The nurse had finished replacing some of his bandages, and his jello was finished. An interesting food, not something he had ever tasted before. Sweet with an odd texture. He actually enjoyed the strange sensation of swallowing the funny confection as it was almost like drinking a fluid but not. Looking around the room he noticed the TV on the wall and looked for any sort of remote. Finding what appeared to be controls on the cabled device they said to use to call the nurse he pushed the power button.
The TV came on and immediately in front of him was what was left of a building he knew. The reporter a well-suited male in front of a green screen. Across the bottom of the screen it said ZNN – Breaking News. Images that were grainy of fires burning in the pit that was the building were flashed over his left shoulder.
"…not as under control as originally expected. Zootopia officials questioned the Beyersdorf officials at their embassy today after these images were leaked to officials and the press. The ambassador told Zootopia officials that the accident was larger than they had first been informed and apologized for the incorrect information that was passed along. They stated that it was an unfortunate industrial accident at a manufacturing plant. That currently they have it under control and are working to find a cause. We have an industry safety expert for Zootopia OSHA, Dr Zata. Dr Zata, do you see anything about what might have happened in these images and what should Zootopia officials be looking for with how close to our boarders this incident occurred."
The image on the TV changed to that of zebra in a button-down shirt and striped blue tie.
"There are some questions we have yet to have answered, most concerning is what appears to be large centrifuge remains in the basement. We have deployed …. "
Leon stopped listening as memories flashed in his mind. It was as if in the moment of blinking his eyes he was back in Beyersdorf. He was being driven to the facility for the first time sitting next to General Gerhard. He had handed him a large folder, on the front of which in red ink was written "Streng Geheim". Flipping it open there were dossiers on four scientist as well as the project that the building had been constructed for.
"This facility is of utmost importance to our people Leon, and I'm counting on you to keep an eye on those here. Specifically, those four." Sitting back in the seat the general was relaxed as he reached for a glass cup filled with an amber liquid and sipped from it. "You understand what you are hear for, yes?"
"Yes sir, just like in the northern operation. Watch for leaks, stop them, and report." His response was cold and without question.
"That's it my boy. The production of deuterium is critical to our goals." Looking out of the window he smiled.
"You suspect one of them then?" He said still looking ahead through the windshield.
"Leon, I suspect everyone. But yes, I believe we may have someone who is against the government."
"I will be sure to remove the threat once I find it." Leon responded with a cold expression.
"I'm counting on it. Keep doing good work like this and there's promotions in your future." The general turned to look at the young man sitting next to him. "Welcome to your new post."
"I do what I am ordered sir, for my country not for promotions."
Smirking he looked out the window of the SUV to see the large building ahead. Whispering to himself, "That's how we all start."
".. In other news. Gazelle is planning another tore here in Zootopia and her fans are already asking when tickets will be available…" Leon's eyes blinked as the news story moved on. Looking down at his paws as the memory stayed fresh in his mind. "Who the hell." Trying to remember more just gave him a headache.
Leaning back against the bed he yelped, having forgotten the burns on his back. Changing to more ginger movements. As he settled in a portly pig in a smart pinstriped suite came in, and to say he was portly he more then would be expected of the typical pig. The suit was obviously well tailored to suit him and something the mammal took pride in as he walked over to Leon's bedside, hands on either side of the jackets opening, conveniently resting his hands on the top of his well rounded belly.
"Mr Forest, good to finally get to meet you son." Reaching out a hand to take his paw and shaking it firmly but politely.
"And you are?" Leon's eyebrow raised in question.
"Ahh yes, so sorry. Chester T Bacon, Ambassador. You sir have made quite the stir in my office. All a buz and wondering what to do with you. Now I'm sure when your government finds out you are here they will be demanding your return immediately. But we are going to be telling them that you need time before you can be returned home. Your health of course." Smiles.
The rather quick pace of his talking had him almost confused. "I'm sorry but what is going on?"
"Oh yes, well given you are a foreign national and have limited memory of what has happened to you due to your injuries we obviously need to be sure that your intentions were not to defect. Afterall we don't want to be sending you back if that is not your wish yes?" Smiling. "Of course yes son. Now, once you are better we can have a more formal meeting. For now I have to go talk to my counterpart and make sure that they are aware that you are alive and on the mend. It is of course the right thing to do." Reaching into a pocket in his jacket he pulled out a card. "That has my number, be sure to tell me when you can leave the hospital. Perhaps we can arrange a few days for you to see our fine city yes?" The male took his paw again to shake it. "Good day Mr Forest, rest up, and get well." Waving a paw as he walked out, almost waddled really as he rocked from foot to foot. Waving at a few nurses in his overly friendly way.
Leon just watched the pig walk down the hall and take a turn out of site. "Can this evening get any weirder?" He said to the empty space.
Luckily the remainder of the evening went without an issue. The nurse visited a couple of times to check in on him, note vitals, and make sure in general he was doing ok. When morning came he was graced with another visit from Meredith, after her shift ended she had spoken with the floor shift doctor about how he was progressing. Walking into his room with a smile on her muzzle.
"Well, seems you've been needing less of that pain medication since yesterday, and those wounds are healing well enough for a little over twenty-four hours. So, time to see if we can get you on your feet."
"Already?" Though the thought of getting out of the bed was a welcome idea. Smiling as she walked over to him and he situated himself to try. "Plus didn't you just get off of shift? I'm sure you have plenty of other things to do then to help a skunk walk."
Looking up at the ceiling for a moment as if thinking. "Yes, I do have plenty of things I could do. But you are a mystery. My family doesn't just leave that sort of thing." She smirks. "Now come on." Lowering the guard rail. "The sooner your up and walking the sooner we can clear you to leave the hospital. Plus, the sooner you get out of a hospital the better the outcome generally speaking."
Chuckling he pushed himself up with a little groan of stiff muscles as he swing his legs off the side of the bed. "All right Doctor." Putting his footpaws on the ground he moved to stand and wobbled on his feet. Meredith was quick to move closer to steady him on his feet. Taking his paw so that he had something to hold and walk with as she brought his IV stand over for his other paw. With her that close he could smell her, his nose twitching slight at the sent of cinnamon and citrus, among the sanitization scents all around anyone who worked in the hospital.
Taking a step was a bit of a chore, but the second step was easier, and the third easier then the last. He was still a little unsteady, leaning more on the IV stand then Meredith in a poor attempt to show more strength than he had at the moment. "That's good, still a little unsteady?"
"Oh no, I'm good. I'll be walking around without help by the end of the day." He said.
"Leon, I assume you were at least good at what you did before you ended up in my care?"
"That's a safe assumption." Thinking about some of his returning memories, which brought a frown to his muzzle for just a moment before masking it.
"Good, stick to that once you remember what it was. You're not fooling me here. You will probably be walking with a cane for a little while, but if you want to be out of bed, then I need to trust that you will not over do it. If you get tired, you need to admit it." Her voice stern but obviously caring as well.
"Yes Doctor Wilde." He looked at her from the side with a sufficiently scolded look.
"Good, now your goal, get to that chair." Pointing to a chair on the other side of the room.
Nodding he focused on the chair and putting one more step, then another, then another. He almost fell once but caught himself as Meredith made to catch him. His paw not on the IV stand giving her a slight wave off. By the time he got to the chair he was ready to take a seat and slowly descended into the chair. "Well it's better then laying in that bed all day."
Meredith nodded and picked up his chart and made a few notes in it before putting it back. Hiding a blush as she did. The patient johnnys didn't do much to cover the backside, and the way a skunk holds his tail, well he had a nice back side. "Well you can make your way around the room, and bathroom. No leaving the room for now, and get some rest. I'll come by before my shift and if you're up to it. We'll go down to the café"
Leon smiled a wide toothy grin. "I look forward to it." Once the doctor left he made it a point to make it between the chair and bed at least three times before lying back in bed to rest. While his dreams were haunted by the memories from before, they were punctuated with a little happiness in the form of a emerald eyed doctor.