A simple quest for freedom

[Erremnart]

Shuffling cards 3

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Virginia always had love and hate relationship with Planet Veracruz, especially after civilian government was seized by military dictatorship. She liked its untamed wilds and harsh climate, offering a challenge whenever she went on hiking during her leaves, but hated martial law enforced upon their civilians and rule of fear and strength. For this very reason, she rarely got an Insurgency uniform and insignias on her when she was on the surface aside from her dog tags and handgun to keep her safe and she even managed to get in several verbal conflicts with low-ranking law enforcers.
Today, Virginia had no hiking in mind. Today, she as on her way to warehouse 774C where she was to meet Grace Snows and get incriminating medical data from her in exchange for promotion and transfer to the position of chief medical officer aboard INS North Carolina.
And then I will kill her, said Virginia for herself in her mind and lit her cigarette as she checked her handgun and walked into the warehouse to meet her foe.

"Lieutenant commander", Virginia said formally as she met her Grace Snows in seemingly abandoned warehouse and threw thick paper folder on a crate standing between them and serving as some sort of desk, "Open it and read it thoroughly, you are assigned as chief medical officer aboard North Carolina as former chief was recalled to Roanoke.".
"Captain, I knew that you will do what I asked for.", Grace smiles coldly and opens folder lying on the crate, browsing documents inside with her eyes.
Virginia sighed and gritted her teeth, "I did what you asked me to do, so now uphold you part of the deal.".
Grace raised her finger, "You did only one part of you deal, captain.", she said as she closed the folder and looked at Virginia, who was getting angrier and angrier, "I need to serve with distinction-".
Virginia reacher for her handgun, toggled safety off and aimed it at Grace's head, "Don't f**k with me, lieutenant, give me those damned records NOW!". Grace raised her arms, but to Virginia's surprise - Grace was not scared at all.
Instead, she continued talking with her calm, emotionless voice, "... with distinction, and what's better distinction for newly appointed chief medical officer, th-"
"Give me THOSE records NOW!", Virginia was shaking with anger and she was almost ready to shoot her, moving her finger up and down the trigger nervously.
"-than saving commanding officer's life when she got herself mortally wounded by some scoundrels in some forgotten warehouse.", Grace smiled at Virginia, who suddenly heard shuffling noises on darkened catwalk hanging from the ceiling above them.
Two silent 'FST! FST!' was all that Virginia heard when she felt her heart racing and arms and legs weakening. There was no pain, maybe one or two more painful stings, but then everything started to feel dull - her body, arms, legs and even her senses. Her handgun slipped from her hand and she fell on her back, looking straight into the darkened ceiling of warehouse 774C. She could not see her attacker and all she heard and saw was Grace coming closer to her and kneeling down to her.
"You... b**ch...", Virginia cursed quietly as she felt sticky, warm liquid from her belly. She was running out of strength and breath quickly.
"Oh, don't you worry. You will survive.", Grace pulled out autoinjector from her pocket and pressed it against Virginia's neck as dosed her with some chemicals, "You will live because I allow it, remember that.".
Virginia's vision began to blur and her shaky breathing was stabilizing itself. She was slipping into unconsciousness and world was becoming darker and quieter every passing second. All that she could sense was Grace grabbing her communicator and calling, "Operator! I request immediate assistance and medical evac to warehouse 774C, one person seriously injured, some assasination attempt or something. Lieutenant commander Grace Snows calling, come quick!", Grace shouted with believably shaken voice into the device as she 'called' for help and looked on blacking out Virginia, "Don't bother telling anyone - unlike you who does not trust anyone and with your reputation - I have arranged 'witnesses' who will confirm my version and findings, captain.".

And then everything went dark as Virginia blacked out into unconsciousness.