"I'm all right. Check him," Dan grunted as the waiting medic in blue approached. He put pressure on his injured leg with a grimace but gestured towards the unconscious soldier hanging between two others.
Brady took his friend's arm.
"Looks bad," Dan said. He pushed Brady's cheek to see the black-purple bruise ringing his throat from where one of the animals outside the walls had tried to rope and hang him.
"Yeah," Brady whispered hoarsely. It was the loudest word he'd uttered in two days.
"Major Brady, Dan," a gruff voice boomed.
They turned to see the tall five-star general stride towards them, right arm still at his side while his other swung. The gray-haired man had an olive complexion and sharp blue eyes that swept over all of them. He raised a critical eyebrow at the end of his inspection.
"General Theodore Greene," he said, offering his left hand.
Both shook the proffered hand, surprised to be greeted by a man once charged with overseeing the wars abroad.
"It's an honor, sir," Dan managed. "I hadn't heard you returned from overseas."
General Greene motioned them forward, slowing when he saw Dan limp. Brady tugged Dan's mask off, gaze roving the compound. Gray buildings squatted amid neatly kept green lawns and paved walkways. A single road snaked through the compound downhill towards a forest.
At any moment he expected the people around him to whip out lasers and attack. The feds ignored the newcomers after a few looks, content to stroll and chat as if nothing were amiss anywhere.
"You have the box?" General Greene asked as they walked.
"Yes, sir," Dan said, elbowing Brady from his observations. Brady reached into his cargo pocket.
"Wait," the general said at his movement. His lips spread into a grim line. "Wait 'til we're in the command hub."
Brady exchanged a look with Dan. "What is it, sir?" he managed in a whisper.
"What happened to you?"
"Someone tried to string him up. Keeps him quiet, though," Dan quipped.
"It's a dangerous toy is what it is," General Greene responded. "You both need to see the docs."
"We're fine, sir," Dan assured him.
"After we're done, you'll see the doc, son."
"Yes, sir."
Brady hid a smile. He agreed; Dan needed a doctor. His leg was hurt, and only his stubbornness kept him from surrendering to shock. His face was pale and clammy, his wit sharp but his eyes glazed. Brady was as worried about Dan as any of his men.