Author's Note: So I didn't post again as quickly as I had hoped, but this chapter is pretty long so I think it's ok. xD The story is wrapping up! *sobs* It's so sad to be ending! I'm not sure how many more chapters there will be....last time I said there was only going to be one or two more chapters there ended up being like 10 more so...I'm not going to make an estimate this time. =P We'll just see how it goes. So in my last batch of reviews, I discovered that one of my readers is "in the field of science" to quote what he/she said. So I don't know if this means he/she is an actual scientist or studying science or what but I was very intrigued to learn this...and also a little freaked out. Because I put quite a bit of effort into coming up with some sort of experiment that was actually believable...and at least not blatantly contradictory from a scientific standpoint. And I was feeling pretty good about it. And then I realize a SCIENTIST is reading my story...so. I hope it wasn't something completely ridiculous! . All I had backing me on the logic behind this experiment of Hojo's is a highschool chemistry course...sooooo....yeah. xD Anyway...random interesting tidbit of the day. I'll let you guys actually read the update now. xD Read, review, repeat!
When Hojo regained consciousness a few minutes later, he was surprised and enraged to discover himself bound expertly.
"What the hell do you think your doing?" He snapped at Elena, who was feeling much more confident now that she had recovered her handgun.
"I would speak nicely to the lady with the gun if I were you," she slid a full clip into the black gun in her hand, "On second thought, why don't you just keep your mouth shut?" This she added when Hojo opened his mouth again. It hung for just a moment before he snapped it shut and glared at her. "Let's get to the point. I don't give a shit how that heinous drug of yours works, or what it does, or how smart you are for coming up with it. If you can make it, you can fix it. So that's what we're going to do now, ok?" Elena smiled grimly, "I won't kill you as long as you make an antidote or whatever."
"Fine. But I will require the use of my hands," Hojo spoke grudgingly. Elena bent down to release him, keeping her gun in her grasp constantly, "As it so happens, I have the basics of an antidote already worked out. No scientist worth his weight creates a weapon like that without coming up with a way to resolve it." The man cleared his throat nervously, glancing frequently at Elena's firearm, and cracked his knuckles. Elena watched him like a hawk as he went about the room, gathering first a handful of notes and then several intricately labeled bottles of dark glass from a massive cabinet. Meticulously arraying these items on the table he'd been working at previously, Hojo began pouring over the notes, occasionally muttering something or scrawling something in the margin.
Elena watched his work with a stony face that expertly masked the turmoil she felt inside. She longed to go to Reno, release him from his cell, but she couldn't predict his reaction and right now she just couldn't risk anything. Hojo had to get this antidote made, it had to work, and they had to be in time.
Hojo had been busily working at an antidote for quite some time now. Elena had no idea how long exactly, it all seemed almost like a dream to her. Time seemed to stand still yet also fly past.
"How much longer is this going to take, Hojo?" Elena did her best to make her voice stern and commanding, and succeeded mostly, except for the slight frantic tone that she couldn't suppress.
"Well, I had a formula worked through about halfway already. I simply must complete it. However the world of science revolves around experimentation, especially in an area that has had no previous exploration. I have managed to narrow it do-" his monologue was cut off sharply as the main door to Hojo's lab was thrown open with enough force to practically tear it off the hinges. Rude and Tseng burst in, guns drawn, quickly taking in the situation.
"Elena!" Tseng seemed mildly surprised to see her in this position, "I thought you were in trouble." Rude stood quietly next to the other man, showing no emotion, but Elena could tell he was livid.
"I was in trouble. And then Reno showed up and made a stupid, idiotic deal for my safety and then we were both in trouble. And now Hojo's in trouble." The scientist looked from one Turk to another and then calmly turned back to his microscope without a word.
"What deal? Where is he? And what's the professor doing?" Tseng asked.
"Reno agreed to be a test subject for one of Hojo's concoctions as long as Hojo promised not to hurt me. He's locked up in another room."
"We'll let him out," Rude moved toward the room.
"Don't. He's…not himself," Elena's voice was beginning to show the incredible stress she'd been going through for the past day, "The drug…it takes you over, makes you insanely violent. We can't let him out until we find a way to fix it."
"Well that's a very crude way to put this highly sophisticated work of genius," Hojo didn't bother looking at any of them, and continued speaking with a sigh, "Very well, since none of you seem to have any appreciation for groundbreaking scientific experimentation, here is the antidote. My tests indicate that this will 'fix' it." Here he presented a vial of a green liquid, "I make no promises, it's the best I can do on such short terms. It's a miracle I was even able to do that, considering the time-frame and that I was being held at gunpoint."
Neither of the other men said anything, although Hojo received many piercing glares.
"You'll need to inject it into the bloodstream," Hojo picked up a needle identical to the one used to inject the drug in the first place and soon handed it to Elena filled with the antidote. She immediately took off towards the room she'd been held captive in, Rude following at once.
Tseng was the only one who gave any further thought to Hojo.
"You're coming with us for now."
"Oh, of course," Hojo had regained his superior attitude, "I must observe what effect my antidote has upon the subject."
"Reno," Elena corrected icily, standing impatiently by the locked door waiting for Hojo to enter in his code, "His name is Reno."
Hojo gave her a condescending smile and tapped in his code before Rude pushed him out of the way and pulled open the metal door. Elena rushed over to Reno's cage followed closely by Rude and Tseng, who was keeping a careful eye on the scientist that accompanied them.
Reno was on his feet, leaning heavily against the bars. When they approached, he turned his head slightly to look at them. His face was paler than usual and his eyes were feverishly bright.
"Damned bastard," he muttered fiercely, glaring daggers at Hojo.
"We have an antidote, Reno," Tseng took the needle from Elena and stepped closer cautiously, unsure what Reno's reaction would be. The redhead watched him closely and lashed out suddenly when Tseng was within reach. Luckily, Tseng managed to jump back in time to avoid being hit.
"Reno, stop it!" Everyone turned to Elena, surprised at the outburst. "We're trying to help you! This is an antidote for that stupid drug of Hojo's that made you this way in the first place. Just please, please behave long enough for us to give it to you." Her voice had softened by the end and she bit her lip.
Reno had watched her the whole time she talked and now he just nodded, looking extremely weary suddenly. He held his arm out to Tseng who tried approaching again, this time getting close enough to grasp Reno's arm firmly, push up his sleeve, and inject the liquid. Reno let his arm fall limply to his side when it was finished. They all stood silently, wondering what would happen now.
"How long?" Rude was the first to speak, somehow directing his words to Hojo without looking at the man.
"I'm not sure," the man shrugged carelessly, "I've never tested it. I wouldn't imagine it would take too long. Once spread through the bloodstream, it will essentially negate the drug. Of course, I can't be sure if there are any side effects or not." Everyone was too tense to say anything. They all watched Reno. His eyes were closed now and he was leaning more and more heavily against the bars until they were supporting practically his entire weight. The only sounds breaking the silence were Reno's labored breaths, coming at irregular intervals. Slipping suddenly, he fell to the floor, making no move to catch himself. Rude had jumped forward in an attempt to catch him through the bars, but wasn't quick enough.
"Keys," Tseng demanded, holding his hand out to Hojo who pulled the desired object from his pocket. Tseng unlocked the cage and opened the door, stepping aside so Elena and Rude could rush forward while he remained near Hojo.
Reno had passed out and his skin was flaming hot to the touch. Beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead and his whole head, neck, and chest were damp. Elena knelt by him and held his head in her lap, brushing his hair from his face.
"We should take him to the hospital." She looked up at Rude, her face mirroring the worry on his. Rude nodded and bent down to pick his friend up. Reno was very light, always having been skinny. Brushing past Hojo, they headed briskly for the door. Throwing the man's keys back to him, Tseng left with his other Turks.
"I'm not forgetting this," Tseng's voice was cold and hard.
"They won't fire me," Hojo smirked, "I don't have a replacement. Tell whoever you want, I'm not going anywhere."
Tseng slammed the door behind them, irked all the more by the truthfulness of Hojo's last statement.
Author's Note: Elena pretty much saved the day here...I think it's good for here to kick some ass every now and then. =P Thanks for reading and please review!!!! xD
Oh, maiya, your reviews are left anonomously even though you sign your name so I'm unable to reply to them. I would really like to talk with you some more though so if you have an account, if you would sign in and message me that would be awesome. If you don't have an account, oh well. xD