lies when it shows you how the chapter will appear. I actually have spacers between sections make it easier to read but they never come up. Hopefully they will this time.
It also cut ELECTRA13 from my notes in the last chapter who I wanted to thank as well. So, thank you :)
-sigh-
Anywho-
…
(I don't own Cyborg 009)
…
Joe and Jet sat on the couch in the spacious living area watching T.V.
The sun streaming through the windows cast a glare on the screen that made it difficult to see the programme, but it was really of little consequence as neither were truly watching it. The inane noise of the show was somewhat soothing; it was definitely better than silence.
Chang walked in and settled heavily on the sofa.
"He seems alright," he announced to the room at large.
Jet grimaced and nodded slowly.
"Can he move?" Joe asked.
"No. No he can't." Chang replied reluctantly.
"Then he's not alright." Jet said standing. He left the room shaking his head.
"I don't think I'll ever understand their relationship." Chang said.
Joe said nothing but nodded his head to at least acknowledge Chang.
"Well, then. I'll start dinner." Chand said and levered his large body on to its feet.
Joe didn't bother to tell him that they hadn't eaten breakfast yet. He knew Chang needed something to occupy his mind.
He caught something out of the corner of his eye and saw Jet on the sand. It was better to leave him alone. Jet hated talking about feeling unless it was ranting about something that pissed him off.
Joe turned off the television and wandered to the infirmary.
He didn't want to go but that was where everyone was.
Stationed next to Albert was G.B. and Geronimo. They chatted about things. Well, G.B. chatted about things. It was some conversation that Albert didn't respond to.
The office housed Dr Gilmore, Dr Kazumi, Francoise and Ivan. Joe could see Francoise looked distressed and Dr Gilmore grave and wasn't sure he wanted to know anymore.
"Hi." He said as he approached the bed.
"Ah, Hullo, Joe." G.B acknowledged as Geronimo nodded to him.
"Hey." Joe said to Albert who sighed a long, hard breath from his nose.
"Joe." He said. "Geronimo, G.B., please don't take his personally but I'd rather be alone."
G.B.'s face took on a solemn grimace and he nodded, while Geronimo placed a heavy hand on Albert's shoulder. They took their leave leading Joe with them. He had no choice now but to go back the way he came and found himself in the sitting room again pretending to watch T.V.
Albert's request caused his mind to run back to Francoise and her fears only a few days before and he worried.
Chang burned whatever it was he'd started and had to start again.
It was a bad time for them all.
…
Dr Kazumi had relieved Dr Gilmore suggesting that he eat and recharge.
The results of many tests could not tell them the cause of Albert's debilitation and the frustration had mounted on Gilmore.
Ivan had fallen asleep. It was inopportune as it always was but necessary. Dr Kazumi relied upon the infant to act as voice of reason for Gilmore. He would listen to the child. It was a mark of respect in their relationship.
Through the glass he watched Francoise as she sat by Albert's beside. She read to him and the doctor was strongly reminded of his own mother doing the same when his grandfather was ill.
It boded ill for Kazumi.
He had watched his grandfather deteriorate from a strong and imposing man to someone barely capable of feeding himself.
He turned from the window and went over the results again.
Kazumi's assessment was that Gilmore needed to look beyond the artificial parts of his patient. He also needed new technologies and analytical software to perform maintenance or if and when this issue was solved it was likely it would only happen again.
The problem now was telling him that.
…
In the ward, Francoise had been aware of the doctor's observation.
She had spoken each word with precision and clarity, playing the role of a nurse. She wanted privacy and didn't want to share her doubts with him, only Albert. Albert would understand.
When he turned away she lowered the book.
"Albert? What does it feel like?" She asked.
He didn't look at her as he responded.
"Embarrassing."
"During that last stint on The Dolphin I lost some of my hearing capabilities." She said.
Albert turned to look at her.
"Did you report it?"
"Yes. Dr Gilmore didn't seem to think it was a problem."
Albert raised an eyebrow.
"What do you think?"
Francoise squared her shoulders.
"I'm scared."
Albert nodded. He was quiet for a moment and Francoise thought he had ended their talk but suddenly he said: "Come here. I want to tell you a secret."
Francoise leaned over the bed bracing her body gently on either side of his broad chest.
"So am I." He whispered.
Francoise released the breath she didn't know she'd been holding. She kissed his forehead.
"Sweet dreams, Albert."
"You too."
And she turned off the lights as she left.
…
It was very late in the Ops Room of the South Korean Navy headquarters.
The status had been changed from half-watch to a higher alert because of more threats from the North.
Despite the constant inaction taken after each of these threats were issued it was still better to be safe than sorry.
A young seaman was stationed at Comms when a transmission was received.
"Unidentified ves- in wah-. Bear-"
The transmission cut out.
He attempted to re-establish the link and confirm the sighting but there was no response.
Informing his superior, the Korean submarine's GPS was tracked its last known location. It had to surface to make the transmission and verify location.
However, the signal was gone.
…
Dr Gilmore was brooding.
The dregs of his tea held no answers but he still stared at them.
Kazumi had prodded him from the lab but he couldn't stop thinking about Albert.
His method had been straightforward. The base of the issue was the loss of movement in the cybernetic limbs. So, run a diagnostic on the performance of the technology and perform advanced maintenance.
Done.
But it didn't work.
Run new diagnostics on the performance of the cybernetics after advanced maintenance and compare the results.
No change.
Compare results to previous maintenance logs.
There was a definite change in the performance the cause was unknown.
No shit.
He doctor rocked back from the table. He was getting frustrated again. The same thoughts spiraling in his head.
"Doctor?"
Gilmore jerked back to attention.
"Ah, Pyunma. I haven't seen you for days. Are you alright?"
"Yes, Doctor, I'm fine." Pyunma said taking a seat. "However, I wondering if you wouldn't mind giving me a check-up?"
Dr Gilmore pushed away his mug.
"Why? Are you experiencing any pain?"
"No." Pyunma said. "I just want to be sure."
Dr Gilmore exhaled heavily.
"I understand. We'll do it in the morning. I'm sure Albert would be sleeping by now."
Pyunma agreed and went to take his leave but the doctor stopped him.
"Pyunma, why haven't you been around?
Pyunma stopped but didn't turn.
He said over his shoulder: "I just know I wouldn't want anyone to see me like that."