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[Mercy]

Most of the contacts on the list you took from Doc seem to be mostly interested in distancing themselves from anyone that had anything to do with him, meaning that no work has been tossed your way since you arrived. Your stash of funds has now shrunk below the point where you really want to go out to even the corner bar you have been haunting for the last few days. So you are sitting at home repacking your medkit for the umpteenth time when your cheapo burner 'link pings. The text is from the only person who has seemed willing to really offer any sort of encouragement since you arrived in this blighted sprawl. >>Hey. Not sure if you want to use this, but you should. Go to the attached address and ask to speak to Lily Sparks. She might have something for you. Not many chances left for you and I know some of that interest is coming due. Luck to you. Take a gun if you have one as the neighborhood is pretty bad. Don't go at night unless you want to be a statistic.<<

[Renard]

Helena finished the inspection and packed the kit up again. Then she re-read the text while slipping off the latex gloves from her hands. A job she might not like in a part of town that might not like her if she didn't bring a gun... She agreed though, best not to wait for the night to arrive. As beggars couldn't be choosers, she got ready. If the part of town was as bad as declared, at least being underdressed wouldn't be a problem. Normal armoured clothing would be completely sufficient. Noting down the adress, the next step was deleting the text she had received. She got up and walked through what she liked to call her kitchen/livingroom/utility room. It had a lot of functions due to the restricted space in her bunk. Helena opened one of the cupboards and took the Colt Government out of her makeshift gun-safe behind the fake panel in the back. After a quick check, she put it into the small-in-the-back holster and closed the compartment and cupboard again. Shoes or boots ? After a quick think, the shoes won. She put on the shoulder holster with the Taser and fetched the small shoulderbag with her other kit. Helena grabbed the jacket and opened the small shrine in the corner of her livingroom. Paying her respects to the two icons inside, she spoke a quick blessing and took a small sip from the bottle with the holy water in it. She wasn't sure she'd need it, but being careful never hurt anyone.

Finishing her small ritual, she put on her jacket and shoes and went out. The air outside still needed getting used to, but a cigarette helped to distract her from that. Helena unlocked her bicycle and got onto the way to the address she'd been given. She didn't really know who Lily Sparks was or what she was getting involved with, but she had the nagging feeling she'd find out soon enough ! Well, what was the worst that could happen ?

[Mercy]

It is a good ride from your place to the address provided and the level of deterioration of the sprawl is evident the closer you get. Based on the number and condition of vehicle hulks on the sides of the narrowing streets, you have probably chosen wisely to use a bicycle, even if you have no other choice. Bringing a car down here could be a bad decision unless you had lots of security measures or it was a tank. As you near the last block, you can see a line of about ten people standing outside a door. What is surprising is that it IS a line. That and the fact that there are two large Orks wearing some sort of ganger jackets who appear to be keeping order of some kind. And yes, the door seems to be the address you have been sent to. As you approach, you see the possible reason for the line; a small glowing red cross over the door.

[Renard]

Helena knew how bad things looked at home, but these areas were on the best way to Sarajevo-bad, as she had dubbed it. She stopped a short distance from what looked like a clinic and chained her bike to one of the demolished cars she chose to hide it between. Slowly closing in on the line and the address, she gives both a good look before walking up to one of the Gang-Orks.

"I've been told to come here to talk to Lily Sparks. Is this her place ?"

[Mercy]

The Ork looks at you, scanning you up and down. His clothes are unremarkable except for the jacket, which bears a symbol of a closed fist on the back and right side. "This is her place, yeah." He nods his head toward the door. "You some sort of new doc?"

He does not get a chance to hear your response as just at that moment a fight breaks out at the end of the line. He calls out to you over his shoulder as he goes to see what the problem is. "Go on in."

The door looks like it used to have glass panes in it, but now it is mostly pieces of cardboard stuff in the spaces. The small waiting room looks like it was meant to seat five, but is currently holding eight, maybe more if you count the seriously overweight woman taking up three spots on the small couch as more than one. All of the people are clutching some part of their body in some degree of pain. You have seen worse in some of the hospitals you were in when in the Balkans, but all of the signs of trauma are present. A harried woman with dark hair looks up from where she is applying a bandage to a cut on a small boy's arm. "Your problem?" She asks. "I am triaging here. Where are you injured and how bad is it?"

[Renard]

"No idea. Guess I'm about to find out."

The Ork seemed distracted by some scuffle in the back and gave her green light to enter. New Doc, huh ? That sort of made sense... Scratching her head she entered the place and concured that it looked right at home in the neighborhood. Glass gone, sight covers made from whats at hand, stuffed with people. It wasn't that she felt like she came from a overly privileged background, but places like this one always made her feel like she did. And some people said her place back home was bad... Fragging drek on a stick ! Hence the question coming from the woman working on the small boy catches her somewhat off-guard.

"I'm not injured, I was sent here to meet Lily Sparks. Need a hand here ?"

[Mercy]

The woman tries to smile and motions with her head to a large curtain pulled across the end of the room. "I'm Marta. Lily's back there with the worst of em. Head on back." Going through the curtain you see a number of cots on the floor, none of them empty. Two women are working on different patients. A short blond woman stands and turns to you, telling you that she has no more cots for about an hour and can you stay our front until then. She takes a breath and asks you how badly you are hurt. When you explain she smiles grimly. "I hope you last longer than the last one. But anything longer than the four hours he stayed would be a help." She motions to a group of four cots. "Consider their treatment to be your interview. Charts are on the ends of the cots. Restroom is back there by the mop bucket and sink. Meds are in that cabinet but there is not much stronger than aspirin. I will talk to you later."

[Renard]

"Alright, thanks for the pointer, Marta !"

Helena follows the directions to the back. Looks like the Ork has been right. She isn't too convinced this is some sort of setup for the drug grab of the century or something like that. The woman that seems to be the one she has been looking for confirms this. She nods at her new assignment.

"OK, will see what I can do. I'm Lina by the way, better and shorter than 'you there !' and also more specific. Happy to be working with you guys."

After the preliminal interview is over, she looks for a place to store her jacket and bag. She also puts her weapons there, wouldn't be too good if someone on a cot got a free weapon by making a lucky grab or something like that, that was as good as an invitation for trouble. Finally, Lina goes to wash her hands and slaps on some latex gloves. The she moves to the cots and checks the charts to see what she was dealing with here and where to start.

[Mercy]

The four people on the cots you are assigned represent different medical issues. One is a gunshot wound to the chest, two are people with massive bruising and broken bones from a fight of some kind, and the fourth is an epileptic who has serious seizures. The charts on the ends of the cots are detailed and well written, providing instructions on meds and care. Lily comes over to check on you a few times and seems satisfied with your work. She assigns you a couple of additional cots. During a short break, you are introduced to Greta, the other woman in the center. She is a bit older at 34, but seems to have limitless energy. She offers a weary smile and welcomes you to the clinic with a chipped mug of lukewarm soycaf. "You have come at a good time. That jerk Ronald just bailed without even saying goodbye. Not that he was worth much in the first place. I like your stuff. Former military?"

[Renard]

Working with the sort of limited space, numbers and mostly equipment is a challenge, but it becomes easier with time. Luckily, improvising is something that Lina considers herself somewhat good at, and so the work is still busy, but becomes a bit less complicated with time. One of the advantages was that there wasn't much highly technical stuff, so less things she doesn't know how to call in English. As things are, she gets by and is mostly satisfied with her work. The epileptic worries her a bit, she doesn't see much she can do while working with most of the meds in store except making sure they don't injure themselves accidentally.

"Thanks."

She takes the mug with a nod and drinks some of the content. It tastes as crappy as only soycaf can, but who drinks that stuff for its taste anyway ? Lina peers down into the mug and drinks some more.

"Eight years. It's not a medical degree, but it's a start. Let me guess... Ronald is one of those med school dropouts who considers himself awesome under ideal circumstances you never have, but can't deal with the stress you have when you don't have those ideal circumstances, which is like 98 % of the time ?"

She doesn't inquire too much about the place. After all, the way how she ended up here and the fact that she did told her the most important tidbit. Add to this what the place looks like and what happens here, and she thinks she has some idea about whats going on here. Not exactly how or why, but she doesn't want to be seen as too curious while still on probation. However, it might be due to what the Ork has said earlier or due to her preconceptions, but one question, although she figures it's damn obvious comes to mind.

"You guys do an impressive job with what you have, I have to say that. Do you have more people staffing this place or is it just you ?"

[Mercy]

Greta nods. "Thought so. I can tell by the way you handle the patients. And almost right about Ronald. Med school trained doctor sent here by the hospital that supports us for his internship. But you are right about why he left at about three hours and forty-seven minutes after he walked through the door. That was five days ago and we can sure use your help if you want to stick it out. The hospital will cover your wage, sort of. Lily makes up the rest out of her own pocket. The job comes with an apartment upstairs that you will share with someone. And we are it for the day shift. Marta out front does a whiz job of triage and Lily and me back here. And now you, maybe. The crush usually dies down at about dinner. That is when Hunter and Rachel come on and we can go eat and relax. If you decide you want to give it a shot, Lily will give you the full briefing. But I hope that you do stay. From what I see, you have the skills and the chops for this sort of thing and it makes a big difference down here. Even if the pay is low and sometimes spotty, we are saving lives." She sips from her drink and nods to a closed door. "And we actually do have some modern equipment in the operating room through there. It gets used a lot around here. We have gang protection, but that does not mean we don't have gang victims come in. Questions?"

[Renard]

"I wouldn't mind, really. It's a good thing to do and it's not like I couldn't use the money. I'll ask Lily for the full briefing and we'll see where things go from there."

So a cooperation with one of the hospitals, that actually makes sense. Wage doesn't sound too bad either. Certainly not a way to make ends meet completely, but a nice side-job. She taps her chin thoughtfully and empties the mug. Questions... Where to start ? Some luckily have already been answered implicitly, or at least she's willing to assume as much, even if she doesn't like to work based on assumptions too much.

"A few. First of all, what gang is doing the security over here ? I'm living in Blood Brothers' turf and I'd like to avoid giving them a reason to adjust my insurance fee because I'm running around in an area where people that don't get along with them have too much to say. Is there anything I need to know about this area in general or those that guard this place or work here ? Any special policies in place I should know about ?"

She looks over to the cots.

"Like what do we do with people like that epileptic over there ? If I got Lily right, we don't have the level of medication for that, provided they are still on medication. Do we just deal with the symptoms and turn them loose once the worst is over ?"

[Renard]

---GRETA---

Greta looks at you thoughtfully then nods. "Sure. Those are some pretty legit questions. I am sure that Lily will give you most of the straight information, but I can fill you in on what is happening. First, the boys outside? They call themselves the Brotherhood. Mostly Orks with a couple of Trolls in the mix for more muscle. They have the neighborhood pretty much sealed up as their turf. I have no idea what they get from Lily for protection, but it must be enough. I think part of it is that she saved their leader a couple of years ago when he came in all shot up. Their turf extends about five blocks in every direction. I can show you the limits when we get off for dinner, if you like. They can be rough, but they generally leave people alone if they are paying them off. The others soon learn to pay them off. Except for this one guy even the Brotherhood leaves alone. I can show you his house so you know what to stay away from. Second, I thought I mentioned an apartment upstairs. It comes as part of the wage. Not too bad for space or amenities. Even get a good ration of hot water as one of the perks of living here. The hospital pays those bills. A couple of Stuffer Shack-type places to get food and supplies from are close by. The apartment has a small kitchen if you like to cook. If you do, you will be the first. We mostly just eat out or collapse into bed after an extended shift. There is a trid viewer in the living room and since not many of us use it much, you would probably get to watch what you want. Third, this is an easy day. Can't think of how many times we've been emergency central here after some sort of todo between the Brotherhood and the weenies in the next neighborhood, the Grand Marshals. Bunch of creeps with some sort of trid Western motif. Also lots of domestic violence injuries. Lots of times the KE guys bring us someone. We are the only real clinic staffed with real medical people for several neighborhoods so we get lots of customers here. It is on a pay-what-you-can basis, which usually means nothing coming in. Without support from the hospital we would be in trouble here. As it is, Lily usually has to go the black market for drugs and supplies. Like now. We are dangerously low on many things. The hospital keeps promising, but well, I am sure that you are familiar with red tape drek that frags up the system. Fourth, Hunter and Rachel are definite lezzies and in a relationship together. Marta goes both ways, depending on who she is sleeping with at the time. I am definitely hetero, but between people right now, if you know what I mean. I have not been laid in several weeks and just might give the bi thing a shot if I thought I had the right person. I keep hoping that Mister Right will come in the front door some day and sweep me away. After four years here that has not happened yet. Pretty sure Lily is hetero as well, but she does not talk about her private life. Bottom line is you can be what you want and Lily does not care as long as you leave personal problems in the apartment and do a good job down here. Fifth, I hope you know how to use that gun you brought in. We have an ambulance of sorts that we use on occasion and we go through some pretty rough areas. Usually have some of the Brotherhood along, but sometimes that is worse than going without them, depending on whose neighborhood we are going into or through."

She looks over to your epileptic. "As for guys like that? yeah, not much we can do except treat the symptoms and send them away until the next time. Most of the time we have meds for them and Lily is leaving him here until the delivery arrives. Enough information? Too much? Scare you away yet?"

---------------

---LINA---

"Sounds good, should be pretty handy to know how far out protection lasts and what places to avoid. Knowing is half the battle and whatnot."

Orks and Trolls, Brotherhood, have rivalries with grand Marshals. Useful information, as is the guy they are to avoid. Lina makes a note to keep those things in mind. The apartment also sounds like a perk of the job, but then, that depends a lot on Lily. She smirks.

"My cooking hasn't poisoned anyone so far, apart from those who bit off more than they can chew. So no issues there for me. Lets hope the red tape bulldrek stays low so that at least the most important things sorta come through. So I see it correctly that this is an all-female staff, hm ? Interesting... I'm with the policy there, though. As long as things stay private and don't affect work, I don't see too many problems with anyone's stuff or preferences. I'm looking forward to meeting the others then, if things decide to turn out that way."

Ambulance duty ? Lina has to admit she hasn't seen that coming, but it's a good surprise, another old acquaintance, if you will. She is a bit sceptical about the clinic's ability to man it, although again, she doesn't really know much about it, but she suspects that thats why it isn't used often. But all in all, what she has heard so far is by far not the worst that could have hit her.

"Eh, I'm not a shooting artist, but I can keep most people off my back if I need to and as long its not a Troll or cybermonster that weighs 200 lbs more than I do. I take it the Gangers don't like getting bossed around by staff much ?

Anyway, all in all, the package doesn't look too bad. Where do I have to sign and how is the health plan ?"

She was definitely noit serious with the last part.

------------

---GRETA/LILY---

Tuesday, June 5, Lily's Clinic, the Barrens

Greta laughs. “Good one. But it will be Lily that gives you the answers to those questions. And I am sure that you will get along fine with us. We did not use to be all women. Has been a couple of guys through here. One really nice kid, Phil, combat medic with the CAS, lasted about six months. Really dedicated to helping people. Might have made the long haul, too, but he got between an angry ganger and his intended victim, who was in here recovering from his earlier wounds. Phil and the victim died and we barely saved a bystander in the next cot over. Ganger ran away, but got his a week later. Very sad. Then there was Carl. Real piece of work. Defrocked doctor; I hear he had been selling scrips from his office or something. He and Lily were not on good terms and that was it for him. Lasted five days before she caught him stealing from the meds. And the guy a few days ago. Did not even last long enough to remember his name, really not sure what it was. Less than four hours and was spewing his guts all over the room and generally just too fancy to be working down here.”

Lily comes up about then and Greta wishes you luck with a smile as she walks away. Lily looks at you for a couple of moments then says, “Step into my office and we can talk.” She leads you out a rear door and into an alleyway. A large dumpster and two trash cans sit there, all overflowing with trash. She leans against the wall of the building and fishes a pack of cigarettes from a pocket. She offers you one then lights up and pulls a couple of long drags. Looking closely at the thing she laughs, “These will kill me some day. But they taste so fragging good.” After a few more puffs, she says, “So I like what I saw in there. You are cool under the gun and seem knowledgeable on how to read a chart, which is better than some of the drek I get from the hospital these days. I checked and you are not from the hospital. If you are here to rob us, you came to the wrong place. None of the patients pay us more than a few nuyen, if that much, and I am sure that you have seen that we do not have much in the way of meds here, even when the hospital sees fit to restock me. I don’t care if you walked in off the street as long as you can work. If you decide to stay, I will call the hospital and let them know that I found someone to fill the slot. Fragging administrators have not sent a good prospect here for a long time. Fraggers.”

She stops talking to toss her cigarette at a pile of clothes next to the dumpster. An almost skeletal hand snakes out form the pile and grabs the cigarette, disappearing back from view almost as fast. Lily turns to you and continues. “So here it is. I can offer you a place to work and call home. The job comes with a room in the apartment upstairs from the clinic. If you insist on living elsewhere I do not cover the added cost or transportation needs. The place upstairs is clean. You get your own room with a key. The kitchen, bathroom, and living room are shared, as is the trid viewer. You are responsible for working out schedules for using these rooms. There is a generous ration of hot water for showers. It is based on the room being occupied. The apartment is very convenient because you do not have to worry about how to get to work. I expect you to be on time, every time, for your shift, which will be the day shift. You will work from 0700 until 1800 every day, with an hour off for a lunch. The first and last hours are overlaps with the other shift and you can swap information on special cases. There is a food cart that comes by here at lunch and at dinner. If you want to go out, there are three diner-type places within two blocks of here. On a professional basis, I do not care who you shack up with in your own room as long as whoever it is does not become a distraction to the others. On a personal basis, I do care if you are happy. I am not a therapist, but I am chock full of advice, some of it probably even good. Your wage, besides the apartment provided you, starts off at 3000 Nuyen a month. I cannot offer more to start, but can talk about a raise if you work out and continue to do good work. You will not get wealthy here, but you can put some away to save for the future and the day that you decide to stop working here. There will be times when you will be required, let me emphasize that, REQUIRED, to work overtime. I will try to keep that to a minimum and will also try to take your needs into account before assigning the extra work. You will be paid 50 Nuyen per hour that you work overtime.”

“Now, what questions do you have for me?”

------------

---LINA---

"Isn't it always the good ones that get shot or otherwise taken out way before their time ? Leaves the ranks of those with the special kind of crazy to work this job
properly thinner, but what can we do but work on to carry on their memory. I'd drink to that, but it looks like I'm out of drink for the time being. Next off-duty drinks
to Phil and the others who've gone way too fast are on me."

Lina gets up and follows Lily through the back and finally out to the alley. She takes one of the offered cigarettes and lights it. A quick look around the alley followed
by a long drag on the cig. Interview time. Lily's remark makes her grin, but instead of saying anything, she just nods in agreement. She listens to Lily's estimation of the situation and is sort of happy that he was able to impress enough to be offered this opportunity. However, she also feels she owes Lily a few uncomfortable truths in return. She takes another drag from the cigarette and blows a torrent of smoke towards the sky.

"I feel I should point out a few things you need to know about me before we can get down to whether you want me here or not. Whether you decide it's something for all others to know is your descision, as is deciding I'm more trouble than I'm worth. So far you guys have given me a fair chance, so I owe you as much. Trust for trust. I'm not here to rob you, far from it. I have, however, been sent here by someone who knew you are a few hands short. A person who has taken me in when no one else would do so and who I thus owe a lot of money to. Ah, drek, why talk around it, they pretty much own my ass. So whenever these guys feel like calling to tell me to jump, the correct response is just how high I have to jump to make sure they stay happy. Perhaps they do it all the time, perhaps they don't at all, I don't know. All I'm saying is that may come into conflict with the shifts. If that's unacceptable for you, we can cut the interview short and save both of us a lot of trouble."

She pats the ash off the burning end of the coffin nail and looks straight at Lily.

"I like the opportunity I'm being offered and would gladly take it, but it's your risk, your potential trouble and hence, your call, boss..."

[OOC: Posts emailed and posted with Mercy's permission]

[Renard]

---LILY---

Lily’s eyes follow the cloud of smoke you blew out then look back to you. “So you are trying to tell me that you are the first person to ever fall on hard times
and end up owing some fragging gang or AAA or just some punk with extra money? How possible is it that this person or persons will call on you to do things for
them? It will be very inconvenient if it happens during some surgery.” She looks closely at you and seems to make a decision. “Tell you what. Let me know what
you owe and I will see if I can squeeze the hospital for the Nuyen. You won’t be off the hook as you would be changing one master for another, but it would keep
you here while you pay off the debt and I would be riding your ass to save enough to do just that. Depending on what you owe, we might work out an arrangement to dock your pay every month and I could swing you some overtime hours to help out. What do you think?”

--------------

---LINA---

Lina exhales after she has heard the news. She hasn't yet decided whether these news are good or not, but especially with what she has seen and heard, she suspects that squeezing the hospital would be risky, depending on how things are looking for Lily's private funds... And that didn't even figure in with the other people involved. Another series of long drags and she flicks the cigarette away.

"Difficult... I'd jump at the opportunity if you think it's worth it and the clinic can survive coughing up that amount of money. All in all we're talking... 22.500
Nuyen with ten per cent monthly interest, which sets me at roughly 25.000, payable to the Komun'go guys."

She decides to keep the rest of the equation to herself for now. It's the vague part, however, it doesn't make it any less dangerous. But for the time being, Lina reasons that she can deal with that on her own. Seems like she has a stroke of luck currently. Only she doesn't know if thats karmic or just make what comes next more effective. But there's only one way to find out about that...

[Mercy]

Lily hears the total owed and simply nods. "You will be working her a long time if I can pull this off. I will ask the questions if you tell me that you will stay and work hard for me, at least until the debt is paid.

[Renard]

---LINA---

"So it seems."

Lina nods in agreement and juggles a few numbers in her head. With some of the variables figuring in, her calculation about the time it'll take to get the 25.000 off her back turns out a timespan of about two years. She still has trouble accepting that there is no overtly visible drawback, but those unveil themselves in time, so that'll be no problem for too long. In the end she decides to go forthe leap of faith.

"You get me out of there, I'll do my damnedest to make sure the debt gets payed."

---LILY---

Lily nods. “See me after the shift for a few minutes and let me know who you deal with for payments. I will submit the request. If I word it strongly enough they might just go for it.” She holds the door open and both of you go inside. Shortly after you get back to work you hear Marta calling out. “KE inbound with three GSW. Two male humans, one female human. Chest and arm wounds. ETA thirty seconds on…….mark.” Lily looks over to where you are tending a patient and smiles grimly. “Get ready. Greta……”

Greta is already moving and she waves to you go follow her. “I have her. Come with me. We will need to scrub up for this one. Must be serious or they would just go to the hospital.” She takes you to the special room and flicks on the lights. You see two operating tables and other modern medical equipment beyond a glassed door. Greta leads you to a cabinet where she pulls out scrubs, gloves and masks and tells you to find your size. Once garbed you go to a sink and wash up. By the time you finish that, Lily is in the room as well, doing the same thing. There are sirens and lots of yelling from outside the room and Greta goes out while motioning you to go into the operating room. Lily joins you and shows you several trays of sterile instruments wrapped in plastic. You think she might be smiling behind her mask, but are not sure. “Here you go. Interview over and test begins. Let’s see how you work.” You see two additional women come skidding into the room and begin the process of washing up and dressing. Greta hurriedly introduces you to the others, but the introductions are cut short by the arrival of the victims.

---LINA---

"Will do, boss."

She follows Lily inside and is soon engulfed in work when the emergencies are announced. Arriving at what turns out to be an operating room, she only looks around shortly and goes through the contents of the cabinet and assembles a set of gear that is roughly her size. Lina quickly throws it on and then washes. She's nervous. She doesn't really have much practical experience in an operating room, but she doesn't want to that to show too much. It's a test as Lily said and she's not going to fail miserably. First priority now: Focus and concentrate on what's important.

"Indeed, let's see how that works out."

She directs a short greeting to the other two, but the timely arrival of the victims cuts introductions and small-talk short pretty quickly. As things are about to get interesting, she takes up a position indicated to her and mentally prepares for what's coming.

[Mercy]

Tuesday, 5 June, 1430, Lily's Clinic, the Barrens

The gunshot victim are wheeled in on gurneys and escorted by four KE officers, who remain behind the glass door. The first thing you notice is that these three people are really, really messed up. All of them have at least two wounds in the chest and several more scattered about their bodies. The second thing is that whoever Marta was or where she received her training, you have never seen better triage nurse work. There is a pad on each victim detailing all the available information and what the specific wounds are and what sort of condition each patient is in. Initial chart data is filled out and recommendations are made as to order of treatment. Lily and Greta grab one of the men while Hunter and Rachel take the woman. Lily looks at you and says, "Any combat tours? If so, you assist Hunter. If not come assist me. Now, let's see just what we have here."

[Renard]

The way these people look make Lina conclude that they've most likely been sprayed with automatic weapons with the accompanying messy and ugly results. The alternative would paint an even worse picture of what likely had happened. She has a look at the charts and has to acknowledge that this is pretty solid handywork. Impressive, although it also gives food for thought... But that's better being taken care of at some other point, not right now. Asked about any combat engagements, she nods and makes her way over to the operating table where the woman has already been laid out by Rachel and Hunter. She reports to Hunter and awaits her instructions.

[Mercy]

Your opinion about the automatic weapons fire was echoed by the petite Rachel, who nods at the very brief introduction as the three of you get to work trying to save a life. It is quite obvious that these people have seen this sort of injury before, probably too many times. There is a precision to their movements that talks of a long association. Rachel would be lucky to break five feet if she was wearing heels and today she is not. Her short brunette hair has raspberry-colored fringe at the bottom. There is a tattoo of a swan over her right eye that seems to glow and change colors over time. She seems quite used to filling the role of surgical assistant, anaesthesiologist, and general operating room gofer. Her voice is pure Seattle. In contrast, the woman introduced as Hunter easily tops out at over six feet tall and is a bit stockier. Her below the shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes give her an appearance of some sort of Viking shield maiden. She barely talks except to ask for an instrument or an assist in sponging away blood, of which there is a lot, but he has a slight Nordic accent. Her movements are precise and accurate and you have the feeling that she would be comfortable in a hospital surgical room.

The next almost five hours pass in a sort of blur as the three of you work to save the life of the patient on the table. A number of bullets are removed and others were apparently through and throughs. Even the near magic of modern medicine and instruments cannot completely replace the skill of a good surgical team and it is soon clear that you are working with one here. The patient almost dies twice, but is brought back from almost certain death each time, the second time almost entirely due to your quick actions as an artery ruptures. Eventually Hunter sews up the last wound and the three of you can go back beyond the glass door to clean up. A uniformed KE man is standing out of the way in the room, watching the OR through the glass. Lily and Greta are finishing with the third patient as you remove the bloody scrubs, gloves, and masks; depositing then in a large biohazard box. Hunter and Rachel take a set on a long bench after washing up and the tall woman motions for you to have a seat. Lily and Greta come through just then and the KE man approaches Lily as she is cleaning up. “Hey, Doc. Can we move them?”

Lily does not pause in washing her hands after dumping her gear in the box. “Ron, this is not your first time at this rodeo. You know I will not let them out until tomorrow morning at the earliest.”

The man nods, “Just asking, Doc. The answer might change one day.” He looks around and spies you. “Hey, a new face.” He shakes his head, “Don’t want a name in case you don’t stay. This is a good crew. The best.”

Lily gives a tired smile. “Thanks, Ron. I will have a cot moved in for whoever you leave here.

“Better make that two, Doc. I need these three. No chances tonight. I will keep a patrol outside as well. Already cleared it with the Brotherhood. Boy, their prices seem to have gone up.”

The man nods at all of you and leaves the room. Lily sighs and sits down on the bench. “Great work, you three. Must have been a tough one.”

Hunter nods. “Roger that, Jefe. The new girl was quick on the uptake, though.” She turns to you and adds, “Cannot keep saying New Girl, but I missed your name. You do good work. I am glad you were there, especially when that artery blew. You saved a life today. Thanks.”

[Renard]

Although there is a lot to do as well as a lot to pay attention to, Lina finds herself some times in between to watch not only what the two with her do, but also how they do it and their general demeanor. She has to admit that the two are an effective team but also, as so often, also form an interesting pairing when directly juxtaposed, especially with the bonus information she got from Martha. However, she tries not to get too distracted to make sure she's either adding something to the works or at least doesn't hold the other two back due to them having to accomodate a third person. It works out rather well though and time flies by as most other stimuli are shut out and the three focus on the task at hand, which was doing the best to make sure their patient made it. Once again Lina finds herself amazed at how much punishment people can take and still cling to life. It's one of those cases that make her think that it would be more merciful if they didn't pull through. However, her occupational pride doesn't let that sentiment stand for too long and interprets the times their patient almost dies as a personal insult that can't be allowed to stand.

When the operation is finished, she tosses the garbs into the biohazard box. Artery ruptures are messy affairs and the clothes of all involved can attest to that, even though they fixed it up quick enough to avoid losing their patient. She sits on the bench with the others while Lily talks to the cop whose name apparently is Ron. She acknowledges him with a nod, as he's clearly not too interested in introductions just now. Having heard about the time some of her predecessors spent here, she doesn't blame him.

"No need, that's our job after all. I'm glad I didn't get in the way too much, I'm not used to work in operating rooms. But I can't say you guys didn't do an impressive job. I guess Ron has a point when he says you're the best."

She slowly feels the exhaustion stetching out its long tendrils. She leans back and wonders if there'll be time of another soycaf before the next wave hits. However she first offers her hand to the two others.

"I'm Galina, but most people just say Lina, thats shorter and doesn't take away much."

[Mercy]

Hunter reaches over and shakes your hand. Good job, Lina. Glad you are on the team. You are on the team, right?"

Lily nods. "If she wants, yes. Lina come with me and fill out some paperwork. After that, we are already into the next shift. Marta and Greta are off, as is Lina. Good job, people. We saved lives and that is what we came into this to do. Greta, can you please stay for a bit to get Lina familiar with the a[artment?"

Greta nods. "Sure. I am off for a shower. See you upstairs, Lina."

The group disperses and Lily takes you to a real office and has you sit at a table to fill out some forms.

[Renard]

"Yup, I'm pretty certain of that. See you upstairs, Greta."

She follows Lily to the office and sits down at the table looking over the forms she has been asked to fill out. Then she starts adding the information to the sheets.

"So you guys get government support, I take it ?" she asks Lily.

[Mercy]

lily snorts. "Government support? Are you kidding?" She pauses and shrugs, "I guess I should really say I do not know the answer to that question. Our funding comes mostly from the hospital, but I suppose they could be getting some of that from the government. Or some AAA trying to show they have a conscience. But I am not aware of any link like that. As for the KE; I made it clear to the Brotherhood long ago that this clinic is open to anyone and part of their payment goes to making sure that ANYONE can come here and that this is to be considered neutral ground. Why do you ask?"

[Renard]

"Just curious. I heard a few things about quite some stuff coming from your own pocket, but with the hospital connection, which I figured a public hospital, I wondered about whether the city had any stakes in this place. From what you told me, it looks like it doesn't or at least not openly, but with all the talent you guys have here, its not hard to see why there would be some interest in keeping this clinic open for as long as possible, I guess. Which goes towards explaining how I ended up here after all."

She scratches her chin and scribbles some dates into th appropriate spaces. While she has had some time to accustom herself to her new ID, some of the dates and figures still need some time until she can recall them clear enough to put them onto the paper with a clear conscience. But it works out, just like in any exam. She skips the parts she isn't too sure of for now and concentrates on the spaces she can fill to give herself more time to think of the right answers.

"You mentioned that there is some sort of ambulance that gets used at times. Does that mean we are sort of on call for the wider vicinity in general or are there like specific locations that fall into our area of responsibility ?"

That made it almost sound like Doc Wagon, but hey, it was a franchise after all...

[Mercy]

Tuesday, 5 June, 2000, Lily's Clinic, Seattle Barrens


Lily frowns. "Yes, well. Hmmmm. The hospital covers our costs, in theory. In reality, there is a gap between ordering what is necessary and getting authorization for it. So I usually chip in and go to our local rip-off black market link and buy the stuff. I submit the bills to the hospital and they eventually get paid. Most of the time. You would not just happen to have any contacts in the black market, would you? I could sure use an alternate pipeline for when things get scarce. And the so-called ambulance? Just on old bulldog I picked up cheap and had converted. Yes, we sometimes get calls from people that cannot be moved or cannot make it here on their own, so we go to them. Safer to use the marked ambulance than to use a car. We also use it to go get some of the black market stuff. Sometimes it is necessary, even if it is downright inconvenient."

She takes the papers from you and gives them a once-over, asking for some clarification on a couple of items, but then accepting the packet. She puts the forms in her desk and slides a piece of blank paper across to you. "Now, please indicate who to contact about your debt, and how to reach them. I will put this to the hospital and see what they say. After that, please go upstairs and let Greta give you the tour. That will not take long and you can go out to eat afterwards. Back on duty at 0700