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On the Rim, Ch 2: Holifield "Grizz" Marsfab

2019 copyright comidacomida

Whether due to his genetic coding, combat training, or sheer natural disposition, Grizz never really slept much. Awakening in the pre-dawn hours, the Gen Grizzly had no trouble taking over for his CO; Captain Archie had stayed up the majority of the night, and it was time for the Corporal to take over. Giving the Dog a pat on the shoulder, he reaffirmed his intent "I got it from here, Cap'n."

The Dog gave him a nod and stepped away from the door, heading to one of the many makeshift beds that had been created that night, leaving the Bear to stand watch. The early morning hours had never been a problem for Grizz; he liked getting up early and he liked having the time to center himself. Everyone he'd ever worked beside knew him as a hot-head but that was only half true; Grizz was usually at his best when he had quiet moments to collect his thoughts and prepare for the day. The opportunity to stand guard was a distinct bonus.

The fabricated door was hardly the kind of barrier that provided any real combat benefit but it was better than nothing. Even so, Grizz could see the lack of tactical fortification as the sun rose and light began to shine in through the space between the wooden boards that made up the entirety of the door. The sun wasn't the only thing to rise, however, and Grizz heard the stirring of one of the other survivors. Glancing back into the cave, he saw it was the class 2 docking bay crewman, a Gen Horse. He gave the young Stallion a curt nod, offering a simple "Cole."

Although Cole wasn't part of Grizz's on-ship assignment, he'd come across the laborer from time to time, mostly because they both had similar shifts and the hours they were at the lounge coincided a few times per week. They'd chatted in the past, mostly in passing, but Grizz knew enough about the Horse to know that, like himself, he was tank-bred and raised in The System, a neural network designed to train and prepare Geneticons from pre-birth so their rapid physical development wouldn't overtake their mental one. He also knew that Cole had kept his given name, which related to his jet black fur color.

Rather than be social, the Horse ultimately nodded back and went about getting his day started. Like many labor-focused tank bred Gens, Cole seemed to get a sense of self worth by doing and making and fixing and working. Grizz couldn't fault him; as a tank bred himself, the Bear was all about fighting, protecting, and following commands. It wasn't a difficult life and, in a way, he was glad that his purpose was much more obvious than most Humans', who spent far too much time trying to find direction or reasons for being.

As the morning wore on, Cole proved just how industrious he could be, first spending time outside fabricating various pieces of furniture, and then, as everyone else stared waking up, brought them inside and in a matter of minutes, had a decent-sized table put together, complete with chairs for every member of their group. While Missy gathered water and Doc prepared a filter and sterilization chamber for it the rest of the survivors milled about; Captain Archie helped Cole while Ms. Simpson, the team's manager, did a quick inspection of their living conditions.

Breakfast was underway before long and, as everyone sat together eating, Ms. Simpson, as expected, was all business. "Captain, what can you suggest as the best way to improve the safety of everyone here with what limited resources we have?"

The Dog, as usual, was ready with an answer immediately. "Wood isn't good for much security-wise. We'll have a better chance with some harder materials for fortifications."

Without missing a beat, the manager turned to Cole. "Mr. Nine, can you put together a work area for converting rubble to usable bricks?"

The Stallion nodded. "Yes, Ma'am."

Captain Archie turned toward Grizz. "Grizz, I want you helping Cole. Make it a priority."

The Bear was good at following orders. "Copy that."

The moment breakfast ended, Grizz followed Cole over to a section of the dug-out cavern and the two got right to work. Following the Stallion's direction, the Bear helped with stacking some stones, which Cole then fused together with a hand tool, strengthening a waist-high shelf which looked sturdy enough to handle a solid amount of weight. From there, the Horse got right to work putting it to the test; before long he had a dozen nearly-perfect granite blocks. Glancing toward him, Cole offered a smile. "I think we have a serviceable work station."

Glancing around the cave, Grizz took stock of the others; the group's manager and the doctor had done a half-way decent job of putting together a work station of their own. In Grizz's opinion it looked like a desk-- probably a planning desk judging from the technical equipment they'd taken from the supplies to adorn it. The two were in the middle of what sounded like some awkward banter and, respectfully (and due to a lack of interest in drama), Grizz began looking for something else to busy himself.

As the Bear made his way outside, Cole gave a quick farewell. "I'm going to make a few more blocks, then see if I can repurpose the shuttle's engine to generate some power."

Grizz grunted an affirmative and stepped out into the late morning sun. During many of his planet side deployments the Bear had become used to cooler weather in the morning, but Planet A was surprisingly warm. Shrugging off the observation, the Corporal had just enough time to notice movement in the undergrowth nearby before an unseen observer sprang into action, charging toward where Captain Archie was talking with the civilian Lynx passenger. Grizz shouted a warning as he readied his gun. "Cap'n!"

Surprsingly, the feline's reactions were faster; she had her smg up and aimed while the Dog was still training his rifle. A quick burst took down the attacker with little fanfare, but the sound of the discharging weapon was enough to get everyone's attention and, before long, the entire group was outside, looking down at the injured assailant; he wasn't dead, but his injuries had rendered him unconscious and it was obvious that he would bleed to death before long. Grizz grunted. "Well.. we aren't alone."

Captain Archie and the team manager began discussing what to do with the man but, rather than wait for an answer, the civilian woman shouldered her gun and hefted the guy up like a sack of potatoes and walked him off to the concrete building the group was using for storage. She called over her shoulder "Hey, Doc-- you mind giving me a hand with this guy?"

Dr. Zimmerman looked to Ms. Simpson and, at a nod from the manager, he turned to follow the Lynx. A moment later, a soft, barely audible hum filled the valley for a half second, and light began to glow from within the cave. Cole, who hadn't joined everyone at the sound of gunshots, emerged from beneath the mountain and announced "Hey-- I got us some electricity."

The next few hours were a rush of activity as Captain Archie and Grizz spent their time doing another sweep of the area to look for any further signs of hostiles. Missy joined them after a time, explaining that the man had regained consciousness and was apparently a member of a splinter faction of the same pirates who were likely responsible for the downing of the RCS Venture. Grizz was ready to go back to do some 'interrogation', but about that time the civilian passenger called to him and the Captain for help; they found her with what looked like a crashed passenger pod with an injured, gray-muzzled Gen Fox in her arms.

The three of them returned to their cave and, although Grizz could easily have handled the Fox, the Lynx refused, electing to carry the old man herself. When they arrived the rest of the group gathered around to figure out what they'd found. Doc was the first to speak up, pointing to what looked like a hand-sewn insignia on the breast of the Fox's duster before thumbing back in the direction of the concrete structure. "He has the same marking on his clothes as Andre. They may both be pirates."

Ms. Simpson wasted no time making her decision. "Get him situated in the storage building with our other 'guest' then, and see about a lock for the door. Captain Archibald, I want you or the Corporal standing watch over them."

Both Grizz and the Captain nodded. "Ma'am."

The discussion continued among the rest of the group as Ms. Simpson and Dr. Zimmerman considered what to do with the prisoners. Cole kept to himself, just listening as the discussion moved into the cave once the sun started to set. From his position at the make-shift holding cell, Grizz could hear the conversation continue. The last thing Grizz head before the door close was Dr. Zimmerman suggesting some individual personal rooms, and Ms. Simpson agreeing... only the first priority being a proper prison.