<p>Brothers Of The Blood: Mark Of Cain<br>Chapter 6<br>by PEJA</p>
<div>Summary this chapter: Domani takes care of an injured Ian</div>
<div>Previous chapters can be found at <a href="http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/viewstory.php?sid=37198&warning=FRM">http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/viewstory.php?sid=37198&warning=FRM</a><br> </div>
<p>Ian braced his back and head against the boulder where Domani had propped him up and stared at his unconscious crewmates who were laid out a little back and away from them in a secondary campsite. </p>
<p>"Damn me,Domani," he said suddenly, breaking the silence. "I be thinking 'twas an exercise in pure stupidity, coming to this planet without a word of by-your-leave."</p>
<p>Pausing in his work of wrestling several small, flat-sided boulders into a make-shift cradle, Domani cast a reproving glance over his shoulder. "I am beginning to think you read the planet bio."</p>
<p>Ian ducked his head, grinning. "Aye, that I did. Nay so very damning of me, was it?"</p>
<p>"Damning? No, but it was naughty."</p>
<p>"Naughty be what I do best, Domani, my bonnie friend. 'Tis to my way of thinking that Dal expects it of me." </p>
<p>"I expect he does." Domani hunkered down, feeding several small twigs into the smokeless fire near the completed rock cradle. "Having read the report, you are aware of the odds of any request to land being granted."</p>
<p>"I be full and truely aware we no be wanted here, aye."</p>
<p>"So then you understand the reason the commander did not give Planet Security warning of his intention of coming planetside."</p>
<p>"I ken the reason, but na the need of coming. -A Aztore has always been a wild card. He can do none of us good."</p>
<p>"It is not our place to understand the commander's need, simply to provide the means of meeting his requirements." Domani wrapped a supporting arm around Ian's waist. "Steady on, now. I am going to move you," he warned, and matched his words and actions, shifting the injured man against his own chest.</p>
<p>"Why do ye no just shoot me and have done with it?" Ian groaned through grinding teeth.</p>
<p>"I do not believe that would meet the commander's requirements as a suitable punishment for this floundered landing," Domani said, easing Ian into the rock cradle. </p>
<p>"What with knowing the great man's mind the way you do, I reckon you can make that call without much worry."</p>
<p>Domani grinned. "It is my purpose to please. Support your back against the rocks while I ascertain the extent of your injuries." </p>
<p>Ian hurled a rebellious glare. "Has anybody told you ye have some damnable mothering tendencies?"</p>
<p>Domani chuckled. "Only you, my friend. Only you."</p>
<p>"Aye, and rightly so. 'Tis a bloody irritating trait in ye, my bonnie friend."</p>
<p>"But welcome?"</p>
<p>Ian met his placid gaze and grinned. "Aye, 'tis most welcome."</p>
<p>"Good." He tugged his mediscan off his belt and activated the tiny box, leaning toward Ian.</p>
<p>"Leave off, already," Ian snapped, waving away the mediscan impatiently. "I dinna want that."</p>
<p>"Ian, I must...."</p>
<p>He hurled a silencing glare. "Just let me...." He snapped, easing his long fingers over his throbbing chest. He gave a tiny push. The raw-edged nerves screamed as if they'd been scraped against coarse grade sandpaper.</p>
<p>He bit his lower lip against the fire searing his body and slumped into himself, riding out the crest while sweat beaded heavily on his face.</p>
<p>"Satisfied?" Domani asked gently.</p>
<p>Breathing slowly, Ian crooked a sheepish glance at his friend. "That was... interesting."</p>
<p>"Do you find self-imposed torture worth your pig-headed position?"</p>
<p>"Mind over matter," Ian muttered hoarsely. "Hurts like bloody hell."</p>
<p>"There is a time and place for holistic practice, Ian," Domani assured him. "But not now. Are you prepared to let me ease your suffering?"</p>
<p>Ian glowered at him. "'Ye be enjoying this overmuch, my friend."</p>
<p>Domani grinned. "Probably. Now, I am going to examine you and you are going to let me. Do you agree?"</p>
<p>"I be getting a choice, is it?"</p>
<p>"Yes, of course you can choose...," Domani said softly, examining his loosely formed fist in relation to Ian's rebellious chin. "...Whether you are conscious or unconscious for the exam. Choose quickly, Ian. I am at the end of my practitioner's bedside manner." </p>
<p>"Ye'd batter an injured mon?" Ian demanded, his brogue thickening. "And here I was thinking we be bosom friends."</p>
<p>"As well we are. I would give my life, such as it is, for yours, and I will batter you bloody to prevent you harming yourself. Now, will you be awake or asleep for my exam?"</p>
<p>"Awake would suit me best," Ian said, looking properly abashed. "'Tis hoping I am, Miramani will be forgiving me this transgression of our faith."</p>
<p>"Your twin is long dead, Ian. It is well past time you released her. Put her to rest."</p>
<p>"'Tis nay our way, Domani," Ian protested. "My sister will be with me always. Her spirit is council to my life. And to my death. 'Tis her prerogative to initiate the healing you would give with your... civilized methods."</p>
<p>"In any other situation, I would honor your beliefs, Ian. But not this time. This time I must override your wishes in consideration of what best protects the crew."</p>
<p>"'Tis understood, me friend." Drawing a slow breath, Ian closed his eyes. "Do what ye must."</p>
<p>Domain chuckled, activating his scanner and moving it slowly over the pale man's torso. "I do not understand you, Ian. You spend your life flying one of man's greatest technological achievements without blinking an eye, yet when it comes to the welfare of your body, you cringe from human advancements as if we mean to do you murder."</p>
<p>"Ye be trying to tell me ye are no?" Ian grumbled, eyeing the scanner with distaste. "So, what says that wee beastie? Will I live?"</p>
<p>"You have three cracked ribs, as you suspected."</p>
<p>Ian's lips curled back from his teeth. "I should have been a medic, mayhap?" </p>
<p>Domani clipped the scanner back onto his belt and leaned back on his haunches. "You realize this means spending time in the regen vest?"</p>
<p>"I dinna feel all that bad, Domani," he protested, not at all comfortable with the idea. "I'm thinking you might just bind me chest tight, hey?"</p>
<p>"Ian..."</p>
<p>"'Twas the way a busted rib was treated on me homeworld. Works as fine as any regen vest..."</p>
<p>"When the victim has several months time to heal, yes. But I need you at peak condition as quickly as possible. We must transport our injured to a more secured area as soon as you are able."</p>
<p>Ian groaned, nodding. "Aye, I ken that."</p>
<p> "Why are you resisting treatment, Ian?"</p>
<p>Ian glanced toward the brilliantly colored trees lining the clearing. "The vest makes me go all fuzzy headed. Obstructs the connections to me intuitions. I am....blinded, after a fashion, if you're seeing me meaning? I can nay trust my voices."</p>
<p>"Most disconcerting for a mystic, I would imagine," Domani allowed. "Unfortunately, your injuries require using the vest. You must aid in defending those who are unable to defend themselves." </p>
<p>"Aye. 'Tis well and truly understood," Ian grumbled, gingerly dragging the medipack into his arms. Using great care not to jostle his ribs, he rummaged through the contents, feeling his disgust climaxing when the offensive garment proved elusive to his search. </p>
<p>He thrust the bag toward Domani, "I be finding naught. Might be ye should try your hand at finding the blasted thing."</p>
<p>Domani gave him a long-suffering glance, then after a quick look through, drew the bulky vest from the medikit. "You really must try to cultivate patience, my friend. Such oversights could be considered most untimely."</p>
<p>Annoyance tightened Ian's mouth. "Domani."</p>
<p>"Hm?"</p>
<p>"Do me a favor?"</p>
<p>"If I can."</p>
<p>Ian smiled. "Bugger off."</p>
<p>Domani tipped his head back, laughing heartily. "Can't do that, my friend. You need me."</p>
<p>"Oh, aye. Like I'm needing a bullet through me head, I'm needing you," Ian sneered and jerked the offensive vest out of Domani's loose grasp, sucking in a straggled breath when his injured ribs retaliated.</p>
<p>"Hurts, does it? Moving quick like?"</p>
<p>Ian cut a glance his way. "I'm thinking ye really enjoy me pain, boy-o."</p>
<p>"Now and then," Domani chuckled. "Yes. Now, let's quit the stalling and get that vest on you, shall we?"</p>
<p>"No way I can be talking you out of this, hey?"</p>
<p>Domani tilted his head, consideringly. "None I can think of. Get into that vest. Now."</p>
<p>Ian hurled a frustrated glare, then, grinding his teeth, he struggled to thread his arm through a sleeve without jostling ribs that were already screaming in protest. </p>
<p>Without success.</p>
<p> Sighing, Domani knelt, balancing on the balls of his feet at Ian's side. "One thing," he said, removing the hated vest from Ian's trembling fist and laid it aside. "The vest works best in direct contact with the injury. So, off with the shirt, mate."</p>
<p>Ian caught Domani's wrist, eyeing him warily. "'Twill nay steal me soul through me very skin, do ye think?"</p>
<p>Domani hesitated. "You don't truly believe that might happen."</p>
<p>"I do no like losing contact with me voices, Domani," Ian said softly. "I be thinking we'll be needing me ESPer talents afore too long."</p>
<p>"If you are unable to give an early alert, we will simply stand a tighter guard," Domani assured him. "The current danger is in your injury and that is not yours to bear alone. None of the crew would begrudge you the time you spend in healing. You do know that, do you not?"</p>
<p>"I be knowing logically I could no prevent the crash, but in my heart, I find myself guilty. I wonder if mayhap I reacted too slow to the danger. I was very much tired. Mayhap I might have reacted quicker if the flight had nay drained me so. Mayhap...."</p>
<p>"You were not at fault, Ian." Domani interrupted firmly. "Leave it at that. In any other man's hands no one would have walked away from that landing. I can assure you of that. Now, are you ready to proceed?" </p>
<p>Ian drew a shallow breath and nodded. "Aye, with your help." </p>
<p>Smiling reassurance, Domani eased Ian's tattered, dove grey shirt from his shoulders and stuffed the discarded garment into the duffel bag. He paused, meeting Ian's watchful eyes. "This may hurt."</p>
<p>"Stuff it, Domani," Ian said with a tight smile. "'Tis sure as hell gonna hurt. Just do it afore I change me mind." </p>
<p>Domani grinned. "If it pleases you." He guided Ian's arms gently into the sleeves and sealed the vest. Keeping a watchful eye on the internal sensors, Domani applied gentle pressure to the damaged ribs, maneuvering them into proper alignment.</p>
<p>Rasping pain rippled through Ian's chest. He sucked a harsh breath through clenched teeth, trying unsuccessfully to suppress a groan.</p>
<p>Domani paused, studying Ian's tight features. "I have almost finished."</p>
<p>"'Tis only a wee, little discomfort," Ian snapped, wiping sweat from his upper lip with a shaking hand. "Finish it, man."</p>
<p>Domani nodded. "It won't be much longer, Ian. Once I activate the stasis field," he coded in the healing field as he spoke, "You shouldn't experience any pain unless some fool hits you. There, now."</p>
<p>The vest activated with a soft purr. His chest tingled, warmed under the healing rays as the pain receded under a numb feeling of well-being.</p>
<p>And a sudden, lurching loss.</p>
<p>Light-headed with the quiet in his head, he grasped Domani's arm to steady himself.</p>
<p>"Are you all right?"</p>
<p>He managed a sickly grin and nodded. "'Tis better already."</p>
<p>"Ian?"</p>
<p>The grin faded, leaving his expression desperately anxious. "I be...alone."</p>
<p>end part 6</p>
<p> </p>
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