The Legacy of Skipper

Chapter 1: Out of action

OW...

Flashes of pain pierced my left leg as I came to, my eyelids flickering blearily open as the world swam groggily back into existence around me, my mind reluctantly surfacing from dreamland, bringing with it snatchers of memory from the journey here. Ones which mostly involved my limp body being stretchered out of there ASAP, Barley either slithering beside me or coiled up at my side. The journey was shortish-at least, I think it was. I can't remember much of it, as I said.

Speaking of which, where was here? Wincing slightly as I did so, I sat up and peered through  half-open eyes, letting them slowly adjust to the predawn light filtering in through the large rush screen, along what would have otherwise been a south-facing fourth wall. As details became increasingly visible to me, I noticed dark shapes occuping spaces all around me-other patients, I realized. 

Some, like me, were coated in little more than a thin blanket, and lay on straw bale- others had substantially larger beds with more of a framework to them. The patients varied substantially in size and shape; some many times larger than myself, others just fractions of my size. There were all either breathing softly and rhythmically as they slept, or were sitting groggily upright and trying to make sense of the place, just as I was.

 Between each bed , a hammock was suspended, further off the floor (at about my head height) . The occupants were very varied in species- something I could easily tell as the world came further into focus- there might be a Kola's arm dangling out of it, or a joey's leg kicking the air. Above the first level of hammocks, there were niches carved into the wall housing creatures such as Jerboas and small bats. I'm sure I saw a kookaburra in there with a burned wing... Above that, pouches housing fruit bats hung from roof beams (upside down, as ever) like giant chrysalises.  

A gentle hissing sound emanated from the floor to my right-pawed side. I automatically attempted to stand in order to inspect it- and instantly regretted the decision, pain shooting brokenly down my left leg the moment I moved it. Gasping and stuttering in agony (as quietly as possible, to avoid waking any of my fellow invalids) I slowly rolled back onto my mat, pulling the blanket back over my skinny body as if it could provide protection. Fearing the worst, i closed my eyes tightly for a moment as I slowly, gingerly rolled onto my right side.

When they reopened, my eyes were greeted with the welcome sight of Barley, coiled up asleep at my side. Despite myself, the sight made me smile-well, on the inside, at least, because an incident early in my career with SCORPIOM forced my expression into a permeant frown. Much as I could give the unpleasant details here, it's neither necessary nor relevant. What was important at the time, however, was that this snake was not an unpleasant nemesis about to strike in my sleepy, helpless state while the injury (whatever it was) on my left leg stopped me from using my usual forms of martial arts- no, she was a loyal friend, ready to defend me should the need arise. 

The sight of her also reminded me of what brought me here- I must have passed out, since only fragments of the journey remained in my memory. Barley had always been there, either slithering alongside the stretcher or coiled up next to me, always awake and ready to comfort me should the need arise-aha! I thought, sudden realization dawning in my mind like the sun outside-then I winced at what it meant, since it explained why Barley was coiled up asleep instead of already awake and enjoying the dawn light she loves so much. Me? I'm more of a night owl, though I suppose that's not too surprising considering the number of nocturnal missions I've been on. Which reminds me of that time I was in Borneo- now, there's a tale worth telling-

Dammit! I'm going off track again. How could I be so stupid? This isn't worth writing...I should never have started this...Oh, hello Barley! Yes, you have a point...hold on, why am I writing down our conversation? Drat! Excuse me a moment, my dear reader...