#dkota

True to his nature the Doc's recount of what had occurred was void of emotional investment. It simply was. At least he used his name and not 'subject'. This time.

"Thorstyr's aether was already something of a mystery. I've long since suspected it a common condition of those born, 'hybrid'. A genetic limitation much like the Garlean. The infliction he suffered was dark in nature. His disrupted aether combined with the cleansing would have terminated his life." Karma sat up and poured a glass of whiskey sliding it over to Red before taking the rest of the cobra infused bottle across the room to Greyson. "Forgive me Doc but I'm failin' to see how this was a success", Red countered, downing the glass in one pull. Spectacles adjusted and towel set aside Semex went on to explain further. "The corruption is now dormant. Trapped within his aether, but non-affecting as far as present tests have shown. You see white crystal... never mind... "

The confusion on Red's face was mirrored in everyone else's as well. Was Thor cured or not? The Doc exhaled, audibly annoyed at the ignorance of his inferiors. Holding up a finger he turned and went out to the patio, returning with two flower pots and one empty container. Setting them on the table he separated the pots, the empty one dead center. "Were Thorstyr to draw upon his own aether, given the manner in which he's cut off from the flow, he would surely die. Thus he neither replenishes it, nor de-pleats it. What exists cycles within itself, maintaining his present form. His existence if you will. Sure a bit trickles in and out, but not to the degree most know it." Both the white and black rose were gestured to. "Light and dark. Too much of one or the other and you're lost to it. And yet, with proper aetheric flow it is always possible, though painful, to cleanse one or the other and restore balance." This time only the black rose was displayed. "This is the void. It feeds off aether. Given his unusual circumstances, the corruption ought to have seen Thorstyr lost to us. However, as we could could not cleanse it without killing him we instead adjusted his aether." Semex reached up to his own ear and tapped the side where an earring ought to be. "Vacant crystal accessories serve as a storage of aether for the void to regularly pull from. Similar to what he's used previously but tailored to draw it inward at timed intervals. Essentially feeding the corruption just enough to sustain it and keep it amiable, but not so much as to enable it the power to break free of its confinement."

Red rubbed the back of his neck, "Doc. Is he fixed or not?"

Absolute neanderthals. Semex sighed and threw up his hands. "In a manner of speaking. Provided he keeps the crystals charged, the corruption has been modified in such a way that it should remain dormant and sated. Co-existing within his form with the aether that drives him unaffected." No one liked the uncertainty. Should. Surely there had to be a way to separate it and get rid of it for good. Though if there were, such skills were lost to this lot. It was confusing and frankly it gave the outlaw a right and proper headache. "Fine. I'll head in to see him now. We can discuss that hoopla later", Red said, half way to the hall before Semex held up a halting hand. "I'm afraid that won't be possible." "And why not?" The Doc looked, matter of factly at Red, "Because the patient is in a coma."

And we're back to subjects and patients. "The fuck Doc? Ya couldn'ta led with that?"

The pair went off down the hall, leaving the rest of the crew behind to twiddle their thumbs and wait. The few present anyway. Where the other half had wandered off to was still anyone's guess. Meanwhile on some unconscious plane of existence, Thor and Dkota were in the thick of it, full sail with a vicious sea monster in pursuit. Bag pipes began to scream as the conflict drew closer. Though save for the pair of them, no other crew seemed present. Thor's voice bellowed out from the helm, "Hard-a-port! Let 'em have it booger!" "Ayeaye Papa", she cried out. The fuse was lit and Dkota plugged her ears, ducking down until the canon fired off. A single shot was no match for the creature's strength and speed, and it broadsided amidship, sending the young miqo'te overboard, sinking into the depths of the ocean.

Diving in without a second thought, Thor swam hard and fast, occasionally reaching out his hand in an effort to grasp Dkota's.

Gone was the sea monster. Gone was the ship. Gone was any sound or sense of reason. All that remained was his daughter, just out of reach. Her voice a muffled whisper. Her words wise beyond her handful of years.