Chapter 34

Rod's POV

A sharp pain hit my side. I cringed, grabbing at my ribcage. I let out a long groan. Opening my eyes I noticed that I was lying pathetically on the floor in the middle of the hall. I tall man towered over my body.

"Didn't quite make it to the bed huh?" the guy asked, grabbing my arm and lifting me up. I regained some composure and stood on my own.

"Thank you," I said, holding my hand to my side. "How long have I been lying here?"

"Hmm, not sure. I just got back from the showers. Training with Groff just ended," he said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder. Wait what? Training just ended? Didn't James say he was training until late tonight?! That means I must've missed another appointment! "Hey what's wrong man? Looks like you've seen a ghost."

"No its just—uh… I gotta go!" I said, glancing around, trying to get my bearings. "I had an appointment at 3:00 with Dr. Borgous!"

Before he could say anything else I sped off down the hall. Rounding the next corner, I sprinted down the staircase. Making a sharp left I cut through the lunchroom and headed outside. It was already pretty dark out, which meant that I was going to really late.

I lumbered over to the small building across the landing field where me and Nicky had gone previously. Opening the doors I hurried inside. Oh crap, where was his office! I thought to myself, slapping my head with my hand. After dancing around in front of the front desk for a minute, an image of an old oiling painting flashed passed my eyes. Glancing around I spotted the image to the left.

I barreled through the door, which the painting was over, and dashed down, yet, another to a halt in front of a wooden door with a sign reading: Dr. Borgous, I opened it and walked in.

A man sat at a large desk, reading through a holographic clipboard-type newspaper. He looked up, and took off his reading glasses.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"Uh, I was just supposed to check up w-with you," I said, feeling really uncomfortable.

"What for?" he asked, bluntly. Man what's his problem, jeeeez.

"Just for the, uh, uuuh. Selethicks, thing," I said, bobbing on my feet.

"Well… how many sets have you had?" he asked.

"Just, just one—I mean two," I said, shaking my head.

"When did you have your second?" he asked, giving me an impatient look.

"Today, er this morning."

"How do you feel?" Borgous asked.

"Well I-I-I feel fine. Er great. I feel great," I said, rubbing my hands together.

"Have you had anything new come to mind," he asked, moving his hand in a rolling motion. "Any random information you didn't know you knew?"

"Um no, I-I don't… think so," I replied, nervously.

"Good," the doctor said, sitting back in his chair. "Because if you had, then that means they gave you the injections out of order and that's bad. So if you're lying to me you should expect to be getting some real bad migraines in a day or two. Following that you're going to have thick red blood running out your eye sockets. After that's finally stopped your body will probably paralyze itself and you'll die of brain failure."

I stood stunned, terrified for my life. I gulped.

"You're not lying to me are you?" he asked, narrowing his eyebrows. I shook my head viciously back and forth, wanting to be able to leave. "Alright then, I'll sign you off to have the next set of injections."

"Kay thanks," I said, anxiously. I put my hands behind my back and rolled on the balls of my feet. Dr. Borgous looked up at me from his holographic screen.

"I really hope that this whole nervous thing going on here is just a side effect from the Selethicks, because you won't barely be able to aim your gun at a zergling like that," he said, pointing his pen up and down at me.

"Yup just a side effect," I said, in return. He nodded and finished filling out the screen.

"Why weren't you here earlier?" he asked, typing into the holographic projection.

"I-I uh," I stuttered, deciding whether I wanted to tell him or not. "Well uh… I p-passed out."

"Huh," the doctor huffed. "First time huh?"

"Yup," I agreed, twiddling my thumbs.

"Well good luck son," he said putting his tablet down. "Now get out of my office."

I jumped around and launched myself out the door. Good heavens, I hope I never have to see him again. I walked back out to the airfield, and headed toward the main building. Before I had reached the front doors I looked over to the left and saw a man talking to the one girl I had seen the other day. Awwww, the girl I had fallen in love with.

I scooted closer trying to hear what they were talking about. I tried to look casual and sat on a bench a couple yards away from them. I clicked a button on my transmitter trying to avoid attention.

"So what do you think about the rumors?" the beefy looking guy said, folding his arms.

"What rumors?" she asked, cocking her head to the side. "The one's about how the Blue Zerg were planning on invading?"

"Pff, well yeah, what other rumors would I be talking about," he joked. In return she gave him friendly slug in the arm.

"Don't be a jerk," she said, leaning on the wall.

"Well? Do you think there real?" he asked.

"Pff, I don't think so," she replied, shaking her head. "Why would they. I mean it's not like they have enough problems of their own."

"Well the Blue Zerg has always been really greedy, especially when it comes to weaker races armies."

"You think we're weak?" she asked, defensively. "We're one of the strongest armies out there."

"Well how can an army be strong if their leader keeps finding more people fight with?" he argued, motioning with his arms. "I mean look at Corspe. It won't be much longer 'till we are in a full out war with them."

"Oh it's only been a couple friendly skirmishes. I'm not worried," she said. "And plus, Plank knows exactly what he's doing. When has he ever made a mistake. Plank has always gotten us out of our problems."

"Yeah well he wouldn't need to keep working so hard on saving us if he wouldn't get us into problems in the first place," the man said. "I understand that being Orange Terran it's a necessity to be proud, but he takes it to extreme levels. I think he needs to learn to just let go."

"Yeah but we don't just "let go". The Orange Terran never has. Even before Mr. Plank," she argued, glancing over in my direction. I quickly looked away, hoping she didn't suspect me. Man, we are going to be invaded by another Zerg brood! That could be a problem. I focused my attention back on them but they seem to be done talking about it.

"Well, I gotta get to bed. I have an important test tomorrow," he said, wrapping his arms around her. What! He can't like her! That's my job!

"Alright Romeo," she laughed. "Go to bed then, like a good boy."

"Heh, well if you weren't so determined to be a part of these Terrans then we could get outta here and you could join me," he said, pulling her closer.

"In your dreams," she said, kissing him. I turned and looked away. Ugh, am I destined to be alone forever. I waited for them to disperse before I left. I didn't want to act stalkerish.

Standing up, I walked back into the cafeteria. That was the gayest line I've ever heard. "If we leave the Orange Terran you could join me". Pff, how pathetic. I stomped up to the dormitories. There was a couple guys sleeping on the top bunks, but other than that it was empty.

I mean, who does this guy think he is! Talking to a women like that. He should show more respect. I threw myself on my bed, not even caring if I woke anyone up. Oh well, I'll have to impress her tomorrow. How hard can it be? If she's swayed by a man like him, she can be swayed by anybody.

I put my hands behind my head and closed my eyes. I twisted around in my bed, trying to get into a comfortable position. After several failed attempts, I opened my eyes. I am not going to be able to go to sleep am I. I checked the clock to my left. It read 21:37 p.m.

Ugh friggen military time. I tried to think back to how my friend in high school explained it to me. Okay you minus two from… something. I think from the 21, which gives you 11:37. And then take the first one away? 1:37? No that can't be right. I thought for a moment more, trying to remember. Oooh, you take away a one from the two and then you minus two; which would make it 9:37.

Okay that makes a lot more sense. I loud noise came from outside the hall. I looked toward the doorway, expecting someone to come dragging their feet in after a long training session. But instead I saw Nicky, dance happily into the room.

"What up?" I asked him, sitting up. "Haven't seen you all day bro."

"Eh, been around," he said, lying on the bed next to me.

"Huh, doin' what?" I asked, curious.

"I don't know. I went to see if I could switch my class," he said, looking disappointed. "I don't want to be a marine."

"How'd it go?" I asked, hopefully. "What'd they say?"

"The guy is pretty hard set on us training as marines," Nicky said, resting his hands on his head.

"Hey man, it might not be that bad," I said, trying to comfort him. "We might even get put with Derk or something."

"Well think of the odds Rod. Do you really think they'd do that for us?" he responded, giving me a dull look.

"Yeah I do," I said, feeling confident. Nicky perked up.

"Why?" he asked, rolling over to face me.

"Well… Derk said he knows Plank personally. If he and Tenny want us back in their squad they could convince Plank to do it," I said. Nicky huffed and rolled onto his back again.

"Rod, I don't know if you noticed, but I don't think they want to be anywhere near us," Nicky replied. "Those guys are highly skilled. We're a couple of privates. All we'd do is slow them down."

"That's not what Tenny said," I responded, lying on my back. Nicky looked over at me. "When he sent us this contraption he seemed pretty set on getting all of us back together. I think he can do it."

Nicky nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, maybe."

"We could try calling him now," I suggested.

"Nah, we better not. He told us we shouldn't," Nicky said, obviously feeling a lot better. I felt pretty good too, knowing we had a good chance of getting back with the guys we knew best. Heh, marine or not, I am going to be bad-a if I get to chill with a bunch of high class ghosts. I grinned, thinking of the blond headed girl I had fallen in love with. Then I will finally be able to impress her.

Hey guys! What up. Here's ya anudda chapter! Hope you enjoy it!

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