Chapter 23

Maurice stared into the endless green sea of the compact drive. The red and blue lights still did not blink in unison. Everyone in the ship was depressed because Renton was somewhere unknown. Further elevating the sad mood is the hospitalization of Eureka. Maurice knew she would recover in no time under Mischa's care, but after seeing all the bloodied rags and bandages, he was still uneasy of the situation. Maurice lied back on the couch and looked at his peacefully sleeping brother and sister. Maurice's gaze diverted back to the huge compact drive. Maurice gasped loudly. The red light blinked slower and was much dimmer than the blue light.

"Renton!?!"

Linck and Maeter woke up with a jolt. "What wrong, Maurice?" Maeter asked while she yawned and rubbed her eyes. "The compact drive! Something happened to Renton I think!" Maurice said while pointing at the compact drive. Linck and Maeter gasped together, "The light! It's not…"

Mischa's voice cut through the air. "Someone come to the infirmary and help me with Eureka!" Her voice crackled through the speakers.

"Come on! Let's go!" Maurice yelled urgently and pulled Maeter and Linck along before they could respond.

The three siblings jammed through the infirmary doors and were surprised to see Mischa holding Eureka down.

"Mama!" They yelled frantically. Eureka was trembling uncontrollably and sweat ran down her cheeks. Her eyes diverted left and right as if searching for something. She started yelling loudly, "Renton! RENTON! We have to go save him!"

"Help me hold her down!" Mischa grunted as she pushed down on Eureka. The three children were in too much shock and could only nod their heads. Through all the chaos, Maurice was the first to regain his senses. "Mama!" He yelled and pinned one of Eureka's arms down from moving. Linck and Maeter also regained their senses soon after that. "Mama!" They yelled and clamped onto Eureka. "Hold her still while I sedate her!" Mischa yelled and left searching for sedative drugs in the cabinets. She returned a minute later with a bottle and needle in hand. Eureka still spasm uncontrollably. "Hold her still!" Mischa said in a commanding tone. The three siblings nodded simultaneously and held Eureka down with all their might. "Hold on Mama!"

Mischa quickly wiped Eureka's wrist with an alcohol towel and stuck the needle in. The red liquid drug drained from the clear tube and entered Eureka's body. Moments after, Eureka stopped shaking and moving. Her pupils dilated and her body went limp. Maurice breathed a sigh of relief and slumped down against the infirmary bed. Mischa sighed and left the infirmary room. Holland ran up to her and yelled, "What's going on?"
"Keep your voice down, Eureka is resting now."

Holland reached for the door handle but Mischa stopped him.

"Let them be by themselves for a while."

Holland nodded and stepped back.

"Woz finished tracing the trail of the small aircraft. We'll be heading for it in the morning."

"How do you plan to retrieve Renton?"

Holland smiled, "By force of course. But first, we'll need to pay a short visit to Morita and pick up the DevilFish."