{"sf1_id":200781,"sf2_id":"dmW72OLm","title":"A Multitude of Stars... Chapter 9","author":"Stinkdog","words":2371,"posted_at":"2010-12-07T03:16:00.000Z","tags":["Dalmatian","Lion","No-Yiff","Plot Development","Polar Bear","Sci-Fi"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/200781-a-multitude-of-stars-chapter-9","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/dmW72OLm","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/2e/74/2e74ee90-08ba-4e58-8a56-115b5817de9f","description":"#2 of The Endless Void; Book One: A Multitude of Stars...","content":"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The on base cafeteria was small considering the amount of people it had to feed.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The room itself was larger than the average school cafeteria, though and had enough seating for about one hundred people at a time.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Cole and I were moving down the line of food slowly, picking out what we wanted among the breakfast fare.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I didn't think the food was particularly good, but I wanted to treat the polar bear to something for... what he had done for me.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I only picked up a bowl of plain corn cereal for myself.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Cole loaded his plates with eggs, bacon, and waffles.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I couldn't believe he could actually eat that much food.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Then again, he was a bear.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I picked up some muffins as well and after I had paid for the food, we found a place to sit.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;A hare in a lab coat passed our table, carrying a bowl of brightly colored, round cereal.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;He noticed my glance and scowled.  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hello Matt.\" I waved to him.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Don't say it, Oliver,\" he said coldly.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Say what?\" I asked; my face a mask of innocence.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Matt turned his back to us and I muttered under my breath.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Silly rabbit...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Cole snorted in laughter next to me.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It was nice to know that someone else knew about classic television.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;As the bear was distracted by wolfing down his food, I took an opportunity to gaze at him.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;He really was stunningly handsome.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I noticed, for the first time, that he had amber eyes.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I watched his chest muscles flex under the fabric of the base's civilian clothes as he ate.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;His huge biceps brought the food to his short muzzle with little effort, but they bunched up all the same.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I remember thinking he had a very attractive jaw line.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I didn't realize that he was aware of my stare until he stopped eating abruptly and chuckled.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;My face flushed.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Tell me, Oliver, why is a guy like you still single?\" He asked, looking down at his first empty plate.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The question took me by surprise.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I flubbed the response.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;In my head I said something witty; something that I thought was profound, but all that came from my mouth was:  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I... uh... Who says I am?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Cole turned to look at me with an appraising glance as if he was trying to decipher me.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah, you're still single,\" he said, grinning as he went back to stuffing his face.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I scowled briefly, upset that he had seen through me, before turning back to my own food.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Why is that even important?\" I asked.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I was just curious.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;You're too good looking to have to go looking for ass.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I stared at my full plate.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It wasn't that it was difficult for me to get laid; far from it.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It was... I... was the problem.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;My sense of humor was difficult for people to deal with on a constant and regular basis.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;But that was hardly important at that moment.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I ignored Cole's comment and started eating.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It wasn't long after we had finished the food that Captain Williams found us.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I had never seen the man's face so red in my life.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;He was furious.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Oliver!\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;There you are!\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Sergeant Brookes has been hospitalized, just like your missing civilian. I had better get some straight answers out of you, now!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I stood up and held my hands in front of my defensively.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It was time to do some damage control.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Captain, there isn't anything I can tell you that you don't already know, sir.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Brookes was in the crater, just like Marcus.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Perhaps there was some residual radiation that affected them both.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Are you telling me that Brookes is going to vanish just like Marcus did?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What?\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;No, of course not, I'm just saying that their symptoms are similar.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Besides that lion professor vanished with Marcus and he never touched the crater.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Cole cleared his throat.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Maybe the Prof. took Marcus,\" he said sheepishly.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Williams and I both glanced at him like he was melting.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I mean we are talking about an alien, right?\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;We should be looking for that lion.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;He might be possessed or something...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The polar bear trailed off and I could tell that Williams was about to insult him for being stupid.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I think he has a point, Captain.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;We should at least be looking into the UEA campus.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Williams frowned, furrowing his white, bushy eyebrows.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Fine.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Oliver, take your squad and the civilians with you.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;They've all been cleared for release anyway.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I nodded.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yes, sir.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Playing fetch sir!\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Cole and I hurried from the mess hall to find the others.  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; When we arrived at the Universal Exploration Academy, I was surprised at how many students were just milling about.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Didn't they have classes or something?\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Many of them stared at us.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I supposed that a group of uniformed personnel wasn't a normal occurrence on campus.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Professor Hugh's office in Enterprise Hall was locked and, by looking through the window on the door, I could tell there was no one inside.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;A female rat and a male cheetah in the school's colors approached us.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Excuse me...\" the rat said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\"Do you know where Professor Hugh is?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No, miss.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;We were actually looking for him as well,\" I replied, trying to keep myself from making any cat and mouse jokes.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"He wasn't there to teach our class this morning.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; As if on cue, the lion in question stumbled into the doorway of the stairwell we had just exited from.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;He was in very bad shape.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The red Hawaiian shirt he wore was torn in several places and the fur that could be seen under it was caked with dried blood.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I could hear him panting as if he had been running.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;His feet were bare and the bottoms of them were cracked and bleeding.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;A long gash ran from his forehead down his right eye.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;His left eye was wide as if forced open and it contorted his face into a fearful expression.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The rat cried out in alarm and started towards him.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Wait!\" I said. \"He could be dangerous.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"But he's hurt!\" The cheetah protested.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Let us handle this.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;You two get out of here.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; They hesitated.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I didn't want to, but I growled at them.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"NOW!\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; That got them to move.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;They started walking toward opposite end of the hallway as Gregor and Rolf slowly approached the disheveled feline.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"H-help...\" Hugh sputtered before he fell forward onto the tile floor.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Rolf felt his neck.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"He's still alive, sir, but it looks like he passed out.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Dunham frowned next to me.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What could have happened to him?\" The bear asked.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Who knows?\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Right now he needs medical attention.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Let's get him to a hospital.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;When he wakes up, he can answer our questions.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"We can take you to the medical center on campus!\"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The cheetah blurted out behind us.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I sighed.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It was probably the fastest way to get him conscious again.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Fine.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Lead the way, younger generation.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We lifted the witless lion easily between the three of us and carried him out of the building.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Thankfully the crowds had thinned outside.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Classes had probably started.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The students that did see us carrying Hugh whispered among themselves, but didn't try to stop us.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The medical Center building looked like the oldest building on the campus.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I supposed that figured.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The walls were grey, made of stone, and crumbling on the outside.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The interior of the building looked like a typical hospital.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It was painted white on the walls with a tile floor and a drop ceiling.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The secretary called the doctors to take Hugh away almost as soon as we entered.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Then the rapid fire questions began.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The nurse asking them was cute I guess.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It was the usual where, who, how line of questioning and I told her honestly all I knew.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I left out some things, like why we were there in the first place.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I could tell she didn't like my answers because she started the questions over again.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I interrupted her.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Miss, that lion is a suspect in an ongoing investigation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;We, or at least I, need to get in there to ask him some questions.\"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I flashed my military badge.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I was hoping it had been quick enough for her to mistake it for another, more appropriate ID.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well... I guess that would be fine...\" She mumbled.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\"He's in room 201.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Thank you.\"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I said as I pushed open the metal door to the stairwell.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I still didn't think she believed me, but I didn't care.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The medical center was quiet as I climbed the stairs.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It felt like it was understaffed for such a large campus.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The brown, wooden door to room 201 was unlocked and I opened it with an air of importance.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Hugh was mumbling to himself on the bed.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;There was a doctor looking him over and trying to close his more serious wounds.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I'm with the military,\" I said as the doctor stood with a questioning look on his face. \"I just need to ask him some questions.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Good luck.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;He's delirious,\" the doctor replied.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The doc shrugged and went back to stitching up the lion as I approached his bedside.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I took note of the odd tattoo on Hugh's chest.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;He also now had a bandage over his damaged eye.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;He turned to me, the other eye scanning my identity frantically, trying to assess if I was a threat.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I noticed he had an ocular implant.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Please...\" he said. \"Don't let it win...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Try to calm down, Professor.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Let what win?\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;What are you saying?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"The... the thing... in my head.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It wants to destroy... that's all it cares about.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It wants revenge for... for...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; It was as if he couldn't find the correct words or as if there was something preventing him from remembering them.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Let's start with something more concrete,\" I suggested. \"Marcus Dunham.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Where did you take him?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I watched the lion think, seeing a pained expression cross his face.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The doctor glared at me as he stood.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Please try not to upset him further, sir,\" the doc advised.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I ignored him.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"A club!\" The lion blurted. \"I took Mark to a club in the city... I was trying to get him to loosen up... the kid seemed so serious about everything.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I... I just wanted to help him... That's all I wanted.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It told me it would help me... help him... I-\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"And when was this?\" I asked interrupting him.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Before... before the crash... before the thing got into my mind...\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It's so hard to remember.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I began to realize that the Hugh I had quarantined may have been the alien all along.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"How did it get into your mind?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The doctor rolled his eyes. \"Please, don't encourage his delusions-\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I held up a hand to shut him up.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Hugh's face looked to be in agony as he tried to remember.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I didn't want to intentionally cause him pain, but there was little choice.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I needed to know what kind of thing we were dealing with.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I... I can't...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I nodded, placing a hand on the lion's shoulder.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"It's alright, James.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;You'll be alright.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Forget about it.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It was probably just a bad dream.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"A... dream...?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"That's right.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Just a dream.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;You'll be fine-\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; His good eye snapped open.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"The disc!\" He exclaimed. \"It came from the disc!\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;It needs it!\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;You mustn't let it get the disc!\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Slow down, James.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;What disc?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Marcus found it... in the crash site... small, metal, strange designs on it...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I nodded.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey, doc, can we see what's recorded on his ocular implant?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The doctor frowned.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"That is technically a breach of privacy.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;We would need his consent.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"He asked us to help him.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;That information could lead us to his attacker.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Besides, he's in no condition to give conscious consent.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Just look at him.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Consent is implied.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We stared at each other.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I could feel his unhappiness at the situation in his gaze.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I firmly looked back, mentally standing my ground.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The doctor sighed.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Very well.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I can have the recording ready for you in two hours.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I grimaced, but nodded.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Two hours was a long time to wait.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"That's fine.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I'll be waiting in the lobby.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I left the room as the doctor called in two nurses to help him with the extraction.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;My team and the civilians were seated in the waiting room when I arrived back down stairs.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;They looked up expectantly at me, but I shook my head.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Richards, go get the Portable Recon Device from the truck.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;We'll need it in two hours.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The tabby feline nodded and rushed out the door.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I took a seat next to Dunham.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"How was he?\" the female rat asked.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Not good,\" I said. \"He has an eye implant, though so I think we can get more info out of whatever is recorded on it.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Is he in trouble?\" The cheetah said, frowning.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What are you kids still doing here?\" I countered.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"They're worried about their professor...\" Gregor mumbled.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Can we stay, please?\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;We promise we won't get in the way.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; They looked at me hopefully with pleading eyes.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I sighed and rubbed my forehead in aggravation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Being serious was so taxing.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I hated it.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;But if those students were going to stay there, I would have to keep up the façade.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Fine,\" I said.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I didn't think anything I told them would get them to leave anyway.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;We sat in silence and waited for the doctor to finish his work.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;After only an hour, he came down the stairs and beckoned to me from the doorway.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I followed him into the stairwell.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What's up, doc?\" I asked.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"There is... uh... I think his implant is faulty.\"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The man looked shaken, as if he had seen something he really hadn't wanted to see.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What makes you think that?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well... there are extra hours on it that shouldn't exist.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Extract all of the footage from now until yesterday at six pm.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;We'll investigate after we take a look at it.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The doctor nodded and slowly went back up stairs to finish the task.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I don't think anything would have prepared me for the information that Hugh's implant held.  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"The Endless Void; Book One: A Multitude of Stars...","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/199409-a-multitude-of-stars-chapter-8.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/202591-a-multitude-of-stars-chapter-10.json"}}