Times of Tribulation
Lomm'berill Pears and Other ... Fruits - 4-10-99

Doctor Adeline Frostt was becoming more well known in the Hospital at the heart of New Rydynn as she helped more and more patients. The former "Monster Maker" of the Church seemed to have found some measure of redemption. She had been allowed to work in the Hospital as a psychiatrist and counselor a few months back, and was already showing great promise. Her deeds of the past were by all appearances, behind her. Or were they?

If everything was forgiven and forgotten, then there had to be another explanation as to why someone was crawling around in the access and ventilation ducts that networked between floors. The man hadn't been in there long, and already the effects of the stagnant air were beginning to show. Oxygen was minimal here and the heat in such a confined space was stifling. A reflexive action caused his feet to hit the panel that sealed off the section behind him. Small beads of sweat ran down his face in glistening trails and he ripped open his shirt collar in irritation.

The cafeteria housed a few visitors and one of them was Bliss Lovejoy, a frequent inhabitant of the building. She looked up at the dull, thudding echo of metal in the works above and chuckled. "I hope who ever is in there isn't freaked by being in very enclosed places."

One would hope that one would have taken that fact into consideration before embarking on such an endeavor.

The psych patient, who's chart would later identify him as Lt. Seth Rahved of the forces of the Church of the Nuclear Messiah, panted as he struggled to get more air. There just didn't seem to be enough of it and his lungs clawed for more.

"Intruder!" announced Elliot from all available floors. His intercom system did not extend into the vent shafts, but with the various grates and grilles throughout the Hospital, the computer could easily enough be heard. "Surrender at once. The security team awaits you at the intake in the cafeteria. The vent shall be opened for you to exit through that way only."

The huumunn brain can only exist for so long without precious oxygen before it begins to succumb to hallucinations, fatigue, and unconsciousness. Seth's vision blurred as the computer's cheerful monotone invaded the oppressive space. He shook his head and hissed through clenched teeth. "No way."

Lex Berikk, gardener extraordinaire, looked up to the vent grate, pondering the fate of the one inside were Caine's suggestion of using tazers on the metal were to be implemented. "I imagine he will be subdued enough by his ordeal."

Doctor Terra Lowinn pushed through the doors of the cafeteria, having heard Elliot's announcement. She joined Doctor Meralynn Harperr, Caine, Bliss and Lex in looking up towards the vent. Who would have ever suspected that such a common thing that is ordinarily forgotten about could become such an object of fascination. "What is going on now?"

"Something lurks in yonder vent," interpreted Lex, as he pointed up to the exhaust grill.

"Someone escaped from the Psych ward," explained Meralynn.

"Oh," Terra responded, as if this was something that just occurred every day. "Anyone ask him or her to get down?"

The constricting tightness of the vent and lack of air could make anyone desperate after a while. And Seth had been in the vent for more than awhile. He didn't wish to be caught, but nonetheless, he reached for the vent cover.

"Psych ward, huh?" Caine queried, not expecting an answer. He cleared his throat and hollered up towards the vent. "Simon says, come out!"

Bliss laughed at the invocation of the old children's game.

The humor vanished, or perhaps it increased, as indeed the cover was lifted gently. A rasping voice floated down softly from up above. "You have to let me go ... "

"I promise." Caine had no real authority to promise any such thing. It was simply a means to an end, as was so often the case with the man.

"No! I mean it! Your Doc ... Adeline ... is she there?"

"No," chimed in Bliss, "the Ice Bit -- Uhm, Adeline isn't here!"

Seth heaved a huge sigh of relief and laid his forehead against the slightly cooled metal. "I don't need to be here ... really ... I will come out, but you have to promise ... to let me go ..."

"Terra," offered Bliss, "maybe we should go find Adeline and send her into the vents to flush him out."

The fresh air from underneath was promising. Ever the temptation. It turned out to be irresistible. He pulled himself for what he thought was just close enough to enjoy it. Unfortunately for him, it was a little too close to the edge. He tumbled out of it, plummeting to the ground and landing flat on his back.

"Well that probably wasn't part of the master plan," joked Caine solemnly.

"Moot point, it seems, now." Lex added in his two cents to the mix, reiterating the obvious.

"Indeed," Caine agreed, "I do so hate it when a good plan goes to waste."

"Too bad. Maybe we should assist him in his escape, just to keep things interesting?" Bliss was always good for a new idea.

"Give him five minutes head start?" Lex grinned at this playful conspiracy they were concocting.

Two guards who were at the ready aimed tazers at the fallen soldier. Terra watched as he fell, and took a step back, but made no effort to assist the man. Seth couldn't even breathe. What air was left to him had been knocked out by the fall. Terra nodded to the orderly and the guards to apprehend the man. Seth shook his head, attempting to clear his vision as the staff approached. Sedation was quickly administered.

"Hey, I really need to leave ... " Seth was trying to stand, and he extended one arm out at the gathering, trying to garner some support for his effort. "Your doctor ... she is crazy ... " The meds used in submission techniques were fast acting, and all of Seth's attempts were in vain. His legs gave out from under him and he fell, jelly legged, to the floor again.

"Poor fellow." Bliss almost felt sorry for the man as she clucked her tongue against the roof of her mouth.

"This ... Adeline," asked Lex, " she is a doctor here?"

The orderly and guard, in their standard gray jumpsuits, picked the Churcher up off of the floor and secured him to a gurney. Straps about his wrists, ankles, chest and stomach were fastened and locked down. "Nooo ... you have to let me gooo ... " The attempt at speech was weak at best and was slurred because of the medication. His pleas went unheeded and he was wheeled towards the elevator to again be deposited in the Psych Ward on the fourth floor.

It was Terra who responded to Lex's question. "She has been taken on as a psychologist and a social worker."

Lex rubbed his chin. "The amnesiac who wandered in a few months ago?"

"Yes, one and the same."

"Hmm ... Our escapee friend apparently has little use for her bedside manner ... Or couch-side manner, as the case may be."

Terra smiled a bit. "I try to stay out of that area. Have enough to do already."

"Oh, I brought in some more fruit," Lex said, changing the subject and pointing to the serving table.

"Oh really? Wonderful!"

"Not many, an early picking, but our orchards are promising. By Venexx's will, we pray so."

Pregnancy had the opportunity to create a waddling effect for some women, and for Terra, who was carrying twins, this was indeed the case. As gracefully as she could, she made her way over to the table to sample a piece of Lex's treat.

"They are lomm'berill," he explained, giving a name to the pear-like, hard-husked, sweet fruit. "Hardy survivors. The Syrynykki have fed it to their young for ages. It's good for children especially. Vitamins, all that stuff."

"Really? Well, they have survived." Terra smiled brightly and went off in search of a blade suitable for cutting past the outer husk. A few deft slices and the fruit was hers to sample. It was sweet, as promised, and delicious. The vitamins were an added bonus, and certainly better in this venue then taking pills or trying to extract them from the usual meager fare.

"She is in a rather rare position." Caine gestured towards Bliss with a grin.

"I am?" She blinked.

"Yes," he wasn't even speaking to her, but to Lex, to whom this would be of interest. "She has recently acquired quite the green thumb."

"Well," Lex mused, "perhaps we can start some plants in that garden at the orphanage. If you could give me directions there."

Bliss blinked again. "I'm afraid I don't know where the orphanage is." She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Berikk, I'm rather distracted tonight."

Terra looked between the three of them, but stayed silent. She was enjoying the fruit too much to have it disturbed by her own contributions to the conversation.

"I shall bring along one of our field teams to survey the possibilities ... " Lex continued to think aloud, making plans and considerations. "What was the name? Our Lady of ... ?" It had honestly slipped his mind for the moment.

Several options were tossed into the brainstorming pot, but none of them rang true. Sins, Lost Souls, Hope. All were candidates that were brushed aside, until Lex snapped his fingers. "No. Light. Our Lady of Light." That was it.

Even Caine agreed with a nod. "That sounds right."

"Well, I shall look forward to doing what I can Each new planting is another chore in the great task." Lex had made it his life's work, this Greening of Sabatt. The team he had assembled had done wonders with the Malenn'drraa Gorge and he had grand visions of expanding the project to encompass the entire planet. "But now ... ," he said politely, "Excuse me. I must settle this batch of seedlings. And then a nice hot shower. Good night all."

Caine tipped a scant nod to the man and both Bliss and Terra, taking a moment's pause in her fruit consumption, bid him luck and thanks before Lex pushed through the cafeteria doors and onward to his tasks. They were many and diverse, but they were one of the only real, definable and tangible bright spots in a world usually clouded by dust, dogmatic renditions, and blood.