//------------------------------// // Chapter 20 // Story: A Man and an Army // by Saffron //------------------------------// I awoke slowly and opened my eyes to a dimmed light. I tried to move, when I did, nothing happened. I was able to turn my head to the left slowly and when I did I saw someone I was glad to see, Mimic. “Mmmmhhmm.” I tried to say something instead I just made a noise. Luckily it got Mimics attention. “Commander, you are up.” Mimic got up from where he was sitting and walked over to me. “I am sorry, I have failed in protecting you. For this failure I await your punishment.” “Hmmmmhmmmhm” I tried to tell him that he was off the hook this time, but alls that came out was more mumbled noise. “Relax, your speech will come back soon. The magic in your system is wearing off.” Mimic’s horn lit up and levitated over a glass of water with a straw. “This should help a little.” I took a sip of the water. To be honest that did help a little. I tried to get comfortable but it was difficult seeing as I could only move my head slowly. “Whhht aaabben.” I tried to speak again and this time I was able to blubber out something. “What happened?” Mimic asked. I nodded in reply. “Once you fell to the floor I drew my swords and dropped my disguise. Lyra was trying to tell the white coats to stop, but then I was incapacitated by one of the security personnel who snuck up behind me.” Mimic walked back over to the chair and sat back down. “I am not entirely sure but I think Lyra sorted things out. Once I regained consciousness I was sent here to wait for you to wake up. They said it would take at least twenty four hours before you came to.” My memory came back, more importantly I remembered who did this. At least I now know Lyra probably didn’t have anything to do to this. She was going to have to explain herself though I mean she could've at least warned me about the possibility of this happening to me, but I should have seen this coming anyway. For now though, I was going to rest and eventually regain movement. ---------------------------------- The Ship ---------------------------------- Hendricks was a little pissed. He thought that after the creature was in the custody of the marines he would never need to deal with it again. What someone failed to mention to him though was that he was to accompany the team to the institute along with the scientists that worked with him. Hendricks was currently on his way to a land based transport vehicle. Due to the location any air based vehicles were unable to land. “Is there anyway I can, I don’t know, not do this ?” Hendricks asked. “Sorry Hendricks but since you headed the science team that studied…” Alex looked at the clipboard he was holding. “Mor’grol, you are needed to help the scientists at the institute.” “Can’t the science team handle it without me?” Hendricks asked. Alex sighed. “Listen Hendricks, if it was up to me you could stay here and do whatever it is that you do, but protocol dictates that you have to oversee this.” The duo entered the vehicle bay where the transport caravan was waiting. There was three vehicles that were tasked to transport the creature. The front vehicle was a Stalker the heavy personal transport that would be carrying twelve marines the scientists and Hendricks. The center vehicle was the creature transport vehicle, and a the rear was a Chimera light tank with an armament of two forty millimeter plasma cannons and a Mx12 gatling laser. “Looks like everything is ready. Just waiting for clearance from the crown.” Alex looked at the clipboard once more to write something down. “So we might be waiting here for a little while.” “What? When was the request?” Sergeant Zuco asked as he came up to meet them. “About ten minutes ago sir.” Alex replied. “It was just sent ten minutes ago? This was supposed to be cleared an hour ago! Dammit!” Zuco stormed out of the room most likely to find out who screwed up. “I would hate to be the guy who messed up.” Hendricks said. “Agreed.” Alex replied. “So your equipment will be given to you before departure. Whenever that will be.” “Standard armor and basic sidearm?” Hendricks asked. “Yes.” Alex replied. “Do you want laser, plasma or projectile?” “Laser. It’s more accurate.” Hendricks watched Alex write something else on the clipboard. “Lasers are usually more accurate at longer distances, but I see your point. Light and no kick.” Alex commented. “Indeed.” Hendricks replied. Zuco reentered the room with a pegasus. Zuco seemed calmer now to say the least. “Attention everyone. Transport is a go. Everybody gear up.” Zuco order. The room went from a moderately dull area to a buzzing hive of activity. Soldiers were entering vehicles and moving supplies to clear a path for the vehicles to exit the ship. Two of the cargo doors of the ship began to lower revealing the blue sky and green grass of the outside world. “Hendricks if you will follow me we will get your gear.” Zuco said as he walked over to the two. “Lead the way sergeant.” Hendricks replied then followed him into a nearby supply room. ---------------------------------- The Institute ---------------------------------- I was finally regaining the ability to move. Enough so that I stumbled out of the bed and ended up on the floor. The moment I hit the floor a bell began to ring. I pulled myself back up on the bed. By the time I was back on it Lyra walked in. “I’m so glad you’re awake and… i’m sorry I put you through this.” Lyra apologised. “I am disappointed in you.” saying that made Lyra’s ears droop. “But, I know you did not intend for this to happen. I am more angry at the unicorn that did this to me. Who was he?” I demanded “Dr. Stitch.” I turned to see the pony in question. He had a phoenix resting on his back. “You bastard!” I tried to lunge at him but I forgot I hadn’t recovered all the way and I ended up on the floor again. “I hate you so much.” I groaned in pain. “Well if you are going to be hostile it looks like I have no need to apologise.” Dr. Stitch said as he helped me back up to the bed with his magic. I also noticed he had a british accent “Stitch…” Lyra said in a slightly angry tone. “I am sorry.” Stitch said rather reluctantly. “Yeah, sure.” “Sir, transport one is on the way.” Jane said surprising Dr. Stitch. “Who is that?” Dr. Stitch asked. “My assistant informing of a delivery to this establishment.” “What delivery?” Stitch asked. “Have you heard of Mor’grol?” “Yes… His legend is known around here. Most of us just think he is a myth. Including myself. Why do you ask?” Dr. Stitch asked. “Before I answer that can you tell me why most of you know of him? This isn’t a widely known ‘myth’.” “Two of the founders of the institute were supposedly magi who studied the creature.” Dr. Stitch paused. “Did you find it?” Dr. Stitch asked skeptically. “Yes and it is on the way as we speak.”