Sorv slowly opened his eyes, coming out of the nightmare he was having. The image of a krogan running him down faded, replaced by a white blurred fog. The skin on his face was bothering him, which didn't feel normal when he was just waking up. As he struggled to comprehend where he was, a Salarian appeared seemingly appeared out of nowhere from the blanket of white fog. Sorv stared up at the man, the angle indicating that the quarian was lying flat on his back on top of a table although the part about where he was still lingered in his mind. Sorv took note of the breathing mask and the omni-tool/data-pad combo the Salarian utilized.<br/><br/><br/><span style="color: YellowGreen">Ah, your awake. Good. You had me concerned more than a few times.</span>The Salarian said before continuing to work with the data-pad.<i><span style="color: DarkOrange"> Where...</span></i>Sorv thought weakly before realizing that he had heard the Salarians voice with his ears and not through the built in headset in his helmet. Panic set in as his vision slowly returned to normal and he saw his mask lying on the nearby table with other objects he didn't recognize. He could smell something strange in the air and his face tingled with the unfamiliar sensation of being cold. He tried to reach for his mask, but found that he could only move his fingers and not all that well.<br/><br/><span style="color: YellowGreen"><br/>
You've been unconscious for nearly three hours. I am Doctor Beruut of the independent frigate Acheron, and you're in the ship's medical bay. No need to introduce yourself Sorv, I already know a great deal about you. You're lucky to be alive. Your wound was quite deep and if you had gotten to me any later, I fear that the infections that were taking root would have become irremovable.</span>The Doctor, Beruut, set the data-pad somewhere Sorv's eyes couldn't make out before continuing.<span style="color: YellowGreen"> The low visibility is necessary, you understand. Its a sterilizing gas that I developed a number of months ago for quickly cleaning an environment. Its toxic to inhale, for obvious reasons.</span>Beruut waved his omni-tool over Sorv and the quarian could see readouts scrolling across the mask, but he couldn't make out what they were saying.<span style="color: YellowGreen"> Well, its toxic to us, at least. It contains a bio-engineered bacteria that attacks most all anti-bodies and pathogens. For most all species, that means its dangerous. But not to you, is it?</span><i><span style="color: DarkOrange"> So, I'm not breathing poison? That's a relief.</span></i><br/><br/>The Doc continued to talk about quarian biology to which Sorv half listened to. His main concern was trying to get up off the table and he was failing every attempt made so far.<i><span style="color: DarkOrange"> You ever consider selling this bacteria gas to the migrant fleet? You'd make a killing and there'd be less complications or deaths during birth</span></i>. Sorv thought, his brain sending orders that his body wasn't obeying. The Doc's hand on the quarians chest made him stop and explained about the sedative and tranquilizer he was given that was making movement difficult. Beruut disappeared and reappeared with a syringe, sticking it gently into Sorv's neck and giving the quarian yet another unsettling sensation.<br/><span style="color: YellowGreen">This is going to weaken the sedative significantly. You'll be able to speak and move, but you're also going to feel the pain from the bullet wound. It will be dulled, significantly, but until I see to your suit, you're going to be staying here. Don't worry, I have a great deal of experience with Quarian injuries and your suits. </span><br/><br/>Sorv felt the injection go to work almost immediately and brought back control of his body. It also brought pain in his stomach, although Sorv wasn't sure if it was from the bullet he took or the alcohol he drank. In any case, he was alive for the most part and felt grateful to be so. The quarian slowly rose up and swung his legs over the side, his hands coming up to cup his face and cover his eyes to make the room stop its spinning. Sorv leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, savoring the feeling of being able to touch his own face for the first time in what seemed like years.<span style="color: YellowGreen"> How are you feeling?</span>Beruut had asked. Sorv opened one eye and looked through his fingers at the mask that still lay on the table. It had been his safety net against the people he met to keep them from coming too close. If he had been wearing it, Sorv would have made some sarcastic remark about his love for Solitaire or about how he felt a sense of moral superiority over most of the people he met. But now that his safety net was gone, Sorv felt exposed and vulnerable. Instead of some smart ass remark, Sorv answered the Doc's question honestly and directly. "<span style="color: DarkOrange">I feel like complete shit, but I'll live.</span>" His tone was gruff and lacked any of the carefree attitude that Firas, Ashana and Rajjar had come to familiarize with.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>