Disclaimer: This is a work of fan-fiction. Battle of the Planets is the property of Sandy Frank by way of Tatsunoko. No profit was gained by writing this story.

My deep appreciation to cathrl and Becky for beta-reading numerous drafts of this story. I'd also like to thank the members of Bird Scramble and the BotP mailing list who commented on early versions. Any remaining errors are mine.

This story is set several months after Strike at Spectra. It is the third story in my Fall and Rise of the Condor series and directly follows Rebuilding. My thanks to Springie for the avatar of Jason in glasses.

Heavy angst ahead ...

They were more than halfway up the cliffs when Keyop realized that it wasn't going to work. Jason had started the trip strong despite his injured ankle, limping up the trail using the makeshift crutch and Keyop's shoulder for support. Keyop had dared then to hope that they might actually make it home within the hour - before the team left for the briefing - with enough time to invent an airtight story to explain both Jason's injury and Keyop's absence.

Now, however, well into the second hour, their pace had slowed to a crawl. Jason was in no condition to perfect their story or to discuss anything else. The two crossed into the upper half of the trail at sundown.

It was a glorious sunset, filling the sky with streaks of muted reds and purples, but Keyop scarcely noticed. As the light faded, dusk began to creep from the shadows. Keyop shivered, wishing, not for the first time, that he had worn a jacket.

Far more troubling was Jason's condition. During the hike, his teammate's breathing had steadily grown more labored. Jason's face, once red with exertion, now looked pale. Keyop was starting to suspect that Jason's injury might be more serious than a simple sprain. He spied a large flat rock ahead and steered Jason toward it.

"Few more steps," he encouraged.

Keyop thought he detected a slight nod from Jason but it was hard to tell. His injured teammate nearly stumbled again. Keyop had to hold him tight to keep him upright.

I should call Mark for help. But Jason's finally talking to me. I don't want him to shut me out again.

After injuring his ankle that afternoon, Jason had finally admitted to Keyop what the boy had suspected for weeks. Jason did have a problem – a serious one – his balance just wasn't the same since his implant surgery. And Keyop had promised to keep Jason's secret, agreeing to help him train for the aerials portion of his yearly fitness exam, the exam Jason would have to pass before he would be allowed back on the team. Keyop was finding that his loyalties shifted in rapid succession as he swung mentally from little brother to the Swallow and back.

Jason finally asked for my help. He never asks for help. And he made me promise not to tell … but I owe it to the team to tell them. Especially Mark. What if Jason's newly repaired implant is damaged, too? … but the Chief did give him a clean bill of health. Jason says he can handle it. It's all part of the recovery. He just needs more time to train. And he wants me to train him. I know I can do it … I hope I can do it … but what if I can't? What if he can't?

As soon as they got to the rock, Jason sat down and dropped his head in his lap, panting. Keyop took his pulse, which was far too rapid, and put a hand on Jason's forehead.

"That's it," Keyop declared.

Jason raised his eyes to look at Keyop. He was gasping too hard to speak.

"No more," Keyop shook his head. "Either … urp … doot … I carry you out … or we call for help."

The look of sheer frustration emanating from Jason was more petulant child than older brother. Jason struggled to stand, but Keyop pushed him back down.

"No," Keyop said firmly. "Not going."

Jason glared at Keyop and started to rise again. "I … can … do … this," he rasped.

Keyop grabbed Jason by the shoulders and sat him down, hard.

"You … dehydrated. Can't risk … shock." Keyop stood tall and shook his head at Jason. "You … erp … doop … do too much … might collapse."

Jason gave Keyop a weary look and closed his eyes.

"All right," he panted, falling back on the rock, chest heaving. Jason's utter exhaustion worried Keyop further.

He isn't up to this, Keyop realized. I keep expecting him to be as strong as before. But he's not. Keyop tried to hold the next thought at bay, but it entered his mind anyway. And he might never be again.

Keyop shook his head. If I had known what was going on … I wouldn't have tried to get Jason to chase me. I'm so stupid!

Echoes of his own laughter haunted Keyop now. He had been teasing Jason earlier when he jumped off of a cliff, taunting the older boy to follow him. As soon as his teammate came after him, Keyop had realized that Jason was in trouble. The look on his face …

At least I was there to catch him. Almost. Looking at Jason's swollen ankle, Keyop felt nauseous on his behalf.

I know how weak he is now. I shouldn't have let him talk me into this. He can't walk out. He shouldn't be walking on that ankle at all. With that thought came another, more disturbing thought. He could have gotten himself killed.

Keyop looked at Jason, still spent, collapsed in a heap on the rock. I should talk to Mark. But I can't break Jason's trust. What am I going to do?

He rifled through Jason's backpack in desperation and handed his teammate the last of the water and the only glucose tablet in the first aid kit. Jason took both without comment and lay back down.

As the deep gray of dusk pushed toward night, Keyop sat alone with his thoughts, watching the first evening star dot the sky. Jason's situation was serious, but not critical. When did you cross that line? Before Keyop could give the question much thought, Jason raised his head.

"Now what?" he asked his younger teammate. Jason's voice was surprisingly clear.

"I carry you out," said Keyop. He tried to sound more optimistic than he felt. "Not far." Keyop looked up at the remaining length of trail. He could manage, but it would take time.

Jason shook his head. "No."

Keyop was sure that he had misheard him. "What?"

Jason swallowed, looked up, and locked eyes with Keyop. He spoke in an even firmer tone.

"You're not carrying me out." His voice was steady. "I'll call Mark."

"You … sure?" Keyop asked.

Jason nodded. It looked like Jason was fighting the urge to throw up.

"Go on home," Jason said. "Pretend this never happened." Keyop noticed then that Jason still sounded winded. "I'll think of something."

Keyop heard the desperation beneath the words. He shook his head at Jason. "Not leaving."

Jason struggled to give Keyop a proper Condor glare. "Whatever."

Keyop crossed his arms defiantly.

"G-2 to G-1, acknowledge," Jason's voice was faint but steady.

"G-1 here. Glad you finally decided to check in. We were about to send out a search party. Our briefing just got out. Man, it was long. You're lucky you didn't have to attend. It was boring as hell. Is Keyop with you, by any chance?"

Jason ignored the question. "I need you to pick me up. Now." It was a command.

There was a moment of silence on the other side. Jason was known to grouse about being second-in-command. On the rare occasion, he was even insubordinate. But he never bossed Mark around. Even over the wrist communicator, Keyop could hear both astonishment and trepidation when Mark replied.

"Uh, okay. We're just … finishing up. Where are you? Are you okay?"

Jason hit the faceplate of his bracelet, activating the Bird Scramble.

"I'm at Black Cliffs. I fell rock climbing and …" Jason paused. His breathing was growing more labored the longer he spoke. "I … hurt my ankle. Think I broke it. Tell the Chief … I might need him to reset it," he added, in a tone both weary and resigned.

There was a pause in the conversation, then Mark's voice. "All right. The Chief's heading to the local clinic now with Princess. They'll clear the place out and secure it. Don't worry." Mark was back in command mode.

Jason continued as if Mark hadn't spoken. "You can drive as far as …" he winced before continuing, "Wood Hollow Road. But you'll need to …"

"Got it, Jason. Tiny and I will pick up a stretcher first and then we're on our way," Mark said and clicked off.

Keyop closed his eyes. Broken? Reset? Jason didn't tell me … What else is he not telling me?

Now that Jason's brief conversation with Mark was over, he turned on Keyop.

"Go home," Jason hissed, crossing his arms.

Keyop held his ground. "Can't." He folded his arms in return and added a glare.

"I don't want you here."

The Condor could sound menacing when he tried – and he was trying hard now – but the events of that afternoon had taught Keyop something important. If you knew where to look, you could break through Jason's posturing. This time, Keyop could hear genuine fear beneath the bravado.

He's scared, Keyop realized. He's scared and he doesn't want me to know. Keyop puffed out his chest. Well, too bad, Jason, you're stuck with me now. You almost died during our strike at Spectra. You might have the Chief fooled that surgery fixed your implant, but I know better. Something's wrong with your balance and you can't fly right. And now you have a broken ankle. You're hurt and afraid. Well, this time, I'm not letting you go through it alone.

"Not leaving." Keyop folded his arms and sat down on the ground.

"Damn it, Keyop," Jason said, his voice rising in desperation. "Why are you doing this? How are we going to explain why you're here? Mark's used to me lying to him. He's going to kick your ass for not calling him sooner."

Keyop glared at Jason. "I … can deal … with Mark."

Jason turned away from Keyop and laughed mirthlessly. "You can't lie your way out of a paper bag." He breathed heavily. "What're you going to say … that you were off with a girl?" Jason coughed and spat.

Keyop shrugged and gave Jason a hard look. When he spoke next, his stutter was noticeably absent.

"I'm not leaving you here alone."