Free Escape: Omega Book 1 (Omega: Earth's Hero) by Keith Latch

and wait, and hope.
    Those were things it had grown exceedingly tired of doing. Nonetheless, that’s exactly what had to be done.
     
     

 
    Chapter 10
     
    It was a new day. The events at the software office were in the past. The First Lady was safe and her brother, though injured, would live. But if anyone expected the Adaven Base to return to normalcy, they would be quite mistaken.
    From an uninformed observer’s perspective, it looked as if the research, training, and operations at the base had not changed. While the change was slight, it was real nonetheless.
    And soon the change would be much more dramatic.
    “Keep that damn needle away from me,” Black shouted. The rather large male nurse regarded the Ranger almost sympathetically. It was five in the morning and neither man was in the greatest of moods.
    “Captain, you need this shot. It’s a very strong antibiotic. Your body needs it to fight off the infection.”
    “You twit. I know perfectly well what antibiotics are . The best thing you could do is put down Excalibur, run off to the pharmacy, and get me some pills. I don’t need that needle. I don’t need a shot, and I certainly don’t need you to give it to me.”
    The practiced ease in which the nurse parried in brought the hypodermic forward and, without the slightest hesitation, sunk the biting needle down into the soft flesh of Black’s shoulder—the only bare patch not bandaged.
    Captain Black eyed the nurse evilly. His right first balled and blood coursed through him. Perry was not a finicky man, and usually shots did not bother him. Being career military, you had to adapt to the never-ending inoculations and vaccinations needed for worldwide travel. But, this morning in particular--whether due to the excruciating pain he was enduring, the fact that his team had failed, miserably, on its mission, or that he would be on light duty if not complete bed rest for the next several weeks--he was in a mood that could only be described as downright crappy. This was not the day for an overgrown wet nurse to try his patience.
    The sight of the man walking through the door of the infirmary was all it took for his building anger to slip from his mind. General Hendricks, in full uniform—as his usual—strode in with the strong confident gait that Black believed the military only instructed generals to perform. The man simply exuded self-confidence and machismo. While Black might not appreciate that from many, General Hendricks was an exception. Thurmond Hendricks was a remarkable man with a remarkable service record--and, Black suspected, so were the things he accomplished that didn’t quite make it into the official dossier.
    Immediately, Black stood to attention, bringing his not unremarkable bulk and height to ramrod straightness. He attempted a salute, forgetting his right hand was bandaged.
    “At ease, soldier. You’ve earned it.” The general’s voice was lower in volume but no less in resonance as he returned the failed salute. “Have a seat, captain. I apologize for intruding on your treatment this way, but I need to speak with you.” Hendricks gave the nurse one quick but very meaningful look.
    The nurse, who of course was an enlisted officer, did not regard the general with sympathy, as he had Black. Instead, he looked as if he’d almost ruined his pants when turning around to see the most senior officer in the United States Army that he’d ever had the fortune—misfortune?—to personally meet.
    The nurse’s total lack of etiquette did not go unnoticed. Hendricks came within a few feet of both men and stopped. His stern hazel eyes fixed the larger man. Instantly, to Black, it seemed as if all of the air had been drained from the room.    
    “Sergeant, if you would excuse us.” It was not a question, not even really an order, just a statement--clear and concise from a man that was very accustomed to having his every whim answered in mere seconds.
    “Yes, general.” The nurse had