A bonus chapter! This one is also a bit bleak, but it's been a difficult day. Hopefully I'll get back up to date tomorrow!
From Domina Temporis: Queen and country
For Queen and country.
I work to slow the gushing flow of blood, the mantra running through my mind.
For Queen and country.
We're all out here at Her Majesty's pleasure, serving to defend her realm, or in some cases, to care for those who defend it. It's a time-honoured profession, with three square meals a day, chances for honour and prestige, all in the name of Her Majesty.
For Queen and country.
But does Her Majesty know the strife we live with every day? To have a friend's body under my knife as I fight to save him? To wonder how many of the men I chatted with at mess tonight will live to see their families again? Sometimes I wonder what I'm even doing here. This desert isn't my country.
For Queen and country.
Finally, the man on my table is all patched up. I don't know if he'll ever be able to use that shoulder fully again, but at least John Watson will survive, and someday may even be able to serve Queen and country again.