© Becca, Dana Simmons and Starbright 2001 The Young Riders is an Ogiens/Kane Production, created by Ed Spielman.
We only borrow his characters for fun. No infringement of copyright intended. There is absolutely no financial gain for the authors. We survive on the feedback, and we need plenty of it.

All scientific referrals are purely fictional, although based loosely on today's knowledge and technology, at least as much of it the writers were able to comprehend.

2313
Chapter 28

She remain sitting by the wall, holding her knees still with her arms. Not wanting everybody to see how scared she was. The others were stunned all right. But they didn't seem to share her fear.

Amanda walked right up to the two, flipping them each a couple of icebags, looking disgusted at them where they sat sprawled. "What the hell's wrong with you?" Her voice revealed her impatience, much like a school teacher losing her wits around the rowdy loudmouthed boys always causing disruptions.

And much as such boys, neither of them forwarded any explanation.

"And here the rest of us work our butts off to find information to save Rachel, and what do you do? Start pounding on each other? Very constructive, indeed. Just what I expected from the two of you, highly skilled and schooled. Yeah, that's right, beat each other up, just fine by me. But I think you're gonna regret it very soon coz' I have some news, and you'll both have to work together thanks to it. That is if you want to save Rach?"

Both men looked up, Noah with a wince and Kid with blood running from his nose. Amanda made a face of disgust. "You're disgustin' both of you, you know that don't you?"

Jimmy sank to his haunches looking at Noah intently: "Amanda and Ike found some indications how to cure that disease Noah."

"Can you?" Teaspoon asked. His eyes piercing both of them.

"You found a cure? You sure?" Noah watched them incredulously, "but there is no cure? What ya mean Teaspoon,'can you'?"

"Can you set whatever is going on between the two of you aside long enough to do what's needed?" Teaspoon repeated. "Coz' we can't move her right now. HuRec won't take her. And they don't believe in our diagnosis anyhow, we're still under quarantine, that means the two of you are stuck here too. And much as I hate it right now I need you both. I don't understand all that medical lingo in the report, but by the amount of words I don't get I guess the cure is rather complicated. And it has to happen here. So can you?"

"What does it say?" Noah was already up on his feet, reaching for Amanda. "I need that report."

Amanda nodded and turned to let the text appear on the wall;

The Simmons-Shafer Syndrome,
effects of massive transfusions and splenechtomy in 8 male subjects.
by S. Lohengard & al.Tokyo University of Bern.
Phase 1 study.

Abstract

Eight males in the ages of 15-55 were subject to the study of the impact of artificial hemoglobin products (HemoN) in patients diagnosed with the Simmons-Shafer's Syndrome. HemoN was the main medication in Group 1(N=3), as profylact and post-surgery. In Group 2 (N=5), HemoN restituted the subjects' total amount of hemoglobin and the bone-marrow was replaced with concentrated HemoN and stem cell implantation. The main complication during the critical post operative period was severe infections of normally benign bacteria. Most of the subjects showed some reaction indicating HemoN's probable beneficial effect on the prion carried infection. The lack of antibodies in the product impeded further clinical evaluation.

Phase 2 study with HemoN as substitute for both natural blood and bone-marrow for a period of 7 days, after which the TRI-S prion is reported to disintegrate, probably due to autorecessive mutations in lack of keycells. Function of self-destruction yet unknown. Steroids have shown to have a positive effect on the binding to the T-A segments, (Phillips A, Meyer K and Richtroff, E., 2055).

Noah watched the screen dully, wondering how Amanda thought this was good news? The survival rate was zero in all cases. All cases except one. That was a ratio that would in no case be accepted as a cure for anything. He had no wish to even read the paper, this was not good news, it was everything but. Bewildered he looked at the congregation around him, didn't they see that? Didn't they see that this was the confirmation of his worst fears, that whatever they did they'd lose Rachel. He turned back to the text on the wall, reading it through more carefully now.

"Did you find the report on phase 2?" Kid asked.

"No," Amanda admitted defeated, "this is all we can find right now. Don't it help?"

"Some," Kid snarled before Jimmy threw him a tissue and glared at him. Like he was afraid what he was going to say would infuriate Noah again.

"What else do you need?" Jimmy growled.

"How about a study where the survival rate is closer to at least 50/50," Kid muttered.

Noah looked frenetically for Phillips, Meyer and Richtroff, never minding the squabbling. A faint hope had been awoken in him, and now he wouldn't let up before he had as much info on the subject as ever possible. Never mind that there was close to thirty references in the report, there had to be something somewhere.

"I got it," Teaspoon said. "I found it."

All turned to look at him, Lou scrambled up to her feet. Amanda swirled around and smiled with pride. Jimmy looked skeptical. "You got it?"

Teaspoon nodded, "follow the lead of the last accessed, that's always been the most secure way. Look!"

Tre-S, ACB and infections, a study of the BMT effect.
by P. Järnefeldt and T. Kupari, HYKS 2062
Phase 3 study.

Abstract

28 cases of Tri-S afflicted Caucasian adult subjects were divided into three groups. One, the control group (C) was initially treated with the traditional ACR and prednisolon. Group I was treated with ACB and syngenteic BMT with no additional infection inhibiting substances The third sample received autologous BMT and Cykloine as profylact. All subject had the same base care (HemoN), see table 41 (p. 12). Results corroborate autologous BMT's and Cyckloine's significantly higher survival rate, [p>0.001]. ACB and syngeneic BMT had a lower significance, [p>0.05] both regarding immediate and prolonged survival rate. Cyckloine effectively encapsulates the lysosomes in the BM, thus preventing the cell deaths that is characteristic in the final stage of Tri-S.

"That's it Noah," Kid said.

"Yeah," Noah nodded, "question is, can we do it?"

"You better," Teaspoon warned, "whaterever that says you gotta do you're gonna do it. Ya hear? If I can find the report even if it's misspelled and all, you better make yourselves able to do whatever needs to be done. But first of all, patch each other up! Think that's punishment enough right now. Lou, go help them and Jimmy, stay close, just in case."

Both combatants muttered in protest. Teaspoon arched his left eyebrow and subdued the mumbles. With a glance over at Lou he smiled, "Lou, you're in charge of these hotheads right now. See to it they make themselves presentable. I'll go down order what we need and make a schedule."

"Wonderful," Lou muttered, watching the two stumbling into the sickbay.

Jimmy threw her a glance before following her inside.

"You moron!"

The voice in his ear expressed scorn and a hint of superiority.

"Wrong woman to begin with and now I have reports that you lead them right to the answer too. You did go through the files right? But why the hell did you have to save the articles on HuRec's dB?"

He had to organize his thoughts for a while, not quite understanding Longley's ranting. Yes, the wrong woman was infected, he knew that very well. And it shouldn't have happened, but it had and there was nothing he could do about that now. There was more than one in the group that had knowledge of hacking, he had just found that out too late. With all the eyes on the team right now there was not much he could do right now. And yes, he had read everything there was to read about the Tri-S and it was hard to detect, no real biological evidence to follow, just that massive auto-immune reaction. And still Team 41 had diagnosed the syndrome in a matter of days. They were good, very good, but he was better.

"Longley, all is taken care of." It was a blatant lie but Longley had to stay out for now.

The laughter on the other end had him cringe.

"Now listen you little scientist, you have nothing under control any longer. Nothing at all. You led them right to the report, you infected the wrong woman, you had them ride right onto us. No, it's over, you've messed up one time too many. I'm taking care of this now. And you better stay put and watch."

"Longley, this isn't the wild west. I moved the records so they would believe we had actually looked into the Tri-S, we can't deny help if we know what it is, you know that. You need HuRec just as much as I do. Those reports are falsified, and they should be right where you found them. Think for a change. You just lay low for a while, I'll take care of Team 41."

"Lay low? I didn't get into this to lay low! People are asking for clonads, people are willing to pay multum to get a pioneer into the family. I need them dead, now!"

"You'll have to wait." He nearly screamed, so close to his goal and Longley too breathing down his neck. It wouldn't happen, he'd see to it. Somehow.

"I'll sell the genetic code anyhow, now is the time to react, the market is screaming for it."

"That's right Einstein, sell the codes and burn. Yes, let the people test their kids and find exact replicas in the system, yes Longley, that's what you should have done instead of calling me 'moron'." He grimaced with disgust at the man letting out such stupidity without even pondering. Wasn't this just like any common criminal? Not enough intelligence to see the ramifications. And enough of plain idiocy to expose them all.

"Listen to me, I don't care who or what you are, you're as deep in this as I am. And from my point of view you have more to lose than I do. I need them funds and you can't provide them any longer. I'm on my own, and I call the shots."

"This is not the wild west Longley, you're acting like a ..."

"Just shut up, I've had it with you and HuRec, I'm on it, just try and stop me. I'll take them all out, one by one. In the old fashioned way."

The connection was lost.

For a moment he just sat there and stared into the wall, a chill starting from deep inside, slowly spreading along his spine. A spine he had long ago forgot he had. If Longley had his way they'd be exposed in no time, the man had no brains whatsoever. He was a pathetic psychopath, a narcissistic megalomaniac. The most dangerous combination of all. He would take them all down, he'd expose the carefully planned study. His work for over three decades. The one he planned to publish in a couple of years. His name would forever be connected with the solution of the age old question, nature or nurture. His name would be up there, alongside Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, William James and Lev Vygotsky, all the true pioneers, the men he admired the most. Men from that time of the lonely scientist, aloof and odd, but with a geniality all admired. Men struggling against public misconceptions, misleading religiosity and pure ignorance. The clear scientific brain at its best. And he would overshadow them all, this was his life's meaning.

And now a lowlife like Longley was threatening him? A man that barely could read was challenging him? He that had mastered the whole project on his own, taken it upon himself to see it though, no matter what it would cost. He had kept his project a secret for all these years, and now Longley was destroying it?

His hands felt sweaty and the chill had him shivering. He had to remind himself to breathe deeply and steadily. Then he raised his head and flicked on the EA, he had some repairs to do. It wasn't over yet, and he'd fight.

It was either the whole Team 41, his masterpiece, or Longley, one of them had to go. And right now he didn't care which of the two vanished, as long as his masterpiece was safe. Both Longley and Team 41 were dangerous and would have to step aside, one way or another. He didn't need them any longer, the numbers he had collected were enough. He'd have to fabricate the rest, it wouldn't be spotted ever. Nobody would know. He had enough, and he would be there in the spotlight, nothing would stop him now, not this close to the goal.

Jimmy grinned when Kid pressed an icebag over the nose and moaned. Throwing a glance at Lou with an infectious chuckle. "His face don't do much for me either Noah," he let out.

"Jimmy!" Lou and Noah chorused, Kid only glared under the icebag. Throwing his head back to balance the coolness on his nose he searched for something on the desk with his right hand. Finding it he threw a silvery sheet to Jimmy; "Check out his ribs." The voice was calm and steady.

Jimmy caught it and looked at Kid;" What's this?"

"A scanner," Noah replied, "but I don't need it, I'm just fine. I'm tougher than most."

"Oh yeah? So how about standing up straight?"

"You broke his ribs?" Jimmy asked incredulously, "you two were really out to kill each other weren't you?"

"Naw," Kid shook his head under the icebag, "he tripped and fell over the chair."

"Thanks Kid," Noah frowned, "point out my clumsiness too. Much obliged, anything else you wanna point out to really make me look bad?"

"Don't you ever touch her again, never." Kid's voice was calm but filled with a deadly warning.

There was a beat, all three of them looking at the man by the basin. "Like that I mean," Kid tried to soothe over his harsh words. "You hurt her."

Jimmy looked over at Lou, like asking who they were talking about. Lou looked down to her feet, angry at the Kid for charging at Noah for no reason, it hadn't been Noah's intention to hurt her, she knew that. She had just been at the wrong place at the wrong time. It wasn't Noah's fault.

"Kid, I didn't mean to," Noah protested, "and you know there's more than Lou in this fight. Much more."

Jimmy spread the mobile scanning device open and motioned for Noah to get onto the gurney. He peered at Lou, like suddenly understanding everything.

"I can do it myself," Noah grunted and snatched the scanning device out of Jimmy's hand.

"And what else is new?" Kid mumbled and Lou wanted to run over and kick him hard. Wasn't this over? Wasn't it already settled? What the hell was wrong with these two?

"See Lou? Put a woman or an ideology between two men and all civilization runs off them, just like that." Jimmy smiled comfortingly at her, like he was used to these kind of scenes. Once again Lou realized how little she actually knew about the men she was working with.

"I'm sorry you had to see that Lou," Kid said from his place over the basin, now bent over it, blood dripping slowly into it. His voice sounding muffled.

"Don't be mad at him Lou," Noah stated, "he did what any man in love would do, seeing his woman in danger, he snapped."

"A little like you?" Jimmy intervened with a grin.

"Yeah," Noah admitted shamefully and looked over to Kid.

Kid lifted his head and looked at the man on the gurney, "I'm sorry Noah."

"Yeah Kid, me too."

"All right boys," Jimmy chimed in, "now that you've kissed and made up can I have a go at Kid's nose?"

Lou smiled as Kid looked up, like fearing for his life and Noah broke out in a chuckle that had him holding his side and grimacing in pain. She couldn't help but join in the laughter at the sight of Kid, the absolute fear on his face as Jimmy advanced on him. Jimmy turned and winked at her;"I'll tell you a big secret Lou, Kid's scared stiff around doc's, he much rather be on the other side. Holding the scalpels. Don't you worry Kid, that nose of yours just needs a whack to the left, it's kinda pointing to the right."

"C'mon Jimmy," Lou stopped him by latching onto him, "play nice!"

"Nobody's playing with my nose, thank you Ma'am," Kid slurred.

"Sit down, Kid," Lou ordered when she reached him, "just let me have a look." With a hand on his shoulder she tried to push him onto the stool besides the basin.

"No," Kid muttered, like a stubborn child, "I'll be fine." He refused to look at her, keeping his face down, fumbling with the soaked icebag that kept slipping out of his hand.

"Of course you will, " Lou assured, "after I've seen to it."

Jimmy leered at her; "see, what'd I say, scared out of his wits."

"Sit down Kid," Lou ordered, "now dammit!" Grabbing his shirt she pulled him away from the basin, toward the stool.

With a groan he did as he was told, and for the first time Lou actually saw the state his face was in. Her heart almost stopped at the sight. It looked dreadfully painful. His cheek was turning blue, his left eye swelling, the nose still bleeding. A tear on his lower lips exposing raw hide underneath. All her anger and trepidation vanished at the sight of him."Oh God, Kid, you need a doctor."

The sight kicked in some kind of odd need to take care off him, a sensation that was fairly new to her. The need to take care of a fully grown man, looking at her with badly masked fear. She was constantly reminded of the vulnerability in him, that small child he once must have been. And all the things that had happened to him, things he never spoke of, but that was visible in moments like this. When his mask of full control came off and he looked at her, making her want to hug him and comfort him she knew he was different. He evoked so much in her. Things she had never felt for any man before.

"You mean like the one I just punched out?" Kid tried to smile but didn't quite succeeded, the trial ended in a low labored groan.

"You didn't punch me out, Kid, no way!" Noah cast a glance over at him.

"All right," Jimmy sighed, "now we're on the territory of male pride."

"Aw, shut up all of you," Lou wheezed, feeling Kid stiffen under her as she combed his hair back with her fingers to get a better look. "Yeah you too," she smiled comfortingly at him. "Noah, I think his nose is broken, what do I do?"

"No please Lou, it's all right, really! Just hand me...."

"Don't worry Kid, I'll take care of you. You know you need stitches too?"

"Just the words he needed to hear," Jimmy laughed.

"They don't believe us," Teaspoon muttered out loud, "they just don't believe us. They need proof! And they know damned well we don't have any!"

"No more doctors?" Sam asked.

"Nope, nothing. Tells us to stay put and wait."

"Until someone dies?" Emma asked incredulously, "what's wrong with them?"

"Well they're sending a temporary vet and a physician for the settlers needs," Teaspoon smirked, "awful nice of them, ain't it?"

"Who the hell has the power to decide on things like these?" Sam looked over at their boss, still not convinced.

"There was a vote, saving Rachel's life apparently lost 8-9." Teaspoon clarified with sloping shoulder. Looking at the apparatus in front of him he shook his head in disbelief.

"Bastards," Emma cursed, "we'll show them all right. Won't we?" She let her eyes wander between the two sitting at opposite desks in Teaspoon's office. Nobody answered. "We will," she continued, "we will, just remember that. Nobody is dying here. Nobody!"

Sam reached out to put his arms around Emma, rising to sweep her into his hold. "It's all right, we'll do what we can." He held on to her, feeling the tension in her, rocking her slowly, wishing he could promise what she wanted. That nobody would die. "It's all right," he repeated.

But when he met with Teaspoon's eyes he knew that it wasn't very probable. And to his shame he was immensely glad it wasn't Emma in that room. That she was in his arms instead of upstairs fighting for her life. And he couldn't help but wonder at Noah's ability to hold up. And would he be able to keep the tension and worry under control? It was almost too much to ask of a person. Nobody should have to endure what Noah did right now, or what Rachel was going through. "It's gonna be all right," he mumbled and rested his cheek on the top of Emma's head, holding her as close as possible. Praying that he wasn't lying.

TBC

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