Read Dawnwind 1: Last Man Standing for Free Online

Epcott?”   The woman asked, standing at the foot of John’s bed.
    “Yes?”   John continued to unwind the bandages.   The younger officer watched him with interest.
    “I’m Peacekeeper Musin Loj and this is my trainee, Hofi Kesip.   We’ve been asked to escort you to your residence.”
    John frowned and paused in removing the bandages.   “Why?”
    “News of your imminent release from the hospital has reached the public,” explained Loj.   “There are several hundred people waiting for you outside.”
    “Newsmakers?” asked John.
    “Some,” said Loj.   “Most are admirers and well-wishers.”
    “Oh Lord,” muttered John, lapsing into English.   “It’s deja vu all over again.”
    Musin Loj frowned.   “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand that.”
    “Sorry,” said John.   “I’ve been in this situation before, when I first arrived on Juni.   I got a very warm reception.”   He shook his head at the memory.   He had been deluged with gifts and even a few marriage proposals.
    “People are fascinated by you, Mr. Epcott,” gushed Hofi Kesip.
    Loj gave her trainee a disapproving glance.   “There is some concern that the crowd may become too enthusiastic.”
    “You think they might try to mob me?”
    Loj frowned.   “Perhaps.”
    “What will they do if they don’t see me?”
    “Hopefully, they’ll disperse once they realize you’ve already left.”
    “So, we’re sneaking out the back?”
    “We have an aircar waiting for you on the roof,” said Kesip, grinning.
    “Some of my friends were coming to meet me,” said John.   “I’ll need to notify them.”   He reached for his comm, but Loj stopped him.
    “I wouldn’t do that, sir.   We think your comm may be . . . compromised.”
    John blinked.   “Really?”
    “Yes, sir.   If you’ll give me your friends’ comm-codes, I’ll notify them for you.”
    Nodding, John gave the peacekeeper officer Olu’s comm-code.   While Loj notified Olu of the situation, John went back to removing the bandages.   Kesip watched with ghoulish fascination as John’s black hair came into view.
    “You know, I’ve never understood why Junians find my hair so fascinating.   I mean, you’ve seen aliens with black hair before. Right?   Most of the Zerraxi I’ve met have black hair.”
    Kesip shrugged.   “They look like Zerraxi, they don’t look like Junians.”
    John snorted and carded his fingers through the tangle of his hair.   The casual motion prompted a shudder from the trainee peacekeeper.
    “Your hair really doesn’t feel anything, does it?” said Kesip.
    “No, not a thing.”
    Loj rejoined them.   “I’ve notified your friends, Mr. Epcott.   We can leave whenever you’re ready.”
    John nodded and reached for his cloak.   The clothes he had been wearing during the attack had been turned over to the peacekeepers for forensic examination, but Olu had brought him replacements.   Dressed in a sheer red tunic and flowing blue trousers, John pulled on the metallic orange cloak.   He tugged the hood up, over his distinctive hair.
    “Lead the way.”
    The corridors were quiet, as the trio made their way up the gently rising ramp that worked its way around the hospital’s gallery core.   They passed several people, but no one seemed to pay them any attention.   Nevertheless, John kept his head lowered.
    Eventually, they reached the roof.   It was a fine morning, the sun was shining and two of the moons, Momi and Towis, were still visible in the west.   The peacekeepers’ aircar was a nondescript gray lozenge that could have belonged to any civic agency.   Its doors slid open as the trio approached.
    To John’s surprise, Kesip slid into the pilot’s seat, while Loj joined him in the rear.   The doors hissed shut.   After Kesip confirmed they were strapped in, he switched on the antigravity field and impellers.   The car rose, gently, into the morning sky.
    As they floated up, John looked out the window.