Page 89 of Ranger's Rise

“Freedom is getting me shorts and a shirt. She said you had cream for me.”

He nods. “I’m surprised you lasted in these. I’ve got time now.” He opens the door and walks in. “Doc has something for a bath that he sent to your house. It will help.”

“Thanks. Everything feels tight and I feel the burn on my leg.”

He nods and unclips the IV then gets my shirt off. “Fuck, Brother,” Cort says, but I can’t see him. “Freedom had trouble finding the clothes. These are in the Officer coded closet.”

“Thanks. I’ll get another set before I go.”

“I have a Prospect bringing them to your house. We need to take the plating out of the flight gear.”

Patcher nods. “Yeah. The lining is enough. Are Flight Crews shot at regularly?”

I smile. “Not usually. We have gear if we’re engaged. I thought the gear was better, but I see where it’s not needed and could make what is a real concern worse.”

Cort moves and I see his face. This bothers him. “I’ll have the plating taken out today. Tell me it doesn’t go down further.”

I smile at that. “I feel it on one leg and the hip on that side, but my junk was covered and isn’t burning.”

Patcher laughs. “You were running. It’s a good thing. I got you covered on top. Let’s get to the rest.”

I drop my pants and sit on the bed. Cort is gone from my view, but my boots are being taken off. He’s got to be feeling this. I don’t want him doing this, but don’t know what to say, so I keep my mouth shut.

“Cage, get me sneakers from Ranger’s locker. In the medic room, thanks.” Since I didn’t think of that, I’m glad he did.

Patcher walks back with another tray. “Did Doc see this?”

“I don’t know. He saw where the hospital uncovered today, he did the test thing. I wasn’t awake before that.”

I see a flash and he looks down. Probably at his phone. “We can use the ReCell on this too. They didn’t want to do another graft for more cells, but it may be worth it to just do all of them at once. The heat burn will be gone within a day if we do. The leg needs to be covered.”

Fuck. “Is it bad? I only felt a burning and can’t see it.”

“It needs to be covered. Your thigh and knee. I’ll need to see your hip.”

I stand and he pulls the waist of my boxer briefs causing air to leave my lungs. “Shit.” I close my mouth and breathe through my nose.

“Sorry, Brother. The hip has to be covered too. Luckily, it’s a small area, but I just pulled skin off.”

“Felt that.” I’m gritting my teeth.

“Why didn’t the hospital cover him? He’s been here all fucking day like this.” Cort is pissed.

With a breath going out I tell him, “It feels like a friction burn to me. Until the skin thing.”

“Most is just a heat burn, like a sunburn, but the plating got hot and held that heat. They had the top of you uncovered before you were moved to the chopper.” I get it. No one thought about the plating lower.

“Order new Flight gear with no plating.”Cort is barking at someone.

I smile. I don’t know who he’s talking to, but he’s not taking chances. I like that.

“I was with the Alpha-Bits.” Doc makes me laugh and I moan. Fuck.

“Sorry, Brother. You’re right, Patcher. They didn’t have any other burns listed. I should have checked myself.”

He moves to where I can see him. “I need you on the table, Ranger. We’ll get you covered. Do you feel burning?”

“Mostly where my clothes hit when I move.”