On the Rim, Ch 5: Christopher "Doc" Zimmerman
Story by comidacomida on SoFurry
Welcome to the fifth post of "On the Rim", a short story series based on a game I am playing called "Rim World". Rim World is a really cool indie game that accommodates an amazing array of mods that allow me to create a setting very similar to my story world in which several of my stories take place including "Fathom's Phantoms", "The Farlight Initiative", an "Paid in Kind".
The poll from last post resulted in this one being provided from Dr. Christopher Zimmerman's point of view. Despite his uses as a healthcare specialist, he doesn't have the opportunity to help out around the site as he'd like, but at least he gets to spend some time talking with Duct-Tape, even if the topics aren't quite as comfortable as ones he'd more prefer. As we progress into the next chapter, as with the prior ones, I now ask readers to decide who we watch for the next one. Here's the options:
a) Captain Archie prepares for trouble since the visitors the prior day gave them a warning about possible threats. We also see the following engagement from his point of view.
b) Corporal Grizz helps to establish some basic fortifications to improve the security of the site and then we follow him through combat when the group is attacked that day.
c) Cole does some heavy lifting and eventually finds out that the group is preparing for war. During battle we see the big picture as he is conscripted to protect the fallback area and watches.
d) Missy spend the morning preparing for possible conflict and then joins the security team on the front line defending the camp.
e) Duct-Tape continues preparing the area for hydroponics and remains in cover during the combat, but helps Sandra and Chris when it comes time to deal with prisoners.
Voting won't be available long and no, the decision won't change the events of the story, just how they're presented along with who we get to learn more about via their point of view.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy "On the Rim"!
On the Rim, Ch 5: Christopher "Doc" Zimmerman
2019 copyright comidacomida
Although most of the group spent the fifth day on Planet A expanding the living area within the mountain, Chris wasn't among the workers. As the only licensed medical professional among the survivors he was deemed too critical to operations to risk injuring his hands with digging, transporting stone chunks or other forms of manual labor. In order to stay busy, Chris spent time working at the planning table, reviewing Cole's plans for running power to the new rooms. Despite being 'just a dock worker' the young Stallion had quite the head on his shoulders, and that was something the doctor could appreciate, among several other traits the muscular Horse presented.
His meandering thoughts were broken when he heard his most recent patient's voice speak up from behind him. "I know you're busy, Doc, but if you have a minute..."
The human turned about on the stool where he sat and addressed the Fox standing a courteous distance back. "Of course, Bernard. How can I help?"
The Gen offered a pleasant smile and flicked an ear. "You know... to be honest, I spent the last twenty-or-so years being called 'Duct-Tape', so if it's all the same..."
Chris was honestly surprised. "Really? I'd have figured that spending decades as a slave laborer for pirates would have made you want to get as far from that kind of head-space as possible."
The Fox shrugged, gesturing toward the side storage room that the Doctor had been using as an exam and treatment room. "Well, to be honest, it's one of the few things they gave me, and the only show of appreciation I got, so I consider it a hard-won prize."
The Human took both cues and preceded the Fox to the exam room, acknowledging his patient's request. "No problem, Duct-Tape... so what's up?"
The Gen immediately began to strip off his shirt, unbuttoning it as he spoke. "The one on my ribs opened up again last night. I patched what I could, but I need your help..."
Chris nodded, moving closer to the room's sole light source and gestured the Fox over. "Alright... let's take a look."
Despite being in his mid-to-late sixties and having spent almost a third of it as a pirate slave, Duct-Tape was in reasonably good health (aside from countless bruises) and he still had a young man's physique. If the Fox hadn't been older than his father, Chris might have even taken an interest... except for the other issue too.
The doctor's train of thought was derailed when Duct-Tape cleared his throat and announced "Ribs, Doc... everything left 'down there' is fine."
Chris hadn't even realized that his gaze had meandered down to the Fox's groin; the Human was still reeling from what he'd learned about Duct-Tape's time with the pirates. "Sorry, I-- uh... it's just--"
The old Gen chuckled, resting a paw on the Human's shoulder. "Hey, I get it-- not every day you meet a 'snipped' Gen. Guess you understand why I didn't wanna share that tidbit with everyone, eh?"
During the prior day's physical as ordered by Overseer Simpson, Chris had discovered that Duct-Tape's testicles had been removed. Although the scarring didn't show any great signs of complications during the healing process it certainly hadn't been carried out with surgical equipment or any great skill; the realization sent another shiver up his spine when he recalled the Fox telling him that it'd been done without any painkiller either. "They-- it... such brutality..."
The Fox just shrugged, remaining where he was while the Human got to work on redressing the wound. While Chris put the finishing touches on the bandage, Duct-Tape spoke up again. "Call it an old man's curiosity, but are you and the kid gonna be an item?"
The personal question caused Chris' brain to freeze; who among the group would Duct-Tape consider a 'kid'? Everyone was over twenty at least, but, then again, to a sixty-something, gray-furred Fox, who COULDN'T be seen as a child. "Kid? You mean, Ms. Drann?"
Duct-Tape chuckled. "Not the Cat, Doc... the Horse. I know you go for both, but I'm taking about Cole."
It was the second time in a row that the Human was blindsided by a statement from the Fox. "What?"
The newcomer to the group turned out to be far more observant and astute than Chris had first presumed possible. They spent the next twenty minutes discussing how Duct-Tape apparently knew that Chris was bisexual versus the fact that Cole was gay; the doctor had no idea that the Stallion swung that way, not that he'd really spent any time thinking about anyone's sexuality. The idle chit-chat would have gone further, if not for a call from the Cap'n, who'd been on watch outside.
The survivors gathered up as a group of five Gens approached 'the bunker' and came into view of the mouth of the cave. Although Chris was near the back of the group standing at the doorway he was able to see at least a half dozen of them. They looked to be dressed well, if a little ragged. As the lead doctor of Med Bay 4 he prided himself with his familiarity with most of the crew of the RCS Venture and he didn't recognize any of them. Captain Archie wasted no time. "Friendly or no?"
The speaker of the other group, a Gen Ferret who carried what looked like a hunting rifle on a strap over his shoulder raised an opened paw, calling back "I was gonna ask you the same but, judging from the fact that you spoke instead of shot I'm hoping that question's already answered."
It was a good first-meeting of someone other than a pirate and, although Chris was told to remain in the caves and wasn't involved in the conversation he watched with interest; from what he could gather the discussion that Overseer Simpson and Captain Archie had with the representatives of the other group went well. After the better part of an hour the discussion came to an end and the travelers departed peacefully.
Missy, standing just outside the cave with her new Wolf pet spoke to the Overseer and Captain first. "So what's with them? They not staying?"
The Captain passed by without answering but Ms. Simpson addressed everyone present. "They don't mean us any harm. They're from an unregistered settlement of zeroed colonists and they were passing through."
It had been a long time since Chris had heard of anyone being zeroed; being completely removed from all data feeds and relinquishing citizenship to any organization or country just wasn't done. Still, if that was the case it would make sense that they were so far out on the rim. He was both relieved and intrigued to hear about them and resolved to ponder the significance later. Duct-Tape, however, had something to add. "There are a few settlements on this continent, mostly tribals and zeroed folk... a few pirate bases too, and not all friendly to each other either. It's a dangerous place, but if you find peaceful folk like that it's worthwhile sticking together."
The Captain spoke up from behind the group. "It was brought up but they didn't want to stick around, which is fine; so long as they don't mean harm then we won't cause any either."
The Overseer looked to him. "What about their warning?"
The Dog nodded. "I let Grizz know. We'll be doing three watch shifts." he turned to the Lynx "Are you comfortable with being drafted, Ms. Dunn, or do I put someone else on watch?"
She shrugged. "I'm heading out to set some traps in the lake, Cap'n... I saw some shellfish out there and I think that'll be easier than wasting power cells hunting."
Captain Archie nodded. "That's fine. I'm taking watch now and I was going to have Grizz head out to inspect that metal vein you found earlier... mind showing him where it us? He'll take over watch this afternoon and if you're up for it you can take pre-dawn..." he shifted his weight forward as if inferring something with his next words....unless that was you trying to say 'no' without being rude."
The Lynx snickered. "No-- that sounds fine... I just didn't want to be on watch all day. See ya tonight."
Although her statement was dismissive she didn't go far, waiting for Grizz to emerge from the cave with his assault rifle over his shoulder and the two of them started off out into the wild. As Chris watched them go he began to worry about all of the possible injuries they could sustain while they were away. Duct-Tape, who was still beside him, leaned closer and announced "She's into the Bear, and the Cap'n knows it."
The Fox yet again managed to get the doctor's brain to pause with a single statement. "Ms. Drann? Are you sure?"
Duct-Tape nodded affirmatively as he stroked his muzzle. "Yep... not sure what he thinks yet-- kinda a hard read."
The discussion came to an end there as the Fox was recruited to help with the continued build-out of the shelter which, according to the Overseer, was going to have a small room available for guests, just in case an opportunity for diplomacy arose. Chris, of course, was not included in the building plans, though he was tapped for his opinion on a few matters by Ms. Simpson when the topic of healing herbs was raised by Duct-Tape.
That was later in the day, however, and Chris was half distracted because the Bear and Lynx had returned. It wasn't so much their presence that caught his attention; Cole had gone to welcome them back and, unless he was mistaken, he saw the young Stallion put a hand on Grizz's arm while speaking with him. Duct-Tape had apparently noticed as well, leaning over to speak quietly to the doctor "Looks like your interest in the Horse might go unspoken."
The Corporal responded to whatever Cole had said, then turned around to address others; what looked like flirting from the Stallion apparently went completely unnoticed. The Fox chuckled quietly, straightening up as he spoke casually "Or perhaps you still have a chance, kid. Good luck with that."