These invaders were reaping the known Galaxy, like a ripe wheat field, and had definitely struck fear into the Galactic Alliance.  Whatever it was reacted slightly faster than Rick.  He felt a burning sensation in his chest and began to black out.  The last thing Rick remembers is the sensation of sinking into the rubbery ground. 

     Rick came to.  The simulation was over.  Overhead lights snapped abruptly on and all of the rubbery ground, mountains and mist were gone.  They were replaced by the noise and hustle of medical teams attending to those who were seriously hurt in the simulations.  The Dominai seemed to show no compassion to real physical suffering.  Although their technology allowed them to repair far more serious injuries that Earth medicine allowed, all attempts to discourage them from carrying the simulations too far were to no avail.  The Dominai’s standard answer was always that the simulations had to be as real as possible.  They explained no more or less than this.   Although no longer misty, the room felt cold.  Rick could hear the Qwan arguing, as they always argued with the Dominai.  The Qwan wanted their wounded left alone so that some would die for their post battle feast.  Four Dominai stood nearby with the synthesized bodies of fake Qwan casualties.  Eventually the Qwan leader would tire of arguing with the unresponsive Dominai in charge of simulations and begrudgingly drag away the simulated Qwan.

     Rick tried to lift his head.  He felt very dizzy.  The burning in his chest was still there.  A Dominai medical team had found him.