Where the Besm Are

Posted on Thu 3rd May, 2018 @ 11:55pm by Purulence Addams

1,022 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Brushfires
Location: Pearl with a Chainsaw
Timeline: MD1, 2100 hours

Purulence returned downstairs a few minutes later in a white sundress with a rainbow-colored hem. "So, Chainsaw?" she asked Ischemia, "or is there some other place where lots of Besm hang out that also serves food?"

"That's the only one I know, but I haven't made a study of Besm. In fact, I don't know that I've ever met one. They'd have an interesting case for joining the Federation, or for not joining. They're provisional only right now, and -" she broke off. "Sorry, that's the negotiator and lawyer in me. I know you'll help me see them as real people. It's a knack you have, but don't let it go to your head that I recognized a good point."

"Um... okay," Purulence replied as they walked. "Is the provisional part on their end, or does the Federation have some reason why the Besm are only provisional members?" As far as she was aware, the Federation usually greeted space-faring civilizations with open arms, and provisional status was unusual.

"I think a little of column A and a little of column B," her sister answered. "They reproduce through cloning, and you know how the Federation worlds look at that. On the other hand, for them, it's really the only option, and their society is thriving. They aren't super-humans. They don't do genetic manipulation to increase any abilities at all, only to weed out diseases. In fact, as I recall, they don't ever have any kind of advanced mental capabilities, extra sense, or the ability to read minds, including each other's.

"On the part of the Besm, I'm not sure. I haven't discussed it with any of them I've met, but my impression is that the majority of them want to come back into the fold, as it were. Originally, they left Earth because of major discrimination against women. Most of them were highly intelligent women from Asian countries, and they ... hmmm, I guess you'd say they stole an entire orphanage of children, while they were at it. A few men were included, as well, but there wasn't enough of a gene pool, and that's when they decided on cloning. If they -" Ischemia broke off. "Oh, this is almost worse than the lawyer side; now I'm in lecture/briefing mode. Minus one point to you for asking me a question that brought that on!"

"But if I hadn't wanted the detailed explanation, I wouldn't have asked for one," Purulence said. "Relax. Your story about the Besm was fascinating to me."

They'd arrived at Pearl With a Chainsaw, and both sisters simultaneously took a deep breath before entry. Realizing it, they burst into laughter. "Another Addams trait," Schemy said, at last. "Always take a deep breath before entering a lion's den."

"Because lion breath is at least as bad as dog breath," Purulence affirmed.

Ischemia snickered and reached for the door handle. "I believe Besm are much nicer and smell better than either dogs or lions," she said. "Besides, I'm getting hungry enough to fight a lion for its dinner. Let's do this."

"I'm sure there's a pan of steaming potstickers with our names on it," Purulence agreed. They went in.

The first thing Purulence always noticed about Chainsaw was the subtle scent of jasmine in the air. Why that was, she had no idea; most everyone else she knew of remarked on the food aromas. As she mused on that, one of the orange-haired, kimono-clad sisters bowed to them. "Addams sisters," she said. "Welcome. Will Dr. Addams be joining you?"

"Only in her dreams," Purulence said. "She's gone to bed. Do you have a table for two?"

"If we don't have space, we will make space," their hostess said. "Come with me." She led them downstairs to the little pavilion where Enlightened Master Kong sat upon his lotus. "Is this acceptable?" the hostess asked.

"Very much so," Ischemia said, bowing slightly. "Perhaps this setting will provide some enlightenment to our cloudy minds." As they were seated, she wondered how to ask about the Besm who might have been in Sickbay today ... or even this week. Maybe being direct was the best approach. "I'm sorry if I seem intrusive, but have any of your sisters been sick lately?"

"Sick?" the hostess echoed. "No." She paused. "Heartsick, perhaps, but we are all well."

Purulence exchanged glances with Ischemia. "We think our sister is heartsick, too, but she doesn't want to talk about it. All we know is that she is heartsick because of Besm patients, and the Besm people here are the only ones we know well."

"The only ones we know at all," Ischemia amended. "I heard there was a family on the ship that barely made it into dock here. Did they ... were they injured?" It was very uncomfortable, knowing nothing and fishing around for something. "Chlamydia's definitely been upset ... hurt ... by something at work ... and we don't know how to help her."

Whatever one might think of the Addams family, the sisters stuck together. If something or someone wounded one of them, the others became her shields, her defenders, her avengers, whatever was needed. This time, they didn't know what or who had hurt Chlamy.

"What happened? Why is your family heartsick?" Ischemia asked at last. Maybe this would give them the clue they needed, at last. "If you can tell us. I truly don't mean to pry into your business."

"The Winters sisters served on Samurai," the hostess said in a hushed tone. "They... lost five sisters--half of their creche. It has been a devastating day for them, and we sorrow with them."

Purulence stared at the Ripper sister in shock, and then she looked at Ischemia again, her expression horrified. "Five? All in one day? I can't even imagine."

Shaking her head, Ischemia replied, "It's no wonder the doctor is bruised. I'm guessing she was coroner ... and facing the survivors ...." She shook her head again.

"Thank you for telling us, honored sister. We will order pot stickers while we think about what to do." For a diplomat, Ischemia's skills were sorely lacking this evening.

 

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