Read Online Mutation: Parables From The Apocalypse - Dystopian Fiction by Norman Christof - Free Book Online Page B

‘they’ are.
     
     
     
     

The General And The Colonel
    Finally making his way back to Alex’s room, Chaz looked through the windows, but nothing much had change.  Alex was still under, and the machines were beeping along. Chaz plunked himself down in a chair.  He always found it difficult to relax prior to a battle, and with the current state of his friends, it became doubly so.  Eventually, sleep overcame him, and the hours passed by. 
     
    Chaz awoke to the sound of voices in the corridor.  At first he dreamt he was sleeping in a hospital bed himself.  Doctors were conferring about his condition in a hallway, just out of earshot.  Gradually though he began to wake and realize where he actually was.  There were actual voices, and not from his dream.  He made out the general talking with one of the science staff that Chaz didn't recognize.  They saw Chaz waking up, and finished their conversation.  The man dressed in the lab coat took off down the hall, and left the general alone with Chaz. 
     
    Chaz straightened himself in the chair and tried to stand.  He felt a bit dizzy, and had a horrible kink in his neck as he got to his feet. 
    "That's not a great place for you to spend the night.  We have much better accommodations up on the next level.  You should try spending your next night up there."
    Chaz placed both hands on his hips, and tried turning and stretching his neck to work the kinks out.  "I didn't actually sleep there much.  I was up all night, rather unsuccessfully trying to purge yesterday's events from my brain."
    The general smiled.  "That's understandable.  You had a pretty full day yesterday, and I suspect the days leading up to that.  You’re long overdue for some down time."
    "Right.  You're probably right.  Who was that you were talking to just now?"
    "Oh." He looked back down the hall. "That was the doctor in charge of Alex.  He was down here a few times through the night, but I suspect you were pretty out of it."
    "Ah, yeah, I didn't even notice him.  I guess I slept more than I thought."
    "His name is Dr. Phillips. He says that Alex, believe it or not, is on his way to recovery.  His vital stats have been steadily improving since he's had some time to rest. Dr. Phillips believes it's just a question of time before he comes to.  He may still need a few days of bed rest before he's totally fit for duty, but things are looking good."
    "That's good news.  I was getting pretty concerned, what with him being in that coma for so long."
    "Phillips said the coma is just his body’s way of recovering.  Shutting down all non-essential systems to heal.  I'd say your body is trying to tell you the same thing.  You should try and get some proper rest in a real bed next time."
    Chaz let out a big yawn.  "I will.  It'll be easier relaxing, knowing that Alex is out of the woods."
    "I'm sure it will.  And here's something else to think about." Chaz stared blankly at the general. "I'd like for you to join my unit here.  I think you'd be a great addition.  We're nowhere near the numbers I'd like to have, and you bring some valuable experience.  Most of my guys have been guarding this fort for so long, I think they've forgotten what real field combat is like.  Having a war hero like yourself around here would be good for morale as well."
    "That's great of you to ask, General, but I'm long overdue for a career change ... retirement, even.  From what your good Doctor Montgomery says, they've got the final cure now.  Not really much need for an old soldier like me anymore, is there?"
    The general dropped his eyes.  "I prefer not to put much stock in what the good doctor says until I see proof.  Even though they're supposed to be empirical scientists and all, they walk around with their heads in the clouds too much."
    "You're quite the skeptic there, General."
    "I like to think myself more of a realist.  And, umm, regarding your planned retirement there.  I heard rumors before