On the Rim, Ch 53: Cole's Triple Shift
Story by comidacomida on SoFurry
Welcome to part 53 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".
We get to follow Cole around as he is kept (more than) busy while the two teams are away from camp. As the only full-assigned laborer, when there's a lack of manpower he's called in to make up for it. The next chapter will focus on the group sent to interact with the Research Outpost... who's perspective will we watch THAT through? Here are the options:
A) Lizzy takes the lead as the group's resident Cytkus when interacting with the group from research station.
B) Duct-Tape helps keep everyone calm and on-task as they interact with the only 'civil' group connecting the planet to the world beyond.
C) Kurta works hard to hide her mixed-genetics once she finds herself surrounded by the science-y stuff of the research station.
D) Tena Thii, lead researcher of the Cytkus group deals with the Group Under the Hill and keeps important details under wraps.
E) Beta enacts phase two of its plan when it comes to the interaction between the Group Under the HIll and the Cytkus Research Outpost.
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 53: Cole's Triple Shift
2020 copyright comidacomida
As the go-to laborer for the base, it was Cole's task to not only provide maintenance for the systems already in place, but he was also the go-to person for any expansions, special projects, and tunnel extensions. Unfortunately, once the two different teams were dispatched, the Stallion had to see to all-of-the-above. At the same time. Within a two-day timeframe. His job got a lot more complicated.
He knew that the Overseer wasn't trying to overload him on purpose, but that didn't make his job a lot easier. The Horse was still finishing off the many-meters of cable insulation, but he also had to mine out an additional section for the medical bay then construct extra beds to fill the bonus space. Defensive walls still needed to finish being erected to protect the base from future assaults, Cole was tasked with setting down carpeting in all of the private rooms and the guest chambers, and, he reminded himself, he also needed to check up on the hydroponics pods-- not for just the plants, but also to do a diagnostic on the mechanical and electrical components, which were due for repairs or replacement.
Still, staying busy was what Cole enjoyed the most about being a laborer so he kept his head down with his nose to the grindstone. Time passed quickly when he was at his busiest, which meant the day flew by and, before he knew it, day turned into night turned into pre-dawn, and THAT was when he finally had a moment to sleep. Or, more specifically, three and a half hours. He was up with the sun, and got right back into keeping pace with his obligations.
On the second day of the Horse's back-to-back-to-back labor shifts he was blessed with some additional help; the Overseer saw how busy he'd been and so she took Myra out of the kitchen and had her help Cole with working on the security fortifications. She also promised to send Leo out to help but, three hours into the job and the Lion was nowhere to be seen. Rather than dwelling on what he didn't have, the Stallion chose to focus on what he did, so that meant he and Myra finished the walls themselves.
After that, the Rhino returned to the kitchen to get started on dinner while Cole went back to finishing the carpeting in the guest room; since it was empty he figured it was the perfect time. At some point the Overseer showed up with his dinner since he hadn't realized he worked right through it, and she sat with him while he ate. She was pleasant enough company, but he was already measuring out dimensions in his head, figuring out if he could get the job done before bed; deciding he could, the Horse finished his meal and gave Ms. Simpson his bowl, then returned to the task at hand. It was another late night for him.
Things finally started to look up the following morning since the group tasked with hunting down the pirates returned. Missy heralded their arrival with a simple "Hey! We're back!"
Not only did they return without any injuries, but they also brought a prisoner with them; Claw carried the unconscious pirate over his shoulder and most of the Badger's back was caked in a cascade of blood. Captain Archibald explained simply "This one was bleeding to death-- figured we'd bring him back to stablalize him."
That brought up a fresh argument between the powers-that-be with Leo chiming in a few time before being told to shut up and to go work on something; the Lion did the former, but Cole was fairly certain that he hadn't taken the latter under advisement. The Stallion, on the other hand, still had plenty of work to do so he left before hearing the end of the discussion. Fortunately, other than bringing a mop through after the prisoner's passage into the tunnels, the captured pirate made no additional work for Cole, and so he went right back to his ever-growing list of things to do.
Fortunately, with the return of the away team, the Horse finally got a reprieve since several stalwart, labor-capable members of the group had returned. He was able to get assistance from Grizz and Claw when it came to finishing the expansion to the med bay and, together, the three of them smoothed out walls, leveled the extra floor space, and got the four additional beds together. All-in-all, it was a successful afternoon, and they accomplished a lot more together than he had been able to do by himself. That small victory gave Cole a smile as everyone sat down for dinner.
The prisoner, Cole learned, was a Gorumn pirate, which he hadn't known at first since he'd failed to get a good look at him. The Horse had learned a fair amount of the Gorumn language since nearly a third of the shuttle bay crew had been 'green skins' and, upon hearing that the Overseer and Doc weren't getting anywhere with the guy because he refused to speak anything but, the laborer offered his services. "I'm... not exactly fluent... but I know some Gorumn if you want me to try talking to him..."
Cole's work list was already overflowing, but he also didn't want to pass up the chance to provide some assistance if he could. Fortunately for him, the Overseer determined that communicating with the prisoner wasn't top priority, but she thanked him for his willingness to help and she promised to let him know when he could if she determined that it would be needed. The thought made him smile, and he readily agreed.
After dinner everyone went other own separate ways; security personnel clocked out or went to their posts; Myra went back into the kitchen to settle things for the night; Cole went right back to work-- he still had lots to do. He even made progress over the next hour until a warning cry shouted "FIRE!"
The Stallion was up in an instant, racing down the far tunnel leading past Ben's tomb. The long hallway with occasional open caverns was created weeks prior for anticipated expansion, but also to provide a place for power storage and possibly, some day, an escape tunnel... just in case. Since building it Cole had all-but forgotten, having never found much of a reason to go so far away from the main halls. Unfortunately, it was also one area in the cave system that had yet to receive a wiring upgrade.
Fortunately, by some lucky twist of fate, Leo had been in the area when a short caused some of the wiring to fizzle out, spark, and set fire to a small collection of herbs that were being left to dry. The smoke was, of course, acrid, but had a strange, sweet smoothness to it. The worst of the fire had been extinguished by the time Cole arrived and was out entirely when more of the group showed up to help.
Leo, having done the lion's share of the work (the Stallion giggled at the thought, despite not being the giggly type), was distraught. "Aw man... that's a week worth of production right there... all gone, with nothing to show for it."
Cole giggled again (so giddy...) and patted the Lion on the head; he knew Leo hated it, but he couldn't help himself-- such a soft mane. "There there... nobody was hurt, and that's the important thing."
The predatory gaze that had been absent from the Stallion's life for almost a year settled on him and, for a split second, Cole's heart skipped a beat in abject excitement (no-- it was horror... he was SURE it was horror). Leo walked past him, giving him a surprisingly light punch to the shoulder. "We need to get you stoned more often, Rollie Coalie... I think I like you more this way."
Jackal, who was standing back at the entryway to the tunnel. "Rollie Coalie? Who calls him Rollie Coalie?"
Leo snickered. "Me. It's a nickname I gave him because of how easy it's always been for me to turn him onto his stomach when I--"
Captain didn't wait around for the explanation. "Do I need to guess who chose to store some Smoke Weed outside of the designated storage area?"
The question immediately made Cole pause; he'd heard of smoke weed, and he knew that there was some on Planet A, but people were collecting it? And drying it? "Why would anyone bother with smoke weed? The only thing it's good for is getting high..."
Several individuals present snickered at the Stallion's statement; he felt his ears redden, and couldn't help but giggle at himself too... not that he knew why... or that he never giggled, for that matter. Captain Archibald stepped over and reached up to rest a paw on Cole's shoulder. "Looks like you should probably get some rest, Cole... go sleep it off."
The laborer would curse himself for the next several days over what came out of his mouth next. "Oh? Are you gonna come tuck me in, Cap'n?"
Fortunately, the Dog seemed unaffected by the proposition. "Go to bed, Mr. Nine. That's an order."