Chapter Text
“He doesn’t like the dream.”
“We told him he wouldn’t like the dream.”
“We tried to keep him from it. The rest was nice while it lasted, hm? You forgot about the dream.”
“You can never forget the dream.”
“Now it’s back. And you get to have it again. And again. And again.”
“Forever.”
“Forever.”
“Not forever.” It was a different voice. A voice of reason. Inland Empire. The Limbic System hissed in response.
“No… Not forever. The clock turns. The sun sears. The machine stirs.”
“Time to wake up.”
Harrier Du Bois groaned as the blaring noise of his alarm woke him from his slumber. The bright light hurt his eyes, but not as much as it usually did. He was a bit impressed by how much easier things were to process in the mornings when he wasn’t hung over.
It took him a few seconds to turn his alarm off, but the grumbling noises around him told him it was a few seconds too late. He had been staying in Precinct 41’s infirmary in the days after The Hanged Man case. He still couldn’t quite remember where he lived, and with his leg wound and lack of a vehicle, he wouldn’t be able to get to the station to work. Not that he had any work up to this point. Due to his injuries on his most recent case, he had not been given any work. That is until yesterday.
He sat up and rubbed sleep from his eyes. He could do this. He just needed to do it. He took a deep breath and stood. Pain shot up his leg and he screwed his eyes shut.
“Walk it off.” His Endurance told him.
“We’ve had much worse.” Pain Threshold agreed.
He nodded to himself. He was fine. He would have a slight limp, but he would make it. He had a case to solve.
He stepped out of his curtained off area into the main infirmary. On the other side of the curtain stood Nix Gottlieb, the lazareth.
“Oh, good. You’re awake.” He didn't seem as pleased as his words would have indicated. He quickly glanced the officer over before continuing. “Your alarm woke up the whole precinct. If you’re as set on this case as you were yesterday, I’d recommend getting out of my infirmary as quickly as possible.”
“Or if you’re not. He would just prefer you out of his infirmary.” Drama told him.
Harry nodded and began to limp his way to the main hall. He would be able to get his debrief there.
As he rounded the corner to the main hall, he noticed a very familiar flash of bright orange. A smile formed on his face without him realizing, a real one, unlike The Expression was. He suddenly found himself able to move just a bit faster.
“Looks like Captain Sober’s upright again.” A familiar voice called from across the atrium.
He looked away from Kim to find the source of the voice, locking eyes with its owner almost instantly.
“Jean Vicquemare.” His Reaction Speed reminded him.
“Jean.” He said simply before glancing over to Kim. The man looked pleasantly surprised to see him up.
“You look like shit.” Jean said, redirecting Harry’s focus.
“I just woke up.” He said tiredly.
“Bullshit.” Jean retorted. “It takes you more than an hour to pull yourself out of bed on a good day.”
“That was the old you. This is the new you.” Rhetoric chimed in.
“I told you before, I’m a clean slate.” Harry said, beginning to limp past him.
“Just because you have amnesia doesn’t excuse you from your typical bullshit. You’re a drunk, and you’ll only ever be a drunk.” He said, following behind him.
“Don’t respond. You’re almost to the desk.” Composure encouraged. Harry listened, though the last few steps were agonizing.
“Good morning, detective.” Lieutenant Kitsuragi said as he got close enough. “I’m surprised to see you upright, let alone working on a case.”
“How did he know we had a case?” asked Drama.
“How did you know I was assigned a case?” Harry repeated faithfully.
“Well, there are many reasons, not the least of which is this.” He held up the paper Harry didn’t realize he was holding. “I’ve been assigned my first case with Precinct 41. My partner for the case is listed as one Lieutenant Double-Yefreitor Harrier Du Bois.” Harry couldn’t hide the excitement on his face, and the small smile on Kim’s face told that it did not go unnoticed. “I suppose they wanted to give me a familiar face to work with on my first case.”
“Two.” Jean butted in. He was also holding a case debrief. He looked up at Harry. “As your Satellite Officer, I’m accompanying you two.”
“He didn’t sound happy about it.”
“Yes, two familiar faces.” Kim acknowledged with a short nod. Jean was barely concealing his eye roll.
“Well, I’m sure we’ll be done with this case in no time!” Harry chimed in, trying to ease the tensions. “With the three of us, there’s nothing stopping us!”
“You.” Jean stated bluntly. “You will be what’s stopping us. Not only will you be slowing us down with your usual antics, you can’t walk, for Christ’s sake.”
Harry frowned. “I walked here, didn’t I?”
“Yes, and you will be walking to my motor carriage. I would prefer not to waste any more time.” Kim said pointedly, ending the conversation before it escalated further. “I will brief you on the case when we get on the scene.”
“Right.” Harry nodded, a bit bashfully.
The three left the RCM building and slowly made their way to Kim’s Coupris Kineema.