Doctors entered first with clipboards and portable scanners.
Two guards followed with plasma rifles held low, serious but not theatrical. They looked tired in the way people looked tired after a night where orders changed faster than coffee could be poured. Neither pointed a weapon at Elias. Both watched him like they might have to. The room was too bright for five in the morning. Elias squinted and pushed himself up before anyone told him to stay down.
One guard checked the tablet in his hand. "Elias Kael, you are being moved to the next checkpoint."
"That is me, unfortunately awake and mostly dressed like a patient."
Dots phased out of his chest with a yawn and spun lazily above the blanket.
