32. Marcus: Diminished

Checking Sandworm's leg wound in the morning it looked like he’d make enough of a recovery for the operation tomorrow. With a weary grin and sharing a joke over the odds of surviving the rpg that struck our building the other day I left him to rest. Walking out of the room into a larger section Baron was in a headlock under Line’s shoulder with the floor scattered with playing cards. Havoc sat hunched over emitting a bellowing laughter so characteristic to him while Baron tried to fight his way out.

Watching them brawl was heartwarming. Even with the stakes as high as they were they were just killing time as if it was just another backroom card game anywhere else in the world. Joining the men once Line forced a protein bar out of Baron from losing a bet Havoc dealt another hand as I unloaded a magazine. Throwing in the appropriate amount of bullets for the blind Duke found himself watching the match as well.

The first cards flipped over as Duke edged closer to Line. King of hearts and five of spades, potentially a decent hand. Eyeing off the others saw the same undeterred look we all shared. A few more bullets clinked together in the center as the next card was flipped over. Seven of spades. Quietly murmuring Duke asked Line if having a Queen was good earning a smack over the head followed by a shared chuckle.

The next card flipped over saw Line throwing in his cards while shooting a look over to Duke who sat sheepishly with the rest of us. Havoc called over his attention and began explaining the game as I took notice of the nine of clubs. Looking back up my expression must’ve betrayed me as Baron looked away from me folding. Any other day and I would’ve taken him to the cleaners.

Any other day probably wasn’t the right term to use. Any other place seemed more appropriate. Over the last few days this was the most relaxed I’d seen my men over the year we'd been here. Even then the tension could be felt. Properly reading their faces in reaction to the game revealed far more than what I looked for deciding on how to play. Underneath the easy smiles there were twitches and their eyes skittery.

Though they pressed on we were all feeling the true effects of this place now we were more aware to it. The only thing keeping them going were eachother. Fighting so that the man next to them would have a better chance. Comradery kept them alive but it brought to question how testing losses would be. The operation laid out was suicidal at best while unknown forces preyed upon us.

It was superstitious, we all knew it but there was no other explanation. The moment we were enlightened as to the location of the pillar the thought of dying went from an occupational hazard to outright terrifying. The answer to where we went when we died wasn’t clear but we knew we should be afraid. It felt like something was trying to devour our very minds.

More bullets were thrown in between me and Havoc now he was done explaining the game to Duke and the final card flipped. An ace of spades. Sitting at the table the bet seemed to lose it’s value now my mind had wandered onto more concerning matters. There was an overwhelming desire to know more. To be given the answers rather than find them. Go north. Everything would be found to the north.

The scientist Collette went north. Ever since she returned she was under watch day and night after communicating with the Collective. She seeked out the knowledge we all began to crave for and it almost saw her destroyed. How long until we all fell into that same realm of madness. How long untill my men gave in as well. Maybe I could go find the answers to leave them satisfied and focussed on escape. At least that way they’d get out being enlightened enough to focus or with my death as warning enough not to seek the answers themselves.

“Marcus. Your cards?”

Impatiently Havoc sat there waving two kings triumphantly. Returned to the moment letting my cards fall to the table saw his victory snatched away.

“Six and Eight. Straight.”

Slapping his cards on the table Line and Bronco smiled collecting the cards to deal them again. Standing up offering my place to Duke who eagerly joined to properly learn how to play the game. Walking away I found another room where Yeti napped catching up on sleep jittering and murmuring something. Shaking him awake from his tortured sleep with a sudden gasp and running his hands down his face he sat up as I did next to him.

“You’re getting them to? Voices yeah?” His expression blank he looked down.

“Yeah. Over a decade of combat and it’s an orchestra that haunts me.” With a gentle chuckle he went on with a more serious tone.

“How are the men coping.”

“Most of them surprisingly well. Sandworm is recovering while Duke, Baron, Line and Havoc are playing cards. Doing better than us on first glance.”

“And after that glance?”

“The cracks are starting to show… all we can really do is hope they’ve got enough left in them.”

Nodding Yeti sat in silence as we contemplated our situation. Neither of us having any advice to boost morale and simply let the dangers we were about to face set in. An unknown compound undisturbed allowing mutation and insanity to truly take hold within. Sharing a look with nothing left to say Yeti signalled for me to leave the room.

“Go check on Skippy, Fledger and Dragonfly. Might as well at least make sure they’re all combat ready.”

Acknowledging him with a nod I walked down the hall to hear hushed voices from one of the vacant rooms. Creeping along sliding against the wall in trying to avoid making any sound the voices became more coherent as I approached.

“Just one shot. I’ll only be out for a few minutes then you give me the next. I’ll let you all know what I see.” The next voice to speak was undoubtedly Skippy’s.

“Absolutely fucking not. Last time I’ll ask, give me the syringe.”

Opening the door Fledgers fractured eyes shot over in shock at my entry as Skippy and Dragonfly continued to talk Fledger down. With his back against the wall he held onto a shot of morphine in his shaking hand raised over his heart. Smiling he pushed further to persuade us to go through with his plan.

“I’ll only be gone for a moment. Nothing to worry about. Just enough to look over the edge.”

A wild grin formed as his breathing became more rapid. Walking in between Skippy and Dragonfly who were ready to pounce Fledger spoke as I approached.

“We have to know. You all feel it. We have to know. I can tell you all it’ll only take a moment.” Stepping slowly towards our broken comrade saw him flinch back against the wall pulling the cap off the syringe.

“We’ll find the answers tomorrow. We’re going to it you’ll know everything then.” Shaking his head the grin melted from his face.

“We won’t be able to come back from there. It doesn’t want us there. Just let me look from here then we can just leave like before. I’ll find out.”

“Fledger give me the syringe.”

“... I’m not going to do that sir.”

“Fledger pass it over.”

“Fuck off Marcus you don’t know what you're throwing us at-”

“Give it to me!”

Rushing him he went to drive the syringe into his heart. Intercepting him as the steel penetrated his suit deflected it away from it’s intended target. Flailing Skippy and Dragonfly quickly helped tackle him to the ground holding him still as he raved.

“Why are we here Marcus why did you bring us here?! You hear the voices too don't you!? Just let us go! Let us out of this place!” Kicking wildly saw Dragonfly struck in the face recoiling back as Fledger struggled free grabbing the syringe once more pulling it in towards himself.

“Just… let… me… see!”

Failing to hold him down properly I delivered a vicious strike into his throat stunning him. Choking him for a moment was enough to dislodge the syringe and properly restrain him. Catching his breath saw him wailing bringing everyone's attention through the door. Subdued Fledger was left to curl up in a ball in shock as Skippy monitored him and Dragonfly tended to his bruised face.

Looking back through the door saw Baron, Line, Duke and Havoc standing there with shattered expressions. They all looked as if to know what Fledger felt. On the edge about to break. With Yeti walking down the hall he instructed them back to the main room leaving only Duke still standing shocked by the scene.

Taking him by the shoulder Duke eventually left with Yeti leaving us with the aftermath. Kneeling down Fledger laid there bringing his breathing and emotions back under control. Helping him up to sit upright he struggled to keep his emotions steady. Still shaken but otherwise calm he looked up to me now that Skippy and Dragonfly had also left the room.

“It’s inside us Marcus.”

“I know. I think everyone hears the voices now.” Silence carried for a couple minutes as he sat still shocked with what came over him and I had nothing to soothe his nerves.

“What’s happening to us?”

“No idea, but it’ll be over soon. Just a few more days. We’ll make it. Always have.” With an unsettling laugh Fledger let his head roll back.

“I don’t think so this time. Somehow I think soon we’ll know everything and once we’re over that ledge there’s no going back.” Picking him up and helping him to a mattress so he could rest after the ordeal I replied.

“We’ve been given the chance to try at least. All we can do is give it all we’ve got. We aren’t done yet.” Nodding a frown formed over his face as he closed his eyes trying to dispel what intrusions were left in his mind.

“Yeah, I guess we’ll see.” Leaving the room he sat up one last time stammering.

“I didn’t mean to break. Somehow my nerves got the best of me. It just kept fucking whispering-”

“Get some rest Fledger.” Nodding again he laid back down. Leaving I saw Duke leaning against the wall looking as if he was about to panic. Steadying his breathing he spoke up.

“Do you think we’ll get out of here?”

Looking into the terrified boys eyes I wanted so badly to be able to at least lie to him that our escape was nothing if not certain. We both knew the truth though. The next few days would be a deadbolt through hell hoping for the best with no real plan. Everything came down to luck it seemed and the zone no longer favoured us.

“I’m sorry for getting you caught up in this.” Acknowledging my words his head sunk as the stoic acceptance of death bereaved his face. Looking up he managed a smile. Confused by his sudden turn in emotion he went on before I could ask if he’d gone mad.

“Didn’t have anywhere else to go. Least I got to have something of a family right? Even if it was brief.”

Continuing to smile I returned a smile myself. Reflecting on what we had gone through together was a bittersweet relief. Even though the end seemed to be approaching we had some good runs. Too many good things were shared between us for this to be the end just yet.

“So long as we’re breathing we’ve got a chance. Get your equipment prepped. Have the squad check their equipment too.”

With a mock salute he left ordering our squad around much to their shock by his sudden assumption of command. Earning some smart remarks they did as he said regardless. He was a good kid. If we could share his hope there might be a chance after all. Going to join him two other pioneers entered the building greeting me.

“(Are you the force with Sparrow?)” Acknowledging the men I turned my body so the men couldn’t see my hand resting on my pistol holster.

“(Who wants to know.)”

“(Reinforcements. Looking to find out the strengths and weaknesses of our fireteam.)”

Lowering my guard for a moment I filled the men in on my squad's capabilities once they proved they knew Sparrow. After a quick briefing I filled them in on where to find Benedict, Valentine and Collette as well as Bishop who decided to try his luck in the arena. Thanking me the two men left to go find the others.