Makeover 4

Jun woke up the next morning to the sound of her wristband beeping. She raised her head and was shocked to see that Ken had stayed in her bed all night. However, a sudden dizzy spell forced her head back onto the pillow.

Ken was moving, too, as he was roused by the chirping of the bracelets. "G1, here," he answered.

Nambu's voice responded. "Ken, gather the team and meet me at Crescent Coral immediately."

"Roger. " Ken responded. He looked back at Jun, and noticed that she appeared a little weak around the eyes. "You ok, Jun?" He asked.

"Huh?" Jun responded. "Uh, yeah. Just a little sleepy, I guess."

"Well, hurry up….we need to meet Dr. Nambu."

Jun drug herself out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom. There was no doubt about it, she was definitely feeling ill, but there was no way she was going to allow her Commander to know about it.

She picked up a warm, wet washcloth and rubbed it on her face. I look terrible…she thought, as she gazed at her reflection. She grabbed tightly onto the sink, to steady herself as another wave of dizziness hit. A sharp pain stabbed at her temples.

"Ken…" She called out. "Would you mind driving my motorcycle this morning? I'm still a little sleepy."

"Jun, are you sure you're ok? You don't seem like yourself. Maybe you should stay home this time…"

"No, I'm fine, Ken, really I am." She tried desperately to convince Ken that she was feeling completely normal. He finally changed the subject.

"I've contacted everyone. Jinpei is pretty pissed off, and Joe and Ryu probably have hangovers this morning, so I'm a little worried about what Dr. Nambu will think when he sees us. Let's get a move on."

"Right."

Jun hopped onto the seat behind Ken as he revved up the engine on her motorcycle. The pair then sped off together toward Center Neptune.

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Ryu and Joe sat together on the couch, wearing sunglasses and groaning about wanting more sleep.

"What's wrong with you two this morning?" Ken spoke loudly on purpose, just to aggravate his hung over comrades. "Hate to say 'I told you so'…"

He whistled as he turned away from them and sat down next to Jun on the other couch.

"You're just a little too chipper this morning, Ken." Joe grumbled.

The team could hear Jinpei complaining all the way down the hall as they sat in Nambu's office.

"This better be worth it." He muttered. "I was interrupted while I was swimming with Maria."

"A little morning skinny dip, huh pal?" Ryu chuckled.

"Shut up, Ryu!" Jinpei scolded.

Nambu entered the room carrying a remote control in his hand. He flicked on the video screen. "This is a special news report that aired this morning."

"Women from all over the world are falling ill due to some terrible new disease…" The newscaster reported. "Hospitals are filling up at an alarming rate." A reporter interviewed one of the victim's family members. "I heard someone say it's an epidemic, like the plague or something. She was fine a few days ago, but all of a sudden, she said she felt dizzy, and she broke out in a cold sweat. The doctors said that she was really sick. They didn't know what to do. Then she went into a coma, and passed away yesterday."

The camera focused once again on the newscaster. "Doctors and scientists all over the world are now scrambling, searching for a cure to this horrible disease. If you are a female who is experiencing headache, dizziness, chills, or a fever, consult your physician immediately."

Nambu switched off the video screen. "Our scientists think they may have found a connection in these cases. All of the women who have died so far had recently purchased cosmetics from the Natural Beauty Company. It is my hypothesis that this new disease is somehow connected to those products. Those women had been wearing the Natural Beauty products for at least 24 hours when they became ill. I believe that prolonged exposure to the product allows the disease to enter the bloodstream, causing the symptoms that were described in the newscast."

Jun's mouth gaped open as she listened to Nambu's words.

"Jun, wasn't that what was in the box you had me deliver yesterday?" Ken's eyes widened.

"Yes." Jun answered sheepishly.

"You haven't worn that makeup yet, have you?" Ken admonished.

"Well, Erin and I tried it…" Jun answered. "But I'm feeling fine…honest." She lied, trying to keep her balance as the room spun around her.

Nambu's eyes narrowed. "Jun, gather all of that makeup, and bring it to me immediately. We'll need to study it to see what it contains." He handed her a pair of latex gloves. "And whatever you do, don't touch it."

"Yes sir." Jun replied.

"After some investigation on the Natural Beauty Factory, I have found that it was started by a Dr. Hilga Ratzenstein. Dr. Ratzenstein has been indirectly linked to Galactor operatives in the Amerisma region."

"Sounds like something diabolical enough for Galactor..." Joe commented.

The Doctor continued. "Team, I need for you all to investigate the Natural Beauty Factory. But under no circumstances are you to come in contact with the product. Is that understood?"

"Roger." The team stood and replied.

Oh no…She thought to herself as she remembered that she couldn't drive in the shape she was in… I have to drive home and back. Maybe the dizziness will hold off long enough for me to get the makeup and get back to Center Neptune.

Meanwhile, Ken and Jinpei had been whispering in the corner.

Then, Jinpei approached her. "Hey Sis, I need to go home for a minute, too. I need to drop off my stuff. Why don't you just come with me?"

"That sounds great, Jinpei. Thanks." Jun looked back at Ken, and saw him give her a quick wink.

Jun happily joined her little brother in his dune buggy and they sped off toward the Snack J.

"So, Ken tells me you have a hangover." Jinpei teased. "Too much partying last night, huh, Sis?"

Jun scowled. So that's what Ken thought was wrong with me…"Shut up, Jinpei! For your information, I didn't drink any alcohol last night."

"You didn't?" Jinpei blinked. "Then what's wrong with you, then?"

Jun bonked him on the head with her fist. "There's nothing wrong with me, you numbskull, just keep your eyes on the road!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know you're ok, now…"

Once they reached their apartment, Jun picked up the phone to check on Erin.

A weak voice answered the phone. "Hello."

"Erin, is that you?"

"Yeah, I don't feel so great; I've got a massive hangover…"

"Headache?"

"Yeah."

"Fever? Chills?"

"Yeah."

"Are you dizzy?"

"Yeah."

"Listen to me, Erin. Have Rob take you to the hospital…NOW! That is no hangover. I'll explain later…it's all my fault. I'm so sorry!"

"What are you talking about, Jun?" Erin sounded alarmed.

"Please, just do what I said. I promise…I'll make it right. Just…please… forgive me!" Jun fought back the tears as she hung up the phone. She had to gain her composure before she faced her little brother again.

"Ready to go, Sis?"

"Yeah." Jun gave a stoic reply. "I have the makeup right here."

Jun managed to keep her illness a secret throughout the trip home and back to Center Neptune to deliver the cosmetics.

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"Operation: Hostile Makeover is taking effect now, Leader X. More women all over the earth are dying off every day, and all of the major cities of the world are ripe for the picking. " Katse bowed. "We are ready to begin phase 2 of the operation. Galactor will reign supreme!"

"The killer bee mechas are ready for launch, I presume." X replied.

"Yes Sire."

"Excellent work, Katse. I am relieved to see that you did not bungle this operation, as well."

"Thank you, Sire." Katse bowed.

"Katse."

"Yes, Sire?"

"Is that a new lip gloss you are wearing?"

"Yes, Sire. How kind of you to notice."

"Did it come from the factory base?"

"Yes, Sire, but I made sure that the contaminants were left out of this particular shade. I am quite fond of it, and, after all, it's free."

"Very well, Katse. Get on with the mission."