In the end Nara choose to have Shayly simply buzz her hair instead of re-weaving it. She clipped the Kurgara braid close to the scalp, leaving it woven. Nara put it, with a sad sigh, into one of her pockets. "It will grow back, better than before," Shayly told her. "Just as Kurgara always come back, stronger for any adversity."
"This is what I like about this girl," Nara told Fox. "She understands the Kurgara way as though she were one."
"It is true," Shayly said. "And if the rumors are true, if Sarasvat has used her connections to bring the Kurgara here? I will go, find a place nearby. Love me some big strong Kurgara." She flashed that sly seductive smile again.
When Shayly was done with Nara, Fox slid over to her seat and let her shave his head as well. His hair was already patchy and their was no point in keeping it. It wasn't like he had much to lose, having only a military butch.
They were walking back towards the crew quarters when there was a binging noise and a holographic head appeared in front of them. "Nara? We've got a security alert. Healer bay 12. Healer called it. One of the Earthsiders. Don't know much else."
Nara and Fox exchanged a look. "I have to go," Nara said.
"So do I," he replied. She gave him an even look and then nodded. They turned and pelted down the hall.
######
Runningbear was still glaring at the two healers, who were doing their best not to show how afraid they were. Their fear was a rush, adrenaline temporarily dampening the headache.
The door slid opened and a man came in. He was thick set, middle aged and dressed in the red and gold trim of their military. "What is going on?" he demanded.
"Bankim, sir," the woman said. "He says we need to help him but..."
"They won't," Runningbear shouted. "I am in pain. Can't you fucking see that?"
"Now, friend," the man called Bankim began.
"I'm not your damn friend," James spat.
"No need to take that tone," Bankim snapped.
"I'm just sick of you all acting like we're such buddies now," Runningbear growled. "You come here, tell us what we can and can't do and act like you are so superior." He raised his fist, months of anger welling up inside him. "Come on, let's see what you're really made of." He glanced at the stun baton in Bankim's hand. "You gonna just stun me. See bout that." He leaped forward.
Bankim sidestepped. He spun the baton but did not stun Runningbear. Instead he trapped his arm in a painful armlock and threw him against the wall, hard. "Is that what you think?" Bankim growled. "That the only way I can beat you is through tech? I've news for you. I can take a barbarian at need. Don't forget." He pushed Runningbear away. "Now, listen. No more threats. The only place it'll get you is in my brig for the rest of your stay."
Runningbear backed away, fearful of another encounter. He gestured at the healers. "Then tell them to help me. I'm hurting."
A dark skinned woman pulled Bankim's shoulder and whispered in his ear. He didn't look happy but he nodded and stepped aside, but it wasn't the woman that came forward. It was Fox.
Runningbear stared at him a long time, trying to gauge whose side Fox was on. Fox returned the gaze evenly, not betraying anything.
"You gotta help me, Fox," Runningbear whined. He hated that his voice betrayed him, but he was getting scared. Not only would they not help him, he'd end up in their brig as well. "Come'on we're brothers, man. Navaho."
In his mind Runningbear saw his dad, tipsy but not really drunk, standing beside their car. Fox's dad talking to him.
"I got my kids. I'll lose them if you bust me," his dad whined.
Fox's dad looking in the window, over his sunglasses at Runningbear. "How old are you?" he asked.
"Fourteen," Runningbear said.
A pair of keys were tossed in the window. "Drive your sister home, would ya? Me and your dad need to talk."
"Remember what my dad always said?"
Runningbear scowled. Was Fox thinking the same thing? "What?"
"Sometimes the help you want and the help you need aren't the same."
"Yeah, the fucker said that to my cousin when he busted her."
"Remember how she sweated, those first few days?"
"Fuck you!" Runningbear yelled, wiping at his own forehead. "Fuck you. I'm not her!"
"No. You're stronger than she ever was. That's why you're gonna beat this. But man you're sweating the same. Hold your hands out."
"No."
"That's an order, sailor," Fox snapped. Runningbear looked like he might hesitate. Then he held out his hand. It shook.
"Oxycodone?"
Runningbear deflated. "Vicodin. Remember I took a fall last year from the mid deck? Hurt my back. The doc gave me a bottle. When it was gone, I was still hurting, so Riker gave me some he had left over from when he had a root canal done. Then Kleppie, then others. It's not their fault. They didn't know and they didn't know others were giving me it either. About six months ago, I couldn't ask anymore. I was on leave and I have this cousin who knew where he could score some and the whole thing just sort of spiraled out of control. I am sorry. I am," he was in tears now. "I thought I could handle it. I thought I was handling it. But my stash, it's on the ship and it's been days..."
"Whenever your cousin was in jail," Fox said. "Dad would call Aunt Magpie. She'd visit every day. Bring some stuff from the clinic. Help with the shakes."
"I didn't know that."
"It was dad that found her. When she overdosed. I don't think I've ever seem him so broke up, ever. Every time he arrested her, he was trying to save her. I know what it looked like to everyone else, but that's the truth, he was trying to save her from herself."
"I don't want to end up like that." It was barely a whisper.
"I'll bet they can do stuff. Stuff that will help. But you have to be honest."
Runningbear sank onto the low stool and nodded. Fox turned away and discovered that Kavinda, the master healer, had arrived while the two had talked. They were all watching him, their faces puzzled. He bit back a snort, not much of what they said had probably made much sense to them. It didn't matter.
"Kavinda," he said. "Do you have access to any information on our medical technology?"
"Some," Kavinda replied. He pulled up a display.
"Narcotics," Fox said. "Used for pain control. But they're highly addictive."
"Yes, yes," Kavinda said, looking at the screen. "Never thought of that. Now though, I see it." He gestured to the healers and then at Runningbear. "The nerve endings are quiet, yes? But look at his brain. Look at the number of receptors? How they are acting?"
The healer nodded. "Endorphin agonists? Primitive," she muttered.
"But ingenious," Kavinda replied. "Without the ability to affect nerves directly, they'd need something. We had similar medicines once. Still such treatments haven't been part of our medical system for centuries, eons even."
"He doesn't need the medicine," Fox snapped. "He needs to break the addiction."
"I know," Runningbear agreed in a quiet voice.
"I am searching our database now," Kavinda said. "We haven't had call for any such treatment in years. I suspect, like radiation poisoning, the cure will be supportive. Yes, now that I know what I am looking for, I can see it. We can maybe dull the worst of the withdrawal, but staying off the stuff will be a matter of will power, I am afraid. Let's get you into a meditank and see what we can do, okay, son?" Runningbear nodded and dutifully began to strip.
"Kavinda, you will need to educate your healers," Fox said. "I, I like to think we have a good crew but addictions aren't that uncommon, either. Not Earthside anyway. And not among young men and women who have stressful jobs. I would be a fool if I didn't think there were more."