I'm… I'm so sorry…
Don't be… we knew it was going to happen eventually… was just a matter of when…
Tomoe watched in silence from the doorway that lead into Gabe's office, worry in her eyes as she looked at her colleague who was sitting on the couch, his eyes locked on to the floor.
Dr. Cunningham…
"I know you're there Tomoe…" he said, breaking the silence.
Tomoe flinched a little before going over to him and sitting by him.
"Sorry… I… I just wanted to be sure you were okay…"
Gabe shook his head.
"Far from it…"
"Dr. Cunningham… please… Let us at least try to-"
Gabe held up a hand. "I already told you, I don't want to go through it… I'm already in enough pain as it is I don't want more… and…" he lowered his head. "I'm not worth your guys' time… Save the treatments for other cancer patients who have something to live for."
"Dr. Cunningham…"
Gabe sighed. "Just… do as I asked… don't tell anyone… Last thing they need to do is worry about a guy who was doomed from the start."
Tomoe lowered her head in respect. "... As you wish… Dr. Cunningham…" She stood up. "I… I need to go."
She left the room, closing the door behind her.
Gabe brought his hands to his face, trying to hold back the urge to lash out in anger.
Lung cancer… I saw this coming… Yet… Yet I still feel shock from it all… I hate it…
Off in the corner, RONI watched as her partner suffered, unable to do anything.
"Doctor…" she started.
"RONI… don't… just… just don't…"
"Yes, Doctor…"
Life… just hates me…
Gabe got up, going through things on his shelves, making sure certain things were in order.
Books… check… things for my kid… check…
"Doctor."
"What?" Gabe asked, giving an irritated look. "I thought I told you-"
"It is not about that Doctor, it is about a message that just came in for you… It is from Joseph Frost."
Gabe looked to RONI raising an eyebrow. "Joseph? I haven't heard from him in years… Play the message."
"Yes, Doctor."
A message came up on RONI's screen as she began to play the audio.
"Gabe, this is Joseph." He sounded like he was in a panic. "Listen, we got a huge issue down here in Esanii. It's bad. REAL bad, probably worse than Malus, I need help on the other side or something… I don't' know I'm stumbling as I'm trying to get this message out, but please we need help-"
"There he is! Get him!" voices in the background said.
"Dang it… Ending transmission! SEND FOR HELP!"
Gabe's eyes grew wide. "Oh no…" He ran a hand through his hair. Help… Joseph, you have no idea what's been going on over the years… I can't just grab everyone and haul them out the door! He thought looking at a picture on the wall, a photo of him with his nieces and nephews. … No… Someone can…
I'm dying…. I'm expendable. They're not… "RONI… I'm going. Tell no one…Absolutely NO one! I don't care what they try this is a secret and if you tell, I will never forgive you. Understood?"
RONI was silent for a few moments before she answered. "... Yes, Doctor."
Gabe nodded his thanks, grabbing his keys. "... Goodbye… If I don't come back… Luck with whoever they stick you with."
RONI remained silent as Gabe headed out the door, rushing past everyone.
On the other side of the screen, RONI had her head hung low… worry in her eyes.
Dr. Cunningham… Please be careful… Please come back…
Gabe pulled into the parking lot of the building that was Joseph's old lab. He sighed, heading inside looking around. Everything seemed to be covered in a layer of dust, like it hadn't been touched in years.
I'm not surprised… Ugh Joseph you better hope a mouse didn't chew through the wires of that toy gun of yours… He thought as he uncovered the digitizer, coughing as the dust flew up. "Oh for the love of…!"
The big touch screen computer over by the window came online.
"Scotty at your service." said a voice from the screen.
Gabe looked over to it. He grinned a bit recognizing the name. Oh I've always wanted to say this…
"Beam me up Scotty!"
"Voice recognized as Gabriel Cunningham, acquaintance of Joseph Frost. I was told to be expecting you. Is there anyone else?"
"No. Everyone else has no idea I'm here… They can't drop everything… They got kids now… So you got me. The lone single guy with no attachments."
"Understood… beginning digitizing process."
A low hum came from the digitizer as a green glow started to emit from the barrel of the gun.
Gabe braced himself as it went off, he felt the sensation as his body broke down into code and data… And soon enough…
He was gone.
