9 Days Later, 17:15 Captain’s Ready Room

John had finished packing his bag. He was running thing his mental checklist to make sure everything was taken care of. He scanned his room, and everything looked in order. He dropped the bag in front of the door and stepped onto the bridge.

“Captain on deck,” Kristin said.

“At ease, the ship’s still yours,” John said smiling, “I’ll make myself scarce back here.”

John gestured to a space next to Lieutenant Page. He then walked over and leaned back on the wall.

“My room’s ready, bag is at the foot of the door. Can inspect it now if you want to ma’am.”

“Thank you, cadet, I will do just that,” Page said as she walked down the ramp.

She was back a couple of minutes later and smiled. The bridge crew was working with the orbital station. Docking a ship there was a painfully long process. Ships don’t cede control until they are much closer to the station than most other stations in colonized space.

“Marcinko updating that our engines have been cut off, switching to maneuvering thrusters Station Control,” Lacey said into their open communication link.

“Roger Marcinko. Slow maneuvering vectors by twenty percent. Your twenty-two hundred meters until slaving,” a station controller acknowledged.

“Slowing down, Marcinko out.”

The bridge was far tenser than John remembered it being, even during battle stations. He made a note to talk to Kristin and find out her opinion on that matter. What felt like an eternity later, control of the ship was handed over to the station. That didn’t speed it getting into position any more quickly though.

“This second in command Kristin Anderson. Our ship is nearly docked at Pluto station. Local time is 22:00. Please note that a full day is over six days on Earth, Pluto uses Earth's standard time. Crewmembers assigned to the second shift are allowed to disembark immediately once the hard seal is achieved. The first shift is to assist the third in preparing the ship to be shut down. Remember to clean your personal areas before disembarking. Department heads please contact the bridge when you’re all clear.”

John walked down to his door and got his bag. He picked it up and brought it to the rear of the bridge. When he leaned back, he could feel a small jolt and the sound of grinding metal.

“Not going to lie, when those clamps grab onto our ship it sounds horrendous inside,” John said grinning, “Not sure I’m ever going to get used to that.”

“Wait till you serve on a big boomer, you will go deaf if it’s clamping in a room near you,” Senior Chief Stroll said chuckling.

“Kristin, there’s one more task I need you to do. I have a date with the medical center on the station and on the ground. Please inspect the berths and note who didn’t clean up their personal space,” John said.

“Understood.”

The external power connection was then made. Shortly thereafter the hard airlock was being moved into position. Chimes could be heard down the hall. The pressure was equalizing. People were now leaving the ship.

“Well, that’s my cue even though I feel kind of rotten for leaving early,” John said as he hefted the bag over his shoulder and walked down the hallway.

Alice was talking with Kevin and Nathan. None of the three noticed him creeping upon them. That until an enlisted crewmember noticed John, stopped, and saluted.

“At ease petty officer. Go ahead and take off ahead of us.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Figured y’all would’ve run out already,” John said smiling.

“Well, you and I have a date in the medical center,” Alice smirked.

“Sounds thrilling, I’m going to pass on that though,” Nathan said.

“I’m waiting for Theresa. We’re checking into our room ASAP. So on that note, we will catch you folks tomorrow since here she is,” Kevin extended his arm for Theresa.

Theresa tossed her bag at Kevin, “Yes, let’s do breakfast tomorrow.”

“Well, let’s make ourselves scarce before they find things for us to do,” John said as he pointed to the airlock, “Feels damn weird to be ordered off my damn ship.”

01:30 Pluto Orbital Station – Medical Center

John was getting sick and tired of the different tests. But arguing about it wasn’t going to accomplish much besides annoying his wife, which considering his current position in the doghouse was harmful to his wellbeing. The doctors had heard it all and were clearly over any patient bullshit he could say or do.

“Well, mostly good news here. Looks like your stamina today is fifty-two percent what it was at the start of the deployment. Strength at sixty-seven percent,” the doctor adjusted his glasses and smiled, “in four weeks you should have your strength back. Stamina recovery has been slower than strength though.”

“Slowing down enough for concern?” John asked, “Or is it because of the radiation?”

“Not yet, but it is troublesome. It’s possible that the radiation you were hit with affected the lungs differently. When you get down to the surface they are going to focus on your lungs and some other general scans that need to be done. But we’re looking at four to five weeks before your back to your old physical health.”

“Does he have any medical limitations anymore?” Alice asked.

“I want weekly checkups and tests. But your reduced workload can be ended. With that said, you need to be honest with the doctor. I don’t want you overstressing yourself only to find your recovery going in the opposite direction.”

“Understood sir. Besides my better half will ensure my compliance to your order,” John smirked as he pointed at Alice behind him.

“Having a caring spouse is very helpful. I’m sure she’s not going to let you ease off or avoid everything that you’ve been asked to do,” the doctor winked at Alice, “Well, get yourself dressed and head down to the surface. I’d like for you to get those tests done soon so you can get some rest.”

John put on his shirt. He swung his coat over his shoulder, it was a bit too warm to wear it and he didn’t feel like turning into a sweat monster on the ride down to the surface. Alice smiled took John’s hand as they left the medical center.

John was a bit worried on one hand since the talk hadn’t happened yet. He knew what she was going to say, but he wasn’t looking forward to it at all.

02:25 Space Elevator 2-B

The space elevators had been very busy because the Marcinko and a pair of freighters arrived at roughly the same time. Since John, and Alice because she went with him, took a detour they were now in line with freight. On the plus side as they took their seats they noticed that they had the elevator all to themselves.

“You look like I’m going to shoot you,” Alice said.

“Can we please have the conversation? I don’t want to wait any longer,” John said nervously, “I’ve been dreading this bloody thing since you mentioned it.”

“What conversation?” Alice played dumb.

John clearly didn’t read the signs she was giving, “You know, the one where you were going to call me an asshole or some derivative thereof and yell at me for running off, possibly to my death, and then how much stress you were put through because I worked myself nearly to death.”

“OHHHHHH, that one. Yeah, you seriously fucked up. You left out the whole betrothal to a space princess,” Alice said smiling.

John turned to Alice immediately, “I had no idea that bullshit was coming my way and I immediately turned it down.”

“I did appreciate that, though I didn’t like how you disarmed me and held me back.”

“I did that mainly so you didn’t cause a diplomatic incident. You already caused the scene.”

“Well enough about that. And don’t get mad at Andern but he spilled the beans about your upbringing to me. I calmed down a bit since you got about as raw a deal as anyone has. But why the hell didn’t you say all that stuff to me. I’m your wife.”

“Well, not like I told him anything classified or private. Anyone who spends five minutes with me knows I’m not like most folks. And it never really got brought up in conversation.”

Alice kissed John on the cheek, “That my dear is the understatement of the century.”

“Besides, who wants to hear about how most of my adopted family sucks and hated me. Not exactly something that gets brought up in conversation easily.”

“Well, yeah you’re right.”

“I will do better than run off like that again. There are only like two people in the galaxy that I’d that too. But to make sure they really do get eliminated in the future I’ll make sure to bring backup.”

“And.”

“Not have the suit slowly kill me.”

“Good. So, do you seriously not have any of your abilities anymore?” Alice took John’s hand and squeezed it.

“Haven’t heard a voice since I passed out.”

Alice leaned over and whispered, “What about the other thing?”

“Can barely move a coin,” John shrugged.

“So, it’s not all lost, but from a practical standpoint it may as well be gone.”

“Mhmm, it hasn’t improved any either since the attack either. It is what it is,” John paused, “It’s my penance for that giant cock-up of mine.”

03:15 Nyx Station – Medical Wing

John was strapped onto a comfortable, albeit chilly, examination table. He was inside a deep scanning device. In his mind, he was cursing his actions again, although mostly because he’d rather be doing what he suspects his friends are doing this instant. Getting laid or drunk, possibly sleeping too but definitely after the first two things happen.

Instead, he was assaulted by shining lights, lasers, and an electromagnetic hum. Just when he thought the torture was over the lights changed and another scan took place.

“Two more to go, buddy. You’re doing great,” a technician said.

“I’m not your buddy, friend,” John said.

“I…” The voice cut out.

Back in the observation room Alice was squinting and shaking her head, “His sense of humor is three hundred some years old, weird, childish, and idiotic. You get used to it over time.”

Thirty-five minutes later they were thankfully over. John hopped off the table and slipped his shoes back on. He walked into the observation room where Alice hugged him. The technician escorted them to their waiting room and let them know a doctor would be in to see them shortly.

John typed a short message to his friends into his tablet during the wait. They were going to skip breakfast and meet them for lunch. He asked them to find a good sports bar and let them know which one worked they decided. He also added some choice words about all the exams. John ended the message with some simple advice, don’t get into a near-death situation and you won’t have to go through all of this.

Ten minutes later an older, somewhat portly doctor barged into the room, “Mornin’, sorry to keep you waiting. I’m Commander Byron Palmer, lead doctor of the general diagnosis department. You’ve got a mighty interestin’ genetic structure combined with some seriously odd results.”

“Yeah, that happens when you nearly kill yourself with a prototype of a new power armor suit and psychic channeling device. Oh, I also got hit with an experimental anti-psychic device,” John said sardonically.

The doctor didn’t know whether the young man in front of him was telling the truth or being a smartass. It wasn’t often that patients stopped him in his tracks. He took a deep breath and looked at the patient’s file. After a little digging, he presumed the patient was being a sarcastic smartass.

“One of those tests was a psychic test. It causes the brain to really flare up with activity.”

“That was the second test, right? I could feel that.”

“Your mind lit up like a Christmas tree. Says here you’re an L4B.”

“Was. I don’t ‘hear’ anything anymore.”

The doctor spun around and walked to the display. He brought up John’s psychic scan along with scans of other telepaths from Level 1 to Level 5.

“Son, what telepathic rank you are isn’t any of my business, but your no L4. Your way beyond any L5 I’ve ever scanned.”

“Not sure what to tell you doc. I was a telepath, good on at that, but after the attack, I’m certainly not one anymore.”

The doctor looked back and reviewed the scan results, “Fascinatin’, don’t suppose I could investigate and research your genes after y’all leave?”

“Run any and all of your findings by Naval Intelligence. If you agree to that, then have at it.”

“Excellent, thank ya kindly. Anyways, I’m sure the two of you would like to get out of here so I’ll just go over the cliff notes for you. You are healing. I don’t see any reason that you won’t get back into your old physical form. But as your likely keenly aware it’s going to take some time.”

“More time than the docks up at the orbital station think?” Alice interjected.

“You should get within a standard deviation of your old results within three-ish weeks. It’s probably going to be four to six months until your fully healed.”

“I was hoping for something sooner.”

“Well son, that your alive after the damage you took is nothing short of a bloody miracle. But the rate of healing doesn’t lie. Four to six months. In another month you should feel more normal.”

“Is there any treatment that can speed the recovery process up?” Alice asked.

“For your husband? No. For others? Yes. The short answer is his immune system looks at most drugs, laughs, then prevents any harmful effects. That applies to both illicit and helpful drugs equally.”

“Good call honey, couldn’t hurt to ask.”

“Well, in some good news whenever the two of you are ready for kids that’s still happening. Doesn’t appear to be any damage to your reproductive organs. Your bone structure also managed to somehow become denser and is almost three times as strong as it was.”

“How the hell is that possible?”

“Excellent question. I’ll get back to you when we have an answer. A full report will be sent to your ship’s doctor, and you’ll receive a copy as well. Anyways, I think it's high time the two of you head to the commercial wing and enjoy your shore leave.”

“Thanks, doc, appreciate the help,” John stood up and saluted.

John and Alice got escorted back to the main waiting area. From there they headed out of the building they were in. The medical wing was on the far end of the station, opposite where the commercial wing and more specifically where their hotel room was located.

04:25 Nyx Biltmore Resort

The walk felt like it took forever. Thankfully there were some escalators they could walk on to hasten their journey. John was complaining that they should have some golf carts or other such devices for such a big station.

Those did exist, but generally, you were only able to get one from the commercial district where all the hotels were. That led to a fair amount of grumbling from a rather annoyed cadet. John took it in stride though, his complaints weren’t actually legitimate ones.

“Where were the others staying?” John asked.

“Kristin and Andern were staying at the Holiday Inn. They found a suite there that was within the reimbursement rate.”

“Clever and well played.”

“Agreed. Theresa and Kevin were staying at the MGM Casino Hotel. Pretty sure Brian and Thomas were as well. Everyone else just let the military book their rooms.”

“Nothing wrong with laziness until you end up in a shithole on some third-rate world.”

The couple chuckled. John pointed out their resort hotel. They increased their pace. They both wanted to get into their room as quickly as possible. When they entered the lobby it was devoid of people with the exception of a single worker at the desk.

“Good morning, how can I help you?” the front desk clerk said cheerfully.

“Lief, reservation for two. We’re checking in a little later than expected,” Alice said, “We had to have the big guy get checked out in the medical wing.”

“Oh no, I hope everything is alright!”

“Well, I didn’t die, and I can still have kids after getting irradiated, so there’s that,” John said nonchalantly as he was reaching for a freshly baked chicalote chip cookie.

“Hmmm,” the clerk looked very confused.

“Ignore him, he’s a bit cranky.”

“Right. Here are your room keys. If you go down the hall and, on your right, there are elevators. Go up to the eighth floor and your suite will be halfway down the hallway.”

“Perfect. Thank you so much. By the way, do you have any recommendations for what restaurants are good?” Alice asked.

“On the cheap and how about price be damned levels?” John interjected.

“Oh yes. Frankie’s BBQ is inspired by the North Carolina style. It’s not terribly expensive. It’s very popular though so unless you like waiting call ahead. The best burgers to be had here are at the Burger Factory. For fine dining Aleric’s is excellent. It is very expensive. I think they are doing a twenty-one-course meal these days. Seating is incredibly limited there too. The last place I’d recommend is Grandma’s Soul Food. They do a little bit of everything. Nothing is the best there, but I doubt you’d leave there finding something you really want to try.”

“Thank you so much,” Alice smiled.

The couple took their keys and headed down the hallway to the elevator. John was growing tired and was leaning against the wall next to the elevator call button. A short wait later and the elevator door opened. John followed Alice into the elevator. He pressed the button for their floor then waited as the doors closed and the elevator rose up.

The couple walked down the hall and got to their room. John opened the door and let Alice enter it first. He walked in and set his bag on the desk just inside the room. Alice swung around, hugged, and kissed him.

“I’m going to freshen up,” she said seductively.

“After I pee, I’ve been holding it in.”

Alice chuckled and waited her turn. She heard the toilet flush, then the water was hitting the sink bowl. John tossed a towel over his shoulder as he walked out of the bathroom. He smiled and kissed Alice on the cheek as he walked past her. She walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

John continued to smile as he kicked off his shoes and walked to their bedroom. He tossed his duty coat on a chair. His shirt got tossed on the ground. He dropped his trousers at the foot of the bed then fell down on the right side of the bed. He was snoring a couple of seconds after he hit the bed.

Alice turned the lights off to the suite from the main control pad next to the bathroom. She was wearing a black negligée that she wanted to surprise John with. She crept over to the bed, but then she heard him snoring.

“Oh, you son of a bitch.”