FRS Chpt 27

==Falcon Rising - Chapter 27 -==
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===Healing the Injured===
Date: September 1st, 3052Location: Steelton, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
"Star Captain, you requested information on the surgery that we would be performing, quiaff?"
 
"Aff. I would know what it is that you are planning on doing to fix my knee and return the mobility that I once enjoyed."
 
"While there are not many older warriors who are injured as you are, these surgeries are still performed for the civilian castes when it is necessary."
 
The doctor showed an X-ray and full scan of my knee, with different sections enlarged to show exactly where the issues were.
 
"We will begin by replacing the cartilage," he showed a comparison of my left and right knees. My left knee had minimal cushion left between the two bones and the kneecaps. "We have freshly cloned tissue that should show little chance of rejection. After we have replaced that, we will work on repairing the tears in your Meniscus. The tears are the reason for the swelling that you've been seeing. And likely the pain as well. We will also explore and see if any other issues need to be fixed while we have the knee opened up."
 
"Do you have an estimated recovery time?" I asked.
 
"Assuming that everything goes well, you will be looking at three weeks of recovery time on the low end. Potentially one to two months if things go wrong."
 
"Alright," I nodded. "Do what you need to do."
 
I laid down on the bed and they placed a mask on my face and had me count down, by the time I had reached three, everything had gone dark.
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===On the mends and on the future plans===
Two weeks later…
 
"Now down and hold," the physical therapist had me maintain the squat for a second while he checked on my knees. "Good, now ease back up."
 
I straightened up, smiling at the lack of pain that usually radiated through my knee at this sort of exercise. 
 
"Progress is good," the therapist jotted something down. "You are projected to finish the physical therapy at the end of next week. Given how things are going, I expect that you will be permitted to return to your position."
 
"Thanks," I sat down and pulled on a pair of sweatpants I had set to the side. "I will return for the exercises that you have prepared for me tomorrow."
 
I then slung the gym bag over my shoulder and headed for the nearby showers.
 
The communal showers were filled with people, both warriors and the other castes alike. Good genetics helped out a lot, but without good habits, they weren't enough on their own. 
 
So, the gym was nearly always packed full of people working out and maintaining their fitness levels. After all, no one wanted to be weak when it came time for a trial.
 
Stripping my sweaty gear off, I tossed it into a cloth bag that I had set aside for dirty laundry before stepping under a stream of cold water. 
 
It felt like I was getting hit in the face and chest with a brick at first, the icy water sending shivers down my spine as I soaped up and rinsed it off before stepping back out.
 
"Shower's free," I stepped out and toweled off before slipping into a fresh uniform. 
 
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PT had a very specific allotment in my day, and then I had to help Joanna and Aidan with the worst of all enemies, one that no one had ever managed to vanquish in all the centuries of advancement…Paperwork.
 
"Star Captain," I nodded as I stepped into the shared office. 
 
"Mark," Joanna greeted me. "Your assigned work is on your desk. The Star Colonel has issued his challenge for Mar Helmer's position, and we are charged with ensuring that the Cluster is rebuilt according to the standards that it held before Tukayyid."
 
"My recovery is slated to be completed at the end of next week. After that, I will begin running drills with the Trinaries," I replied. "But I understand that we must focus on the logistics for now."
 
"The Steel Viper Omnimechs have been integrated into our forces. It is the Bondsman that we still have to find a place for." Joanna replied. "While I understand your attachment to a familiar 'Mech, I still believe that you should have claimed one of the Omnimechs for your own. The Kingfisher has yet to be assigned, after all."
 
"I am content with my Warhammer," I smiled as I sat down and went through the documents. "While it is not the 'Mech that I used for decades, it is the closest thing I have yet found."
 
"Would not a Hellbringer suffice?" Joanna raised an eyebrow. "You could even configure your primary loadout to mirror that of your Warhammer if you so desired."
 
"Neg," I shook my head. "It would not be the same, and I have become comfortable in my old age. I cannot change for just any reason."
 
"This is why we prefer younger warriors," Joanna muttered. 
 
"Ahh, but the Clans have forgotten the adage from long ago. 'Beware an old man in a young man's game.' And there are many others that spring to mind," I chuckled before changing the subject. "Joanna, do you intend to trial for the Star Colonel's position should he become Galaxy Commander?"
 
"I am considering it," She glanced up at me. "Despite you being Ristar, I believe that I could win and take charge of the Cluster. In fact, I believe that unaugmented, I would win the Trial of Position, and you would be left to serve as my second."
 
"If that happens, then so be it," I shrugged. "But I intend to continue. After all, while we have taken worlds from the Inner Sphere, we have not conquered them. If you are to truly win such a war and have the conquered peoples follow you, then you must wage a war on two fronts."
 
"Are we not already fighting a war with both the Lyran Commonwealth and the Steel Vipers?" she asked. "Explain yourself."
 
"While yes, that is two fronts, I am referring to a front that the Clans have found themselves on the losing end of. While the Wolves have done better in this regard, they still do not understand it fully."
 
I leaned forward and set out a few paperweights.
 
"This is the conventional side of the war," I indicated the glass Falcon that I set in front. "It is where you meet the enemy in force of arms and force them to retreat or be destroyed." I then pointed to a pen I had left behind. "And this is the public opinion front. It is not enough to win in combat. The people whom we conquer must become ours. But we cannot do that if they are convinced that we will harm them or be worse than those who governed them before. After all, for all that we are a caste structure, we are not the Smoke Jaguars, nor are we the Draconis Combine or Capellan Confederation. And we should seek to reinforce that regardless of their upbringing, they are now members of the Jade Falcons, and we are to treat them as such."
 
"That is a job for the garrison clusters," Joanna dismissed what I said, even though there was an interested gleam in her eye. "Now complete your paperwork, it is all that you are good for until you have finished healing."
 
"Aff," I laughed as I collected the paperweight and writing stick again before returning to the bane of my existence. "Just something to keep in mind."
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