Page 85 of Ranger's Rise

“Yeah. Thanks for picking me up.”

“Not a problem, Brother. You’re our second stop. Asa and Alder were working on something and needed a new medicine from the city so we did that first.”

Freedom stops putting shit in a bag and looks over. “The thing Anton said, for his hand?”

He swings his head while smiling. I do that with them a lot. “Yeah, they’re the EMT kids. They’ve already done the course, but they found something that will help. You’d have to ask them or Doc. I didn’t get it.”

They’re amazing kids. It feels good to know they’re all working for me. I’m honored that they are. “I’ll make sure to thank them all.”

He gives me an odd look. “They’re your Brothers. You’d do the same for them. Youdodo the same for them. They’re just giving it back.” He’s right.

“It feels good. I’ll show them.”

He nods with a smile. “They know, Brother, but it always feels good to see it.”

I smile, it does. Doc comes in and we move. For me, that’s with not moving my neck and holding my hand up, but I’m up and moving and it feels good. I hold a moan in climbing in the chopper.

“Commander, it’s good to see you up and moving, Sir.” Hay-bale makes me smile.

“Thanks, Hay-bale, but I’m just Ranger or Ross.”

He slaps his head. “I’ll get it yet, Ranger.”

“It feels good to be seen out of there, thanks, Brothers.”

I sit by Freedom and wonder about the cans as Hay-bale hands her a set. Doc stands in front of me and takes a set then kneels down. “We can’t put any pressure on your ear. I’m covering both for the flight. It’s ten minutes.” He had a plan.

I nod and thank him then let him do his thing. I don’t hear anything, but feel the pressure when the rotors start. Fuck. I’m holding my hand over the ear that’s gone or cut about three minutes in. It feels longer than ten minutes and I’m relieved when we set down. Freedom doesn’t move. I guess we’re waiting for the blades to stop. When I open my eye and look at her, she’s smiling. I give her a smile back and blow out a breath. We made it.

Doc takes his padding off me. “You okay?”

“I felt the pressure, but I’m fine now.”

He nods. “We need to go to the medic room then you can plan on meeting me at eight, two and eight every day for a week. This is less than thirty minutes.”

“I will, Doc. Two today or the eight?”

“Two today. That’s for the ReCell. Right now, we have something to go on your hand. Freedom or you can change out the IV. I’ll show you once we’re inside.”

“Okay, Doc.” I wish I could just nod or throw chin.

I thank the Crew and follow Freedom out. She winds the IV line and holds my hand. That feels good. The Prospect acknowledges with a smile. I give it back.

Patcher is waiting at the medic room doors. “You look a damn sight better than the last time I saw you, Brother. Glad you’re back.”

I smile. “Thanks, Patcher, and thanks for showing, but I can’t say I remember you being there.”

He laughs. “I was and shot your ass to sleep before you tried to kick mine. I had orders though.”

“I’m not sure I’d have let you, but it worked out better for me that you did. I don’t remember anything but waking up in the hospital around four this morning. I was a pain in the ass by six.”

He laughs with VP. I sit on the bed and VP hooks the IV to a pole. Freedom keeps my hand but stands to the side. Alder comes in and smiles. I’m glad I really won’t scare them. “Boss.”

“Hi, Alder. Thanks for whatever you did for medicine for me.”

“Got your back, Boss.”

I smile. “It feels good too.”