Page 6

Maklr

The hustle of the ward slowed. Warriors once screaming in anguish quieted. The newly arrived medics paused their assessments of patients to stare at Nell.

Maklr stood stunned, his mouth hung in surprise. Nell. Shy, introverted, selectively mute Nell, voluntarily shared her voice. Not only was she not silent, but she was singing. Singing?

“Charlotte,” Maklr whispered, “Did you know she sang?”

Charlotte shook her head, mouth agape. “No. News to me. In all the sessions we’ve had, she’s never once mentioned she could sing. Then again, I do most of the talking.”

“Look at the baby. It’s enthralled. Her singing voice is beautiful. It’s soothing to the soldiers and the baby. She’s so strong.”

“I told you,” Charlotte mouthed. “Maklr, someone needs help. Nell’s got things under control. The baby isn’t crying anymore.” She rushed toward another injured warrior.

“Stronger than I gave her credit for,” Maklr muttered to himself. “If she can do this, then the tests have to be right. Why won’t she talk? Maybe Charlotte’s right.”

He watched Nell cradle the infant in her arms and sing, never taking her eyes off the child. Her gaze never wavered as her voice rang out, steady, sure, and clear, with no warbling, soothing to everyone in the ward.

“She’s incredible,” Maklr murmured. His gaze softened, yet intensified the longer he watched Nell sing, as if he tried to capture every nuance of her impromptu performance in his memory.

Nell stood there, rocking the infant, her voice filling the room with a warmth that seemed to melt away the tragedy that surrounded her.

Lost in the song’s melody, her eyes closed. Her long lashes cast shadows on her cheeks. For once, she didn’t appear haunted. Usually, she looked vulnerable, yet now she seemed so powerful.

Maklr’s chest swelled with a strange feeling he couldn’t quite identify. Perhaps it was pride? Admiration? A combination? For her, this was incredible progress.

Everyone who was able watched her, mesmerized by the beauty of her sound. Nell’s raw emotions filled the room with hope.

Her eyes fluttered open, meeting Maklr’s for a brief, electrifying moment. A flush crept up her neck, staining her cheeks a delicate shade of pink. He offered her a smile of encouragement. As Nell continued to sing, her eyes never left his, and her voice grew stronger with every passing second.

Maklr’s heart raced at the sudden connection with Nell before a field medic burst through the doors, severing their connection.

“Maklr,” the new medic called from the farthest corner of the room. “Another one.” He brought another wounded soldier into the center. “I need your expertise.”

Maklr raced over, scanner in hand, to assess the newest arrival. So engrossed in his work, Nell’s enchanting singing faded into the background against the onslaught of more wounded entering the facility.

Wave after wave of more injured poured in. Maklr worked methodically, diligent in his care of each patient. He annotated digital charts, noting injuries and any immediate treatment taken. Finally, he slumped against a wall, exhausted.

“Who’s next?” Maklr wiped sweat from his brow.

“We’re done. Everyone’s in.” Charlotte handed Maklr a clean towel. “The others are treating the injured.”

“Where to?” Maklr tossed the now sweat-laden towel into a cleaning receptacle. “Let’s go.”

“Take a break,” Charlotte said.

“Not when there are patients to treat.”

“Maklr, look around. Everyone’s gone. Nell stopped singing a while ago. She and the baby are safe.”

“It’s my duty.” “Enough with the duty. You’ve gone above and beyond. If you keep going and go down from exhaustion, what good will you be to anyone? You’ll be out of commission and unable to help for who knows how long until you recover. No one will fault you if you leave and recharge. Go rest.”

“Sir, you’ve done all you can. We’ll take it from here, boss.” Another medic patted Maklr’s shoulder. “Take a break. You’ve been helping for hours. We know the toll it takes.”

“I know.” Maklr leaned against the wall, yawning. “I’ll be in soon to help, but I think you’re right. I’m going to rest for a few minutes.”“Take your time. You need a break.”

Maklr nodded. “Yes,” he said between yawns.

“Hey, Mak? Want to get up this side of the morning?” Charlotte shook Maklr’s shoulder. “Sleepyhead, it’s time to get up.”

Maklr groaned and cracked his eyes. “Where am I?” he asked, sitting up.

“We moved you into my office.” Charlotte sat on a plush navy blue chair. She rested her back against a cream-colored throw pillow. “How are you feeling? More rested, I hope?”

“A bit. How long did I sleep?” Maklr took his hands and fixed his sleep-tousled hair back into his signature mohawk, scrunched his nose and sighed.

“Almost a full day. Don’t sigh. And before you start with the ‘why didn’t you wake me,’ I wasn’t planning on it because your body needed the rest. If I’m being truthful, you still look drained.” Charlotte made a face.

Maklr stood and stretched. “Are you going somewhere?” He gestured to a duffle bag packed at the end of the couch he’d slept on.

Charlotte shook her head. “No.”

“Did we get a new patient?”

“No.”

“Am I being sent on a mission?” Maklr grimaced.

“Of sorts.”

“Charlie,” Maklr said, exasperated.

“Now, don’t get mad.”

Maklr rubbed his eyes. “What did you do?”

“I talked to the Sovereign.”

“About?” Maklr sat back on the couch. “Not about me, I hope.”

“About you. You’ve been working yourself all hours. It’s taking its toll. You’re on leave until you’re rested.”

“I can’t leave. I have responsibilities.”

Yes, you do, but you can, and you will take leave. You’ve worked yourself into the ground. A quick getaway and a change of scenery will be good for you.” Charlotte shrugged. “Something to recharge your batteries.”

Maklr groaned. “Another weird human expression. Who else is going to do everything that needs to be done around here? Sovereign Giald named me the head of this project. We haven’t fully furnished or planned the center’s new areas. Who else is going to take care of the injured?”

“Well, it’s a done deal. You’re going and that’s final.”

“Who is going to check on the wounded? I’m the head medic. Their health is my responsibility.”

“Who do you think took care of everyone while you slept? Maklr, you’ve trained everyone here.

We know the high standards you set and we’re all capable of performing the same quality of care you do.

Besides, you may be in charge of their physical health, but I’m in charge of everyone’s mental health,” Charlotte pushed back.

“As such, it’s a done deal. You’re going on a vacation and that’s the Sovereign and my final word.

You’re not to return until you’ve fully rested. ”

Maklr huffed. “What’s in the bag? Who packed it?”

“Don’t huff. It’s unbecoming.” Charlotte gestured to the packed sack. “See for yourself.”

Maklr unzipped the top of the bag and began pulling out clothes. “These are my clothes! Who went into my residence?”

Charlotte chuckled. “No one. I packed them from here. Did you know how many clothes you have in the center? I think you’ve got an entire wardrobe in your office.

” She reached forward and placed her hand on Maklr’s knee.

“No one needed to go to your house because you practically live here. Mak, you spend almost all of your waking hours in this center. It’s time to take care of yourself. ”

“I do.”

“No. You’re going through the motions. Believe me, I know what it’s like. Please listen, you’re too wound up, you’re on edge, and that’s the time you’ll start to make mistakes. If I’ve learned anything in my life, I know when to take a step back and reassess how to make a positive change.”

Maklr rubbed his temples. “Do you really think I’m pushing myself too far?”

“I do. Be honest with yourself. You don’t have to answer out loud, but do you think you’re providing the same care to all incoming patients now that you did when you were stationed on a ship, or when we brainstormed ideas for this rehab center?”

“You’re doing this for me?”

“I am.” Charlotte repacked the bag. “Come on.” She stood and handed Maklr the bag. “Shuttle’s waiting.”

“Shuttle? I thought…” Maklr trailed off.

Charlotte winked. “I believe you’ll like the pilot.” She walked through the door, leaving Maklr to quicken his pace to keep up.

“Where am I going?”

“I took the liberty of getting you a much needed break, and now you’re asking questions. Can’t it be a surprise?”

“Charlie, you know how I feel about surprises. I like routine. I need a schedule. This is a nightmare.”

“Fine. Only because I know you’ll protest, there’s a resort called Boulderbark Retreat.”

Maklr shook his head. “Never heard of it.”

“It’s not on this continent.”

“Klaga isn’t that large. There’s only three continents.” Maklr groaned. “Please tell me you’re not sending me to Tapris and all its mountains.”

“No. You’re going to Ashuk.”

“At least it has a lot of trees and is mostly flat. I’ve heard there’s a lot of nature trails.”

“That’s why I picked it. There’s a brochure in your bag that touts different amenities. I uploaded it to your tablet too. Which, by the way, is fully charged. You’re welcome.”

Maklr inclined his head. “What would I do without you?”

“Work yourself into the ground.”“Quite probably.” Maklr squinted. “Is that Zand?”“Your friendly inter-continental pilot at your service.” Zand grabbed Maklr’s military black bag. “I’ll throw it in storage and we’ll be on our way. We’re only waiting on someone else you know.”

“Who?” Curiosity tinged Maklr’s voice.

“Out of all the warriors we’ve served with, who was the last one back from all leave, planetside or on space stations?”

“I’d know that ridiculous hairstyle anywhere. Maklr!” A familiar voice called out. “Philtan?” Maklr turned in time to see an enormous purple warrior rushing toward him. Philtan’s arms wrapped around Maklr in a tight hug.