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Fragmented Lives (The Parody Pieces)
"View Point"
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Copyright Info and Disclaimer.
"Neon Genesis Evangelion" is Copyright (c) 2003 by Gainax. All OTHER material is Copyright (c) 2003 their owners. All materials used for PARODY purposes.
"Altered Lives (The Parody)" and "Fragmented Lives (The Parody Pieces)" are Copyright (c) 2003 by DBM. This work is an Amateur, Non-Commercial work by an Anime/Manga Fan. This work was created in the Spirit of the Copyright Exemptions regarding Parodies and Satire.
If you like my work, you may keep a copy for your own personal records, but you may NOT post it on any websites/newsgroups, NOR may you include it in any printed publication for sale/public distribution. If printing out a copy for yourself or a friend, you may reformat it (paragraph spacing, page-breaks, font and font size, borders, bold/italic, etc) to fit the paper you use, but please do not change any of the actual words or wording in the document.
Sole web-posting at FanFiction.Net - Author's E-Mail address on File.
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Censorship Info and Disclaimer.
NOT Recommended for Children.
Intended for MATURE Audiences.
There are NO 'sex scenes', but, just like the original NGE series, the story will explore the results and side effects of such activities. Along the way, there'll be swearing, violence, drugs, Adult situations, and frank discussions of sex education/family planning information, as well as thoughts and opinions on the morals and ethics of sexual assault, dating, courtship, marriage, alternate sexualities, pregnancy, childbirth, parenthood, Family Values, etc.
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Fandom Alerts and Disclaimer.
AU Alert (Alternate Universe).
OOC Alert (Out Of Character).
ACC Alert (Author Created Character).
SI Alert (Self Insert - Author appears in the story as a character).
SPOILER Alert (May 'spoil' surprises in the Manga and Anime TV/Movies).
' ' denotes thoughts.
" " denotes speech.
* * denotes emphasis, or electronic communication.
denotes other method of communication.
--- denotes letters deleted for censorship reasons.
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Author's Ramblings - Again, another excerpt from the time of the Final Battle in the City, but from a the point of view of one of the 'minor' characters.
Again, writing and characterisation is rougher, and not as polished as other work I've done.
This piece may help you see how I've developed as a writer, as it was one of the earliest stories I did, well before the early 'canon' chapters of Altered Lives at any rate.
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Fragment - Tactics
The Clones were fighting a guerrilla war, strike fast, strike hard, and run away to strike again later. Their attacks were wreaking havoc with the Invading Forces, the Clones using E.T. fields and conventional weaponry against troops and transports, and to deliberately block access routes into the City.
It didn't help the Invading Forces that they couldn't tell the Disguised Clones from the general population. This allowed the Disguised Clones to suddenly attack without warning, especially from behind.
Several blue-haired Clones even acted as 'bait', luring snipers and general troops into compromising their position, then annihilating them, either by themselves or with the help of other Clones.
The Clones were to experience some unpleasant surprises though. The troops adapted to the open lures of the Clones, by deploying a portable missile system, and firing directly at any Clone, they recognised as such.
The missiles hit the Clones' E.T. Fields, and vanished in a psychedelic fireball.
So did the Clones' E.T. Fields.
STEELY had planned their attack well. They guessed the Clones would be a major obstacle to them, and equipped their soldiers with Anti-E.T. Field weapons. Bulky, 'one-shot', and only effective at extremely close range, the weapons were STEELY's hidden 'Ace'.
Unfortunately for them, Glando's 'poker face', was attached to a card cheat.
Glando realised, that STEELY would attack as soon as they could. The ONLY reason he could see for them holding back at all, was to develop the tactics, and possibly, WEAPONS they needed for success. He decided to play it safe, and trained the Clones to act in groups, and to 'cover' each other, as much as they could, with 'multi-level' E.T. Fields.
The conventional small arms fire that 'backed up' the Anti-E.T. Field weapons, was dismally ineffective, as the multiple E.T. fields of the 'covering Clones', stopped the rest of the projectiles.
Thus, the Invading Forces received the demoralising impression that the 'new weapons' were NOWHERE near as effective as they'd thought… Though any Clone who had their E.T. Field affected by the weapon, got a five-minute headache from it.
In frustration, and at the authorisation of 'higher command', the Invaders initiated a 'kill them all' policy, killing ANYONE they saw, men, women, children, regardless of potential 'civilian' status, or non-aggressive stance.
This was NOT merely for the sake of killing… It was an attempt by the invaders to force those defending the City to divert their resources into protecting civilians, instead of repulsing the invaders.
Carnage followed. Emergency shelters, full of 'civilians' were bombed as a matter of course. No prisoners taken. None spared.
The Clones contemplated this latest tactic. They had grown attached to many of the civilians, mostly classmates and their families, and the business people the Clones dealt with. The thought of losing ANY of them, weighed heavily on the Clones. They decided they HAD to protect the civilians.
The Clones operated in groups. Three or four would protect each main shelter, while pairs and single Clones on the streets looked for survivors, and harassed the Invading Forces, 'taking out the trash' when they could.
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Fragment - I Spy, With My Little Eye.
In the midst of it, was Kantsee Hayeater.
He was worried about being 'out in the open', until he saw all the troops and transports. He knew that during attacks, the Troops were in their OWN shelters, and defensive positions.
He reasoned, that if it was safe enough for the troops to be out and about, then it was safe enough for him to take a little longer in getting to a Shelter…
Besides, there WAS all that COOL military gear to look at!
He hid himself, took his camera out of his backpack, and eagerly started filming what HE thought, might be some kind of training exercise. After all, it WOULD account for the authorities wanting people 'off the streets'…
His adolescent enthusiasm for all things military, had convinced MANY people that he was some kind of 'gun nut'.
They were wrong. The truth was, Kantsee was a 'survivalist' instead.
There WAS a subtle distinction between the two.
A 'gun nut' had a near 'fetish' involvement with weapons, often using them as a source of pleasure, and emotional satisfaction. To deprive them of their weapons, was tantamount to castration, or emasculation.
A 'survivalist' however, saw weapons as tools that increased their feelings of personal security, as part of their highly developed sense of self-preservation.
Both types had strongly developed paranoid personalities.
The gun nut was afraid someone would take their weapons away. The survivalist was afraid someone would pry their weapons from their dead fingers.
'Normal' people thought BOTH types were 'weird'.
But, when you lived in a City, that was often attacked by giant Alien war machines, intent on the destruction of humanity, NOT having a strongly developed sense of paranoia was considered 'weirder'. It was certainly more dangerous.
Kantsee's enthusiasm soon turned to confusion, as he realised that the weapons were firing REAL ammunition, and NOT 'blanks' or 'paint' markers.
Confusion turned to horror, as he saw people being killed, shot, blown apart, burnt to death. Troop and Civilian, men, women, children.
Like most Military Fans, he had never been in a REAL War. He HAD played 'War Games', either role-playing or 'Paintball Skirmishes', and of course, he HAD fired real weapons at shooting ranges. He had seen 'all the films', and read extensively about tactics, weapons specs, equipment, and training methods…
That was not enough to prepare him for the pain and suffering he now saw and heard FIRSTHAND, nor the stench of death that varied with each type of demise.
It was ONE thing to read about it in a book you could close when you wanted to, another to have the brutal reality rammed down your throat.
He hid for real now, cowering in the shadows as fear paralysed him. For whatever reason, he still kept filming, not bothering to turn his camera off.
A blast came close to his position, and scared him into flight. His movement attracted deadly intentions, and shots ricocheted around him. Further explosions sounded behind him, and the firing ceased.
Kantsee ran, dodging down alleyways, and taking cover where he could find it, hoping to find some safe haven. He saw the entrance to an emergency shelter, and ran for it.
He never made it. Without warning, a screaming blur streaked into the entrance, and blossomed into a fireball. Kantsee hit the dirt. More explosions followed, and he could hear the screams of the dying.
Kantsee raised his head to see a group of soldiers approach the shelter, to conduct 'mop-up' operations, unfortunately, they saw him.
He was caught in plain view, in the open, no chance of shelter. He was dead!
He watched as the troops trained their weapons on him, and fired.
The bullets splattered against a golden shimmer in the air before him, as an explosion destroyed the enemy squad.
'That was an E.T. field!' Kantsee looked around him wide-eyed, searching for the AVE that must have generated it. He hoped it was Shakey's, Aesir would NEVER let him forget he owed her his life.
A scuffling noise near him, made him turn in panic.
A brown haired girl, about his age, dressed in a grey t-shirt and faded blue jeans, was staring at him through wraparound 'mirror shades' sunglasses.
"Come with me if you want to find shelter," she said, before turning, and running off down an alley.
Kantsee wasn't in ANY position to argue, so he got up and ran after her.
They hadn't gone far, when the girl suddenly dropped down, putting her arm out to bar his way. Kantsee followed suit, dropping down and looking warily around.
A group of soldiers was advancing through the streets. They couldn't see the two teens, and if the soldiers just kept going as they were…
Suddenly, a commotion ahead, a group of civilians broke cover and tried to run. The soldiers raised their weapons, and…
…were smashed into the ground by a golden shimmer that suddenly appeared above them. Kantsee looked around in confusion. 'Another E.T. Field? Where's the AVE producing it?'
Gunshots came from behind them, and the girl beside him suddenly turned, her arm going out in a defensive posture. Kantsee was shocked to see a familiar golden shimmer form in front of it. She was producing an E.T. Field? By HERSELF?
Bullets splattered against the E.T. Field, and then the E.T. Field lashed out, smashing their attackers against surrounding walls.
Slowly, Kantsee began to back away from the girl… Humans couldn't produce E.T. Fields. Therefore, she was NOT human… The soldiers had been killing 'normal' looking people. Perhaps they were searching for her?
The girl stood up, and turned to face him. She saw his obvious distress, and merely said, "Don't worry, I'm on your si…"
She never finished, as shots rang out, bullets hitting the lower left of her chest, tearing through bone and internal organs, before exiting on the other side.
She slumped to the ground, red blood spreading out beneath her. Her arm snapping out to direct another E.T. field that pulped the last attacker.
Kantsee saw her blood, he smelled it, he saw the pain on the girl's face, and heard her agonised whimper.
Recent events had Kantsee running on adrenalin, training, and pure instinct. His 'usual' mind was LONG gone, although 'echoes' of it were in the mental operating system now in control of his body.
In truth, 'Kantsee' was no longer there. Instead, an 'alternate persona', the one he became on camping trips, and during 'War Games', took over.
It evaluated this situation as if it were a 'live-action' role-playing game.
He remembered that the girl HAD saved his life, and she had saved others. He remembered that NERVIS troops had ALSO been shot by the 'invading' troops.
That meant that the girl was one of the 'good guys'…
Kantsee knelt beside her, opened his backpack, and took out his First Aid kit.
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Fragment - Playing Hero.
Of ALL the Military Memorabilia that a Fan could buy, precious little could be carried LEGALLY on the streets.
First aid materials though, were a COMPLETELY different matter.
The Local authorities had encouraged ALL civilians to take First Aid training, and to carry small kits with them, as part of the Evacuation exercises.
Wanting to be a 'Real Man', a 'Man of Action', Kantsee had read as many books as he could on Military Medical procedures, and 'Field Surgery'.
He'd taken Civilian First Aid courses, and been APPALLED at how 'simplistic' they were. He compensated by taking ALL of the 'Advanced' courses offered.
He'd sneered at the 'toy' First Aid kits available, and made up his OWN kit. It included things more commonly found in Ambulances. His reasoning for having such items was simple, "**I** may need them **MYSELF** some day…"
The result being, he now had the dubious distinction of being the ONLY student in his entire school, capable of performing an emergency tracheotomy. As well as being the ONLY one who regularly carried a First Aid kit capable of treating major trauma, or in THIS particular case, gunshot wounds…
Kantsee's own kit wasn't quite up to this… He needed more padding to compress the wound and control external blood loss.
He looked at the bodies of the soldiers… They SHOULD have supplies on them…
Kantsee searched the more 'intact' bodies. Each of them had carried several belt packs, some of which contained First aid materials. Kantsee gathered several, rationalising the dead didn't NEED 'Medical' supplies…
Kantsee returned to the girl, and used the extra supplies to further pad and compress the damaged tissues. He didn't bother cleaning the wound. The loss of blood would kill her LONG before infection could.
He debated over giving her a painkiller, and decided it was the humane thing to do. He used a 'self-injecting' type from a soldier's pack. The girl relaxed as the drug took effect, breathing easier, and not whimpering anymore.
Kantsee's hands were sticky from the girl's blood. He tried to ignore it.
Normally, medical staff would only move a person THIS badly injured, when taking them to a Hospital. Kantsee had OTHER concerns. They were too 'exposed' like this, easy prey for ANY soldier passing by. He had no choice.
"Listen, Miss, you've been hurt, and you NEED better medical treatment than I can provide. If we stay here, we'll be found by more soldiers, and THAT won't be healthy for EITHER of us."
"You mentioned 'shelter' before, is it near here?"
The girl just lay there. Kantsee wondered if she were even conscious. Her mirror shades covered her eyes, and stopped him from seeing if they were open.
"Miss?" he questioned. Receiving no reply, he removed her sunglasses.
He saw a faint sliver of white where the eyelids were not fully closed, and guessed her eyes had rolled up. He checked pulse and breathing. For now, she was ONLY unconscious, probably shock, but later…
'Oh well, if she's unconscious, then at least she's not feeling any pain,' thought Kantsee, practical as ever.
With the girl injured, their safety was on HIS shoulders now. He couldn't just run around blindly, he had to plan, and think about what to do next.
What should he do now? He needed to find shelter, somewhere he could hide until things got back to normal. Somewhere he wouldn't be found by the 'bad guys'…
The girl as well, he amended, he couldn't just LEAVE her out for the soldiers. They'd been acting against the 'Articles of War', and she'd certainly be killed…
'But WHERE to hide?' mused Kantsee.
His eyes roved around, searching for ANY indication of the 'shelter', the girl had mentioned, or ANY good hiding place.
The local buildings were tempting, but potential death traps. They were non-retractable structures, usually made of 'flimsy' modular materials. Some had solid concrete foundations, with the flimsier 'modular' materials only used for the upper stories.
That meant they were susceptible to destruction through such mundane things as fire, let alone high explosives, or 'search and destroy' squads.
Kantsee needed something else…
His eyes widened as he saw a 'service tunnel' access hatch, set in the foundations of a nearby high-rise. Used only for maintenance of utility systems, it might provide shelter to a scared teenager, and a comatose girl.
Kantsee scurried over to check it out.
The markings on the hatch indicated power and communication utilities for local buildings ONLY. That meant it WASN'T a 'strategic' target, like the MAIN Power and Communication Hubs.
Now, HOW to get inside? The lock was a simple 'tube key' turning type, but Kantsee didn't have a 'tube key'…
The soldiers had guns though… He quickly 'liberated' a rifle. Two shots blew the lock out. He now had access to the service tunnel, and a place to hide…
…And an entry hatch with bullet holes… Any troops seeing THAT would know straight off, that someone had wanted IN… DAMN! Still, they might NOT notice, if they were busy enough… or couldn't see it…
Kantsee looked inside. It was only a corridor some five feet wide, with a 7-foot ceiling. It ran along the side of the building slightly above ground level, to prevent flooding.
The emergency lights were 'on', and he could see cables and conduits along bare concrete walls. Old cobwebs hung raggedly. Brightly coloured 'Junction' boxes, marked with building code numbers, hung on the wall.
There should be another access hatch further down. Kantsee had NO time to check for it. He put his backpack on the floor, using it to keep the hatch open.
He went back to the girl, and rolled her onto a 'Space Blanket' from a First Aid kit. He then dragged her on it over to the tunnel. It helped in moving her, and didn't leave a 'blood trail'. The drag marks were muted and easier to scuff out.
Getting her inside was awkward, but at least she was now under cover.
Kantsee glanced outside the tunnel, the streets were still deserted. The sounds of shots still came from the distance, as did explosions.
He dumped the contents of his backpack on the floor, and checked outside.
The local area was clear.
He ran over to some kerbside food and drink vending machines, and blew their locks off. He ignored the 'Diet' drinks, taking those with sugar instead. He filled his backpack with cans of drink, and bags of chips, and carried them to the tunnel.
No telling how long they'd be in there, and they might as well have SOME comfort… The drinks would prevent dehydration, and might be the only food the wounded girl could handle…
Neither food nor drink would help the girl in surviving her wound… Kantsee tried not to think about how long she might have left…
Instead, he remembered the stories about the 'Tunnel Rats' in Vietnam. They had gone down Viet Cong tunnels armed with only a handgun, a torch, a knife, and spare ammo. Due to the cramped space, they were the best weapons they had.
He decided to follow their example…
He 'ratted' the corpses of the soldiers, taking time to scavenge two handguns, webbing and belt packs, a bayonet and scabbard, spare ammo, and water canteens.
He would have taken their bulletproof vests, and Kevlar helmets, but they were rather… 'sticky'… and sort of… 'merged'… with the remains…
He stashed his 'spoils of war' in the service tunnel.
Now, how to hide the damage done to the access hatch…
Gunshots sounded nearby, along with abruptly silenced screams.
Kantsee automatically dropped to the ground. He had no way of knowing HOW close they were, or WHOSE side fired them. All he knew was, he had no time left to think about anything fancy.
He grabbed a piece of cardboard packing crate from a dumpster. He got back in the tunnel and arranged the cardboard against the open hatch door, so that when he shut the hatch, the cardboard would fall against it, and partly cover it.
It wasn't much, but it MIGHT provide the illusion that the hatch wasn't being used by anyone. After all, it WOULD appear to be 'obstructed' by the garbage…
Seconds later, Kantsee was inside the tunnel, feeling much more safe and secure…
…Behind a piece of cardboard, and a door that couldn't be locked.
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Fragment - Waiting Game.
The tunnel was currently lit by emergency lights. The Mains power lights were 'off', and didn't work when Kantsee tried the switch. With no Mains power, the emergency lights would only last a few hours. After that, only darkness.
Kantsee checked the girl. She was still unconscious. He dragged her further away from the hatch, and readjusted her 'Space Blankets'. There was nothing more he could do for her, so he decided to 'check' their situation.
First things first.
He armed himself. A bayonet and scabbard went on his belt, resting in the small of his back, where either hand could get to it. Handguns and spare ammo clips went in both pants pockets. From the front, he might appear unarmed.
He stockpiled the rifle and its ammunition between the girl and the hatch. In these cramped spaces, the rifle was ONLY good for 'distance' firing ALONG the tunnel, the handguns, being more 'manoeuvrable', were for 'local' use.
He went on a tour of the tunnel. It ran the length of the building it was built into, but only had the one entrance. Apart from what he'd seen earlier, there was nothing else. No tools, no torches, no emergency kits, no phones, NOTHING that Kantsee could use.
He turned his attention to the emergency lights. As he'd hoped, they were the 'modular' ones most buildings had. This was good news.
Based on a battery recharged from a D.C. supply, they were not 'wired into' the Mains power at all. Their special 'wall holders' had a D.C. power feed to them, and a special coupling that allowed the lights to be recharged automatically. The design allowed easy removal of the entire unit for maintenance.
Kantsee hesitantly lifted one out. A quick search, and he found the 'off switch'. Great! He now had a portable light, that he could turn on or off at will.
He collected all four of the emergency lights in the tunnel, arranging them beside the girl's waist. One he left on, the others were reserves.
He arranged food and drink just above the girls head. If she woke up, Kantsee could find out where help was, and she could feed herself, while he went for help…
IF she woke up…
If not… Well, he supposed he could stay with her until the end…
He started repacking his backpack, discarding some gear he'd originally been carrying as unimportant, and topping it off with some of the food and drink, he'd scavenged from the vending machines.
He checked the girl again. The bandages were sticky with blood, but it was drying, rather than being fresh. It looked as if external blood loss was under control. Internal blood loss was something else again, not to mention organ damage… At least she wasn't coughing up blood, or choking on it…
Kantsee finally had a chance to sit and relax. He could feel his adrenalin high starting to wane. He pulled a 'Space Blanket' around himself, and popped the tab on a can of lemonade. Packets of chips completed his meal.
Over the next few minutes, he started to REALLY feel the effects of the adrenalin falloff. Shakes, emotional swings… he had the lot. While in the grip of one mood swing, he reviewed what he'd done, and wondered if he'd fouled up…
Any troops finding the bodies of the soldiers, would notice that equipment was missing. Hopefully, they'd think twice about 'looking' for those responsible, knowing they were now armed, and had a 'score' to settle.
Kantsee was unsure if the soldiers would bother to check the tunnel out, even if they DID notice the bullet holes in the hatch. They'd certainly have higher priorities and more 'strategic' targets in mind at THIS point in time, besides, they might think the damage was for 'field expedient' purposes.
Apart from the light beside the girl, the tunnel was completely dark. Kantsee wanted to be able to hide in darkness in a hurry, in case they had 'visitors'.
Any person, who DID look in the darkened tunnel, would have trouble seeing the two teens, unless they had a powerful torch, or night vision equipment.
With luck, they would only think the lights had failed…
After all, any REAL soldier would consider the possibilities of 'ambush', and 'booby trap', as any one opening the hatch, would be exposed by any light coming from outside, making them a good target…
Unless they threw a hand grenade in first…
In which case, Kantsee and the girl were dead…
Fear bloomed in Kantsee as he began to consider other possibilities.
If he were found with weapons on him, he might be executed, either as a 'suspected' enemy, one of their 'agents', a 'loony', or as a 'looter'.
If this girl WAS an 'enemy', then he was 'aiding the enemy', and could face Martial Law punishment for it, provided they didn't just kill him outright on suspicion of being an enemy himself.
He realised he'd treated this as if it was a 'Role Playing' game. A GAME! He'd just staked their LIVES on his hobbies…
They were trapped here like this.
If they were found, they'd be killed.
They couldn't stay here and 'wait for rescue'.
The girl needed help urgently.
Sooner, rather than later, the girl would die.
Kantsee could get help for the girl, if he knew WHERE to go.
But, if he left this place, he could be killed.
If he died, the girl would also die, alone, in the dark.
If he didn't go for help, she would certainly die.
Even IF he found help, she could still die.
No matter how he looked at it, the girl was probably going to die…
…And most likely, so was he…
Kantsee was only 14, there was so much he wanted to do in life, places he wanted to go, sights he wanted to see. Now he KNEW he'd never get ANY of them done.
They'd die down here instead, trapped like rats because of him and his idiotic attempt at playing hero…
He could try to find help by himself. He could leave the girl here, and take a chance on finding help for her…
Or… The thought occurred to him, he COULD just leave her here, and try to save himself… After all, she WOULD probably DIE anyway…
Kantsee felt sick as he found himself actually considering running off and leaving the girl to die. Real Men didn't do THAT… In shame and remorse, he began to cry.
Kantsee was too absorbed in his own confusion and misery to notice the girl move. The first he knew about her return to consciousness was a pained groan from her.
It startled him, making his heart thump with the fear they'd been found. He settled down when he realised it was only the girl.
Kantsee pushed his own feelings aside, and went to her.
He tried to speak reassuring. "Easy now. Try not to move. You've been shot, do you remember?"
"Yeesss…" she hissed, grimacing in pain as she tried to sit up.
"I said, Don't Move!" he put his arms out to gently support her, and to help her lay down on the floor again, "You've been shot, and lost a lot of blood, you have internal injuries, so just lie still. If you tell me where to get help…"
Kantsee didn't finish his comment, as there was a sudden booming noise that severely shook the tunnel. He flung himself over the girl to protect her, as bits cracked off the tunnel walls and ceiling.
"What the…" muttered Kantsee, wondering if they were going to be bombed out of their simple shelter.
"Nuke…" the girl almost whispered.
"NUKE?!" Kantsee was shocked, a Nuke was OVERKILL!
"Don't worry, we stopped it…"
Kantsee looked at the girl in disbelief. 'She must be raving from her wounds,' he thought, 'Nothing short of an AVE's E.T. Field can stop a Nuke'
Then he remembered the E.T. Field she had projected by herself. Fear of the girl flared inside him, and he jerked away from her.
The girl quickly reached out, and grabbed his wrist in her bloodied hand. She looked momentarily surprised, and then a sad look entered her eyes.
"Don't be afraid of me. I won't hurt you," she said softly to him.
Kantsee noticed her eyes had red irises. There was only ONE girl he knew with red irises, and now that he thought about it, apart from her skin tone, hair colour and hairstyle, this girl DID look just like…
"Rave? Is that you?" he asked incredulously.
The girl blinked, then answered, "No, I'm her sister. Where are we?"
"Rave's SISTER!? Uh, I mean, near where you got shot, in a service tunnel."
"What type?"
"Local building utilities," answered Kantsee, he shook his head, why was he saying unimportant things like this? "You spoke of a shelter, is it far from here? Are there people there who can help you?"
"Don't worry, you'll be fine," she said, squeezing his arm for emphasis, "Help is on it's way, it'll be here soon…"
"Look, Miss Imanonymous! You NEED medical help NOW! If you'd just tell me WHERE to get help for you, I'll go and…" started Kantsee, only to be interrupted as the tunnel rocked slightly to the muffled sound of far off explosions.
The girl suddenly pulled him to her, as a series of heavy explosions caused large cracks to appear in the walls around them. Large pieces of concrete bounced down around them, but, as Kantsee wonderingly noted, not ON them…
He looked up and saw a golden shimmer in the air around them. He gulped heavily, and looked at the girl who was protecting them.
"Err… that… IS you… doing THAT?" he asked, indicating the E.T. Field.
The girl nodded, amusement in her eyes.
They stayed that way for some time, the girl holding Kantsee tightly, as an E.T. Field surrounded them and protected them both. The tunnel rocked violently to the effects of high explosive detonations outside…
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Fragment - Exit.
Eventually, things calmed down. The tunnel stopped shaking, and the noises died away. The only sound was the occasional patter of loosened debris falling elsewhere along the tunnel.
"Do you think it's safe to go outside?" Kantsee asked the girl.
"Yes," she replied, in a weary voice.
"Would you like something to drink?" asked Kantsee, "Not much, as you've got a stomach wound, but a few sips of sugary fluid will give you energy."
The girl nodded.
Kantsee grabbed a dented, but unopened can of drink and popped the tab. It sprayed all over him. Cursing mentally, he put his arm under the girl's head, giving support as he lifted her slightly, and brought the can to her lips.
She took several sips, before saying "Enough."
Kantsee laid her back down, and the girl reached out to grasp his arm as he withdrew it from beneath her head. She looked into Kantsee's eyes.
"Why did you treat my wound?"
The question took Kantsee by surprise. She hadn't REALLY made the question SOUND as if she thought he wouldn't have helped her, but shame washed over Kantsee as he remembered the fear of her that nearly made him run away.
"Why did you find me shelter?" the girl didn't wait for him to answer.
"Uh, well…" Kantsee had no real answer for her, he hadn't been looking for shelter for her specifically, just a place to hide himself generally, and he'd taken her with him…
"Why did you stay with me?"
Kantsee had planned to remain with the girl until she regained consciousness, and could tell him where to get help for her… or until she died. He didn't want to remember thinking about trying to save himself by leaving her to die…
He compromised. "I didn't know where to go to get help, and it was too dangerous to just wander around…" true enough…
"Why care for me?"
Kantsee was embarrassed. He'd done all that he had while literally scared out of his mind, thinking in his 'game-persona' mode, but, he didn't want to tell her THAT… Besides he wasn't REALLY sure himself, and he didn't want to LIE…
He looked at her, and saw tears running down her face.
"Do you want another shot of painkiller?" he asked softly.
She continued with a note of sadness in her voice, "I've got a little surprise for you…" then sighed and was quiet.
Kantsee waited for her to continue, when she didn't he asked, "Surprise? What are you talking about?"
She gave no response, her grip on his arm going loose.
Kantsee looked at her face, her eyes were open, and the pupils were dilated. Unconscious? Exhausted? Kantsee didn't know, so he checked her pulse, it was weak, worried, he checked her breathing.
He was frightened to find she'd stopped.
"Miss? MISS! Please wake up!" he shook her in an attempt to rouse her.
No luck, her pulse was still weak, and he couldn't detect her breathing.
Kantsee gulped nervously, then education took over, and he used his First Aid training, and performed E.A.R. (Expired Air Resuscitation).
He put his lips to hers and breathed into her lungs. Her stomach rose, then the air sighed out as he broke the seal his mouth made on hers.
Her heart continued to beat weakly, but she didn't try to breathe. Was her diaphragm injured? Had stress toxins built up in her muscles? Had a Blood Clot affected a major organ? Was this nerve or organ damage from the bullets?
Kantsee checked her fading heartbeat every few breaths. Eventually it gave out, and he had to resort to full C.P.R. (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation), using the heel of his palm to rhythmically depress the girls sternum, and massage her heart.
"Come ON!" he urged her, as he took a break from breathing for her, and massaged her heart. "Don't DIE! Fight!"
"Please…" he pleaded, his voice breaking.
By now, he was crying.
He didn't know this girl existed before today, but the events of the past few hours, together with his knowledge of her sister Rave, had created an emotional bond with her. 'Shared ordeal' situations will do that.
A noise at the hatch interrupted him. He turned the light off and aimed a hand gun in the general direction of the hatch… If the wrong person came in…
The hatch opened, and outside light streamed into the tunnel, clearly outlining the entrance. Kantsee adjusted his aim, his finger tightening on the trigger.
An E.T. field shimmered, shielding the head with blue hair that came through the hatch. The Clone's red-eyed gaze swept the gloom, locking onto Kantsee.
"RAVE!!" screamed Kantsee, lowering the gun, "Help Me! She's not breathing!"
An E.T. field flared around Kantsee, protecting him and the girl from a sudden rain of debris, as the wall nearest them was smashed away by a giant white hand, which reached in and scooped them both up.
Once outside, Kantsee wasted no time in getting off the giant white palm. Especially as it was attached to a version of an AVE he'd never seen before. An AVE that looked suspiciously like a giant Rave, but with a different haircut.
"How is she?" Kantsee asked worriedly, looking expectantly at Rave, who, he was surprised to see, was wearing a dark grey S.W.A.T. outfit.
The S.W.A.T. Clone laid her hands on the wounded Clone's head, paused, and then nodded once. The giant hand lifted away, closing around the still form.
The S.W.A.T. Clone looked at Kantsee, a hint of amusement in her eyes, "I have a little surprise for you," she stated, spooking Kantsee with her choice of words, "But it must wait until later, as I'm required elsewhere."
"But what about your sister? Will she be okay?"
"Mondai Arimasen (No Problem)" replied Rave calmly.
Kantsee breathed a sigh of relief, if Rave wasn't worried about her sister, then she MUST be all right.
"Can I come along with you?" he asked, not knowing where else to go, or what else to do, now that things seemed to be getting back to 'normal'.
"You may accompany me if you wish."
"Great! I'll just get my stuff and be right with you," Kantsee ducked back into the tunnel, intent on getting his backpack, camera, and his 'spoils of war'.
He was upset to find that chunks of falling debris, some as large as his head, had 'put dents' in much of the 'loot' he'd collected. Only items protected by the E.T. Field had survived, his backpack, camera and a few emergency lights.
'Oh well, at least I've got handguns and bayonet…" he thought philosophically, putting them into his backpack. 'Anyway, the rifle WOULD attract attention…'
Outside again, he had time to notice the destruction around him. The buildings in this street had their top stories wrecked. Huge craters punctured the roadways, it took him some moments to realise some were AVE footprints.
Far above, the Clone Kantsee had cared for was 'absorbed' into the AVE, her body becoming TLC, and her mind soaring free and aware inside the massive construct.
She was surprised. She had not expected to survive. She thought she had expended the last of her strength keeping the human alive.
The processing of her subconscious memories of what happened after she lost consciousness surprised her. The human she saved, had tried to keep her alive?
If Kantsee had been watching the AVE, he would have seen a thoughtful expression on its face, as it turned to look in his direction.
The magnitude of the destruction staggered Kantsee.
Most of the city appeared to be demolished. All of the central tower blocks were gone. Debris was everywhere.
He hoped the missing buildings were merely retracted, and not destroyed.
Kantsee tried to film with his camera, but the 'footage low' warning came up after only a few minutes. He automatically changed disks, and continued filming without thinking about it.
Rave led him along a narrow trail amidst the debris to a bomb blasted shelter. Inside was packed with people. Kantsee didn't need to do a head count to know the shelter was many times past it's limit.
Many were badly injured. ALL were emotionally traumatised. Those few providing First Aid had weary faces.
Kantsee filmed it, then stopped. Mere filming couldn't help the wounded. He felt his mind readjust, as his 'other self' came to the fore.
Putting his camera away, he went up to the First Aiders, and offered his help.
======================================================================
Fragment - Helping Hand.
The night sky was overcast, and no stars showed against the perfect black of the clouds. Normally, the clouds would reflect the City lights, and be grey.
Power rationing and widespread 'blackouts' had turned off the City lights.
They also prevented electric cookers in the shelters from working, as ANY power was needed for more important items, like ventilation, and lighting.
The people had resorted to using portable gas cookers, and even open fires to heat their meals and boil water for medical needs. Due to general safety concerns, no fires were allowed in the shelters, so the kitchens had been moved outside.
Alone, squatting on a pile of rubble, Kantsee was enjoying his brief meal break. A bowl of lukewarm over-cooked sludge that was supposed to be noodles, NO flavouring, and a cup of warm water with sugar trying to pass itself off as 'tea'.
That was his evening meal, and ONLY cooked meal of the day.
And was he EVER grateful for it!! Especially, since he'd been expecting to die, only a few hours before.
It seemed like a lifetime ago NOW…
Kantsee was bone weary. He'd been helping with First Aid for too many hours for him to recall when it was he'd started. During the day at any rate…
It had been EXTREMELY hectic. He hadn't even had time to introduce himself, before he'd been plunged, literally, 'knee-deep' in wounded.
It hadn't slowed down either… If anything, it had gotten worse.
After the earlier trial he'd had with Rave's injured sister, he'd found it surprisingly easy to give First Aid to the injured in this shelter.
Or at least, with the 'simple' cases… The 'bad' ones though…
Kantsee had prepared himself for treating 'Trauma' injuries over the years, by 'desensitising' himself to the sight of blood and gore.
After all, what 'Real Man' would faint at the sight of blood?
He'd done this by watching EVERY gory movie he could get his hands on, and by hunting, catching, killing and preparing his OWN food while camping…
He was glad now that he had tried to desensitise himself…
He'd only vomited twice…
He contemplated the near-tasteless slop he was eating. He would have liked something tastier, but he'd given away all the food and drink in his backpack to the other survivors.
His 'supplies' hadn't gone far, but this simple act of giving, had made him feel better. Especially when he saw faces light up, with newfound hope, and gratitude…
His modest meal over, he rose creakily, and went back inside.
He had to be 'on-call' until his replacement was back with the new supplies. THEN he could get some sleep.
Inside the shelter, the people lay in cramped, makeshift beds. Here and there, some shifted restlessly, or moaned, or sobbed, from nightmares, or injuries.
Many slept, totally lost in the depths of exhaustion, whether physical, emotional, or mental. Others lay unconscious, in silent shock from their injuries. Too few were lucky enough to be 'out' on painkillers.
Some lay, never to rise again… There had been too many like them… Come morning, their bodies would be wrapped in garbage bags, the body bags having LONG run out…
Kantsee noticed a group of Civilians with a NERVIS troop escort, at the far end of the Main Hall. Curious, he went over to eavesdrop.
They were top-reputation reporters, from a top-reputation news show; here to do an in-depth report on the battle, and show the world it's human face.
They were conducting interviews with some of the workers, getting general 'background', before getting 'human interest shots' from the survivors.
Kantsee had been too busy providing First Aid to find out what had been happening in the outside world. He wished he knew the truth…
Especially as he'd heard plenty of strange rumours from those he'd treated. The soldiers were Aliens… The Aliens had driven the soldiers mad… The Government had 'sold' them out to the Aliens… The Aliens sent nine war machines at once…
He'd been too busy to do 'formal' interviews, so he'd simply positioned his camera and recorded what he was doing with the wounded.
He'd shown respect for the wounded, by asking their permission to film… Most gave it, the silent lens bearing witness to their personal stories…
Some though, hadn't been ABLE to give permission… Kantsee shuddered as he remembered asking one 'patient', who had just stared blankly, drooling…
Kantsee had gotten some 'solid' stuff. After he finished editing it… He scowled, remembering he hadn't had a chance to even review, let alone edit his footage. He didn't think he'd GET a chance anytime soon either…
Should he give his footage to the newsmen or not? They might use it, or they might not, especially if they had better, more 'professional' shots…
Kantsee REALLY wanted to 'do it himself'… But the footage NEEDED to be seen… He chewed his lip thoughtfully, mulling over his choices. He decided to give them the disks. After all, nothing ventured, meant nothing gained…
He went to his backpack, and dug out all the disks, taking the one from the camera as well. He smiled ruefully, as he noticed the batteries were almost flat, so he wouldn't have been able to do anything with the disks anyway.
He approached the Newsgroup, but stayed on the sidelines, until they finished their current interview. He didn't think he should hand the disks over in front of the 'Security' detail, as they might be 'confiscated'…
No, best give them to a Newshound 'quietly'…
He saw his chance when a Newsman went to the lavatory. He followed him, and waited patiently until the man came out of the toilet stall to wash his hands.
"Excuse me," Kantsee asked, "But are you looking for stories on the battle?"
The newsman, weary from his work, and hoarse from talking, merely nodded.
"Here," Kantsee held the disks out, "These include footage shot during the attack by a civilian caught in the streets, I don't know if it's suitable, but you never know…"
"Thanks," the Newsman croaked, taking the proffered disks, "And you are?"
Kantsee paused. Did he REALLY want his name known? 'Security' MIGHT want to have 'a little talk' with him about his video footage…
Kantsee smiled as he replied, "Just another survivor…" before walking off.
Kantsee didn't know it, but he'd just done a VERY GOOD thing.
======================================================================
Fragment - The Price of Charity.
Kantsee got less than two hours of sleep. One of the 'on-watch' shift woke him, with the news that evacuation transports needed help to load the injured.
As the local Hospitals were hopelessly overcrowded, any injured capable of surviving the trip, were airlifted to other Hospitals all over the country.
This meant that ONLY the most serious cases remained in the city.
The operation was NOT just an attempt to airlift the injured for medical attention. The battle had severely damaged the City and it's ability to properly house the population it had.
The Mains power system was severely damaged. Power was currently 'rationed'. It would NOT be back to normal in less than a week.
Without power, the storage and preparation of food was affected. Already, some had suffered food poisoning. Most were survivors trying to eat improperly cooked, or 'spoiled' frozen food.
The water supply system was severely damaged, and considerable 'contamination' had occurred from the broken sewerage system. The sewerage system was broken in too many places to repair in under a month, and there was the fear of epidemic.
Too many buildings were 'dangerously unstable'. This included several Emergency Shelters, which were still being used, as there was NOTHING else available.
The order had gone out, to evacuate as many people as possible. The plan was that ONLY 4 types of people would remain in the City, construction workers, the seriously wounded, Medical staff, and NERVIS security.
Kantsee rose groggily, wiped the sleep from his eyes, and went to help.
An AVE had only recently cleared the 'landing zone', by the simple method of scraping away debris with its hands.
The same AVE was currently transporting bulky Emergency Power Generators, by the simple means of picking them up and walking them over to where they were needed. Each of these units was the size of a truck, but still only a toy to an AVE.
Kantsee watched the AVE in wonder. This one ALSO looked like Rave, but NOT like the one he saw yesterday. There was a link here, but he just couldn't get it.
The Medivac transport was finally loaded, and it took off, raising a lot of dust.
The vibrations from its engines shook the surrounding area, causing minute cracks to widen. Several transports came and went. Each time, their engine noise caused MORE vibration damage in the surrounding structures.
Kantsee didn't know this, and he didn't know why other people suddenly yelled to him, or why he could hardly hear them over a sudden crashing noise.
He turned his head to see the side of a building rushing down to meet him, and reflexively put up his arm to shield himself.
It didn't help. Kantsee Hayeater and several others were buried in the rubble.
The AVE in the area literally dropped what it was doing, and strode over to help. Golden E.T. Fields shimmered around, and IN the rubble, searching, and probing for those trapped beneath.
With loud crashing groans, the debris parted to reveal several golden tubes, containing those who'd just been buried.
Some were already dead. ALL were badly wounded. Kantsee was unconscious from head wounds, and severe internal trauma had collapsed his lungs.
The AVE performed 'reverse triage', depositing those with the best chance of surviving, to take the next airlift out.
'Others' would go to the 'Local Hospital and Morgue' via the AVE.
Kantsee was NOT in EITHER group.
Despite his wounds, and battered flesh, the Clones had still recognised him. The human who'd cared for one of them, as FEW humans EVER had.
The Clones might not BE human, but they still knew of the human trait called 'gratitude'. They wouldn't let Kantsee die if they could help it.
The Clones 'reverse synchronised' with him and regenerated his body, even as the AVE strode towards the Hospital/Central Morgue, sidestepping fallen buildings, and moving through the rubble filled streets faster than any surface vehicle could.
The AVE kept him in a tubular E.T. Field full of TLC. TLC surged around him, cleaning his wounds, absorbing the blood and debris from his clothes, and turning them into raw materials for rebuilding his body.
Fortunately, the oversized plastic lenses of his eyeglasses had protected his eyes. All around where they had been were deep scratches.
His shattered arm, and other fractured limbs, the severe bruising, and skin lacerations, were given several days worth of healing, enough to keep things in place, and stop bleeding.
Such 'trivial' injuries could finish healing naturally…
The Clones were more concerned with regenerating major organs, and pushing broken rib bones back inside the skin and 'knitting' them together, repairing the spinal cord and the shattered vertebrae around it…
The shattered skull presented difficulties, and the brain trauma even more so.
The Clones searched Kantsee's brain, looking for damage to repair. This meant they HAD to access his memories; to make sure things were all right.
His memories of when he'd saved the Clone were of particular interest to them.
They saw how he had overcome fear. How he had controlled his panic. How he had stayed when he could have run away. How he tried to give comfort. How he had knowingly risked his own existence, against a chance of helping another…
His… ONE… single… fragile… existence…
The Clones went in deeper, wanting to know 'why', seeking to KNOW this person.
They found a shy young man, who felt that he wasn't 'tall enough', 'handsome enough', 'strong enough', or any of a thousand other 'enoughs' to be considered attractive to girls…
They saw the pain he felt, the times he'd been rejected, mocked, made fun of.
They saw the death of his hopes, and his acceptance of it, even though he would look at girls and wonder what life would be like, if only…
They saw how he made a 'mask' to hide behind. How the face he presented to the world was one he didn't mind people mocking, as it WASN'T his TRUE face…
They saw how he wished he was 'better' than he was, and how he 'compensated' for his 'faults', his self-perceived lack of worth, by embracing those things HE considered 'Manly'…
Self-Reliance.
Self-Discipline.
Honesty.
Loyalty.
Bravery.
Humility.
Helpfulness.
He helped people without thought of any reward, other than a secret, self-appointed one. Feeling good about his own existence.
He preferred to remain a 'stranger' to those he helped, cherishing anonymity, as it made his actions seem more 'honest' to him.
He had helped a 'strange' girl, KNOWING she wasn't 'normal', just as he would have helped any 'normal' person…
The Clones were 'touched'…
The Clones wished they could take the time to fully heal Kantsee, but time was a precious resource they didn't have enough of… Every minute spent on Kantsee, was another minute of danger to countless other people in the ruined city.
So, they balanced things as best they could, not liking this uncomfortable 'compromise', or the situation that caused it.
The Clones had a dilemma. Although his wounds were now 'survivable', should they leave Kantsee to take his chances in the overcrowded Hospital wards? Should they let him risk further mishap?
They decided NOT to. The 'Clone Zone' compound had survived relatively intact, thanks to the 'shielding' given it by the Clones.
It's OWN emergency backup services were functioning. Thanks to Mazurka, who had gotten 'DEADLY SERIOUS' when renovating the buildings.
The Clones had studied modern medical care as part of their training, so they decided they should be able to look after Kantsee themselves.
After all, 'Rave' had often 'watched over' Shakey, when HE had been in Hospital, so how much 'different' would THIS be?
Still, it wouldn't hurt to get another opinion, from a qualified medical expert.
======================================================================
Fragment - Truth and the Casualty Ward.
At the Hospital, the severely wounded were all bundled out and left to the exhausted attentions of the overworked staff.
All except Kantsee.
One of the S.W.A.T. outfitted Clones approached a tired looking Doctor.
"Please Sir," her quiet tones startled the man, "There's a person who's had a building collapse on him, and we need a diagnosis on him urgently."
The Doctor took one look at her S.W.A.T. uniform, Kevlar Helmet, weapons, and wrap-around mirror glasses, and thought 'Security Spook…'
Thinking she was referring to some V.I.P., he went with her, preparing himself for the worst.
From too many OTHER patients caught in collapsed buildings, he KNEW what to expect. Smashed bones, deep wounds matted with blood and debris, severe internal trauma, hopelessly crushed limbs requiring amputation…
The fact an AVE held the patient in its' giant palm, only SLIGHTLY fazed the Doctor, after all, the AVE's HAD been carrying MANY patients in…
The Doctor was surprised and puzzled by THIS patient for other reasons…
Not by the youth of the patient, or the 'attention' the boy seemed to rate, but by what the Doctor found during the examination, or rather, what he DIDN'T find…
The Clones had regenerated the major trauma, leaving only the 'mundane' things, and it was THOSE the Doctor diagnosed, not knowing of the previous injuries.
Kantsee STILL looked a mess though.
The healing the Clones had performed on him, had accelerated the onset of bruise marks, and he was, literally, 'covered in bruises'. His face had gone swollen and lumpy, making him unrecognisable, even if he HAD been wearing his glasses.
'Why is this kid so clean?' the Doctor wondered, 'Why isn't there any blood, or building debris on him? Did they wash him before bringing him in?'
His examination of the unconscious and newly regenerated Kantsee was not hurried, mainly because the Doctor was aware of the uniformed 'guard' beside him.
All the boy seemed to have, were a broken arm, some 'greenstick' fractures of the limbs, severe bruising, a potential case of 'concussion' from the head trauma, possibly some cracked ribs, and lots of half-healed wounds and lacerations.
It didn't make sense, either the boy had been VERY lucky, or… The Doctor gulped nervously as he considered 'other' explanations for the injuries the boy had…
The severe bruising, the half-healed lacerations, obviously days old, all over the boy's body, with really nasty looking ones around his ribs, back and head.
The Doctor didn't know WHAT had caused the 'older' wounds, and since the boy's 'guard' wasn't volunteering any information, the Doctor wasn't going to ask…
The Doctor had his suspicions though, 'A building fell on him? How many times? At least it's more original than 'slipping in the shower' while in jail…'
The Doctor decided not to show his concerns, as in THIS city you NEVER knew what the 'gung-ho psychos' in charge would do if they thought you were 'snooping'…
He didn't even want to guess…
Although… maybe the boy COULD tell him…
He finished his examination, and turned to the silently waiting Clone.
"In my medical opinion," the doctor started in as professional a voice as he could muster, "The patient has multiple 'green stick' fractures of the limbs, and possibly of several ribs, as there is severe bruising of the skin in that region, as well as the possibility of 'concussion'."
"Other than that, his heartbeat is strong, and his breathing is regular. Without further examination by X-Ray, and ultrasound equipment, I CANNOT determine if there are OTHER complications than what I currently see before me, or if he has internal injuries."
The Clone saw the distress on the Doctor's face, and offered some information to alleviate his concerns, "He does not have internal injuries."
The information, delivered in such a quiet monotone, did little to reduce the Doctor's unspoken suspicions. 'Careful with his 'treatment' were you?' he thought bitterly, before continuing.
"Based on the LIMITED resources available when I made my assessment, I would recommend he be monitored for the next few days, to determine if he does indeed have concussion, or whether any cumulative effects of his 'accident' show up."
"What do you mean by 'monitored'?" queried the Clone, wanting to be sure they could adequately look after Kantsee.
The Doctor misinterpreted the Clone's words. 'Obvious 'Security' mentality,' he thought, 'Say 'monitor', and they think you're talking about spy cameras.' He sighed deeply before continuing.
"When I say 'monitored', I mean that every half hour he should have his heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, breathing and general appearance checked to see if there is any adverse change in his condition, or whether other symptoms become apparent. It is my expert medical opinion, that this monitoring SHOULD be carried out by trained medical staff in a properly equipped Hospital, but under the current situation, that would mean evacuating him to another Hospital, in another city."
The Clones were thoughtful. If Kantsee went to another city, the Clones could not keep watch over him. It would be best if he were to stay where they could look after him. "Must he stay in a Hospital, or can he stay in a private residence?" she asked in quiet tones.
'Private Residence or Detention Cell?' thought the Doctor, starting to sweat. The boy must be in DEEP trouble if the 'Spooks' were thinking twice about admitting him to Hospital in HIS condition… He answered carefully…
"There is NO reason such monitoring could NOT be done in a 'Private Residence', PROVIDED it was done by properly trained people. IF his condition should deteriorate, OR if other symptoms appear, then he SHOULD be re-evaluated.
"However, IF the patient HAS 'concussion', or other cerebral complications, they MAY become irrational, and any carer MAY have to take firm measures to help them. Because of this possibility, I MUST recommend the patient be kept in a properly equipped Hospital, under the care of properly trained medical staff."
The Doctor concluded, "I believe the patient should ONLY be released from care, upon the ADEQUATELY resourced diagnosis of a QUALIFIED medical practitioner."
The Clone was silent as they reviewed what the Doctor had said, weighing the options, and which, if any of them, were best for Kantsee.
The silence stretched, and made the Doctor nervous.
"Well," said the Doctor, breaking the silence and forcing a smile, "If he's going to be a patient, we REALLY should admit him as soon as possible. I must warn you, we ARE overcrowded, and he REALLY should be evacuated."
The Clone replied in her usual monotone, "No. That won't be necessary. We will take care of him. If there is further need of medical services, we'll be back."
The Doctor smiled politely at her statement, and kept smiling as the Clone took Kantsee away, and KEPT smiling until he was in his office, with the door locked.
His hands shook as he poured himself a rather large shot of the Scotch Whiskey he kept in his desk. He felt somewhat better after the third shot…
He'd TRIED to convince the 'guard' to get proper care for the kid… He shuddered as he remembered the guards 'complacent' attitude, and the comments "take care of him," and the dark implications of the 'if' in the statement of "If there is further need of medical services…"
He remembered the facial lacerations the kid had. Although the entire face was badly bruised, the lacerations, and scratches had seemed to 'disappear' around the kid's eyes. Had he been wearing a 'blindfold' when he'd received his 'trauma'?
He didn't know WHAT had REALLY happened to that poor kid, and he didn't WANT to know! All he knew was, he'd had ENOUGH of the 'Security Spooks' in this city.
He was on the next flight OUT of this place, blow what it did to his career, he'd rather have a clear conscience…
The Clones didn't bother to tell the overworked Hospital admissions staff about their decision to care for Kantsee personally. As he had never been formally admitted, there should be no need to fill out any paperwork to take him away.
Not that the Hospital staff were still KEEPING paperwork on their patients…
Most 'notes' were hastily scrawled messages, usually written in 'permanent' marker on the patient's OWN clothing, or skin, as paper had run out as well.
Meanwhile, back at the Emergency Shelter Kantsee had worked at.
An opportunistic thief had taken the backpack containing Kantsee's personal belongings. The thief HAD noticed how 'unattended' the backpack was…
The thief discarded MOST of Kantsee's belongings, preferring to keep the windfalls of handguns, ammo, video camera, and several nearly flat batteries.
A couple of hours later, the thief was shot dead while looting a food store. They could have been taken alive, except they panicked, and used a gun.
The Security forces, already strained by the day's events, opened fire without hesitation.
The 'loot' the thief had in the backpack, received damage from the bullets as well. Cans of drink burst open under fire, spraying their frothy contents throughout the backpack, and making a soggy mess of the stolen food.
None of which did the video camera any good, OR the batteries. What little charge they held shorted out in the mess, ruining the camera.
The backpack and contents were a write off. The security forces left them in the rubble where they fell. Eventually, they would become part of a landfill.
So it was, that any link between Kantsee Hayeater and the Emergency Shelter where he'd worked saving lives, was completely severed.
======================================================================
Fragment - News Worthy.
Meanwhile, the Newsman Kantsee gave his disks to, had only just started to review them.
He'd been working 'around the clock', and had been lucky enough to get almost five hours sleep after finishing at Kantsee's Shelter.
He was amazed at some of the stuff on the disks. To put it in layman's terms, some of the footage was the journalistic equivalent of 'dynamite'.
On the disks, was CLEAR proof of the war crimes committed by the invading troops, with scenes of civilians being killed, an Emergency Shelter being bombed, not to mention some 'interesting' random stories from other survivors.
It wasn't JUST the 'eye-on-the-street' footage of the battle. There was ALSO the intense human drama angle, as well as a BONUS 'scoop' about the Clones.
As far as Kantsee knew, he'd stopped filming when he'd first been shot at, and only resumed after he'd been rescued by Rave.
He DIDN'T know there was a FULL record of his actions with the Clone he'd saved. Although Kantsee and the Clone were rarely 'in view', or badly focused when they were, the audio track caught the drama and action of the situations they faced.
He could NOT have guessed the importance of such a recording, NOR of the effects such a recording would have…
Rave's earlier 'Press Release', had virtually given the media 'Full Access' to the entire city, apart from certain areas deemed physically 'unsafe'.
The Media suspected there might be 'story material' in THOSE areas, but they were too busy with what HAD been revealed about the secret dealings of NERVIS, and the shadowy STEELY group.
Rave's little 'Press Release', had ALSO subdued the 'Security Spooks', to the point they didn't even TRY to 'misdirect' the Newsmen, much less 'confiscate' or 'censor' any footage shot…
It all combined to create an unprecedented Media 'feeding frenzy'…
Part of the clamour, was for interviews with the pilots of the AVE's, and of ANY high-ranking NERVIS staff.
It was hard getting anything, especially as the Media were still 'mindful' of Rave's 'polite request' to respect the privacy of the pilots, and not to 'harass' any NERVIS staff…
Rave and the Clones, had declined ALL requests for interviews, merely stating they had important humanitarian work to do, and that ANY delays would cost lives.
The Media had never figured out just WHOSE lives were being discussed, and after Rave's 'unsettling' demonstration of her powers, and her 'I don't take ANY garbage' attitude, they weren't sure they WANTED to find out the HARD way…
Which made THIS footage Even MORE valuable! Here was EXCLUSIVE footage of one of the Clones! In Action! In Distress! In 'Up Close and Personal' Mode!
The Newsman began editing segments for the evening news, then thought better of it… THIS material deserved it's OWN timeslot.
He made a hurried call to his producer, telling him he had some 'Exclusive Red-Hot' footage that NEEDED to get an 'extended viewing'.
Later on, the world tuned in for it's daily dose of horror and human suffering.
It got a smorgasbord.
Kantsee's footage, carefully edited to increase the drama quotient, had it's OWN 'special viewing time', and it's OWN impact on the Public Consciousness.
The 'war crimes' recorded by Kantsee, caused massive Public Outrage, which was quickly taken advantage of by various Politicians.
The 'human dramas' recorded by Kantsee, touched the hearts of all who saw them.
The interviews with wide-eyed unbelieving survivors, their panicky recollections of horror in the streets, the eerie silence of those whose minds had withdrawn…
Then, there was THAT scene, where a boy desperately performed C.P.R. on a dying girl, pleading with her not to die… A guaranteed 'tear-jerker'.
Made ALL the MORE poignant, with the revelation that the dying girl was one of the 'not quite normal' Rave Clones, and she had used her last dying strength to protect a human with an E.T. Field…
This GREATLY affected the Public's view of the Clones, and created MASSIVE amounts of Public Sympathy and support for them. The Clones might LOOK different, they might BE 'different', but INSIDE, where it COUNTS, they were GOOD people.
The footage would ALSO become the basis for several popular tragic romances based on the attack. In them, a Clone always died saving the one who had treated her as a person.
The release of the truth about Rave#2's sacrifice, would only help sales.
On a darker note, the footage ALSO provided fodder for some of the 'sleazier' Tabloid Infotainment groups. Many LURID lines of 'purple prose' would be churned out in an effort to 'cash in' on this latest Public Interest story.
The words of "Err, that IS you, doing THAT?" Were deliberately taken OUT of context, and subsequently immortalised.
Not least of all by the popular graffiti tag, "If this tunnel's rocking, don't bother knocking!"
It wasn't JUST the General Public that was affected…
The thought of a human sized operative, generating an E.T. Field, and manipulating it, in defensive and offensive modes, in actual battle conditions, greatly upset those world powers, which DIDN'T have such resources.
…And as for the comment by the Clone, that 'they' had STOPPED a Nuke…
Several groups would later try to find the person who shot the original footage.
The News/Media groups were after a 'personal perspective' scoop, mostly along the lines of a 'Where are they now?', or 'Hero-Worship' piece.
The different groups of 'Security Spooks' though, had 'other' things in mind…
None of them would ever find Kantsee, for several good reasons.
ONE - All attempts to find the boy in the video, ran into a dead end at the shelter Kantsee had worked at.
All that anyone could find out, was that the boy who'd given the disks to the Newsmen, had been badly hurt and probably killed, along with several other people, when a building collapsed.
The survivors of the incident couldn't recall anything else about him, nor could the other First Aid workers. No one could even accurately recall what he looked like, let alone remember his name, or even IF he'd discussed his personal life.
Not surprising, as at the time, Kantsee HAD been concentrating on 'First Aid', rather than socialising…
The various groups couldn't even be sure Kantsee WAS the boy in the footage, as he'd never actually told the Newsman he'd shot the film himself. His comments at the time, indicated it WAS possible he'd gotten the disks from someone else, possibly another First Aid worker, or casualty…
TWO - When Rave and the Clones FINALLY consented to an interview, questions about the 'boy in the tunnel', were raised.
By THIS time, the Clones had learned the merits of 'being suspicious', and of 'being secretive'. They applied their knowledge to their answer…
"We met many people during the Crisis. We respect the privacy of those still living. And respect the memory of those who aren't."
Beyond THAT, and the often used "No Comment", or "Answered Previously", they NEVER said another word on the matter.
This led to an impassioned plea by the media for the person in the video to come forward. Although it caused GREAT ratings, no one ever did…
THREE - Many survivors would claim to have seen the 'boy in the tunnel' tending the injured, often at Shelters and Hospitals, Kantsee had never been to…
This did NOT help the various groups looking for Kantsee…
The 'Phantom First Aider' became an Urban Legend… An unknown hero, acting selflessly in a time of crisis, helping others, even though it costs his life.
It provided the basis for a couple of successful movies, which resulted in increased attendance levels at First Aid classes. Having a First Aid Certificate, and KNOWING how to use it, became a new benchmark of 'Manliness'.
Not ALL of the 'Urban Legends' were so benign…
FOUR - Many thought the footage was an attempt by a renegade government employee, to record the 'truth', and that they had been 'silenced' as a result.
These 'conspiracy theories', further muddied the waters, and were fuelled by the anonymous testimony of a certain Doctor, who told a grim tale of examining an obvious 'torture victim' during the crisis.
A victim, who was taken away by 'Security', to be 'taken care of'…
FIVE - The truth was MUCH simpler…
Kantsee had been appalled by the personal nature of the things he'd accidentally recorded, and was too EMBARRASSED to come forward and be recognised, especially after seeing the 'Hero Worship'/sleazy stuff…
He'd wanted to be a 'Real Man' all his life, but part of being a 'Real Man' to HIS mind, was the fact they NEVER got Public Recognition…
After all, who WAS the 'Unknown Soldier'?
When Kantsee found out a statue had been raised to the memory of the 'Phantom First Aider', he went to see it.
Although it DIDN'T look anything like him, Kantsee STILL felt the need to change his hairstyle and glass frame shape, so NO-ONE would EVER connect him to it…
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Fragment - Hygienic.
Kantsee was unaware of these things, mainly because he was still unconscious…
A week AFTER the building fell on him, Kantsee finally woke up…
…To find himself in a world of pain. His muscles were stiff, and he hurt ALL over when he tried to move, especially his head, arm, and sides.
He tried to remember what had happened… 'Oh yeah, the sky was falling…'
That explained it. It had fallen on him.
The room was blurry without his glasses, and he was disorientated at first, but he generally accepted he MUST be in a Hospital.
The intravenous feed in his 'good' arm was a subtle clue, and what he could see of the room simply SCREAMED 'Hospital' at him.
Zero ornamentation, and the only furniture was the 'practical type', in this case a Hospital bed, and a large set of drawers beside it.
Wait on, there WAS a 'wardrobe looking thingy' on the far wall.
It didn't quite SMELL like a Hospital though. He could smell disinfectant, but it seemed more 'civilian' than 'industrial' grade.
He realised he was in a Hospital gown, and that he had NO memory of putting it on. That meant someone else had probably done it for him.
It appeared that someone else had ALSO given him a bath.
He went pink with embarrassment.
His 'Manly' self-image was seriously shaken. It was ONE thing to have your wounds tended by another person, but something COMPLETELY different to have another person wash your body and change your clothes.
'Oh well, at least medical professionals did it…' he rationalised.
He cautiously checked himself, apart from the cast on his arm, numerous small patch bandages, and a head bandage, he seemed intact.
He remembered the falling wall, and putting his arm up to block it. That was probably how his arm broke.
'Only one bed, must be a 'private room' then, and not a public ward,' he mused.
'Hang on…' he suddenly remembered the order to evacuate the wounded because the local Hospitals were overcrowded…
Judging by the fact he had a room to himself, and a REAL bed, he MUST have been evacuated while unconscious. It WOULD explain his surroundings…
But WHERE had they taken him TO? How LONG ago? WHAT would happen to him now?
He looked for the 'Nurse Call' button, wanting to tell someone, ANYONE, he was awake, and hopefully, get some answers. He was puzzled to find that the 'usual extras' found next to beds in a Hospital were missing.
He decided they'd probably put him in a makeshift Hospital room somewhere.
He also decided to just lie still, and take it easy until someone came to check up on him, as it hurt WAY too much to move around…
He didn't have long to wait…
Several minutes later, a squeaking noise gained his attention. A figure pushing a trolley with a squeaky wheel entered the room. Although blurry, the blue hair and school uniform were identification enough for Kantsee.
"Rave!" he exclaimed, happy to see a familiar face, although he was embarrassed to be dressed like THIS in her presence, and confused to see her. If he'd been evacuated to another city, what was SHE doing here?
The girl softly replied, "No, I'm one of her sisters, you may call me… Twelve."
Kantsee stared in surprise, wondering just HOW long Rave had HAD an 'Identical Twin Sister'. Then he remembered his manners, and continued in politer tones, "I'm sorry Miss Twelve, I never knew Rave had any other family…"
"No one did. Now then Mr Hayeater, are you ready for your bath?"
"Bath?" Kantsee asked, his befuddled mind suddenly noticing that besides the usual 'Doctor gear', the trolley had a bucket with bathing materials in it.
"Yes, Hospital rules - 'All patients MUST have regular baths, as part of standard sanitary procedures', and it's time for yours."
"Oh, Okay, then… Just show me where the men's shower is, and leave me to it…"
"It is not that simple. Hospital rules state that 'any incapacitated patient, MUST be assisted, to prevent accidents".
Kantsee frowned, "What's that got to do with me? I'm not incapacitated."
Twelve stared at the cast on Kantsee's arm, "Hospital rules state that any patient with reduced manual dexterity MUST be treated as incapacitated."
"Ah…" Kantsee was caught off-guard. He HAD hoped that now he was conscious, he could soothe his Manly ego by being 'self-reliant'…
Still, he DID have a broken arm, and he WAS banged up pretty bad… "All right, could you please tell the Orderly that I'm ready then?"
"Due to the crisis, all trained Nursing Staff are overworked, and are not available to help patients with such simple matters as bathing…"
"Just a minute," Kantsee was confused, "If there aren't any nursing staff, and I can't have a bath unless someone helps me, then how…"
"Simple matters such as bathing have been seconded to volunteers…"
"Volunteers?! Oh great…" he groaned. It was bad enough he HAD to be 'assisted' by others in washing himself, but by 'non-professionals'?
He sighed, no sense fighting the inevitable, especially since the Hospital staff were overworked - Kantsee KNEW how THAT felt!
"Okay, if you'd please get the person who's supposed to help me, I'll get it over and done with…" he sighed in resignation.
"Actually," the girl paused, "*I* am assigned to your particular case."
Kantsee went pale…
He could accept the rules about being 'assisted' by another person, as long as they had a 'professional attitude', or were even just another male, but THIS…
"Er-No-need-for-you-to-bother-I'm-feeling-MUCH-BETTER-now. I'll-just-be-on-my-way-if-you-don't-mind," he rabbited, as he tried to haul himself out of bed.
"Of course Mr Hayeater, just as soon as a Doctor checks you and authorises your discharge from care"
"All RIGHT!" He leaned heavily on the bed, and breathed deeply, partly from relief, but mostly from pain, "Could you please tell the Doctor that I'm ready to leave then?"
"Due to the crisis," Twelve began, giving Kantsee a feeling of Déjà vu, "All trained Doctors are overworked, and that simple matters such as discharging of patients are subject to long delays…"
Kantsee had a BAD feeling about this… "Er… Meaning… What, exactly?"
"Meaning that by the time a Doctor can get around to seeing you, you will be overdue for your NEXT bath Mr Hayeater."
Kantsee began to sweat nervously.
"Ahh… look, Miss Twelve, can't I just quietly slip out and come back and see the Doctor later?"
"The Doctor was VERY specific in your case, Mr Hayeater, he said you might have concussion, and that you should be monitored for a few days…"
"A few days?" Kantsee was stricken with horror at the thought. How many baths would he have to endure being 'assisted with' in THAT amount of time?
"…And to have you checked by a Doctor before being released," Twelve concluded.
"Can't an exception be made in my case? I'm NOT seriously injured, and I'm sure there MUST be others who need this Hospital room MORE than I do…
"You are not in a Hospital room Mr Hayeater."
"I'm NOT??"
"No. You are in our private residence. We decided to take care of you, rather than leave you in the overcrowded Hospital. It was the least we could do, after what you did for our sister…"
Shame washed over Kantsee, as he remembered that one of Rave's sisters had just been seriously injured, and here he was, being a burden.
"How is she?" he asked anxiously, wondering what had happened to her.
"She is as well as she can be, under the circumstances," replied Twelve in soft and cryptic tones, "And she thanks you for your care and concern."
"Uhhh…" Kantsee felt uneasy. 'Real Men' didn't get thanked. They just rode off into the sunset…
"Miss Twelve, I AM grateful for your kind help, but I REALLY don't want to impose on you like this, especially as I'm feeling FINE now, REALLY!"
The girl smiled at him. Without his glasses to see it properly, the effect was diminished, but it still got through to Kantsee. He felt self-conscious.
"It's not an imposition. Now then," Twelve said, walking towards him, "about your bath…"
Kantsee panicked, and stumbled away from her. "Uhhh, Look Miss Twelve! I Really Don't NEED Any Help, I'll Be FINE By MYSELF!! HONEST!!"
Twelve stopped where she was and looked sadly at him. "The Doctor ALSO said you might act irrationally, and that we might have to use 'firm measures'… Sisters?"
To Kantsee's horrified terror, a dozen girls entered the room.
It REALLY wasn't because they were ALL identical copies of Rave that upset him, NOR that he was surrounded by ALL those girls, while ONLY dressed in a flimsy Hospital gown.
No, it was the slowly dawning suspicion, that THEY were the ones who had changed his clothes, and had ALREADY bathed him. He blushed red to the roots of his hair.
"She said you'd have a little surprise later…" the girls chorused in unison, trying to reassure Kantsee of their 'nurse-like' intentions by smiling at him.
Then they closed in on Kantsee, much like the 'AVE Limited Edition' series had closed in for the kill on Unit Too…
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The END of this Fragment of "Altered Lives (The Parody)"
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