Jeff Tracy looked up from his seat beside Virgil's bed. "Colin?"

Colin Eden was wearing what appeared to be full surgical gear, including a clear full-face mask, and gloves. "I've just received word from Brains. They're about an hour away and I thought I'd better check on my patient."

"I'll get out of your way then." Jeff stood. "Virgil? Have you met Colin Eden yet?"

Virgil shook his head.

"He's…" Too tired to remember if he'd told his son about Colin's present position at Bearston General, Jeff thought he'd play it safe and not mention the anaesthetist's four-month sabbatical from the role. "He's going to be your anaesthesiologist."

Virgil nodded and drifted into one of his micro sleeps as Jeff shuffled out and Colin shuffled in. He awoke wondering how the two men had managed to magically change places.

The anaesthetist did a few tests and, apparently satisfied, made some notes on his tablet clipboard. "Anything you need to know, Virgil?" he asked the patient, when the brown eyes had opened and refocused.

Virgil thought for a moment. "N'."

"Anything you think we need to know?"

"N'."

"Good. Now you don't need to worry about a thing. If I do my job correctly, it'll be over before you know it."

Jeff found himself wishing that someone would make him the same offer.

Virgil remembered a question that had been plaguing him. "'Ngla?"

Colin frowned. "I beg your pardon?"

"He said Angela," Jeff translated.

"Angela?"

"Angela Eagles. She was in the next bed. Any word on how she is? I told her family I'd keep them posted."

"Ah…" Colin consulted his tablet. "According to this… she's… in recovery."

"Good." Jeff held up his cell phone. "Would you mind if I sent the Eagles a message?" he asked Virgil. "They're desperate to know something. I'll be back soon."

Virgil nodded, and Jeff hurried away.

"Now that your father's gone," Colin smiled at his patient, "do you have any questions for me?"

"Wha…" Virgil made an effort to enunciate clearly. "Wha' d' y' thin' m' ch'nc' 'r'?"

"What do I think your chances are?"

Virgil nodded. "'Nest'y."

"Honestly?" Colin glanced towards the door. "If I'm honest, Virgil, I don't know. I only learnt about this new technique a few hours ago and I haven't had the time to study it in detail. If it works, it's going to be the miracle that many have prayed for."

"'F do'sn' worg?"

"Your father seems to have a great faith in Brains," Colin prevaricated. "And Brains seems to believe that this is the cure that will help you regain your life…" He hesitated. "Do you have doubts? We don't have to proceed. The backlog has nearly gone, and we'll be able to offer you more, erm, traditional options."

"N' choi'."

"No choice?"

Virgil nodded.

"There is a choice, but…" Colin reflected on what would happen to this young man if he chose the "traditional option".

"N' choi'," Virgil repeated. Then, with an obvious effort, he lifted his good hand off the bed. "Th'g y'… F'r 'v'yth'n'."

Feeling the same sense of surprise as when Alan Tracy had offered him his thanks, Colin Eden shook Virgil Tracy's hand. "You're welcome…"

But Virgil had dozed off again.

Jeff bustled back in, just as Virgil re-awoke. "I can't say that they're happy, but the Eagles are relieved to have some news."

Two orderlies followed him into the room wheeling between them something coffin-sized and not too dissimilar in shape. They donned extra protective gear and began removing the 'coffin's' cover, revealing a long, hemispherical, clear, hollow object.

Colin turned back to Virgil. "We are going to put a quarantine chamber over you. I know it's only an hour, but we don't want to take the risk of you picking up an infection from an external source; especially when we take you through the hospital to the theatre outside."

Jeff thought he detected a momentary panic in Virgil's eyes. "Can't the family see him first?"

"I'm sorry, but not without this layer of protection. Because this is such an experimental operation we should have done it hours ago, but the hospital didn't have the time or facilities to make the arrangements." Colin gave a guilty grimace. "Even you and I are threats, Jeff."

Jeff saw the panicked look again as the quarantine cover was wheeled closer to Virgil's bed. "Wait!"

Colin stared at him. "This is necessary."

"I know, but…" Jeff took a deep breath. "Can't I… Can't we… One last handshake?"

Colin hesitated. "Get Mr Tracy a gown, a mask, and some gloves," he ordered one of the orderlies, before looking down at his patient. "I'm sorry."

Virgil nodded.

Colin turned back to see that Jeff already had a gown on and was submitting to having a pair of gloves pulled up his arms. He shuffled back down between the bed and the wall. "I am sorry, Jeff," he apologised.

"You say it's for the best," Jeff growled, and placed the mask on his head. Taking Colin Eden's place at the side of Virgil's bed, as the other men did their best to pretend to not be there, he picked up his son's hand. "Keep strong, Virgil," he commanded, wishing he could think of something more meaningful to say and that there wasn't the latex barrier between them.

"Wo' see f'mly."

Jeff softened his voice. "I know. If there was any way…"

Virgil nodded.

"At least I'll get the chance to get the rest you're so desperate for me to have." Jeff forced himself to smile behind the mask. "We can all catch up on our sleep while you're under the anaesthetic."

Virgil nodded again.

A throat was cleared. "Jeff… I'm sorry."

"Okay, Colin…" Once again Jeff found himself wishing that he could say something profound and reassuring. All he could think of was: "Remember the family motto."

Virgil mouthed the words along with him.

"Never give up."

Jeff squeezed Virgil's hand. "None of us have given up so far, Virgil, and none of us will."

"I 'no'."

"Including you?"

"Y'."

"Good." Jeff extricated himself from beside the bed one last time and tried to stand well clear as various machines were eased into the space where Angela had lain, and Virgil's bed was rolled into the middle of the room. The quarantine cover was positioned parallel to the patient and the whole unit lifted up and over.

Virgil's eyes were closed, and Jeff hoped that he was enjoying a micro-nap and not trying to stop himself from freaking out by blocking his view of the whole experience. He'd seen that panicked expression once again as he'd released his son's hand.

"I can't get over how calm he is," Colin whispered. "After all that's happened and with all that's going to happen, he seems totally unfazed. Everyone's commented on it."

Jeff disagreed with the analysis, but said nothing. If Virgil wanted the world to see a calm façade, he wasn't going to blow his cover. Those panicked looks, the hand that trembled, those little glimpses of a less than serene countenance were all probably so fleeting that someone who knew him as only a father could know his son would be able to pick them up.

The quarantine cover was locked down and a light mist pumped in.

"Disinfectant," Colin explained.

Jeff indicated his protective gear. "Can I take this off now?"

Colin began removing his own quarantine suit. "Of course." He looked at his watch. "Brains will be here soon. I'd better go and get ready. Don't worry, Jeff. I'm sure everything will be fine."

Jeff managed a tight smile. He wanted to believe that all would be fine, but the knowledge that this was an experimental operation kept on nagging at him. What if he'd doomed Virgil to even less of a life than he would have had if he'd allowed Bearston General's surgeons to operate two days earlier?

With a "Don't worry, Virgil, you'll get to see your family again," and a "see you soon," to both Tracys, Colin Eden left the room.

Deciding that it was time to be extra positive and to be relieved that he no longer had to squeeze himself flat to get to his son's side, Jeff smiled down on Virgil. "Not long to wait now."

"Th… T'an's f'r stayin' wi' m'."

Jeff pretended to be surprised. "You don't think I'd leave you alone, do you?"

"Ho' Sco'?"

"Scott? I haven't seen him for hours. But I think he's flying the helijet that's picking up Brains, so he must be okay. You know your brother. As much as he loves it, he wouldn't do anything risky when flying…" Jeff gave a wry grin. "That was unless it was absolutely necessary, of course."

Virgil made an expression that could have been a grimace or an equally wry smile.

"Don't worry about Scott. He knows that you're being looked after and that will steady him… It's steadying all of us."

-I-R-

-F-A-B-

11:51pm

The helijet lightly touched down in the fields next to Bearston General; a landing so light that not everyone on board was jolted awake.

Alan ran his hand over his eyes. "We're here?" He elbowed Gordon.

"I'm awake," the latter complained, after a snort that made everyone think that he hadn't been.

"Good landin', Tin-Tin," Scott congratulated, and opened the helijet door, wakening his brothers even more when the cold evening air washed in. He jumped down to the ground.

Gordon shuffled over into the vacated space and stretched. "Is Brains awake?"

Tin-Tin looked at the individual slumped in the seat next to her. "No." She smiled at Scott when he opened the door and accepted his hand as he assisted her out. "What would you say if I was this chivalrous to you?"

"I'm so tired I probably would've let you."

"Didn't you sleep on the flight?"

"Not 'cause I don't trust you," Scott reassured his friend. "Too many things goin' through my mind."

Two figures approached from out of the darkness. "Good evening to you all."

Scott turned and managed a smile. "Even'n', Penny. Parker."

Lady Penelope regarded Scott dishevelled appearance. "You look exhausted, dear boy."

He ran his hand through his hair, roughing it up even more. "Wonder how many more people are goin' to say that."

Trying to wake up, Alan had jogged around the back of the helijet. "Not many more. Soon you'll be able to get a good sleep. That's if Brains wakes up for the operation."

"The guy's a marvel." Gordon climbed out of the passenger compartment and looked into the cockpit to where Brains still snored gently. "He's either awake or he's asleep. There're no half measures."

"You'd better wake him, Kyrano," Alan advised. "The main event can't start until he's ready."

"Of course." Kyrano laid a gentle hand on the sleeping man's arm. "Mister Brains?" There was no response, so he increased the pressure and his volume. "Mister Brains."

Brains' eyes opened. He looked around; awake, bright-eyed, and leaving the Tracys feeling even more washed out. "Are we here?"

"We are here, Mister Brains."

"Good!" Brains followed the older man out of the cockpit and collected his bag from the hold.

"We have made arrangements with the Watts' family," Lady Penelope was telling the Tracys. "We have shall also airlift a family of three to Bearston. They are finding the continuing aftershocks most distressing."

Alan grinned. "You're a lifesaver, Penny."

"You can stay with us until it's time to collect Penny, Parker," Gordon told the chauffeur. "You can check out your rooms in the house."

Parker was trying not to be too relieved that he wasn't expected to undertake a flight in such a small aircraft. "Thank you, Mister Gordon. H-I'll h-enjoy that."

Two more figures materialised out of the darkness. "Good trip?" John asked. He examined Scott. "You look exhausted! You didn't fly back, did you?"

Scott was about to reply, but Brains had his own pressing concerns. "Are the communications systems in place, John?"

Grandma, listening for any signs of aggravation, was relieved when her second-eldest grandson answered with an even, "I've just double-checked them and they're working perfectly."

"Good." Brains peered into the darkness towards the nearest lights, which happened to be a nearby residential area. "Which way do we go?"

Gordon pointed in the opposite direction, behind the helijet. "That way."

Grandma slipped her arm through Scott's. "Are you sure you'll all right, Honey?"

"I'll be fine once I know that Brains has seen Virg."

Lady Penelope smiled at Tin-Tin. "May I have the keys for the helijet, please?"

"Do you have to go right away, Penny?" Alan asked, as Tin-Tin handed them over. "If there's a chance you can, I'm sure Virgil would like to see you and Parker."

"We should not like to intrude on what must be family time."

"You're almost family," Gordon reassured their friend.

"And I am sure that Virgil will appreciate the chance of seeing you," Grandma added. "Please stay."

"Then I should be honoured to do so."

The nine of them started walking towards the hospital.

"How is Mr Tracy?" Kyrano enquired.

"Last time I saw him he looked as exhausted as Scott," John admitted. "But he's hanging in there."

Lady Penelope walked onto the cracked paving that was supposed to be a concrete path with a step that was as cautious as her question. "And, ah, how is Virgil?"

"Communicating relatively well, although he's a bit hard to understand."

"That is good."

"He made a joke about feeling like he'd been run over with a steamroller."

"Virgil?" Gordon exclaimed. "Make a joke?! He must be feeling unwell." His brothers shared a weak laugh.

One which John didn't join in. "You won't get him to admit it, but yeah. He clings to you with his good hand like he's scared that you're going to leave him alone. What I found scary was how weak his grip was. That and when his temperature went up."

Brains stopped walking and stared at him, his gaze even more owl-like as his spectacles magnified his eyes in the dark. "Temperature increase?!"

"He seemed to lose focus and forgot everything I'd told him about ten minutes earlier. I'd told him that we'd bought the house and that we'd set aside a room for him and that he had better start thinking about what colour scheme he wanted, and ten minutes later he'd forgotten all about it. He even didn't know where he was and why he was there. And don't tell him the robot's doing the operation, 'cos I think he finds that idea the most scary of all. If Brains wasn't going to be assisting I think he would have been running for the door… If he had the legs to run… As I was leaving I told the nurse and she said that she'd do what she could to bring it down again. His temperature, not his legs."

"And did she?" Brains dropped his case onto the footpath and hauled a tablet PC from out of it. He started tapping the screen with frantic urgency.

"Did she what?"

B-Bring his temperature down," Alan snapped.

"I dunno. Dad had only just come back from doing battle with the FDA and so I…"

This time it was Scott who interrupted. "The FDA!? You never mentioned that!"

John looked blank in the dim light. "Didn't I?"

"No."

"No." Grandma shook her head. "You didn't tell me that either."

"Oh… Well Dad said this guy from the FDA turned up… And that's pretty much all he said, aside from the fact that he'd contacted Carter Cyval of Cyval Law to call him off. Which I supposed must have worked, 'cos everyone knows that the bureaucrats are scared of Cyval Law."

Lady Penelope and Parker, who had never even heard of Carter Cyval nor Cyval Law, declined to set John right with his assumption.

He, unaware of his inaccurate generalisation, continued speaking; his tongue seeming to have found a life discrete from his brain. "I didn't ask Dad anything more about the FDA because that was when he told me that Colin Eden's daughter's going to assist Brains with the operation. He said she's in her last years of surgical training. I was worried about this, but not as much as when Dad told me that Colin Eden's going to do the anath… anas… put Virgil under. Apparently, he used to be the head of the… that department until he became the G.M. of Bearston Genr'l 'bout four years ago."

Alan exploded. "Four years!?"

"No, no, no…" John shook his head. "Four months."

"You said four years."

"I said four months."

"You didn't."

"I did."

"You…"

Scott did some exploding of his own. "Alan! Shush!" He turned to his next youngest brother. "John. Is there anything else important that you think we need to know?"

"Important?"

"Yeah. Anything relating to Virgil and his operation."

"Ah… No?"

"Good. Then shut up until you've had some sleep."

"Sleep?"

"Yeah."

"Okay."

There was a moment's welcome silence. Brains put away his tablet and started following the path again.

Grandma fell into step beside him. "How's Virgil?" she asked.

"H-His temperature has dropped. It's higher than normal, but not so high that it's going to delay the operation. And before you ask," he added, "I am aware of both Ana and Colin Eden's credentials. I have no issues with them."

Now that what she considered to a reasonable time had passed, Tin-Tin ventured a question. "How much sleep have you all had?"

"In the last sixty/seventy hours?" Gordon ran his hand through his hair and tried to do the calculation. "About five?"

"Apart from when I was knocked out," John chirruped, forgetting his agreement with Scott. "That was when I slept under Thunderbird One."

"John!" Scott ordered. "Be quiet!"

"Sorry."

Scott held his finger to his lips and John gave a mute nod. Then the eldest turned back to Brains with raised eyebrows.

"H-He's tired," Brains confirmed. "I gave him a full examination and scan before we left the island and there's nothing wrong with his head."

"Nothing physical anyway," Alan grumbled.

"Alan," Scott growled. "We're all tired. Don't make me order you to be quiet too."

"Order? What gives you the rig…?!"

"Alan…" Gordon grabbed his youngest brother about the shoulders and pulled him back from the group. "Don't start an argument now. Do it once this is over. Do it once Virgil's in surgery. Do it once we've all had some sleep and we're in a better frame of mind. But please… Don't start an argument now. Not when there's a chance we're going to see Virgil. He'll want to see us as a unified family, not snapping and snarling at each other."

Gordon's last sentence was enough to calm Alan. He knew they were all exhausted. He knew that they were all stressed and that none of them wanted to add to the others' stresses. He nodded and resolved to be as silent as John.

"Thanks." Gordon clapped his brother on the back and then stumbled on. He was as tired as the rest of them and it was only through conscious effort that he was able to lift his feet high enough to walk over the weed-infested concrete. He'd had this little sleep before, but that was on missions when they'd had adrenaline to keep them going. This time…

This time they arrived at the back doors of Bearston General Hospital and prepared themselves for the final chance to see Virgil before he became a guinea pig.

-F-A-B-

11:59pm

Two orderlies bustled into the hospital room. "Time to go to O.R.," the more senior one said, unlocking Virgil's bed's wheels.

"Has Brains arrived?" Jeff took a step away from the quarantined bed before seeing the panicked look. He stepped back up to the bed again.

"Brains?"

"He's, erm, the lead in the operation… Along with Colin Eden."

"Mr Eden's already in the O.R.," he was told.

"Will Virgil get the opportunity to see his family?"

"We're under strict instructions to take the patient straight there. We don't have time stop anywhere."

"Oh…" Jeff wished that Virgil had been asleep at that moment. His son looked distressed at the lost opportunity. "Can I walk with you?"

"If you want. We're under instructions that we're to go the back way… so we won't be seen by too many people."

Under normal circumstances Jeff would have approved of such precautions, even if the hospital staff weren't aware of the real reason why, but this time he hadn't even thought about security. Then he remembered the photographer that had pestered Alan and Gordon and decided that that was the reason why the care was being taken.

The less senior orderly handed Jeff a folded blanket. "If anyone gets nosey, throw this over the box so they can't see him."

There was the panicked look again and Jeff hoped that he wouldn't have to do as he'd been instructed. He didn't think he could stand seeing Virgil freaking out again. He thought that Virgil's body would be able to stand it even less.

It was later that he found himself surprised that he'd even considered the idea of Virgil freaking out at all. They were in a situation that was totally foreign to every member of the family.

The hospital corridors were almost free of human activity and Jeff wondered where all the bodies that had lined these halls two days earlier had been transported to. The few people they met were hospital staff and, without exception, they stood to one side to allow the patient to pass with looks that were either sympathetic or accepting. None were curious or threatening in any way.

That was until they passed a corridor that was an offshoot of the one they were traversing.

"Mr Tracy!"

Under normal circumstances Jeff would have stopped to find out who had called, but this time nothing was going to make him stray from Virgil's side. Not even manners or curiosity.

He heard the sound of running feet reverberating off the cold lino. "Mr Tracy!"

Trying to maintain his forward momentum, Jeff glanced behind him. "I'm sorry, Freddy, but we can't stop."

"My mother wants to apol…" Freddy looked, shocked, at the container before him. "Virgil?"

"We're going to O.R." Jeff told him.

"O.R.? Oh… Oh, good!" Freddy hurried to keep in step. "I just wanted you to know. Angela made it through the surgery. But they had to amp… Ah…" He glanced at the container again and censored himself. "We'll talk to you when it's all over."

"I'll be sure to call you when Virgil's out of surgery."

"Good… Thanks… Um…" Freddy stopped walking and stood, watching, as the procession exited through the door and into the night. "Good luck…"

The bed was guided down a ramp to ground level. Here, someone had laid a new path, ensuring that it was smooth, weed-free, and devoid of any bumps that would cause discomfort to patients making the journey to and from the prefabricated operating theatres.

Jeff glanced to his right and back before his brain registered that he'd seen something unexpected. Looking sideways again he saw something uplifting. "Virgil…"

Virgil had made most of the journey with his eyes shut. He was exhausted and unwilling to face what he was about to endure. Even hearing Freddy's voice hadn't encouraged him to attempt to make contact, but his father addressing him was enough to make him look up.

Jeff gestured towards their right and Virgil looked through the clear, plastic box. He lifted his hand in acknowledgement.

Standing about 15 metres away, illuminated by a security light, Bruce, Olivia, Butch, Lisa, Hamish, and Edna waved back.

Bruce allowed his hand to drop as the procession disappeared out of sight behind the first prefab. "I hope they're doing the right thing."

Olivia hugged him. "They wouldn't be doing it if they didn't think they were."

Butch let out a sniff that threatened to suck the grass from out of the ground. "He looks sick."

Lisa held him close; lying her head on his shoulder. "Like Olivia said, he's getting the best treatment he can hope for." Her husband returned her embrace.

"Jeff looks ready to drop," Hamish noted.

Edna tucked her arm through his. "He's loyal to his boys, but he's not stupid. Once the operation's underway he'll get some rest." She looked up at her husband. "You'll make sure of that, Hamish Mickelson."

Pleased that Virgil's friends had been able to wish him luck, even if it was in an unsatisfactory way, Jeff was even happier to see what lined one side of the path that led to the theatre building. A big grin broke out over his face. "I knew they'd think of something."

Surprised by the comment, Virgil looked up at his father and then down past his feet, but the frame protecting his lower torso blocked his view and he could see nothing in the darkness, but the lights reflecting off the interior of his cell.

Then he saw Lady Penelope and Parker.

Eager to make contact, he pressed his fingers up against the clear wall that surrounded him.

"Good luck, Virgil," Lady Penelope told him and pressed her hand against the plastic that protected his.

"Yeah, h-and Donald Duck from me an' h-all," Parker added, and was pleased to see the glimmer of a smile from behind the oxygen mask.

Virgil wanted to say something in reply, but was fearful that his words wouldn't carry through the shell… The truth about his fear, if he cared to admit it, was that he was scared full stop and he didn't trust voice to not betray him.

He'd only just allowed his hand to relax on the sheets when he was rewarded with the sight of Tin-Tin and her father.

Tin-Tin was fighting back the tears and Virgil wanted to tell her to be strong, and that if he knew she was strong then he could be strong too. Instead he pressed his hand against the wall that separated them and was rewarded with a watery smile as Tin-Tin's hand mirrored his.

Kyrano covered his daughter's hand with his own and bowed his head. "Nasib baik," he intoned. "Sembuh tidak lama lagi."

Virgil didn't know what he said, but he knew his friend was wishing him well. He tried to say "thanks", but only managed to mouth the word.

And then the Kyranos were gone and all that remained was the path to the theatre…

And…

And Virgil felt a strength fill him that had been missing for the last couple of days.

"Hey, Virg!" It was Alan. "You didn't think you could sneak away without seeing us, did you?"

Virgil wanted to tell him how glad he was that they'd proven him wrong.

"Yeah. You should know by now that we'd never let you do that." And Gordon treated Virgil to a wink and a cheeky grin as both brothers tried to keep their hands pressed against Virgil's while the bed continued its unstoppable journey to the surgical building. "And don't listen to John. He's so tired that he's past the rational thought stage."

"Am not." John pushed their hands clear and took over. "I've been told that I've got to shut up, but I'm not going to listen to them. I'm going to tell you to break a leg…" He grinned. "Until you've got them back again."

"John!"

John appeared bemused by the avalanche of criticism dumped on him. "What?"

Virgil didn't care what had been said; he was just glad he was there to hear it. John's hand slid away from his and Grandma's took over.

"Now you keep strong, Virgil, dear. And we'll see you after your surgery. And don't worry about your brothers or father. I'll make sure they look after themselves. We'll all have a good night's rest."

Virgil wanted to tell his grandma that he loved her, that he loved all of them…

Then he saw Scott...

Virgil's eldest brother was standing there; tall, staunch, and resolute, but Virgil could detect a vulnerability that wasn't usually present. He did his best to reach out, his arm trembling with the strain, needing to comfort Scott and let him know that he was still alive and that he wasn't about to give up.

Scott pressed his hand against Virgil's but said nothing as his eyes locked onto his brother's. He stayed like that even when the bed reached its destination and the two orderlies turned it around 180 degrees. The patient ascended the ramp and entered the building head first.

Unable to follow, Scott's hand slid away from Virgil's down the side of the quarantine chamber.

Virgil felt a desperate need to maintain contact, but now even his tenuous link with his family had been taken from him. Needing to say something to those he cared about most of all before they disappeared from view, only one phrase came to mind…

"N'er… give… up…"

He watched as his family disappeared beyond the door.

"I'm sorry, Sir," the senior orderly said as Jeff attempted to follow, "but you can't come in here."

"Oh…" Jeff responded, a little nonplussed and very disappointed. "Right… Good luck, Virgil!"

The doors closed behind his son.

Inside the building, Virgil felt drained and depressed. The journey, coupled with his efforts to maintain consciousness along with that link with his family, had exhausted him. He closed his eyes as the container was removed, and waited for the operation to be over.

"H-Hello, Virgil."

Virgil opened his eyes again and looked up into the blue spectacles above him. "Br'n'. G'd t' see y'." Using the last of his strength he raised his arm.

Fortunately for Virgil, Brains saw the gesture and understood. He grasped his friend's hand. "It's good to see you too. Y-You had us worried there a c-couple of times. Now… Do you have any questions for me?"

Virgil, feeling as if it was the last thing he'd ever do, shook his head.

"You don't need to worry. Colin Eden's one of the best anaesthesiologists in the country. You won't be aware of a thing."

"Br'n'." Brains had been going to move away and Virgil tightened his grip on his hand. "Thangs… Than's f'r 'v'rythin'."

Brains squeezed the hand that was clinging to his. "And thank you for trusting me and being my friend." He placed Virgil's hand gently on the bed and moved out of the patient's line of sight before either of them became too emotional.

Ana Eden entered the room. "We're ready," she announced; adding, "Is this the patient?" as if she'd been expecting someone else in an even more critical condition.

Virgil had given up his fight to remain conscious.

Concerned, Brains checked him. "He's getting weaker."

"Weaker? I'm surprised that he's survived this long."

"Ana!" Colin complained, entering the anteroom in time to hear his daughter's comment. "How is he, Brains?"

"Growing weaker," Brains repeated.

"Then we'd better get scrubbed up. Your two friends are eager to get started… As I'm sure you are."

Brains made a face. "They are colleagues, not friends… And I'd never met them prior to two days ago." He looked at Ana. "Will you stay with Virgil while we scrub up?"

"Of course."

Once all three were satisfied that they were unlikely to pass any unwanted organisms onto their patient, an automatic trolley system wheeled him into the operating theatre.

The robot stood, ready, waiting, and clad in sterilised plastic sheeting. Two serpentine arms extended from its frame. The arms reached towards the patient and pointed down, the cameras on the end of each arm examining him.

"Can't you wait until we've prepped him?" Brains complained.

The arm closest to him twisted so the screen below the camera was facing him. "We want to see what we're up against," Bryce Dower's video image told him.

"I haven't seen what we're up against," Brains reminded him. "Why don't you both, ah, stand back for an overview until he's fully anesthetised?"

The Australian and the New Zealander must have seen some merit in what he said, because both robotic arms snaked back and up.

Virgil opened his eyes. Confused, but too weak to move his head, he tried to look around him. "B'n'?"

Keeping his sterilised and gloved hands clear of everything, Brains leant in closer so that Virgil could see the distinctive spectacles behind his masks. "I'm here, Virgil."

A serpentine arm snaked in and a video screen was thrust at Virgil's face, visibly startling him. "Hello. I'm Timoti Bailey. Good to finally meet you."

"You can make conversation after the operation," Colin told him. "Now can you get out of the way, so I can anaesthetise my patient?"

"Sorry." The arm retracted to the robot's side.

Virgil watched it withdraw. He saw the robot. On the side of the robotic torso he saw a logo that he knew well from a year's employment. His eyes widened. "A'?"

"Lie back, relax, and take deep breaths," Colin told him, holding the anaesthesia mask close by.

"R'b't?"

"I told you about the robot," Brains reminded the patient. "It is going to assist us while we repair your injuries."

"Assist!?" an Australian accent complained as a robotic arm swooped into Brains' field of vision. "The robot's going to…"

Brains elbowed the camera away and it retreated almost in indignation. "Like Mr Eden said, relax and take deep breaths, Virgil."

Virgil did his best to obey and not think about the robot as the anaesthesia mask was placed over his nose and mouth.

"That's good," Colin soothed. "You'll be awake again before you kn…"

-F-A-B-

Virgil awoke again.

At least he thought he was awake. Struggling to make sense of where he was and what was happening to him and desperate to let those operating on him know that the anaesthesia wasn't working, he attempted to speak.

Something was wrong with his breathing.

He couldn't make a sound.

He couldn't swallow.

He couldn't move.

He couldn't see.

Trapped inside his own body Virgil began to panic.

"Relax, Virgil," he was told; the voice familiar and reassuring. "Don't try to fight it."

"He can't feel you there, Father."

That voice was just as familiar, and Virgil felt a hand against his face and fingers run through his hair. It was a touch that brought back memories of childhood when he was safe, secure and free from fear.

"Relax, Virgil," the first voice repeated and, reassured, Virgil attempted to obey. "That's good. Just relax and when you're stronger we'll tell you everything. A lot has happened in the last ten days…"

To be continued…

And if anyone's interested, the idea of using spiderwebs as the basis of Virgil's polymer came later in the piece. (This is why I like to complete my stories before posting.) Christmas 2017 I visited Weta Workshop's Bug Lab exhibition (Awesome! If you get the chance to see it, go!) and one of the displays said that there was a possibility that spider silk could be used for implants. I just enlarged on the theory so that it was the basis of some rather extensive replacement body parts.

And as for medical uses of 3D printing… I don't know how many times real life's overtaken fiction since I started writing A Quiet Day.

:-) Purupuss