Disclaimer: Same as previous

Episode 9

Ezekiel decided to undergo the process of restoring his cracked crystal. Although very reluctant, he decided that that would help the others as best as possible. Before the process though, Ezekiel stayed in his room. He was still on suspension despite his help. But he didn't mind that a bit.

"How are you?"

Ezekiel sat up to see off all people to visit him, Natasha. He looked at her strangely, "I never expected that you would visit, Natasha."

She gave a slight glare, "Well, truth is I never expected it either." She softened a bit, "But everyone else seems to gotten to know you a bit, so..."

"........Goliate was right. You do have a big heart."

Natasha stiffened, "What? No! I mean, well..."

Ezekiel continued, "You came to see how I was feeling about all of this."

"Wha...well. Wait, how would you know?"

"It a gift of mine to know about people and what they are thinking by just watching them."

Natasha gave a skeptical glance, "Prove it. Tell me what you know about the Space Knights."

"Generally or individually?"

"What are you? A computer?"


"Possibly."

"You sure are strange. Alright, individually."

"Let's see. Yumi is a cheerful, but strong girl. She has seen her own share of problems, but that doesn't affect her personality. It is amazing that she's a Tekkaman, yet she retains her own innocence. And more than anything else, she loves D-Boy. But it seems to be simply a crush. An intense one, but a crush nevertheless."

"Talk about detailed. How about David?"

"David shows himself as a playboy, but he is not as he seems. He's more complicated than he lets on. That is merely a mask to hide his true feelings."

"What feelings?"

"Well. It's really deep. I'm not sure I should say so."

"I'll keep it secret. I promise."

"He's...in love with Aki."

"What?! You're joking, right?"

"I'm afraid not. It's even worse that Yumi. But he knows that the Chief is in love with D-Boy, so he is somewhat tormented. That explains why he sleeps around with so many women. Hayato has a major crush on Yumi, although he doesn't say so because he knows how she feels about D-Boy. Anita and Goliate seem pretty normal aside from the fact that they like each other. As for Dead, he's still trying to determine his place here. And he's a little apprehensive around you. But overall, he probably has the most control over himself, aside from D-Boy."

"What about D-Boy?"

"When I met him, I tried, but it was like looking into a mirror. I looked at him and saw myself. I...I think that that was what he wanted me to see. But at the meeting, I was faintly able to see his love for the Chief."

"So many things. And you picked this all up from watching everyone?"

"It wasn't hard. You've all been through so much, so it's only natural that such feelings would reach the surface."

Natasha then narrowed her eyes, "What about me?"

Ezekiel hesitated, "Are you sure? I'm not used to telling a person what I see."

"Go ahead."

"Okay, let's see." He moved his face to hers and examined, "Strong-willed, determination, and a bit stubborn. You take your job very seriously, but you somehow blame yourself for what your father did."

Natasha frowned, but Ezekiel continued, "That just shows that you have a kind heart. You don't want anyone to see it though and think that you are tough, but your friends can see it." His voice softened, "Just as I do now."

Natasha looked at him and into his eyes, "You're not that hard to read either, you know?"

Ezekiel backed away, "Oh really? Well then, tell me what you see?"

Natasha looked him over, "Hmm. Well, I see strength. That's obvious. But you're also sad about something. You don't like to see others get hurt, especially by you. Why is that?"

"Well, that's a long story."

"A past pain. I can understand that. You have this wall around you, but you're not a cold as you let yourself think you are."

Ezekiel looked at her eyes again, "I guess we're not all that different, are we?"

Natasha met the gaze, "No. I guess not."

It became painfully obvious how close they were getting to each other and Ezekiel broke the gaze, "Thank you for visiting, Natasha. I should get ready now."

Natasha lowered her eyes, "Yeah. Me too." She stood up and walked out of the door and Ezekiel took a deep breath. His heart had been racing wildly. What was that? Why would I feel this way to her? No, it was just a moment. I can't let anyone get that close to me. I'm too.....dangerous.

2 hours later....

Ezekiel was lead out of his quarters and into and engineer room. There, a large Radham pod was there, looming like a massive rose. Behind him, Aki and D-Boy stood ready. He turned and nodded to them and then walked up to the pod, holding his crystal. Suddenly the pod opened and shot out tentacles that grabbed him. No. I will not run away. I will face this. I can do this. He let the tentacles pull him in and the pod closed behind him. The pod then shimmered and glowed. Aki turned to the technician.

"How long?"

"He needs to be in there for at least an hour for his crystal to repair."

Aki looked back at the pod. "I want him out as soon as the hour ends. If he shows any signs of become a Radham, take him out immediately."

"Yes Chief."

Honda appeared beside them, "It's like history repeating itself, eh D-Boy?"

D-Boy remained silent. That's what I'm afraid of.