Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Snake River Dam Scenario
Episode #89: Chomp, Squeak, Kill (12/18/00)
Borgmann is sitting in a drafty cubicle of an office partitioned off of a corner of the IDAS building by unsanded, unpainted boards.
Borgmann's desk is a half-sanded board, and his seat is a packing crate.
Borgmann somehow manages to look like a balding paper pusher, anyway.
Borgmann is trying to sort out some of the logistics of the responsibility he's taken on, a task not conducive to continued sanity.
Edka leads the young messenger into the IDAS facility, and heads for Borgmann's office.
Duart churns through the new-fallen snow in the direction of the IDAS building.
Edka knows the general layout of the place, including the cells, thanks to his trip the previous day, to arrange for visa extensions for his men.
Duart has heard many and varied rumors about plans to deal with the "Gen problem," and he is determined to get a straight answer out of whatever hapless government officials lie in his path.
Devore walks up to the shack that is being used to house the IDAS. There are some rather disturbing rumors circulating about the "illegal" Gen population.
Edka automatically raises one large, gnarled fist to knock, then remembers his etiquette and signals instead.
Edka: The Simes prefer you don't knock, for some reason. [to Storm]
Edka figures he should brief the kid on local manners, since none of them will be going home any time soon.
Storm nods. He understands, and he also remembers things from his mother.
Duart's squat and powerful frame and heavy boots plow right through the snowbanks, his usual method of dealing with obstructions.
Hurl, SWAT secretary, trails behind the union leader.
Borgmann carefully places two files with confidential case histories under his desk, where they are not in view.
Borgmann: Enter!
Hurl hurries to keep up. Duart does not like to be kept waiting.
Devore has no love of scabs and with the rumor mill being what it is, he would prefer to get the story straight from the horse's mouth so to speak.
Edka looks at Storm.
Storm: Umm... sir? Help?
Edka: You go in and straighten out your visa: I've got a thing or two to take care of.
Hurl augments just a bit to keep warm, trying to hold his rather thread-bare cloak together with several tentacles while he juggles the recordbooks with the others.
Storm: But, sir, what will he want? My army papers? Like that lady last night?
Edka intends to try to track down the clerk who supposedly was going to work on getting papers for the rest of Edka's men.
Duart comes to a halt before the newly constructed and make-shift IDAS building and glares. Poor, cheap construction.
Edka: That'll be a start. If he wants anything else, I'm sure he'll tell you. Go on, now. No sense in keeping him waiting.
Storm stomps his feet, trying to keep warm. It wasn't fun sleeping in that tent last night, but it had been worth it when Moose bit HT's boots, sticking out from under the tent.
Borgmann is starting to wonder why these visitors are still standing in the hall.
Borgmann calls again.
Borgmann: Enter!
Borgmann sounds like a slightly impatient, balding mouse.
Mouse sits up and takes notice at the squeak Borgmann's voice gives when he tries to raise it.
Mouse realize that was not a mating call for its own species, and reluctantly goes back to its original business.
Storm: Coming! [enters, quietly. It's not smart to upset paper pushers]
Duart can tell this is no union job.
Storm: They can get you transferred to really awful places.
Borgmann blinks at the young, uniformed Gen.
Storm: Sir, I'm Pvt. Daniel Storm. I came in last night... I've got no visa because that... um, the person who sent me out here didn't bother to give me one and I didn't know I needed one.
Borgmann has to think that through a moment; he's past turnover, and finds the word "need" distracting.
Duart doesn't understand why the in-Territory government won't put its own people and its own interests first.
Storm: I'm of the messenger corps. I take mail and messages here and there. Do I need anything more than army papers?
Borgmann: A messenger? Why were you sent here?
Storm blinks. He thought everyone in this camp knew.
Borgmann finds the idea of the Gen Army sending messengers to a group of Gen soldiers (with explosives) who have suddenly decided to stay the winter, rather unsettling.
Storm: Why, to deliver messages from the brass to Sgt. Edka. I don't know what they said, but whatever they said, we can't go back until the snow melts.
Duart is fully prepared, however, to show that government where its interests lie.
Borgmann reaches for the standard immigration form, out of reflex.
Borgmann finds long forms comforting when he's under stress.
Storm: It's snowing like shit up in the mountains.
Borgmann: The ferry is still running, twice a day.
Storm: Here's my army papers. And oh, this... I don't know what to do with it. That lady said to keep it, so....
Borgmann doesn't like to think of himself as a paranoid, but the "we can't leave" excuse sounds a little thin to him.
Duart makes an elaborate tentacle gesture to Hurl, expressing the depths of his disgust.
Devore is a rather tall very broad Gen who has spent most of his thirty-five years in construction work. At 6' 3" he doesn't have to do too much throwing his considerable weight around to get attention or respect.
Storm shrugs. Storm doesn't know, and he doesn't care. What he does know is that he's stuck here. And he doesn't want to be.
Hurl's nager signals whole-hearted agreement.
Storm: It's more money than I ever see in the army.
Hurl can't return the gesture because his tentacles are occupied with his buttonless cloak and the record-books.
Borgmann peers at the Gen Army assignment papers, and a donation voucher.
Duart: Come on.
Storm pulls his coat tighter.
Borgmann: Well, Farris channels do tend to drain the last dynopter out of every donation.
Borgmann: I suppose you want a six-month visa?
Borgmann starts copying the information from Storm's papers onto his form.
Storm: Yes, that'll last until the snow melts.
Borgmann: And what will you be doing in the mean time?
Borgmann: While you are here?
Duart pushes the front door open. He is a nut-brown, squat and barrel-chested renSime wearing a brown woolen cloak and sporting a grey wool cap pulled over his bald dome.
Storm: I don't know. Whatever Sgt. Edka tells me to do. [shrugs] I work for the army.
Devore sees two Simes well ahead of him making very convenient trails in the snow.
Storm: And right now, Sgt. Edka is the army.
Borgmann decides that Storm is young and might let some real information slip.
Borgmann: He has that much influence? I thought a Sergeant was a relatively minor official.
Duart zlins the office area, orienting himself.
Devore hurries to the door, grateful that the trail leads exactly to the place he wants to go.
Borgmann wonders if "Sergeant" Edka is in fact a higher-ranking officer, working undercover.
Storm: [puzzled look] Well, yes, that's right. But as long as we're out of touch with HQ, Sgt. Edka is the one who gives us orders.
Borgmann has not been immune to the rumors regarding the Gen military presence at the Dam site.
Duart can sense a few people who seem to be government workers and behind walls Gens who zlin as if incarcerated.
Borgmann: And what sort of orders is he giving? There is no more blasting going on in this weather.
Storm looks at Borgmann's paper out of curiosity and sees the error.
Storm: Sir, why are you filling out an immigration form? I thought you said six month visa?
Duart can see a very official-government-type Sime interviewing a Gen who is dressed like an out-T soldier.
Devore stamps off as much of the snow and ice as he can and enters what seems to be a reception area to find the two Simes who made his trail for him.
Hurl turns around with a squeal of surprise as a very large and out-T-zlinning Gen enters the room right on his heels.
Borgmann looks down and spots his error.
Borgmann: Oh, dear. We don't have enough of these forms as it is.
Devore looks at the rather squat little Sime who seems to be the one in charge. He seems to radiate a familiar arrogance.
Borgmann sets the mostly-completed form aside, and after a brief search locates the visa form.
Duart also looks around to see Devore. He recognizes the man from meetings of the Dam Site Labor Committee.
Storm: Do you need any more information?
Duart: [to Devore] What are you doing here?
Devore recognizes Duart from several of the rounds of endless meetings.
Borgmann mutters to himself as he fills in the form in his neat, clerk's handwriting.
Storm looks up and sees the other two people.
Storm: Are you here to get visas, too?
Hurl opens his record-books, ready to take notes.
Devore: [keeping a cool feel to his nager] I came to verify some things. What are you doing here?
Duart: These Gens are not going to get work visas. Don't you even think it.
Duart imagines that the Gen union must be as eager to grow its membership as SWAT is.
Storm: Me? No, not work visa... I just need a visa to get back home... that is, when the snow melts.
Devore: [smiles crookedly] My people already have work visas. That is not why I am here.
Borgmann ignores the byplay, as he finishes filling in the data.
Storm does also. He'll worry about them later. If he has to.
Borgmann clears his throat to get Storm's attention.
Storm: Sir, yes sir?
Borgmann: There are some things you should know, if you are going to spend the winter on this side of the border.
Storm: Is this something I need to sit down for?
Duart nods an acknowledgement to Devore.
Duart: Good.
Borgmann: Your visa is for visitation only. It does not allow you to earn wages on this side of the border.
Devore nods back but says nothing.
Borgmann: You are low field now; while you are staying here you must donate promptly every month.
Storm: Yes sir. But you said I can't earn anything. That voucher... it has money on it.
Borgmann: And you should have Sergeant Edka review with you the behavior expected of Gens here.
Storm: Yes, sir.
Duart glances over at the soldier-Gen. He recognizes the Sime interviewing him as the IDAS official who runs this operation.
Borgmann: A donation voucher is payment for goods received, not services rendered.
Duart shamelessly eavesdrops on the conversation.
Storm: Oh... so I can take it back with over the border? Ma would love to see it.
Borgmann: It is yours. You can do with it as you will.
Storm: Thank you, sir.
Duart glances at Devore.
Duart: So why are you here, then?
Devore would rather not discuss that in such a public place.
Devore: I just came to track down a rumor.
Devore thinks several rumors actually.
Borgmann issues Storm a one-week visitor's visa, which only requires a half page.
Storm: This is a one week visa, sir.
Borgmann: It will take a week to process your visa request. In the mean time, that will legalize your presence.
Borgmann: Return in one week.
Storm: Yes, sir, I understand. Thank you, sir.
Storm folds it up and shoves it into his inside pocket.
Duart frowns. He had thought no more Gen military were going to be sent into the region.
Borgmann nods a dismissal to Storm.
Storm salutes Borgmann and executes an about-face. It never hurts to use army manners. And it does help settle Storm down.
Duart observes the Out-T military salute offered to an In-T government representative. It zlins very fishy indeed.
Borgmann looks through his open door, to see who his next visitor is.
Storm blows out a breath. That's over, at least for now. He spares a vague thought: why didn't Borgmann ask him how he knew Simelan? Everyone else does.
Devore smiles at the soldier, remembering his stint in the service.
Borgmann can zlin two visitors in the office. 1
Duart fixes his gaze on Storm as he exits the room.
Duart: Hey. New boy! When did you get in?
Storm is startled, so much that he stops and stares at Duart.
Storm: Uh, last night.
Storm: Me and Moose.
Duart is a rather barrel-shaped renSime with an air of power and arrogance about him.
Duart: You Gen army?
Storm is a rather average height, light blue-black hair, grey eyes. And with wet clothes.
Storm: Yes. Wasn't it obvious? [gestures at his clothes]
Devore doesn't think that it is any of Duart's business.
Duart's clothes do not match his manner, being quite plain though clean and well-made.
Duart: What's your assignment here, Outie?
Storm: Messenger.
Devore: Son why don't you just run along now, your business here is done. [to Storm]
Storm decides to try to take Devore's advice. He starts to inch past Duart.
Duart glares at Devore.
Devore couldn't care less what Duart thinks of him or the Gen Army.
Devore: You trying to get that boy in trouble? [to Duart]
Devore remembers chain of command and military rules of conduct very well.
Duart: I want to know what Gen soldiers are doing in my country.
Duart: I've heard a few rumors of my own.
Duart smiles unpleasantly.
Storm doesn't like this. He tries to worm past Duart, and almost makes it.
Devore: Well he ain't the one to ask. Talk to his CO.
Storm would yell for Edka if he could.
Devore: Let the lad out man. He has orders to follow.
Borgmann zlins the tenseness in the outer office (such as it is) and gets up to investigate.
Borgmann: Is something the matter, gentlemen?
Storm: Yes, I do. First, I've got to extract Moose's teeth off HT's feet....
Borgmann tries to look authoritative, but instead ends up looking like a rather balding, middle-aged mouse trying to assert himself.
Duart: As if he'd answer anything.
Duart: How about you, Devore?
Storm is frantically looking at Borgmann for help.
Duart: Gonna tell me about those rumors that got you running all the way out here?
Storm: What rumors?
Devore: You gonna let that boy go do his duty?
Duart: What's the big secret, huh?
Duart: What you got to hide?
Borgmann: Gentlemen!
Duart zlins Devore, hoping to catch some reaction that will give him a clue.
Storm: Look, just let me past. [Storm pushes at Duart]
Duart has already figured out that Storm is just a pawn.
Borgmann's voice might squeak, but it is plenty loud enough to be heard.
Devore is calm inside and out.
Storm isn't. He's starting to get worried, and wondering why Edka doesn't show up.
Duart stays in Storm's way, an immovable object, to observe Devore's reaction.
Devore smiles to himself. They don't call him the "Iceman" for nothing.
Duart zlins Devore's calm and self-satisfaction and becomes even more suspicious.
Devore: Well the way I see it, you can stand there all day and play with Mr. Storm or you can be a man about it and we can get on with our respective tasks.
Storm steps away from Duart; it's obvious this pissing contest isn't going to be over any time soon.
Duart lets his attention move to Borgmann.
Devore also looks to Borgmann.
Duart: Good day, Tuib Borgmann.
Storm also looks at Borgmann.
Borgmann: If you gentlemen are quite finished with your spat, I presume you have business here?
Borgmann: Because if not, you may take your quarrel elsewhere.
Devore: Yes I do. Can't speak for Duart there.
Storm: I do. I don't think he [pointing at Duarte] does.
Duart bows politely.
Duart: Yes, I have IDAS business to discuss, if you can spare time from assisting the Gen Army.
Borgmann raises an eyebrow, openly unamused by the accusation.
Devore sighs inside but says nothing.
Duart moves aside, rather like a shifting boulder, to allow Storm to pass.
Borgmann makes a mental note to require three extra forms--long ones--for any business Duarte might actually turn out to have.
Mouse decides the ambient in here is too much and makes its exit, through a hole near the base of the wall.
Storm: Thank you. And for your information, my name is Pvt. Storm.
Borgmann: Very well, then. You first. [to Devore]
Storm pulls together his dignity and stalks toward the door.
Borgmann doesn't believe in rewarding rudeness.
Devore: Thank you Tuib. [his Simelan is stilted but accurate]
Storm: [braying is heard. Storm turns white and tries to run outside, only to be met with Moose's nose shoving him to the floor.]
Duart grins after Storm. The kid has some spunk.
Devore pushes pass Duart to enter the office.
Storm grabs at the reins, and tries to crawl out the door.
Borgmann returns to his desk and zlins Devore impersonally.
Duart doesn't mind waiting for Devore either. Actually he was about to suggest Devore go first, so he can eavesdrop on the conversation. There isn't much shielding in here, either for zlinning or for sound.
Borgmann: How can I help you?
Storm [The braying gets louder. Storm is now yelling at Moose.]
Storm: Damnit! I can't even leave you alone. What'd you do? Bite someone? Oh, please, let it not be someone important!
Borgmann winces involuntarily, wishing the building had better soundproofing.
Devore: I'm here to check out a few rumors that have been floating about the site.
Borgmann: I'm sorry. I can assist you with visas, immigration, and other such things.
Storm [Moose is trying to get further inside the IDAS shack, and Storm is trying to pull him outside. This isn't a very good idea.]
Borgmann: If you want gossip, I suggest you try a tavern.
Devore folds himself onto a crate that is place as a chair might be.
Duart is trying to overhear what is happening inside the office, but the mule trying to push through the door makes quite a bit of noise.
Devore: I didn't come for gossip, I came for answers. 1) Are you planning to keep all the scabs here through the winter? 2) Are you planning to give them free housing?
Duart gestures to Hurl to take care of the problem.
Hurl: Oh!
Borgmann looks at Devore blankly.
Borgmann: Scabs?
Hurl rushes to assist Storm with the mule.
Devore: And 3) Are you planning to use them as labor in the spring?
Storm: No! NO! Not a good idea! Oh, shit! [Moose bites Hurl on the fat part of his behind] Look, just keep him away from your hands, and please, don't try to help me!
Mouse squeals a tiny, but piercing squeal as a hoofed foot punches through the rather flimsy boards of the floor - as it happens in the mouse's living room. And right in front of company, too.
Mouse runs in small circles of dismay.
Hurl is a spindly renSime with a pale face and mousy brown hair, draped in a threadbare cloak. He has no fat whatsoever on his behind.
Storm The walls are starting to sway. Moose decides to lean against one side...
Devore: Yes, Scabs. There doesn't seem to be a Simelan word for it. The "illegal" Gens you have on site.
Storm: Oh shit! Medic! Medic!
Borgmann is distracted by what appears to be a major battle going on in the waiting room.
Hurl squeals as Moose chomps his ass.
Borgmann looks up, and turns pale.
Storm: Come on! [Storm is trying frantically to get Moose out before the wall collapses. he doesn't think Borgmann will appreciate it if it did.
Riyyh, who was on his way over to attempt to apologize to Plum, turns around and quietly goes back the way he came.
Borgmann doesn't appreciate Moose's presence at all, even with the wall still standing--for now.
Duart looks towards the disturbance and sees that the building is as flimsily constructed as he thought; the walls can't even hold the weight of a mule!
Borgmann: What is that mule doing in the waiting room!!!
Storm starts to swear in Simelan. Really filthy language, too.
Devore shakes his head and waits for the matter to be resolved so that he can get some answers.
Hurl tries to stuff the record-book into his deep cloak pocket so he will have both arms (and all tentacles) free to deal with Moose.
Storm gives up trying to turn Moose around by the reins. So he grabs the tail and pulls. Bad idea. Moose takes this chance and kicks Storm in the ribs.
Borgmann flinches at the pain.
Storm: Oh Shiiiiiiiittttttttt! That hurt! [Storm is down in the snow, glaring up at Moose. The mule is smirking. Yes, it is smirking..]
Storm [Without Storm pulling on Moose, the mule is perfectly free to try to bite more people. He picks Duarte next.]
Methylda walks past pushing a barrow full of river stones for the bath house, and pauses when she zlins the excitement.
Hurl feels the Gen pain ignite his nager. It is low-field but very close.
Methylda is a matronly renSime of a Narosian style and excellent vintage.
Storm is trying to get up, but can't. Something hurts.
Methylda stops and lets the barrow rest on its stand while she goes closer for a better zlin.
Borgmann surveys the waiting room, trying to decide if it is safe to dodge through the second door, which leads into the bowels of the building.
Hurl fights a sudden surge of intil. The pain keeps coming at him.
Moose starts snuffling around Duarte, trying to pick a good target.
Storm: I knew better! Damnit, it hurts....
Duart stares at the mule questing for him.
Methylda zlins Hurl and Storm.
Methylda: Uh-oh.
Moose darts his nose at Duart and gets....
Duart knocks the mule on the forehead with one ham-fisted burst of augmentation.
Hurl feels like he is slipping down an icy slope. He is losing control....
Moose shakes its head. That had set its ears ringing, but now Duarte's left his upper arm free. Chomp.
Borgmann zlins Hurl's difficulty, and starts to get alarmed.
Methylda darts forward under augmentation and jumps up the steps of the building.
Storm: Stupid, stupid... damn, Edka, where are you?
Methylda may be acting more out of a basic renSime desire to save all the Gens for herself than out of altruism, actually.
Methylda grabs Storm and pulls him out the front door.
Edka is, as it turns out, heading back to collect Storm after running his errand.
Edka is trotting at a good clip, actually, having heard the commotion.
Duart dodges Moose's chomp with augmented speed and knocks the mule on the head again.
Storm This time the mule staggers then falls against the walls, breaking them.
Duart feels his own intil rise in the pain-charged ambient, fueled by his own augmentation.
Edka: Private! Is that mule of yours making trouble again?!
Storm: Hurts, hurts... Mama?
Borgmann moans, half in unwilling response to Storm's pain, and half in response to the shattered wall.
Methylda runs off down the road with Storm.
Borgmann hadn't thought much of the IDAS building, but this isn't exactly an improvement.
Devore makes sure he is not in the way of falling objects.
Methylda doesn't even notice Edka.
Edka notices Methylda, however.
Edka: Hey! Where are you taking him?
Moose staggers through the wall, sees Edka and makes a beeline for him. By God, Moose is gonna bite someone today!
Duart is suspended between knowing he should drop hypo-conscious and not wanting to.
Hurl loses control and launches himself at the fountain of Gen pain.
Storm picks up his head, knowing he's going somewhere really fast. He hears Edka yell.
Devore shakes his head again and gets up to see if he can help. The situation does not seem to be resolving itself.
Hurl tears off down the road chasing Methylda and the Gen she is stealing from him.
Riyyh has only made it partway back to the Narosian camp, and happens to be on a rise in the land as well. Therefore, he is able to zlin the entire scene in all its awful glory. Including Methylda, Storm, and Hurl running toward him, Edka running after them, and a very ugly mule chasing Edka.
Devore walks out what used to be the office entrance and makes for the screaming. He is still calm.
Moose notices Devore getting up. Maybe this one'll be a better target than the other one.
Devore see the mule eyeing him. He has dealt with army mules before.
Duart comes to his senses as the Gen recedes into the distance, and realizes that he is on the verge of losing his assistant.
Riyyh: Oh, my! [one hand on side of face]
Moose walks closer..albeit a little staggering...
Duart: Hurl! No! Stop!
Devore waits for the right moment and grabs the mule's bridle on either side of its head and yanks down hard.
Storm is almost totally out of it. All he cares about is the pain... and God, it does hurt!
Edka sees Riyyh in the distance and waves frantically.
Riyyh is waving a bit frantically himself. His waves are of the "no no, make it all go away" sort.
Duart sprints off after the parade. The blasted mule is closest. He is going to murder something today, and the mule seems like a good candidate.
Moose bares its teeth and darts for Devore's face.
Storm: Mama! Mama!
Devore has seen this trick before and and yanks down again putting his considerable weight into it.
Moose's ears goes back, but it obeys.
Devore smiles.
Devore: I used to have one just like you. Come on fella you should be outside.
Duart flinches to see Moose play tag with Devore. He does not want to be in zlinning range if that big Outie Gen gets bit.
Riyyh starts toward Storm and Methylda, wavers, starts toward them again, and then at the last moment as they rush down upon him, he suddenly side steps them and intercepts Hurl instead. Old reflexes die hard.
Storm: Hurts... Mama? [Storm reaches up, as if looking for a braid..]
Borgmann is ~~ very relieved ~~ that someone seems able to control the beast.
Moose brays. This one is tougher than the one who rides him.
Hurl, totally out of control, throws himself towards the suddenly available selyn source offered by the channel.
Riyyh grabs Hurl in a transfer position and serves the transfer during the few brief instants after their impact, during which they are flying rather precipitously toward the dirt.
Edka has the sense to come to a halt, while he is still well away from Riyyh and Hurl.
Devore: [softly] Come on. [as he backs himself out, never letting go of the bridle. Mules are notorious for suddenly changing their minds about being good.]
Riyyh usually prefers it to be a bit more romantic than that.
Hurl is disoriented by having the rasping Gen pain suddenly shift to a glittering burst of selyn freely offered, but it feels so good he just goes with it.
Edka approaches cautiously.
Edka: Are you two all right?
Storm: Mama? Got kicked by Moose.... [incoherent Simelan]
Borgmann spares an anxious look after his private.
Storm doesn't look good. He's white, more than when he came in the night before.
Edka: Sectuib Riyyh?
Riyyh starts to distangle himself from the renSime, looking a bit rumpled and covered with snow and dirt, then zlins Methylda and Storm slowing down somewhat up ahead.
Riyyh: Oh, I hope that will work out, [a bit disoriented himself]
Edka: I think Private Storm is injured. Could you..?
Duart pounds down the road and comes to a sudden halt as he zlins Sectuib Riyyh serve Hurl.
Methylda realizes what she is doing, and comes to a complete stop.
Storm forces his eyes open. "Moose kicked me. Tried to pull him out before broke down the walls...."
Methylda: Oh... wow, I think I should just put you down right here.
Methylda does so.
Moose brays at Devore. Loudly.
Hurl looks about himself dazedly. He first comes to the realization that he has taken his transfer almost 39 hours before he was scheduled.
Storm curls up on the snow, hurting.
Devore: [to Moose] Yeah I know. But you gotta behave. Okay?
Methylda then prudently removes herself from the immediate vicinity. It is a miracle nothing happened. It helps that both of them were at their beginning of the month.
Duart goes down and kneels by Hurl's side. He is trying not to zlin. There is still too much pain in the ambient. It was a very close call.
Edka notes to his surprise that the Sime whom he thought was taking Storm to an infirmary has abandoned him in the snow.
Riyyh gets to his feet, brushing himself off, and starts walking toward Storm.
Storm: Mama? [more incoherent Simelan]
Riyyh is really too old to be playing tackle football with augmenting people.
Riyyh tries not to hobble, as he has seen what happens if you show weakness in front of Edka.
Moose meekly walks with Devore.
Riyyh really doesn't want to experience Edka's military medic's bedside charm again any time soon. Well, any time ever, actually.
Edka follows Riyyh at what he hopes is a reasonable distance, as he doesn't want to spook the only available physician.
Riyyh kneels beside Storm and zlins the damage.
Hurl's second realization is that this was the best transfer he has had in years. He savors the memory of Riyyh's distinctive nager, which he had zlinned while watching the Narosians try to build their laughable bath house. But now that they have shared transfer, it seems different, somehow.
Edka stops well back.
Duart: That was really close.
Devore walks Moose over to a hitching post and and stares the mule in the right eye.
Devore: I'm gonna tie you here. Are you going to behave?
Methylda: I'm sorry, Sectuib, I just... I'll go for Ali.
Methylda hurries off.
Duart thanks his lucky stars that he was pre-turnover and that the Outie courier had already donated.
Moose brays, but quietly. He'll behave.
Borgmann looks at the wreckage, then at the hitching post, and lastly at the path down which the mule's injured owner disappeared.
Storm: Mama? [turns over]
Hurl's Third Realization is that he was seconds away from killing and dying in a Last Year House.
Borgmann wonders if anybody from Edka's camp will show up to remove the beast before it gets restless and levels the entire building.
Devore lets loose the bridle on the left side and grabs the reins. He ties Moose's head very close to the post and very securely once he gets his other hand free.
Hurl is overwhelmed by post-syndrome emotionality like a tidal wave.
Borgmann wonders whether, if not, he could get away with deporting the obnoxious beast.
Hurl howls.
Borgmann concludes sadly that this approach is unworkable: no ferry owner would allow on board a beast that could demolish even a poorly constructed building.
Storm coughs, and bright red blood comes out of his mouth..
Devore pats the mule on the right cheek.
Hurl: ~~panic terror at almost having Killed~~
Devore: There now that's a good boy.
Duart grabs the scrawny Sime by the shoulders and immobilizes him so he can't charge off and hurt himself.
Moose licks Devore on the face, smirking at the look of surprise.
Hurl: Kill! Kill! I was gonna kill!
Devore: You my lad are a prankster and about to be made into something sticky if you don't mend your ways.
Duart: You're okay. Snap out of it.
Riyyh zlins that Storm has broken ribs, one of which has punctured a lung.
Riyyh calls Methylda to tell her to ready a sick bed as well; this cannot be healed here and now.
Hurl struggles against Duart's grip and the spectre of attrition.
Devore walks back into the IDAS building, well what's left of it.
Duart hates to treat Hurl the way he treated Moose, but sometimes a man's got to do what a man's got to do.
Hurl: ~~hysterical~~
Riyyh looks around and sees Edka standing some distance back.
Riyyh: Come, Sergeant, keep him calm. He must remain still until we can transport him.
Duart pounds Hurl on the skull, knocking him unconscious.
Edka draws closer, now that it appears it is safe for all parties to do so.
Hurl drops senseless with a slight concussion.
Storm opens his eyes, and looks at Edka. "Mama?"
Edka: You're going to be all right, Private.
Edka: Lie still now and rest.
Storm [incomprehensible Simelan]
Duart has had quite a bit of practice tackling Sime and Gen opponents in his years as a labor organizer. This is the first time he ever had to punch a mule, though.
Riyyh zlins what Duart has done with absolute horror.
Edka leans closer and tries again.
Duart thinks if he is going to wrestle mules on a regular basis he will require a bit more practice. They seem to have stronger heads than Simes do.
Edka: Private! Open your eyes and look at me.
Storm: [opens his eyes and looks at Edka] Edka, sir?
Edka: Do you make a habit of losing arguments with your mule, son?
Riyyh gets up and hurries over to the slumped form of the renSime.
Riyyh: Whyever did you do that? [distressed]
Edka: Because if you do, we'll have to move you into the medic's tent.
Duart looks up and smiles at Riyyh.
Edka thinks, or that unmanageable critter into the stew pot.
Storm: No. [softly] [smiles] Was really stupid. Pulled on tail try get out of IDAS before it fell down.
Duart: Had to find some way to slow him down, Sectuib.
Duart: Thank you for saving his life.
Riyyh zlins Hurl.
Edka: Well, it could have turned out a lot worse.
Riyyh: But after so traumatic a transfer... he required reassurance, not violence.
Hurl is dazed but will recover.
Edka: You won't be going anywhere until you've healed a bit, but then, none of us are going anywhere soon, so that's all right.
Duart: He's alive and not junct, thanks to you.
Duart: He can deal with the rest.
Duart: That's one I owe you.
Riyyh thinks that Duart is obviously not familiar with the many problems Simes who have had traumatic transfers go through during subsequent months... or years.
Riyyh sighs unhappily.
Moose brays loudly, disappointed. Well, at least he got to bite that skinny one on the ass.
Duart: Anything I can do for you, just say the word. It's done.
Storm shuts his eyes again, wishing the pain would go away... or that his throat wouldn't taste of copper.
Edka: That's it. Just rest a bit.
Notes:
1) This is probably just a typo. There would have been three people zlinnable besides Storm. [return]
Go on to Episode #90: Mothers, Mice and Moose
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