Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [27]
Data leaped on the creature’s back with the impact of his full weight at an acceleration no human could achieve.
The creature rolled, dislodging Data, and both jumped to their feet at the same time. Now Thelia was in Data’s range of vision, swinging something. She released it. Another rock hit her attacker solidly on the head. This time the creature’s cry was more of fear or pain than threat. Weakened from loss of blood, it put both hands to its head.
Then it turned and ran away down the trail.
Retaining his audio input at its highest range, lest the thing return with reinforcements, Data turned to Thelia. She was readying another rock in her sling. “Are you injured?” he asked.
For a moment he thought she would fling the stone at him, Then she let her arm relax. “Just scratched and bruised. I am not succeeding well. The gring should not have been able to sneak up on me.”
“Gring? You are familiar with this animal, then?”
“There are packs of them in the highlands, usually 75 no problem except to solitary travelers. They do not like people encroaching on their territory, and they are afraid of fire. It never occurred to me to bring torches, though.”
“There cannot be many such animals on the island,” said Data, “as there does not appear to be anything for them to live on. I think we can assume that the gods placed that one in your way.” He picked up the bloody knife, giving it to her handle-first. “You will need this, I fear.”
“I am sure of it,” Thelia replied, taking it from him warily and cleaning it with a cloth she took from her pocket. Then she looked up at Data. “You did not leave.”
“My way was blocked-just as the gods made the trail too steep and slippery for you to get away from me before. I was considering what to do when I heard you scream.”
“You saved my life … again.” She spoke flatly, as if she did not know what feeling she ought to have.
“You might have defeated it. You are very good with that sling.” “No,” Thelia said firmly. “I never would have-was She squared her shoulders. “It must be the will of the gods. Please forgive me, Data, and continue the Quest with me.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” Data said, attempting a brief smile. “I see that even though you are not flesh and bone, you can be injured,” Thelia said suddenly. Data followed her glance to his hand, and saw that it was leaking again, his temporary repair inadequate to his exertion. Thelia offered, “I have cloth in my pack to make a bandage.”
“That will not be necessary. I can stop the leakage. If I wipe away the fluid, the skin will bond well enough to protect my circuitry until I can repair it properly.”
Thelia found her pack, took out a cloth, and insisted on cleaning away the organic fluid. The conduit was not ruptured, but detached.
Tying it off was not an adequate solution.
Data said, “I do not have the proper tools-and I would ordinarily ask Geordi to help when I cannot use both hands. But perhaps I can reattach the tube.
I lose some function in that hand without the organic component.” “Geordi,” Thelia said. “The one who … built you?” He could hear in her voice that she was still disturbed by his mechanical nature.
“No-but he is a friend,” Data explained. “Perhaps you can help me. The principle is simple enough: remove the retaining ring, stretch the tubing back into place, and tighten the ring over it again.”
“Yes, I see. We can use my knife,” Thelia said. “Perhaps I can pry the ring loose-but how will you tighten it again?”
“I cannot if you pry it loose. There is a tiny slot for a tool to go into. If your knife tip will fit into it, we may be able to loosen and then retighten it.”
It would have taken less than five minutes with proper tools. With only a knife, it took them nearly half an hour in the dim light, complete with losing the retaining ring twice-once down inside Data’s arm, and a second time onto the cave floor. Finally they were