Fic: Altered Trajectory (cont)

[jeriendhal]

“…done all we can,” the Scarlet Claw’s medical officer continued. “I’ve removed the power modules from his internal system, so it can’t deliver another shock like before, but I had to leave the rest of it in situ.”

“Is that wise?” Softpaw asked.

Rufus squeezed hand as they both looked out from the chief surgeon’s office though a one way glass into the intensive care section. Sitting in a bed in the other room was Mac, his head looking shockingly small after being shaved and covered with a veritable forest of EEG sensors, with a respirator tube down his throat. With his naturally small frame he looked like nothing so much as a cub after suffering a terrible accident. Then again, everyone was somebody’s cub, weren’t they?

The slim galen male shrugged. “I didn’t have much choice. Cyber-glider systems are integrated to a frightening degree with the user’s nervous system, his more than most. Getting it out would require a top flight neurosurgery suite, and a surgical team with the skill to use it properly. We don’t have the equipment and I don’t have the training.”

“What’s his status? How stable is he?”

“He is sleeping naturally, that is he’s not in a coma,” the surgeon said. “The shock from the chip’s attack did severe damage to his cerebral cortex however. It appears that he is suffering nearly 100% damage to his autonomic and somatic nervous systems. In other words he needs full life support in order to keep his heart and lungs functioning. I’ve administered anti-coagulants to reduce the likelihood of a fatal blood clot in his brain, but…” He shrugged helplessly.

“What about his, um, his personality?” Hazel asked, glancing at Mac and turning away quickly.

“I don’t know. As I said, he isn’t comatose. How much cognitive ability he retains is anyone’s guess at this point.”

Softpaw cleared her throat. “Your recommendation?”

“As I said, he needs specialized neurosurgical care, preferably at a facility equipped for vulpines. The nearest one that I’m aware of is at Newspring.”

“Which will take two weeks to reach,” Rufus said.

Softpaw nodded. “What’s your decision then, milord?”

He raised an eyebrow at her. “Why are you asking me? I’m still your prisoner, remember?” He tapped the thin collar around his neck.

“He’s your subordinate, however much he seemed to resent the idea, and there is still your mission to consider, which I’m amenable to completing. I will abide by whatever decision you make.”

“All right.” Rufus rubbed the shock of fur that habitually refused lay down across his forehead. “Doctor, were you able to remove the memory core from Flashpaw’s internal system?”

“Yes.”

“It won’t do you much good,” Softpaw said. “It’s code sealed, I’ve already checked it. Even if he did manage to successfully retrieve the information from the chip before he was disabled, you’d need another cyber-glider to crack it open.”

“Damn. All right, that saves me from making a difficult decision then. If we don’t have to codes to contact Drisden’s people, that means we have no mission. We should just turn about and head for home.”

“The Falcon Claw was still in orbit around Bolt Hole when we broke orbit, no doubt searching for your party. Would you rather we return there or head straight to Newspring?”

“Head to Newspring. We can contact Count Lakewalker from there and explain the circumstances to him.” He paused. “If you would prefer, we can just claim that we were captured by the Red Vixen, who was apparently working with the Galapagos. The true identity of yourself and your husband need not come up. I would consider that fair payment for the medical care you have given to Lt. Flashpaw.”

“I’d hold to that,” Hazel said.

“What about Lt. Flashpaw?” Softpaw asked. “I seriously doubt that he would be agreeable.”

Rufus let out a long sigh, staring through the observation window at the sleeping figure on the bed. “I doubt that’s going to be concern, do you?”

TBC

Comments

[aynne-witch.livejournal.com]

Man, sometimes you only get One Mistake. Mac is in deep trouble.

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

He'll geet.... well, a bit better. No insta-cures in Peta's universe, alas.

[mjkj.livejournal.com]

Well, if they would have the coordinates they could get him to the Varn for healing...

Ah, well, that is when you are too full of yourself...

...and suddenly Rufus is in charge again :)

mjkj