Create a New Forum Admin Login Member Login Contribute to Voyager Search VoyForums Help Desk VoyForums Exchange VoyForums Directory/Categories VoyForums Homepage VoyForums News FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 03:55:53 05/18/11 Wed
Author: asiacheetah
Author Host/IP: ppp-71-128-195-9.dsl.sndg02.pacbell.net / 71.128.195.9
Subject: Chapter 20 - Michael
In reply to: asiacheetah 's message, "The Recruit (working title) - Michael pre-LFN story" on 03:47:50 04/25/11 Mon

Chapter 20 – Michael

1900

Elsbeth: “We have decided that he does not meet Section standards and that he should be cancelled immediately. Would you like to do the honor?”

Michael was surprised by the offer. “It’s not necessary.”

“Perhaps, but we offer it just the same.”

“All right.”

“When you are feeling better then.”

Elsbeth walked out, leaving Michael alone with his thoughts.

2030

“Hello, Michael.”

He had just been drifting into sleep when he was woken by Kendo. His trainer was standing at the end of his bed looking strangely ill at ease. He kept shifting balance and fidgeting with his clothes, the bed sheets, and his hair. It was the first time Kendo had seemed out of his element.

“Hello.”

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

“The doctor said you have a fractured skull and a concussion, but you should be fine soon.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll restructure your training schedule to reduce physical excursion while you are recovering.”

“Thank you.”

Kendo became silent, nervously pulling at his jacket as he looked around the room avoiding eye contact. Finally, he cleared his throat and met his gaze.

“Michael, I want to apologize. I recommended against Griess’ cancellation after the initial attack months ago. It was a bad judgment call and I deeply regret it.”

“I understand.”

Kendo looked taken aback and his response.

“You had no way of knowing Griess would attack me again.”

“I should have known.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Kendo opened his mouth as if to argue, but stopped at a look from Michael. He nodded, accepting Michael’s forgiveness.

“Good work on disabling an opponent while injured.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll let you get back to rest then.”

2140

Michael awoke to someone running their fingers through his hair. He opened his eyes to find Caroline who was seated on the edge of his bed looking tearful. She gave him a tremulous smile that didn’t cover the sadness in her eyes.

“How are you feeling, Michael?”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Are you in any pain? Do you need me to get the doctor?”

Her rapid fire questions were giving him a headache. “No,
I’m fine.”

She bit her lips in uncertainty. “Do you need to talk about the attack?”

“What about it?”

“Um…what Griess did to you.”

“He didn’t succeed.”

“I know, but it must have brought back unpleasant memories.”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Caroline.”

“Oh okay, but if you ever need to talk about it, you can always come to me.”

“Okay.”

She fussily straightened his sheets and seemed to be making herself at home on his bed. She was also running her hand along his arm. He wasn’t sure if she even realized she was touching him. The last thing he wanted right now was to be touched, especially by someone whose interest was sexual.

“I’m really tired right now.”

“Oh! I’ll let you sleep then. Goodnight, Michael.”

“Goodnight.”

2350

This time he was awakened when Jurgen rudely pinned his arms down to the bed. He opened his eyes to find his trainer’s face within inches of his, eyes gleaming with rancor. He tried to pull his arms loose, but he was in no shape at that moment to take him on.

“What have I been teaching you? You have to stay vigilant at all time! Letting your guard down is a guaranteed way to get yourself killed.”

“Yes.”

Jurgen released his arms with a grunt of disgust. He stepped back and crossed his arms and glared at him.

“You got anything to say for yourself?”

“No.”

“It’s too bad your attacker didn’t take you out to save us all the trouble if you’re going to be this stupid.”

“It won’t happen again.”

“You got that right. I don’t want to waste my time training a walking dead man.”

Michael kept silent knowing that was the best response to Jurgen’s rant.

Jurgen snarled: “I’ll let you get back to your beauty sleep.”

He watched his trainer leave without a backwards glance. Sleep eluded him for a long time after that visit.

0630

Michael looked up as the door to the med lab opened.
Smitty walked in along with Dusty and gave him a big grin.

Smitty: “Hey kid, how are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.”

Smitty studied the heavy white bandage wrapped around Michael’s head and the spectacular black eyes he was developing. He shook his head in disbelieve that Michael was even awake after the ordeal he just had.

Dusty: “Hi, Michael.”

“Hi.”

“Are they treating you all right in here? Do you need anything?”

“I’m okay.”

“Are you sure? I can bring sneak in a portable DVD player and I’m sure Smitty can hook you up with some liquor.”

“I don’t think alcohol would mix well with the medication.”

“Oh yeah good point.”

Smitty: “Listen kid; just let me know if you need anything, or somebody to talk to.”

Dusty: “Me too.”

“Thank you.”

A nurse came in with a food tray then, cutting their visit short. Dusty awkwardly patted his arm and Smitty good naturedly whacked him in the shoulder. The impact sent his head reeling again and he blinked to clear his vision.
Dusty was chewing Smitty out for his carelessness.

Dusty: “You idiot. Michael has a head injury. What are you doing smacking him like that.”

“Oh sh*t! Sorry Michael!”

“I’ll be fine.”

Dusty: “Let’s get out of here before you do anymore damage.”

Smitty called out his apology again as Dusty shoved him out the door.

0800

Michael was surprised by a visit by Clive and another recruit who took part in the botched mission months ago. While they have been on friendly terms since the mission, it wasn’t as if they hung out together.

Clive: “Hi, Michael. How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

Clive: “Need anything? It could get pretty boring in here. I think I have a few magazines hidden away I can loan you.”
Chris another recruit snorted: “You mean porno magazines, Clive.”

Clive: “I mean other types of magazines. I’m sure if Michael is lonely in here one of two of the nurses would love to keep him company.”

Michael blinked at hearing this news. “I don’t need anything.”

Clive: “Sorry about the head injury, although we’re glad you took Griess and his lackeys out. They were a pain in the as*s.”

Chris: “Have they told you what’s going to happen to them?”

“Griess will be cancelled and Cochran and Stevens have been put on abeyance.”

Chris: “Good. That’s one less thing we have to worry about in here.”

“You were worried?”

Chris: “Yeah those guys were like school ground bullies. You can’t trust them to watch your back when you’re out on a mission.”

“Did they ever sabotage a mission?”

Chris: “Nothing that brazen yet, but it was only a matter of time.”

Clive: “Thanks to you.”

Chris: “We’ll leave and let you get some rest. Bye.”

“Goodbye.”

1030

Michael was trying to think of a diplomatic way to dissuade a nurse who had been flirting shamelessly when the door opened and Adam walked in.

“Whoa! Didn’t know you were busy. I’ll come back later.”

“Adam, wait.”

Adam ambled up to the bed with a sh*t eating grin on his face. He watched the nurse hurried out of the room, turned toward him while making a wolf whistle and wagging his eye brows suggestively.

“You’ve been here one night and already got all the pretty nurses eating out of your hands, while I was here a whole two weeks and nada, not a date, not even a get well kiss.”

“Did you ask for a kiss?”

“Well I had a bunch of boo-boo’s I was hoping they’d kiss and make better.”

“And why are you surprised they didn’t respond well?”

“It’s just the way I work it. It’ll work out for me one day, I swear. Not everyone is attracted to suave Frenchmen.”

As if disproving Adam’s statement, another nurse came in to ‘check on him’ and in the process brushing her ample breasts against his arm. They both watched the nurse leave, swaying her hips with exaggeration with every step.

“Okay, obviously everyone in Section is attracted to a smooth talking Frenchman. Just wait for when I get to leave here. They’ll be swarming over me then.”

“Sure.”

“Sorry I wasn’t here earlier, but I was trying to score some contraband. Look what I got, Ta-Da!”

With flourish, Adam whips out a package he had hidden behind his back. It was a box with a picture of a magnifying glass on it.

“What is it?”

“It’s Clue!”

“What?”

“Clue! You know a board game.”

At Michael’s blank look, Adam pressed on with a pleading tone: “You never heard of it? How could you not know it? Everyone knows this game. Wait do they not have this game where you’re from?”

“No, but I don’t normally play games.”

“Oh come on, Michael. You’ll love it I promise!”

Adam looked at him with a hopeful look on his face. At Michael’s continued silence, his grin fell and he put on his most pitiful woeful expression. “Come on, Michael. It took me forever to get it and no one would play with me. Why Clive called me an idiot American when I asked.”

“I’m sure he didn’t call you that.”

“He sure did! Well he said it with a smile on his face, but he definitely called me an idiot American.”

“Basically he stated the obvious.”

“What?!?” Adam cracked up, doubling over in laughter. “Oh boy, did that head injury mess you up or what? I swear you just cracked a joke. Who knew all we needed to lighten you up is to hit you over the head. I’ll have to remember for next time when you get too serious again.”

“Right.”

“Now, now don’t get serious already. I don’t think the nurses would like it if I hit you over the head when you already have a cracked skull.”

“The nurses aren’t the one you have to worry about.”

Adam held his hands up in surrender: “Okay, okay I promise
I won’t beat you up.”

“I’m not making that promise.”

Adam started laughing again: “There you go again, making another joke! I must be rubbing off on you.”

“Who said that was a joke?”

“Don’t be like that. Now are you going to play a game with me?”

“I don’t even know how to play it.”

“It’s easy, you find out who gets killed, by what weapon, in what room, and by whom.”

At Michael’s quizzical look Adam explained: “It’s a murder mystery game.”

“Fine. Adam, strangulation by an IV line, in med lab, by me.”

“Oh you’re on a roll now! Keep the jokes coming.”

“Again, who said I’m joking.”

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]



Replies: