Bubble Gum HYTE (Fan-fic)
Source: Bubble Gum Crisis/Crash
Author: LV426
Chapter 11: Morbid Discovery
Astis sat down in his chair, an image of absolute calm about him. He hadn't moved from this position for the past week, when he had told Kou about what happened. It wasn't a phone call he had looked forward to, as he had to tell him just what the odds were that he would ever be able to take this thing alive.
Kou's reaction didn't leave him with much confidence either. The message wasn't rude, but it basically said he had failed and Kou would take matters into his own hands. What this meant for Astis, he had no idea, and that unknown didn't sit well.
After a moment longer, he got up and went to the phone. With a fluid motion, he removed the cord from the phone jack with his right hand. His left was already reaching into his left and pulling another phone jack through the skin. Normally, he would use a public terminal rather than this, but there was no time to go find one. He had to get help and now. In a second, he had plugged himself into the phone-jack and dialed up the main Genom computer systems.
It didn't take long for the familiar presence to wash over him. "Hello, Armstrong," he mouthed visibly as the message went from his mind to the entity behind the wire.
"Ahh... Astis... what brings you to me like this? Its not your normal style," the presence crooned, as an old friend who hadn't heard from him in a while might.
"I'm sorry about that... but I really need some advice right now."
"What's got you so tense?"
"The boomer I was chasing... it tried to kill Ms. Asagiri. It hasn't been heard from in a while, so I don't have any leads now."
"Interesting... but why did you wait so long to tell and old friend."
If Astis could smile in this kind of connection, it would be a sheepish grin right now. "I kinda wanted to do it myself if I could. Sorry."
"Nevermind... in any case, what happened?"
"It came, it saw, it killed Mr. McNichol, and had I not shot it, it would have killed her too."
The voice would have frowned if such actions could be said to happen on the net. "That's most unfortunate. I take it you had to reveal your nature then?"
"Yes."
"Then I have some bad news, I'm afraid. Mr. McNichol had contacts with Knight Sabers."
Astis' voice revealed his shock, both in the connection and in his room, "WHAT?!?!?"
"Indeed... and further more, so does Ms. Asagiri. I have no doubt they will try to find you soon."
"Are you telling me to run like hell?"
"No... not yet. They won't rush to a conclusion... at least not yet, but watch your back. You have just gained the attention of one of our worst enemies."
Visibly shaking, Astis answered. "Alright... I will."
"No need to fear just yet, just keep me informed and I will keep you safe..."
* * *
Linna opened the door and let her friends in. The apartment was a mess, but then again, it wasn't cleaning was the first thing on her mind lately. As she held the door, Sylia and Nene made their ways inside. Linna closed the door after them and followed to the kitchen table.
"Well this is just great. That royal pain in the ass knows who Linna is," Nene started as soon as the door was shut, "How the hell did that happen?"
Sylia calmly lifted a hand to silence Nene. "It doesn't matter."
"It doesn't MATTER?!?"
Sylia nodded and looked at Nene with a warm smile. "Didn't you see the look in his face when I first turned him down? He may know who Linna is, but he wouldn't do anything with it. He just couldn't hurt a friend of Ms. Chan." Her voice sounded sure enough that even as she wasn't speaking directly to Linna, she too felt a little more at ease.
Nene, on the other hand, wouldn't have any of it. She huffed and sat at the table, her arms crossed and her face turned up toward the ceiling. Sylia smiled quietly to herself and gestured Linna to sit down as well. Only once Linna had done so did she officially start the meeting. Her hands folded in front of her and rested easily on the table. "What we do need to worry about is the boomer he is hiring us for. If it's the same one that attacked Priss, then we already were on the job. What he offered us is not a job, but a paid lead."
Linna looked at Sylia, only now catching the full reality of what was in her leader's mind. Had she not been personally torn apart in the past few days and seriously afraid of being revealed, she would have more than appreciated the manipulation Sylia had just pulled off. Instead, she sat wondering what Sylia would come up with next.
It was Nene, however, that spoke up suddenly, "Oh, speaking of leads, I have a big one!"
Sylia's attention turned the pink haired saber with a calm that only she could have in the middle of these events. "Yes?"
Nene continued, the pride in her work beaming through her expression. "Recently, an old friend of ours was released from his prison term." Linna and Sylia both looked at Nene in complete shock. Nene expected to shock Linna, but to shock Sylia was something else altogether, and a part of her relished this moment. "That friend was none other then Dr. Miriam Yoshida."
Linna leaned into the table, her voice squeaking in disbelief. "HE got out without anyone noticing?"
"Do you know who let him out?" Sylia asked, though the calm in her voice was not as strong as before.
"...not really..." Nene continued a little bit less inflated about it. "I mean obviously an order like that had to come from really high up the chain of command, or there would be a few officers fired by now, but whoever ordered it had their tracks covered really well."
"Do you think he would be behind the boomer we are hunting?" Linna asked.
"Possibly. When did he get out?" Sylia intervened.
"A few days after you left for Germany," Nene piped. Sylia nodded. No one spoke for a short time. "Is that enough time?"
"If he had a place to work from already set and waiting, then I wouldn't doubt it. In any case, it is a lead we have to follow up."
"I'm on it," Nene volunteered, "I'll search out labs that have been inactive but are still in tact."
Sylia nodded. "I wouldn't have anyone else on such a task. And Linna? I have something special for you to do as well. Would you mind being the one to talk to Astis?"
"Me?" Linna's eyes and voice did nothing to hide her alarm.
Sylia smiled gently. "We cant just show up in full armor and knock on the door. Any others in the building will flip."
Linna considered this before nodding. "Alright. I understand. Just promise me you will be in touch."
Sylia nodded. "Of course. Is there anything else we all should know about?" No one answered and Sylia smiled to herself. "Then I believe the meeting is over."
Nene nodded, her voice solemn as she spoke, "Alright. I think I'm going to get home then. It's getting late."
Sylia nodded, "We understand. See you soon, Nene." Nene simply nodded and left the apartment. As soon as she was out the door, Sylia turned to Linna. "I hate to be a burden, but may I ask you a personal favor?"
Linna looked at Sylia as she asked that, a little confused. Linna answered, "Yes?"
"Mind if I stay here tonight? I want to be here when Kou contacts you again."
Linna nodded a bit shocked. "Of... of course..."
Sylia smiled, "and one more thing? I need to use your phone."
* * *
Astis answered the phone, not sure what he should expect. It would either be Kou getting back to him, someone else from the Hou Bang giving him instructions, or someone claiming to be a Knight Saber and demanding his help. This last choice was the one that terrified him, and if he had a physically beating heart, would have had it rammed up his throught.
His nerves calmed the instant he heard the voice on the other end, "Astis."
"I'm here, Kou," his voice revealed nothing of hiss anxiety.
"Very good. You need to stay where you are for a little while still. I have enlisted some additional help to take down the boomer we hunt."
"Additional help?"
Kou didn't stop to explain, "You will wait in your apartment. You are a witness as to what this thing can do, and they will want to talk to you on it."
"Who am I waiting for?"
"The Knight Sabers. I have hired them on the case to take the boomer down."
Astis remained silent for a moment. The Knight Sabers?!?!? Coming here?!?!? To HIS apartment?!?!? Kou seemed to pick up on the silence. "Astis? Is that clear?"
"Yes... yes sir."
"Good. Cooperate with them completely. Effectively now you are to see them as your partners in the mission."
"Yes sir," the tone in Astis' voice was low.
"And one more thing, report to me when the first meeting is over. I want to know who came and what exactly happened."
"Very well."
"I will be in contact later." A click on the other end and Astis was alone again. Only difference is now he knew to expect someone that he never wanted to see... not after Armstrong's warning.
* * *
Vision's music blared on a tinny sounding set of speakers as the man on the passenger side of the GENOM cargo truck hummed to the tune. The driver wasn't in the same mood. He was tired of being on the road and just wanted to get this job overwith and go home. Neither of them could tell the mood of the other two passengers in the back with the equipment, and the driver simply could not care less. This was a job, and therefore, money for his account. He looked to the man beside him who had now taken to singing with Vision. "Would you stop that?"
The other stopped a moment and looked back at him, "What's up your ass, Durten? You have been fowl since we left headquarters."
Durten only huffed, but ignored the question. Ahead, he saw the destination... the old Wiz Labs. "Say Gitrion, why do you think someone wanted a delivery out here anyway?"
Gitrion shrugged, "Beats me. Probably just a relic so some high up executive can have one more piece to their personal museum."
Durten nodded. That would make sense. They had been on some pretty asinine deliveries before. He didn't give it another thought as he slowed the truck and opened the back. "Alright, we all know what we are looking for, so lets move." He turned off the truck as Gitiron got out and locked his door.
The other two, a large well built man and an energetic young woman who was new to the team, were already outfitting themselves with the head-mounted search lights and a few pieces of street armor. On the chest of each was a nametag. The man was Max, the girl was Sarla. Gitiron did not take long to follow suite while Durten started the motorized cart and brought it out.
"Alright, you all know the drill, teams of two. Gitrion? Your heading out with me. Max and Sarla? You two are the other team. Keep radio contact at all times." Durten spoke as if he was leading a military mission.
Sarla picked up on the tone immediately. "Why are you so worried? Its just a snatch and grab."
"You never know what you will find out there. This lab was blown up a long time ago and no one has been here since. So at this point, who knows what is in there."
"Oh relax," Gitiron let out in a slightly teasing voice as he patted Durten's back. "She has Max with her..." he grinned mischievously as he turned to Sarla. "But you best stay in radio contact. After all, we all know you two love to work as a team and we can only imagine why."
Sarla's face became crimson instantly. She looked to Max for someone to back her up since she couldn't count on Durten to. He was laughing already. Max didn't look like he would either. As usual, he didn't react to much, and it was more like someone had told him the night was a little bit cold then she would seduce him.
Durten did however end this. "Alright, lets move out. By the book." Nods of consent came from all around, followed by the teams moving in. "Sarla? Take your team to the lowest floors and work up. We will take the highest floors. First team to find it makes the call and sets a beacon." His tone got very serious. "NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE is to try to move this thing till we are all there."
Gitiron smirked. "You take the high road and I'll take the low road..." he started to sing.
"Can it Gitiron! You know what this place was used for." Durten barked at him.
"Yeah, yeah.... Man is this going to be a dull job," Gitiron muttered, mostly under his breath.
Durten ignored him. "Is that clear for you all?" A resounding "YES SIR!" came from Max and Sarla, while Gitiron just groaned his own reply. Durten nodded accepting this. "Alright, lets move out."
* * *
The cameras gave him a perfect view as the four humans made their way into the ruined Wiz Labs complex and began their systematic search. He didn't need to be there personally to do this, of course. In fact, it would be safe to say he could not be there personally... at least not yet. Still, he could watch his plan unfold up close and personal despite this little flaw.
If he had a mouth, he would have smiled at this thought... amused that he of all entities, had a flaw. The idea that a god had a flaw was ridiculous, yet there it was. But was it a flaw? Yes, having a body once again would be nice, but to be that restrained... no, he couldn't really see his current state as flawed, at least not in this time when the humans depended so desperately on their computer and boomer counterparts. To control them so directly would prove the greatest benefit he could ever know.
If he could smile, that smile would have increased ten-fold at that thought. He used to see himself as a god... now he truly knew what it was to be one.
* * *
Max opened the door to the next lab and looked around. Something seemed odd to him as he gazed at the various computers and tables sparcingly placed around the room, but it didn't occur to him what till he heard the beeping of a monitoring system. This room was actively in use. "Dammit," he cursed under his breath.
"What's wrong?" Sarla asked, not sure what was so wrong.
"We have to be quick. This lab is being used, and I don't want to meet the kind of mind that would use the Wiz Labs now." He stepped inside, methodically scanning the room. His eyes fell toward something covered in a lab coat against a wall the door had hidden from view. Though from this angle, Max could only make out feet, the pool of blood left no doubts to him what he had just found. "...then again, I'm not sure we have to worry about that."
Sarla stepped in and reactively turned on the lights... it didn't take her long to see the corpse as well, the full lights revealing the cause of death. His head had been twisted entirely around and now stared up through the ceiling with a look of pure terror in his eyes. She turned away her hands to her mouth, afraid she was going to blow chunks. "oh my god..." She couldn't get any more out at the moment.
A gentle hand rested on her shoulder, she looked up to see a sympathizing Max look back at her. "Come on, the boomer we have been looking for is in here." Max guided her view to one of the tables... an almost skeletal boomer form was laying there... the beeps in the room had come from it's monitoring systems.
"I'll call it in," Sarla volunteered. She looked once more at the boomer. Her eyes went wide a moment before she shook her head, deciding it must be her imagination and set the tracer. A moment later, she was on the radio calling the other team here. No one else even questioned the red staining on the boomer's hands.
* * *
Considering the events of the past few weeks, Linna had to consider the morning rather normal. Though that wasn't accurate. Under normal circumstances, Priss usually wouldn't be there to have breakfast, but that was either because she was out already or she was still asleep. It wasn't because she was in the hospital.
For that matter, she also wasn't used to entertaining guests this early in the day, much Sylia Stingray. While she was almost family, it really wasn't like her to stay over night. Still, it wasn't without reason, and Linna really had to admit, she had also never entertained such a cordial guest.
The breakfast they shared wasn't anything spectacular, but Sylia accepted what she was given with a smile and a thank you. Somehow, her calmness and warmth made Linna a little more at ease, but she could not forget the reason Sylia stayed over... the phone call both of them were expecting.
Linna's mind went back to that unwelcome topic as she did the dishes. She glanced back at Sylia, who remained at the table, thoughtfully holding a mug of tea. "How could she be so calm in all this?" Linna wondered to herself.
She didn't have too long to wonder, though. She was putting a dish away when she jumped at the phone ringing. After a second she put the dish away and made herself go to the phone. As she picked it up, she saw Sylia nod reassuringly to her, but she didn't approach. "Which she wouldn't," Linna thought to herself, "we decided it best Kou not even see that anyone else was with me when he called." Still, she smiled a little. Somehow the fact that she didn't have to this alone, no matter what Kou had to think, made her feel better. She picked up the receiver.
"Hello..."
Source: Bubble Gum Crisis/Crash
Author: LV426
Chapter 11: Morbid Discovery
Astis sat down in his chair, an image of absolute calm about him. He hadn't moved from this position for the past week, when he had told Kou about what happened. It wasn't a phone call he had looked forward to, as he had to tell him just what the odds were that he would ever be able to take this thing alive.
Kou's reaction didn't leave him with much confidence either. The message wasn't rude, but it basically said he had failed and Kou would take matters into his own hands. What this meant for Astis, he had no idea, and that unknown didn't sit well.
After a moment longer, he got up and went to the phone. With a fluid motion, he removed the cord from the phone jack with his right hand. His left was already reaching into his left and pulling another phone jack through the skin. Normally, he would use a public terminal rather than this, but there was no time to go find one. He had to get help and now. In a second, he had plugged himself into the phone-jack and dialed up the main Genom computer systems.
It didn't take long for the familiar presence to wash over him. "Hello, Armstrong," he mouthed visibly as the message went from his mind to the entity behind the wire.
"Ahh... Astis... what brings you to me like this? Its not your normal style," the presence crooned, as an old friend who hadn't heard from him in a while might.
"I'm sorry about that... but I really need some advice right now."
"What's got you so tense?"
"The boomer I was chasing... it tried to kill Ms. Asagiri. It hasn't been heard from in a while, so I don't have any leads now."
"Interesting... but why did you wait so long to tell and old friend."
If Astis could smile in this kind of connection, it would be a sheepish grin right now. "I kinda wanted to do it myself if I could. Sorry."
"Nevermind... in any case, what happened?"
"It came, it saw, it killed Mr. McNichol, and had I not shot it, it would have killed her too."
The voice would have frowned if such actions could be said to happen on the net. "That's most unfortunate. I take it you had to reveal your nature then?"
"Yes."
"Then I have some bad news, I'm afraid. Mr. McNichol had contacts with Knight Sabers."
Astis' voice revealed his shock, both in the connection and in his room, "WHAT?!?!?"
"Indeed... and further more, so does Ms. Asagiri. I have no doubt they will try to find you soon."
"Are you telling me to run like hell?"
"No... not yet. They won't rush to a conclusion... at least not yet, but watch your back. You have just gained the attention of one of our worst enemies."
Visibly shaking, Astis answered. "Alright... I will."
"No need to fear just yet, just keep me informed and I will keep you safe..."
* * *
Linna opened the door and let her friends in. The apartment was a mess, but then again, it wasn't cleaning was the first thing on her mind lately. As she held the door, Sylia and Nene made their ways inside. Linna closed the door after them and followed to the kitchen table.
"Well this is just great. That royal pain in the ass knows who Linna is," Nene started as soon as the door was shut, "How the hell did that happen?"
Sylia calmly lifted a hand to silence Nene. "It doesn't matter."
"It doesn't MATTER?!?"
Sylia nodded and looked at Nene with a warm smile. "Didn't you see the look in his face when I first turned him down? He may know who Linna is, but he wouldn't do anything with it. He just couldn't hurt a friend of Ms. Chan." Her voice sounded sure enough that even as she wasn't speaking directly to Linna, she too felt a little more at ease.
Nene, on the other hand, wouldn't have any of it. She huffed and sat at the table, her arms crossed and her face turned up toward the ceiling. Sylia smiled quietly to herself and gestured Linna to sit down as well. Only once Linna had done so did she officially start the meeting. Her hands folded in front of her and rested easily on the table. "What we do need to worry about is the boomer he is hiring us for. If it's the same one that attacked Priss, then we already were on the job. What he offered us is not a job, but a paid lead."
Linna looked at Sylia, only now catching the full reality of what was in her leader's mind. Had she not been personally torn apart in the past few days and seriously afraid of being revealed, she would have more than appreciated the manipulation Sylia had just pulled off. Instead, she sat wondering what Sylia would come up with next.
It was Nene, however, that spoke up suddenly, "Oh, speaking of leads, I have a big one!"
Sylia's attention turned the pink haired saber with a calm that only she could have in the middle of these events. "Yes?"
Nene continued, the pride in her work beaming through her expression. "Recently, an old friend of ours was released from his prison term." Linna and Sylia both looked at Nene in complete shock. Nene expected to shock Linna, but to shock Sylia was something else altogether, and a part of her relished this moment. "That friend was none other then Dr. Miriam Yoshida."
Linna leaned into the table, her voice squeaking in disbelief. "HE got out without anyone noticing?"
"Do you know who let him out?" Sylia asked, though the calm in her voice was not as strong as before.
"...not really..." Nene continued a little bit less inflated about it. "I mean obviously an order like that had to come from really high up the chain of command, or there would be a few officers fired by now, but whoever ordered it had their tracks covered really well."
"Do you think he would be behind the boomer we are hunting?" Linna asked.
"Possibly. When did he get out?" Sylia intervened.
"A few days after you left for Germany," Nene piped. Sylia nodded. No one spoke for a short time. "Is that enough time?"
"If he had a place to work from already set and waiting, then I wouldn't doubt it. In any case, it is a lead we have to follow up."
"I'm on it," Nene volunteered, "I'll search out labs that have been inactive but are still in tact."
Sylia nodded. "I wouldn't have anyone else on such a task. And Linna? I have something special for you to do as well. Would you mind being the one to talk to Astis?"
"Me?" Linna's eyes and voice did nothing to hide her alarm.
Sylia smiled gently. "We cant just show up in full armor and knock on the door. Any others in the building will flip."
Linna considered this before nodding. "Alright. I understand. Just promise me you will be in touch."
Sylia nodded. "Of course. Is there anything else we all should know about?" No one answered and Sylia smiled to herself. "Then I believe the meeting is over."
Nene nodded, her voice solemn as she spoke, "Alright. I think I'm going to get home then. It's getting late."
Sylia nodded, "We understand. See you soon, Nene." Nene simply nodded and left the apartment. As soon as she was out the door, Sylia turned to Linna. "I hate to be a burden, but may I ask you a personal favor?"
Linna looked at Sylia as she asked that, a little confused. Linna answered, "Yes?"
"Mind if I stay here tonight? I want to be here when Kou contacts you again."
Linna nodded a bit shocked. "Of... of course..."
Sylia smiled, "and one more thing? I need to use your phone."
* * *
Astis answered the phone, not sure what he should expect. It would either be Kou getting back to him, someone else from the Hou Bang giving him instructions, or someone claiming to be a Knight Saber and demanding his help. This last choice was the one that terrified him, and if he had a physically beating heart, would have had it rammed up his throught.
His nerves calmed the instant he heard the voice on the other end, "Astis."
"I'm here, Kou," his voice revealed nothing of hiss anxiety.
"Very good. You need to stay where you are for a little while still. I have enlisted some additional help to take down the boomer we hunt."
"Additional help?"
Kou didn't stop to explain, "You will wait in your apartment. You are a witness as to what this thing can do, and they will want to talk to you on it."
"Who am I waiting for?"
"The Knight Sabers. I have hired them on the case to take the boomer down."
Astis remained silent for a moment. The Knight Sabers?!?!? Coming here?!?!? To HIS apartment?!?!? Kou seemed to pick up on the silence. "Astis? Is that clear?"
"Yes... yes sir."
"Good. Cooperate with them completely. Effectively now you are to see them as your partners in the mission."
"Yes sir," the tone in Astis' voice was low.
"And one more thing, report to me when the first meeting is over. I want to know who came and what exactly happened."
"Very well."
"I will be in contact later." A click on the other end and Astis was alone again. Only difference is now he knew to expect someone that he never wanted to see... not after Armstrong's warning.
* * *
Vision's music blared on a tinny sounding set of speakers as the man on the passenger side of the GENOM cargo truck hummed to the tune. The driver wasn't in the same mood. He was tired of being on the road and just wanted to get this job overwith and go home. Neither of them could tell the mood of the other two passengers in the back with the equipment, and the driver simply could not care less. This was a job, and therefore, money for his account. He looked to the man beside him who had now taken to singing with Vision. "Would you stop that?"
The other stopped a moment and looked back at him, "What's up your ass, Durten? You have been fowl since we left headquarters."
Durten only huffed, but ignored the question. Ahead, he saw the destination... the old Wiz Labs. "Say Gitrion, why do you think someone wanted a delivery out here anyway?"
Gitrion shrugged, "Beats me. Probably just a relic so some high up executive can have one more piece to their personal museum."
Durten nodded. That would make sense. They had been on some pretty asinine deliveries before. He didn't give it another thought as he slowed the truck and opened the back. "Alright, we all know what we are looking for, so lets move." He turned off the truck as Gitiron got out and locked his door.
The other two, a large well built man and an energetic young woman who was new to the team, were already outfitting themselves with the head-mounted search lights and a few pieces of street armor. On the chest of each was a nametag. The man was Max, the girl was Sarla. Gitiron did not take long to follow suite while Durten started the motorized cart and brought it out.
"Alright, you all know the drill, teams of two. Gitrion? Your heading out with me. Max and Sarla? You two are the other team. Keep radio contact at all times." Durten spoke as if he was leading a military mission.
Sarla picked up on the tone immediately. "Why are you so worried? Its just a snatch and grab."
"You never know what you will find out there. This lab was blown up a long time ago and no one has been here since. So at this point, who knows what is in there."
"Oh relax," Gitiron let out in a slightly teasing voice as he patted Durten's back. "She has Max with her..." he grinned mischievously as he turned to Sarla. "But you best stay in radio contact. After all, we all know you two love to work as a team and we can only imagine why."
Sarla's face became crimson instantly. She looked to Max for someone to back her up since she couldn't count on Durten to. He was laughing already. Max didn't look like he would either. As usual, he didn't react to much, and it was more like someone had told him the night was a little bit cold then she would seduce him.
Durten did however end this. "Alright, lets move out. By the book." Nods of consent came from all around, followed by the teams moving in. "Sarla? Take your team to the lowest floors and work up. We will take the highest floors. First team to find it makes the call and sets a beacon." His tone got very serious. "NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE is to try to move this thing till we are all there."
Gitiron smirked. "You take the high road and I'll take the low road..." he started to sing.
"Can it Gitiron! You know what this place was used for." Durten barked at him.
"Yeah, yeah.... Man is this going to be a dull job," Gitiron muttered, mostly under his breath.
Durten ignored him. "Is that clear for you all?" A resounding "YES SIR!" came from Max and Sarla, while Gitiron just groaned his own reply. Durten nodded accepting this. "Alright, lets move out."
* * *
The cameras gave him a perfect view as the four humans made their way into the ruined Wiz Labs complex and began their systematic search. He didn't need to be there personally to do this, of course. In fact, it would be safe to say he could not be there personally... at least not yet. Still, he could watch his plan unfold up close and personal despite this little flaw.
If he had a mouth, he would have smiled at this thought... amused that he of all entities, had a flaw. The idea that a god had a flaw was ridiculous, yet there it was. But was it a flaw? Yes, having a body once again would be nice, but to be that restrained... no, he couldn't really see his current state as flawed, at least not in this time when the humans depended so desperately on their computer and boomer counterparts. To control them so directly would prove the greatest benefit he could ever know.
If he could smile, that smile would have increased ten-fold at that thought. He used to see himself as a god... now he truly knew what it was to be one.
* * *
Max opened the door to the next lab and looked around. Something seemed odd to him as he gazed at the various computers and tables sparcingly placed around the room, but it didn't occur to him what till he heard the beeping of a monitoring system. This room was actively in use. "Dammit," he cursed under his breath.
"What's wrong?" Sarla asked, not sure what was so wrong.
"We have to be quick. This lab is being used, and I don't want to meet the kind of mind that would use the Wiz Labs now." He stepped inside, methodically scanning the room. His eyes fell toward something covered in a lab coat against a wall the door had hidden from view. Though from this angle, Max could only make out feet, the pool of blood left no doubts to him what he had just found. "...then again, I'm not sure we have to worry about that."
Sarla stepped in and reactively turned on the lights... it didn't take her long to see the corpse as well, the full lights revealing the cause of death. His head had been twisted entirely around and now stared up through the ceiling with a look of pure terror in his eyes. She turned away her hands to her mouth, afraid she was going to blow chunks. "oh my god..." She couldn't get any more out at the moment.
A gentle hand rested on her shoulder, she looked up to see a sympathizing Max look back at her. "Come on, the boomer we have been looking for is in here." Max guided her view to one of the tables... an almost skeletal boomer form was laying there... the beeps in the room had come from it's monitoring systems.
"I'll call it in," Sarla volunteered. She looked once more at the boomer. Her eyes went wide a moment before she shook her head, deciding it must be her imagination and set the tracer. A moment later, she was on the radio calling the other team here. No one else even questioned the red staining on the boomer's hands.
* * *
Considering the events of the past few weeks, Linna had to consider the morning rather normal. Though that wasn't accurate. Under normal circumstances, Priss usually wouldn't be there to have breakfast, but that was either because she was out already or she was still asleep. It wasn't because she was in the hospital.
For that matter, she also wasn't used to entertaining guests this early in the day, much Sylia Stingray. While she was almost family, it really wasn't like her to stay over night. Still, it wasn't without reason, and Linna really had to admit, she had also never entertained such a cordial guest.
The breakfast they shared wasn't anything spectacular, but Sylia accepted what she was given with a smile and a thank you. Somehow, her calmness and warmth made Linna a little more at ease, but she could not forget the reason Sylia stayed over... the phone call both of them were expecting.
Linna's mind went back to that unwelcome topic as she did the dishes. She glanced back at Sylia, who remained at the table, thoughtfully holding a mug of tea. "How could she be so calm in all this?" Linna wondered to herself.
She didn't have too long to wonder, though. She was putting a dish away when she jumped at the phone ringing. After a second she put the dish away and made herself go to the phone. As she picked it up, she saw Sylia nod reassuringly to her, but she didn't approach. "Which she wouldn't," Linna thought to herself, "we decided it best Kou not even see that anyone else was with me when he called." Still, she smiled a little. Somehow the fact that she didn't have to this alone, no matter what Kou had to think, made her feel better. She picked up the receiver.
"Hello..."