*
Meanwhile, in the forest to the west, Kingston and Maloch were analysing Barsch's lack of improvement. Maloch had once again accessed his built-in medical database, and was currently scanning Barsch from head to toe with a hidden sensor located in his eye. Kingston knelt by his fallen companion with anxiety in his heart as he awaited Maloch's diagnosis. Alza had already fallen asleep, after having explained that her energy might return faster if she rested.
“How is he, Maloch?” Kingston asked in a hushed tone.
The re-mech, finished with the scan, slowly sat back, until his broad back was supported by a large oak tree. His weariness was evident, but he had still taken the time to carefully examine Barsch.
“I am afraid that Barsch has sustained a large amount of second degree burns to his back and severe first degree burns to his arms and neck. In addition, his breathing has become shallow, and I fear that the toxins from the acid rain might be affecting the severity of his condition. I have also noted that he has lost a large amount of blood, and he has suffered nerve damage. He appears to be in a catatonic state, which was most likely caused by his body trying to save his mind from experiencing so much pain at once.”
“I see… how much time does he have?” Kingston did not want to ask, but he had to know.
“With the current rate of degradation and his slowing breathing rate, I am concerned that his wound might prove fatal. If he does not receive adequate treatment, and if my calculations are correct… he has at best a day. At worst… a few hours. Even if he survives, the chance of full recovery is less than ten percent. He will be disfigured, and will suffer for the rest of his life. I recommend that we leave for the cryogenic station as soon as everyone is strong enough to walk, so that we might prevent further degradation.”
Kingston sat there, staring at nothing, while Maloch's words washed over him. “He could die... because of me. I told him to run, but I knew that he would never leave a person in need, because that's who he is. All this time, hoping and praying for my sins to be forgiven... wishing that I could somehow find redemption in him. I was a fool! No. I will not let this happen. I will not fail him again. Even if it kills me, I will save him!”
“Is there anything I can do to improve his chances? Please! There has to be something. I'll do anything!”
Maloch looked at the desperation on Kingston's elderly face, and made a decision that went against everything he had been programmed for.
“If... If you were to donate some of your blood... It might improve his chances. But, I must stress that the transfusion will only work if you have a compatible blood type. I will have to test Barsch's blood type, so please wait a minute.”
“He's A-positive. The same as me. Don't ask me how I know.”
Maloch gave Kingston an sideways glance, but honoured the old man's words and did not press him further. After asking Kingston to lay down beside Barsch, he began to prepare Barsch for the transfusion. First, he cleared away the dirt and dried blood from the teenager's burnt arms, before gently inserting a long, thin needle that emerged from his index finger. With his other hand, he did the same to Kingston, forming a bridge between the two humans. Soon, the blood began to flow freely, though Maloch was careful not to take too much.
The entire procedure took roughly twenty minutes and, after it was done, Kingston was fast asleep. Maloch was pleased to see that some of Barsch's lost pallor had returned, and he engaged sleep-mode soon after. With Kingston and Alza fast asleep, and Maloch off-line, silence settled upon the weary travellers. In the morning, they would race against time to save Barsch, but at that moment, there was peace.
Awakening Page 153