Chapter 38
"Trent sitrep. We need to get him out of here." Blackburn called out. He was leaving things up to Bravo and trying not to step in as he knew they had a system. But he was a little too aware that they were running out of time in their window to get him on the plain and out of here. Clay was their responsibility, and although he was his, he took more initiative in taking on responsibility for their time and check-ins. Let everyone else focus on their fallen brother.
"From what I can see, he has a severe head lac, a concussion, a bullet to the upper chest and a large graze in his side, damage to the shoulder from a severe impact, and bruised or fractured ribs sounds like some breathing problems, Wheezing and crackling from what I can hear. Maybe from the ribs or water inhalation; judging from him being wet, he must have dragged himself from the river and not just collapsed here getting away, but not certain. He could experience secondary drowning from water in his lungs or pneumonia, this wheezing is concerning, and I don't want to give him much if any, morphine incuse his respirations become a problem. He had a large gash on his calf, and a bunch of smaller scrapes and cuts along his legs and arms—all of these look infected to some degree. Temp is way too high for my liking. Blood is coagulating and thick, as well as his tongue, so dehydration is a large factor here. And his body is riddled with bruises. I don't see any obvious breaks on any extremities. It's not good, Jase. He needs a hospital now. I got enough to keep him alive and stable to get there. But he needs surgery and proper imaging. CT and MRI along with X-rays for the whole body."
"Copy. How long do you need to get him stable?" Blackburn asked, looking at the map and mentally calculating their time.
"I can get him mobile in ten mikes. Jase, start an IV and blood infusion. Sonny, he needs a shot of antibiotics and half a dose of morphine with all this pain. It will only get worse once we start moving him, it's worth the risk, and then we will roll him on the litter, and then I need you to put these ice packs in his armpits, neck and groin; we have to cool him down. Liz get started with the saline wash to clean up his body so we can properly look at all the wounds. It looks like the bleeding has slowed down for now since he is so dehydrated. Once Jase gets the IV going, that will change, so everyone keep an eye on what is closest to you. They all will start bleeding to a degree. Ray, Brock, bring that litter here and be ready for us to roll him. And can someone please get him to stay still? He is squirming worse than a baby. I can't get a good look." Trent barked out. He was in medic mode, and there was no stopping him. It was time to get Clay moving. Trent went to focus on the open wound on Clay's calf. Trying to get it cleaned up and patched up as much as possible; it looked like the oldest point of infection. He was worried it would be too far into his blood system and the antibiotics would not help. If his body did not cool down enough to prevent organ failure and seizures, he could keep the infections localized. At least that was the hope until they got him to a hospital, allowing him to get on stronger IV antibiotics. As everyone jumped into their tasks getting Clay ready to head out, Clay jolted in pain at Trent's touch along his calf and let out a small cry of pain as his eyes rolled back into his head.
"Clay? Bam Bam? Hey, you with us?" Sonny asked as he lightly tapped Clay's cheek, trying to rouse him. "He's out."
"Ok, let's use this time to get to the gritty part. Get the most painful parts over with while we finally have him out and cooperative. Take advantage of the lack of movement." Trent huffed as he focused back on the large gash, not as gentle as he tried to clean it, cut away any necrotic flesh, and pull out fibres of fabric and rocks.
Clay came back around with a loud yell as he felt something push against his calf and another set of hands wiping at his chest. He was not going anywhere. He wanted to be left alone. Why were these people causing him so much pain, just let him die in peace. Did these Russians really need to be so rough?
"Leave me alone! Stop!" Clay yelled out as he tried to escape their grasp. He felt a poke in his arm as well as his thigh. What were they doing to him? "Please." He whimpered.
"Clay, hey. Shhhh."
Wait? Who was that? They sounded so familiar, and soon he felt gentle hands on his cheek and threading into his hair.
"You're ok. We have you safe. No one is trying to hurt you." Liz cooed at him as she leaned in over his face. "Look at me. I'm here. We are here."
"Liz?" Clay whined out. He sounded so scared and small. He was so confused and in so much pain he just wanted to be done with it all. "No, no, no, you can't be here with me. No."
"What are you talking about there, buddy? We are going home, remember?" Trent prodded, trying to rouse Clay from his delirious state. He knew he had a head injury and was fevered, but not being with them was still a bit concerning. Was he farther gone than he thought?
"No, you both can't be here on the beach with me. That means you..." Clay whispered with a small sob. "You are dead, like me."
"You're not dead. I promise you that. We are getting you stabilized and back home. I'm just as stubborn as you and do not plan to break that and let you die on us. We are real. Here right in front of you. See, look." Trent pointed around, calling out slowly to each of their team's faces having them look back at him with warm smiles.
"See? Feel that? That's me here in front of you." Jason pipped up as he shifted to be in Clay's gaze, as his eyelids fluttered around, trying to focus on something around him but not being very successful. He slowly lifted Clay's hand and put it in his squeezing reassuring. Forcing Clay to feel his touch.
"Real?" Clay asked, catching Jason's face in his gaze and then focusing on Liz. "You are all here? Alive?"
"Yeah, hey, baby. Shhh. I have you; you are safe and here with me. We have you." Liz made eye contact with the beautiful blue eyes she fell in love with. A soft smile came across her face as he kept watch on her. "We are going to clean you up and get you on the plane. I'm sorry it's going to hurt. But we are here with you."
With the word baby, Jason and Sonny tense up and look at Liz. She was still facing Clay and oblivious to her slip-up, and neither man would bring it up. They both rooted for them as a couple, but Sonny did not know about the conversation between Liz and Jason and was worried this would have to be dealt with later when things calmed down or see if there was more to the small name of adoration. He was concerned for his little sister and overly protective of her heart and was scared Jason did not support this. They all knew there was something between them and that Jason seemed to enjoy putting in his two senses with Clay at the bar many months ago, but there was nothing serious. No actions between them, well, that they knew of. No risk to the team. Only Sonny caught them kissing and kept it to himself; he didn't even bring it up with Clay after on the plane. So far, as much as he knew, it was a one-time thing. He hoped they hoped it would be more but was scared of what could or would happen to them and the team. This was an odd time for these thoughts to be crossing Sonny's mind, but he knew that this was flashing across his best friend's mind as he watched him gaze up at Liz in adoration as his mind tried to grasp onto the words she spoke and realization of where he was and what was going on. Sonny knew no matter what, the thought of each other was always on their minds, and there was no fighting. He had to be ready for what they both may say and try to filter things away as this was about him coming home alive, not about any team members being worried about something happening as Blackburn stood within hearing distance. The team was supportive, and he was sure they could keep a secret but what about their commander? He was their friend but still a cake eater to some degree and had obligations.
Glancing back up at Jason, they both had a silent conversation to keep this quiet and get the attention back on helping Clay. The subtle tension surrounding the team after Liz's words gave them the feeling everyone was in awe of the two youngest members seeking comfort in each other.
"Hey, Wonderboy. This is going to hurt while we roll you onto the litter." Sonny caught his attention as he and Brock readied the litter, ready for Ray to slide it under Clay as soon as they rolled him over.
Quick and fast is the goal to cause as little pain as possible. He was so out of it, but that was one thing he could register. And it broke each of their hearts as they listened to his moans and groans and sharp cries out of pain as they got him situated on the litter and re-assessed his wounds making sure nothing opened up or caused further problems. Trent was still concerned about Clay's ribs. They were not broken but had significant injuries, and Clay's wheezing was not easing up. And Trent had no idea the cause of the wheezing, as they could assume he may have come close to drowning, but he was awake and conscious when they got to him and was talking pretty clearly about his injuries. He needed those damn hospital tests now! But he was wet and cold, so they could only assume and put two and two together that he did inhale water and was still at risk of secondary drowning or pneumonia.
As everyone finished their assigned tasks from Trent and he deemed Clay stable enough to start the hike out of there, they all came into view of Clay and gave soft smiles as his eyes blinked slowly close as sleep took over.
"We got him," Jason mumbled under his breath to one in particular. He needed to say the words out loud as he grabbed his handle, watching Sonny, Blackburn, and Trent do the same. Brock and Cerb led them out of there as Liz followed behind, watching their sides and keeping an eye on the man in front of her. Ray followed behind in the rear with a constant head on a swivel. They were almost border, and there was no way he would let them come across any trouble on their way there. They did not come this far, bring Clay back from the dead, essentially, to fall a few feet away from an imaginary line that kept them safe.
