"So here's the short of it," Makzin said, staring out across the grassy cliff to the sea, "We caught the bayyo. He was immune to atleast one type of tranquilizer, and last night, the one we caught him with started becoming ineffective too. He has an old wound on him that was stitched up but hasn't healed, and we can't tell how old it is. He won't calm down, his eyes are mad, and the disease is something we haven't seen before."
Zane nodded, watching Krysta with a serious expression on his face. "We've sent blood samples out to as many towns as we could. Thing is, he may die before we get an answer. Dr. Lake needed more medical supplies, and fast, so that's why we headed out here this morning."
Krysta sat back in her seat, glancing between them and absorbing as she could. "Is the disease that bad?"
"It's not the disease that's directly killing him, really..." Zane replied, now looking down to Calla. The little monax was fast asleep in his lap. "It's more that he's tearing himself apart. He can't keep up the constant aggression."
Makzin grunted. "*HE* seems to think he can." Timber, laying on the carpet at the ranger's feet, shivered.
Zane chuckled wryly in agreement, "And it's made examining him a challenge. Regardless.... his immune system's so far gone that he can't seem to heal the wounds he has, and yet he keeps going, keeps struggling. Tranquilizers aren't working. So, we're really looking for any other ideas on how to calm the bayyo. Firstly, we need more supplies... I have a list," and he pulled a folded scrap of paper from a pocket, "but the medicines on the list may or may not work, given how the tranquilizers don't even work effectively. So I figured we'd talk to you for any better ideas."
Krysta bit her lip, staring up at the ceiling. "My only guess now would be to lull him magically... put his mind to sleep. Did you try that?"
"One of the nurses did," Zane replied, "but her magic wasn't strong enough, and she was scared to death already just being in the room with him. Do you have anyone here that may be able to fly back with us? Dr. Lake's wanting them to try a conjunctive effect to see if a group may be able to get through his mind."
Krysta returned her sea-blue gaze to the wood planks of the high, slanting ceiling in thought. "My best guess at this point would be for Karen, rather than anyone here."
Zane sighed, "We called her this morning. She is sending some of her students later today, but... well, the nurse said she couldn't get a grip on his mind. She said he was like a wall. I know she's an amatuer, but still... to be honest, I have doubts to what even a group of every psy-Gifted in Tierra would be able to do to that bayyo..." and he sighed, trailing off and looking distantly upwards, rubbing his chin, "...I don't really think he's got much mind left for anyone to read. If there's anyone here in Talston, though, that could help in a conjunctive effect, I'd like them sent up to Laral now atleast to try to help."
Krysta grimaced but nodded. "I'll see what I can do later, it may take some time for the squires to track everyone down. So I'll get a group sent out this afternoon. Is Karen herself going up to help?"
Makzin shook his head, leaning forward in his seat to reach down and pet Timber. "She's calling a Gathering in Diamond to track down where the bayyo came from in the first place. She's a bit busy coordinating everything."
"I'd heard about it," she replied somberly, "My cousin Jeni left this morning for Diamond to help, even though the bayyo never passed through our territory."
Zane nodded thoughtfully, if a little distantly. Makzin was watching him carefully, as was the quiet Timber, though Zane ignored them. "Knowing where he came from, what happened to him, will help us in healing him. But time is not on our side right now..." and he sat up gently, trying not to wake the napping Calla as he reached out to pass the list he held to Krysta. He sat back as she took it. "We have to help him heal as best we can, since it's apparent that he can't heal by himself."
Krysta looked down the list, nodding. "I guess we can ask the doctors around here if they have anything that might help that Dr. Lake didn't think to ask for."
Makzin shrugged, "As long as it's something that we can shoot at him or mist into the room. I think we've had enough close calls with this maow."
Timber finally spoke up, his ears erect and alert though his head still rested on his heavy paws. "I wouldn'na think that the list should be all... need all medicines really, anything that can fight the disease directly, neh? Lots of variety."
Zane looked to Makzin, nodding. "Pretty much. I don't think it matters at this point how it is 'traditionally' applied to the wound... if need be, we can load some salve up in one of your paintballs. All that really matters is that we get something to delay this disease and fight off any secondary infections that might've gotten into his open wounds.... and get some things to clot the blood and stop the bleeding..."
Krysta stood, still staring at the list. "Well boys," she said, "Let's head out and gather for you what we can."
* * * * *
