Chapter 08 - What they do best
Nabiki leaned her head into Ranma and snuggled into his encircling
arm, as they both got a precious few hours of rest before the ordeal
they knew to be coming. The two of them recline in the cargo webbing
of a C130 cargo aircraft, lulled into sleep by the drone of the
engines. They were surrounded by boxes and containers containing a
small but complete field hospital, medicines, and some generic relief
supplies such as food, blankets, and water purifiers. Both wear
modified flight suit like attire emblazoned with the logo of the
International Red Cross and bearing their names on breast patches.
The handles of various medical instruments and tools can be seen
peeking from the various pockets and compartments of their outfits.
Here and there in the gloom of the crowded cargo bay, various other
people could be seen employing the same precaution, rest before
action. It was local night, and there were still a few hours before
arriving at their destination.
Just behind the flight stations, a small desk was bolted to the wall,
maps were spread out on it, and a laptop computer was seen spreading
it's glow. A large and stocky redheaded but graying northern European
man was seen there talking on a satellite phone, occasionally taking
notes or looking something up on his laptop. He was dressed similarly
to Ranma and Nabiki. The name tag embroidered on his breast patch
identified him as one Dr. Hallfreid Føllesdal, chief administrator.
Concluding his conversation, the man sighed, turned off the phone, and
reached for the light switches to the compartment.
Groans and complaints floated ethereally from various corners and
crannies as people responded to the light, and pulled themselves
forward to receive whatever news had caused their waking.
"Everyone here, yes ? The situation has just grown much worse, and is
not what we had anticipated when we left." The large man spoke
English with a distinct Norwegian accent. The gathered group of
people around him showed a contrasting polyglot of cultures. When the
group had first formulated, English had been the language of choice,
and while not everyone had spoken it with the same starting fluency,
two years of constant use had at least allowed everyone to understand
each other.
"What's up chief ?" Ranma wanted to know. "I thought this was a
fairly standard post-hurricane medical relief run. Ya know,
dysentery, cholera, a few broken bones & get clean water working.
Nothing serious."
"Hush up, baka, let Hallfreid say his piece." Nabiki elbowed Ranma, a
process complicated by the fact that his arm was still around her, and
that her arm ended up around him when done. By now, elbowing Ranma
was more likely to bruise the joint of the elbower rather than having
any effect on the elbowee, but it was the principle that counted.
"Eager as always, are we ?" the large man snorted. "Well, this may be
one of the crazy situations the two of you seem to be liking then.
Something happened, perhaps another Hindu and Muslim clash in the wake
of the typhoon, who is to know ? The result has become wide spread
rioting. Even worse, apparently that rioting has damaged an
industrial center. There are reports of a very large chemical fire.
We do not know the cause or exact spread, or perhaps extent, of the
fire, but several of the factories in or near the fire are know to
have great store of toxic chemicals."
"The Indian government reports that their troops have secured our
landing site, and so we will not divert. We still land in two hours.
We will be treating for chemical exposure and many blunt trauma
wounds. Some form of decontamination apparatus will be necessary, as
the Americans say, we will have to jury right. The local government is
unlikely to be prepared to respond to a chemical spill in addition to
restoring order and quelling the riots."
"I think that is 'jury rig' Hallfreid, not 'jury right'. I suppose it
is too much to ask that our two crazy members provide treatment back
at the base this time, yes ?" a tall elegant black woman spoke up
with an amused and exasperated glance at Nabiki and Ranma. "It's only
through divine providence that we haven't ended up treating our own
members more than the people we purport to help."
"You know better than that, Thandi. All, together now, what's that
famous Dr. Saotome saying ? " prompts a squat, grinning, southern
Chinese man.
"Ya can't save lives sitt'n on your ass" choruses the group together.
"Yes, yes. Let's just keep the focus on saving the lives of others,
rather than our own. Dr. Hong, you have the inventory of this
aircraft, yes ?" Dr. Føllesdal takes control of the situation as his
voice turns formal, the use of last names a sure sign that the time
for banter had passed.
"Take Dr. Saotome with you and see how much of the hose and plastic
sheeting we have, yes ? We will be needing them for chemical showers.
Nurse Tendo, you have contacts with the regional Red Cross, do you not
? You will please to contact them with the satellite phone and
arrange a bulldozer with which to make a chemical holding pond, and
also to contact the regional government for the same. I will continue
discussions with the Indian military and national government about the
logistical support. Dr. Inkwazi, take the rest of the group and
insure that all of our equipment and packing is such that we can be
unloaded and operational in the minimum time. We managed 4.5 hours
last time, we will need to be operational at least that quickly again.
I think we will also keep the plane ready for a quick evacuation if
the toxic chemicals undergo a wide dispersal."
Ranma gives Nabiki a quick squeeze as the pair reluctantly separate.
"Come help as soon as you're finished, right ?"
"Uh, huh. Just can't work alone, can you, baka ? Don't worry, With
luck this won't take too long" she teases him through her own
reluctance, and watches Ranma disappear with the rest of the team in
the depths of the cargo. Finally, she turns back to the concerned
gaze of the large Norwegian. "Okay, Dr. Føllesdal, what's really up.
You and I both know that your contacts are as good or better than
mine, and getting something as straightforward as some earth-movers is
as easily done through the local military."
The graying redhead gives her a lopsided smile. "In the two years we
have worked together, I have yet to successfully disassemble before
you, yes ?"
"That's dissemble," she groans theatrically, "even we Japanese have
better English classes than that, and get on with it, please."
He drops his smile and considers the nurse before him for a moment
before continuing. "This situation differs from those you have faced
before. I desire you to curtail your normal activities to an extent.
I am concerned that the displays of acrobatics you and the doctor you
so firmly attach yourself too are so fond of will not avail you in
clouds of drifting, perhaps invisible poisons, and I wish to lose
neither of you. I hope you can prevail on your daredevil friend that
this situation should perhaps be handled differently. It is hopeless
to try to speak with him, I have tried often enough."
He ends with an unusually serious personal appeal. "Please Nabiki,
the patients can be brought to us, you need not seek them out."
Nabiki shook her head automatically. "You know we had our agreement
when we first started working with you. It's unusual, yes, but
effective. You have to admit we have reached and saved many people
that standard rescue crews would not have been able too. And even as
a resident, you yourself have admitted that Ranma's in situ medical
care is as good as what they would have gotten back at the hospital."
"I still do not understand how you two find the victims so quickly and
accurately, all your talk of ki and auras notwithstanding. Yes, yes,"
he forestalls her comment, "I remember the oft repeated offer to have
Dr. Saotome train us, too. I have seen what the two of you call
training, however, and still have little desire to subject my old
carcass to such abuse."
"But I leave the topic. Is there no way I can persuade you to operate
with some modicum of restraint ? Despite our arrangement, I do not
truly understand why it is you undertake so much more risk."
Nabiki cocks her head and considered. "We haven't wanted to talk
about our past much. Perhaps it's time you hear, though. I guess it
can do no harm at this point. Well, we have a bit of time. I'll help
you arrange the necessary on site support with the Indian authorities
if you'll listen to an abridged version of our history. Meanwhile,
don't worry about us. Ranma has a lot more tricks up his sleeves than
you've yet seen."
***
Dr. Hallfreid Føllesdal watched with trepidation as his pair of
problem daredevils made ready for their customary expedition, their
portion of the portable base hospital setup completed, (which portion
it should be mentioned was nearly half the total work, and completed
in less time than the others combined) . Nurse Tendo picking up bags
of plasma, making them vanish in that inexplicable way they both used.
Even stranger, they were somehow always at the perfect temperature
when one of the pair retrieved them; cool when the unused ones were
put back into refridgeration, and body temperature warm for use.
Shortly, she turned to gathering up some of their limited store of
jury-rigged chemical neutralizing agents. Dr. Saotome was checking
the headset communicators he had long insisted they both carry, and
was demonstrating the portable medical transceivers and locator
beacons to the Indian transport division army officer who was assigned
to provide the team with ambulance service. The beacons, left on the
patients found and treated by the pair would guide the Indian army
transports to the necessary locations to pick up and return them to
the base hospital. The compact pieces of technology would also
provide the hospital with a live feed on the health of each patient.
He knew now that any hope of persuading the pair was moot. While of
course he had seen their actions during earlier assignments and had
suspected the two of such motivation, he had not understood the depth
of their obsession. He had been exposed to some smatterings of
Japanese culture during his career, and the way the young Nurse had
phrased their so called obligations left him cold. In his heart, he
feared that this situation was different, an ongoing threat that could
not be handled the same as the raging fires, earthquakes, and even the
genocidal paramilitaries they had all faced before. This was not a
human enemy which could be fought, or something like fire that could
be detected before it hurt, or collapsed rubble which mere physical
force could effect.
Turning, he could see the dirty grim light of fires reflected off the
low hanging pall of smoke clouds. Even at this distance, he could see
that the clouds were not composed of the standard relatively harmless
soot and smoke. Hints of strange and sickly colors outlined the
distant gloom. Fortunately, the gentle wind was blowing out to sea,
and the toxic clouds did not yet threaten the city or their field
hospital. He knew how fickle the winds were at the end of monsoon,
however, and feared.
He reminded himself again to periodically check the weather as he
watched the young pair finish their preparations and suddenly bound
over the line of army trucks and encircling security troops and onto
the roofs of the nearest buildings. Quickly they raced outward,
outpacing the lumbering army provided ambulances that would be
supporting them. Turning back to the tracking and communication
equipment they would use to coordinate, he offered a sincere prayer to
whatever god might be listening, be his native Christian one, or the
Hindu, Muslim, or Buddhist spirits who were revered locally.
***
As always in the midst of such a crisis, time soon ceased to have
great meaning. Dr. Føllesdal did not know if it had been hours or
days since the team had setup and begin treating patients. Additional
supplies arriving from the army, the local authorities, and other
international relief organizations had to be properly dispositioned.
Additional medical personal arriving from local clinics too damaged to
continue operations had to be integrated with his own staff.
Facilities had to be jury rigged to flush and treat those victims
exposed to the drifting clouds of toxic chemicals the locals had
little experience in dealing with. He had organized it all, somehow,
into a functioning, effective response, as always, in addition to
treating his own share of the patients.
And, as always, a steady stream of ambulances had been entering their
camp, carrying those patients the riot or hurricane damaged local
hospitals did not have the space or expertise to treat. Again, as per
normal, it seemed like the majority of patients flowing into their
base were ones found, treated, and evacuated by the Saotome and Tendo
team. The ambulance drivers and army patrols sent out from this
epicenter seemed to be awe, and several comments reached him about the
remarkable paucity of active rioters whenever the ambulances made
pickup and along their routes. Unconscious ones abounded, however.
Given this workload, he could be forgiven for not noticing the weather
alert he had programmed earlier flashing in the corner of one of the
communication screens in the command tent. The wind was shifting, and
the drifting clouds were no longer heading harmlessly to sea. Soon,
they would be coming inland, instead.
The tall elegant black woman whose name-tag identified her as
Dr. Thandi Inkwazi entered the command tent bearing two cups of coffee
and some sandwiches . "Here, Hallfreid, eat. I swear you are as bad
sometimes as that juvenile Japanese pair we pretend to ride herd on
from time to time. Speaking of, they seem to be up to their usual
tricks. Half the locals, particularly the riot injured ones, seem to
ready to worship them, and the other half want to exile them as
supernatural. Fortunately, Ranma apparently hasn't been caught
changing sexes this time. We don't need another p.r. disaster like
that. How are they, by the way ?"
Wearily, the big graying redhead took a bite of a sandwich and waved a
hand at the communications screen. "As per normal, they seem to have
exhausted the opportunity to play hero locally, and are working quite
far afield by now."
"Hmm." the woman commented non-committally. She examining the on
screen map display showing the location of the communication beacons
worn by the pair, along with all the med beacons they had left to be
picked up by ambulance. "What's this flashing in the corner of the
screen ?"
Turning to answer her question, the team administrator finally saw the
weather alert. By this time however, it was too late, he could see by
the accompanying live satellite imagery that the toxic clouds were
well inland, and if the location beacons were to be believed, Saotome
and Tendo were positioned right on top of a large flaming industrial
complex directly in the cloud's path.
"Saotome, Tendo, this is base," he turned to the communications
station in a vain hope of recalling the pair.
"Relax Chief, if you're calling about the wind, we already know about
it. I'm on top of it" came the voice of the young Japanese man over
the speakers, followed by some shouted incomprehensible Japanese
phrase. On the satellite feed, something very strange indeed suddenly
appeared to be happening. The hotspot of the industrial fire appeared
to be concentrating, growing far hotter, and gathering the drifting
clouds into itself.
Looking out the open sides of the tent, the amazed pair saw what
appeared to be a highly localized windstorm suddenly forming a tightly
compacted whirling tunnel of air and flame. Rising up like a flaming
dragon of legend, it pierced the overcast and reached high into the
upper levels of the atmosphere. The drifting toxic clouds were
consumed by the raging monster of storm and fire and dissipated many
tens of thousands of feet in the air, far above where any civilians
would be immediately threatened. Better still, it was doubtful the
toxic gases would still remain a threat after passing through the
thousand plus degree inferno, the temperature scale shown by infrared
satellite image didn't go that high. It would be like the
incinerators commonly used to dispose of such toxic chemicals, only on
a huge scale.
"There." the self satisfied but weary voice crackled over the speakers
again, barely heard over the howling wind in the background. "That'll
last as long as the fire here holds out. From the look of those oil
tanks, that's several days at least."
The beacons on screen soon began moving again. The watching doctors
could see a trail of med beacons being left as more patients were
found in the ruined industrial complex, several being moved further
away from the massive storm. The two doctors in the tent watched in
shock until they were interrupted by group of panicked local
authorities, demanding to know what had just happened.
***
Days later, our pair of heros lounged, exhausted, in the command
tent. The two of them had managed to retain some degree of bodily
contact since their return, even while wolfing down a huge stack of
sandwiches and seeming gallons of coffee. Even now they had scooted
the chairs they slumped in next to each other, and had intertwined
their arms.
The two were regarded by an also tired Dr. Føllesdal, although not
nearly to the same extent. He was actually coherent as he briefed the
pair. "The disaster relief is well underway, all our patients are all
released or under care in the local hospitals, the chemical threat is
ended and the fire has been contained." He got a brief mischievous
look. "Remarkably, the rioting ended shortly after some unique
weather phenomena ended the chemical threat. I understand that many
of the local populace view this as divine intervention." He paused to
see what, if any, reaction would be forthcoming.
Upon receiving no reaction, he continued, "The rest of us start
packing our equipment tomorrow, to return to Geneva." He paused
again to see if this would get a rise out of the pair.
Nabiki cracked open one bloodshot eye and looked at him. "The rest of
us ?" she croaked. Ranma indicated some small level of alertness with
a grunt in the administrators direction.
"Yes, the rest of us. After the two of you catch up on the sleep you
have refused to take the last several days, you are going to go on
vacation, with these." He slid a pair of letters down the table to
the pair. "It is mine and Dr's Inkwazi's and Hong's opinion that the
two of you have admirably fulfilled your residency requirements,
despite the shortened time frame. These letters are our certification
of this. I have already spoken with your Japanese certification
agency. They seemed to be already familiar with you. They promised
to forward the appropriate certifications as soon as they received
copies of these letters, which I have already sent."
"Further, neither of you have taken any time off since you started
with us. After talking to your Japanese authorities, it seems you may
not have rested for the past six years. Starting the day after
tomorrow, I expect to not see or hear from either of you for the next
three months. Relax and enjoy yourselves, if you still know how.
Nurse Tendo, if you could detangle yourself, I wish to speak with
Dr. Saotome a moment. Go shower, I will not keep him here long."
By now, Nabiki had opened both eyes, first in shock that their last
certification requirements had been completed so quickly, and not by
her, and secondly in reaction to, a, a, vacation ? Whatever would
they do on a vacation ? Her brain not working, Nabiki's mouth
responded on autopilot. "Leave this pervert ? You're kidding, right
? I can't do that. Who knows what trouble he'd get into. Probably
change sexes and try to use the women's shower again or something."
The big doctor looked at her with a fatherly gaze. "Please Nabiki, I
only need a moment, and it's important."
Evenually responding, Nabiki gradually arose in a shock and fatigue
induced daze, clutched her and Ranma's letters, and shuffled out,
casting a lost and alone look back at Ranma.
When Ranma arose in concern and no less fatigue in response to
Nabiki's expression, Dr. Føllesdal stepped forward and stopped the
young man. "She'll be alright, Ranma. I'll send you to her shortly."
Even so, Ranma watched her until she was met by another of the team's
nurses, who supported Nabiki walking toward the makeshift showers and
barracks that had been set up.
When Ranma finally turned back, the stocky Norwegian continued, his
use of first names an indication non-professional matters. "Ranma, as
a friend and a mentor, I have a bit of personal advice, if you would."
He looked seriously at the young man before him until Ranma nodded.
"Have you given thought to the relationship between yourself and
Nabiki ? The two of you have grown perhaps more attached than you
admit. I recommend that you consider a formal arrangement of some
kind between you. You are already as or more intimate than a married
couple in every way excepting sex. At least I assume that last to be
the case. No, wait, don't interrupt, it doesn't matter what you may
or may not have done together. I merely wish to see two people of
whom I have grown fond have as much comfort as they may. Given your
lifestyle, you should take what chance you have to be together."
Turning away, he indicated the interview was over. "Regardless, enjoy
yourselves Ranma. DongEn, you can come in now, Ranma and I are done."
As the stumbling Ranma was lead wearily away by his chinese colleague,
only a single thought ran through his dazed mind. "Nabiki and Me ?
Married ?"
*** Authors Notes
Almost done with this story, only one more chapter to go. Reviews
seem to have petered out, however. Is anyone reading this ? Is there
interest in me finishing ? Let me know.
Nabiki leaned her head into Ranma and snuggled into his encircling
arm, as they both got a precious few hours of rest before the ordeal
they knew to be coming. The two of them recline in the cargo webbing
of a C130 cargo aircraft, lulled into sleep by the drone of the
engines. They were surrounded by boxes and containers containing a
small but complete field hospital, medicines, and some generic relief
supplies such as food, blankets, and water purifiers. Both wear
modified flight suit like attire emblazoned with the logo of the
International Red Cross and bearing their names on breast patches.
The handles of various medical instruments and tools can be seen
peeking from the various pockets and compartments of their outfits.
Here and there in the gloom of the crowded cargo bay, various other
people could be seen employing the same precaution, rest before
action. It was local night, and there were still a few hours before
arriving at their destination.
Just behind the flight stations, a small desk was bolted to the wall,
maps were spread out on it, and a laptop computer was seen spreading
it's glow. A large and stocky redheaded but graying northern European
man was seen there talking on a satellite phone, occasionally taking
notes or looking something up on his laptop. He was dressed similarly
to Ranma and Nabiki. The name tag embroidered on his breast patch
identified him as one Dr. Hallfreid Føllesdal, chief administrator.
Concluding his conversation, the man sighed, turned off the phone, and
reached for the light switches to the compartment.
Groans and complaints floated ethereally from various corners and
crannies as people responded to the light, and pulled themselves
forward to receive whatever news had caused their waking.
"Everyone here, yes ? The situation has just grown much worse, and is
not what we had anticipated when we left." The large man spoke
English with a distinct Norwegian accent. The gathered group of
people around him showed a contrasting polyglot of cultures. When the
group had first formulated, English had been the language of choice,
and while not everyone had spoken it with the same starting fluency,
two years of constant use had at least allowed everyone to understand
each other.
"What's up chief ?" Ranma wanted to know. "I thought this was a
fairly standard post-hurricane medical relief run. Ya know,
dysentery, cholera, a few broken bones & get clean water working.
Nothing serious."
"Hush up, baka, let Hallfreid say his piece." Nabiki elbowed Ranma, a
process complicated by the fact that his arm was still around her, and
that her arm ended up around him when done. By now, elbowing Ranma
was more likely to bruise the joint of the elbower rather than having
any effect on the elbowee, but it was the principle that counted.
"Eager as always, are we ?" the large man snorted. "Well, this may be
one of the crazy situations the two of you seem to be liking then.
Something happened, perhaps another Hindu and Muslim clash in the wake
of the typhoon, who is to know ? The result has become wide spread
rioting. Even worse, apparently that rioting has damaged an
industrial center. There are reports of a very large chemical fire.
We do not know the cause or exact spread, or perhaps extent, of the
fire, but several of the factories in or near the fire are know to
have great store of toxic chemicals."
"The Indian government reports that their troops have secured our
landing site, and so we will not divert. We still land in two hours.
We will be treating for chemical exposure and many blunt trauma
wounds. Some form of decontamination apparatus will be necessary, as
the Americans say, we will have to jury right. The local government is
unlikely to be prepared to respond to a chemical spill in addition to
restoring order and quelling the riots."
"I think that is 'jury rig' Hallfreid, not 'jury right'. I suppose it
is too much to ask that our two crazy members provide treatment back
at the base this time, yes ?" a tall elegant black woman spoke up
with an amused and exasperated glance at Nabiki and Ranma. "It's only
through divine providence that we haven't ended up treating our own
members more than the people we purport to help."
"You know better than that, Thandi. All, together now, what's that
famous Dr. Saotome saying ? " prompts a squat, grinning, southern
Chinese man.
"Ya can't save lives sitt'n on your ass" choruses the group together.
"Yes, yes. Let's just keep the focus on saving the lives of others,
rather than our own. Dr. Hong, you have the inventory of this
aircraft, yes ?" Dr. Føllesdal takes control of the situation as his
voice turns formal, the use of last names a sure sign that the time
for banter had passed.
"Take Dr. Saotome with you and see how much of the hose and plastic
sheeting we have, yes ? We will be needing them for chemical showers.
Nurse Tendo, you have contacts with the regional Red Cross, do you not
? You will please to contact them with the satellite phone and
arrange a bulldozer with which to make a chemical holding pond, and
also to contact the regional government for the same. I will continue
discussions with the Indian military and national government about the
logistical support. Dr. Inkwazi, take the rest of the group and
insure that all of our equipment and packing is such that we can be
unloaded and operational in the minimum time. We managed 4.5 hours
last time, we will need to be operational at least that quickly again.
I think we will also keep the plane ready for a quick evacuation if
the toxic chemicals undergo a wide dispersal."
Ranma gives Nabiki a quick squeeze as the pair reluctantly separate.
"Come help as soon as you're finished, right ?"
"Uh, huh. Just can't work alone, can you, baka ? Don't worry, With
luck this won't take too long" she teases him through her own
reluctance, and watches Ranma disappear with the rest of the team in
the depths of the cargo. Finally, she turns back to the concerned
gaze of the large Norwegian. "Okay, Dr. Føllesdal, what's really up.
You and I both know that your contacts are as good or better than
mine, and getting something as straightforward as some earth-movers is
as easily done through the local military."
The graying redhead gives her a lopsided smile. "In the two years we
have worked together, I have yet to successfully disassemble before
you, yes ?"
"That's dissemble," she groans theatrically, "even we Japanese have
better English classes than that, and get on with it, please."
He drops his smile and considers the nurse before him for a moment
before continuing. "This situation differs from those you have faced
before. I desire you to curtail your normal activities to an extent.
I am concerned that the displays of acrobatics you and the doctor you
so firmly attach yourself too are so fond of will not avail you in
clouds of drifting, perhaps invisible poisons, and I wish to lose
neither of you. I hope you can prevail on your daredevil friend that
this situation should perhaps be handled differently. It is hopeless
to try to speak with him, I have tried often enough."
He ends with an unusually serious personal appeal. "Please Nabiki,
the patients can be brought to us, you need not seek them out."
Nabiki shook her head automatically. "You know we had our agreement
when we first started working with you. It's unusual, yes, but
effective. You have to admit we have reached and saved many people
that standard rescue crews would not have been able too. And even as
a resident, you yourself have admitted that Ranma's in situ medical
care is as good as what they would have gotten back at the hospital."
"I still do not understand how you two find the victims so quickly and
accurately, all your talk of ki and auras notwithstanding. Yes, yes,"
he forestalls her comment, "I remember the oft repeated offer to have
Dr. Saotome train us, too. I have seen what the two of you call
training, however, and still have little desire to subject my old
carcass to such abuse."
"But I leave the topic. Is there no way I can persuade you to operate
with some modicum of restraint ? Despite our arrangement, I do not
truly understand why it is you undertake so much more risk."
Nabiki cocks her head and considered. "We haven't wanted to talk
about our past much. Perhaps it's time you hear, though. I guess it
can do no harm at this point. Well, we have a bit of time. I'll help
you arrange the necessary on site support with the Indian authorities
if you'll listen to an abridged version of our history. Meanwhile,
don't worry about us. Ranma has a lot more tricks up his sleeves than
you've yet seen."
***
Dr. Hallfreid Føllesdal watched with trepidation as his pair of
problem daredevils made ready for their customary expedition, their
portion of the portable base hospital setup completed, (which portion
it should be mentioned was nearly half the total work, and completed
in less time than the others combined) . Nurse Tendo picking up bags
of plasma, making them vanish in that inexplicable way they both used.
Even stranger, they were somehow always at the perfect temperature
when one of the pair retrieved them; cool when the unused ones were
put back into refridgeration, and body temperature warm for use.
Shortly, she turned to gathering up some of their limited store of
jury-rigged chemical neutralizing agents. Dr. Saotome was checking
the headset communicators he had long insisted they both carry, and
was demonstrating the portable medical transceivers and locator
beacons to the Indian transport division army officer who was assigned
to provide the team with ambulance service. The beacons, left on the
patients found and treated by the pair would guide the Indian army
transports to the necessary locations to pick up and return them to
the base hospital. The compact pieces of technology would also
provide the hospital with a live feed on the health of each patient.
He knew now that any hope of persuading the pair was moot. While of
course he had seen their actions during earlier assignments and had
suspected the two of such motivation, he had not understood the depth
of their obsession. He had been exposed to some smatterings of
Japanese culture during his career, and the way the young Nurse had
phrased their so called obligations left him cold. In his heart, he
feared that this situation was different, an ongoing threat that could
not be handled the same as the raging fires, earthquakes, and even the
genocidal paramilitaries they had all faced before. This was not a
human enemy which could be fought, or something like fire that could
be detected before it hurt, or collapsed rubble which mere physical
force could effect.
Turning, he could see the dirty grim light of fires reflected off the
low hanging pall of smoke clouds. Even at this distance, he could see
that the clouds were not composed of the standard relatively harmless
soot and smoke. Hints of strange and sickly colors outlined the
distant gloom. Fortunately, the gentle wind was blowing out to sea,
and the toxic clouds did not yet threaten the city or their field
hospital. He knew how fickle the winds were at the end of monsoon,
however, and feared.
He reminded himself again to periodically check the weather as he
watched the young pair finish their preparations and suddenly bound
over the line of army trucks and encircling security troops and onto
the roofs of the nearest buildings. Quickly they raced outward,
outpacing the lumbering army provided ambulances that would be
supporting them. Turning back to the tracking and communication
equipment they would use to coordinate, he offered a sincere prayer to
whatever god might be listening, be his native Christian one, or the
Hindu, Muslim, or Buddhist spirits who were revered locally.
***
As always in the midst of such a crisis, time soon ceased to have
great meaning. Dr. Føllesdal did not know if it had been hours or
days since the team had setup and begin treating patients. Additional
supplies arriving from the army, the local authorities, and other
international relief organizations had to be properly dispositioned.
Additional medical personal arriving from local clinics too damaged to
continue operations had to be integrated with his own staff.
Facilities had to be jury rigged to flush and treat those victims
exposed to the drifting clouds of toxic chemicals the locals had
little experience in dealing with. He had organized it all, somehow,
into a functioning, effective response, as always, in addition to
treating his own share of the patients.
And, as always, a steady stream of ambulances had been entering their
camp, carrying those patients the riot or hurricane damaged local
hospitals did not have the space or expertise to treat. Again, as per
normal, it seemed like the majority of patients flowing into their
base were ones found, treated, and evacuated by the Saotome and Tendo
team. The ambulance drivers and army patrols sent out from this
epicenter seemed to be awe, and several comments reached him about the
remarkable paucity of active rioters whenever the ambulances made
pickup and along their routes. Unconscious ones abounded, however.
Given this workload, he could be forgiven for not noticing the weather
alert he had programmed earlier flashing in the corner of one of the
communication screens in the command tent. The wind was shifting, and
the drifting clouds were no longer heading harmlessly to sea. Soon,
they would be coming inland, instead.
The tall elegant black woman whose name-tag identified her as
Dr. Thandi Inkwazi entered the command tent bearing two cups of coffee
and some sandwiches . "Here, Hallfreid, eat. I swear you are as bad
sometimes as that juvenile Japanese pair we pretend to ride herd on
from time to time. Speaking of, they seem to be up to their usual
tricks. Half the locals, particularly the riot injured ones, seem to
ready to worship them, and the other half want to exile them as
supernatural. Fortunately, Ranma apparently hasn't been caught
changing sexes this time. We don't need another p.r. disaster like
that. How are they, by the way ?"
Wearily, the big graying redhead took a bite of a sandwich and waved a
hand at the communications screen. "As per normal, they seem to have
exhausted the opportunity to play hero locally, and are working quite
far afield by now."
"Hmm." the woman commented non-committally. She examining the on
screen map display showing the location of the communication beacons
worn by the pair, along with all the med beacons they had left to be
picked up by ambulance. "What's this flashing in the corner of the
screen ?"
Turning to answer her question, the team administrator finally saw the
weather alert. By this time however, it was too late, he could see by
the accompanying live satellite imagery that the toxic clouds were
well inland, and if the location beacons were to be believed, Saotome
and Tendo were positioned right on top of a large flaming industrial
complex directly in the cloud's path.
"Saotome, Tendo, this is base," he turned to the communications
station in a vain hope of recalling the pair.
"Relax Chief, if you're calling about the wind, we already know about
it. I'm on top of it" came the voice of the young Japanese man over
the speakers, followed by some shouted incomprehensible Japanese
phrase. On the satellite feed, something very strange indeed suddenly
appeared to be happening. The hotspot of the industrial fire appeared
to be concentrating, growing far hotter, and gathering the drifting
clouds into itself.
Looking out the open sides of the tent, the amazed pair saw what
appeared to be a highly localized windstorm suddenly forming a tightly
compacted whirling tunnel of air and flame. Rising up like a flaming
dragon of legend, it pierced the overcast and reached high into the
upper levels of the atmosphere. The drifting toxic clouds were
consumed by the raging monster of storm and fire and dissipated many
tens of thousands of feet in the air, far above where any civilians
would be immediately threatened. Better still, it was doubtful the
toxic gases would still remain a threat after passing through the
thousand plus degree inferno, the temperature scale shown by infrared
satellite image didn't go that high. It would be like the
incinerators commonly used to dispose of such toxic chemicals, only on
a huge scale.
"There." the self satisfied but weary voice crackled over the speakers
again, barely heard over the howling wind in the background. "That'll
last as long as the fire here holds out. From the look of those oil
tanks, that's several days at least."
The beacons on screen soon began moving again. The watching doctors
could see a trail of med beacons being left as more patients were
found in the ruined industrial complex, several being moved further
away from the massive storm. The two doctors in the tent watched in
shock until they were interrupted by group of panicked local
authorities, demanding to know what had just happened.
***
Days later, our pair of heros lounged, exhausted, in the command
tent. The two of them had managed to retain some degree of bodily
contact since their return, even while wolfing down a huge stack of
sandwiches and seeming gallons of coffee. Even now they had scooted
the chairs they slumped in next to each other, and had intertwined
their arms.
The two were regarded by an also tired Dr. Føllesdal, although not
nearly to the same extent. He was actually coherent as he briefed the
pair. "The disaster relief is well underway, all our patients are all
released or under care in the local hospitals, the chemical threat is
ended and the fire has been contained." He got a brief mischievous
look. "Remarkably, the rioting ended shortly after some unique
weather phenomena ended the chemical threat. I understand that many
of the local populace view this as divine intervention." He paused to
see what, if any, reaction would be forthcoming.
Upon receiving no reaction, he continued, "The rest of us start
packing our equipment tomorrow, to return to Geneva." He paused
again to see if this would get a rise out of the pair.
Nabiki cracked open one bloodshot eye and looked at him. "The rest of
us ?" she croaked. Ranma indicated some small level of alertness with
a grunt in the administrators direction.
"Yes, the rest of us. After the two of you catch up on the sleep you
have refused to take the last several days, you are going to go on
vacation, with these." He slid a pair of letters down the table to
the pair. "It is mine and Dr's Inkwazi's and Hong's opinion that the
two of you have admirably fulfilled your residency requirements,
despite the shortened time frame. These letters are our certification
of this. I have already spoken with your Japanese certification
agency. They seemed to be already familiar with you. They promised
to forward the appropriate certifications as soon as they received
copies of these letters, which I have already sent."
"Further, neither of you have taken any time off since you started
with us. After talking to your Japanese authorities, it seems you may
not have rested for the past six years. Starting the day after
tomorrow, I expect to not see or hear from either of you for the next
three months. Relax and enjoy yourselves, if you still know how.
Nurse Tendo, if you could detangle yourself, I wish to speak with
Dr. Saotome a moment. Go shower, I will not keep him here long."
By now, Nabiki had opened both eyes, first in shock that their last
certification requirements had been completed so quickly, and not by
her, and secondly in reaction to, a, a, vacation ? Whatever would
they do on a vacation ? Her brain not working, Nabiki's mouth
responded on autopilot. "Leave this pervert ? You're kidding, right
? I can't do that. Who knows what trouble he'd get into. Probably
change sexes and try to use the women's shower again or something."
The big doctor looked at her with a fatherly gaze. "Please Nabiki, I
only need a moment, and it's important."
Evenually responding, Nabiki gradually arose in a shock and fatigue
induced daze, clutched her and Ranma's letters, and shuffled out,
casting a lost and alone look back at Ranma.
When Ranma arose in concern and no less fatigue in response to
Nabiki's expression, Dr. Føllesdal stepped forward and stopped the
young man. "She'll be alright, Ranma. I'll send you to her shortly."
Even so, Ranma watched her until she was met by another of the team's
nurses, who supported Nabiki walking toward the makeshift showers and
barracks that had been set up.
When Ranma finally turned back, the stocky Norwegian continued, his
use of first names an indication non-professional matters. "Ranma, as
a friend and a mentor, I have a bit of personal advice, if you would."
He looked seriously at the young man before him until Ranma nodded.
"Have you given thought to the relationship between yourself and
Nabiki ? The two of you have grown perhaps more attached than you
admit. I recommend that you consider a formal arrangement of some
kind between you. You are already as or more intimate than a married
couple in every way excepting sex. At least I assume that last to be
the case. No, wait, don't interrupt, it doesn't matter what you may
or may not have done together. I merely wish to see two people of
whom I have grown fond have as much comfort as they may. Given your
lifestyle, you should take what chance you have to be together."
Turning away, he indicated the interview was over. "Regardless, enjoy
yourselves Ranma. DongEn, you can come in now, Ranma and I are done."
As the stumbling Ranma was lead wearily away by his chinese colleague,
only a single thought ran through his dazed mind. "Nabiki and Me ?
Married ?"
*** Authors Notes
Almost done with this story, only one more chapter to go. Reviews
seem to have petered out, however. Is anyone reading this ? Is there
interest in me finishing ? Let me know.