The blond
nurse lightly knocked twice on the door to Kent Wheelock’s hospital room. After
waiting thirty seconds, he pushed the door open, saying, “I talked to the
doctor about giving you something for the pain…” Confused, the nurse stepped
back into the hallway and verified the room number, before reentering the room and
checking the bathroom. When he approached the bed, he found a pile of discarded
bloodied gauze and other random medical supplies. “Son of a bitch,” he
muttered. Back at the nurse’s station, he jotted down a quick note about the
missing patient as well as a reminder to make a complaint to the Mercury’s
Elite Guard liaison stationed in the hospital. He then continued his rounds, nearing
the surgery wing where he was forced to jump out of the way of the swinging
doors as Doctor Conway angrily shoved through, cussing up a storm.
“…no right to
interfere! I don’t care who he is. That man fucking dies it’s on General
Whistler’s head. Don’t think I won’t inform the Kaiser!” Doctor Conway
practically shouted over his shoulder at the pair of Regulars who stood just
inside the swinging doors. For their part, the two Regulars ignored the
surgeon’s outburst and maintained their posts.
