Chapter 26: Awakening 1 (Jasmine and Julie)

(Pov Jasmine)

Three weeks. Three weeks of non-stop logistical bullshit. Barely able to visit Jason in the hospital at all. He might not notice; it was hard to say with anyone in a coma, but still, she liked being there regularly. She had to be for the process of making him a thrall to work. And he… it might still help; someone talking to him couldn't hurt, right? Still, it was comforting to see him alive, and she always felt a small pit of dread in her stomach when she thought about how small he looked. Three gods damned weeks– at least if she was on the front lines, she might have been able to do something.

Still, none of that was what she was supposed to be worried about right now. She tried to refocus on the unified state guard command officer at the head of the table as he droned on. Something about troop rotations in and out of Grants Pass, Medford, Pocatello, Billings, and Terry. Currently the most hotly contested areas in the war. Mostly because the clan matrons had somehow pulled some complete magical bullshit out of their ass. The jammers? Though she wasnt sure if that was even what they were, they essentially made radio and radar completely useless in the area they affected.  Combined with the various fortifications and preparations done in those cities, it made them absolute hell to take, especially for officers used to having reliable wireless communications and radar. It also made the artillery positions in those cities a nightmare to eliminate, like an especially bad tick.

An armored push might have forced a break elsewhere, but the US Army no longer had the ability to do that. How the hell the girls who organized that also managed to sink three aircraft carriers was beyond her, but they were certainly good at their job.

“No, they still haven't managed to restore all the logistical infrastructure damage in our opening strikes. As such, a large portion of Washington's logistical resources are still devoted to maintaining basic supply lines, both civilian and military, across most of the United States.” Jasmine had to shake herself from her reverie to catch the answer, though she missed the question.

It took another two hours before she could finally start the long, trudging walk back to her office. She found Julie sitting at her desk. The girl looked good in uniform. Loyalty could be bought, but Jasmine didn't think she had paid enough for what she was currently being given. She had given Julie an out when the war started. She hadn't taken it. To say Jasmine had mixed feelings about it was an understatement.

Julie stood up at her desk and saluted. “Major.”

Jasmine returned the salute lazily. She hated doing that, even more so than the rank. It wasn't like she really deserved it. She sighed deeply. “At ease, Sergeant. And please drop the formality while we're alone.”

“Can't do that, ma'am.” Her friend was grinning. “The look on your face is too entertaining. Unless, of course, you make that an order?”

“No, it's not an order, Julie.” She said tiredly. She didn't need to deprive her friend of a source of amusement, even if it was at her expense. She was the only reason Julie was back in military service, even if it was in a different military.

Julie followed her into her office. Her steps oddly light. “So I have good news and bad news. Which do you wanna start with?”

Every gods damn day there is something. She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Let's start with the bad news, rip the bandage right off.”

“Colonel Shepard is still on our ass for enchanted armor. He put in another priority request and five calls, and seven emails. He says their limited supply on the front line threatens his forces' ability to hold their positions in case of enemy attack.”

Jasmine dragged her hands down her face, taking a deep, slow breath. “Jesus Christ, that's what, the seventh time he has requested enchanted body armor?”

“Eight,” Julie said matter-of-factly.

There were many things she could say about the man, many things she wanted to say about him. The kindest was that he was persistent; the most truthful was that he was a pain in the ass. The man seemed to have an overinflated ego, thinking he was guarding some vital piece of the front. In reality, his units hadn't seen any major combat at all over the last few weeks. Nothing close to the major hot zones. No one was about to give him vital limited resources if it would deprive the units that actually needed them.

“Tell him that production capacity is limited to forty new sets a day and can't be easily increased. As such, current strategic and tactical priorities force their allocation to major engagement zones. His request has been noted, and, like his regiment's request for noctian healers and the secondment of mercenary forces, it will be filled when the strategic situation allows and demands it.”

Julie scribbled it down on her tablet.

“Then there's the field hospital in Butte. They need faster resupply of blood.”

Jasmine's thought process ground to a halt. She blinked as she stared up at Julie. “Why is that being routed through me? That's Jamason's problem, isn't it?”

“It is.” She said slowly. “But he wanted to see if you could help. The issue seems to be somewhat political, and while he has some experience in that. Well, he requests your gracious intervention on his behalf. Though he notes that it's not currently an immediate issue for ongoing operations.”

Oh, thank the gods it's politics. Jasmine's shoulders relaxed slightly.

“Tell him that I'll see what I can do.” She watched expectantly as Julie took her notes. Raising an eyebrow slowly.

“Right then, time for the good news.” She hesitated a second. “The doctors think Jason is gonna wake up this evening.”

The room turned so quiet you could hear a pin drop, the sound of activity from outside the window fading into stillness. 

Jasmine blinked twice. “And you didn't think that the other things could wait till tomorrow?”

“I was thinking that it was better for you to take tomorrow off, to spend some time with family.” 

It wasn't a terrible idea. Gods knew she needed the time off, and spending it fretting over Jason wasn't the worst idea. Still, she had to tell his family and Chloe. Jasmine winced.

“No, you're right; that's good thinking, Julie.” She pulled out her phone and started texting as she spoke. “Let's get over there as soon as possible. Unless there's anything more?”

“Nothing that can't wait, ma'am.”

Jasmine: Hey! Doctors say he's gonna wake up now, ahead of schedule, but it's good news. Want me to get you guys transport?

She reread the message and hit send.

—-----------------------------------------------

(Pov Chloe)

Warm laughter filled the kitchen, echoing off old tiles and even older furniture. 

It was nice to see Samantha smiling again. Chloe couldn't remember seeing that since Jason ended up in the hospital.

The older woman wiped her eyes as her laughter petered out. “Thank you, Chloe. I needed that.” She sighed as she leaned heavily against the counter. “I just wish they could have him in a closer hospital. Just Spokane is so far away.”

Chloe knew how she felt. Jason being in Spokane made things difficult. The doctors currently expected him to wake up in the coming weeks, but they weren't sure when. The uncertainty was a bitch and a half. Luckily, the doctors had no doubt he was going to be fine. At least now that all the surgeries were done.

“Well, on the bright side, at least he is as far from the front as you can get.” She said sheepishly

“Yeah, that's good, at least.” The older woman said heavily.

Samantha's lips pinched in a tight smile. “The audacity of that boy, too. Getting engaged and not telling me.” She looked up at Chloe, her eyes softening. “And I am sorry, dear, for the whole polygamy thing you have been dragged into. I really thought he would see what the right way here was. But.” She shrugged.

Chloe blushed slightly. The concern was heartwarming, especially the part about Samantha considering her the right choice. However…

“It's nothing to apologize for. It wasn't expected, but up until Jason… ended up in the hospital, things were going well, I think. And after that, Jasmine's been nothing but helpful. It has its share of problems, but what relationship doesn't?” Chloe shifted awkwardly on her feet.

Samantha scanned her face, silence filling the room for a second before her smile softened around the edges. “Well, it's great to hear it seems to be working. I am glad to have you in the family, at least, and if that idiot son of mine doesn't marry you, I will make him regret it. Did you know we had a betting pool going on how long it would take before you two finally did something?”

I am sorry you WHAT!? Chloe felt her face catch fire, her cheeks turning a red more often associated with tomatoes. She hadn't expected that, or for anyone to actually know about her crush.

“I am sorry for him being so dense, dear; it's just…” They were interrupted as both their phones vibrated within just a few seconds of each other. 

She was the first to check. She had to reread the message four times.

“We need to go to Spokane. Jasmine texted. The… The doctors say Jason's gonna wake up tonight.”