[dcs_p]“Yeah Alec. They asked a few hours ago. From your vitals they’d guessed you’d
regain consciousness today. I approved of all of the drugs.” Rick smiled
slightly. He hoped his friend would come to his senses soon, but knew it was
going to be a long week of recovery. Rick silently thanked the heavens that it
was drugs causing the distorted speech.[/dcs_p]
Rick looked up to the ceiling and thought silently for a moment. He decided he’d
let Alec rest, hoping that some time alone would clear some of the confusion that
now plagued him. He leaned down to his friend.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“I’m going to leave you alone for awhile Alec. Take it easy, and for God’s sakes
don’t strain yourself any more today. They’ll be plenty of time for flexing those
muscles when you’re rehab starts.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]With that, Rick turned and left the room. Alec lie silently, doing his best to focus
on the pasty white ceiling above him.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]The Crusaders Temporary Barracks
Stricken Desert
Miranda
Labrea System
Third Quarter 3065[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Alec woke with a startle, his alarm clock beeping its high-pitched tune out like
some awful car alarm security system. With a hearty slam of his fist, he silenced
the annoying little machine in his usual manner. Another day. It was time for
more payback.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Though the nights seemed shorter and shorter – making him feel less rested –
Alec was in the best shape of his life. For years he’d heard rookies and know-it-
alls blab on and on about the strength of youth, a strength of which those past
their mid 30s could never possess. Every single time he heard such talk, he’d felt
an uncomfortable twist in his gut. Everyone bragging about the strength of youth
were youths themselves.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]The years had been kind to Alec’s physical health. He’d fully regained the use of
both arms within only months of his beating in Galatea eight years ago. His neck
muscles were occasionally stiff from some permanent tissue damage the thug’s
metal bar had done, but he’d regained most of what his drunken attackers had
taken away from him.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Despite his physical improvement, Alec had still not quite regained his sense of
self-respect. He’d foolishly endangered his own existence that night, and with his
life the vengeance he owed his family. Never again, he had vowed. And he had
done it. Not a single time had he ever moved again into such a dangerous
situation without covering his back first. Satisfied at the thought, he nodded and
rose out of bed to bring his bare feet to rest on the cool tiled floor of his
temporary barracks.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Alec owed much of his recovery, much of his strength for that matter, to his close
friends. Those he now called his lancemates had stuck with him this far, and
there was no doubt in his mind about their devotion to his cause. Plainly put, he
had the warriors and the resources required to achieve his goals.[/dcs_p]