Hearing his words, Dave adjusted the captain's vest and lifted his shirt to check his side. Sure enough, dark purple bruises were already blooming along his ribs and spreading across other parts of his torso. The captain had sprayed a coolant spray over the area, but it was clearly not enough.
Dave pressed gently, testing for fractures. Each time his fingers applied even the slightest pressure, the captain sucked in a sharp breath, his body going rigid as a low, pained grunt escaped him. He held his breath instinctively, as if bracing himself against the pain.
"This is serious," Dave said, his brow knitting into a deep frown. "You need to see a doctor now. We can't risk leaving this unchecked."
He stopped the captain from shifting, pressing him back before he could move. Any unnecessary motion could worsen the injury and cause further complications.
