Chapter 3: Slow Success

So the night goes on, Phineas, Isabella, and Buford each taking turns to watch Ferb's incredible healing progress…a brother, sister-in-law, and friend all taking their time to revive their much-loved comrade…the day as long as that of earth, the night is divided into hourly increments for each team member…internally, Ferb is healing at a quick rate…externally, many of the visible burn and scar marks remain…

12:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time…

"My turn, Buford…" "Alright…night…" said Buford, tired. Phineas sat in the chair and checked Ferb's life signs, watching the gradual improvement of heart rate, brain activity, and bodily processes. He then changed out his waste collector—an awkward process, but Phineas didn't care. His brother's life and improving condition were all that mattered to him. After sanitizing his hands, he stood over the body and noticed his chest moving with his breath. Phineas shed a tear over his body, looking down at his brother's unconscious mass. "Ferb…you've been a great brother…we've changed the course of mankind's destiny forever…we've had some great laughs…some great adventures together…and if you can hear or understand me, I want to let you know I love you and would do anything for you…" After an hour of monitoring, Phineas opened the shuttlecraft door to quietly wake Isabella up for her shift. Phineas returned to his sleeping bag inside while Isabella went out and closed the hatch partway.

She looked down over his body, a small smile coming to her face. "Ferb…you've been great to my husband…I wanna thank you yet again…this is only the least we can do for one who sacrificed himself for those he loved…oh, Ferb…a man of few words…well, more of one when we were kids…you and your brother were such amazing boys…still are…or, amazing guys now…well, I know Phineas takes this whole thing much harder than I do, but I still care about you here…I don't really know what I'm trying to say here, but…I've missed you…and I don't think any of us could bear to lose you again…if you can hear me, I want to thank you…for being so good to all of us…especially Phineas." She smiled warmly and kissed his forehead, a slight twitch in his face as a result. After an hour of monitoring, Isabella went back and sent Buford out to watch while she took her place in her sleeping bag next to Phineas, holding his hand softly as she lay down to rest herself up for the next two hours.

"Why do I get the feeling that we've all been monologuing in some cheesy novel here?" said Buford as he looked down at Ferb after checking his bodily processes. "Yeah, you and your bro have been awesome, man. I never really said it when I was a kid, but man…you two were cool…you guys still are." Buford suddenly and awkwardly got quiet so as not awaken the other two in the shuttlecraft. He then just resumed his quiet watch, reading his book from time to time. The process kept going until everyone was awake and getting ready to eat breakfast. Even during breakfast, they all made sure to keep an eye on the monitors and on Ferb's physical condition. Despite the existence of a food replicator on the shuttle, the breakfast process was slow, as the appetites of the away team were diminished by concern and a serious attitude. As the hours passed, Ferb's life sign readings indicated that he was still unconscious but now far out of danger of relapse or death.

"It's been 24 hours" said Phineas while eating some eggs and toast. "Well, then, I guess we just have to wait for…" said Buford, before a disembodied voice interrupted – "…me? Yes, I know…I've seen and must compliment your vigilance in watching so lovingly over your comrade here…yes, he'll be just fine…but as I warned, there is a great sacrifice to be made…" Instantly, everyone went quiet and stopped eating. "Phineas to Captain Flynn: this is Commander Rai. It's been 24 hours, and not a moment too soon. You'd better get back up here quickly." Phineas tapped his commbadge and replied "I read you, Baljeet. We're on our way up now." Everyone quickly got up and dashed to get the precious cargo of Ferb's body and medical equipment back into the Archimedes. Within minutes, the craft had landed in the main shuttle bay, Ferb was taken to sickbay, and Phineas, Buford, and Isabella were on their way back up to the bridge. Once back aboard, they heard "Captain on the bridge!" from Baljeet, who stood up instantly as he said it. "Alright, people, I want a status update" said Phineas as he took his seat in the Captain's chair.

"Sir…we picked something up in visual and sensor range…or, so we thought…we blinked and it was just gone…like that…" said Irving. "My tactical console said the same" Katie chimed in. Phineas paused his lips as they were about to move, waiting a second before saying "Helm: increase velocity of planetary orbit." "Aye, sir", said Vanessa at the helm. The Phineas' impulse unit burned to life as the ship began a quicker orbit of the planet, all bridge officers in apprehension and eyes fixed on either screen or the main viewer…

Yeah, now you have some idea as to what this all means. Read on to see what this oh-so-big sacrifice is that has been hinted at little to none until now…