On the Rim, Ch 56: Jackal Meets His Rival
Story by comidacomida on SoFurry
Welcome to part 56 of "On the Rim"! This is a short story series based on a computer game I am playing called "Rim World". Rim World is a really cool indie game that accommodates an amazing array of mods that allow me to create a setting very similar to my story world in which several of my stories take place including "Fathom's Phantoms", "The Farlight Initiative", an "Paid in Kind".
In this post we see things from Jackal's perspective, and also get our first glimpse of yet another sub-plot developing in this story: a rivalry. So what happens next? Quite a bit! Whose point of view will we follow for the next chapter?
A) Sandra sends out an away-team, handles a prisoner, and then gets some amazing news from the friendly orbital trader with whom she'd been cultivating a relationship.
B) Duct-Tape discusses upgrade plans with Ben and, later, advises the Overseer on some trades.
C) Cole has to deal with a drunk member of the group but gets to spend some time reminiscing with Ben and showing him the base additions.
D) Myra spends her time in the kitchen, considering recent events and forecasting her own plans, until her musings are interrupted by an interesting communication.
E) Ben says a temporary farewell to Cap'n, spends time with Duct-Tape and Cole, then faces down a newcomer to the group who has a chip on his shoulder.
Voting won't be available long and no, the decision won't change the events of the story, just how they're presented along with who we get to learn more about via their point of view. As with this post, expect three chapters in the next update.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy "On the Rim"!
On the Rim, Ch 56: Jackal Meets His Rival
2020 copyright comidacomida
It was early morning when the group got back from their visit to the research station but Jackal was already up. All three travelers (plus Kurta's husky) had been traveling through the night to get back and it was evident that they were tired, but they all stayed in the main hall long enough to provide a report to the Overseer. Aside from the surprising news that there were several paved roads within proximity to the Cytkus outpost, the biggest reveal was just how advanced the station was.
According to Kurta the Cytkus outpost was as complete as any space station including a launch pad, armory, barracks, complete building infrastructure, advanced fabrication and a central reactor. The station's head researcher, Tena Thii had expressed an interest in dealing further with the survivors from the Venture and promised to stay in touch. Lizzy finished the report "She was pretty impressed with the way Cap'n and his group handled the pirate issue, and she mentioned that they had enough resources to make it worth our while if were willing to work as contractors now and again."
The Overseer made a sour face but kept her response neutral. "It's too early to tell what the future brings, but for now, did she make good on her promise?"
Duct-Tape pulled a small box out of his carrying pack; it was a reinforced plastic case, and he set it down on the table. Doc, who had joined the discussion while Lizzy was giving her report, held a hand out and the Fox slid it to him. Dr. Zimmerman flipped the two latches keeping it closed and opened it; Jackal watched as his eyes went wide and his voice was quietly impressed when he murmured "They even included a pneumatic syringe."
Kurta scowled. "Why? What are we going to use this on? Livestock?"
Doc was a little more pragmatic with his assessment. "It would work well for research purposes, and, based on what I understand, that's what this is for."
The Overseer's expression matched Kurta's. "Except our personnel aren't research subjects... but that's unimportant-- is this sufficient, Chris?"
The Doctor was hesitant to answer but, when he did, it wasn't really related to Ms. Simpson's question. "This technology is illegal... I can't believe that the Cytkus would just hand this over to us so easily..."
Reaching out to take hold of his hand, the Overseer waited until she had his attention before speaking again. "Chris-- do we have everything we need to use it?"
He still wasn't ready to answer her question. "If this works, how can we ever expect to go back to core space with everything that's going on?"
Jackal was so focused on the table he didn't realize that Captain Archibald had joined them. He spoke as he emerged from the side passage. "If it works then it'll have been used outside of core space. It'll be done, and Ben will be alive, and nothing else will matter when we're back home."
Doc wasn't convinced. "But... they mentioned something about nano-bots... surely when a health exam is done they'll show up on--"
Lizzy interjected. "Head Researcher Tena Thii said that the bots only remain in the system about 72 hours and are then passed out through normal biological functions."
Dr. Zimmerman fidgeted. "Still... this is VERY illegal..."
Jackal never much cared for hesitation or meekness. "We went through a LOT to get this, Doc... If Cap'n says--"
The Overseer held up a finger and the young man fell respectfully silent. Ms. Simpson gave the doctor's hand a squeeze. "I won't ask you to do anything you're not comfortable with, Chris, but this is about--"
Captain Archibald grabbed the open case from off the table and headed toward the side passage, announcing as he did so "That's fine. I'll do it."
Jackal almost expected Doc to go running after the Dog in objection but, surprisingly, he remained at the table. The Overseer stood up to follow but, surprisingly, the doctor continued holding her hand; when she looked back at him he only shook his head, starting a statement but letting it trail off. "If he needs to do it..."
The teen, once he realized nobody else was going to follow, stood up immediately. "I'm gonna go support the Cap'n."
Grizz, who had been standing off to the side just out of view spoke up for the first time that morning. "Hold it, recruit."
Although the Bear was not technically his commanding officer, the Corporal was a higher rank and so Jackal did as was required. He turned toward Grizz "The Cap'n shouldn't have to do that alone."
Missy was directly next to the Bear. She knelt down to pet Roscoe as she spoke, addressing nobody specifically. "Captain Archie already said he was going to take responsibility, and, whether or not it works he'll want time alone."
Jackal quickly interjected. "If it works then he won't be alone... that other guy'll be in there with him. And if the other guy goes crazy or something then the Cap'n might need--"
Claw cut him off. "Might need what? Help? From you? Feh... get serious, brat. We're better off giving him space-- after all, if he has to put the Wolf down you won't want to be around him anyway."
The teen wanted to object; if the Cap'n and the Wolf had been friends then chances would be that the Captain would need someone to be there and help him through the hard times. What if Captain Archibald wanted someone to comfort him? No matter how great a warrior, the Dog was still only human... or, Gen, rather. Heading toward the side hall, Jackal made his case. "I'm going. Just in case."
If he had been ordered not to, Jackal realized that he would have had no choice but to follow directions but, thankfully, nobody did, and so he went. The teen didn't know how long he'd been distracted, but he went toward the tomb room at a brisk pace; the Captain had a very respectable head start and that meant that it was possible that the Dog could need support and Jackal wanted to be there. Approaching the room adjacent to the tomb, the teen heard the distinct sound of crying, and his heart immediately tightened; was he too late?
A moment later he heard talking-- it was Captain Archibald. "I... thought I'd lost you, Ben."
Jackal came to a stop, and heard another voice-- a new voice. "I'm... right here, Archie... w-what happened? Where a--"
The teen couldn't bring himself to turn the corner and walk through the hallway into the tomb; he slowly walked to the wall next to the opening and leaned back against it, trying to make sense of the sounds he heard. There was more crying-- were they scuffling? No-- that was probably a hug. The Captain had never seemed very touchy-feely, but he did have great regard for friends and allies; he was probably relieved to have a friend back. The Dog's next words touched Jackal to the core. "I-- I'm sorry, Ben... I wasn't able to save you."
The next too-long stretch of time was near silent sobbing, and quiet words. The teen probably could have listened in if he tried, but he felt awkward about spying on his CO and the stranger he'd yet to meet. Regardless, he felt warmth that Cap'n was able to get his friend back, and he resolved to get along well with him. Ben G-something... everyone had said good things about him, so it would probably be easy. He was also gracious, his voice soft, and full of emotion from the next room as he addressed the Dog. "You did save me, Archie... I'm not sure what happened, but I'm still here."
The next words from Captain Archibald changed everything. "I... I wasn't ready to let you go. I love you, Ben."
The words struck Jackal more firmly than any of the blows from his pirate captors had ever laid on him. He pressed himself back against the stone wall as they echoed in his head. He tried to reason that perhaps he had misheard or misunderstood. He felt an icy chill in the depths of his chest, and a fiery warmth on his cheeks. Ben's follow-up words struck home. "I love you too, Archie."
The teen may not have had Gen-level hearing, but he was pretty sure he didn't imagine the sound of a muzzle-on-muzzle kiss. There were more sounds, and heavy breathing too; his imagination did far worse things than picture the kiss the two must have shared, and, over a minute later they still weren't leaving the room. Unwilling to let things be, Jackal slowly peeked around the corner, but quickly pulled back. He hated his decision to look-- was he THAT much of a masochist? Berating himself, he fled the entire scene of clothing being doffed and two furry bodies coming together.
He wanted to like Ben; everyone said he was great, but how could Jackal find common ground with a rival? Especially, he reminded himself, since the rival was winning.