Reflections on What Might Be

Lennox stumbles over to his cell phone, clutching his aching belly. He feels sick, but also, inexplicably angry. The motivation of his anger is lost, for aside from sickness, he realizes that he has no legitimate reason for his frustration. Destro's Iron Grenadiers have been honourable and lived up to their every word. Lennox recognizes that in fact, were it not for the Iron Grenadiers, the mission in South America would have resulted in a deadly failure. Still, the anger grows within him. Anger and alarm. He dials a number on his phone and an unfamiliar voice answers on the other end.

 

'Grenadier Medical. How can I help you?'

 

Lennox breathes in deep to collect his thoughts and pull himself from his own rage. The deep breath results in a coughing fit.

 

Lennox: 'Hack! Cough! This... is Captain William Lennox... hack! Ugh...'

 

'Yes, Captain Lennox, how can I help you sir?'

 

Lennox: 'Cough, cough! I think...' (Lennox pauses to catch his breath) '... I think that I need an examination, but I can't get to the medical bay.'

 

'Not a problem, Captain Lennox. What are your symptoms?'

 

Lennox pauses and examines himself in the mirror, reflecting on what might be. A heartbeat later, he is pulled from his thoughts.

 

'Sir? What are your symptoms?'

 

Lennox: 'Cough, cough! It's my stomach, my chest... I can't breathe...'

 

'Sir, you're not asthmatic, are you?'

 

Lennox closes his eyes in effort to suppress his rising anger. He succeeds.

 

Lennox: 'No, not at all. Hack! Cough! Hack! It's just... there's more.'

 

'Yes?'

 

Lennox closes his eyes and struggles with succumbing to a panic as he prepares himself to reveal a gruesome truth...

Done