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On the Rim, Ch 68: Duct-Tape Prepares for Launch

2020 copyright comidacomida

Although the Group Under the Mountain had brought a lot of chaos to the planet, Duct-Tape was glad he had joined them. True, they had to contend with bandit attacks but they, unlike most of the other factions on Planet A were willing to fight back in an attempt to bring some semi balance of stability to the rim world. That, and there was a very real chance that the Fox would finally be able to leave and they were the folks who would make that happen.

As he went through his daily activities the Fox paid attention to the various people around him, observing their undertakings and making sure he would be able to pick up the slack if anyone needed the help. The morning passed quickly and the only real interruption was a visit from a group of tribals. They were friendly, thankfully, and, toward the end of a negotiation, the Overseer called for Duct-Tape.

She indicated him to the tribesmen. "Tell him what you need and we will see about making it happen."

The Human looking at him had skin nearly as white as Duct-Tape's fur and his eyes were an odd pink color; he was an albino, the Fox realized. "Many of my tribe have been wounded by pirates over the years. We are in need of the kinds of limb replacements your people make. Can you help us?"

It didn't take long for the engineer to get a list together and, considering the reasonable request, he was confident that it wasn't a difficult prospect. Turning to the Overseer he said "As long as I can get some help we should be able to fabricate what they need in short order... maybe a day-- two at most."

Sandra nodded. "Then get Ben and Kurta. I want them ready to go tonight."

The Fox nodded in return. "Yes, Ma'am."

As he walked away he heard the Overseer state "We'll have a group ready to bring the items you requested to your village within the next two days."

Duct-Tape's promise wasn't an empty one; with Ben and Kurta helping him he was indeed able to fabricate what needed to be done though, truth be told, he was more of an assistant to them as they were far more skilled with biotech. Nevertheless, the team got the world one and the day ended positively.

* * * * *

The following morning was incredibly hot and, after the tribals were on their way, Duct-Tape spent most of the morning working inside, sifting through the various components and debris left by the traders. Although most of it was little more than slag he did find a few usable parts that could be cleaned up and repurposed; considering the prosthetics were made from less-useful scrap the new parts were a step in the right direction.

By the time dinner rolled around Duct-Tape and Ben were ready to sit down at the drawing board and begin making a plan for the jump ship. Between the two of them, with occasional input regarding structural stability from Cole, they compiled a collection of system schematics which, together, would be combined to create a suitable orbital shuttle. There were a few more issues to resolve and some fine-tuning in preparation for fabrication but they were required to take a break when Overseer Sandra and Captain Archibald approached them.

The Overseer spoke first. "With the increased bandit attacks we have no choice but to spare some manpower to prepare defenses. We can't afford any casualties."

After that, the Captain got right down to business. "The Overseer told me that she traded for some logic circuits and some optical sensors yesterday. I have some sites picked out for automated turret installations. If you think you can put some together, this is a top a priority."

Duct-Tape and Ben glanced to one another and the Wolf looked back at the Dog. "Archi--"

The Captain was quick to correct him "Captain."

Ben flicked an ear. "Captain... isn't the jump ship our top priority?"

Sandra let out a sigh. "The Captain is right. I want all of us to make it off this planet alive, and, now that hostile factions know where we are the chances that we'll be attacked have increased greatly. I don't want--"

The statement was interrupted by noise from the kitchen; Grizz's voice was unmistakable. "Well I don't like the idea of eating SNAILS! Make something else!"

The sound of flesh striking flesh was the precursor to a full-blown storm of chaos; Duct-Tape had spent enough time around pirates to recognize the sound of a brawl. Captain rushed off in that direction, Sandra following him, and Duct-Tape following after her. By the time they arrived the scuffle was over; Grizz stood in the kitchen with a scowl on his face and a puffy cheek beneath scuffed fur. Myra was splayed out cold with a black eye and a split lip. The Bear looked at the newcomers, motioning to the unconscious cook. "Crazy bitch doesn't know how to take a little criticism..."

Cap'n issued out a low growl of displeasure. "That is all, Corporal."

The two security officers left for what the Dog noted would be a debriefing, leaving Sandra to make a request of Duct-Tape. "See if you can help her make it to the med-bay... Doc needs to look her over."

Duct-Tape did so without objection, slowly rousing the semi-conscious Rhino before providing her support for her balance as they went across the hall to the med-bay. The Fox provided a brief overview of what he knew of the events that led Myra to being checked in and then excused himself; he had to tend to help engineer some turrets and then get back to working on the jump ship. Mechanical problems, he decided, were so much easier than interpersonal ones.

* * * * *

Security upgrades, once Duct-Tape and Ben managed to prepare some workable schematics to fabricate the turrets were left up to Cole. The Stallion was more than capable of running conduits and setting up mounts for the automated sentinel weapons while the Fox and Wolf returned to preparing a workable electrical grid for the jump ship's subsystems. They stopped briefly for an early afternoon snack which Myra prepared; apparently she'd been cleared to return to the kitchen.

Sandra, in the meantime, was putting together a trade group to bring the promised prosthetics to the tribals. As usual, the standard team was selected, only a problem arose when Doc showed up to let the Overseer know that Grizz was in the sick bay, down for the count with a nasty cold. Captain Archie scowled. "That means we're down by one."

Ben spoke up immediately. "Then let me come with."

Everyone seemed taken aback by the sickly Wolf volunteering. Cap'n was quick to object. "You're busy with shuttle work. I'm not sure that the--"

The Wolf shook his head. "We're about as far along as we can get until we start assembly and, besides, Duct-Tape has things covered, don't you, Duct-Tape?"

The Fox really couldn't object, aside from the fact that Ben was a non-combatant, and being on the road wasn't exactly safe. "I suppose, but--"

Leo stepped up beside Duct-Tape, draping an arm over the Fox's shoulder as he addressed the management. "Oh, just let the kid go-- it's not like you're fighting bandits or anything... it's just a trade mission."

The discussion continued for another minute or two but, in the end, it was settled: Captain Archie, Ben, Lizzy, Wolf, Kid, Jackal and Claw would go. As they began to get ready, Leo found his way back to the Fox. "So... since you and Ben are done for awhile, maybe you could help ME with somethin'."

Duct-Tape had long-since learned that Leo being vague was usually not that great a prospect. "Help with what?"

The Lion was all smiles. "Nothing too extreme... just setting up some additional hydroponics is all."

The 'additional hydroponics' turned out to be an entirely new room but, in the end, it wasn't entirely a bad idea. With Cole's help, Duct-Tape managed to set up a half-dozen units of hydroponics, and used two of the pods for agave, an two for strawberries. Leo, on the other hand, quickly began sewing seeds in the remaining two units before any of the laborers could speak up. Cole obviously wasn't about to ask, so that left the Fox. "What are you planting exactly?"

Leo's vague answer made Duct-Tape concerned almost immediately. "Nothing wrong with some morale crops, am I right?"

Vowing to keep the Overseer well-informed, Duct-Tape took his leave.

* * * * *

The Caravan returned very early morning, well before dawn, but Duct-Tape was already up. He had long-since tracked the celestial events on Planet A an knew that he had a rare opportunity to observe one of the planet's famed auroras. Sitting outside staring up at the gorgeous pastel hues of waving lights flowing across the sky like fabric in the wind, the Fox welcomed everyone home. Ben, despite having done more traveling than he had since first arriving, appeared to be in good spirits an the Wolf took the Fox aside to go over some new items the tribals had added to the trade.

Their discussion was short lived as an early morning tussle disturbed the peace; once again, it originated in the kitchen. By the time Duct-Tape arrived to see what the problem was Captain Archie and Kid already had things under control. Cole, according to Myra, had made a huge mess in the kitchen and needed to be taught some manners; the Stallion was thoroughly beat up. Both went to the infirmary, Cole because of numerous bloody contusions, and Myra for bruised knuckles.

Although Captain Archie consulted the Overseer about the cook, their meeting wasn't able to conclude with any definitive answer regarding her recent aggression since an important call came in on the comm console. Considering its proximity to the drafting table, Duct-Tape, who was hard at work preparing more plans for the shuttle was able to overhear the discussion. It was another request from the Cytkus research station-- more bandits, and another proposition.

Duct-Tape was never much of an eaves-dropper, but the conversation was impossible to ignore. The comms officer from the Cytkus indicated that their security force had done a preliminary scouting o the site and identified seven hostiles. After conferring with Captain Archie that Grizz had recovered from his illness, the Overseer let the research outpost know that it would be handled.

Unlike the usual sorties, the Captain elected to remain at the base; he had to finish preparing defenses. Grizz would take over the lead and he was assigned Missy, Claw, Leo, Jackal, Wolf, and Kid to round out his squad. Rather than waiting til morning or delaying for preparation, Grizz elected to gather everyone up and head out immediately; based on the distance, they would be gone for two or three days and he was eager to clean out any bandits in the area.

Early that evening, things took a turn again; after dinner, during the usual rowdy, relaxed most-meal casual time, Ben called everyone to silence and then, before the entire group, got down on one knee and help up a fabricated tungsten ring... and proposed. Captain Archibal said yes. It was a magnificent event, an Duct-Tape found himself tearing up.

Although most of the group continued to party in proper celebration, Duct-Tape excused himself, returning to the drafting table as he continued working through the upgrades and updates Ben had made. Using those changes as a jumping-off point, the Fox lost track of time and, at some point around midnight he had quite the breakthrough. The Overseer, who was just about to retire to bed, joined him when she heard him call.

He showed her his calculations regarding the escape shuttle reactor and how it could be repurposed and improved, providing them the majority of the lift they'd need to reach orbit. There were more resources required still, but it was a start. Sandra told him to get to sleep; he would begin work on it in the morning.