Foley looked at Henry with a gust of a sigh “you did good today lieutenant.” An unnerving silence seemed to shake Henry as the commander stared at him with his implanted silver eyes. “Follow me lieutenant. It’s time for your implants.” Henry remembered Caleb’s words and swallowed in terror. Henry stood much to the protest of one of the medics but was silenced by their partner. Walking towards the elevator and boarding it they rode towards the medical wing.
“The implants will do two important things. The first being the Digeric Myon implant which will affect your bones, in particular increase density, increase white blood cell, and so forth. The second implant called the Auris Communicato is a simple receiver which would be implanted near your ear. Which will allow me or your future commanding officer to relay information and orders to you discreetly.” Henry looked at the commander with bits of apprehension. How much of these would hurt? Henry thought as they turned through a door fully entering the medical wing.
The sterile environment and smell of sanitation liquids plunged into Henry’s lungs as he slowly adjusted to the smell. Henry walked with Foley until they reached the head surgeon’s quarters. Closing the door and standing in an operation room. He gulped" audibly. The doctor a short lightly tanned man gave Henry a wide smile. “Ah Lieutenant Henry Lane, I am Doctor Sanji Lucoa, fifth son of house Jerloh.” Henry nodded simply trying to remember the names he had learned in the last thirty minutes. Doctor Sanji gave a pleasing smile. “I saw the combat footage and I must say in my medical knowledge that the implants would not be a bright idea considering recent activity” turning to Foley with a raised eyebrow.
“Doctor” Foley said as he walked closer to said doctor. “I was informed that any complications are negligeable.” The doctor held back a laugh with a smile. “Yes, with the assumption that the officer in question did not commit to twenty minutes of extreme combat. I would consider the use of those high G turns that the lieutenant did to be extreme combat.” Foley chuckled at the words “those were nothing considering who he went up against.” The doctor did not smile at those words “Commander William “Critical Strike” Foley I do not like the implications you had of engaging a golden ace. Especially not from someone who has the same title.” Commander Foley winced at the use of his title. Henry stared with new founded admiration hearing the nickname Foley had been given.
The doctor crossed his arms but sighed. “Lieutenant Lane can do the implants, but I will say I disagree with the timing considering what will happen.” The commander beamed at the words and placed a hand on Henry’s shoulder. “You are allowed to scream and cry, but do not faint. Keep moving. You’ll do fine.” Being left in the room with the doctor. Henry sighed and walked forward; with a guided hand he sat on the table in the middle of the room. The doctor washed his hands before putting on gloves and a mask. “Alright lieutenant, I will be giving you a local anesthetic, but you will be awake. Otherwise, the implants will not settle.” The doctor opened two drawers pulling out two syringes filled with a liquid Henry did not know or was willing to understand.
Henry sat particularly numbed but watched as the doctor with a large needle blunged the thin blade right below his ribs, feeling a sharp pinch near his heart. Then he felt it, what felt like a numbing hot feeling begin to spread throughout his body. Then the doctor unceremoniously ripped the needle out grabbing the second syringe. “I will not lie to you lieutenant. This will hurt.” He then grabbed his skull and stabbed towards the gap near the eardrum and felt something release and burrow its way just below his ear. Pulling the second needle out he looked towards Henry who began to sway. A ringing constantly droning on. “Alright lieutenant, now you got to start moving, since the first implant will begin working its way soon.” Almost on cue he felt his body begin to heat up. His breathing began to grow ragged. The doctor placed a hand on his shoulder. “Breath through your upper chest lieutenant, focus the pain there. It’ll feel better soon. Hopefully” Hopefully? I hate this greatly, damn it all. Then with a push the doctor caused Henry to start walking around.
Basically, kicked out of the office Henry began to walk towards the entrance, when he found himself partially deafened as the implant in his ears began to burrow deeper, and what felt like tentacles attaching to his brain and eardrum. Then he felt it. His bones, the more he walked the more he felt a creaking sensation assault his sense of feeling. Swaying his arms seemed to bring more pain and each step felt like a thunder bolt had ripped through his body. All the while the room felt like it was going to fall in on itself. He continued to move, realizing simply that by stopping the act would make things worse. Every breath he took seemed to cause his chest to crack. Then he remembered the doctor's advice stopping and doing light breathing. However, stopping in his step made the room collapse on itself. He felt his feet towards the ceiling, his arms for his feet, his head for his bottom, and so forth. He almost threw up ending up in a heaving mess. That was when he felt a presence lean over him. The voice spoke but with the implant in his ear finally settling felt as if he were underwater. The figured touched him which sent a bolt o pain throughout his bones.
Looking up he saw the raven-haired bodyguard of princess Elara. “Hello, Celestine” Henry mumbled. Feeling her hands pull him upwards and pushing him forward caused Henry’s eyes to flutter open. The drowning sound that flooded his ears began to lessen. “Can you hear me, Henry?” The soft voice of Celestine said. How is someone so meek a bodyguard? Henry thought before he saw her walking in front of him backwards. Now that he saw her. She wore an armored body suit that hugged at her figure. “Henry, did you hear me?” She said with her hands held loosely behind her back. Henry looked puzzled at her before she puffed up her cheeks and huffed. She looks like a Pufak, adorable really. Henry thought hiding his blushing cheeks. She huffed and repeated her words “The princesses wish to see you. They wish to invite you for tea and a snack.” Henry perked up at the word snack. What was a snack to a pair of noble princesses he thought with a smile. “I obey” he said.
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After walking with Celestine for an agonizing minute he reached the area where the princesses were quartered. Standing vigil were two armored marines with their visors darkened with a royal purple tint. Are these... Henry pushed the thought away as he and Celestine walked through the entrance. The once vibrant spring garden now replaced with a walkway of fallen leaves in an autumn walkway. Liz sat swinging near a tree. “Henry” she said with immediate happiness. She stopped before touching him “you must have just left the infirmary. Come Henry, my sister is waiting for you.” Gently taking his hands, she guided Henry much to his pain. He hid the act with a stoic smile.
Entering one of the many smaller quarters the trio were met by princess Elara who was working on a data pad behind a large desk. A series of cups and a tray sat near her. What brought Henry’s attention was a seat that seemed to glow and wriggle around. Liz guided him to the seat and dreaded the sensation of stopping his movement. However, his worries were immediately thrown out the proverbial window when the sensation that was sent to his mind was pure bliss. The seat seemed to massage his body sending his mind into much needed relaxation. One of the twin maids entered the room and placed a pitcher of an opaque clear liquid.
Watching the maid pour a healthy amount of the liquid into the cup and passed to him he took a sip. However, he was surprised by its taste. Is this... it can’t be. He looked at Elara who held an open smile on her face. “Is this Sladkavoda?” Henry said with a beaming grin. Upon seeing the princess nod in agreement were met with confusion from both Celestine and Liz. “What is Sladkavoda?” Celestine asked all to interested. Henry explained that this liquid is from his home planet. It is made from the fruit that grows near the mountain regions. He fondly informed the group about a time his family went and collected a few pressing the fruit and creating the sweet and rather pleasant drink. “It has a chemical compound that relaxes the body.” Which after finishing noticed a surprise look in Elara’s face. Seeing his puzzlement the princess explained “I just learned about this drink from the data pad on your home world. I was not aware that it had such properties.” Picking up a pitcher Elara poured a cup for herself and the other two.
The trio upon sipping on the drink gave a satisfying sigh. “This is rather lovely. This drink seems light on the tongue, its sweetness filling the mouth. I have to say Henry, is there anymore delicacies from your home world that should be brought to our attention. Henry pondered for a moment. Then several things popped into his mind. “If you want a hardy meal there is the Gal’axer.” The trio shot a confused look towards Henry. “It's a type of avian that is rather common on the planet. However, they are pack hunters and eat and destroy many farmlands. That is why my brother is working with the local hunting guild.” He then described their long neck features, along with the razor-sharp teeth hidden within their beaks. Celestine gave a curious look “you mean a swan?” Henry turned his head “are they three meters tall?” Celestine and Liz paled at the thought of a three-meter-tall swan. “Thankfully no” Celestine said taking a final sip of the drink.
Liz coughed and looked towards Elara. “Right, thank you Liz, Henry we are rather curious about you. Since we could not receive your information due to the revolt. I wish to hear from you.” Henry paused but nodded his head. “Where do I start?” Celestine chimed in “where all stories begin at the beginning.” Henry nodded “well to begin with I was born into a middle-class commoner family. My father, Harold, worked the land as a farmer. We grew Annum, a grain like substance that grew in massive stocks called Triticum, and the fruit that grew in bushels Cerasum.” He paused seeing Elara pull up photos of the two foodstuffs. “When I was thirteen. I was a top of my local regional school. However, I was expelled for some rather bogus reasons.” This news caused the women to lean forward in wonder. “I offended a noble by surpassing him in terms of academia” Henry said with a bit of disdain. “Appalling” Liz said while sipping on another cup of Slodkavoda.
Henry continued “after my expulsion I joined the local naval academy and even there I found myself a subject to bullying.” Celestine leaned forward to answer a question “nobles?” Henry shook his head. “Worse...” Henry said foreboding. “Instructors. They didn’t like the way I think” Henry said cryptically. “What type of harassment?” Liz said with a hint of worry upon her face. “You know the classic, conflicting orders, letters of insubordination, damaged uniforms, stolen equipment, all the sorts. It really drove me to get out of there quicker and in truth it worked.” The three women nodded. Then they waited for him to continue “well I served on the frontier of the edge of the galaxy, you know patrolling, escorting, and even engaging against pirates.” Celestine looked at Henry with eyes of approval “the scum of the empire.” Henry agreed. “They are subhuman and must be exterminated without prejudice.” Then he sighed “after my standard rotation I was sent as a transport hauler and that was where I witnessed the attack.” Liz and Elara gave a content smile “Thank you, Henry.”
The group took a final sip before Elara bid Henry a goodbye as the trio left to the pathway once again. “Ever since we arrived here. My sister seemed to have gotten busier by the day.” Liz said with a huff of frustration. “Would you come and accompany me?” Liz said looking towards Henry. “I can, if I am able to. Remember Liz I am a lieutenant in the navy, maybe during my free time?” Henry said diplomatically. Liz puffed her cheeks and Henry openly smiled “you remind me of a Pufak, Liz.” This seemed to catch Liz off guard. “What is a Pufak?” She said puzzled. “It's a small, adorable creature that lives in the plains of my home world.” Liz seemed to smile with glee at the compliment. Celestine stopped Henry as they reached the entrance. “How about I train you in self-defense?” Henry smiled wanting to remain a close relationship with a friendly woman. Liz leaned over causing Henry to bend downwards to hear her. “Be careful Henry, her nickname is the Valkyr.” Henry blinked in confusion but pushed it away. Winking at Liz which elicited a giggle. He bid the two farewells as he walked out the door.
