By the sound from the door, Stone was in a hurry, and not over-careful with Lady's wheelchair when it came to corners. She was being damned quiet. Unnerving; the woman never shut up. Hole in the jaw? He strained to look, but what he could see was a dim green, and black around the edges, and he couldn't swear it was the door.
Clear and stationed, Stone informed Near, panting. We'll need phlebotomy equipment, he's lost... a lot of blood. I'm A-positive, I don't know what type--
No idea. Montag thought he might be coming across as a bit drunk. The room was spinning and bobbing. He needed to hold himself together till they... ...Phantasme?
They'll see to you first, said Stone curtly.
No. The test, Montag reminded him, shivering. Why was the simple act of speaking such a labor? Your objections - obvious, I was there in the garage, too, but... doesn't matter about that. Only matters what'll work in future.
The mission... look, could you think a little past your newest attempt to get yourself killed for once? demanded Stone. You're damned handy. On a regular basis. I don't know if anyone's told you?
Yes, someone had. I needed you today, Bigwiggins had told him.
Given the subject that had been under discussion - and given that it was Bigwiggins - he had probably not been thinking of utility, per se. Montag, Matsui, Seiji Sako... simply bring your sweet self, stick around, and that's all he thinks he needs...
And it's the company of Sako that Bigwiggins has. Working on him, twisting him-- against Near (who needed others, in a way L never had, even if "apologies" and "thank you" were about the extent of his vocal expression of it; Near, too, needed Montag, not merely on immediate practical terms)--
--Bigwigs. Near. Tell them... very thoughtless of me. No long-term thinking...
No fixing it now. I've done all I can.
