On the Rim, Ch 37: Duct-Tape Fixes Everything... Almost
Story by comidacomida on SoFurry
Welcome to Chapter 37 of "On the Rim"! This is a short story series based on a computer 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".
With a 5 way tie from the last voting I had to roll a dice of decision-making to figure out who'd be the focus of this chapter. We get to see things from Duct-Tape's point of view, and it's a doozie! So, as usual, ask: Where do things go from here? Here are the options:
A) Sandra does business with another orbital trader, and then an LLC group trader who visits. Later, she has to deal with some contraband, and has a quiet moment with her paramour, Chris.
B) Chris deals with a difficult case of wounds among the combatants, especially Myra, who has some that aren't easily treatable. Later, he gets some quality time with his flame, Sandra.
C) Myra is forced to come to terms with the possibility of never being the same after taking a critical wound. Later, she is forced to make a choice about a possible-but-dangerous work-around.
D) Cap'n tries to stay busy after the combat but invariably Ben enters his mind. He spends some time wallowing in sorrow at Ben's tomb, but sympathy comes from an unlikely source.
E) Leo has to pick up the slack thanks to injuries around the base, but he also finds time to work on improving his store of contraband, until he is unexpectedly interrupted.
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. As with this post, expect three chapters in the next update.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy "On the Rim"!
On the Rim, Ch 37: Duct-Tape Fixes Everything... Almost
2020 copyright comidacomida
When Duct-Tape originally helped Cole upgrade the electrical wiring for expansion throughout the cave system he'd never imagined that'd he'd end up tearing all of it up again to rework the connections for the sake of safety. Between installing junction boxes and filling in all of the line conduits with a water-and-electricity-resistant polymer, the Fox's "quick upgrade" was swiftly transitioning into a two day job.
Cole was able to help occasionally but, considering how much the Overseer relied on the Stallion for other tasks, Duct-Tape ended up spending nearly half of his morning working alone. The Fox appreciated the quiet time, being able to spend the hours doing important work with his paws, but, at the same point, it wasn't going as quickly as he would have liked and, considering the copious amounts of rain that had fallen non-stop for awhile, he imagined that sooner-rather-than-later was a good timeframe for completing the project.
Right around lunch, Cole joined him again, and they made excellent time, completing an entire hallway and the personnel rooms attached. They talked while they worked, discussing everything from electrical theory and practical use, thoughts on how the electrical grid could expand if it was called to in the future, and, once they'd gone through most small-talk as it applied to their job, Ben. It seemed the Wolf was on a lot of peoples' mind.
Duct-Tape had seen a lot of really good people come and go but one thing that remained the same: it wasn't ever easier. Still, he often found solace in helping those around him and, he often felt that his mood and outlook improved when he could make a difference for others, and that was his goal with Cole. He would have liked to think he was successful, and probably would have been more successful if not for Corporal Grizz, who came running through the tunnel shouting a warning.
Cole missed what was said, turning to ask the Fox, ears up. "What's he yelling about?"
Duct-Tape had heard it clearly enough. "Another one of those cylindrical drop pods... come on-- they'll need everyone."
The Fox's declaration was not an understatement; Captain Archibald did indeed draft every able-bodied man and woman in the colony, except for the Overseer and Doc, who were both designated non-combatants. Lizzy was recovering from her wounds she'd taken the prior day and, Duct-Tape discovered, Kurta was also in the med-bay recovering from an injury she'd sustained that morning. Right outside the cave system the Captain was gathering together their defense group; he was joined by Grizz, Missy, Claw, and Myra. Leo came out of the tunnel a few moments after Duct-Tape and Cole.
Cap'n wasted no time explaining the situation. "Last time one of these things came down near the base we had robot combatants come out. They have advanced weapons, which means finding cover and keeping yourselves alive should be priority one. Grizz and I will set up the primary battle line at the entrance to the valley at the defense walls we've set up. Missy, you take Leo and see if you can get some high-ground to the north. Duct-Tape, I need you and Cole to find some place on that ridge to the east. Claw, you and Myra--"
The Stallion interjected. "Cap'n, I'm not--"
The Dog turned and looked right at him. "Listen, son... I know you aren't designated security-- hell, half of you here aren't, but we're facing a threat and I need you to step up. You may be used to being in reserve, but we may not have the luxury this time. Can I count on you?"
Duct-Tape heard Cole swallow audibly next to him, and the Stallion simply nodded, silent. The Fox leaned over and spoke quietly to reassure the Horse "Stay close to me, and we can keep each other safe."
He accompanied the statement with a gentle squeeze of Cole's hand, and the Stallion nodded hesitantly, offering what looked like an attempt at a confident smile; Duct-Tape realized that it was a poor attempt, but he appreciated the try. The Captain had finished his orders, and so the Fox headed off directly toward a slight rise just beyond the tree line, making sure that Cole was keeping pace; the Stallion, despite his reservations, was.
Duct-Tape chose a spot on the ridge that included large sections of rocky outcroppings, and was also positioned well enough to have a clear view down into the jungle where several trees had been cleared to build up the group's store of wood. He chose the smaller of two boulders for himself and indicated another for Cole; the Fox had been in a few altercations in his time, and he wanted to remain close to the Horse, but not too close as to make an appealing target for explosives.
Captain Archibald made sure everyone had their PCDs turned to the same channel. While there was no signal booster like the ones normally found on ships or colonies, the positions each group chose were close enough that they'd be able to communicate. Grizz's voice came through clear. "Alright... getting close to the impact site... damn... this thing's even bigger than the last one."
Leo's unmistakable chuckle came through next. "Yeah... I'm used to hearin' that."
Cap'n quickly silenced the chatter. "That's enough, Leo. Looks like whatever it is hasn't-- heads up!"
Although the trees blocked the majority of what was going on, the sudden sound of gunfire helped fill in the blanks. Duct-Tape looked across to where Cole was; the Stallion had his pistol in a white-knuckle grip in both his hands. The Fox ducked back down, calling to him. "Cole! Hey!"
The laborer looked his way, fear evident in his expression. "Those are robots... aren't they?"
The Fox nodded. "Yeah... but calm down. That pistol's small for you-- one hand only. Use the other to steady your arm."
It wasn't exactly the right time for a lesson in shooting, especially not with the firefight raging down below, but they would likely need everyone they could get and having Cole freeze up wasn't about to help. The Horse attempted to follow his directions, moving one hand down to grab the wrist of the one holding the weapon. "Like... this?"
Duct-Tape's goal, in fact, wasn't to teach the Stallion how to fire under duress, rather, it was about getting Cole outside of his head and focusing on something other than his fear. "Good... now... when I say, we both hop up. Keep your body behind the boulder, and fire off three shots. One... two-three. First is to get your aim right, and then follow up with a double-tap... then we get back under cover. Got it?"
Cole nodded reluctantly. "Y-yeah."
Without giving the Stallion any chance to second-guess or hesitate, Duct-Tape immediately shouted "NOW!"
The Fox had always been good at taking stock of a situation, but what he saw below when he took up his firing position numbed him: there were three humanoid robots moving quickly toward the group's battle line, backed up by what looked like some kind of battle tank! Shrugging off the surprise, Duct-Tape shouted "FIRE!"
As expected, neither of them managed to score a worthwhile hit, but what their attack did do was to distract the enemy and pull their attention toward the ridge. Fortunately, it was timed coincidentally with Missy and Leo firing down as well. The robots' focus was split just long enough that it allowed Claw, moving like a blur, to reach them and engage in melee combat; Myra was just a step behind.
Although Cole slid back behind the boulder, Duct-Tape continued firing. Down below, the Badger tore one of the things apart with his claws while Myra slammed head-first into another, her horn leading the way. Claw's opponent was in pieces while the Rhino's flailed at her, wicked-looking claws cutting her several times before she bludgeoned it to inactive with a large branch. The combat raged around them, and Cole, beside Duct-Tape, jumped back up to rejoin it, leveling his gun to fire just as the robotic support vehicle did the same... in their direction. Duct-Tape shouted "DOWN!"
The Fox hadn't had a chance to see how the tank was armed, but that was of secondary importance. Regardless, he was relieve when there was no impact of a large sized shell, rather, the entire ridge was saturated with pulse rounds thrown at them in such an amount that it could easily have come from a platoon. By the time the firing had ended, Duct-Tape was able to hear Cole's cries of distress. Looking over to the Stallion, he saw the laborer half laying, half sitting on the ground, a large shard of stone sticking out of his thigh.
The Fox quickly took stock of the situation. "Stay under cover."
He couldn't offer much more aid than that; there was still a fight going on down below, and he was needed. Taking up his firing position again, Duct-Tape fired off slow, methodical shots at the remaining robot, pulling its attention away from the group's main battle line, which had changed the focus of their attacks to the tank. From behind it, Missy and Leo took aim, and, together, overpowered its body armor with repeat shots and it fell.
Myra, meanwhile, was limping back from the battle field, having overcome her opponent but obviously injured from its thrashing. The tank, unfortunately, had taken notice of her and its turret was rotating in her direction. captain's shout was loud enough that it was just barely audible without the need of the PCD. "TANK! NOW!"
Duct-Tape took aim and he began firing as quickly as his pistol would let him without an overheating warning. He was surprised when his shots were accompanied by Cole's; the Stallion had managed to prop himself up and, leaning against the boulder he used for cover, was matching the Fox shot for shot. From across the way Missy and Leo's attacks joined theirs, and the main battle line opened up with pulse rifles.
The tank's turret finally rotated, taking aim on Myra, and Claw sprang onto her, dragging her to the ground as it opened fire. Somehow, in a manner too quick for Duct-Tape to acknowledge, a fired round must have made its way from someone on the front line and into one of the several barrels that rotated atop the tank's turret. The gun immediately stopped and, after perhaps a second and a half, it spontaneously exploded. The rest of the vehicle suffered a chain reaction and, after three more explosions, fell quiet, sparking and burning.
When the all-clear was signaled, Duct-Tape helped Cole back down the ridge. The Stallion and Myra were the only friendly casualties; Cap'n had Missy and Leo guide them back to the med-bay while he and Grizz stayed to stand watch. The next order was directed at Duct-Tape; the Fox was going to work on disassembling the transport tube from which the robots had emerged while Claw was tasked with dragging the robots back to base for disassembly.
Despite the victory, the Dog didn't seem pleased. "Two of these things falling so close to the base can't be a coincidence... something's going on, and we need to figure out what as soon as we can."