U-DO

Chapter 8

Emotions were something completely foreign to Ziggy, especially the more extravagant ones like anger or fear. Before, he was able to become "discontent" with a situation, but not angry. He was able to feel a bit apprehensive and cautious about something, but not fearful. He felt that fear now.

Both of his hands-the gloved and the mechanical one-shook on their own accord. It was the first time really for as long as he could remember that he was afraid for his life. Anytime death was near, he was always so calm, so ready for it to occur, but now somehow it was a little different. The natural human feeling of self-preservation-a long suppressed trait-took him by surprise. Along with it came the fear of death.

Below the surface, he could still feel the U-DO waves raging against his will, slowly but surely chipping away at his resolve. Jr. understood more than anyone else that he wouldn't last under such circumstances. Every passing moment, his ability to distinguish between what was right and wrong was becoming more and more difficult.

And there it was, the rumbling. U-DO once again was making itself known. It was the Durandal's turn to face its wrath-the ship was going to be destroyed along with him. Though he feared for his death, he had no desire to follow the others to the dock area; he cared too much about their well-being and what his presence would mean for them. He had to convince himself to stay put instead of sprinting off to safety as he wanted to do.

"Ziggy…"

Impossible, Ziggy had thought at once, why is she still here? He turned, startled, to MOMO's small voice. "What are you…doing here?"

MOMO stepped back a little, put off by all the emotion Ziggy displayed at that moment. She could finally read what had been hidden under the surface-surprise, concern, guilt, fear.

"I'm sorry-I didn't mean to scare you. I just couldn't leave you here by yourself…"

"No, you didn't scare me; you surprised me and I'm concerned and fearful of your safety-guilty because you feel so obligated to make sure that I'm alright."

"You're different somehow-something about you has changed."

"Besides the fact that I've been infected with U-DO waves and I continue to wrestle with the idea of decimating all of you as I was told to do?"

MOMO stepped back a little more, "Not that. Something else."

"I wonder sometimes if you care about your life, MOMO. Why do you constantly put yourself into these precarious situations? Have you no sense of self-preservation?"

"It's because I care, Ziggy. I think maybe I care too much, but I can't change that. I don't want to."

"But you care so little of yourself. It's as if…you want to die."

Ziggy took one step closer to her, she took a step back.

"I don't want to die, but what about you? Who's going to worry for your safety?"

"You want to live, don't you?"

MOMO noticed the strain in his voice and the effort it took to still his hands-the ones that yearned to tear her apart. He held them now, tightly. She realized that Jr. had justly accused him of being dangerous, but she couldn't believe him until she had seen it for herself. The same sinister tone in his tone was returning and she could see the beads of sweat on his face increase.

"This ship won't last long," Ziggy continued, "Perhaps your plan to come back here was ill-conceived. You could be with your friends now safely on Elsa ready to launch before Durandal collapses on itself, but you're here."

He took another step towards her and she stepped back again. Her eyes grew wide with terror as he continued his advance. Soon she was backed into a corner. The rumbling around them had persisted and it was difficult for her to keep her footing. She found herself on the ground looking up fearfully at the looming figure of Ziggy. He stood confidently before her, unaffected by the rocking ship.

"Please…" MOMO pleaded fearfully.

She held her arms up defensively shutting her eyes, waiting for him to strike. A minute came and went and nothing occurred. Then she felt herself being scooped into strong, familiar arms and then she heard the crashing of metal feet on the ground as her savior sprinted down the corridor to the mini transport. Just as quickly as that, she felt safe again and her arms came down.

"Are we…?"

"You can't stay here. I'm taking you to the Elsa where you should have been before."

There was the voice she was used to marked with duty-bound earnestness. The world slipped quickly by until they stopped momentarily at the mini transport. It hadn't been working before, but it was worth a try now to see if it had magically rebooted itself-they'd reach the dock area a lot quicker on the transport. Otherwise, Ziggy was going to have pick up the pace if he wanted to get to the Elsa before it took off assuming that the crew hadn't noticed MOMO's absence by then.

"Dock area," MOMO yelled out to the shuttle upon seeing it.

Much to their surprise, the doors opened. Ziggy wasted no time gawking at the impossibility and climbed into the shuttle. It was slower than Ziggy remembered, but still efficient enough. He set her down as soon as he had gotten into the transport and now she sat across from him as they sped through the tunnels. She found herself noting Ziggy's appearance. A grayish purple tinge had formed beneath his startling eyes as if he was more ready to climb into the bed rather than take her to safety. His skin seemed quite moist by then as if the entire time the sun had beaming down on him. MOMO knew then for certain that his strength was dwindling. For now, as she looked at him, he seemed tired and strained. When he noticed her gaze, she looked away quickly unable to look at him directly. For the longest second in her life, she felt his steady gaze upon her until the shuttle doors opened once again. Before she knew it, she was in his arms again and they were making their way towards the Elsa which was, much to MOMO's surprise, taking off.

"What are we going to do," MOMO said quietly with a tremble, "It's already leaving."

"Don't worry."

MOMO looked up at him in surprise wondering how he could sound so calm when all was about to be lost.

"Hold on to me tightly and close your eyes."

MOMO obeyed him without question and she felt herself being taken forth at incredible speeds. She heard a loud boom just as they breached the speed of sound. MOMO gripped him even harder. For a long moment, she felt herself soaring through the air. The temperature around her rose as Ziggy shot through the air like a missile. His metal hand reached out and grabbed hold of the ship's launching strip on its belly-the very same place he and MOMO had first arrived on the ship after the Pleroma rescue.

"The catapult," MOMO realized as she looked up, "We have to tell them to close it!"

For now, Ziggy was able to maintain balance, but MOMO had no idea for how long.

"Can you get in contact with the others?" Ziggy asked MOMO.

"Yes," MOMO said as she took out her communicator and contacted the ship.

She waited for the signal to be sent through and then she immediately explained their situation and what needed to be done. Jr. had just then given the orders to turn back as he had just then realized that they had lost MOMO in the commotion. Now, however, he was on his way to their position to bring them to safety.