Soar, blinding pain and an extremely heavy weight. Those were the first two thoughts that ran through Arthur's head. Next came the cloudy confusing of wondering what had happened or where he was. Then came a sharp pain from his gut and he remembered he was stabbed. Yes, it was just after the great battle at Camlann. He'd been carried away, but the rest after that was a blur. He still remembered the anger and rage in Mordred's eyes as he stabbed him and he in turn stabbed Mordred. It must have been some dumb sight seeing the both of them with each other's sword in their chest.
He felt the soft bed beneath his body but felt to sore and heavy to move. He wondered if the healer's had found some way to cure him from his wounds, or maybe Mordred hadn't hit his mark in the battle. He took a breath of air, but his lips and mouth felt dry. He called out, but all that escaped his lips was a dry groan. He tried to garner a healer's attention or one of his attendants for some water. But he didn't hear anyone. He tried once more to move and open his eyes, but the pain was too much and every part of his body felt like it was weighed down by some of the heaviest armor in existence. He wondered if he was perhaps dead, and this was what death was like. Unending remembrance of his last moments in his body, but no way to truly interact with the world as a mortal any more. Perhaps this was all that was left to him. Or maybe he was as one of those invalids that couldn't be healed and these were his last days. Either way, he had to try and at least open his eyes. Even if it hurt so much his head felt like it was on fire.
Finally he was able to tear his eyelids apart and saw a blinding white light. It filled his vision and he wondered if perhaps he was well and truly dead since this light was like staring straight into the sun itself. His vision blinded, he reflexively shut his eyes in pain once more and groaned. He breathes came laboriously, but at least he knew there was more then just empty darkness left to him and that filled him with hope. but the exertion left him tired, and the rush of energy flowing out of him left him feeling drained. The sweet call of sleep dragging him away to unconsciousness as a strange sound accompanied him to sleep, like the loud tweets of a bird.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin had returned to the staff room and called for a meeting of the research heads. It was already five hours after he had begun his operation and he was feeling exhausted, but he needed to make sure the company continued running. Soon, a number of screens lit up and displayed the heads of numerous men and women that each headed departments or special research teams that were under him, as well as a number of normal staffers that helped the company continue running. Most were on call, and those that didn't show up could simply be informed later by the rest.
"Good evening everyone. As of now I am informing you that the Class A research test for the new regenerative cellular formula has failed. I attempted a number of methods, but no major effects transpired outside of those foreseen in simulation models. The subject's remains were able to activate for a limited time, but overall were unable to perform beyond expected capabilities, and even fell short in fully healing the subject. I have disposed of the remains after several hours and followed bio hazard protocols to maintain our proprietary secrecy for this formula. But this major block in my predictions has left me somewhat drained and in need of recuperation. Therefore, as of today, I will be taking some time off to rest and conduct some S level research on my own in order to reorder my thoughts and get back on track to take on other ventures. Until then, I expect all teams to continue as they have been, and will leave the company's current status and operation in the hands of our capable Director Hamlen's hands until I come back and resume operation status. Are there any pressing issues or questions before I go?" He asked, all the while trying to remain calm and steady even as his body was revolting in pain and exhaustion from performing so many spells and operating on a body almost alone for hours.
Each of the heads looked rather shocked at the sudden leave, but knew Martin was a bit of an eccentric when it came to his work, so Hamlen spoke first, a man with a rather thick black beard, a tied back set of black hair and wide set face. He asked "Sir, is this absence necessary? With the recent increase in military activities across the near east and the balkans, the Union is only growing more tense. Several of our contracts have been coming under more pressure for development both for the military and civilian sectors, and we really need to shorten our time tables on a number of assets if we expect to continue competing with our rivals. I don't feel that the board will react kindly to you taking a vacation to work on personal projects during this time as a sign of stable leadership."
"Be that as it may, I require rest. And I will remind you that many of my 'personal projects' as you call them have led to some of the company's greater achievements. That is why they are classified as S level projects. But thank you for your concern. As for the growing crisis in the Balkans, that is just a symptom of growing crisis across the globe. If I never took time off because the Union was worried about something, I'd work 24/7 until I died. Hell, if they could make me do that for them, I'm sure they would. As for the coming contracts, I have faith that our teams will be able to handle the mounting pressures and accomplish their jobs. If not, that's what we pay legal for. Besides, we don't need to win every time, just enough to keep doing our jobs and keep moving forward. Anything else?"
A younger woman of red hair and green eyes spoke up and questioned, "Sir, we have had a break in at one of our North American labs. No one thinks anything major was stolen, but whoever broke in most likely took whatever data was on file. We found no traces of anyone hacking into the network, or accessing anything deeper then local files, but I thought it was worth your attention just in case, now that you're taking leave."
Martin went a little wide eyed at that, but wondered who would dare try to get through his company's files. Corporate espionage these days was nearly as deadly as military espionage. Especially through a method so open as a break in and grab. None of his company rivals would be so dumb as to try it, at least as far as he knew. There wasn't a huge amount of projects in the NA labs that could attract that kind of attention either, so he wondered if they weren't just going after the local files, but maybe something deeper, and if they were, what was it? He thought it over for a few moments, leaving the room silent, but then a rack of pain in his abdomen summoned his thoughts back to the present and she shook his hand. "Just continue your investigation for now, and alert the local authorities while increasing security at all locations for now. With a break in, it's most likely a desperate thief looking to make a quick buck. But we can't be too careful. Anything else?" He looked around, warily, hoping things were finished so he could rest, and with each nodding head finding nothing to add he said. "Thank you for your time, and I will see you all when I get back." He hit the button to sign off and gasped for air to try and relieve the building pain in his body. Mana deprivation was no joke and he was continually staving it off in front of a bunch of people like he was fine.
He stood from his seat and hobbled his way to his private office before sealing the door shut behind him. While it was technically labeled a private office, it was more of a sectioned off wing of the building. Several floors of personal space, private labs, studies, and rooms that he kept in the main headquarters so he'd never be far from his work and always keep his private things close. He hobbled to the bed and called out, "Oros, keep an eye on his majesty's and my conditions for a while. Make sure both our bodies are able to recover and kept stable, but give priority to Arthur. If he requires immediate assistance, wake me so I might fix things, no matter my situation. Outside of that, make sure all of his injections proceed as scheduled and get me a number of doses for Regen Formula M while I'm out."
"Yes, master~" said a robotic voice in reply as Martin sat back on his bead and let his head hit the pillow with a loud and groaning sigh of relief