Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Snake River Dam Scenario
Episode #92: Boxers and Fisticuffs (12/25/00)
Nikki is "exploring" again. It is kind of fun getting around the grown-ups. She has decided to visit her new friend Danny again today.
Nikki comes quietly up to the door of Danny's room. She slips in quietly and tiptoes over to Danny's bed.
Storm turns his head and smiles at Nikki. He's not quite up to snuff today, but he'll move, for Nikki.
Nikki: Hi Danny!
Storm: Hey. Need more braided hair?
Nikki: No. Got curls, see.
Storm struggles to sit up against the headboard of the bed.
Storm: Neat! Where'd you get them?
Nikki shakes her rather over done hair.
Nikki: Methylda did 'um.
Storm: Oh, she did? She's a nice lady, isn't she? I hope you told her thanks.
Nikki: I always say Thank You and Please too!
Nikki is slightly offended by the implication that she would not use her manners.
Storm is a little startled when he hears his mother's voice coming out of him. Like every person on the face of the earth, he has sworn never to sound like his mother. He shudders, then pushes away the thought.
Grenade slips down the hospital wing. He has timed his entrance for when the channels and other staff switch shifts so he will not be observed.
Storm: Nikki, it's always good to say thanks. Even when you don't like something. You like the curls?
Grenade is a grubby, hairy Gen with a 3-week growth of beard and thread-bare clothes. His eyes have a certain maniacal glint to them.
Nikki climbs up onto the bed with Danny. She wants her customary hug of course.
Nikki: Yes. I like them very much.
Storm hugs Nikki, smiling.
Nikki: That was nice.
Nikki: Thank you.
Nikki: See, told you I don't forget.
Grenade has gathered up the rumors about the man with the mule, and figured there is an angle here for him to exploit.
Storm: Thanks. Want to talk?
Nikki: Yes. [putting on her best grown-up manner] How have you been feeling?
Grenade eyes the nurses' station, and sees that the coast is clear.
Grenade darts into the room housing the injured Army courier.
Grenade closes the door behind him.
Storm: Oh, much better. But I do have good and bad days. Just like when you're sick, you know? This is a good day for me.
Grenade stares at Storm, trussed up in bandages and a plaster cast. He looks a sorry sight indeed.
Grenade is surprised to realize that his quarry is not alone; there is a little girl sitting in the bed with him.
Storm stares back. Who's this funny looking man, Storm wonders.
Grenade: Hey! You guy! Want 'ta talk to you?
Storm: Who are you?
Grenade: They call me the Grenade.
Storm: Don't tell me, you lost the pin somewhere, didn't you?
Grenade looks harder at the little girl. Might be cute, under all those winter wrappings.
Grenade: You got that right. So don't mess around with me.
Storm holds Nikki tighter. He doesn't like the way this dirty man is looking at Nikki.
Nikki looks up at the strange man who has just come in. He is saying things she doesn't understand.
Grenade: Who's the kid? Ain't she a bit young for ya?
Grenade chuckles. He considers this the epitome of humor.
Storm's mouth falls open. He can't believe this, this... just said that!
Storm: Pervert!!!!!! [in Simelan]
Storm: [whispers] Nikki, check the window. Slowly, now. If it's open, tell me.
Nikki looks up at the other man. She understood what Danny just said. She climbs down to do what Danny has asked.
Grenade blinks. So the soldier speaks Sime gibberish.
Storm: Perverted asshole! [this time in English]
Storm: Is that what you came in here for?
Grenade: Hey, don't got to get fresh with me. Hey, can't you take a joke?
Nikki finds the window both closed and locked.
Storm's eyes narrow.
Grenade: I want to talk some business.
Grenade: About that mule of yours.
Storm: Business? Moose?
Nikki climbs back on to the bed with Danny. The strange man isn't like anyone she has met before.
Nikki: The window is closed.
Storm: [whispers] Oh manure. OK, stay with me. Whatever you do, don't go near that guy.
Storm: Moose? Why would you ask about Moose?
Nikki: I will stay with you.
Grenade: Yeah. I hear tell that mule tore down that jail they stuck me in last week.
Storm: [whispers] Good, little one. [louder] Half tore it down.
Storm is starting to realize that this Gen must be a border-crosser.
Grenade: Well, I want to thank you then. And Moose! It was nice getting out.
Grenade: That mule is really something!
Storm is wondering if it was such a good idea letting this guy out. OK, accidentally let him out.
Grenade: Has he trashed other places?
Storm: Well, yes he is. Moose likes to chomp on people. People with plump things. Like your ass, for example.
Grenade: I heard he chomped on Hurl's ass. He ain't got much there, though.
Storm: And no, he hasn't. That IDAS building would have fallen down with the first hard freeze.
Grenade: Haw! Haw! Haw!
Grenade laughing does sound somewhat like a donkey braying.
Storm is hoping Nikki doesn't understand English very well. And he's wondering if Grenade's mother had slept with a donkey.
Nikki is slightly annoyed at not understanding what Danny and the strange man are talking about. She wonders about the Pervert thing. They used to call her mother and aunts perverts. She isn't quite sure why or for that matter what the word even means.
Grenade: Well, I kicked it pretty good myself, but I ain't equipped like that mule of yours.
Grenade is more experienced at trashing furniture in bar-room brawls.
Storm: You said you had business to conduct? May I remind you that Moose belongs to the Army, and as such, cannot be sold.
Grenade: Well, and that's okay, because I ain't got the cash to buy him, you know. Sure wish I did.
Storm: Well, good. I don't think anyone would have the guts to buy him, anyway.
Storm: Except maybe me.
Grenade: But you got charge of him, right?
Storm: Yes. [puzzled look]
Grenade: Well, how'd you like to take on a little side job. You and me and the Moose could earn some really good money.
Nikki is watching Danny's face trying to figure out what is going on.
Storm shifts in bed. This is one bizarre meeting, he thinks.
Storm: What good money?
Grenade hasn't had any luck finding a job with a salary around here, but there are other ways to skin a cat.
Grenade: In the entertainment business.
Grenade: A lot of bored people around here.
Storm: [whispers in Simelan] This man wants something to do with Moose. But I don't trust him. Stay alert, OK?
Nikki: Okay.
Storm: You, me and everyone else. So what's new?
Grenade: Now that little scene of yours got everybody interested. I think people would pay to see a repeat.
Storm: Whaaat? [shakes his head, not sure he heard correctly]
Grenade: Kind of like a little rodeo. Ride the Killer Mule.
Storm: Oh, no... no, no. No way. And if you lay a finger on that mule....
Grenade: Let people pay for a chance to ride him. Let the others pay to watch. And then a few side bets....
Nikki is now getting worried. She only understands that Danny is upset and he doesn't trust the stranger.
Storm half slides out of bed. But he's forgotten he only has boxers on.
Grenade: Hey, it's a money pit! A gusher!
Storm: No. What part of No don't you understand?!?
Grenade: What's the problem, pal? Don't you like money?
Grenade: I figure we go halves. You provide the mule, I'll round up the customers.
Storm is smothering. He may think Moose's mother was bred off a bad tempered stallion, but in his own way, he loves Moose. And Moose knows it.
Storm: No way. What, you don't understand English?
Grenade: Well, what's wrong with the idea? Think about it! Give it a chance!
Storm: No.
Nikki has learned, in her short life, to recognize the sounds of trouble. She may not understand the words but she is getting the impending trouble loud and clear.
Grenade has considered stealing Moose, but he figures his ass provides a much larger target than Hurl's did.
Storm knows that Grenade probably thought about stealing Moose, but Moose is an anti-theft device all by himself.
Storm stands up, and his boxer shorts, with hearts on them, are finally revealed.
Grenade looks at the battered, bandaged, man swaying by the side of the bed, his hands curled into fists.
Grenade: Now what you think you're gonna do to me, you crip?
Grenade: I could lay you out with a finger.
Grenade's own fists are indeed the size of hams.
Storm: Try it, you little Simelan....
Nikki stands in front of Danny.
Nikki: You leave my friend alone.
Storm has forgotten Nikki's in the room, and Nikki is getting a education in dirty words.
Grenade: Oh, you gonna protect your boy-friend?
Grenade: Did the kid buy you those fancy underpants, soldier-boy?
Storm: Little one, it's all right. [leans down, pats Nikki's hair, then discovers he can't get up again] Oh shit.
Nikki has been all over the construction site she has heard all the dirty words before.
Nikki: Danny!
Storm: That hurts. [slowly straightens up] Much better.
Grenade: You usually get kids to fight your battles?
Storm: You usually pick on sick people?
Grenade: Well, I came here to talk business.
Grenade: But I'll wait till you're feeling better before I smash you to a pulp. Okay?
Storm: And I gave you an answer. No. But no, you didn't understand that, did you?
Grenade: I didn't like that answer.
Grenade: I understood it just fine.
Storm: Oh, really? When are you going to beat me up? Before they round you border crossers up for the winter?
Grenade: Do I look rounded up to you?
Storm silently reassures Nikki. He does not know where the shorts came from, and he's afraid to ask.
Storm: No. But trust me, they will. Winter is already setting in. They can't exactly deport you back to out-Territory, so they have to put you someplace for the winter.
Nikki recognizes the shorts. They belonged to Ali.
Grenade: Oh, they've tried to put me a lot of places. But keeping me's another matter.
Storm: I can tell. Ow, ow....
Grenade: And I owe that Moose of yours for busting me out of the pokey this time.
Grenade: So I'll give you one free pass.
Grenade: Better get back in bed, soldier-boy.
Storm: Oh, thanks ever so much. No way will I allow Moose to be treated like that for your amusement.
Grenade looks at the defiant little Nikki.
Grenade: Nice meeting you, little sparrow.
Grenade: It's been a joy and a treat!
Storm: For you and me both. Not.
Grenade opens the door and takes a quick look; attendants are back on shift.
Grenade backs out of the room and darts in the direction of the nearest exit.
Grenade was hoping he could come to some arrangement with Storm; now he'll have to devise a more complicated plan to get hold of the Killer Mule.
Storm: That one could win awards for most slimy... Nikki, would you please shove me into bed? I don't think I can get my legs to work.
Nikki: [smiles up at Danny] I will help.
Storm is feeling the effects of Moose's kick today. Stiffness, soreness... and Storm wants a nice big bottle of whiskey. But the nurses will just shove more trin tea on him.
Storm: Oh, thanks. Now, let's see. Move, right foot.
Nikki helps Danny get his legs back under the covers.
Storm will have to get Edka to watch Moose closely. But after the HT incident, Storm is seriously doubting Edka's patience with Moose.
Storm: Thanks, Nikki. A warm bed on a cold winter's day is just perfect.
Nikki: Sorry it hurts. You should call a channel.
Storm: Why for, Nikki? I'm just sore.
Nikki tuck the covers around Danny as she has done for her daddy when they made him stay in bed.
Storm: You're very good at that, Nikki.
Storm wishes again for that bottle of whiskey.
Nikki: [beams] Thank you. A channel could make the pain go away.
Storm: Really? I only saw a channel once a year, on Faith Day back home.
Storm: I've got to fix that Grenade somehow.
Nikki: My daddy is a channel. He could make the pain go away and fix you up fast.
Storm: He did, sweetie. He was the one who brought me in.
Nikki: But he didn't heal you. If he was here he could heal you.
Storm: Sweetie, it takes time to heal. You ever break an arm or leg?
Nikki thinks about that for a moment.
Nikki: No. [shakes her head]
Storm: Well, good for you. When Moose kicked me, I broke several ribs. The channels couldn't put them back together fast, so they had to bandage me up like this, and give me time to heal. They did heal various other things that happened when I broke the ribs.
Nikki: But when the big tub fell on Rupert daddy healed him in no time.
Storm: Did Rupert break anything?
Storm shifts in bed, and then he notices Klyzer by the door.
Klyzer has been assigned to the hospital wing this time. He wonders how anyone manages to endure this kind of workload.
Storm smiles at Nikki, while wondering about the tub that fell on Rupert.
Nikki: I don't know. But he was in a lot of pain and daddy made it go away.
Klyzer stares in the door of the room with the Gen who had his ribs cracked.
Klyzer tries to tell himself this one will be easier to treat than the Gens who were blown up in the explosion.
Klyzer is dazed by the sheer chaos of it all.
Storm: Well, trust me on this, Nikki. I was in a lot of pain until your daddy fixed it. But even he can't fix broken ribs like this [snaps fingers] so I need some time to heal up.
Storm is a little surprised Riyyh hasn't explained this to Nikki.
Storm: You, by the door, who are you?
Storm hopes the man by the door isn't another slimy promoter.
Nikki looks up, afraid the strange man might have come back.
Klyzer realizes the Gen is addressing him.
Klyzer realizes there is also a small child in the room. Surely that can't be right.
Nikki recognizes the uniform of a Tecton channel and is relieved. Now Danny will stop hurting.
Storm is suspicious. He hasn't seen this guy before. And that uniform--must be a channel, but why is he looking like Moose gave him a chomp on the ass?
Klyzer: I am Hajene Klyzer.
Klyzer: I will supervise your care today.
Storm: Oh. I'm Pvt. Daniel Storm.
Klyzer takes a couple shaky steps closer into the room.
Klyzer: Ah. Yes. From over the Lake.
Nikki smiles her best gap-toothed smile at the channel.
Storm: No, actually, through the passes. From the fort up that way.
Klyzer thinks "Wild Gen" but doesn't say it. Sometimes it is an advantage that Gens can't zlin.
Storm sits up in bed, wondering at this behavior. The other channels just ordered him to sit up, bent over, etc... but this one is shaking.
Klyzer steps closer.
Klyzer: I have to examine you.
Storm: Sure. What do you want me to do?
Klyzer: Are you in pain right now?
Storm: Can't you tell? I thought you could.
Nikki looks puzzled. A channel shouldn't have to ask.
Klyzer: Yes, I can. Try to stay calm.
Storm is starting to wonder just what is going on. This channel seems very shaky. Storm wishes for Wise Snake, even through she was the one who told him to bend over.
Klyzer lets himself slip into duoconsciousness. The fiery aura of pain etches itself inside his guts, but thankfully the Gen is quite low-field.
Storm: I am calm. I don't think you are. Where's your Donor?
Klyzer reminds himself he could have told that from reading the chart, but he is not used to working with any charts he didn't write himself.
Klyzer: He is on break. He will return shortly.
Storm: Break? I thought you people took breaks together.
Klyzer can feel the unnatural pattern of the broken ribs. It must be put right.
Storm sighs and pushes back the blankets. The other channels always start to poke at him at this point.
Klyzer: Simes can work longer than Gens, and there is no reason for a well-controlled channel to sacrifice efficiency.
Klyzer thinks that Arat was quite emphatic about this point.
Nikki is debating whether to slip out or stay. So far the channel hasn't said anything about her being here. She was glad to see him because he could make Danny feel better but....
Storm: Hajene Klyzer? You OK?
Klyzer: Certainly.
Klyzer: Thank you for your cooperation.
Storm thinks huh?
Storm: Nikki, mind staying?
Storm is debating if he should start howling for help. This channel is not acting like the other channels he've seen, including Wise Snake.
Nikki: Yes I will stay. [she takes Danny's hand for moral support]
Klyzer steels himself to begin the examination. He is stopped dead in his tracks by the sight of the trunks with the hearts on them.
Klyzer: What are those!
Storm squeezes Nikki's hand. He smiles at Nikki, thus missing the look on Klyzer's face.
Storm looks down. "Boxers with hearts on them?"
Klyzer looks at the contrast between the red hearts and the white and the folds in the fabric that distorts it and feels slightly nauseated.
Klyzer: They are not... right.
Nikki knows a lot about the shorts Danny is wearing but daddy explained that it is not nice to say anything about a gift that was given. It makes people unhappy to feel obli... obligated.
Klyzer: I don't think you should be wearing something like that.
Storm: Hajene Riyyh gave them to me.
Klyzer shudders.
Storm: Well, he had to. My briefs got shredded when they cut my clothes off.
Klyzer remembers what Controller Arat told him about will power and self-control.
Storm thinks maybe he should start howling for help. This guy is looking like he's gonna hurl in Storm's lap.
Klyzer wishes he had spare underwear for all the refugees who haven't changed theirs in a month, but that is one of the items on the requisition list.
Klyzer gets a grip.
Storm: Look, don't look at them. Just look at me above the boxer line. Do what you need to do.
Klyzer: You're not hurt in that area of your body. I'll try not to look at them.
Storm can't believe he is lecturing a channel like his drill sergeant used to.
Klyzer winces and steps forward, looking at the bandages and plaster.
Klyzer can see the wrapping is not entirely symmetrical.
Klyzer would have gotten it perfect.
Klyzer: I think that dressing will require some adjustment.
Storm: Adjustment? Does this requires a lot of pain?
Klyzer is glad that bandages, unlike boxer shorts, are in stock.
Nikki pulls the covers back up over Danny's legs and tucks them in.
Klyzer: I will be as gentle as possible.
Storm: Suuure. Nikki's gonna stay here.
Klyzer knows that he will not be allowed to use his astringent antiseptics on the Gen, so he will be much more gentle than he would be ordinarily.
Storm thinks he may need a witness to this. He's not entirely sure if this Klyzer knows what to do.
Klyzer: Let me get the materials ready.
Klyzer goes to the closet and removes several boxes of bandages and the strongest antiseptic they will permit him to employ.
Storm watches as Klyzer gets his supply. He wishes Riyyh, or even Arat Audnes would show up. 1
Nikki watches Klyzer and realizes that he reminds her of one of the aunts from the commune. She was not quite right in the head. Nikki wasn't sure what that meant but this fellow is like her.
Klyzer is accustomed to often working by himself; his Donors tend to avoid the decontamination procedures he demands, and he has never been particularly sensitive... to selyn fields.
Klyzer turns to Nikki.
Klyzer: What are you doing here?
Storm: She's Hajene Riyyh's daughter. She's staying. [smiles coldly at Klyzer]
Klyzer: Is she related to you?
Storm is even more convinced that he needs to start howling for Edka, or anyone else.
Klyzer knows children get upset to see the open wounds of their relatives.
Storm: What? Why?
Nikki looks up at Danny.
Nikki: We have the same eyes.
Storm: That we do. But we aren't related. I think.
Klyzer: Children are impressionable. The blood might upset her.
Storm thinks a Leapin could have married into Naros for all he knows.
Storm: What blood? I got kicked by a mule. There's only a hoof print on my chest.
Klyzer actually had been avoiding zlinning the wound in detail until necessary.
Klyzer thinks that usually there is blood under that many bandages.
Storm thinks if this Klyzer doesn't know that....
Klyzer: Very well, then. If you think her presence is appropriate, and her parents would consent to it.
Klyzer thinks that herding children is not part of his job.
Storm: Riyyh's a channel here, and he knows about me and Nikki. He even approves of it. As for her mother....well. She's not in the picture.
Klyzer shrugs.
Klyzer: Child, go sit on that chair by the wall.
Nikki squeezes Danny's hand and smiles up at him.
Storm squeezes right back.
Nikki: I have to stay with Danny Haji Klyther.
Klyzer: You mustn't interfere in the treatment.
Klyzer: Go sit on the chair, out of the way.
Storm: Right here. Her father would never forgive me if she strayed out of my sight.
Nikki: I will be good. I will hold Danny's hand.
Klyzer once let a child run loose in his Dispensary who interfered with a transfer and shenned him unconscious.
Storm is getting more and more suspicious about Klyzer. For starters, where's his Donor? The other channels who came into here often came with their Donors.
Klyzer: No. She can stay in sight, but on the other side of the room.
Klyzer: Be good and sit in the chair.
Storm hesitates, but then gives in. Partially.
Storm: Nikki, do me a huge favor. Go sit over there. If I start howling, find a channel and bring him or her here. OK?
Klyzer stares at Storm.
Klyzer: You will not howl. There is no reason to howl. I am a highly trained professional.
Nikki is Meana's daughter as well. She is not happy with this turn of events but she will do it for Danny.
Nikki: Please don't hurt him Haji Klyther.
Storm doesn't believe Klyzer. He stares right back at Klyzer. A shaky channel is nothing next to a enraged Sergeant.
Klyzer: I won't hurt him any more than is necessary.
Nikki: I will go get a channel if you hurt him.
Klyzer: I am a channel.
Nikki is beginning to wonder about that.
Klyzer: And I don't hurt Gens. I make them right.
Klyzer: Healthy. Clean.
Storm wonders, "Right?" Then he hears Klyzer's next words.
Nikki eyes the channel and looks at Danny.
Klyzer begins to gently undo the bandages taped across Storm's ribs.
Klyzer: Child, why don't you sing to him?
Klyzer: That will help me work better.
Storm: By any chance, are you related to Sgt. Kennard? He was obsessed with cleanliness. Made us clean everything in sight.
Klyzer: I don't have any relations in the Gen Army. At least, not as far as I know.
Storm: Riiight.
Nikki only knows work songs and the ones about the hideous evil men.
Nikki: I don't know any songs for healing.
Storm is now convinced Klyzer has the same problem Kennard had. If Klyzer uses that astringent on him....
Klyzer was born to a very normal Sime household in Capitol. No one of his relatives knows why he turned out the way he did.
Klyzer: Any song would be fine.
Klyzer: Just something to keep the patient's attention.
Nikki remembers the reaction she got from Ali when she sang the evil men song so she figures those kinds of songs won't do.
Storm: Yeah... oh shit. [draws in a breath as the bandages come off]
Klyzer thinks, and to drown out any groans or howls that may ensue.
Nikki jumps back to Danny's side.
Klyzer: [barks] Sit!
Storm: I'm all right. Just hurts a bit. [growls at Klyzer]
Klyzer: I am going to extend my laterals now to help speed the healing process.
Klyzer: Can you remain calm?
Nikki takes Danny's hand and glares at the channel. Meana's genes are about to make themselves known.
Storm: What? [swearing in Simelan]
Klyzer looks at Nikki.
Klyzer: I said sit.
Nikki: No!
Klyzer: I have to stop his pain.
Storm: Didn't you read the chart first?
Klyzer: I can't do it with you there.
Nikki: I stay with Danny. You do your job!
Klyzer: If you can't behave, leave the room, child.
Storm: Look, Klyzer... whatever your name is. Where is your Donor?
Nikki: I will be good. You do your job.
Klyzer: You are not good.
Klyzer: I said to sit.
Klyzer: I said to sing.
Klyzer: You are making him hurt worse.
Storm has had enough. Riyyh and the others had only changed the bandages, not tried this.
Storm: Shut up. [quietly]
Klyzer stares at Storm.
Storm: Read the fucking chart.
Nikki: You hurt Danny! I'm going to get a channel!!
Klyzer: Lateral therapy is standard practice in all injures.
Klyzer blinks.
Storm: I don't give a flying shit. Read it.
Klyzer: If you insist.
Klyzer reads the chart. It details the position of the broken ribs and the lateral therapy done to repair the bruises and speed healing.
Storm knows that because of the nature of the damage, it has to heal naturally. At least, that's what the other channels said. This channel is making him nervous.
Storm: Yes, sweetie..I'm ok. For now.
Klyzer: It says exactly what I zlin. Your bones are broken. Your flesh is bruised. You require therapy.
Storm: That I do. [this is the first time Storm has resisted a channel]
Klyzer: If you refuse treatment, it will take longer to heal and you will experience more pain.
Klyzer: That is of course your right.
Storm doesn't exactly trust Klyzer to do a good job. Now, Riyyh, Wise Snake, Arat, Jeniard, yes... but Klyzer, no. 2
Klyzer has had long experience with Wild Gens, having lived the last decade on the border, and knows better than to force a lateral contact on one unwillingly.
Klyzer doesn't want to touch Storm any more than Storm wants to be touched. But he is determined to do the job right, if he does it at all.
Nikki is torn between wanting to go get her daddy to help Danny and fear of leaving him alone with Haji Klyther.
Storm is hurting more than ever. Grenade hadn't helped any, and Klyzer's just making things worse.
Klyzer can zlin Storm's distrust.
Klyzer: I am a channel. I'm here to help you. Let me... put you right.
Storm: Nikki, sweetie, go get your father. Tell him, I.... [doubles over in pain] Just get him, sweetie. And while you're at it, get Klyzer's Donor.
Klyzer finds the asymmetry in Storm's body physically painful and emotionally unbearable.
Nikki: I'll go as fast as I can. [darts around the bed and out the door at a dead run]
Nikki runs down the hallway dodging legs and hands that are trying to stop her.
Storm slumps over the bed. Without the bandages and the plaster to support his ribs, the pain is returning. He curls up on the bed, hoping Nikki will return with someone that doesn't act as oddly as this one does.
Nikki ducks around a renSime and slams into a pair of legs. She sits down hard on the floor and looks up at a very gentle face.
Klyzer bites his lip in distress. He hasn't done anything wrong, but he won't force treatment on the Gen against his will. He is sure he will get in trouble for this.
Klyzer: Why won't you let me finish what I started?
Klyzer: Here, let me give you some fosebine, at least.
Klyzer turns sadly to the storage cabinet and removes a bottle of the analgesic.
Remme: Hey hold on there little one. Where you go in such a hurry huh?
Storm mutters something, sits up and drinks the fosebine. He makes a face, but he drinks it all.
Klyzer: I will do my best to promote your healing without touching you. Please try to keep calm.
Storm knows what fosebine is. The nurses and the channels make him drink it all the time. At least this will temporarily kill the pain.
Remme reaches down and picks up the stunned child.
Klyzer extends his laterals as far as he can.
Storm thinks a whiskey bottle would be better.
Nikki is fighting not to cry.
Nikki: I have to get a channel for Danny!
Klyzer calls up the emotions of Need and broadcasts them through his show field at the Gen.
Remme: Well I know a channel. Maybe he can help your friend.
Nikki: Oh please! Haji Klyther is hurting Danny.
Klyzer, being only a Third, can't do much, especially without a physical contact, but he does zlin the bruised cells respond sluggishly to the stimulus.
Remme: Haji... Oh! [takes off at a dead run himself]
Klyzer has to go almost completely hyperconscious to maintain the kind of control this functional requires.
Remme skids to a stop in front of the room Klyzer told him he would be in.
Klyzer is not touching the patient at all, but stands beside him, immersed in healing mode.
Remme: Hajene Klyzer may I be of service? ~~support~~
Klyzer's field is wavering with exhaustion. A Third was never meant to maintain a functional as long as he has been doing.
Remme is not happy to be paired with this particular channel but he has his orders. One of which is to keep him out of trouble.
Klyzer accepts the support with gratitude.
Klyzer pulls himself duo-conscious.
Storm: Whiskey bottle? Please? [whispers]
Remme: Why don't you have a seat, Hajene, and I will see if I can get him bandaged back up now.
Klyzer: [whispers] He doesn't want me to touch him.
Storm: Is he [pointing at Klyzer] a channel? He didn't seem to know I got kicked by a mule.
Klyzer: The bandages have to be put on right.
Klyzer: Typical Wild Gen Sime-phobia, I think.
Klyzer can't think of any other reason why the Gen has reacted with such distrust and paranoia to ordinary channel's treatment.
Remme: Yes he is a channel. I am his Donor. The name is Remme Suelon.
Storm: [in Simelan] Just... look, he didn't know what was wrong with me. He didn't even read my chart. And he thinks that's phobia?
Remme sighs. He can't agree out right with Storm but he is only too well aware of the problem.
Storm is used to doctors who know what they're doing and show it.
Klyzer: [in Simelan] Don't talk to my Donor as if I weren't here, young man. If you're in pain right now, it's because you wouldn't let me touch you. And yes, I would call that Sime-phobia.
Remme: Hajene Klyzer, could I speak to you in the hallway for a moment?
Klyzer is angry because he has worn himself out trying to keep the man comfortable, only to be treated as if he were some kind of Raider.
Klyzer glances at Remme.
Remme puts Nikki down. He had forgotten that he was holding her until she started to squirm.
Storm: Hey, Nikki.
Klyzer: He can't be left alone in this condition.
Nikki runs to Danny's side and takes his hand. She glares at Klyzer.
Klyzer: Nor should that child be here. She is no relation to him, and she is disrupting my treatment.
Storm: Good job, Nikki. Why don't you sit here with me until that nice man comes back and finishes bandaging me up again?
Nikki: Okay.
Klyzer: That's enough.
Klyzer steps to the door.
Remme follows the channel.
Klyzer: [yells] Security! We need security on the double!
Remme: Hajene! Please!!
Klyzer turns to Remme.
Storm: Security? Is Grenade back?
Remme: ~~calm~~
Remme: ~~calm~~
Remme places a hand on Klyzer's shoulder to intensify the effect. ~~calm support~~
Torance, a Gen security guard in a Tecton uniform, comes pounding down the hall.
Klyzer: Remme, start rebinding that man's fracture, if he will let you.
Remme: Yes, Hajene. [this is what he had wanted to do anyway]
Nikki would climb onto the bed but she can see that Danny is hurting a lot. She just squeezes his hand.
Torance enters the room.
Torance: What's wrong?
Klyzer turns to the guard.
Klyzer: That child is interfering with the treatment of this injured Gen.
Klyzer: Remove her, please.
Torance steps towards the bed.
Torance: Little girl, come on. You don't belong here.
Nikki inches closer to Danny.
Storm: No way.
Storm stands up again and the full majesty of the boxers with hearts is revealed... again.
Torance: Let's go to the lounge where you can have some trin and cookies.
Klyzer stands up to his full height-- all 5'5" of it.
Nikki: I have to stay with Danny, he needs me.
Storm: I'm going too. After the day I've had, I'd even tie up Edka to get some cookies.
Remme: Lemme rebandage those ribs first.
Klyzer: Mister Storm. You are a patient here.
Klyzer: The government is responsible for your care and well-being.
Klyzer: You may not leave the room.
Klyzer: You may not entertain children or animals without permission.
Remme keeps a tight focus on Klyzer while setting up to rebandage Storm's ribs.
Klyzer: If you refuse treatment, you will be remanded to the care of your own official military representative.
Klyzer: But I can assure you, our channel's science is a thousand times more advanced than the butcher's methods used over the Lake.
Storm: Whaat? I'm not refusing treatment. Hell, I let Wise Snake do whatever she wants. But you scare me!
Klyzer: I can't imagine why.
Storm wants that whiskey bottle more than ever.
Klyzer: But let Mister Remme reset your fracture.
Klyzer: N'vet Torrance, remove that child.
Remme would very much like to throttle Klyzer at the moment but....
Torance steps forward towards Nikki.
Torance: Now, little girl, I asked you nicely to come with me.
Storm: Can't imagine why? Hey... you didn't even know I got kicked by a mule! You didn't even look at a chart, like the others did, to see what the other channels did!
Nikki: No!
Torance: We can do this the easy way or the hard way.
Torance: It's up to you.
Nikki is having an over abundance of her mothers genes showing today.
Nikki: No! Danny needs me here!
Storm: Nikki, take it easy. Let's Remme bandage me up, and then we'll go get some trin and cookies? Howzdat?
Torance: Last chance, little one.
Nikki: Okay. But I go with you not him. [points at Torrance]
Torance: [to Storm] You better tell her to come with me, or I'm carrying her out kicking and screaming.
Torance: This is a hospital, not a playground.
Storm: Umm. Nikki, why don't you go with Torance? Save me up the best cookies?
Storm: Stop him [pointing at Torance] from eating the best?
Nikki's Narosian desire to help and her mother's bad temper are warring for dominance.
Storm hopes this works. If Nikki's like all other kids, she'll eat the cookies and guard some for Storm.
Nikki: No. I will stay with you.
Torance has been herding itinerant tramps, criminals like Grenade, and tough construction workers and mining renSimes for weeks. He does not have much sympathy for kids running around wild.
Storm: Come on, Nikki sweetie.
Storm leans down, winces with pain. "You can check out the trin tea. See if it needs more sugar."
Torance takes two steps forward and simply picks Nikki up in his huge Gen arms.
Storm: You go on--I'll be right there... ow, ow....
Nikki resists the urge to bite Torrance's ear off.
Klyzer wrings his hands to feel Storm's pain.
Klyzer is distressed to see that Remme's bandaging is not quite even.
Storm sighs with relief as the support he needs returns.
Torance holds Nikki immobile like a captured wildcat and carries her out of the room.
Nikki looks back sadly at Danny. She knows they are lying about the cookies.
Klyzer extends his laterals again, projecting Healing mode with all his strength.
Nikki: Bye Danny.
Storm doesn't know they are lying about the cookies, either.
Storm: Bye, sweetie. I'll see you later... with the cookies.
Torance carries Nikki down to the staff break room.
Torance sets Nikki down, kicking the door shut behind him and blocking it with his Gen bulk.
Torance: Okay, kid, what's your name?
Remme is working as carefully and gently as he can while supporting Klyzer's functional mode. The bandages are as tight as he dares make them.
Klyzer: You have to adjust that. It's not straight!
Storm: Oh, thanks....
Nikki glares at yet another strange man. Maybe they were right about the evil men.
Klyzer can't touch Storm, but he can kibitz.
Storm: You know, I'd really like a bottle of whiskey. Neat.
Torance looks at the child looking back at him. She does have a kind of wildcat gleam in her eye.
Remme: It is my pleasure to help.
Storm: Much thanks.
Klyzer: Whiskey is not good for healing. In fact, it would eat at your stomach lining.
Klyzer: If you are hungry, I'll get you some food as soon as we're done here.
Storm glares at Klyzer. That's not the point. The point is, Storm would like to forget this day. Except for Nikki, that is.
Torance: Who is your mother?
Nikki is certainly not going to tell him that!
Nikki: My daddy is Sectuib Riyyh.
Torance: Oh!
Nikki is not going to risk them sending her anywhere near her mother.
Klyzer can feel the Gen's detestation of him. But he is determined to do his best to do his job. He doesn't require appreciation to do the right thing.
Torance thinks that, given the size of the Narosian contingent, this kid probably has at least 30 brothers and sisters in the area.
Torance: Okay. Good.
Remme: There, all done. [puts the last touches on the bandages]
Torance: I'm going to send a message to your father to come get you.
Storm: Thanks. [slugs the last of the fosebine] Are there any cookies in the lounge?
Torance signals with his nager to the other security guard.
Nikki: I knew you were lying about the cookies.
Torance: Oh, there are cookies.
Torance: Right over there by the teapot.
Torance thinks that the staff probably won't mind having their provisions raided; the kid won't eat much.
Nikki: Are you going to give some to Danny?
Torance: If he wants some.
Nikki: Then he can have mine too.
Torance: There's plenty for everyone.
Torance: If you want some cookies, take some.
Torance hears the Sime security guard call his name from outside the door.
Nikki: No, thank you.
Torance: Hey, Cheslin, send a message to the Narosian camp. Sectuib Riyyh.
Torance: We got one of their kids here.
Torance: Tell them to come get her.
Torance hears Cheslin grunt "Okay" and the receding footsteps.
Nikki: I can go home by myself.
Nikki: But I want to make sure that Haji Klyther didn't hurt Danny any more.
Torance: Children are not supposed to run around without their parents. Did anyone ever tell you that?
Nikki: No.
Torance: And no one, not even grown-ups, are allowed to interrupt channels when they are working on sick people.
Torance: Didn't your parents tell you that, either?
Nikki wonders if he would be so smug if he knew where she has been since she got to the site.
Torance thinks, Wow, those Narosians really just let their kids run wild.
Storm is too tired to think about escaping from this room just now. He hopes Klyzer meets up with Moose one day.
Storm: Mr. Remme, thanks for coming here. Please tell Mr. Riyyh not to blame Nikki. She only did what I asked her to do.
Remme: She has spunk that one, no. I will make sure that they know.
Torance: Well, those are the rules. You're in detention until your parents come to get you.
Torance: And then I'll explain the rules to them, if they don't understand them.
Torance thinks that Riyyh has a reputation for evading regulations of all sorts, and obviously like father, like daughter.
Nikki decides these must be the evil men that her mother told her about. She will avoid them in future.
Storm: Thank you. Mr. Remme.
Nikki: So it's okay for a bad channel to hurt people?
Torance: Channels never hurt people.
Nikki: Haji Klyther hurt Danny.
Torance: Hajene Klyzer told me that you were hurting Danny. That's why you're under arrest.
Nikki: No. Haji Klyther hurt Danny. I went to get help.
Storm: Just tell Mr. Riyyh that all Nikki was doing was helping me out. I wish I knew if my sister has a little one like her.
Torance shrugs.
Nikki: I found Thothu Remme.
Torance knows who he believes when given the choice between a channel and a rag-tag run-away kid.
Torance: And Sosu Remme is a Donor. He doesn't hurt people either.
Torance: They are both grown-ups and know what to do.
Torance: You are a child.
Nikki: He made Danny better after Haji Klyther hurt him.
Nikki: Why do you let Haji Klyther hurt people?
Torance: You are a child and you don't understand.
Torance: Why don't you leave grownup stuff to grownups?
Nikki was hoping for an answer. Channels were supposed to help people.
Torance: Eat your cookies. Or be quiet and wait.
Nikki: You are not a good man.
Nikki: My daddy is a good man.
Nikki: He never hurts people.
Torance sees no reason to continue this conversation.
Torance folds his arms impassively and stares at the ceiling, hoping Cheslin gets back with someone quickly.
Nikki has decided that now more than ever she has to keep an eye on Danny. The evil men will hurt him if she doesn't.
Notes:
1) Interesting that Storm knows Arat as Audnes instead of Farris. It is unclear whether this is an uncaught player error or if Storm actually knows of Arat's old family name because of his mother's Norwest background. [return]
2) Yeah, and a lot of renSimes would like to have them for transfer too, but we can't all have Firsts all the time now can we? [return]
Go on to Episode #93: Unlikely Champion
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