I sat back in my bed after the Lieutenant Colonels left. Join the navy? I had considered it at the start of my military career, perhaps (bootcamp was hell), but joining a new branch entirely?

  It had been done before, I knew. It was just rare. I had honestly never considered it, not after my first firefight. Things like that bond you to the people you serve with. But... my injuries prevented me from serving as I had.

  She had said it, and I agreed with it. Hell, all things considered, I wasn't actually opposed to it. It's just... It is a shock. If I want to serve my species, to protect my family, I would need to break from what I had done for 7-8 years now.

  ...In retrospect, saying it like that, was there an actual alternative? I wouldn't stop, couldn't really stop, serving. Humanity was losing ground and space by the day...

  Fuck it. Time to stop bitching about being given a new path when my old one closed. That's that. I would join the navy and serve as best as I could. End of story.

  I grabbed a nearby tablet. She had left it with me, with the offer displayed. A minute later, and my fate was sealed. The navy would be my new lord and master, god save me.

  Now, all I had to deal with is-

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  "Nivka!" My mom shouted, bursting through the door. Dad and- and my brother came in after, dad looking concerned, my brother confused.

  They paused, looking at her. Mom covered her mouth, and dad's face was carefully blank. "Oh, sweetie..." Mom said. She slowly reached for my hand, and jerked back when she felt metal.

  That looked like an unconscious gesture, but... that hurt more then any scar on my body...

  Dad reached forward, and didn't hesitate. He grabbed my arm and squeezed. "Heyya dear. How do you feel?" He asked, attempting a smile.

  "Im fine dad. Just a bit of scaring. I'll be right as rain soon enough." I say, injecting comfort into my voice.

  "Momma, why does the metal lady sound like that? And why does she have that weird stuff on her head?" The boy spoke. My parents flinched, I chuckled unconsciously.

  "I sound like that, because I smoked kid. Don't smoke, it's terrible for ya. And why do I look like this? Why, it's a new style on reach! How do ya not know?" I ask, looking down on the boy.

  "Uh, uhm...." He stutters, then his behind mom. "Uh, I did? I was... uhm, testing you!" He says, false bravado thick in his voice. I chuckle and let him go.

  "Fine, fine. But, I must say, it is a surprise your all here, I didn't expect..." my words die in my throat.

  "Didn't expect we'd care? Didn't expect that we'd do anything to see you again? To hear you?! You sent so few messages wed thought you'd died multiple times! And- and your- your arms, and legs, an- and..." Mom yelled, before breaking down into sobs. She dropped to her knees, crying, and dad and the boy started comforting her. I just watched, stunned.

  I knew I hadn't sent many, and explained even less there in, but... She had multiple reasons why she hadn't. Like, what would she even say? 'HI mom and dad, I lost more of my friends and an arm today! Don't worry, it's not a big deal!'

  But it so clearly upset my parents... had I fucked up? Did I do the right thing? I sigh softly. I did what I thought was best, as I had been trained. It was the best option in the moment, but now... Now I get the consequences.

  I tear up a bit, and my already raspy voice worsens as I choked out. "Mom, I-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for hurting you... And you dad. I'm so, so sorry..."

  Mom looks up at me, and she slowly stands up. She suddenly hugs me, avoiding my head and IV's. "I'm sorry to, baby. I'm so, so sorry..."

  Dad joins me, and the boy joins in hesitantly. We stay like that for a while, until I fall into a deep sleep.