Chapter 11: Only One
The Dappled Way was a broad road in the middling region of the Sump that got its name from spattering of discoloration that covered the neighborhood. Directly above it, a chemical plant that produced acids used in metal reclamation and etching operated, pumping out cask after cask after cask of product a day. It was the largest of its kind in the Sump and, as with most large factories in the Sump, accidents, waste, and generalized preference for profit over being a cleanly neighbor, meant that a fair amount of spillage occurred.
It trickled down, steadily eating away at where it fell, covering the buildings in pockmarks and pitting the road. Portions of rooftops routinely had to be replaced, often being patched up with scrap metal or small panes of glass, further dotting them with mismatched colors. Even the people who lived and worked here were bespeckled. Most had minute chem-burns from where the caustic stuff fell on them.
Despite the acidic drip, this was still considered a highly desirable neighborhood to live in. The shape of the fissure's wall aided in air flow and helped prevent the Gray from building up to truly noisome levels. Of course, this also meant that the spillage from above would be blown around rather than always drip in predictable ways, but the occasional stinging burn was a fair tradeoff for consistently cleaner air.
Nestled within the Dappled Way was a building whose roof was entirely made of a collection of green, clear, brown, and amber glass tiles. It was an assemblage of the Church of the Glorious Evolved. Over a decade ago, the building had been home to a community clinic but over time, most of those who worked there embraced the teachings of the Glorious Evolved. Those who didn't left and their spaces were quickly filled by others who shared the Glorious Evolved's vision for humanity's betterment. Medical aid was still offered to the neighborhood, but it often came bundled with a lecture about the assemblage's doctrine.
It was here that Viktor was asked to lend his aid for a day. A foreman had recently incentivized his workers receiving arm augmentations in an effort to increase productivity, with different bonuses being offered for those who got either one or both arms augmented as well as an amount to reimburse the cost of the procedure. The frugal among them went at once to the Church of the Glorious Evolved; work done cheaply by fanatics meant more cogs in their pockets. This led to a sudden increase in workload and immediate need for additional help. Ideal practice for his apprentice, Viktor thought.
When they arrived, Lazar was waiting for them along with an older woman sitting in a chem-powered motorized chair. According to the letter Viktor had received, her name was Babs. She had been the one who had formally requested Viktor's aid at the advice of Lazar. Though not initially employed by the Church, she acted as a volunteer in the abundance of free time retirement offered her. "It keeps me out of the casinos," she would say. Brief introductions were given and Babs led the group through the halls of the clinic.
"The patients are right this way." She said.
Babs was affectionately referred to as the "grandmother" of this assemblage. A woman comfortably into her eighties, she used the technology of the Church to refuse to slow down. Her motorized chair was lovingly tended to by the other members of the Glorious Evolved and had been upgraded to connect to her directly with the same wiring that was used in many leg augments so she could control it with simple movements of her feet. Leg enhancements help her to keep her balance when she did have to walk, drip stims aided with reducing the daily pains, and when her dominant hand began to lose its grip strength, she had it replaced with an augment. On the hand, stained glass disks mimicked painted fingernails and could be switched out different colored ones whenever she desired. "If I'm going to live a long time," she would say, "I still want to enjoy the simple pleasures like having my nails match my outfit."
"All have had their old limbs removed." She continued. "Several have even had their sockets prepared, but there is much work to be done if we are to see them all out the door before tonight. I would rather save the beds for emergencies."
"I believe in us." Ren spoke up.
"I will see it done." Viktor said.
"Thank you. I wish I could see you work, the others all speak highly of your skill that they ask I refer to you as "Herald," but there is other work that needs doing."
"Monthly inventory already?" Lazar asked.
"I taker inventory day seriously. You can't have a good clinic without a good grasp of your inventory. Janna knows I've worked at enough poorly managed clinics in my day. I won't let this be another."
When they reached the door to the waiting room, Babs moved back to allow the others to pass and Lazar went to the door.
"Hopefully I'll see you all when you're done. You never know how long inventory will take. Take good care of them now."
Seven workers were waiting for them in the room. As Babs had said, all were in some state of augmentation. Five of them already had their chosen augments with them, and four of those already had their bodies prepared with sockets. The arms were creations of the Glorious Evolved, invaluable practice for the mechanics of the assemblage, and were all designed from several basic labor arm designs. Beyond that, each had their individual touches given to them by the Glorious Evolved who built them, be it aesthetic choices or additional functions like built in lights. One even had a small compartment in its upper arm to stash a set of tools inside.
Viktor set himself to work without even introducing himself, something Ren quickly stepped in to amend. He introduced all three of them with a smile as Viktor directed Lazar to prepare workspaces. It only took Viktor a few minutes to organize the most efficient course of action to see to all the patients. There were many to be seen, but Viktor did agree with Ren's assertation that it was possible. He just needed to delegate tasks best suited to the others' skill levels. Once that was done, the rest should fall into place. They were all here for the same type of augment after all.
The repetitiveness of the task provided the opportunity for him to step back from time to time and observe Ren's work. Connecting nerves and muscles were tasks better left to him and Lazar, but Ren was more than capable of replacing parts of sockets and suturing incisions. Ren's hands, Viktor was pleased to note, no longer shook with nervousness as he stitched up a patient. More than that, he could now perform the task at almost the same pace he was able to before losing his arm. His augmented hand had impressive mobility but relearning fine motor skills without the feedback that came from sensitive fingertips was a challenging process. Viktor was satisfied with his progress. He knew it would continue to improve with time.
Hour after hour, arm by arm, the three worked. Though the procedures had been routine enough for Viktor not to have to teach throughout them all, that did not mean the room was quiet. Ren talked. A lot. If an augment's additions intrigued him, he asked about them, he sought feedback on every stitch and connection he made (which Viktor was going to provide regardless), and every so often he tried to make conversation with Lazar.
He had started by inquiring "So, how's the Gray today?" in that tone Viktor knew was not to be taken seriously. Lazar didn't and responded earnestly.
"Manageable, same as usual. Why? Is there something wrong where you are. I still don't know where Viktor's lab is. Hasn't Brynne drilled it into you about wearing a breather when it's bad?"
"But then I'll miss out on all of Zaun's world-famous aromas. Nothing like the smell of progress."
A thin sigh left Lazar as he realized Ren's tone for what it was.
"Very well, you may enjoy your lung blight and we shall replace your blackened organs later." He answered in a tight, matter-of-factly tone.
"I'm sure you and the Doc will do a great job too."
Lazar shook his head and turned away from Ren, trying to regain the focus he had a moment ago.
"Renatus, do not distract him." Viktor cut in.
He understood that Ren's idiosyncrasies took time to adjust to. Until then he appeared as just a foolish teen. Of course, Viktor knew there were still plenty of times that Ren was just a foolish teen.
"I get it, crystal. Sorry, Lazar."
An hour later though, once Ren was sure Lazar was not actively working, he made another attempt at conversation.
"Alright, question Lazar. What's your favorite food?"
This was a question Viktor had heard his apprentice ask many times before. Patient, Glorious Evolved, or random person at the market, it didn't matter who, this was always the question he defaulted to when he was trying to break the ice with someone. "Everyone's gotta eat," Ren reasoned, "so everyone's got to have a favorite food."
"Poached eggs with - What does that have to do with attaching augments?" Lazar responded.
"Nothing."
"Then is it important?"
"It's your favorite food, I kinda figured it would be important to you."
"Is it important now?"
"Not really but if we're working together maybe we should get to know each other better."
"Maybe after the working is done."
Ren looked like he wanted to say more but Viktor stepped in.
"Renatus, we are here to work. This is not a social call."
"I can work and talk."
"I am well aware of that. Keep the conversation on the task at hand if you wish to talk. Lazar, are you comfortable with answering questions Renatus may have for you?"
"I am."
"There you are, Renatus. A topic for you two to discuss." Viktor nodded.
"Great, thanks."
To Viktor and Lazar's relief, Ren was compliant in keeping the conversation on the topics of what they were doing and the rest of the afternoon was spent in comfortable productivity. At last, the final worker had her arm attached, thanked them, and left. But no sooner had she left than another woman stuck her head into the room.
"Lazar," she said.
"Yes?"
"You've got- oh."
At the sight of Viktor, she stopped and bowed her head out of reverence. It was an action Viktor had noticed several other members of this assemblage perform as he passed.
"Pardon me Herald, I'm not interrupting, am I?" she asked.
"You are not." He answered.
She nodded and turned back to Lazar.
"Got a new patient for you, big fella. Problem with his augment's base, looks infected."
"Can't you get it?" Lazar asked.
"Oh, no. I'm a mechanic," she tapped her augmented hand to her chest. It made the muffled sound of metal on metal. "I don't work on the gross, fleshy bits. That'll be you, nurse."
"Is the problem not in the augment then?"
"Willing to bet cogs it isn't."
"Alright, I'll find the energy for one more."
"I can see to this patient if you have reached your working limit." Viktor offered.
"We would be grateful." The woman said.
"I can still work." Lazar added. "You have already done so much. I can take care of this."
"I am also capable of more work. You may accompany me if you wish."
"I do."
"Can I pass on this one?" Ren asked.
"Is there a reason why?" Viktor asked.
"Not sure if three of us fussing over one guy is necessary. If it's alright, I'd like to follow her around and maybe look at more augments and stuff like that. Maybe there's one I can help work on."
"There's always auggies to work on. I'll take him." The mechanic offered.
"It's not your call to make." Lazar cut in. He then looked to Ren, his brow furrowed in confusion. "You are passing up on following him for instruction again?"
"I live with him. I get plenty of instruction. Besides, how much help can I really be with an infection? I know I can do more somewhere else. I' not as good with that doctory stuff as you are, but when it comes to augmentation maintenance, I've got a leg to stand on."
Ren flashed Lazar that foolish grin of his as he stuck out his augmented leg. Lazar just stared at him, expressionless. Viktor wasn't sure if it was a brief pang of embarrassment he felt watching this. But the moment passed and Ren pulled his foot back in and looked to him for an answer.
"But yeah, if it's okay with you, I would rather work on mechanical stuff."
"That is acceptable." Viktor answered.
"Thanks Doc. I'll ask the patients if some of them can hang around so you can check my work later or I'll just see if I can get one of the others here to check it. Promise I won't be sending people out there with bad augments."
"I trust that you will do a satisfactory job."
Ren smiled again, not the same foolish one he gave Lazar, but a smaller, more earnest one.
"I will."
"Thank you, Herald." The mechanic added as she motioned for Ren to follow her.
Viktor turned to Lazar.
"Do you still plan to accompany me?" he asked.
"Of course," the younger man responded.
The last patient was a minotaur who recently had his hand augmented from the wrist down. Since the augmentation, the pain in the area had only increased and his ability to use the new limb diminished. Understandably concerned, he came to the Glorious Evolved for help. He relayed his story to Viktor and Lazar as they examined the augment and skin around it. His forearm was swollen, warm, and tender to the touch. The treatment table groaned under his bulk as he shifted uncomfortably on the cold surface.
"This does look infected." Lazar commented as he grabbed supplies from the cupboard.
"I agree. We should examine where the augment connects to the flesh more closely. It will need to be drained first. You do not possess a weak stomach, correct?"
"I would not have remained a nurse if I did."
"Understandable. Renatus does and is inconsistent with what does make him nauseous. Blood does not trouble him but the first time he watched me perform an amputation he nearly fainted. It appears I have formed a habit of asking before performing any task that might be considered nauseating."
"He asked to be your apprentice even though he had a weak stomach?"
"I do not believe he anticipated the amount of bodily fluids that he would be exposed to."
"Fluids? How messy is this going to be?" the minotaur asked.
"That depends on the extent of the infection. If you are concerned about pain, we will be applying a local anesthetic. There will be discomfort, but it should be manageable. Lazar, will you please see to the anesthetic."
"Of course."
There was little banter between them as Viktor and Lazar began their work. Most conversation was either a direction from Viktor or reassuring the patient about what was happening. Lazar understood what needed to be done and could work with little oversight. If he had a question, he would ask and Viktor would answer but there was no idle conversation to fill the air and, consequently, Viktor was able to work faster without his attention divided.
When the anesthetic took hold, Lazar carefully cut into the infection to begin the unpleasant task of draining the infection. The minotaur made a pained moan and swung his massive head up to avoid looking at the incision and immediate torrent of drainage.
"That's a lot." He grunted.
"It is but trust me when I say this, you are fortunate." Lazar answered. "The muscle around it doesn't look damaged."
"This is fortunate?" the minotaur asked through clenched teeth. He braved another look down at the spot, felt his lunch try to crawl up his throat, and looked away again.
As Lazar cleaned around the incision, Viktor examined the augment around the site, checking both subdermal and visible parts of it. A small frown appeared below his mask. The augmenteer who had previously worked on the limb had clearly used a model of arm augment intended for humans. It was scaled up and stretched to fit the minotaur's proportions, but it was in the details where the work was unsatisfactory. The parts of the augment that would hook up to digits humans possessed but minotaur's did not were left in. By Viktor's best guess, it was one of these that caused the infection.
"Parts of your augment will need to be replaced." He commented.
The minotaur snorted in frustration.
"Sounds expensive." He grumbled.
"Our work here is a charity for the city of Zaun, but you really should make a donation out of gratitude. Whatever you feel the relief from your pain is worth." Lazar said.
Another snort.
"Gears do not grow in cultivairs. What you can afford, or you can pay by offering yourself as a practice patient."
"I'll find the cogs."
Lazar nodded.
"What parts need replacing?" Lazar asked Viktor.
"The socket. I can build a new one. The hand may need adjustments after the new socket is installed, but that should not be a major repair. This should be more accommodating to your budget."
"Appreciate it." The minotaur said.
"The Herald's skills are rival to none. Remember that when you make your donation." Lazar said.
"Janna's Mercy, I'm not that broke. I said I was gonna pay."
Viktor set himself to taking measurements for the augment and making notes for himself.
"I can have it completed in a week."
"Any chance we could do it on the thirteenth? I've got that day off from work and the next for recovery."
"I can be here." Lazar answered first.
"That is good to hear. I trust you will be able to attach the replacement." Viktor said.
Light pink tinged Lazar's cheeks and he righted his posture.
"Yes, of course."
The smile that had quickly jumped to his face faded the next moment.
"Good, because I will not be able to that day. I have a lesson planned with Renatus for that day."
"Oh. Well, if you trust me to do it, I'm sure I can do it on my own."
"I believe you are capable."
Lazar forced the smile back on his face.
What work remained was finished with no further conversation beyond confirming with the patient about the treatment that was to be completed and the care he needed to give his wound in the meantime. He thanked them as Lazar finished bandaging the site and left with a final reassurance that he was going to pay for the work and that they needn't worry about it and Lazar really didn't need to remind him again. The following work of sanitizing the room and the tools was also performed without conversation. For a time.
"Viktor, may I ask you something?" Lazar broke the silence.
"You may."
Lazar pinched his lips together as though he was considering if he really did want to ask his question but, making up his mind, he blurted it out.
"Why him? Why have Renatus as your apprentice? He's young and inexperienced. He does not appear fully committed to the work needed for the Glorious Evolution. I'm sorry for being so forward, I'm just trying to understand. What is it you see in him?"
"I do not begrudge questions asked in good faith." Viktor responded.
He thought for a moment about how best to verbalize his choice to take the boy on as apprentice. Much had transpired during that year he found Renatus and Viktor did not want to take the time to recount it all nor did he want to. He kept his answer brief.
"Renatus was already living with me as a test subject for a leg augment. I had to teach him how to maintain it and he showed an interest in learning more. I continued to teach him. One night he simply asked me if he was my apprentice and I answered that he could be."
"That is all? Only a simple question and you took him on?"
"Initially, yes, but I would not call our relationship simple."
"How so?"
Viktor knew that Lazar had been present during the destruction of his lab following the Factorywood incident. He should understand.
"Do you remember the disaster in Factrywood years ago that resulted in an attack from Piltover?"
"I do." Lazar's expression grew somber and he placed a finger along the scar on his jaw. "How could I forget? So many died needlessly."
"Months ago, I was attacked again."
"What? Why?" pained concern filled Lazar's voice as though he had been struck.
"I believe Jayce intended to kill me. I responded in kind. The fight was merciless." Viktor paused. The sight of the Mercury Hammer crashing down on Ren was preserved like crystal in his mind. "Renatus chose to remain by my side at great personal cost to himself."
Viktor watched Lazar's brows raise as he realized where one of Ren's augments came from. He gave a quick nod in affirmation.
"He was not the ideal pick for apprenticeship, but I believe him to be worthy of my efforts."
"Ah, I see. Thank you for answering."
Viktor gave another nod and finished packing away his tools. Lazar turned back to his tools as well, though he worked at a slower pace. His brow furrowed though the task at hand was a simple one and he stopped more than once to stare at his tools.
"I'm, I'm sorry I was a coward." Lazar mumbled.
"You have already apologized for that action. I do not think of you as a coward, Lazar."
"I know but I still can't stop thinking about how things could be different. I should have gone back for you."
"The building collapsed. It is understandable that you were concerned for your own safety and -"
"It was only a broken jaw! You were buried and I should have - Uh, sorry for cutting you off." Lazar shut his mouth.
"A broken jaw is a serious injury. You were not incorrect to see to your own treatment. I advise you again, do not remain focused on the past. Remedy your flaws as you work towards the future. It is the more productive choice."
"Yes, I will. Thank you."
The younger man turned back to his tools and finished cleaning them in silence.
When they had finished, they returned to the atrium of the assemblage. Ren was there waiting with other members of the Glorious Evolved. Presently, he was admiring the augment of another young man who looked two years his senior and talking excitedly about ideas to paint the limb. A quick look and Viktor saw that the augment had spikes on its kneecap, an oft rejected "upgrade" Ren was keen to have on his limb.
"Alright, I like the idea of them being bright green to look all toxic covered like but hear me out, lightning bolts. You can start the bolt at the tip of the spike and then continue it down the shin. Could even paint the rest of the cap to look like a storm cloud or hex-coil." Ren saw Viktor approach from the corner of his eye. "But yeah, I hope I can see it when it's done. Nice talkin' with you, Mal."
Ren gave the older teen a wave and turned his attention to Viktor.
"Renatus. I trust that you completed your practice before discussing paint finishes?"
"Of course I did. You're gonna have to take my word though. A lot of the patients had to leave after. Didn't really want to stick around, this place can be a little intense. Josie left too, that's the mechanic. She had to go pick up her sister from her apprenticeship. Glass blowing, neat right? These guys can vogue for me, though. They saw what I did. Lesley here even let me repair her hand so I could get more practice."
From the group of Glorious Evolved, a woman with half a dozen chem-burn marks on her face stepped forward. Both her arms were augmented, one from the shoulder down and the other from the elbow down. She held out the full arm to Viktor and flexed the thumb.
"It may require minor calibrations to match my preferences, but movement has been restored. I have no critique of his skill, either working on my augments or the others I observed." Lesley commented.
She flexed all her fingers and rotated her wrists to demonstrate that she had full mobility of the augment and indicated where access to the workings of it had been neatly secured again.
"Well done." Viktor commented.
"Thanks," Ren smiled. "Are we going home now?"
"We are."
"I guess that's it for us. Bye." Ren waved to the members of the Glorious Evolved before looking at Lazar. "Next time we'll talk more about snacks and such or you can show me your extra arms."
Lazar blinked as if startled out of thought. His arms had been resting atop his clawed limbs. His hand was gripping the wrist lightly, a fidgety impulse making his index finger stroke along the underside of the limb even though machinery would have felt nothing.
"Ah yes, maybe we will." He answered.
"Herald, we thank you again for your assistance today. Babs wanted to thank you herself, but she is currently dealing with a rather heated man outside."
"Heated?" Ren asked.
"He wants something we will not offer. Do not worry about her. She can handle herself. Pay the man no mind as you leave."
"We shall not." Viktor said.
"Good-bye Herald and apprentice. We hope you will visit us again."
Viktor and Ren stepped back out into the acidic breeze of the Dappled Way. Several drops slid off the glass overhang and onto the pavement by Viktor's feet, but neither of them noticed. Despite the recommendation to "pay no mind," it was difficult to ignore the man shouting at Babs.
He loomed over her. With his beat up, full arm augment he made swinging gestures and leered down his torn nose, misshapen from an old blade wound, as he spoke. Despite his posturing, the man appeared more rattled than threatening. The pleading tone in his voice undermined his attempts at intimidation.
Inversely, Babs appeared as calm as ever. She sat straight upright in her chair, looking the man in the eye and keeping a perfectly neutral expression as she tapped her fingers along the glass nails of her augmented hand. With a member of the Glorious Evolved standing behind her on either side as guards, she looked completely in control of the situation.
"This has to be replaced and the new one needs to have a weapon in it. I don't care if it's a slinger, a blade, a spewer, or what, it just needs one!"
"I will repeat myself again, we do not offer that sort of augmentation here." Babs stated.
"Look, I'm willing to pay. How many hexes? Name your price."
"This is a place of healing. It is and always shall be, even after the Evolution. You will not find your weapon here."
"Look lady, I need this augment. Someone's out to get me, I can just feel it. Do you want the hexes to be clean? I can find clean ones. How many? Couple hundred?"
"Young man, what you need is to find another augmenteer. We do not apply weaponized augments here."
The man leaned down and gripped the arm of her chair in his augment and inclined his head to a chem-pump on his shoulder. Nobody knew what stims, if it even was filled with stims, were in the pump, but the man was doing his best to make them appear dangerous.
"You might want to reconsider." He growled.
"I think you shoulder reconsider. Just because we do not apply weapons, that does not mean we are opposed to violence." Both of the Glorious Evolved behind her opened their cloaks, one revealing telescoping shock baton, the other a blade unsheathed from a hidden location on an arm augment. "This is the Sump, after all."
Viktor looked over to Ren. His attention was locked on the conversation. He had tensed his augmented leg, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice, and his eyes looked up and down the man's arm as he searched for potential weak points on the augment. Even though Ren held no great fondness for the Glorious Evolved, his apprentice was prepared to put himself in harm's way for a stranger.
Fortunately, it never came to that. The man made an agitated growl and pushed himself back upright.
"Fine. Keep your shallow morals you damn Sump humpers! If anything happens to me, it's on your heads."
"If someone is out to get you, it is not due to anything we have done." Babs responded with an even, firm tone. "Go seek another augmenteer."
As the man stomped off, Ren relaxed. They kept walking and it was not long before Ren spoke.
"Hey Doc, that was a lot of hexes he was talking about. You weren't thinking about doing the augmenting for him, were you? I know we need the money, but I don't know, I just feel like he might abuse what you give him. Maybe not, but it's your call."
Viktor had considered it. It was brief, but the temptation was there. The Glorious Evolved always paid him for his time, but that was donation money, a small amount compared to what that man was offering. Always he had labored not for the money but because it was the right thing to do, but he would be a naive fool to not acknowledge that wealth made the work easier. With a spare hundred hexes, he could build back faster, resume more personal projects that had to be put on hold, and pay Moyna what she was actually worth. Ren's concerns though were valid. Viktor could never guarantee what his patients did with their augments after they left his table.
"Presently, we do not need his hexes. Our situation may change in the future." Viktor answered.
"That's fair I guess."
"For now, we will continue to work alongside the Church. I already have another augment to create for them."
"Works for me. I'm starting to feel less weirded out by them, just need to keep talking to them about stuff. You know, I think I'm getting to Lazar. We kinda had a normal conversation."
Normal was not the word Viktor would have chosen.
"You had a conversation." He agreed completely neutrally.
"Wait, what's that supposed to mean?" Ren asked with a chuckle.
"There is no hidden meaning. I meant exactly as I said; you and Lazar had a conversation."
Ren shrugged.
"Well, I hope we can keep having conversations. He clearly admires you and wants to keep working with you. I'd be a bit weird if he didn't like me."
"How so? You would both continue with your studies and follow my direction."
"Yeah but, isn't it better when the people you work with like you?"
"They are easier to work with, I will agree with that, but that is more for willingness to collaborate rather than general pleasantries."
"General pleasantries go further than you think. Imagine if you had another apprentice and we didn't get along."
"No, I do not think I would be able to manage two of you."
"Don't worry, there's no one else just like me. You'll only even have the one and only ReN-12."
"I know."