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At 0700 Larabee and the humans entered the Hunter/Handler testing facility.
"This way," Dr. Winston barked impatiently.
Vin snarled as the unnamed fair haired man and Dr. Abbott entered the room from one of the labs.
I didn't realize they were so small; they're about the size of most 12 year olds. Dr. Abbott studied the tense humans.
"Calm down Tanner. Let's get a reason before we kill somebody," Chris hissed softly.
Vin nodded and followed the guides, moving in a soft footed feline saunter.
"Strip down," the fair haired doctor ordered.
"Where are the examination gowns?" Larabee asked in a dangerous tone.
"Right here," Winston held out a gown.
"Where are the rest of them?" Chris growled.
"Colonel, they're humans, they don't have the same . . . morals that Centurions do," Winston sniffed.
"You will treat my team the same as any other person you would test in this lab. If you aren't capable of that we'll leave," Chris ordered.
"Here, they'll be too big for them." Abbott hurriedly opened a closet and pulled gowns off a shelf. Larabee's right, there's no need to frighten or hurt them. It will only make the exams harder.
"Dunne, go with Abbott. Standish, you're with me. Dr. Tollman will take Tanner." Winston indicated the fair haired man before turning to Chris. "Dr. Jacobs will be here for you in a moment Col. Larabee."
"No. We don't want a repeat of yesterday. I have better things to do than peel the kids off your medical staff. We all stay together," Chris snapped.
"This is very . . .," Winston huffed.
"But far safer don't you think?" Chris asked, studying Abbott's bruises.
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Vin was shivering uncontrollably and looked 'green' when he slid from the scanning table. Wordlessly, Chris wrapped his arms around the human until the trembling stopped, ignoring the disgusted looks sent his way by the medical staff in the area.
"Better?" Chris asked softly.
"Made my bones itch," Vin muttered faintly before stepping out of the loose embrace.
Abbott looked thoughtfully at Tanner. "Larabee is in excellent condition. The humans are in poor shape though. I'd suggest supplementing their diet and some vitamins for a few months." Abbott studied the scan results. "Quite a few old injuries, especially Tanner." What happened to them? I've never seen this kind of . . . abuse.
A startled yelp had Chris spinning around in time to see Vin toss Tollman over the examination table.
"Yah best be careful where yah put that hand for I rip it off and stick it some place you ain't gonna like," Tanner snarled.
"What in hell are you doing?" Chris moved protectively in between Vin and the fair haired Tollman, pushing the approaching centurion away from his bonded. Chris' stomach turned as he registered Tollman's emotions at the contact.
"Getting a fluid sample," Tollman snarled. "If your . . . Hunter tries something like that again, we can finish this examine with him in restraints."
"Chris, yah didn't say nothing about them messing wit' tha boys," Vin hissed, placing his back against a wall defensively.
"It's not part of a standard test," Larabee growled.
"We need sperm samples for their records," Tollman said coldly. "Larabee, you don't have the authority to over rule medical, so back down and tell your toy to bend over the table. I might as well check his prostrate while I'm at this."
Good God, it's rape the way Tollman is doing this. I'm not even sure he's a doctor. What can I do to prevent it though? All those scars and broken bones. I was out of line the way I acted, it must have scared Tanner yesterday. We should have let Larabee do as much of the hands on stuff as possible as it is. Hell, Nathan Jackson's a damn good medic. He could have done these tests. Been easier on these . . . kids. No, they can't be! They're trained soldiers, aren't they? Abbott scowled down at his input pad.The young doctor's eyes widened as something on Tanner's readout registered. It can't be. Flipping to Dunne's file, he checked the information closely. Turning to Ezra's readout Abbott began to grin. They are children, this bastard isn't going to touch these kids.
"Colonel Larabee, you should have informed us of your humans' ages. Would you have preferred a pediatrician do the exams?" Abbott asked cheerfully. "Anne Potter is on duty today and she's very good."
"What are you going on about Abbott?" Winston demanded.
"Contact Nettie Wells at Quantico. I want her as the primary physician. I'll let her decide on a pediatrician to do the exams today," Chris barked. That was stupid of you Larabee. You should have thought of the pediatrician angle yourself. Nettie was real good with Adam. She's not going to let anyone tell her how to handle a patient . . . including me.
"They're children Dr. Winston, all three of them. Look for yourself." Abbott held out the pad. "Tanner and Dunne haven't finished cutting teeth. Standish's growth plates haven't hardened. That puts them all well under thirty."
"I'll talk with you later, Abbott. Now, let's get this over with," Winston huffed.
"Don't touch my kids again. As their guardian, I'm putting Nettie Wells in charge of their medical care. She's trained in pediatric Hunter/Handler medicine," Larabee announced loudly.
"They're humans," Tollman sneered.
"Can you enforce that decision, Col. Larabee?" Ezra asked faintly. The emerald green eyes held a touch of panic.
Vin was standing protectively in front of the two human guides. A low warning growl filled the air.
I don't think standard handling is going to work here. The book says to firmly order a Hunter to stand down, but to this kid they're in a hostile location. Only one of his team members could do that. He'll probably go for my throat if I try it. "Centurion law is very explicit on the position of children and their medical care. I'm afraid that Doctors Wilson and Tollman have no recourse now that Colonel Larabee has requested a pediatrician to handle your medical care," Abbott explained.
"Let me send a flash to Dr. Wells." Abbott punched in a code on his pad. "I'm sorry we got off to such a bad start yesterday. My only defensive was a twenty hour shift and a lack of manners on my part. Thank you for not killing me," Abbott said earnestly.
Furiously, Tollman and Winston slammed out of the examination room. Tanner's growl died as the door closed behind the two men.
"We's even. How much trouble are you gonna be in fer what yah just done?" Vin asked softly .
"I'll get some lousy shifts. Maybe a promotion will be delayed or a position I won't get. Don't worry about it. I like my job here. If it's a position they have that kind of control over, I don't want it anyway." Abbott seemed to stretch and stand taller as if he had shed some great weight.
"They never even tested your abilities. That's just . . . wrong," Abbott muttered.
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Anne Potter chuckled faintly as she entered the examination room. Three youngsters sat on the examination table and the dark haired one in the middle was swinging his legs childishly. It's a good thing I don't scare easy. Three pair of eyes locked on to the centurion woman as she entered. What beautiful eyes.
"Nettie Wells called me and said you were stirring up trouble again, Col. Larabee." Ann tapped her toe. Looks like I'm getting into all the political crap despite all my efforts to stay clear.
"Winston and his crony Tollman got a bit out of hand. They thought they could get a way with . . . shit, because the kids are human. The boys know they have to have an exam. There's no reason to hurt or embarrass them doing it." Larabee walked over to greet Billy Travis' doctor.
"They're human?" Ann Potter asked in surprise. Great, just what I need. The Oversight Committee will be all over this case.
"Yes," Chris snapped protectively.
"Larabee, back off. I just didn't know humans produced hunters and handlers. I've only had the basic training in Hunter/Handler medicine," Ann warned. "I'd suggest asking Nettie Wells to be their primary physician."
"I already asked for Nettie Wells." Chris calmed slightly. "There seem to be some differences between human and centurion here as well."
"I'm Anne." Dr. Potter moved to stand in front of the humans.
"Ma'am." The long haired one hopped down followed by the other two. Each of them responded politely.
"Ezra P. Standish." The auburn haired one nodded politely but didn't offer a hand.
A Handler, and a strong one I bet, the way he's avoiding touch." Anne nodded back.
"John Dunne, but call me JD, Dr. Potter." The dark haired human smiled in a friendly manner. He brushed his finger tips across her palm in greeting, avoiding an actual handshake.
This one's a handler too. Not as strong as the Leprechaun. "JD, I'm Anne, not Dr. Potter," Anne reminded.
"Vin Tanner, ma'am," the long haired human drawled. Bright sapphire eyes intently studied the doctor. His nostrils flared slightly as he touched the back of her hand in greeting.
Hmmm, Anne you're never too old to discover something new. What are you? "Vin, my name is Anne," Dr. Potter huffed.
"Yes Ma'am, Dr. Anne," Tanner responded in an almost teasing tone.
"Alright I'm Dr. Anne," Ann responded.
"Now then, let's get down to business. Chris Larabee, do you want me to act as physician for these boys today?"
"Yes Anne, I think you will do just fine," Chris answered quickly.
"Alright, Peter let me see what you've done so far?" Anne held out her hand for the data pad. "Do you all have a problem with Dr. Abbott helping with the exam?"
"None at all," Ezra spoke for the three humans.
"Lots of old injuries." Anne looked at Tanner in distress. Most of these should have killed him.
"Trouble likes me," Vin sighed.
"Well you boys are actually in amazingly good shape considering how much weight you need to gain." Anne tossed the data pad onto a nearby counter. "Are you eating?"
"They're always eating," Chris chuckled. "They've actually gained several pounds this week."
"What are you eating?" Anne scowled, imagining the junk food available to them.
"Standard rations today. Josiah and Nathan prepared a palatable meal yesterday for lunch. Most of our meals were harvested from the forest or stream last week," Ezra reported.
"Do you like standards?" Anne questioned.
"NO!" An emphatic chorus rang out.
"Not at all." JD wrinkled his nose.
"Better'n nothin', I rekin," Vin sighed.
"If you say so Mr. Tanner," Ezra sniffed.
"Thought not." Anne pulled out her own pad and began writing. "I'm writing a prescription. These boys need fresh foods whenever possible, organics if they're available, especially for Vin."
"What fluids have you drawn Dr. Abbott?" Dr. Potter turned to question the other doctor.
"I have a blood, saliva, and urine sample for everyone," Peter Abbott answered quickly.
"What aren't you telling me?" Anne demanded, looking from one man to another.
"Winston and Tollman wanted sperm samples," Abbott muttered.
"They're children," Ann protested.
"I beg your pardon. We aren't children despite our size," Ezra interrupted.
"Don't tell me you're not children, young man," Dr. Potter snapped. "I saw your scans."
"Ez shut up, iffen it'll keep that pervert's hands offen me, I'll nurse a bottle," Vin hissed.
"We're going to do a few tests to see how you rank on our hunter scale," Anne explained calmly to Tanner. "This shouldn't cause you any discomfort. Get your clothes on and we need to go out to the main lab for that."
Anne smiled faintly and left the room. Several relieved sighs followed her out the door. I thought that would help calm them down.
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"I wouldn't have believed it," Anne whispered in shock, staring at Tanner after the testing was done.
"Mr. Tanner, it appears you will be the most powerful hunter we have ever registered," Peter Abbott mused. He's completely off the scales. I can't prove it, but this boy was holding back. What are you really capable of?
Anne nodded in agreement when Abbott cleared Vin's testing results off the equipment, leaving only the basic printout for the files.
"I knew he was strong, just not this strong." Chris scowled down at the readout of Vin's sensory scores.
Ezra frowned at Vin as the Centurions went over the scores. We agreed that we should tone our abilities down. No need giving up an edge.
Tanner shrugged, giving a hand gesture to the other two humans carefully shielded from the cameras views.
JD's eyes widened and he repeated the down five gesture to be certain. How weak are Centurion Hunters? Vin set his levels 5 notes down and he's still more powerful than anyone they've ever tested?
Vin nodded yes.
"Now for you two," Anne coaxed the clearly reluctant Standish and Dunne.
Ten minutes later Abbott was decidedly shocked. "JD is a level six and Ezra a ninth level handler, not top ranked but their both very strong." Humans aren't developed enough to be handlers, well explain this one Hunter Center.
"What kind of inoculations have you three had?" Anne gasped as she paged through the report noticing the blank areas of the humans' files.
"I had the very basics," JD muttered.
"I have had a full range and my inoculations are currently up to date," Ezra answered.
"Never had none," Vin admitted.
"None!" Dr. Potter squeaked in horror. "Well, we'll just see about that then."
"Mr. Tanner has unusual reactions to medication," Ezra warned.
"Peter, are there different vaccinations for Hunters?" Anne turned to Dr. Abbott.
"Yes, they won't impact his senses as badly. They will make him sick though. I don't think we've ever dealt with this situation," Abbott admitted.
"So you have no idea if it's safe to go ahead and give him a full run or not?" Anne frowned.
Vin grunted. "Rather be sick once and get it over with."
"Vin is that wise?" Ezra scowled.
Vin shrugged. "Always was a fast healer. Bonded now, so I'll shake things even faster."
"Your healing factor is enhanced as well?" Abbott blurted in disbelief.
"Don' know, just know I heal fast," Vin admitted.
"Most Sentinels have amazing recuperative abilities," Ezra drawled.
"Sentinel?" Dr. Abbott questioned, looking up from his pad where he was recording the most recent case notes.
"An enhanced individual in the human manner," Ezra answered politely. "A . . . Handler would be referred to as a Guide."
"This shouldn't hurt." Dr. Abbott loaded an injector and offered it to Dr. Anne. "Mr. Tanner and I got off to a bad start, he'd probably be happier if you give him the injection."
"Dr. Abbot, have you adjusted for a child's dose?" Dr. Potter looked down, checking the dosage before approaching Vin.
"Yes, I did." Peter answered.
"This shouldn't hurt. It might tingle a bit." Ann moved closer to the wary Tanner. "I can give it to you in any large muscle group."
Vin looked puzzled.
"Butt, thigh or shoulder?" JD explained.
"Shoulder!" Vin snapped uneasily, looking around at the assorted medical personnel.
"Your turn JD," Anne ordered as she gently rubbed the tingling spot on Vin's shoulder for a few moments. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a selection of suckers. "Apple, peach, grape or cherry?" she asked, offering them to Tanner.
Vin lifted a peach sucker off her palm gently.
"Dr. Potter, shame on you giving the kids sweets," Chris chuckled.
"Strictly condensed fruit juice and a hardener. They're good for them in small doses." Anne smiled. "I'll give you the recipe."
JD got his shot and sucker.
"Would you like one Ezra?" Ann offered the human a selection of suckers.
"Thank you, Dr. Anne." Ezra took a peach sucker.
"Col. Larabee, would you like to finish your exam now or come back later?" Abbott asked.
"Might as well get it over with," Chris grunted.
Fifteen minutes later, a disturbed Dr. Abbott was comparing not only Chris' last empathic score but his brain scans. "You're completely off our scale. And the changes in your brain function are just . . . impossible. Your brain chemistry has even changed."
"Larabee's bonded now," Vin muttered, moving over to snuffle along Chris' jaw.
"Bonding dosen't make such radical changes," Abbott protested.
"Centurions link, they don' bond," Vin huffed.
"Humans bond on a deeper level?" Anne Potter asked curiously.
"One heart, one mind, one spirit," Ezra recited.
"I wouldn't have believed it, but something sure changed." Abbott scowled at his charts.
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"Dammit, something must be wrong with the stupid machines!" Buck Wilmington's angry voice carried into the exam room. "I'm no talent."
"Buck, we went through four different PSI monitors. They all can't be wrong," Nathan chided. "You're just a late bloomer. Sometimes it happens."
"Buck, what's going on?" Chris demanded.
"They think I'm a hunter is what," Buck snapped furiously.
"A simple painless test will prove one way or another Capt. Wilmington." A beautiful young tech approached. "I'm Maggie."
"Buck, do it," Chris ordered.
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"Congratulations Buck, you're . . . something but I sure don't know what," the young tech frowned at her read out.
"He's enhanced alright, but what are these readings?" An older tech questioned.
"Clan bond," JD snorted, looking up at the over head monitor.
"Clan bond?" Abbott demanded, looking at the small human.
"Capt. Wilmington has chosen Col. Larabee's team as his . . . territory," Ezra interrupted any response JD was considering.
"Won't that cause problems with Tanner?" Abbott asked worriedly.
"Vin's Alpha, there's no conflict," JD muttered.
"Why not?" Abbott asked sharply.
"Chris," Vin hissed miserably.
"Shit!" Larabee blurted taking in the sweat dampened hair and pale skin. "You're sick."
"Gonna . . ." Vin gagged as he rushed over to a sink. The slender body trembled as a violent bout of heaving struck.
Larabee hovered over his Hunter worriedly.
"It's going to be a long night," Ezra sighed.
"What's going on?" Buck herded JD and Ezra over to the rest of the pack and stood over them protectively.
"A reaction to his vaccinations if I would hazard a guess." Ezra winced as an even more violent bout of vomiting began.
"When this eases off we'll get him back to the hunter suite and see about getting him as comfortable as possible," Nathan soothed the rest of the team.
"Fever reducer if his temperature spikes. Call me if you think I'm needed, Nathan," Anne ordered.
"Chrith, don' touch me. Mah thkinth crawlin'," Vin grunted. The human started scratching violently.
"Stop that." Chris grasped the slender wrists, preventing the digging.
"Ittheth," Vin protested as he tried to rub against the counter.
"Aw Hell Junior," Buck blurted when Tanner raised his head for a moment.
Tiny red bumps seemed to erupt on the human's skin as they watched.
"Now he's got me itching," JD grumbled.
"Are you breaking out too?" Nathan demanded, grasping JD's chin to study his skin.
"I think it's sympathy," JD muttered.
"Doc, we might have a problem," Chris' voice raised in concern.
Anne very gently examined as much as possible while Vin heaved into the sink once more.
"His glands are already enlarged." Gently, Anne eased Vin's shirt up to examine the injection site. Her eyes narrowed as she studied the swollen weeping spot. Hives began to appear over all the exposed skin. "Oh Honey," Anne sighed.
"Benedrician." Anne ordered an antihistamine.
"Half an infant's dose," Nathan spoke up.
"What?" Dr. Abbott questioned, holding an injector.
"He had a reaction to Buck's cologne. I found out he can't handle more antihistimine than that," Nathan explained.
"Make sure that gets on his charts," Anne ordered, giving the shot.
"103 and rising." Abbott looked down at his scanner.
"Turn that thing off," Ezra hissed when Tanner whimpered. "Colonel, Vin needs to be in the suite now. His senses will be out of control. Everything hurts."
"When the vomiting eases off, Ez," Chris agreed.
"It won't ease off. Part of this is sensory overload," JD explained.
"Alright." Chris lifted Vin into his arms, unconcerned as the human heaved once more. "It's not as if there's anything to bring up anyway."
"Silk sheets," Ezra snapped, looking around at the assorted medical staff. "Surely you have silk sheets for the use of a distressed hunter?"
"It's important?" Dr. Potter paused as she started after Chris and his burden.
"Very, I had a Sentinel explain a touch overload as having been skinned and every nerve being exposed," Ezra snapped impatiently.
"Maggie, go buy sheets. Any thing else?" Abbott asked Standish.
"Get them to turn off the surveillance in the suite. Mr. Tanner's hearing will be spiking," Ezra growled.
"Surveillance?" Abbott questioned.
"Surely the 'powers that be' will have taken advantage of the team's absence to repair the surveillance equipment. I certainly would have in their position," Standish snorted as he followed his team out.