Chapter 10
On the Gekko-Go
With Holland's help, Renton rushed Eureka to the infirmary. They rammed through the door, finding a surprised Mischa. "What's going on? Renton!?!" She gasped as she looked at Eureka. "Get her on that bed now!" The two responded immediately and placed Eureka onto the bed. "Will she be alright?" Renton asked. Mischa rapidly eyed Eureka and felt her forehead, "I don't know. She is badly wounded and has a high fever right now. Her heart rate and breathing is irregular also." Mischa noticed the worry on Renton's face and tried to comfort him. "Don't worry; she'll be alright under my care." Holland tried comforting Renton too. "Yeah, plus she's an SOF. She's tough." Renton held Eureka's hands. "Please get better, Eureka." He whispered into her ears. Mischa walked over to the counter and took out a bottle of rubbing alcohol. "Alright boys, get out of the room now." Holland and Renton looked up, "Why?" they said in unison. "Guys can't see girls when they are changing." Mischa replied as she applied the rubbing alcohol on Eureka's cuts. Renton protested, "But I can help!" Mischa sighed, "Just get out. You can visit her later." Renton was going to argue but instead sighed and walked out of the infirmary. Mischa's eyes darted over to Holland, "You too." He chuckled, "I'm older and more mature so I can stay."
"Never the less, you have to leave."
"Eureka is like a daughter to me!"
"I said no!"
Holland stopped badgering Mischa when veins began to pop out of her forehead. "Alright, alright! Just don't kill me!" Holland said as he left the room. Renton was sitting in the hallway. Holland sighed, "Go refill the supply in the store." Renton didn't move and quietly said, "I failed to protect her…" Holland pulled Renton up by the collar, "Get a grip! It's no use when you sulk around like this! Go refill the supply and come to me when you're done." With that, Holland dropped Renton and walked down the hallway. Renton sighed and trudged to the store. His job in the Gekko-Go was same as it was before. Renton walked up to the counter and sat down on the chair. He looked around, grabbed a bag of chips and began eating. He went through one bag of junk food chips before he felt like he was wasting time. Hap walked in and exclaimed, "Renton! So you're the one who's been eating all my chips before!" Renton stared at Hap and pulled out the papers with people's tabs. "Go ask Moondoggie." He said and tossed the paper over to Hap. He studied the sheet closely, "Hey, what do you know… it has been Moondoggie." Renton resumed chomping down on the chips. Hap left, yelling over his shoulder, "Holland wants to see you. Meet him by the shower rooms by the main deck." Renton threw away the rest of the bag. Food never filled in the gap in his heart whenever Eureka is not doing well. Renton arrived at the shower room and saw Holland in one of the walk-in showers. The entire room was steamy and hot. "Hey, Renton! Take a shower, you smell bad." Holland called. Renton sniffed his armpits, which smelled. He undressed himself and got into one of the shower robes. Holland signaled for Renton to sit down on the bench. "So, tell me what happened after you rescued Eureka." Holland asked. Renton told him all the events they went through. After Renton finished, they sat in silence for a while. "So how far did you guys go?" Holland questioned Renton.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"All you and Eureka did was kiss?"
"Of course!"
"Really?"
"What does that mean!?!"
"Hmm… you guys did it didn't you!?!
"WHAT!?!"
"You have!. I can tell from your face."
Renton's face was beet red. "No!! You got it all wrong!! We aren't even that close yet!" Holland was suspicious, "Sure…tell me the truth!" and then he jumped at Renton, knocking him down. "THAT IS THE TRUTH!" Renton yelled through gritted teeth. Holland didn't believe him and continued to grapple with him but then stopped. Holland sighed, "Alright, I believe you." Renton was about to sit down on the bench but then slipped on a soap bar that was lying around. His head bumped against the wall, knocking him out. "Hey Renton! Are you Ok?" Holland asked and walked up to Renton. He too slipped on a soap bar. "Ahh!" He gasped before his head smashed into the ground. Both men were out cold and could do nothing as the shower room got hotter and steamier.
Moondoggie walked into the room for his daily shower. "Huh, who's that?" He questioned himself and walked over. A scream rang throughout the ship. "What the hell was that?" Talho thought as she ran towards the source. She reached the showers and ran in. "Moondoggie! What's wrong!?!"
"Renton and Holland died!" Moondoggie stuttered.
Talho quickly inspected the two bodies and signaled Moondoggie. With Moondoggie's help, Talho dragged out an unconscious Holland and Renton. Talho exhaled loudly, "Guys and their great stupidity." Renton and Holland were stacked on each other upon the couch. Both were too weak to move a muscle even when Stoner came in and took many pictures. "Damn, I'll get you for this Stoner…" Holland said quietly. Even the kids came and took advantage of them. "I'll draw on Papa!" Linck cried in joy. The kids laughed at their prank. By the end of the day, both Renton and Holland had their body covered with pictures and their hair done in a weird style.