In A Heartbeat
Chapt. 2
By Laura Boeff

"There has been some swelling in the brain, we're monitoring it. If it worsens, we will
have to relieve the pressure," a soft, distant voice spoke, the words lost in a haze.
"Do your best," another voice returned, and it was as meaningless as the first. There
were more noises: beeping and more beeping and feet running.
"Report."
Yeah, whatever.
"We have not been able to get the Xyber unit running, my Queen."
Xyber. That registered and he latched onto it, trying to give the word shape and
meaning.
"Do whatever it takes, but get that machine working," the voice returned and the words
lodged further in his brain.
Xyber.
Pain, noise... warning.
Friend.
"Xyber!" The word tore like a clawed rasp from his throat as Jack lunged forward, eyes
wide and feverish. He felt hands suddenly on him, forcing him down, holding him back.
Xyber? Where was Xyber? He couldn't feel the computer on his back as he blinked
frantically against the bright, dancing points of light fouling his vision.
"Jack. Jack, hold still. Everything's okay," a woman's voice called as he fought the
hands. A gunshot, then pain. Bad thing; had to get away from the bad thing.
"Xyber?" he called again, desperately fighting the hands even while his head pounded
with it's own rhythm and his vision narrowed, blinking out in a haze of red tinted darkness.
"Xyber's safe, Jack. You're both safe on the Independence," the woman's voice
answered again as the hands forced him back down, his small reserve of strength gone. He
fought the darkening of his vision and tried to look at the bluish splotch beside him.
"Tatania?" he tried uncertainly. He didn't think he knew anyone who could make a bluish
blob but Tatania.
"Yes, Jack. Now hold still, you've got a sever concussion," Queen Tatania said softly, the
blue blob bobbing and become a slightly more coherent shape.
"Gunshot. There was a gunshot," he got out, trying to work past the throbbing pain to
remember. "Hurts," he muttered to himself and felt a hand gently brush his forehead.
"It'll get better, Jack, but you must rest," Tatania assured.
Jack would have nodded in agreement but he was afraid his head would roll off, given
the way it felt.
"Xyber? Where's Xyber? Is he okay?" he managed, the darkness encroaching on his
vision again. Jack fought it vainly but the darkness was wining.
"Xyber's safe in the lab. Now rest, Jack," Tatania answered and Jack let out a sigh,
accepting the darkness and the relief it would bring.
"Safe," he muttered, pleased, eyes sliding shut. He could sleep now... they were safe.

Tatania stepped away from the medical pallet as the heart monitored slowed, then
steadied. She watched the young man with a frown, then turned to her right-hand man.
"I want that unit repaired and running, understood?" she said simply. Her aide said
nothing more and nodded curtly, leaving to find how this task could be accomplished.
Tatania reached out and patted a pale, still hand.
"We'll heal you both, Jack, I promise," she said softly, then turned to tend to the other
thousand details demanding her attention.

****

Ikira watched as the Queen's aide entered, the thin man heading straight for the gaggle
of technicians huddled around the small work bench. On the bench was Xyber 9, lifeless as the
metal it was built of, refusing any access command or attempt to bring the computer out of it's
protective shell.
There were quick, soft words traded as Ikira kept his quiet vigil. He would have preferred
to be at Jack's bedside, but the doctors had been very adamant in their refusal of guests, so Ikira
guarded Xyber. While there was nothing to guard against at the moment, Ikira knew Jack would
feel better knowing someone was watching over the computer. Perhaps in this way he could help
ease the guilt of not being there when Jack most needed him.
A small snarl snuck past Ikira's thin lips at the thought of what had happened. A single
gunshot. It was all that had taken to wreck such havoc. He felt the tightening of his hands into
fists and willed them to relaxed. Things could have been much worse. He refused to think what
would have happened if the shot had missed Xyber and struck Jack.
As the aide went to leave, Ikira slipped silently forward, catching the man's arm.
Surprised, the aide turned with a slight frown.
"Have you heard any word on Jack?" he asked politely.
The man relaxed slightly, nodding. "Yes. He woke briefly. Queen Tatania spoke with him
but he was not conscious long," the gentleman informed him, and a small breath of relief past
Ikira's lips.
"Thank you," he said to the already departing aide. The boy had finally woken.
Boy.
He smiled at the memory of how that one word could bridle the young man's anger like
nothing else. Not an admirable trait, but one he would welcome if it meant Jack being sound and
whole again. If now, only Xyber 9 would rejoin the world of the living.
Ikira pushed effortlessly past the technicians who did not argue his presence. They were
not suicidal. The weapons master touched the silver shaft, as if politely trying to get someone's
attention.
"Jack has woken, Xyber. He is recovering," he told the still computer, not certain why he
did, but suspecting that if any part of the machine was functional that it would want to know. "He
will want you to recover as well." That added, he slipped back to his place in the corner,
brooding. If the computer had heard there was no sign, but Ikira refused to give up hope yet. The
Xyber was more than just a machine, it was sentient life and Jack's friend; perhaps best friend.
Someone was going to pay for this, he swore it softly to himself. He, Lord Ikira, would
see retribution done for this attack on his student and his friend. His eyes flickered to Xyber.
Friends.

****

She knelt before her employer, her gun offered humbly to his black clad feet.
"I have failed you. My life is forfeit as per our agreement," she said with calm pride. Her
word was all that mattered, all she was. There was a moments silence, then a soft growl. A
predatory growl. Territorial. Feral.
"What happened?" Lord Machestro demanded softly, words rolling through the
cavernous room even though his voice had never been raised.
"The Xyber unit gave me away as I took my shot. I do not believe the boy was struck,
even though he did collapse. When they stopped ringing that infernal warning bell the boy and
the Xyber was gone. I found no trace of blood-- so, much to my shame, I must report I failed in
removing my target."
A moments silence dragged, then a soft breath.
"Was the Xyber unit left unharmed?"
"No. I could find no corresponding bullet hole in the surrounding area, so if my shot did
not hit the boy it hit the Xyber unit," she reported. Oh how she had raved. No blood to confirm a
hit. No hole to confirm a miss. Bad enough to fail to remove her target, worse yet to cause
collateral damage on top of the initial failure.
The arcing pain was not unexpected and she accepted as she felt her body flung
backward in the coils of green electricity. The first bolt was followed by a second, then a third, all
of which she accepted willingly for her failure.
Vaguely, she was aware of someone lifting her up and dragging her forward when the
tumult stopped. What did it matter? Soon she would be dead and find peace in the silence.
"You will complete your contract. You will kill the boy," Machestro's sinister hiss filled her
ears. She blinked against the dull pain of her tortured body, looking up confused.
"I am too live?" she queried uncertainly.
Machestro leaned down and grabbed her shirt front, hauling her easily upright. Cold,
yellow viper eyes bore into her, like ice driving straight to her heart.
"He will die, and you will kill him. Understood?"
She nodded. It was all she could manage and he dumped her disdainfully to the floor.
She lay there in a ragged heap, breathing shallow. She lived. Damn the gods and demons of this
world, she lived. With a single intake she managed to rise to her feet. She lived and still had a
job to do. It was what she was, who she was, all she was.
"Yes, my lord," she coughed, gathered up her gun and staggered out of the throne room.

****

"Get that creature out of here," the nurse wailed as the little bull-pig scampered
unhappily around the room, bleating his plaintiff honk. Anakonda interrupted the angry nurse's
pursuit.
"He is friend. He sees Jack," Anakonda stated firmly, utterly baffled by this healers
distaste of the little creature. Honk was a good little creature, very faithful to Jack. Healing required
the presence of such good spirits.
"Look, for the final time the doctor said no visitors," the nurse declared angrily, trying in
vain to get past Anakonda.
"Honk?"
Anakonda turned to see the bull-pig stretching as far as his stout little legs would go and
snuffling Jack's hands. Jack's pale blue eyes were blinking confused at the pig.
The nurse made a rude noise and went to grab the little boar, only to find herself
sprawled unceremoniously on the ground.
"Sorry," Anakonda offered without any recriminations. "Big feet. Get in way."
The nurse fumed at her but she was already at Jack's bedside as he weakly scratched
the bull-pig's ears. Honk honked happily and pressed his wet nose against Jack's hand.
"How are you feeling, Jack?" Anakonda asked softly and he turned toward her, blinking
fuzzily.
"Hey, you're all blurry," he said with a note of surprise.
"Is improvement?" Anakonda asked straight-faced, and Jack actually smiled.
"Improvement. Better then colored blobs.
"But how can I run a medical suite..." The doctors wail cut in on their conversation and
Anakonda turned to see the doctor, accompanied by the nurse, complaining to the approaching
Queen Tatania.
"If it takes a pig to make him heal quicker, then a pig he'll have, good doctor," the Queen
said dryly, already dismissing the man from her attention as she approached the bed.
"Not good to be alone when ill," Anakonda offered as an excuse for her ignoring the
ships rules.
The Queen smiled, amused. "Perhaps, but does it promote the rest that is needed?" she
asked and Anakonda blushed not having thought of it that way.
"I'm sorry I disturbed you rest, Jack," she offered. "I meant no harm."

Jack blinked, having about dozed off during the whole exchange.
"'skay. I like company," he said thickly, then blinked at the Queen. "Sorry to be trouble."
Tatania laughed. "Trouble is all you've been, Jack-- but it's the kind of trouble I like." She
lifted the bull-pig up and Honk happily licked Jack's cheek, settling in on his pillow. "How are
feeling?"
"Awful. What happened?" he asked. At least the pain was far more bearable then he last
remembered, and the buzzing gone from his ears.
"Wish I knew," Tatania confessed. "Willy found you in the back streets of Nefal. You said
something about a gunshot.." she prompted.
Jack's eyes slid shut as he tried to muddle through the jumbled memories.
"Gunshot. Yeah, Xyber warned me and I think I turned..." It was a blur. A bright moment
of sound and pain then darkness. He shuddered at the memory and felt a hand touch his
shoulder, drawing him from the unpleasant event. He smiled gratefully at Anakonda, glad she
was here at least.
"Well, whatever happened, it ended up with you receiving a massive concussion, along
with a pretty spectacular bruise. The doctors assure me though that you're going to be fine.
Whether it is your welfare they seek, or peace and quiet from the harassment of your friends I'm
not sure, nor do I care as long as the result is the same," Tatania chuckled.
"That bad, eh?" Jack said wryly, and Anakonda smiled at the statement, Honk letting loose
a happy bleat.
"But you still need rest, if your guard pig will stay out of trouble?" Tatania eyed the little
creature and Honk honked at her as if in reply and curled up at Jack's side. Jack patted his head,
then frowned.
"Where's Xyber?" he asked, knowing for some reason he had to make sure the computer
was okay. An unreadable looked crossed Tatania's face then was replaced by her usual pleasant
smile.
"Lord Ikira is watching over it in the lab. Don't worry, Jack, worry only about getting
better," she assured him with a pat on the shoulder. "Now rest." It was an order, even if it was
disguised as a request.
"Yes rest. Things too boring here without you," Anakonda added with a smirk, allowing
herself to be guided to the door by the Queen.
"Night," he offered, letting his eyes drop shut, but he let sleep elude him. Something was
wrong. Something involving Xyber. Jack wasn't sure what, but he trusted his instincts. They'd
been right about Xyber, about Ikira, about who to trust and who to fight, and now his instincts told
him Xyber was in trouble.
"Honk?"
The little bull-pig watched as Jack slipped from his bed, legs unsteady as he balanced
against the pallet.
"Honk!" Honk stated his disapproval unequivocally, watching as Jack stumbled to a small
chest at the foot of the bed and found what he expected: his clothes. He pulled out his black shirt
and socks, managing to get the articles on without falling over.
"Quiet, Honk. I'm just going to check on Xyber," Jack said softly, closing his eyes against
the stomach flopping nausea. The pain was increasing in his head now that he was upright, but
he had to know. He shrugged on his gray vest and opted to leave his boots. Standing upright was
hard enough without struggling to put the armored footwear on.
"Come on," he whispered, scanning the room. Off in the corner was a small office where
the sound of someone typing was heard, but otherwise the place was empty. Concentrating on
walking straight Jack made his way to door, resting against the frame as Honk hopped down and
followed, frowning unhappily at him.
"Just a quick check on Xyber," he promised and hit the release.

****

"Any change?" Willy asked in his ever soft voice to Ikira, who was lounging against the
wall in a well-worn chair. The techs had retreated for the night leaving the Xyber unit to rest in
peace on the work bench, and Ikira to guard it.
"No. The machine has yet to work," Ikira answered just as softly. Anakonda had stopped
by, reporting Jack had woken again, and was much better then the last time, and Ikira felt some
of the weight of worry lift from him, but not all.
"Can we help?" Willy wondered, thoughtfully rubbing his chin.
Ikira sighed. "They cannot even say what damage was done, let alone how to repair it.
The Xyber is an ancient machine, I doubt Queen Tatania's men are capable of such a feat," he
muttered without insult. The Xyber was simply a technology no one in this age could understand.
The door slid open and Ikira looked up, somewhat surprised to see Honk trot in. The
bull-pig stopped, then looked back at the open door to Jack.
"Jack?" Ikira gasped, leaping to his feet so fast his chair crashed to the floor. Jack hung
against the door frame, looking pale and sick, and blinking fuzzily at him.
"Ikira," he said hopefully. "Sorry, everything's still a little fuzzy."
"What are you doing here?" Ikira demanded angrily. How dare the boy be gallivanting
around in his condition! "Come on." He grabbed an arm, or thought he did so. Jack had
side-stepped him, stumbling into the room, frowning. Even injured his agility was still unmatched.

"I came to check on Xyber," Jack got out in a rush, swaying unsteadily. Willy was there
suddenly, offering a supportive arm to lean on. Jack took his help willingly, finding it amusing
that it was easier to face an angry Ikira when he was all blurry.
"I just had to check on him, then I can sleep," he went on. Ikira glared silently and Willy
didn't move. Jack looked from one friend to the other. While his vision was still shot, he knew
something was wrong.
"What?" he asked, low and demanding.
Ikira sighed and took his arm, guiding him not to the door, but the workbench.
"Xyber was damaged in the attack against you," he said softly as Jack leaned against the
table, hand unerringly going to the haft.
"Xyber?" Jack called, the silver computer a dull pewter blur to him.
"It will not respond to anyone. The Queen's men are trying to find the problem."
Jack felt ill, not from his pounding head but by the computer's absolute lack of response.
He ran a hand over the dome, across the top ridge and to the large indent in the side.
"He was shot," Jack said distantly, Ikira leaning closer to catch his soft words. "He was shot and
slammed into me, that's why my head hurts," he went on, the pieces falling into place. Xyber
had been shot because of him, because someone was trying to kill him. The strength fled his
limbs and Ikira just caught him, guiding him to the floor as he clutched the computer to his chest.
Sure, he teased the machine mercilessly, just as Xyber complained endlessly about him. It was
the unspoken core of their friendship. A pack of mutual annoyance that never really hid their real
affection for each other.
"Jack, you have to get back to bed," Ikira urged.
Willy joined him. "He's right, Jack. Let us take care of Xyber"
Jack shook his head vehemently. "No," he muttered softly. "No." Jack held the computer
in front of him, forcing his eyes to focus on the ancient machine.
"Xyber, if you can hear me, let me know what I need to do to fix you," he pleaded softly.
"I'm sorry you got hurt because of me. Please. Let me help." Xyber had to hear. Had to! He had
managed everything to this point only because of the computer's guidance and unwavering
loyalty. Jack could not imagine going on without Xyber to harp, nag and worry for him.
"Jack.." Ikira sighed, then turned to Willy. "Help me take him back."
Willy nodded and bent down to lift Jack up.
"Xyber, please..." Jack begged softly, touching the damaged dome gently. He felt his
friends lifting him up but his concentration was only on the silver computer...
...and the soft vibration.
"That's it, Xyber... wake up," Jack urged supportively.
Willy looked startled to Ikira at Jack's statement and the two paused, sitting Jack on the
work bench.
"Tell us what you need," Jack urged.
Ikira sighed sadly at his desperate tone. "Jack... Xyber is not functioning..." Then he
blinked. "What the?"
A thin tendril of violet light danced over the metallic surface. Ikira and Willy stepped
back uncertainly, but Jack only smiled. It was like the first time. The first time Xyber woke up.
"Come on, Xyber, you can do it," Jack cheered softly, smiling as another tendril danced
over his hand and the silver face. There were several other rogue sparks, then an unhealthy whir
as the dome cracked open.

"By the code.." Ikira whispered. Once again Jack had succeeded where others had
failed. Again, his faith had brought change.
"J'ke.. need... repair," Xyber rasped, voice warbling badly. Jack leaned forward, not
wanting to miss anything important.
"What do ya need, Xyber? Tell me and I'll get it for you," he promised.
The single lens flashed briefly.
"Home.... repair... home," Xyber coughed. "Sorry.." The word died as the sphere slid shut
again with a click.
Jack ran a hand over Xyber's dome gently. "No, Xyber, I'm sorry you got shot. Don't
worry, I promise to get you repaired," he said with his firmest resolve. Ikira knew that tone and
interceded.
"Jack, you are in no condition," he insisted. Jack's head snapped up, blond hair flying
away from blue eyes suddenly gone cold. They met Ikira's with unwavering conviction.
"I am going to help Xyber." Every word was sharp and calm and Ikira wasn't sure
whether to be insulted by the boy's insolence, or proud of his resolve. Willy interjected before he
spoke hastily.
"Jack, do you even know what Xyber meant by home?" Willy asked.
Jack slung Xyber across his back thoughtfully, then he nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I know where home is. Where Xyber's home is," he said softly, remembering his
less than thrilling drop down that damnably long shaft into Xyber's holding chamber. "And that's
where I'm going!" He lunged forward for emphasis, catching himself on the door frame, Honk
honking worriedly at him. Jack turned at looked at his friends. "You can come if you want," he
offered somewhat flippantly.
"Three days after being shot and already you are causing me trouble, Jack," Queen
Tatania's voice rippled into the room, sounding both amused and annoyed at the same time. "My
ships doctor is ready to break the Hippocratic oath because of you."
Jack didn't let go the door frame for fear of falling over as he turned to stare defiantly at
the Queen he was allied to.
"I can fix, Xyber," he said simply.
Tatania arched an eyebrow and threw Ikira a curious look. Ikira crossed his arms over
his chest neutrally and Willy, as always, was unreadable.
"In your condition?" she stated, the eyebrow not relenting. "Jack, if Xyber can be fixed
tell my technicians how and they will do it."
Jack shook his head, regretting the jester as the world swirled around him.
"No, no, they can't fix him," he stated vehemently. "I've got to take Xyber home. That's
what he asked for."
"What?" Tatania gasped. "It was active?!"
Willy and Ikira nodded.
"He said he has to go home, and I'm the only one who knows where that is," Jack
argued.
"Not the only one."
Anakonda slipped past the Queen and sidled up against Jack.
"Huh?" he muttered, looking at her. How did she know?
"I was there. I watched," she explained.
He frowned, then brightened. "You. You were the one following me," he blurted and
Anakonda nodded with a smile.
"No matter, Jack, I refuse to let you go. If Anakonda knows where this place is then she
can take the Xyber," Tatania stated.
Jack sighed but resisted the negative head shake.
"I thank you, Queen Tatania, for all your help, but I'm not one of your subjects. We're
allies remember? I know you're trying to help, but Xyber got hurt because of me, I've got to help
fix him," he said, throwing his heart and soul into the words.
"He will not be alone, Queen Tatania," Ikira interjected.
Jack threw him a quick smile of appreciation, even though the weapons master only
returned it with a glare.
"He's too stubborn to stay anyway," Willy added with a bit more amusement. "Better we
all help him out, or Jack'll just find a way to do it on his own."
At that, the Queen just let out a frustrated sigh of defeat.

****