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.Shewore the ubiquitous jumpsuit of a colonist worker, probably a worker in the engineering or waterfarmprojects out in Oasis.The sole of one of her boots was partially torn away from the top leather.It struckhim as an odd thing, considering everything else that must have happened to her companions down in thatoutpost town.At least, now that the town was drifting in a glowing cloud to the east, they would not need to go in andclean up the dead.Clean up the dead?The phrase caught in his mind, but he could not attach any significance to it.Besides, his head hurt toomuch to think about it much more.Better to just get on with the current task and forget about it.The lift quickly rose into the overhead shaft, then stopped at Level 3.Cutter turned with the woman andcarried her down the narrow hall.It was a difficult feat, especially in the huge Firebat armor, but Cuttermanaged it without much trouble.He seemed to wear the armor like a second skin. Let s go, Littlefield urged with a nudge against the box that carried into Ardo s thigh.Ardo shookhimself from his own thoughts and began moving down the corridor.The infirmary was well encased by the rest of the Command Center.It was situated nearly in the exactmiddle of the structure.There were no regen tanks here or really much of anything that citizens of theConfederacy might consider standard equipment for a medical facility.The infirmary was more of afirst-aid station, a stopping place on the journey of an injuredMarine to keep him just alive enough so thathe could reach better care and facilities.There were several bunks mounted against one wall.Most of these were neatly and crisply made up inthe traditional Marine style.One, however, was in disarray, its sheets dropping casually toward the floor.Cutter entered the room, his bulk seeming to take up most of it.He found a middle bunk that seemed tosuit his requirements and lay the groaning woman down.The big man finally was able to flip open hishelmet faceplate just as Ardo and Littlefield entered the room.Ardo could see the sweat streaming downthe islander s brown face. That wasn t good, he huffed.He quickly released the locking rings on his gloves and pulled his handsfree.In moments he was strapping the bed restraints around the listless woman s hands, chest, and feet. Need more exercise.Gotta work out more.Ardo smiled and shook his head.Cutter had just run several kilometers with that woman either on hisback or in his arms.Even with the help of the suit, that was a remarkable performance.Ardo smiled tothink that Cutter would consider it a sign of weakness.Littlefield motioned Ardo over to the right.Against the opposite wall from the bunks, a desk stood awayfrom the wall with a chair on its far side.Littlefield stopped. Will you look at that!Ardo and Littlefield both stopped.The desk was clean and uncluttered except for apartially downed cup of coffee and a half-eatensandwich.Cutter gazed at it as well for a moment, then he reached forward with his massive right hand and pickedup the cup. Still warm, he said, then downed the coffee in a single gulp.Ardo and Littlefield stared at him, amazed. Needed sugar, Cutter reflected as he gathered up the remains of the sandwich and began stuffing itinto his mouth.The rest of his words were barely discernible through the bread. I m heading out.Youtwo need anything, just shout.I m suresomeonewill come.Cutter grabbed his battle gloves and stepped out of the room, the infirmary door sliding closed behindhim.Littlefield returned Ardo s astonished look, then both men broke into a hearty laugh. Unbelievable, Ardo gasped between laughs. No, not really, Littlefield responded with good nature. He s really not that bad once you get to knowhim.Ardo sat down in the desk chair, not an easy thing to do in his battle suit. You know him? Sure, Littlefield said as he sat on the edge of the desk. He served under me for a while.Our stylesdidn t mesh very well.I guess my style didn t mesh very well with a lot of people.Ardo could not think of anything to say in the silence that followed. Well, Littlefield went on, looking away, it s a nice infirmary but youareon duty.Guard duty now that Ithink of it.Here s the box whatever the hell it s supposed to be and I don t think that woman willgive you any trouble.Still, keep on the com channel, and whatever you do, stay awake! I ll go find us acouple of nice new rifles and fresh ammo.Breanne wants to set the watches, then we ll see about somechow.I ll be back before you know it. Sure, Sarge, Ardo nodded.He had not realized how tired he was until he sat down. I hear you.Littlefield smiled. Head still bothering you?Ardo nodded slightly. A little. I guess the resoc is taking after all.And hey, you re a veteran now! You ve made your first kill andsurvived to tell about it.The Zergling twitched before him.The beast s dull, black eye stared back at him. And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life.Ardo could not breathe.Ardo frowned suddenly and looked away. Yes, sir.Littlefield frowned slightly. You re going to be all right, kid.I won t be long.The sergeant stood up and walked purposefully toward the door.The door obliged him, slipping out ofhis way and then closing once he had passed.Ardo took a deep breath.There was nothing for him to do but wait.He couldimagine nothing worse than to be left with his ownthoughts. I ll never leave you behind, he said to her.The wheat rustled about the blanket where they lay.He was falling into her luminescent blue eyes.Golden.Ardo stood up.There had to be something he could do.His head was throbbing once again.The woman on the bunk was apparently not faring much better.She was starting to struggle dazedlyagainst the restraints, her moans increasing
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