Infinity Squad by Shuvom Ghose Read Free Book Online Page B

"Wait, is it you again, Lieutenant Forrest? You shouldn't have resurrected again so soon after your first time."
    "It wasn't really part of the plan, Doc."
    "This isn't a video game Lieutenant! I expect this from some of the younger privates, but you're an officer!"
    It was hard to give her my Lieutenant Look while naked in a tub, wires trailing from my wet head, but I managed it. "It was a necessary sacrifice. To get my squad out of a jam. Speaking of which-"
    I grabbed the Doc by her shapely hip and pulled her against the side of the tub. She was about to slap me when I lifted the walkie-talkie from her belt and released her.
    "Base Comms, patch me through to the implants of Infinity Squad," I snapped into the walkie. "This is First Lieutenant Forrest. It's a Field Emergency."
    "Roger sir. Connecting now.... Almost..... Got it. Here you go..."
    I heard ragged breathing on the other end, like a horse being ridden too fast.
    "Zazlu! It's Forrest! Are you guys clear?"
    "Sir! Yes, it looks so! I took us across a stream after you bought us the time and the snakes are too cold blooded to follow. We are still hurrying back to base. Without stopping. Butcher and Grimstone are helping Steve with his leg."
    I slumped back in relief. Zaz would get them back. In the field, he was good. Maybe the best. I felt mountains of fatigue pulling at me.
    "Roger Zaz. Get them back safe. I'll be waiting for you. Out." I dropped the walkie on the floor and almost started falling asleep right then. He would get them back.
    I opened my eyes with great effort to see Doc bending over to pick up the radio. But it was worth the effort.
    "So, Doc," I sighed happily, "You gonna burn me again, or just let me off with a note?"
    She caught me looking at her legs but only gave an exasperated frown as she stood up and pulled her hem down. "I was serious about that, Lieutenant. You can't go through bodies like disposable pens. Or resurrect again so quickly without sleep."
    I waved at the rows of zombies in the tanks. "These guys are sleeping all the time," I said, almost giggling. "Shouldn't I feel refreshed?"
    "Your consciousness hasn't slept since I saw you last, and that's what got transferred over, fresh body or no. That's why you're so punch drunk right now. You really need to get some sleep, soon. Now, are you ready to be identified?" She was holding that damn name burner again.
    "Sure, Doc. Fire away."
    It still burned like a bitch, but it wasn't so bad this time. This time I enjoyed the feeling of her gentle hands turning my wrist over, of a strand of her red hair tickling my skin as it brushed my shoulder, and of the light, barely-there smell of her perfume as she got close. Since I was sitting naked in the tub with her leaning over me, this led to some very obvious results.
    "Lieutenant!" she gasped, shielding her eyes from my midsection. "Control your thoughts!"
    "I'm sorry Doc. I guess this new body just has a thing for redheads." I got out of the tub, making her blush and turn away even more.
    "That's NOT how it works, Lieutenant. Those... preferences are all in your mind!"
    I toweled off quickly, then started pulling my standard issue fatigues up over my standard issue body.
    "So you're saying we were each other's type even before?"
    "I'm saying that you should put your thoughts and that thing away, or I'll report you to your Captain."
    I laughed, looking at the rows and rows of naked clones just like me sleeping in their tubs. "Come on Doc, give it to me straight. Of all the guys you see come through here, how do I stack up?"
    She waited until I had zipped up before turning back around, then flicked her eyes up from my crotch to my face with a wry smile. "You're about average."
    "See, Doc, I knew there was a reason I liked you."
    "Get some sleep, Lieutenant, that's an order."
    "Heard and received. That's my first priority," I said, smiling at her as I left.
     
     
    I tracked the squad's return from the Comms tower while writing up the after-action