Joe kept looking, frantic for a sight of her. Those that were unfortunate enough to encounter him, died in great agony as he took it out on them. He tore through the base, where was she he thought. His thoughts filtered back to the past. His time with her, the little moments that meant so much. From the little notes, she liked to leave him to find, that brought a smile to his face, to her back rubs that were the best. He knew he never could live without her, how could he? There were so many things that made her special, and how happy he was with her. He still hated Galactor, and wanted them all dead. However, he wanted to live for Jun, to share many years with her, and children.
He could imagine their kids, beautiful like their mother, with his fire. Growing old together, and still in love. Even just holding hands would make his heart race. He could see it all, and he needed her back. He looked around and he had killed so many, yet he wanted more to destroy. 'Jun where are you?' Explosions went off, and he could hear screams, and metal tearing. He hardened his expression; he knew he had to bury his emotions now. He heard a woman's scream, and he headed at a dead run towards the door.
Ryu stood with Jinpei watching the nurses rushing the gurney down the hall with Ken on it. There was no one there to tell him that Ken would be all right, he turned to Jinpei seeing his wet face, and he put his hand on his shoulder. "It will be alright, Ken will be fine."
The young boy looked up at him, "what about Jun?"
"Joe will find her, and we will go get them now."
"Then let's go, now!" He began to rush back down the hall, with Ryu behind him. He had to get his sister back. Ryu followed him, remembering what Joe had said before they left. He never thought Joe would get married, and especially not to Jun. Ken would be devastated.
Jun was dragged to a ship and tossed on the hard floor with her hands tied behind her. Several of Galactors men took seats and they took off. She knew she had to get free, as she worked at her bounds when someone lifted her head up and a fist came down striking her chin, and all went black. "Now she won't be calling her friends. Let's get out of here, before the Condor gets here."
Joe stood outside the base that was now rubble. He had seen the ship leave and couldn't follow. He sat on a large piece of cement block waiting for Ryu to return. His eyes were empty, and he seemed unaware that he was pounding his fist into the block he sat on, repeatedly. Unaware of the blood that stained the pale stone, this was the way Ryu found him.
"Joe?" Ryu moved closer with Jinpei standing there beside him. "Joe. Where is Jun?"
"Where is she Joe?" asked Jinpei as he grabbed Joe's shoulder. "You were supposed to rescue her!" he began to yell, as Ryu pulled him back. Joe slowly looked up at them.
"They used a ship, I couldn't follow. I let her down."
"It's not your fault Joe, you did your best. We will get her back."
Jinpei was angry and wanted to hit Joe as he struggled to get free of Ryu. "He let them kill her! If Ken were here…."
"Be quiet Jinpei, Ken couldn't have done any better, kid." Jinpei looked up and swiped at his tears, and nodded.
"I'm sorry Joe, not your fault."
Joe looked up at the boy, and stood up. "I will get her back. Ryu lets go find her."
"You got it Joe." The three moved towards the Phoenix.
Nambu came into the J, seeing the boys there sitting at the counter. None of them paid him any attention. He walked over as Jinpei looked up at him. "Hi Doctor, we aren't open."
"I know that Jinpei, I am here to see you boys. I know this isn't easy on you, it isn't for me either. Nevertheless, we will find her. I just saw Ken."
Joe looked up, and wondered how he could have forgotten his best friend, and brother. "How is he Doctor?"
"He will be out of the hospital in a week. He wants to be with you three when you go for Jun."
"Don't you have anything?"
"No Joe, not yet. Patience."
Joe jumped up, "Patience! Easy for you to say. I want my wife back!"
Nambu narrowed his eyes at the young man. He had heard a rumor that the two had started seeing each other but he didn't know it had gone that far. "Joe, this is one reason we have the rules about fraternization. You aren't thinking clearly."
"Excuse me for having feelings! If I have to chose Doctor, I chose Jun."
"We all must make sacrifices, even those we love."
"Just when do we stop giving up those we love to this war? When can we be normal? Doctor if you wanted unfeeling soldiers you should have used robots." Nambu looked at Ryu who was giving him a hard look, as he spoke.
"Ryu, I know you are all close…"
"We are family, Doctor you made us a family. We only have each other."
"Doctor, we don't leave one of our own behind." All turned to the door where Ken stood, leanign against the door frame.
"Ken!"
"You should be in bed."
"I have to help. She would do it for any of us."
"Alright team, but Ken…"
"No Doctor I can manage. I'm fine."
The four turned and left the room. Nambu watched his children leave, he was proud of them. They really were a family. He turned and went out the door headed for his car.