March 3rd, 2004
Iraq
2nd Division Army Base, Infirmary
"OUTTA THE WAY! WE NEED DOCTORS NOW!"
"OH MY GOD!"
"SOMEONE GET DOCTOR LUKE IN HERE!"
Two rescue soldiers lift an unconscious woman off of a gurney and place her on the infirmary's operating bed. The two covered in blood from the woman's gruesome injury. Her army fatigues and face covered in blood, as well as dirt. Doctor Luke enters the room, putting another patient on hold to see what was going on. Luke immediately notices the woman's right hand is missing. A seared wrist of flesh and bone hang off the side of the bed.
"Good lord! Is this General Lynch?" He asks running over.
"Yes doctor. She was hit up close by a grenade. We were raiding a weapons safe house and they jumped our squad from behind. She's been going in and out of consciousness." Said one of the soldiers.
"We also have also have 1st degree burns along the forearm and a possible concussion." Reported a nurse a she rolled over an I.V.
With the combination of bright lights and loud voices, Becky Lynch opens her eyes wide, pains tearing through her brain. Her vision quickly switching between double and triple. With her head too strained to move, she rolls her eyeballs to look around. Doctor Luke lifts her arm to inspect it, allowing Becky to see her right hand completely gone. The sight makes Becky want to scream, but she begins to dry heave instead.
"Nurse we need oxygen and anesthesia, quickly. You're going to be okay General." Luke assured her.
Another doctor gives Becky an oxygen mask to calm her down while the sedative is applied through needle by the nurse. As the doctors remove her fatigues to operate, Becky stares into a light, one that's not from the operating room. As it gets brighter, her mind fades away.
After what felt like an hour, Becky opens her eyes and immediately sits up. Laying in bed at her childhood home in Dublin, Ireland. The sun shining bright as birds soar through the sky. Becky blocks the sun with her eyes, and sees her right hand fully healed.
"The hell?"
"BECKY! COME ON CHILD, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE LATE!" Yells an old man from downstairs.
With a familiar voice yelling, Becky feels herself, realizing she's dressed in jeans, a thermal shirt and track jacket. The same outfit she wore when she left for the army. She jumps off the bed and runs to the bathroom mirror. Shocked after seeing her head with a buzz cut. The same hairstyle she had when she left for the army.
"Am I dead?" She whispers in horror.
She falls back against the wall, biting her thumb to keep from panicking. The old man bangs on the bedroom door.
"YOU OKAY IN THERE CHILD!"
Becky recognizes the voice and rushes to the door. She swings it open to find her 68 year old grandpa stood in his pajamas with his coffee and newspaper.
"Granda! What am I doing here?!" She asks, frantically shaking him.
He smacks her softly over the head a few times with the paper to get her to stop.
"What's wrong with ya child?"
"I...don't know." She replied settling down.
"Well hurry up then, Gretchin wants to see ya before ya leave. Don't forget to bring ya bags."
"MARVIN, IS SHE OKAY?" Yells Gretchin from downstairs.
"BAH, SHE'S FINE. MIGHT BE A LITTLE HUNGOVER THOUGH!" He yells back.
Marvin smacks Becky with the paper once more before heading downstairs. Everything felt like deja vu. She picks up her bag and makes her way down the steps. Observing everything to get a grasp on the situation. Wondering what will happen if this plays out.
"If I remember correctly, granny made me french toast with jam biscuits. Granny was wearing a green nightgown."
She walks into the kitchen, seeing the exact plate of food that ran across her mind. Gretchin sets the table in her green nightgown as Becky takes a seat. Pale as a ghost while she glares at her breakfast. Gretchin walks over and feels Becky's head.
"You sick girl? I can get ya some tonic."
"I'm fine granny, just a little hysterical."
"Well eat up child. It'll be the last bit of decent food you have." Joked Marvin as he flipped through the paper.
Becky sat still, trying to remember what happens next. If she's correct, her ride came before she started eating. So she decides not to eat to see what happens.
"Something wrong with the food?" Asked a concerned Gretchin.
"No its just..."
Not wanting to offend her granny, she carefully cuts of a piece of french toast. Her ears perked up. As she raises it to her mouth, a loud car horn beeps outside. Becky darts to the window and peeks outside, seeing the bus to the airport.
"I fuckin' knew it." She quietly mutters.
"Well you went and took too long. I'll pack this to go." Said Gretchin.
Marvin slowly rises from his chair and hugs his granddaughter.
"Be careful girl. Do us proud."
Gretchin makes her way over and hugs Becky.
"Call us as soon as you get there. Kick some ass and find a good man while you're at it."
Becky hugs her back, only laughing in response. Unsure of what's about to happen. Becky picks up her bag and walks to the door. Taking one last look at her grandparents.
"Love you guys."
Marvin and Gretchin wave goodbye as Becky opens the front door. The bright light returns as Becky takes a deep breath, walking into it.
She opens her eyes once again, waking up in the infirmary. Inside of a personal area surrounded by curtains. The doctors talking sports, from the outside. Still weary from the drugs, she raises her arm to find her right hand gone. Bandaged up after a successful surgery. After reality starts to kick in, a couple of tears fall down her cheeks. She wasn't going to break down, but what else can you do after realizing you lost a limb.
"General Lynch you're awake!" Said Doctor Luke walking in.
He makes eye contact with Becky, seeing the red, puffy eyes. As many times as Luke has been through this, it never gets any easier. At least in this case, the person made it out alive.
"Thank you." Said Becky in a low tone.
"You're very much welcome General."
"Please stop with the General crap." She snapped back, sounding annoyed.
Luke stands silent while scratching his chin. Becky falls back onto her pillow, angry, but throwing it at the wrong person.
"I'm sorry. I'm just so lost. I thought I was going to die. Then I had this weird dream. My mind is a complete wreck right now."
"No, no I understand. You wouldn't be the first to spaz on me like that. I'm just happy you're okay. Others have been very unfortunate to lose more than just a hand."
"Yeah...I know."
"On the plus side, you've been granted a discharge." Said Luke with enthusiasm.
"For what? I aint got nothing to go home to. Both my granda and granny are dead. Haven't talked to my brother in years. This is all I know. It's all I got. What do I do know?"
"Whatever you want to. I've known you for 3 years Gener-I mean Becky. Everyone has nothing but great praise for your work ethic and dedication. I'm sure there's a place for you back home."
Even with the great words, Becky kept her red gaze on the ceiling. Crippled physically and mentally, she ponders on what the future would hold.
November 16th, 2004
Brooklyn, New York
Becky Lynch's Apartment
Becky exits her room, brushing dust off her security guard uniform. The right sleeve tucked in to hide her arm. While tieing up her hair, the smell of hot cheese and steak wafted through the air. Her two bedroom place was built above a pizza shop, which her roommate owned. A smell that was welcoming, or on most days sickening. Grabbing her bag and badge, she heads downstairs into Insane Zayn's Pizza.
"Morning Sami."
"What's up red!" Greets Sami, rolling up a cheese steak.
Becky just shrugs and takes a seat at the counter. It was early, so Sami was doing prep work with another employee. Sami always made her lunch for work. They met through one of her old squad mates, Rudy Zayn, his brother. Sami and Becky started off dating, but kept it mutual as they appreciated their friendship more. Sami being the emotional anchor she needed. Sami bags up her food with chips and puts it on the counter.
"There you go. Provolone cheese steak with wheat roll, tomato, pickles, and just a 'tiny' bit of hot sauce." He said, emphasizing tiny with his fingers.
"Stop playing around, you know I like it spicy." She replied grabbing the bag and heading off.
"I know. You leave the bathroom smelling 'spicy' way too often."
"You know you love it!"
After her 30 minute bus ride to work, she enters the Layfield Exchange building. Your typical place of business where men in suits walk around like hot shit. Why they needed security, who knows. It was just a job that Becky could do with one hand. At the front desk of the lobby sits her co-worker, Jerry Lynn. A recent divorcee who was lucky not to get stuck with alimony. Becky flops into the chair next to him.
"What's up Jer?"
"Same ol' shit. A guy crashed into the Dunkin' Donuts across the street this morning. Other than that, I've been playing Tetris all day. Ready to get the fuck outta here."
"I hear that."
As the elevators open up, the sound of chatter increases. A group of men exit, headed by the owner of the building, Bradshaw Layfield. Flanked by his assistant, Gail Kim.
"Alright gentleman, I thank you for your time. I promise you, this new private military will be competing with the WWE in no time." Said Bradshaw with the biggest smile possible.
"It better be Layfield. We're still sinking money into this robotics research you haven't brought back results for."
"We're gonna have a result on that soon. Don't worry I got this."
The group of men make their exit, and the smile drops from Bradshaw's face. Letting out a huge moan, he turns to Gail for hope. Both being close enough for Becky to hear the conversation.
"Please tell me we got good news on that guy with the missing leg." He asked with a hand over his face.
"Unfortunately he got cold feet and backed out at the last minute. However the old man with the hip we replaced last month is doing well. He's walking without a cane and is able to lift decent sized objects."
"Whoopty doo. We need more than a senior citizen who can finally do his chores. Do you understand my ass is on the line here? I'm going to be a GOD DAMN LAUGHING STOCK!"
"Mr. Layfield, please lower you voice. You're attracting unwanted attention." Said Gail politely.
A few people walking through lobby turned their heads but kept to their business as Bradshaw huffed and puffed. He straightens his suit and heads outside to his limo, leaving Gail. She lets out a sigh and heads to the elevator.
"Hey Jer, I'm gonna be right back." Said Becky getting up from her seat.
"Where you going? My shift is about to end!"
"I'll be back! Eat my food if you want!" She shouted as she darted to the elevator.
Gail jumps back as Becky hops in before the doors closed.
"Can I help you?" Asked Gail a little scared.
"I uh, I heard about a thing where you guys were replacing body parts with metal ones?"
"It's much more than that, but yes. Do you know someone looking to volunteer?
Becky unrolls her sleeve and exposes her right arm.
"Yeah, me."
The next day...
"You sure about this?" Asked Sami as he flipped through a contract.
He sat at the table while Becky paced back and forth in the living room. Gritting her teeth and clenching her only fist.
"Yes I'm sure. Do you know what this means? I can get my hand back. I could drive again, fight again. Work a real job."
"That sounds nice, but can you trust a bunch of suits? These guys could do irreversible damage to your body, and get away with it."
Becky walks over and leans on the table. Getting very close in Sami's face.
"Sami, this is what I've wanted. If you lost something so valuable, something you didn't want to lose. Why would you not want it back?"
Sami could tell she was all in on this surgery. Her nails digging through the table. She wasn't asking for permission, but it helped that her best friend was aware.
"Alright, just promise me you'll watch yourself. I don't need to go looking for another roommate."
Becky runs around the table and squeezes him, knocking them both to the floor. She grabs the contract and takes off out the door.
"Oww, my back." Groans Sami.
Jumping off the bus and into the Layfield Exchange building, she approaches a waiting Gail and Bradshaw. Waving to Jerry as she stood in the lobby.
"Good morning Ms. Lynch. Glad to see you're so excited. This should be beneficial to all parties involved."
"Are you kidding, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I also thank Mr. Layfield for this opportunity."
Bradshaw flipped through a folder, taking small glances at Becky.
"I must say my girl, you have a pretty impressive resume. Four star general and purple heart. Trained in Brazilian MMA and Krav Maga. Proficient in hand to hand combat, turning anything you grab into a weapon. Tactical arms expert, able to disassemble a light machine gun in 30 seconds. All of that gone because you lost a hand. How sad."
Bradshaw snaps the folder shut and hands it to Gail. He slowly glides towards Becky, making her brace herself. Towering over Becky, he removes his hat. A stare so cold that it might destroy a soul.
"Are you legit as some flimsy piece of paper says you are?"
"Try me."
Becky with cat like senses, notices his arm twitching. Knowing a uppercut is coming, she sways back and Bradshaw throws his punch, completely missing the mark. She ducks low and dead lifts him on her shoulders. Holding him up without breaking a sweat. The people walking around stopped in awe. Jerry in all of this, sat there playing Tetris.
"So is that legit enough, or do I need to drop you."
Bradshaw starts laughing and hops down.
"Becky Lynch, I think this may be the beginning of a beautiful money making relationship."
Everyone gets in Bradshaw's limo and head to a specialized doctor's office. A woman by the name of Dr. Plen greets them, and head to the lower floors, entering the lab. As they walk through the huge room, Becky gets a glimpse at the few pieces of robotics on display.
"We've been developing everything from limbs, organs and potentially a fully functioning brain. Although there's a lot of legal issues with that getting tested." Said Plen.
"So how does all of this work?"
"Well Ms. Lynch, we'll reopen the wound, and place a slightly thick disk that we'll connect to your nervous system. You'll be able to control every part of the robotic hand like a normal one. The hand will be detachable, and a skin graph will be made as well."
"All right, lets do this."
4 hours later...
"Wake up Ms. Lynch."
Becky opens her eyes, still weary from being knocked out. She turns her head, seeing the small tray of bloody instruments used to operate. Dr. Plen walks over and helps Becky sit up.
"Ms. Lynch, how are you feeling?"
"Dizzy. Very dizzy."
"Take your time. Be happy to know the surgery was a success."
Becky looks at her arm to see the gray robotic hand. Flipping her hand back and forth to observe it. It looked like a normal hand, even felt like one. She uses the new hand to touch her face. The cold metal sending a shiver down her spine.
"If you're feeling better I would like to run a few tests." Said Plen while typing at a computer.
Plen has Becky lift a few dumbbells of different weights. Punch through a few wood, aluminum and glass boards. Doing basic exercises as well so Plen could test the hand's limit. Afterwards, Plen calls Becky over to the computer.
"Ms. Lynch, everything was a success. You've taken to the hand quickly, working with it very well. I'd say you're ready to go."
Becky hugs Plen, crying her eyes out.
"Thank you doctor. I don't even know what to say."
"Thank you was enough Ms. Lynch. Just take care of it. Feel free to see me for any problems and my team will continue to make updates. Also, the skin graph should be ready soon."
"You know what, I don't even want it." Becky cried out.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I want people to know the result of your labor. This is a wonderful thing, and you've gave me my life back."
"Well, if you don't need it. Here's a small toolkit and manual if you need to tinker with anything. Also, take it off periodically, around the time you go to bed. Prolonged use could damage your nervous system, but we're working to fix that. Good luck."
Becky hugs Plen one last time before heading upstairs. Gail busy with work while Bradshaw snores in a chair. Upon seeing Becky, Gail smacks Bradshaw to wake him. He licks some drool away and fixes his hat.
"So, I take it you're all better now." Yawned Bradshaw.
Becky raises and clenches her fist with a huge smile on her face.
"Now that we took care of you, I hope you're ready to hold up your end of this deal."
"Yes sir." Said Becky, striking her old military stance.
"Congratulations Becky Lynch, you're the first member of the APA. The American Protection Agency."