We entered inside, the clinic staff were already working, entering different rooms while bringing different apparatus.
One of them approached us, carrying a tablet.
"Examination for the sixth batch of teams is done, the rooms are free for all of you to use. Just enter one of them and a doctor will be there to check up on each of you." She explained.
We walked to different rooms, i entered a random empty one. Inside, a doctor sat on a chair. A glass of water on the table next to the bed.
"From Gralasia correct?" He asked, checking a tablet.
"Yes." I replied.
"Take a seat."
I sat down on the bedside as the doctor began performing tests on me. Checking on my vitals, to my heartbeat among other tests.
"Experienced any physical injuries?" He asked
"None, none that i know of right now." I responded.
"How about mentally, how are you holding up." I suppose i'll have to answer truthfully.
"I feel dreadful as of now from what i witnessed in Gralasia."
"I see." He continued tapping on the tablet.
"This may not fully help, but with medical advancements, the virus is meant to help the user mentally and physically." He explained, taking something out of a drawer.
"It's medicine, it'll help jolt the virus." I took the pill, swallowing it along with drinking some water.
He cleared his throat, putting the tablet on the side after continuing a few more tests on me.
"Everything seems to be good physically. I suggest you stop by at the cafeteria and get some food if you feel hungry and rest. You may leave."
I left the room, the doctor still stayed there, checking a cabinet on the wall. Outside, there were more staff entering other rooms. Walking towards the entrance, none of my teammates were present. Near the door i stood, waiting for them to come back as i thought once more. Relief didn't brush over me despite returning back, only remembering images of the city.
As i thought away, my teammates exited out of different rooms.
"Hey Damon, wanna grab a bite to eat?" Alina, walking with the others who exited, asked.
"Sure." I replied.
With the others quickly joining in the group, we all left the clinic. Down the elevator, i felt as the dread was slowly loosening, feeling somewhat some relief, but still sensing the dread and remembering the images.
Opened door, we stepped outside, the hall was empty. Not a single soul in sight walking around. On the cities in the alliance like us most likely.
"This hall feels eerie without anyone walking. Normally anytime you outside there's at least two mercenary groups talking. But right now...It's just us." Mary commented.
The air felt cold, the silence was unnerving, our pace noticeably quickened. Trying to go through the hallway quickly, passing by our own room in the process.
The cafeteria was nearly empty, only a few tables were filled with groups of mercs, chowing down.
On the food counter, trays in our hands. The food was steak and prokchop, among other cut vegetables, nearly identical to what we saw before leaving.
"Well atleast we have a reason why they gave us this much food." Nora said.
Porkchop, steak, some vegetables and a glass of wine.
We quickly sat down. Trays on the table and ready to eat.
A slice of porkchop landed in my mouth. The flavor was savoring. But i still couldn't feel much relief nor euphoria from the taste. Merely just tasting it.
I ate slowly, taking slice by slice. The others were also slow while we ate. Not feeling much satisfaction from every bite, now just trying to eat to finish the meal and get full.
Time felt like it went on slower, going back and forth, taking bite after bite of mashed potatoes, vegetables, and the meat. Taking sips of wine to wash it down. chatter was nearly nonexistent with only distant faint echoes as the few groups talked on.
No clinking of glasses, not much chat, only silence and the clanging of our metal utensils and cups being set back down. Just a quiet meal, not even the different meal set changed our moods after what we went through.
Soon, we were finished, now feeling full. With no delay, we got up. Empty trays and empty cups were left on the table.
"You guys gonna rest as well?" Sebastian asked.
We replied in neutral tones. A mix of yeses.
Inside we entered, heading off to our rooms.
I sat down on the bedside, thinking of the day. The bodies i recovered, the people i saved. The mission in itself was dreadful. Even if we saved people, there were so much more that weren't. My weapons were still on my hands. Through the armory door.
I stored my weapons on cabinets, quickly heading back out and resting on the bed.
I closed my eyes. On my bed, trying to rest from what has occurred.
Slumber went in quicker than earlier as darkness and silence were left.
Another image began forming up, blurred before rapidly clearing up.
The person was in a truck. Wearing a suit while others sat on other seats, donning the same suits. Blood stained them, from their legs to even a visor on some of them.
The person's eyes panned away, looking at a pile of body bags, all used. On the floor there was a trail of crimson running along to the pile.
Panning to a pair of covered hands, dried and glued onto it, tissue and blood.
"How many did we manage to get?" A voice on the comms asked.
"Don't know, and don't care....There's just too much." Another voice replied, it's tone quickly saddening as it spoke.
The ride continued on, before a muffled screeching noise signalled it's stop.
Light shone through as spotlights from the outside shot into the truck's interior. The team all stood up, they headed for the body bags. Grabbing one by one and bringing them to other personnel below.