Counsciousness started to drip slowly into his mind as his body acknowledged the fierce sensations of pain. Chaotic memories danced in front of his eyes, each increasing his suffering to new peaks. He recalled his latest hours, the fight, the slaughter…
He was overcomed by anger and terror after seeing his men charred by the laser blasts, his second collapsing beside him in a pool of blood. He no longer considered his actions as he lunged sword-blazing at the infamous creature. He remembered being thrashed in the air like a ragged doll and crushed on the metal floor by the alien's unnatural powers. The air around him caught fire, as his lungs struggled to breath it. His skin was burning, he screamt….
The latest sensation he could remember was the pain of having his flesh pierced by the hot blade. Then everything went black. And the pain ceased…..Until now.
He slowly opened his eyes, but shut them close immediately, as the upsetting artificial light blinded him.
"The Hell looks so bright" he thought.
He took a deep breath, that came with an incredible ammount of pain, then opened them again. The white ceilling and various life monotoring systems - this was the aseptical view of a hospital room that greeted him. It was then when he realised that he was lying on a bed. A croacked moan escaped his lips – the only succor of his attempt to lift straight, as he noticed the ISO emblem marcked on the apparature.
xXx
A sharp beep emitted by the apparatus caught the doctor's attention. He studied the monitor for a moment, then turned to report to the dark figure hastily retreated to a shadowy cornerof the Medical Observatory Bay.
" He's awake!"
The figure stepped closer in the light, revealing a ripped dark blue cape. A slightly nod of the cracked helmet was the only answer he gave. He approached of the glass panel of the Observatory, his steely gaze peering at the lying figure on the other side.
Joe didn't even bothered to detransmute. He was the only one conscious, mainly due to the fact he was a cyborg.
The rest of Science Ninja Team were in the Therapy, as their state was grave.He recalled the last 24 hours, as he absentmindedly twisted the panel safety bar in his grip.
They had managed to enter the pyramid through the explosion crack and received a warm welcome from the alien. Literary. As they were running in zigzag, to avoid the laser bolts, one fully hit Ken. Hadn't been for his Bird Suit to protect him, he would have ended in a pile of ash. Advancing towards Z's final lair, they found Egobossler lying on the floor, with a oozing gash in his chest. His sword was beside him, smeared with his own blood. The bastard was still alive, although his pulse was faint. The blade must've missed the vital organs. It was Ken who insisted to save him, against the rest of the team's protests.
Saving your death enemy's life when your own was at stake was beyond Joe's understanding.
And one who was responsable of all this madness. He caused so much destruction in his chase to rule the world, so many lives lost because of his ambition…. It was he who'd helped the alien to get so close at the point of blowing the planet to smithereens. He, more than anyone on Earth deserved to rot there, to die along with this wretched creature…or whatever it was….
Joe felt his hatred boiling inside him. He didn't even hated Katze so much. At least s/he had the decency to throw himself in that lava pit and rid the world of the misery s/he was. But Egobossler had to be saved. And what had he done to deserve it? He was a disaster for humanity. He made their lives miserable every day. Killed their mentor. Their friend. Oh, how he wished to see him suffering……. But there would be time for that.
His thoughts went back to the pressing matters of reality.
He stared hatefully at the contorted pieces of metal from his hand. Better said, at what was left from it. As he had helped his leader on his feet, a laser volt hit his arm. He stared now at the exposed iron wire-like gears that composed his skeleton. The skin was ripped open bellow his elbow and he could see his muscles rippling. He felt no pain, but seeing his cyborg side stirred the anger within him. He flexed his fingers and watched in morbid fascination the mechanical joints gliding together flawlessly.
"Sir…."
Joe turned his head in the direction of the doctor.
"Umm….someone should look at your wound" The man was plainly sickened by the bloody sight.
"You could get an infection….."
The Condor nodded, as he done a black glove over his damaged limb. The fabric felt strange against his raw flesh.
"You said he has awaken."
The doctor nodded at the emotionless voice.
"I want to see him."
xXx
He approached the bed with narrow steps, his gaze never leaving the prone figure. He took a brief glance at the life monotoring systems around.
"How are you feeling?"
Blue eyes pierced him with an icy glare.
"It's over?"
Joe gave a slight nod, and the youth sighed in relief.
" The doctors said you'll recover." That was partialy true. He would, indeed , but his condition would never be like before. Hopefully, it won't be needed. Now Gallactor was defeated once for all.
" The others?"
Joe clenched his fists.
" Jinpei….. is in the best condition. He has some broken ribs and severe fracures……Ryu….is in coma…..The doctors said he has a cerebral trauma….. "
Ken's face was composed, but Joe could guess the emotions rushing inside him.
"And Jun?"
Joe closed his eyes shut and bowed his head mournfully. This would be one painful point.
"She didn't made it…."
He could see his friend's face growing pale and his eyes watering with grief. There was a moment of silence, that seemt to last forever.
"Joe…..leave me!"
The Condor nodded sympathetically, and left the room.
xXx
The man's breath was erratic. He made several useless attempts to lift up from the bed, but the terrible pain that came with each movement, and the leather bonds around his wrists kept him clinched against the stark mattress.
He ceased his efforts and eyed the room carefully. It was a small sterile-hospital room, furnished with various medical apparature. The only light was provided by the brackets on the ceilling. There were no windows, and the air was dry and recicled.
"I must be in an underground base" he thought. He had no idea of it's location, and there were few to no possibility of escape. He didn't thought his men knew he was alive. They must have assumed he had dided in the explosion. Even if they had known, there were slim chances to get him out. ISO bases were well-known for their security measures. No dubt this base must be one of the most well guarded of all them, although he could not see any surveilance systems, nor guards.
There were another problem that racked him.
He didn't knew the status of his forces. He left them dissorganised. Without a strong leader to keep the order, there will surely start fights for power within his armies. Many of his generals waited exactly such an ocassion to seize the power. After Kempler had freed his half-brother he lost a lot of his authority within the syndicate. The familly elders were not willing to accept the rule of a bastard. Many of his loyal men had died. He wasn't sure if the ones left were strong enough to organise a rescue operation. Nor willing for that matter.
He took a deep breath, and turned his head to get more details of the room. He winced as the muscles in his neck strained painfully.
"I've got better days." His head was throbbing and in that moment he would kill for a Valium.
A new thought entered his mind, something he was too distracted too notice earlier. Just how did he got in an ISO base? Sosai surely didn't dropped him there before the explosion. And what happened with the alien? The last thing he remembered was throwing his sword at the creature, and a stab in the chest. This confusion made his headache much worse.
He wanted to open his mouth and scream for someone, but the now-familiar pain greeted his impulse.
He wanted answers at his questions……and a pain killer…..
Helm sighed and closed his eyes.
xXx
Joe felt an almost ferocious anger as he stared at the figure lying on the bed. What he saw was far from what he remembered. His once powerfull enemy, ruthless and arrogant that ruled Gallactor Syndicate with an iron fist. He was the most dangerous enemy they ever had. In every aspect. He was cunning and slippery, but not a coward. He had laughed in their faces countless times. Katze and Gelsadra were pathetic beside him. He actually succeded to defeat Gatchaman, he crippled them from within. Something not even X had managed.
He vowed so many times to pierce a shuriken through his skull for every humiliation they had endured because of him, for every murder he had commited. For Nambu. For Jun……Jun…why was she the one who died, when he should have been now burning in Hell? Jun should have been alive now, to enjoy the so hard achieved peaced with them…..This scum should have died, not her.
Joe sighed through gritted teeth at the life's unfairness.
What he saw now, was so pitiful and weak he couldn't bring himself to hate.
Massive bandages wrapped the man's torso and head. IV tubes stuck his arms and the visible potions of his skin were covered cuts and vicious violet bruises. His face was all bandaged, except for the eyes portion, and Joe could see his eyeballs beating shut.
Helm sensed someone's presence and opened his eyes. He instantly wished he hadn't done it, as what he saw wasn't a very friendly sight. Standing few inches away from him was the Condor himself. The ninja looked like the death incarnate, with his Birdstyle shredded, helmet cracked and a murderous look on his face that made the Count shiver in fear. Being so badly injuried and defenseless at the mercy of his enemy wasn't comforting at all for Helm. Condor Joe wasn't known for his forgiving nature. The only thing he could do was to stare eyes widened in fear at the ghostly silhouette.
Joe could plainly see the fear and the pain in the man's eyes and a malicious smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. The pain of his enemy gave him so much satisfaction, it soothed down the burning anger within him. Under his sadistic gaze, Helm squeezed his eyes shut and felt his heart rate speed up as he expected a deadly strike from the Condor in any moment. That, however, didn't come but the glare pierced him through his very soul. He didn't know how long it had been, but when he opened them again the Condor was gone.
He tried, with no result, to calm down his emotions. His thoughts were so scattered he could barely keep up with them and felt to tired to meditate at his curent state.
He closed his eyes, attempting to get some rest. He knew he would need it. Behind his eyelids, Condor's burning glare kept haunting his sleep.