ebel field-illuminants. Good,
that would give them a break!

He took advantage of the safety to relieve himself, then he went back
into the cave to check on his patient. Tarlac didn't seem to have
moved, which Dave thought was probably just as well; at least that way
he wouldn't irritate his injuries. But he swallowed hard when he
pulled the blanket away from Tarlac's back, then had to run outside
before he threw up all over their refuge. He'd read about stingweed
poisoning in his first aid and survival courses, even seen holos in his
father's medical texts--but they hadn't prepared him for the sight and
smell of it in someone's living flesh.

He wiped his mouth when he finished, the bitter taste in his mouth an
echo of his bitter thoughts as he re-entered the cave. He'd have to do
better than this, if he wanted to keep the two of them alive! He went
to the spring for water, put some on the lamp to heat, then braced
himself and knelt beside his patient. Tarlac's wounds were oozing
thick greenish-yellow fluid that would have to be cleaned off, as often
as Dave could force himself to endure the sight and rotten-cabbage
stench. At least the medikit had surgical gloves, he thought as he put
a pair on, so he wouldn't have to touch the stuff or risk getting the
poison into his own system through a cut or hangnail.

Tarlac woke to a smell so bad it made him gag, and eyes that felt glued
shut, so he couldn't see whatever seemed to be scrubbing his chest with
a metal brush dipped in acid. He started to protest, trying to sit up,
but the only result was a wave of dizziness and nausea. When he gave
up on that and tried to rub his eyes, the scrubbing stopped and hands
grabbed his wrists.

"Don't--you'll just make it worse." Dave was unpleasantly surprised at
how easy it was to restrain his patient. "Your eyes are all crusted
over--I'll need to soak them to soften the crusts." He put a warm, wet
cloth over the Ranger's eyes, then went on. "I'll finish cleaning you
up while those soften. I did your back while you were asleep."

The scrubbing started again, and Tarlac let out a yell.

Dave stopped. "I'm being as careful and gentle as I can, sir. I don't
want to hurt you, but I do have to get you clean." He frowned. "It
won't make you better, though. All it'll do is keep you from getting
worse as fast--but there's nothing else I can do."

Tarlac sighed, managing not to groan. "Your best is all I can expect,