On the Rim, Ch 59: Ben the Problem Solver
Story by comidacomida on SoFurry
Welcome to part 59 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".
Ben is kept busy after the attack on the base and even once injured group members are treated he still finds plenty to occupy his time. Sadly, it appears interest is still low on this series, so I'll be working to wrap it up. While the next post will continue with part 60, I'll start skipping 3-4 chapters with each post and summarize what is missed until we conclude with Part 100 and the epilogue. The next post will pick up the following morning and here are options:
A) Doc completes the work on Leo, attends a party, and keeps an eye on the med bay as the power does weird things during a thunder storm.
B) Cap'n throws a party in the morning to maintain group morale, then spends his day introducing Wolf to the base's security. Day closes with red border m/m interaction with Ben.
C) Cole adjusts the power system to avoid problems with a thunder storm, helps install a new power generator, and cleans up after a misunderstanding-turned-physical.
D) Duct-Tape helps Ben with the new power generator, checks on hydroponics, and then has to deal with a very VERY angry Kurta.
E) Wolf is a new member of the team, so let's see what he experiences in his first day with the group!
F) Nah-- we're good here. Just summarize the rest and fast forward to the epilogue.
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 59: Ben the Problem Solver
2020 copyright comidacomida
The moment combat had come to an end Ben jumped into action. With Leo critically injured and Kurta's pet wolf grievously wounded there wasn't time for him to do anything but. While Doc looked into stabilizing the Lion, the researcher went to assist Kurta. She had sedated Ajax and was inspecting the damage. It was then that Ben was relieved. "He still has his tongue."
She obviously didn't get his meaning at first until he traced the line the blade had made when it cut through the unfortunate animal's muzzle. Eventually she came around to his way of thinking. "Okay...so no lingual muscle damage... the blade passed through the Alveolar process, missed his tongue, and cleaved off his lower jaw at the mental foramina. A major nerve cluster is situated there."
Ben saw she was getting worried again so he pulled the discussion back on track. "Right... but since his tongue is intact that's one less thing to fabricate for a cybernetic replacement... tongues are NOT easy."
That statement snapped her out of her funk. "You can do that?"
The Wolf nodded. "I'm not a vet, but I can if you're able to help me."
It was well after midnight by the time he got to bed, but he left Kurta watching over the fabrication device, promising to help her install it first thing in the morning. Archie was already in bed when Ben arrived at their room so he undressed silently and climbed into bed. The Captain slid over and put his arm around the researcher, voice full of sleep, but still attentive. "How's the wolf?"
Ben snuggled into the Dog's strong arms. "I'm alright... tired though."
His wagging tail betrayed his dead-pan delivery; they both knew that Archie meant Ajax, but the Captain didn't bother correcting him. "Good. Now shut up and get some sleep."
The researcher found himself smiling. "Yes sir."
* * * * *
The morning, as promised, was spent helping Kurta install the cybernetic muzzle. She monitored the wolf's anesthetic while Ben did the technical job of making sure the fabricated part fit; it did. They both missed breakfast as the process was completed and, once he checked the diagnostics (and after Kurta inspected it from a medical point of view), she gave him a hug and said she was going to hang around until Ajax woke up so she could continue to monitor him. Ben encouraged her to get some sleep eventually, which she promised to do, and then he went to see Leo.
Dr. Zimmerman was in the med bay when Ben arrived but the doctor looked up as the Wolf approached. "Ah... Mr. Grotan. I can't tell you how amazing it is to see you up and around. Is there something I can help you with?"
Ben's tail wagged languidly as he approached, motioning to Leo, who was laying in a bed beside the Human. "Actually, I was hoping to help YOU with something."
Leo wheezed from the bed, speaking despite having obvious trouble with it. "Some... THING or.... some.... one?"
Doc stepped aside, patting the Lion on the thigh. "Leo's out of critical condition and he's doing fine. Mr. Calico's condition should improve over the next few days and he should be back on LIMITED duty by the end of the week."
Ben was no doctor and wasn't about to question Dr. Zimmerman's prognosis, but the statement did raise some concerns. "Limited duty? Because of the lung issue?"
Chris nodded. "I was able to handle the pneumothorax and he's patched up, but with the limited services and supplies here I couldn't save the lung."
The Wolf nodded. "Mmm... and what about a replacement?"
Leo piped in. "Yeah! I... asked him... the.... same thing."
The Doctor frowned. "And I'll tell you the same thing I told Mr. Calico here: we don't have the equipment to produce a surrogate."
Ben nodded in thought. "Right... I was thinking about a synthetic replacement... sure, we'll have to set up a tissue printer and a growth vat, but we should have everything we need to make that happen."
Dr. Zimmerman was immediately interested. "Are you sure? If that's the case I'll let Sandra know... that could save a LOT of lives!"
The researcher paused at the familiar name the doc used when referencing the Overseer but he let it go in favor of results. "If she gives us the go-ahead then I should be able to have it up and running by tonight."
Ben ended up getting tasked with the tissue printer no more than ten minutes later. He spent a good portion of the day setting it up, which was a large project for just one Gen. Thankfully he was joined just after lunch by Duct-Tape, who provided an extra set of paws and some quality know-how. Between the two of them, it was able to be tested that afternoon. While waiting for the trial run to create an unusable demo model Duct-Tape was quick to offer another project. "Cole and I were looking to expand on the geo-thermal generator you set up before--- well... before the incident."
The Fox was gracious and tactful with his use of 'incident' but Ben knew what he meant. "The power grid should be able to do just fine with it since the wiring was upgraded. Do we have another site of geo-thermal energy in mind?"
Duct-Tape's tail swished excitedly. "Actually, I was hoping to pick your brain. We think we have a ground scanner schematic ready to use, but it could really benefit from a second-look just in case you see any problems that stand out. The preliminary report shows an output lower than I'd like..."
Ben's ears perked, stepping away from the synthetic organ production vat to address the problem. He followed the Fox out into the man hall, talking the whole way. "Did you try a variety of wave lengths? I noticed that the rock here has a much higher density so it could benefit from a longer wavelength."
Duct-Tape continued the conversation regarding power levels and oscillation, which turned into a full-on discussion as the two inspected the plans that the Fox still had on the blueprint desk. They spent two more hours going over ways to perfect it before coming to the conclusion that it was ready to go-- just in time for dinner.
Dinner was an event in and of itself. A trade group from a local LLC had stopped by and Ms. Simpson had managed to recruit one of their mercenary security officers. Despite being a Human, Lt. Riggs Carrow had been nicknamed 'Wolf'. Leo, who had been released from the med bay to join everyone for dinner 'went there'. "So he goes by 'Wolf', huh? Won't that make things kinda confusing cuz, you know... he's a Human?"
His objection was widely ignored, and dinner proceeded at pace. Ben sat next to Archie who, as things came to a close, whispered softly "I have one more patrol tonight... if you can make it to bed at a reasonable hour I'd love some quality time."
Ben felt the fur on the back of his neck stand on end as a little thrill-shiver ran from the tip of his tail to the tip of his nose. "Y-yeah... me too."
It wasn't an easy feat to accomplish, especially not with so much still on his plate. After dinner, however, Ben made efficient use of his time. Taking a sample of Leo's DNA, he spun up the synthetic organ vat and went to check on Duct-Tape, helping him with the final patching to the fabricator before uploading the ground scanner. He then left the task of moving and installing it to the Fox, who promised to get help from Cole.
From there, Ben went back to the organ vat, transferred the new lung over to a carrying case, and delivered it to the med bay. Doc was overjoyed to see the product-- almost as much as Leo. As Ben said his goodnights, he left the med bay just as the Lion stated "So, Doc... we've known each other for quite awhile now... and I can't wait for you to stick it in me."
Ben chuckled all the way back to his room, tail wagging happily. Having basically closed his eyes then opened them what felt like a second later, he hadn't really felt what it was like to be dead, but he sure knew what it felt like to be alive, and he really enjoyed it. When he walked into the room he shared with Captain Archie he froze in place, eyes taking in a well-built, very sexy Dog laying stark naked on top of the covers. Yes... being alive was really REALLY good.