Loonatics: United

Compromised System

Episode 152: Recharging energies

They arrived at the toller, Tech landed the Leviathan on the large platform that was attached to a tall, gray building, which had a fancy white neon sign that said 'hotel' on the top. After turning off the ship's systems, Tech exited the cockpit. "Get ready, guys, we're here." Tech said loudly while walking through the hallway, he then entered the medbay. "Ed, how you feeling?"

"Better." Edison replied. "Not sure if I can even get on my feet yet, though. Maybe I should just stay here."

"You and Vale need to rest properly, we need you at your full capacity." Tech helped him get off the bed, getting his arm under his to support him.

Edison groaned. "Okay."

"How much does it hurt? On a scale of one to ten?" Tech inquired while walking through the hallway carefully.

"Five, or four maybe." Edison replied.

"I got him." Akinyi approached Tech and winked at him.

"Thanks, Akinyi." Tech switched spots with her, letting her aid her boyfriend.

"My pleasure." Akinyi smiled at Edison and kissed his cheek.

Lexi, Ace and Vale went downstairs. Ace helped Vale walk down and stand on his feet. "It's not necessary, I c…" Vale was interrupted.

"It is." Tech said firmly. "Your only and most important task now is to rest all you can, and…we'll do so in the meantime as well."

Rev, Duck and Slam were already waiting outside of the Leviathan, contemplating the looks of the hotel. "This one looks promising." Duck said.

"I bet they have massage service." Rev supposed. "My neck hurts a bit."

"And why do you need that? Maybe Slam could give you a hand." Duck replied.

Slam thundered his fingers, grunting in a tone of helpfulness.

Rev's eyes widened. "It doesn't hurt that much so I'll pass this time. But thanks big guy."

The whole team exited the ship and entered the hotel through the tall automatic doors. The place was fancy and modern, holographic signs, ornaments and advertising spaces abounded, on the walls, on the floor and even on the ceiling. Calm, synth music played dimly and endlessly. After Tech checked in, he and the rest were guided by a robotic lobby guy, which had an oval shaped body just as it's head and limbs, it hovered over the floor seamlessly. "I asked for a suite, it has three rooms and a living room, I guess it will be enough." Tech informed.

"It must cost a fortune." Akinyi said.

"It's wasn't that expensive, actually." Tech replied. "Tollers aren't particularly tourist destinations."

"We'll ask…" Vale groaned, Ace was still helping him walk. "…Jeremy to pay for our expenses."

"It's alright, don't worry." Ace said. "We are a team and we watch each other's backs."

After taking the elevator and walking through a long, white hallway, they arrived at their room."Use the card to open and close the door. If you lose your card, please cont…" The robot got interrupted.

"We understand." Tech told the robot. "We don't have to give you tips, right?"

"Negative. Enjoy your stay." The robot moved away from them.

They entered the suite, Tech placed the card on the holder and the lights turned on, making their eyes widen by the awe. "Man, this is something else!" Ace said. "I knew I could trust you, Doc." He chuckled.

Tech laughed briefly. "Well, we all need to get the best rest we can, recharge batteries and all."

"Come on, babe." Akinyi began to take Edison to one of the rooms. Ace did the same with Vale.

Rev stretched and yawned. "I ask for the main bed."

"Dang I don't want to sleep on the floor." Duck crossed his arms. "It has to be a queen size, I don't care if I have to share it. My back hurts as hell."

"Let me check." Rev rushed and left his signature red trace behind him then he returned to his previous spot right away. "Yeah queen size."

"Excellent." Duck said. "But promise me you will stay on your side of the bed, otherwise we'll have a serious problem."

Rev put his hand on his own chest. "I promise I'll stay on my side on the bed and not make things awkward or uncomfortable."

"Nice that you added that." Duck said.

Tech sighed. "It seems I'll have to sleep on the couch then. Oh wait, Lexi." He looked at Rev and Duck. "Show a little chivalry, guys, let her have the bed."

"First in time first in right." Duck said.

"My neck hurts, ouch." Rev pretended to feel pain and rubbed his neck.

"Why do I even try?" Tech rolled up his eyes.

The aesthetic of the suite and the rooms was very sharp and modern, minimalist yet with all the necessary amenities, each room had a large flat TV attached to the wall, a small couch and a bed, as well as a couple of desks and floor lamps. Ace helped Vale lay down on the bed of his room, over the white bed sheets. Vale sighed with relief as he rested his head on the soft pillow. "Thanks man." He groaned. "Now, I guess I'll just..." Vale yawned. "...sleep or something."

"It's all you have to do." Ace walked away from him and exited the room. The automatic door closed afterwards.

Akinyi gave Edison a tender kiss on the forehead after laying him down on his bed. "Just rest, babe." She caressed his face.

"Can you stay here with me?" Edison smirked at her. "The bed is big enough."

Akinyi smiled back. "Okay." She got on the bed and laid down next to him, hugging him and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Much better." Edison chuckled along with her. "Thank you."

Akinyi kissed his cheek briefly. "Anything for you." After a couple of minutes, they both fell deeply asleep.

"I called the reception, they'll bring us some inflatable mattresses." Tech told Ace.

"Cool, put them in the main room when they arrive." Ace ordered. "Are you sure you want the couch? I could sleep there with no issues."

"Of course, don´t worry." Tech said.

Slam growled, asking where he could possibly sleep as he could burst the inflatable mattresses with ease.

"The floor is a good alternative, big guy." Duck said mockingly as he exited the bathroom, wearing a black swimsuit and a pair of sandals. "I'll see you later, guys." He walked towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Lexi asked. "And where did you get that stuff?"

"From my backpack, duh!" Duck responded. "I always come prepared, as any respectable man would."

"They have pool here?" Lexi inquired with some interest.

"Yes." Tech responded casually.

"Enough talk, I'm going for a swim." Duck resumed his steps and then exited the room.

"Who brings a swimsuit to a mission?" Lexi raised an eyebrow. "Honestly, I wish I had."

Ace thought for a moment, scratching his lower jaw. "I mean, we could buy some, I saw a small shop in the lobby." He looked at Tech, Rev and Slam. "What do you think guys?"

"I'm in." Randy said all of a sudden, scaring Ace a bit.

"Woah." Ace put his hand on his chest briefly. "Man you scared me, were you there all the time?" Randy was just standing next to him.

"Uhm, yes." Randy replied.

Ace chuckled. "Okay. Let's buy ourselves some swimsuits."

After going to the shop and getting what they looked for, they went to the pool area, which was indoors, the ceiling simulated a permanent night sky and the ambient was comfortably warm. "Man I never saw anything like this!" Ace praised the uncommon design of the pool, it was a large asymmetrical pool that had several levels going up, with smaller yet considerably big pools on them, connected by bridges and staircases of dark blue tiles and small black rocks.

"You look neat, baby." Lexi told her boyfriend, who wore a black swimsuit with thin yellow lines.

Ace chuckled, winking at her. "You don't look bad either, Lex." His girlfriend wore a pink colored bikini.

"Man I wish Rebeca was here." Rev sighed while daydreaming, he had bought a red swimsuit with black details.

"I feel you, bud. Susan has been pleading me to share a vacation with her." Tech replied, he naturally wore a green swimsuit, with black squares adorning it. "Oh well, maybe after this mission is over."

"Hey, guys!" Duck waved from the main pool, taking a sip from a beverage he was holding. "Over here!"

"What if we just pretend we don't know him?" Lexi asked Ace jokingly.

Ace chuckled. "That sounds like a good idea."

Slam rushed towards the pool while growling with excitement, he had opted for a dark purple colored swimsuit, he jumped when reaching the edge of the floor, which consisted mainly in tiny white rocks.

Duck's eyes widened. "Damn it." Slam dived right before him, making waves in the pool and also splashing a lot of water. Slam got his head out of the water while spitting out some of it playfully, Duck then got his head out as well, taking deep breaths while looking at his now empty glass. "Man! What the hell?! This was expensive!"

Slam just grunted with disinterest while shrugging.

They all got in the water, reuniting with Duck and Slam. "The water is very warm here." Randy commented, he had chosen a gray swimsuit with blue details.

Tech sighed with bliss. "You're right, it almost feels like a giant jacuzzi."

"Where are the others?" Duck asked.

"Uhm, recovering? Duh." Lexi replied mockingly.

"I forgot, sorry!" Duck replied with annoyance. "I'm not perfect."

"I'm well aware of that." Lexi chuckled along with the rest.

"Where did you order that thing, Duck?" Ace asked.

"Back there." Duck pointed at the bar that was at the bottom, with underwater benches so the swimmers could order without getting out of the pool.

"May I invite you a drink, my lady?" Ace got his bent arm next to Lexi's, smirking at her.

Lexi chuckled as she linked her arm with his. "Absolutely, handsome."