Disclaimer:
I saw a bumper sticker once, that applies very well in this case, it said, "NOT MINE!"
Author's Note:
Ugh, can you believe it? I go on a two-week vacation starting tomorrow! How come vacation always refers to no Internet or computer? I don't know. At any rate, I've discovered that my cure is a more than one time cure. And, I can replace the DBZ episodes with fanfics if I want! But I gotta have the shower or it won't work. Heh, I think the heat is getting to me. I'm so sorry that this is the last part I can get for you guys for two weeks… but hopefully this will hold you over for a while. Anyway, as always, Enjoy and COMMENT!
Outbreak: Weird Science (part 8)
He had to regain control of his emotions. For Goku fully realized the seriousness of the situation. Silently thanking the spirit of his late grandfather for teaching him basic medical knowledge, Goku lowered the old man's namesake to the ground. He bent over his only child and checked his pulse. Gohan's heart was beating as if he were in the middle of a major battle! That had to be the first item on the agenda then. Slow the heart down.
This Goku managed by using a messaging technique on Gohan's chest. That done, Goku decided it was time to wake his son up. Easier thought then done in this case. Tentatively reaching out with his senses, Goku checked his child's ki, his spirit. He realized that Gohan hadn't been joking earlier, this… virus… was literally weakening him by sucking the life out of him. Good thing it was a slow drain.
The saiyen knew several ki techniques. One of which was the manipulation of ones own ki into the body of another. Closing his eyes in concentration, Goku let his hands hover just above his son's inert form. He formed a picture in his mind of the task at hand, something like pouring sand into a narrow mouthed bottle without a funnel. Tricky business when you did not want to lose a grain of it.
Such a thing would not upset the ever-optimistic Goku. Thus he continued his manipulation until he felt signs from his son's spirit of reawakening. The man then opened his eyes and began his now familiar gentle prodding. "Gohan, wake up Gohan. Wake up and talk to me."
He felt like he'd been asleep for a hundred years. No, not asleep, he would feel rested after sleep. Unconsience covered it better. Opening his eyes sounded like work, but his father sounded worried. Carefully, one dark eye opened to greet the world. The second followed with the same caution. Gohan opened his mouth and breathed out a weak, "Daddy?"
His father's smile was bright enough to take the place of the sun. "Gohan." Goku continued grinning like a fool and laid a hand on the side of his son's face. "Welcome back son! Are you ok?"
The last was accompanied by the return of Goku's uncharicterist worried frown. Gohan wondered if his father realized the immensity of that one simple question. Besides the fact that he wasn't quite certain that he possessed the energy to stand, he had other problems. Like the throbbing in his head that just happened to match the throbbing pain in his stomach. Would he tell his father these things though? "I'm kinda weak dad, but I think I'm alright for now."
Goku's face developed a serious look and he moved the hand from his son's face down to his shoulder and squeezed. "I understand Gohan. We have to find a way out of here."
The sad part was, Gohan knew that Goku understood just HOW weak he was, and that there were probably other problems. His father may not be the swiftest on the uptake of some things, but he could zip right past you on others. The determined look on his father's face said that he would find a way out, no ands-ifs-or-buts about it. "Search for the weakness dad. Maybe you could try to tear those screw holes larger? The room on the other side of them is wear Darlanton is, or was. Maybe you could try the toilet, but I wouldn't suggest it. I think we would just get flooded then."
While saying this, Gohan had worked himself up into a sitting position, with some assistance from his father. Goku glanced once at the latrine and then riveted his eyes to the screw holes. He stood slowly and ran his hand along the wall his son now leaned against and the screw hole was pierced through. His fingers touched the marred surface of the holes and traced an outline of them, as if memorizing them. He had to get his son out of there. But how to do it?
Gohan's thoughts were drawn to the discarded bed on the floor before him. The metal on the bed was made of the same material as was on the walls. Maybe… "Dad! Try ripping off a piece of that bunk at a size that would fit into one of those screw holes. If it's made of the same material, then it's just as strong, if we're lucky its stonger. It should tear the metal on the wall."
Goku looked consideringly at the bed and nodded in agreement. He grasped one of the brackets and with his considerable strength, yanked it off. Straining his muscles once more, the saiyen rolled the metal into a compact tube, which would fit into the hole. Carefully sticking it into its desired destination, Goku began prying at the weakened metal.
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Iciris grappled with the slick metal on both the side of the ship and on the surface of the thing in his forepaw. After the stick had failed miserably in its duties, the little fellow had flown back to his cave and grabbed the stick-throwing machine. He now sat with a corner of the base pried under one of the cracks and he was yanking on the top half furiously.
His sensitive hearing picked up on the sound of a small 'click' and that was all the warning Iciris had before the door popped all the way open. The little dragon flew five feet before catching himself and winging back to the doorway. Taking all the caution that a boulder would, Iciris walked boldly into the ship. Stick thrower in hand of course.
He strolled down the hallway and began seeing several passageways that broke off of it. He sniffed at each in turn and continued going straight, as that is where the scent of his young friend was. As stuck on his single minded quest as he was, Iciris was scared out of his scales for the second time in one week when a floating TV screen popped out in front of him from one of the hall ways.
Iciris jumped and held the metal rod of his stick thrower out before him. A female humane like face and upper torso looked back at him from the screen. Only she was green with purple hair and eyes. Two slender hands flew up to the other side of the screen, like she was stuck behind the glass. A deep, but distinctly feminine voice then pleaded, "Please, do not be afraid young one. I will not hurt you or give you away. Do you understand this language young dragon?"
The little fellow cocked his head to one side before replying with his version of yes. Something like a bark to the ears of humans. The woman on the screen pulled her hands down and sighed. "Good. I am Neela, the spirit of this ship. I AM the ship, if you will. I assume you are here in search of the ones called Goku and Gohan?" Iciris nodded. "Very good. I will help you with their escape."
The dragon stood dumbfounded with that statement. First he meets the ship, which has a spirit, and then the ship turns out to be helpful? What luck! But umm… "Prryeelp?"
"Why, you ask. Because despite all logic, I have become attached to that boy. I cannot stand to see that poor child suffer at the hands of the doctor any longer." The woman on the other side of the screen dropped her head and sighed resignedly. "Why? I need a physical form to accomplish the complete escape. This… monitor… is the best I can do. That's where I need you. You must follow me young one. We have to take out the doctor, though I loathe to say it. I realize now that he is evil. I cannot let him continue this. He is not very strong; you can get rid of him. The door to where your two friends are is where HE is." Neela flicked her hair behind her shoulder and held a hand out to Iciris, "Please, follow me."
And the monitor flew down the hall, followed by the young purple dragon.
Umm, it's not as bad of a cliff hanger as the last one, and I'm so sorry I have to make you wait two weeks for the next part. Just a Thought, Chelsee, Leia, barbo-chan, thank you again for commenting on my parts so far with this story. And I'll get the next part out just as soon as I can when I get home, on my honor as a Gohan fan I will!