Disclaimer – You recognise it, I don't own it.
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"How?" John replied softly, "Choking me would take too long. And you can't break my neck with a broken wrist? Or is it your arm? I can see you're favouring it."
"Shut up." The prisoner snarled after a pause, "I will kill you."
"Go ahead." John shrugged, "Just remember I could take you down at the moment. Even given my current situation. Also I'm completely bleeding useless as a hostage. They don't care for me. There's no other exit than the way you came in. Currently guarded by three soldiers. There's no weapons in here."
"You have something, Snake. Why should I believe you?"
"Do you see the mark of Cobra on me? Any snake, at all?"
John felt the pressure on his throat ease as the man pulled back slightly.
"You work for them." The accusation was clear.
"I'm a prisoner, as much as you are. These walls are my cage."
"Prisoners go in the Slave Pit."
"Their last doctor died. I don't know how. I was taken to replace him."
"Why you?"
"I was convenient?" John wasn't sure himself really, "I was marked by the Red Crosses I wore. Easy to spot. They took me away from a patient. Shot him, because I wouldn't leave."
"He's dead?"
"If he isn't he's the only guy I know who could survive a bullet to the frontal lobe and a gushing chest wound. I was literally holding him together when they arrived."
"And afterwards?"
"I knew that if I didn't go, they'd kill my other three patients. No need for them to say it. I knew it. So I surrendered."
"You're a good man." The man rocked back and stood up.
John scrabbled to his feet. He could have turned the tables at any point, he knew that. He had purposely not fought when he was taken down.
But fighting wouldn't have helped.
"Let me look at your arm." John held out a hand.
"Why do you work for them?" The man asked, sitting down on a bed.
John sat down a little further down the bed.
"Because my status as a doctor is the only thing that is keeping me alive… The fact that I'm useful to them. And I was told, in no uncertain terms, that if I let one of them die, they'll kill one of you."
"You're in a tough spot. But at least it's nicer up here than down in the Pit."
"I don't know." John shrugged, "I haven't seen the sky in over two weeks. Haven't been outside these walls either. I'm restricted to the Infirmary. Ever since they picked me up."
"That sucks." The man sighed, "But at least you don't have to work in the mines."
"Mines?" John frowned.
"We're digging for diamonds. Basically Blood Diamonds. They've got a real seam of the things."
"And it probably finances this operation." John muttered, "Great. How many of you are down there?"
"About fifty? Twenty five or so soldiers. Ten insurgents. And the rest are locals."
"Women? Children?" John pressed.
"A couple of women. No children. Thank God."
"How'd they grab you?" John asked.
"I was stupid." The man was embarrassed, "I'm Intelligence Corp."
"Green slime." The term was out of John's mouth before he thought twice, "So you were looking for them?"
"I thought this would be a small time operation. Fifty men? I wasn't expecting this many. I never even got close."
"So you know who they are?"
"Cobra. You don't?"
"Wasn't exactly paying attention. I go where I'm needed."
"Cobra are a terrorist organisation, set on conquering the world. This is just a small part of a much bigger picture."
"Oh great." John muttered, "And I've got one of them outside my door at all hours of the day."
"Better than us." The man laughed, "We get five watching us during the day. Two outside our cell at night, and two outside the door to the cell block. Don't know why they bother. We're all in the same damn cell."
"Hey, that only makes it one guard to ten prisoners at the worst point." John pointed out.
"True. So what's the verdict, Doc?" John couldn't help the flinch that the name caused.
"Fractured wrist." John declared, "I'll need to x-ray it to figure out how bad. Hold still while I get a splint."
John quietly splinted the arm, before ordering the man to follow him into the diagnostic room, with the x-ray.
"Hey, Doc." The man frowned, "I saw that flinch. What's up?"
"They call me that." John confessed, "They only asked once and ever since, I've been Doctor or Doc. No one calls me by name. I mean, I was used to it. It's what I was called before…"
John tailed off.
"Before you were captured." The man smiled softly, "Hey, it's okay. I understand. Things change. Particularly when violence gets involved. What would you like me to call you?"
"John." John replied simply, as he studied the x-rays, "Yes, I thought so. A closed reduction. I just need to cast it and you should be okay to go."
"I'm Alan."
"Alright, Alan." John nodded, "I'll just get the plaster of paris bandages."
"It's short for Alan-A-Dale." Alan declared as John came back in, "Nickname."
"Well then, Alan-A-Dale," John grinned, "Should I be expecting Friar Tuck and Will Scarlett to be turning up later? Or just Robin Hood?"
"No." Alan snorted, "Though we might get Sir Lancelot and Merlin at some point."
"I think you're mixing your stories there." John laughed, "But I don't mind."
"It's not hopeless, John." Alan smiled, "You just need to hold out. My unit will find us. Just hold on. Go along with what they want."
"I'm not a child." John protested.
"But you're not a soldier." Alan chided.
*But I am!* John wanted to counter, but he couldn't.
If even his fellow prisoners thought he was just a Doctor, he would be safer. If no one remembered that he was a soldier they would relax around him.
So John held his tongue.
"It'll be hard." Alan sighed, "I know. But just keep your head down."
"How long?" John asked.
"I don't know." Alan replied, "I'm sorry. I don't. But they'll come. They don't leave a man behind."
"You be careful, too." John told him, "I'll tell them to stick you with pushing the cart… I presume there are carts?"
"Yes." Alan nodded, "Can't you just write me a biff chit?"
"If you can't work, what do you think they'll do to you?" John challenged.
"You think they'll kill me." Alan stated more than asked.
"Yes. I can't be responsible for that." John said, "I have to keep you fit to work. First do no harm."
"I understand." Alan breathed, "You have to keep your oath."
"Yes." John agreed, "I have to keep my Oath."
"It's okay." Alan smiled, "Just hang in here. We'll get out of this."
"I'll see if I can talk them into letting me check your wrist every couple of days." John finished the wrapping, "You'll also need to keep this dry. Can you do that?"
"Easy enough." Alan nodded, "At least until the showers. Every third day."
"I'll get you a cover for it." John jogged off again.
Not long afterwards, Alan was ready to be taken back to the Pit. John had forced as many ibuprofen and paracetamol tablets into his pockets as he could.
"I'll need to see him again in three days." John spoke firmly as the two guards came in.
"In a week, Doc." The counter was automatic.
"Agreed." John conceded quickly.
It was better than he had hoped for. He wasn't going to risk it by protesting. It wouldn't get him anywhere.
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Alan was simply the first of the prisoners to be brought to John. They weren't anywhere near as regular as the Cobra soldiers, who were still dropping in. It was almost every other day.
Nothing serious really. Just things that would interfere with mining. Bleeding cuts. Sprained ankles. A hacking cough.
Very few of them really talked to him. Just answered his questions and generally treated him as if he was a kind captor.
John tried to reach out, but the insurgents pushed him away, the soldiers dismissed him and the locals shied away from him.
Only Alan would really talk to him in a friendly manner. He was hauled in every week for four weeks. Always in cuffs. Always gagged.
But after the first time, never reluctantly.
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Please Review.
I would like to thank my followers and reviewers. Thank you.
IzzyDelta – Not tel-ling! And yes, the puppy-dog eyes are working, so I hope you liked the newest chapter.
Grey-shadow-horse – I'm drawing this out a bit. But don't worry… Things should start happening soon. And as for the big strong men… Well, I usually find that they shrug off things like broken arms, but cry over a paper-cut.
Hjohn302 – Glad you enjoy.
The Owl Mage – I agree. Doctor John doesn't get much time to shine. But he is very good when he does.
YYHfan-KB – Thank you. PS, I love your icon.
GabrielsDoubt – I'll look that film up. As for John's reflexes… He's trying to play the Doctor. Not the Soldier.
Once again thank you.