Jack Ramse regained consciousness sooner than expected. Unknown to everyone the Weaver bug had replenished his blood loss in record time. Amazing creatures.
Waking up was the easy part. The gravity bed he was floating in made his limbs exceptionally heavy. Including his newly attached arm. Even his eyelids had a struggle to lift open.
Groaning at his prison caught the attention of Colonel Ruby Goddard. She had dozed off beside his bed. Pepping up she leapt to his bedside.
"I'm here Jack. Take it slow. I'll get James to shut off this bed. Be right back."
Minutes later Ruby returns with a bedhead from hell version of kid genius James Ian Pryce. James looks in on Jack whom had a creased brow.
"Welcome back Punisher man. Decreasing the gravity field now. I need you to remain calm. Tech might make you woozy."
Ruby smiles down at Jack, wanting to plant a hand on his chest until James pulls her back.
"I'm not replacing a lung today. Your added weight might crush his chest. Just wait a minute."
She frowns at James as his elbow rubs against her breast accidentally in his prevention. The boy hadn't even realized it. For once he was more concerned with the full recovery of Colonel Jack Ramse.
As the pod returns to normal Jack was able to form words through a dry throat.
"What the hell happened?" He lays there feeling his body resolving issues of balance.
"Welcome home Soldier." Ruby now placed a hand on his bare chest.
"Always more interested in my muscles than my rank." He jokes.
"Same rank. I'm still more important though. So glad you survived Jack. We all need you." She fidgets.
"I thought I lost this arm." He tilts his head, "Phantom limb I'm seeing?"
James steps forward, "I re-attached it. Should be good as new. Thank me later."
Confused Jack sits up slowly. The pod tilts forward for his feet to slip to the floor. Once there he sits and revolves his new arm around its socket.
"Feels different. Stronger." He shakes his head, "My whole body feels stronger than I recall it."
James looks at Ruby with a fearful look.
"What James is afraid to tell you is we had to use some rather unorthodox science to mend you."
"Meaning?" Jack squints warily.
"Alien tech. We're inside a spaceship. I deciphered the language and utilized what I could to save your life." James takes a step back cautiously.
Jack narrows his gaze then glares over at Ruby for her reaction.
"It's true Jack. Believe it or not Aliens do exist. We're inside a spaceship now. You were in a gravity chamber bed." Ruby confirms with a concerned look.
He returns his gaze toward James, "You attached my arm? By yourself?"
"Sergeant Franklin assisted me." James swallows.
Ruby steps closer, "Cameron Scott, Malcolm Brand, Elle Franklin, Sophia Ridge, James here, and Myself. The only survivors. Thankfully you made it also. I---we were scared you might not survive this. There's more Jack. James had to introduce an alien insect into your body in order to restore your arm and your blood supply."
James winces almost stuttering, "There's more. I didn't think it was an issue if it saved your life."
Jack growls under his breath, "Don't tell me. I'm going to grow antennas."
James chuckles nervously, "I hope not. That feeling of being better than before? It's because you are better than before."
"Meaning what?" Jack looks grimly.
"Ummmm! Ever read a "Captain America" comic?" He hisses with fear in his voice.
Ruby is taken by surprise, "James? What did you do?"
"Nothing bad. The weaver bug had a subspecies. I misread the type it was. It did have the same abilities as the other species...but it had another talent."
"Such as?" Ruby stares blank faced.
"Well, this breed dissolved into Jack's bloodstream. It's enzymes created a stronger healing factor and enhanced his entire physical body."
Jack growls up at Ruby, "Don't even think it."
Ruby offers a confused expression then realizes his meaning. A blush actually forms on her cheeks.
"Your muscles are strengthened ten fold. I won't know exactly how much it's changed without further tests. Can we at least be thankful you lived?" James points out.
"Oh, I'm thankful."
James awaits a proper thank you but Jack merely grins dryly.
"That's the best you're going to get from him James. Settle for it." Ruby shakes her head.
After a deep breath Jack attempts to stand. To his surprise he had zero difficulty. No loss of tired limb. No inner weakness. He stretches dramatically forcing Ruby to lower her gaze.