Ulysses & the Fugitive - Ch. 18: Aftermath of a
Struggle
By Alfred Underhill
An MP followed Ulysses as the young man was lead by agent O'Flannery. They moved
quickly through a maze of halls that was periodically interrupted by doors that required keycards
or keys and at least one that required both. Ulysses figured out they were close to their
destination when a medic pushing a gurney that held an incapacitated soldier almost knocked the
three of them over. O'Flannery warned him and the MP of another gurney coming their way, and
they flattened themselves against the wall until it passed. The group pushed through a door, and
turned down another hall.
Long windows on either side of the entrance made it possible for Ulysses to see inside the
only room on this section of hallway. In one of the far corners stood Nera. One side of her face
was swollen and she dabbed absently at a cut above her eye. She was talking to one of the
military personnel inside. He was flanked on both sides by soldiers with machine guns trained on
Nera. Two MPs were posted outside the door.
O'Flannery asked the MPs to let them in. They refused initially, but complied a minute
later once O'Flannery got their superior on the phone. They opened the door, admitting the agent
and Ulysses; the MP accompanying them returned to his post.
The man inside the room flanked by soldiers turned his head to look at the two entering
the room. Ulysses thought he looked like a doctor or a medic of some kind.
"You can stand down," said O'Flannery. The soldiers glanced at the man in the middle.
When he nodded, they lowered their guns.
"I'm guessing you're the guy that brought her in?"
"Correct. Special Agent Jonathon O'Flannery. And your name, soldier?"
"1st Lieutenant Kent Stockmeir. I'm a medic assigned to this facility."
"You mind telling me what happened in here?"
"What we know for sure is that five unauthorized personnel gained access to this room.
They were armed, for what good it did them: none of them got off a shot. One witness said she
actually pulled the last guy back into the room as he tried to flee." He said, gesturing to Nera.
"Any casualties?"
"No, surprisingly. She messed them up pretty bad though. There's at least one soldier
that's going to be eating her meals through a straw for awhile."
"Luck takes some strange shapes."
The medic nodded.
"Ulysses," Nera said, her voice trembled. She took a step toward him, but then stopped
when the soldiers pointed their guns at her.
"Hey, Nera," said Ulysses. Then he addressed the two soldiers. "Hey, guys. I know you're
just doing your jobs and that this a really fucking weird situation. If it's all right with you though,