Chapter 76 26:
"Korr-add... it is time to leave the capsule."
This time he could hear him. That deep voice resonated inside the pod, amplified by the translucent walls.
Without making a fuss about it, Korr removed the mask himself and obeyed.
His bare feet touched the metallic floor before his mind registered the movement. He inhaled the sterile, cold air he had become so familiar with, filling his lungs without the stab of pain that had usually accompanied him during that battle, now unexpectedly blurred within his memories.
It felt so refreshing.
He flexed his fingers, ignoring the new skin that had grown over his knuckles, pink and smooth where anesthetized stumps had once been.
When he stretched, his body did not protest in the slightest. He adopted a military stance at attention and waited for his superior's orders.
Focusing properly on the Viltrumite who had ordered him to move, he discovered that he appeared older, one of those whose faces carried centuries of wrinkles carved into them. In fact, it was the first time he had ever seen an elderly Viltrumite in this world.
His white hair, a product of age, fell over his shoulders in a silver cascade. And his eyes watched him with a coldness that made the doctor's seem pale in comparison. These members of the medical castes were terrifying.
There was a saying that doctors learned to think like psychopaths without actually being psychopaths. He did not believe even a little of that. He feared those "experts in the field."
He also noticed something that made the man even more impressive. He was the first doctor with three bars adorning his yellow pseudo-tunic; he was a general.
"Korr-Add."
The general pronounced his name while reading through his report, devoid of any trace of emotion.
"Son of Commander General Vorath, endowed with a fifteenth classification. Born in the year 4200 After Argall (A.A.), Major Cycle, Day 7, Hour 13.72.44 Standard. Participant in the suppression of the Lithari rebellion of the Dorymathos sector. You, nato, have given the Empire much to recognize."
Korr merely nodded.
"This nato appreciates your... praise, sir."
He said it, burying what had happened. No, in fact, somehow he had blocked it out and... he felt nothing.
The medical general nodded.
"Your decorum is appreciated, young recruit."
He said it without unnecessary elaboration.
The general continued, unperturbed.
"Reports from your instructor, Nouwl-an, highlight your performance during the incident. The protection of the young under your command, combined with the elimination of threats."
He paused, and his gray eyes narrowed slightly.
"It was expected that your recovery period would last at least three cycles. However, medical records indicate that you will be fit to return to duty in less than one rotation."
Korr blinked, processing the news, more than impressed.
He was impressed.
He was becoming stronger.
Was he adapting?
Yes, it seemed that he was.
He was improving.
A smile appeared on his lips, causing the medical general to nod in acknowledgment.
"The Council of Instructors has requested your presence in the assembly chamber within one rotation. Once that meeting concludes, medical protocol will continue, and you will remain under supervision by the medical staff until you are discharged."
The general stepped aside, turning around with a fluid, militarized movement performed with natural ease.
"Let us not keep them waiting. Rest for today and... congratulations, young Korr-add."
And with that, he left.
The doctor, who had remained silent throughout the entire exchange, exhaled an almost imperceptible sigh once the general's footsteps faded into the distance.
"By Argall, he's finally gone."
He whispered, breathing with indescribable relief.
Then he directed his attention toward Korr-add.
"Good," he said, recovering his professional tone. "Good, these are your current instructions, Recruit Korr-add. You have one rotation to prepare yourself. Otherwise, you are not completely recovered, so I will be responsible for supervising the final stage of your recovery according to what has been assigned to me. For now..."
His fingers moved across the control panel, and the wall rose with a hydraulic hiss.
"Get dressed and rest. Early tomorrow you will be taken to High Command, which wishes to meet you. Afterwards, a duty physician will evaluate you, and if the parameters are adequate, you will be declared fit for discharge."
Korr nodded and, for a moment, was determined to maintain an indefinite vow of silence and simply carry out his orders.
However, something in his mind itched.
He remembered something important, the reason why everything had happened... everything that had happened.
So, halfway toward the doorway, he stopped.
"With the utmost respect, this nato wishes to speak."
At his request, the doctor nodded.
"Of course. You may ask, Recruit Korr-add."
Korr took several seconds to think about exactly what he wanted to say.
In fact, the doctor frowned at the nato's strange behavior, though he ignored it since he had already been informed of his unusual tendencies.
There he remained motionless, his eyes fixed upon the white emptiness of the wall.
Something was wrong.
Something within his memories, within that great mental capacity of which he was so proud, was not entirely in order.
A long time had passed since the fight against the Lithari, yes.
There had been deaths, yes.
He had killed many, yes.
He was aware of this, but, but, but...
What exactly had happened?
Did it even matter?
His thoughts drifted across those events.
Yes.
He did not need to place so much importance on what had happened.
Right?
For once, he decided to ignore that fog that refused to clear from his mind.
He smiled at that thought and asked:
"Sir, what happened to the other children?"
In response, the doctor smiled and answered:
"Do not worry, young Korr-add. They are all well. In fact, they have been asking about your condition. They have not stopped doing so since you fell into a coma. Come now, it would be best if you rested, Recruit Korr-add. Great things await someone as loyal to the Empire as yourself."
Korr exhaled in gratitude.
"This nato takes his leave, sir."
He said, removing his hand from the doorframe and walking away from the medical wing.