Chapter 3: Rumination

She dashed through the hospital entrance doors like a bat out of hell. Not even talking to the receptionist upfront, she made haste to the intensive care unit. Going up elevators, through long Corredor's she finally reached her destination. She saw police in the room asking questions to the doctor. Looking towards her, the doctor made his way to her. Adjusting his glasses he said, "You must be his wife, I assume?" Giving him a curt nod, signaling he may continue. "Your husband is in critical condition. We were able to remove the bullets from both his heart and spinal cord. The bullet that hit him, breached the lower spinal cord. The odds of him ever walking again are very slim. Biting her lip she asked. "What about the heart?"

Taking his glasses off he began to speak once more. "The heart is what we're concerned the most about. The bullet didn't hit it directly, thankfully. However, we've learned that along with being born Complete Congenital Arhinia, he also has a severe form of Bradycardia. I'll explain what Bradycardia. It's when the heart beats so slowly that it doesn't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. This can be life-threatening." She slightly trembled before saying. "If he were to say, die would it be natural? The Dragon Balls have one major loophole. They cannot revive a person who dies of natural causes. Rubbing his chin he spoke, "In a theory yes, it would be natural. Why do want to know?" Her heart at that moment shattered upon hearing those words. "Never...mind. I'm going to see my husband. "Very well, I'll leave you alone."

Watching as the doctor went down the hallway, she walked into the room that had her husband. Shutting the door she pulled up a chair next his bedside. She wanted to curl up to him but he had ventilator on his mouth that allowed him to breathe. Taking his hand she squeezed it gently, hoping as if he could feel her touch. Tears started streaming down her face from her blue metallic eyes. She started to speak silently, "I'm so sorry. I never meant the things I've said to you over the the past couple of months. Starting to shake uncontrollably she muttered. "I love you. I haven't told you that in such a long time. You're the best husband and father a wife and daughter could ask for. Please...don't leave us." Burrowing her head into his sheets she remained there for what seemed hours.

Arriving at the hospital, Viktor Zaz made his way through the doors. Going over to the the receptionist desk he asked. "Do you know where the Intensive care unit is, ma'am?" She looked up and blushed at what she saw. "What is a hunk like you doing out at this time of the night? Anyhow, the I.C.U is located on the second floor." Walking away he said a polite, "Thank you." Going up the elevator he eventually found the I.C.U. After being directed by the desk out front he went and opened the door the lead to his partner's room. What he saw filled him with sorrow. Her head face down in his sheets, silently sobbing. Putting his hand on Eighteen's shoulder he said, "I'm so sorry." She looked up at him with her tear stained face and said, "What happened. I want to know everything." He gave her the full details of the events as they had transpired, and what he knew as of now.

After hearing everything Viktor had said she began to speak. "So Krillin pushed you out of the way after he sensed something was up. Damn him having to be the hero." She muttered. Wanting to comfort her he said, " Mrs. Chestnut, if I could have taken the bullets instead of him I would. Pushing a strand of hairbehind her ear, she spoke. "Just call me Eighteen from now on. Mrs. Chestnut makes me feel old." Nodding he said, "Very well, Eighteen." He folded his arms and said "The bullets will be sent over to SPD forensics lab for further examination. I'll be personally overlooking them." She turned her head over to face him. "Because of your experience as a soldier?" Shifting in his chair he said, "Yes my experience suits in me examining unrecognized technology" Deciding it wasn't the time to confess his secret about being a former Captain in the Red Ribbon Army, and his last name was "Green" instead of "Zaz". He told himself he'd tell her when the time was appropriate. He would tell her the truth as head done so to Krillin. He had a feeling his old friend and former superior General Marcus Copper was behind this, and if he was then there would be hell to pay.

Sipping from his favorite bottle of wine, General Copper was listening as his inner circle bickered amongst themselves. Word had spread fast about the star police officer Krillin Chestnut being in critical condition after being shot. The word would get out, it was inevitable. They weren't concerned about that. What they were concerned, was that the Earth's defenders would strike back in retaliation. Deciding it was his turn to reassure his comrades. "Ladies and gentlemen, do not fret. There are procedures that are in place to prevent an frontal assault on this stronghold. One man spoke up. "Please elaborate on that, General." Placing his finger on a button that showed a blueprint of the entire stronghold he began to say. "This stronghold is decked out with Ki dampeners that disables the use of Ki, except for myself and my elite. For instance, if Android No. 18 or any of the Z fighters were foolhardy enough to launch an assault on the base, they'd quickly find their Ki attacks wouldn't work. The only thing she could do is fly using Hikou, but the others would be running rats trying to escape. I assure you, I have every forceable precaution instilled in this base." Sharing looks at one another they agreed.

With the Staff meeting adjourned, Copper made his way to his office. Taking a seat in his leather chair he began to contemplate. There was no doubt the Cyborg called Android 18 would confront him. It was for certain. She was one of the smartest fighters on earth. A database installed into her brain that could give her clues onto where to look for him. Copper wasn't afraid. In a way he was excited to face off with the emotional cyborg. He would slowly tear her down meter by meter, expose her to the greatest things she fears the most. But first he wanted her to know his old friend, Captain Viktor Green now known by the last name of "Zaz" was a former operative of his. He was curious onto what her reaction would be.

She would in no doubt be enraged upon learning that her husband's partner was a former Red Ribbon Army agent. Would she think he had something to do her husband's predicament? Perhaps she would murder him. Either way this would be a good idea to gauge her power in combat. This would be one of many tests he would conduct on the Cyborg until their destined confrontation. Picking up the telephone on his desk he made a call to the East Wing Command Center. "This is General Copper speaking. I need you to make a call." Telling his subordinate on the other line he wanted them to make an anonymous phone call to the Android 18. They were to to reveal to her that Viktor Zaz was not who he said he was. They were going to tell her of his secret, and leave the rest to her. Putting his hands together he grinned, "Your punishment for deserting the Army has finally come, my old friend."

A/N

Next chapter is going to be tense. Thanks for reading! Reviews are appreciated.

TBC