The Minus Faction, Episode One: Breakout by Rick Wayne Read Free Book Online Page A

you. That was all. I think Gabe wishes he was more like you."
    John wanted to help her up, but she was on her feet before he could move his chair. "Take care of yourself. That's precious cargo."
    "Thank you. Goodbye, Captain John." Esme smiled again and walked to the sliding doors at the front of the hospital.
    Regent looked at the TV. Some scientist was explaining the dust was likely to reach into central Asia. Everyone was worried about what would happen to the rice crop and whether it would be able to feed a few billion people. One disaster breeding another.
    Ayn walked around to face the soldier. She was holding a thin file.
    "Captain, I'm--"
    "I know who you are. What do you want?"
    "I thought it was time we had a chat."
    John didn't respond.
    "I went to your room but you weren't there." Ayn waited for a moment, but John didn't extend an invitation. "Fine. We can do it here. Mind if I sit down?" She sat in Esme's chair without waiting for a response. "John Michael Regent. Army code name Nomad. That's right, isn't it?"
    "Not anymore."
    "You have family coming to get you."
    Regent watched through the windows as Esme waddled down the sidewalk toward the parking garage next to the main building.
    "Dr. Zabora hasn't discharged you yet."
    "Nope."
    "Your dad's retired, is that right? He could always come later."
    "What's your point?"
    "It's a long drive from Fort Washington. Wouldn't want him to come all that way for nothing. Or are you counting on your stepmother?"
    "What about her?"
    "According to Dr. Zabora's notes, there was some conflict between you and her. When you were a teenager. The doc seems to think that's why you joined the army instead of accepting that athletic scholarship—so you didn't have to go home for the summer or on holidays."
    "We don't get along so well."
    "And yet, here you're ready to pick up and go live with her again. Why is that?"
    "That's where Pops lives."
    A group of people, including two doctors, laughed on the far side of the bright room. Must be good news. John watched them smiling.
    "You have a younger sister in Delaware. Thirty-seven, divorced, two kids. Works at Walmart and rents a two-bedroom apartment. No room, I take it? Did you even ask?"
    John didn't answer.
    "Your little brother is out West. But you cut ties with him years ago. He got involved with a gang, is that right?"
    Regent was stoic. He stared at the smiling faces.
    "According to Dr. Zabora's notes, you gave him an ultimatum. Get out of the gang or leave the family. How'd that work out?"
    John looked back. "My stepmom isn't a healthy person. He's the youngest, so she took things out on him longer. When he grew up, he acted out. For a long time, I thought I was responsible for him, for what happened. But I'm not. He's responsible for himself."
    "Meaning what?"
    "Meaning it worked out as best as it ever could."
    "We both know why I'm here, Captain. I've spent the last few days becoming an expert on you. You'll be happy to know the staff here has nothing but good things to say. Seems you're one helluva guy. Every single one mentioned you like to tell stories. I got to hear a couple. I liked the one about the dead cat."
    "I'm so happy."
    "What happened to that guy?"
    John squinted at the light coming in through the high glass. He was getting a headache. "Just say what you gotta say."
    "I don't have many stories, not that I can share anyway, but I think my new favorite has to be good ol' Private Millard. Do you know him?"
    John shook his head.
    "He's a patient here. I'm not surprised you haven't met him. He doesn't get out much. He's in a coma."
    "That's tough."
    "Yeah. There was an accident at a base down South. Something broke. Something fell. Lots of yelling and shouting. Poor Alvin was just in the wrong place, I guess."
    "This story sucks."
    "Oh, I'm not to the good part yet." Ayn leaned over the arm-rest. "Private Millard gets hit in the head and he goes into a coma. He gets shipped here to the military's fancy new trauma