Buzzing, buzzing sound everywhere. Or was it just he could not hear anything? And the pain, a horrible headache. He tried to open eyes, to move, but to no avail. It was like staying in a deep, really deep darkness, or rather - nothingness.
While staying in this weird state, the buzzing started to go away, replaced by noises. Basically, it was not like his hearing returned to normal, more like re-adjusting to understand the sounds. Either way, still bad.
It was hard to say how much time already passed since the first stimulus appeared, but it felt like inifinity. This sensation of helplessness was hard to bear.
After who knows how long, sounds became clearer and voices could be heard. There were many different voices, appearing with various intervals, discussing, arguing - a wide range of feelings.
He still could not distinguish most of the things people were saying, and his eyesight was still not returning, same as the sense of touch. He knew he had a body, but a body which would not listen to him no matter what he did. And he could not talk, he was unable to communicate. And the pain - he would yell if he could.
- Fuck, going against something like this... Who could've expected something like that!? I've seen a lot in these recording, but this. I didn't imagine this would be the first thing to crash into...
Finally, a voice he could actually hear and comprehend. Man's voice, seriously agitated, but louder voice came up, interrupting the first one.
- Fucking abominations! Freaking monsters! - the man spat - They've butchered a half of platoon in front of my very eyes... I've never seen anything like that, and I was in wars. Even tanks are not as sturdy as these creatures! No one warned us about. We'd be goners if it weren't for these Savages we got...
Someone was crying. Groaning could be heard around. Something was shaking from time to time, but he could not tell what exactly. It was dark, really dark, and only voices of talking people kept him partially conscious.
- We are lucky to be alive, bro. Many others didn't make it.
- You don't have to remind me. So many great guys lost, many I've known. Well, I guess it's the same for you...
- I know they said it won't be an easy mission, and not a safe one, but this...
- And to think it's only the beginning. Who knows what comes next? We didn't establish any new connection with other groups for hours. And no broadcast from the Future. We don't even know if the main ship survived, and we have thousands of kilometers from planned landing point.
- Yeah, I know. Still, even though it's a temporary camp, we have decent equpment, energy and firepower to keep dangerous animals away.
Suddenly, an ironic laughter echoed. Yes, it was definitely ironic - this person surely was not happy. From the tone this person continued to speak, someone with grimace on their face could be easily imagined.
- You saw with your own eyes what they can do with a heavy transporter or even Savages. What we have here is just a temporary precaution. You never know how soon they will stay scared.
Darkness kept embracing him, he could not see a thing. Then, for a moment, he felt something. After trying to move his hand to the head, a lamp light made him feel dizzy. Blinking several times, and forcing himself to move his head, he felt a strong pain and groan. This sound alerted the people around. People's steps could be heard now.
- Hello, major woke up! - someone shouted, and John thought he saw an outline of someone's face for a moment - How do you feel, sir?
It was still hard for Marlow to collect his thoughts, but he somehow managed to speak.
- Where am I?
- In temporary camp.
It did not tell him much. John still felt disoriented.
- But how? I recall this beast jumping on my Savage and...
- Calm down, sir, you managed to kill it. Though we have no idea how it was possible. Anyone would be unconscious after such hit. You must have great reflexes, sir.
Marlow laughed and immediately regreted that - he suddenly felt a strong ribs pain striking him. Once he regained his breath, John tried to sit on his bet.
- I'll help you, sir - said the man, whose voice sounded familiar to major, though he could not see their face clearly - It really did a number on you, sir.
- You no say... I've never felt better...
Another steps echoed. John still could not see well, but the voice he heard now was something he immediately recognized.
- You are really lucky, John - said Manuela.
- It doesn't change the fact I feel like shit.
- You're quite alive for a shit though. You shouldn't be sitting. You need to lie down.
She put him back and started examining his body, causing John to groan due to pain.
- I always knew you were a sadist, Manuela. Are you treating all injured people like that?
- If it hurts, it means you are alive. You had a lot of luck. If the cockpit bent a couple of centimeters more, we wouldn't be able to talk to each other anymore. The most we could get then would be keeping you in vegetative state.
John started drifting away, losing consciousness. Once he regained it, he was not sure how much time passed since his talk with Manuela. People were talking again - another voice then last time, also a familiar one.
- Anything changed? Any improvement?
- Listen, Ryan. He went through a lot, I mean it. Even among all these fucked up injuries I saw over the last several days, this was... Ryan, if we just had a single medical capsule, it would take a day at most, but without it... You see his body? I feel like I was putting together a car out of scrap.
- He was up against this world's T-Rex. No one blames you. It's a miracle he still lives. We simply need him, we need his skills. Also, for these capsules of yours.
Buzzing sound again. It felt as if something was drilling in his skull. Or maybe it was true?
A burning pain filled his eyes, he felt as if they would melt any time now. And then, he heard his own scream.
- John, easy up, easy up!
Everything suddenly returned to normal - voice, eyesight, a sense of touch. The very first face he saw belonged to a woman, and the woman he immediately recognized.
- Manuela? If it's you, it means... I wasn't dreaming before?
- I'd likely call it a nightmare if I were you, but yes, I'm treating you in this... I would like to say it's a hospital, but it's more like a small, field clinic.
They have placed Marlow on the tube bed, a predecessor of high-end capsule technology, the most advanced medical tube. He was able to hear Manuela explain the situation, so it was obvious it was the best they could do at the moment. However, seeing how badly equipped was this "field clinic" built with fast panels, he immediately understood they still have not sorted out everything.
- Ugh, how long was I out?
John asked this question, while putting the left hand on his forehead, suddenly feeling cold. This sensation in left hand felt weird, so he moved it slightly away, and the he saw it. For some reason, he did not recall this sensation the last time he woke up.
- What the fuck!? The hell... What's...!?
Someone caught him by his right arm.
- John, you need to calm down. I'm sure this is a shock for you, but please, try to control yourself.
Another familiar face. This time it was Ryan.
- John, don't move for now - said Manuela - I will explain everything as I examine you.
- Can't you do something about the pain first!?
- I can, but you need to stop moving!
Marlow clenched his teeth and somehow managed to keep the body still. Dr. Gomez used this moment to make an injection.
- Good, you should feel a bit better now.
- Why didn't you do that earlier? - asked colonel McRae.
Manuela turned around, showing a sarcastic smile.
- We are short on painkillers so I save them whenever I can. I didn't think he would wake up again so soon.
"Damn, how I hate her guts," thought John, but he had to admit the treatment was good as pain disappeared really fast.
- So, can you explain?
- Sure. We need to examine you though.
The upper part of tube bed moved up, putting John's body in a sitting position. While set like that, sensor glass started gathering information.
- Ok, now we can talk - Manuela sat down on a round chair, next to the tube, going through the data as she spoke - You got hit, really hard. When they brought you, I thought you were a corpse.
Dr. Gomez was well-known for being a straightforward lady.
- Your left arm was torn apart - she continued - Same goes for your right leg. We went with military grade artificial replacements. Aside from that, a broken collar-bone and several ribs, all removed and replaced by titanium implants. Oh, and your liver, couldn't fix it so it's also artificial now.
- Damn, are you a doctor or a mechanic? - Ryan could not help, but comment.
Manuela put an arm on her hip, and looked at him, while raising her eyebrows.
- You better focus on military stuff, okay? Nowadays, doctors are pretty much mechanics too.
John felt a chill going down his spine.
- Manuela, but why replacements? Couldn't you...?
Dr. Gomez sighed, hearing these questions.
- Listen, John. Do you think I put those on you because I wanted to? If it was back on Earth, I would have created you new limbs using your DNA bank. But, guess what? I have no equipment to do that. I saw one of med pods crash, having people I knew onboard. Another one I was on... Only scrap was left. And I still can't believe I'm alive. So really, don't complain. You got a military grade prosthetics worth several millions, because we have no med capsules. This metal you got there is basically an enhancement to your body. New parts are synced with your brain and PEC. It may be hard to adjust at first, though.
- It doesn't change the fact I feel like shit.
- Well, you are a pretty lively shit if you ask me.
A terrible headache Marlow had just went away. He didn't know if it was the result of meds he got, or maybe Manuela's preaching made him forget about the pain.
Thinking about everything that happened since they left Future, dr. Gomez might have been right. Besides, getting cybernetic limbs did not mean John was going to stay that way through the rest of his life. They could always grow him new ones, given they have a proper equipment for that.
- Can I move now?
Major tried to stand up, but Manuela stopped him the very moment she saw that.
- I'd suggest you not. I told you new parts are connected to your brain and PEC. In other words, I had to add a connector and modify your brain implant to let you use these new limbs. You need some time to adjust. If you move around too much now, you may get something akin to motion sickness. Plus, your limbs could be rejected.
That sucked. John hated hospitals, even if they did not look like one, due to various reasons. Though staying here would mean being free from duties, a really tempting option, he doubted it was something good for his mood.
- You were out for two days, Earth days to be precise - dr. Gomez continued - And I won't let you go out before I'm sure you won't return here the next day, so be ready to spend two or three days here, and I'm talking about Gaian days now. I have no idea when I'll be able to get used to it. Ryan will for sure tell you the rest. Now, excuse me, I still have many things to do.
Colonel McRae, who was standing by his bed since the time John woke up, finally sat down.
- Even though she is supposed to provide treatment, I always get goosebumps when talking to her - colonel started speaking only after Manuela left them - So, how do you feel?
Marlow tried to smile, but his face still felt numb.
- I bet it's not better than I look.
Ryan did not smile, he just sighed.
- I'm relieved to see you wake up. I feel bad about your limbs, but we gave you the best cybers we had. These are top tech, will serve you well.
As an engineer, John did not need anyone to tell him how good was this equipment. Dr. Gomez sure knew a lot about fixing human bodies, but - apparently - she was not that good in terms of technical knowledge to mention the most important stuff. Even though external elements of these limbs were indeed made of titanium, what really mattered were veins and fibers. Without relying on his main head implant, Marlow could easily tell the insides consisted of glassteel and coated aramids.
Someone not familiar with artificial limbs could ask why would you need veins in a metal hand or a leg. It is a mechanical part so it could use some gear system, be powered with a power cell, right? Sure, there were cybers like that, and some could grant you superhuman strength, or other perks. However, such replacements had one, and really big disadvantage - maintenance, and maintenance meant time and money. What they gave John was something else - first of all, blood circulating through artificial veins meant the bloodflow remained the same, so there was no additional strain on the heart, and second, blood was used as a fuel for basic functions. This meant he did not need additional checkups for limbs to function for long periods of time.
But the biggest surprise he noticed only after careful inspection. Initially, John thought it was just a maintenance panel, to finally understand that his new hand also had a hybrid MTF-IEC cell. Knowing that, he was no longer sure if being put back together was really lucky for him.
- Ryan, where did you get this? - Marlow asked, pointing at his left arm - Don't tell me you took the first high quality implant from the box you found in military's medical supplies.
Colonel gave him a slightly confused look.
- It's not from medical supplies. We had this among test equipment.
These words caused John to feel a headache again.
- Of all things you could use to patch me up, you had to choose this? Ryan, this thing is not a limb, it's a weapon!
- You surely complain a lot for someone who was close to dying there.
Marlow felt urge to sit again, but forced himself to stay lying, recalling what Manuela told him.
- I feel miserable now. To think I'm equipped with high tech gear and cannot even take my leak on my own. Metal undies...
He heard giggling, and quickly found its source - a young nurse standing several meters away.
- I'm... sorry - the girl quickly apologized and walked away once he looked at her.
- Just put up with this situation for a bit longer and let Manuela do her thing - said colonel with a serious face - She will fix you in no time.
- Including getting my limbs back?
- Once we get our hands on some med capsules. For now, it's simply impossible.
John sighed. He wanted to get a grip, but the position in which he was now made him feel helpless.
- Ryan, be honest with me. How bad is our situation?
Colonel's face darkened as he looked around and sighed.
- Taking into account everything we've been through, we can all call ourselves lucky, though it's not really that good. We are still counting our loses, but it's safe to assume about one third of people who landed in the pods we are aware of have died, and we've managed to retrieve about half of the equipment these pods were carrying.
- What about the other groups?
McRae shrugged.
- No connection so far, no possibility for long distance communication sadly. Needless to say, no eye contact since evacuation was chaotic, causing transporting pods to be scattered. Equipment we could use for establishing contact and long distance transmission got damaged, so it requires repairs and tuning. According to tech guys people we have, we should have radars operational in the next dozen of hours or so, but standard comms require much more. Still, electromagnetic interference in this area is much stronger than estimated, so even if we have them operational, it's possible we won't be able to reach others. For now, we've established a camp in a safe location, so people can rest and wounded be treated to the best of our ability. I'm planning to depart once we fix the equipment and have people ready to travel.
From the sounds of it, Marlow did not expect this to happen anytime soon, but wanted to get more details.
- How long it will be?
- No longer than two local days, I hope. I wouldn't like to risk staying here too long, even if the spot seems safe. These creatures hear seem to grow bolder with time, and we shouldn't test how long would it take for them to attack. Besides, according to limited calculations I could run, we are over nine thousand kilometers from the external wall of this ancient megacity, and it will take time to get there.
- You mean, you don't know precisely? What about calculations with implants?
Ryan looked at him, obviously surprised.
- You really got hit hard, John. What can we do with implants if we have no network and no satellites? You are the engineer here so you should know we only have access the data stored on them and use them for comms like these old mobile phones to communicate over short distances. It's extremely hard to make calculations without the points of reference. And without that, it won't be easy to navigate. To be honest, I was hoping you could come up with something when you wake up, but it looks you aren't feeling well enough yet.
Major indeed felt pain all over his body, and could not focus well, thus thinking clearly about complex matters seemed like a big strain. And this buzzing sound in his head that kept coming and going.
- Well, if it was Earth, we could try with compass, but since there's a strong magnetism in this area, I cannot come with anything that wouldn't require more advanced equipment. If we could at least use a drone or something to look at the area from above. We could capture photos to make a map of nearby area and compare it with maps we all had to store in our implants.
McRae stood up suddenly.
- Thanks, John. Get better soon.
And he left, not saying more. Marlow started feeling his current position on bed started making him feel more pain.
- Down.
But nothing happened. The bed did not have any voice controls. Most likely, it was the simplest piece of equipment, not requiring additional power source. Not without strain, he moved his real arm up to catch a lever. Once it would not budge, he tried hitting with an elbow - a choice he immediately came to regret as the lever finally moved, causing the part under his back to drop abruptly.
- For fucks sake! - he cursed while stretching his neck - I have some rotten luck on this planet...
- John!
The voice belonged to a person he did not expect. They did not see each other for a long time, and Marlow would not expect a meeting in such circumstances, such a place.
- Keira, what are you doing here? Ouch!
The woman hugged him, making his damaged body parts hurt again.
- You want to finish me off...?
John no longer had any strength to scream.
- No, I just - Keira was looking at major with concern, making him both happy and annoyed at the same time - wanted to see you. I was scared, thinking you might not wake up...
It was definitely too many things at the same time. One person after the another since the moment he regained consciousness. Of course, Marlow was glad those people cared about him, but they could give him at least a short time to recover. Right now, he felt so much pain, he even thought his hair hurt. Still, it was Keira who came to him and to John, venting on her would not be fair, so he immediately took a grip.
- Sorry about that. I'm just not feeling well. I'd rather woke up in comfy bed back in my apartment - even hearing himself his own voice, Marlow could hear exhaustion - But, how it happened you got here in the first place? The pods assigned to your group were in different sector, so I thought you would get closer to the walls...
Keira bit her lip, and gave him a serious, piercing look.
- I wanted give you a surprise back on ship so I pulled some strings to pass between modules... And so it happened, I had to evacuate from a different spot.
John did not know what to say. After all, the relation the two had with each other was that they ended up becoming friends as they travelled together to the conference concerning the expedition. Of course, they did have sex, but nothing more, and they did not see each other much due to being stationed in different sectors.
- You don't need to worry about me - he said - Really, I'll be fine.
Still, Keira kept a serious face.
- Why you say that, John? Despite staying in touch since we met, though I know we were both busy since coming to Orbital Ring, I get the feeling you are distancing from me. It was one time, you said you won't be thinking too much of it.
- You get that wrong, Keira. It's not like that. We both have our jobs here, and I had too many things going around.
Tension disappeared from Keira's face.
- Ok, so you have nothing against meeting up from now on?
To Marlow, despite what she said, it seemed that Keira started having feelings for him. While she was attractive, and he really liked her, after so many bad memories from previous relationships, major simply could not bring himself to get involved yet again. Originally, he indeed planned to distance himself from Keira, but it did not sound fair.
- Of course, I really like your company. But Keira, my relationships never went well in my whole life, so don't expect I'd suddenly want more. It's just, let us stay as friends. Living through this should be our priority.
Keira's cheeks got slightly pink. For a moment, she was just looking at him, without saying a word.
- Ok, friend's that is.
She stood up, and in this very moment, someone else walked in.
- Major, I heard...
It was Katra, a woman who travelled in the same pod as John. In the whole chaos of landing, he was not aware in which brawler she ended up, but it looked like she managed to go through everything so far without a scratch. However, she chose an unfortunate moment to arrive - miss Evergate's eyes seemed to spark when looking at Katra.
- Get well soon, John - said Keira, kissing him in the cheek - He's still getting better, so don't tire him - she added, while smiling at Katra.
After Keira left, Katra looked embarassed, obviously thinking she interrupted something important. Major did not have motivation to explain this misunderstanding.
- Stan asked me to come check on you, sir - she said, sitting next to his bed - He was here when you woke up and wanted to talk with you, but he had duties to attend.
"So the familiar voice when I woke up was actually Stan", though John.
- I've been waiting to talk to you and thought this may be a good moment - Katra continued - I wanted to give you my thanks for helping me out. I don't know what would have happened if it weren't for you.
With all the chaos around, since the moment evacuation was ordered on Future, Marlow did not have time to think about all the events until now. Most of things he did were mainly a direct result of his instincts triggering, and rarely his quick thinking. Helping Katra was something natural, and he did not consider this to be something to boast about.
- No need for thanks, I'm glad you are okay. And I recall I told you to not call me sir - he said, remembering now that he did not ask Ryan one important question, and checked if maybe Katra may know - Speaking of which, what about others? The remaining brawlers?
The face Katra made looked grim.
- Karl's group didn't get here, and we don't know what happened to them. We've got separated, and get here with two brawlers. Stan should know more, and he plans to visit you once he's done with work.
John vaguely recalled that part about brawlers separating, from the talk with Stan before major broke the Savage he was fighting in.
- Hopefully, they might've chosen a different path.
- I also hope that's the case.
Katra stayed a bit longer, telling John about the camp and general situation. Contrary to McRae who was mainly about military and planning, Katra paid more attention to people in the camp and the surrounding nature, so talk with her proved really informative.
Based on what he heard, John felt disappointed about his current inability to leave the hospital. Focused on talking, he nearly forgot about the pain, or maybe painkillers wore off? Regardless, just after Katra left, the pain started getting stronger. Fortunately, Manuela came later to check on him and gave him another dose to ease the pain. Owing to that, Marlow was finally able to fall asleep again.