?” Jessica asked.

“I mean you saw it.” Kevin gave the girls a confused look.

“Yeah, it was pretty cool they were able to patch him up after all that.” Brian said.

“Think he’s getting a scar?” Thomas finished eating a breakfast sausage.

“I think this is why women are largely considered the better sex.” Theresa laughed.

“She’s right you know.” Alice looked up after she spoke and was shocked at what she saw.

John slowly put down his tray and sat down. He was badly bruised all over and smelled of antiseptic spray. In short, John looked like he picked a fight with a meat grinder and lost.

“Dude. You get enough food on that plate?” Nathan laughed.

“You have no idea how fucking hungry I am.” John began digging into his plate of eggs.

In front of John was a plat full of scrambled eggs, probably a dozen. A smaller plate was full of bacon and breakfast sausage. Rounding out the tray was another plate with six waffles.

“He’s going to eat all of that.” Jessica pointed at the plate.

“And y’all are going to be horrified and we’re going to be impressed. What’s that say about the sexes.” Kevin smiled.

John didn’t add anything to the conversation. He was just focused on the plates of food in front of him and devouring all of the food. He felt like he was starving. That was obviously not true, but his food schedule was completely off kilter, and he was going to rectify that. To the horror of the women at the table, and conversely the amusement of the men, the food was finished within fifteen minutes. The food hit the spot, but John hurt all over, and was going to hurt for some time.