Chapter 23

Ken coughed and choked. This gas wasn't going to be bearable for much longer. Frantically, he pulled out his Bird Rang and attempted to crack the glass dome surrounding them with its pointed edge. But even though he smashed it as hard as he could against the barrier, he couldn't even see a scratch.

Ryu was lying motionless on the floor and Jinpei was moaning. Ken knew they didn't have much more time.

But he didn't know what to do...

The Eagle growled in frustration, hacking as he inadvertently breathed in more of the gas than he had intended. His eyes closed as he slipped to the floor...

88888

Joe was just about to go through the door when he and Jun heard Katse's voice quite clearly.

"They've had enough now. The neural compound should be effective. Clear the gas out and let them go."

"Yes, Lord Katse!" another voice said. "But what about the other two ninjas?"

"Let's let them escape with Gatchaman." Katse smirked. "They won't suspect a thing..."

"Won't suspect what?" Jun was concerned.

"We'll alert Dr. Nambu when we get back." Joe reassured her. "He'll know what to do."

"If you say so." Jun was doubtful.

88888

Ken awoke with a terrible headache and a bad taste in his mouth. Next to him, Jinpei and Ryu were doing the same. When he sat up, he realized that the gas was gone, and the glass dome had retracted.

"Let's get out of here." he mumbled, shaking his head. The Eagle was still a little disoriented.

"Yeah..." agreed Jinpei, stumbling a little as he stood up.

"I think I see an exit." Ryu pointed with a quavering hand at a nearby doorway.

Suddenly, the door opened and Jun and Joe came rushing in.

"Gatchaman! Are you okay?" Joe said loudly, worried that Galactor might be watching. He didn't want them to be certain that he and Jun were on the Science Ninja Team.

"Who..." Ken's head cleared enough to realize what Joe was doing. Who are you?"

"A friend. Let's go." Joe replied tersely, pulling Ken to his feet while Jun did the same for Jinpei. Once the Eagle and the Swallow were standing, Joe and Jun both had to help the Owl stand up.

"There's an exit here." Jun said. "Then you can escape."

"Thanks..." mumbled Ken, as he, Jinpei and Ryu stumbled in the direction she pointed.

"They need medical attention." she said quietly to Joe. A tinge of fear was evident in her shaking voice.

"They'll get it." Joe replied grimly, as he led everyone out of the base.

88888

Back at the Crescent Coral Base, Dr Nambu pronounced Ken, Jinpei and Ryu fit for duty.

"But, Katse said that they had been subjected to a neural compound!" Jun protested. "Do you even know what it does?"

"I can't find any evidence of anything wrong with their brainwaves." the Doctor replied calmly. "I'll continue to have them come in for examinations twice a day for the next little while, in case something develops. But for now, they're perfectly fine."

"If you say so, Hakase." Jun was doubtful.

"If it makes you feel better, I am confining everyone to base." the Doctor added.

"That does... a little." Jun smiled weakly.

"Come on, Jun, you need some rest." Joe said, putting his arm around her and leading her out of Nambu's office. "The guys are resting in their quarters, and you should be too. You haven't slept in twenty four hours."

"You're right, Joe." Jun sighed. "Thanks for looking out for me."

"Anytime, Jun." Joe replied, a gentle expression in his grey-blue eyes.

Joe brought Jun back to her room.

"Remember, I'm right next door if you need anything." Joe reminded her. "When you wake up, we'll go check on Hakase's next examination of the others."

"Okay." Jun nodded.

Exhausted, Jun walked into her room, stripping off the tattered blue dress she was still wearing and tossing it into the garbage can. Then she went into the shower, standing under the steaming water as it ran at full blast, washing the dirt and blood from her hair and skin. Once she had completely refreshed herself, she slipped into her pink baby doll nightie, gratefully sinking into her bed.

"I just need some rest..." she murmured to herself, turning off the lights.

But just as she was about to close her eyes, her door opened. Jun recognized the familiar silhouette.

"Ken?" she asked, rubbing her eyelids.

A sharp, familiar sound cut through the air.

It was the sound of Ken's Bird Rang snapping open.

A bare second later, Ken's arms were wrapped around Jun, his upper body pinning her to the bed as he held the sharp edge of the Bird Rang to her throat. A murderous expression was etched on his face, and his usually peaceful eyes had the glint of insanity.

"Die!" he hissed.

"Get off of me!" Jun screamed, just as her door banged open again.

"You heard her!" growled Joe, as he came running into the room, feather shuriken in hand.

"Not so fast."

Joe turned around to see a smirking Jinpei and Ryu behind him, both pointing sonic guns at his back.