Heart and Soul

Chapter 5: The Chip

It was sure lonely in jail. But he still had that glimmer in his crystal-blue eyes, that hope that he would escape. Although it would be very hard to do, considering all the high-level duelists that would probably show up to compete at Battle City. Beat soon heard footsteps as he laid on the mat, hoping that he would not be noticed.

But the visitors were for him.

"What do you want, Onishima?" Beat was just drained. Just being there made him feel like something was eating at his soul.

"I just now realized that there is one more condition you have to comply to. Considering that we have to go to Benten-cho to get to the train station, we have to make you immune to Noise Tank weaponry." What? His attention captured, Beat sat up and looked toward the captain in disbelief.

"What do you mean by that?" That's when the lady behind Onishima made herself known. She looked very young, about 25 probably. Her indigo eyes were brightened by her silver hair. She wore a white lab coat, just like any scientist would wear.

"I believe you are familiar with the Noise Tank gang, right?" Beat nodded. "Well, they've started to develop deadly weapons that will...shock the life out of anyone, so to speak. Because of this, we've had to find a way to counter these weapons." She pulled out a small baggie containing a very small computer chip. "These small devices are capable of changing the electric impluses that the body can create and receive. They've been proven that they completely neutralize the electricity in the Noise Tank weapons." Gulp. If this requires what he thinks it requires.

"No way, no surgery. I'm not going through that again..." Onishima rolled his eyes at this.

"Consider this then. If you go through with this and manage to win your way out of jail, you won't have to worry if the Noise Tanks try their weapons on you. I also have one of those chips in me and it saved my life." Beat just stared at the captain. Was he pulling his leg?

"I just hope it doesn't hurt..." The lady smiled at this.

"I can do this while my patient is awake and they would feel no pain, no matter where I operate." That's good. That's VERY good...

"Prove it, lady." The lady looked up toward Onishima.

"Unlock the door." Onishima quickly fished for the keys in his pockets and started to look for the key to Beat's cell.

"Yes, Dr. Avalon." With that, he found the key and unlocked the cell door, allowing the lady doctor, Dr. Avalon, to enter.

"You know, it's more comfortable here than in the lab, so we'll do this here." She pulled out a small surgery knife out of her jacket pocket, making Beat a little nervous. "Okay, I need you to turn your back toward me so that I can get this in the back of your neck. It seems that the Noise Tanks like to aim for there." No. No way, no one's going to touch THAT area.

"Sorry, but I don't let anyone touch me there, not even to give me a massage." Dr. Avalon raised an eyebrow at this.

"Most sensitive area?" She got a nod from the GG leader. "Okay then. I've got an idea. Follow my instructions and you won't feel a thing. If you feel anything, you have my permission to cover me in graffiti from head to toe. Deal?" An interesting offer right there.

"Fine. You'd better mean it though." He didn't know why, but it was easy to turn his back toward her. He braced himself as she lowered his shirt collar and pressed the blade against his skin, but to his surprise, when it went through his skin, he didn't feel a thing.

"Feel anything?"

"No...I don't..." He was being careful not to move his head too much as she continued to work. After 10 minutes, she had finished 'installing' the chip and started to stitch the area closed.

"You were alot better than Onishima was. He would NOT stay still for this, so I had to put him to sleep." With that, the final stitch was made and the area was now closed off. "There, finished. Though I wouldn't have minded having a lab coat decorated in true GG style." He turned toward her, still surprised at what she had just done. He was beginning to like this lady.

"Do I hear a request for a ten-tagging?" A smirk appeared on her face.

"Well, maybe not a 'ten'-tagging, but I've seen pictures of your tags before. Oh, what was the name of that small yellow one...I think you once called it 'Beat the Clock'?" Beat nodded.

"I know which one you're talking about. Though I'll have to do it later, if I get out of here." Dr. Avalon stood up and looked down toward the redhead.

"I guess I'll see you before you go to Battle City, then." He couldn't help but to smile.

"Yeah, I guess I'll see you then. See ya." With that, she headed toward the cell door, which was already unlocked by Onishima and walked out of the area. When he closed the gate, Beat laid back on the mat. "I just wish you hadn't split my headphones, captain..." Onishima blushed. You know, when the punk wasn't in skates, he's a pretty good kid.

"Okay, I'll admit, I didn't know rubber bullets could do that." He checked his watch and gasped at the time. "Yipe, my shift's over now. I will be seeing you tommarrow." He left Beat alone after that and turned off the light, making the place darker than even the GG hangout could get. He just hope things would go in his favor tommarrow.