"I called you all here to tell you that we may have found Miles Dredd." Forge told us and I frowned.
"Just point me in his direction and stand back." I said only for Forge to hold up a hand.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm but he's too much for one person to handle, even if she's a Turbo user. We have to be smart about how to handle him and rushing headlong into a fight isn't a smart move." He said and I crossed my arms against my chest, annoyed.
"So what's the plan?" Max asked as I stood there, wondering why the Commander had singled me out.
"Max, I want you and Steel to fly over Copper Canyon and see if you can find any trace of him. Kat, you and Jefferson go as back up." Forge told them and with a nod to their commander, they rushed away leaving me, Berto and Shock in the room.
"What about us?" I asked and Forge looked over at us.
"I want you and Shock to stay at N-Tek and help Berto search for Miles Dredd." He said and left while I was standing there in Shock.
"I can't believe this. Why does Max get to fight Dredd and we're stuck here." I complained and Berto patted me on the shoulder.
"Don't worry about it. He probably doesn't want a repeat of what happened with Toxzon. Let's just go back to my lab." Berto suggested and even Shock agreed. Unfortunately for them I wasn't about to sit by and let Max and Steel have all the fun.
"Sorry guys but I'm not about to take no for an answer. Come on Shock; let's go catch a bad guy." I said only for Berto to stand in front of me.
"Oh no. Not this again. The last time you went off on your own to fight Toxzon…well you know how it ended." Berto told me and I sighed.
"Look I know. I was there, remember. Anyway I promised to be more cautious this time." I replied and he sighed this time.
"Fine then I'm coming with you. No arguments." He said and I nodded, impressed by his attitude. Together we ran towards the hangar entrance and once there we discovered that both Jump Jets had already left.
"I guess its Flight mode time." Shock said and we linked, changing modes.
"Need a lift?" I asked and Berto wrapped an arm around my waist with a grin. "Let's go get Dredd!" I said and we shot towards the roof. When it looked like we would hit the roof the hologram vanished and we flew into the clear blue sky. Flying around the canyon I soon realized that I really had no clue where Miles might be and I knew Berto could sense my hesitation.
"Maybe we should find Max and Steel." He suggested and I smiled under my helmet. As we took off again, Shock scanned for any trace of his Turbo energy. After a while we soon came across Max and Steel. I called out to them and they stopped.
"What are you three doing here? I thought Forge told you to stay behind." Max asked me.
"Like I'm going to let you have all the fun. Besides you might need back up." I told him, only for Kat and Jefferson to show up.
"That's why Commander Forge asked us to go with Max." Kat told me as she flew alongside us.
"Hey what's the point of being a superhero if I don't fight?" I said. Instead of answering me, Max flew ahead and I went after him. "Wait up!" I called out. Not paying enough attention to my surroundings I didn't see the Jet until it was almost on top of us. "Whoa!" I yelled and shot forward, only for the Jet to match my speed. Realizing that it wasn't one of ours I flew closer to the ground.
"Can you go any faster?" Berto asked and I nodded, holding on tight to him before I let loose and moved as fast as Flight mode would allow. Leaving the jet behind I let out a yell and even Berto was impressed by my moves right up until the Jet launched a missile at me. Thinking I could dodge it I stopped and dived down, closely followed by the missile. Thinking fast I landed and set Berto down. Changing into Speed mode, I raced forward and the missile gave chase.
"How'd you know it was after you?" Shock asked me as we raced across the Canyon floor.
"I figure it's either attracted to Turbo energy or it's locked onto me. Either way we have to stop it." I pointed out, just as we reached a wall. "Hang on I have an idea." I said and Shock asked if it was a good one. With a nod I stood and waited for the missile to reach us. Before it could hit, I leapt at the wall and flipped from it, causing the missile to slam into the wall and explode. Thrown backwards by the blast I managed to right myself in midair and land safely. Detaching from me, Shock stared at me.
"That was your plan?" He said, arms crossed and I shrugged. Rolling his eye he reattached and we raced back to Berto.
"Are you okay?" Berto asked when we found him. "Warn me when you're going to do something crazy next time."
"Why? So you can stop me?" I asked and he actually smiled.
"No. So I can be in on it." He replied and I laughed. Sadly my good mood didn't last long when Miles Dredd appeared. Standing beside me, Berto quickly called for C.Y.T.R.O as Dredd watched us.
"So we meet again, J-Shock. It was a foolish mistake to think you could fight me all by yourself." He said and I growled.
"She's not alone." Shock said and Berto nodded in agreement. "We stand together."
"Then you'll fall together too." Dredd said as he advanced towards us. Knowing I had to protect Berto until C.Y.T.R.O. or Max Steel arrived, I stepped forward and changed modes. Now in my new Knight mode I rushed forward. As I collided with Dredd, I shouted for Berto to take cover. With a nod the young scientist raced away and that's when Jason Naught showed up in his mecha form, blocking his escape.
"Berto!" I called out just as Jason swung his arm at Berto who threw his arm up to protect himself. Occupied with fighting Dredd I missed the blow but I heard Berto cry out in pain. Worried I turned and saw him sitting on the ground, cradling his left hand. Furious I wasn't focused on my fight and that's when Miles Dredd knocked me to the ground. Standing over me he laughed as he started to syphon my Turbo energy. As it was forcibly drained from me I cried out in pain and changed to Base mode. Helpless I was saved when Max Steel showed up and knocked Jason Naught on his rear. Then he went after Miles Dredd and I was suddenly freed from the syphon. Staggering to my feet I made my way to Berto. Kneeling I went to help him to his feet, only for him to gasp.
"What did he do?" I asked him as he climbed to his feet.
"I think it's broken." He mumbled, leaning against me. "We have to get back to N-Tek." He had only taken a step when his eyes rolled up in his head and I caught him in my arms. Confused I just stood there until Shock asked me what we should do. Thinking fast I gently lowered Berto to the ground. "Speed mode." I said without my usual catchphrase and the moment I had changed, I picked Berto up again and ran for the safety of the Canyon. With no plan and almost out of Turbo energy courtesy of Dredd, I made up my mind and headed for the closest shelter I could find; a cavern where I knew he couldn't find me. Knowing I had no way of reaching help now, I eventually found a cavern and sped inside. When I started to get tired I stopped running. Setting Berto down on the ground I changed back to Base mode and sat down beside him. Shock then detached and hovered overhead, asking me what we should do. Instead of answering the Ultralink I removed my helmet and put my head in my hands. I sat there in silence, feeling helpless, when Shock flew into my face and stared at me.
"What do we do?" He asked me and when I shrugged, he glared at me. "You got us into this fix so you need to get us out of it." When he said that I shot to my feet and started to pace.
"I don't know how. I messed up big time. We're stranded; I'm almost out of Turbo energy and Berto's hurt. Plus I have no idea if N-Tek can find us." I said as I paced. "Can you find them?" I asked Shock.
"I sent a distress signal but I don't know if they'll get it. Plus they might be fighting off Miles Dredd now so it could be a while before they come looking. So I guess we're on our own for now." He replied and I closed my eyes. For a while I tried to get my head together as I waited for help to arrive. We hadn't been there long when I decided to do what I could for Berto. Stepping over to him, I knelt and lifted his left hand and examined it. Having had no first aid training I asked Shock if he could scan Berto's hand and tell me how bad it was. Flying over and hovering beside me, the Ultralink started scanning Berto's left hand. After about a minute he finished scanning and he looked at me.
"Is it bad?" I asked and Shock nodded, making me flinch.
"It's broken." He told me and I sighed, gently stroking Berto's forehead.
"This is all my fault. If I hadn't been so reckless…" I said setting Berto's hand back on the ground. That's when I had an idea. Reaching over I removed his belt. Curious Shock asked what I was doing. "Making a splint. Here, hold this." I said as I handed him the belt. As he watched I lifted Berto's injured hand and placed it against his chest. Holding it in place, I asked Shock to wrap one end of the belt around his shoulder while I wrapped my end around his wrist to keep his injured hand immobile. Once we done I gently tugged the belt and found it tight enough that it would keep his hand in place.
"Thanks for your help, Shock. I couldn't have done it without you." I said and he nodded. Hovering near my shoulder he looked from Berto to me.
"I'm sorry about before. I didn't mean to snap at you." He said and I sighed, rubbing my eyes.
"That's okay. At least it made me do something useful. I hope he's going to be okay." I replied as I watched Berto. When Shock chuckled I looked at him, surprised.
"Berto did the same thing when you were unconscious after the bomb blast. He kept checking up on you if you woke up. It's kind of funny to see you do the same thing. "He told me and I managed a smile. Exhausted by everything I couldn't help yawning and Shock hovered beside me. "We should probably get some rest. " He suggested and I nodded, lying on my side. Floating overhead Shock asked if he should try sending another distress signal and I thanked him. Leaving us for a few minutes he flew outside. Now alone with Berto, I stopped holding back my tears. Sobbing I lay there and put my head in my hands. When he got outside, Shock tried to make contact with N-Tek. Again he wasn't able to get a response and he sighed to himself, hoping someone would find them soon. Returning to the cavern and his friends, he found me wiping my eyes. Worried he flew over and asked if I was alright.
"No I'm okay." I replied as I dried my eyes. "I hope help comes soon."
"Me too. If your Turbo energy regenerates soon, we can fly out of here." Shock said as he landed near my head.
"I hope so. Good night." I yawned as I closed my eyes. My mind still reeling from everything that had happened, it took me a while to fall asleep. And even then it wasn't a peaceful rest. During the next few hours I tossed and turned as my dreams became nightmares. In the early hours of the morning I woke with a start, breathing hard and eyes wide.
"Jessie, what's wrong?" I heard a familiar voice ask me and when I looked to my right I found Berto sitting up. It took me a moment to register that he was awake and looking straight at me before I hurried over and knelt beside him.
"You're alright?" I said and he gave me a smile. Indicating his hand he shook his head. "I'm sorry."
"It wasn't your fault. Besides N-Tek will be here soon." He told me and I stared at him, surprised. "Shock managed to get in touch with Forge and he's sending help." The moment he told me that I smiled for the first time in a while.
"Thank goodness. I just want to get back to N-Tek." I replied as I heard Shock return.
"They're here!" He told us and we grinned. Minutes later by Kat and Jefferson rushed in.
"Is everyone alright?" Kat asked as she knelt beside us. When she saw Berto's hand in a sling she frowned. "Let's get you three into the Jump Jet." She said, helping Berto to his feet. Following closely behind Shock and I watched as Jefferson boarded the jet sitting outside the cavern. When we climbed aboard Jefferson was already in the pilot's seat and Kat was kneeling beside Berto, checking his hand. Slumping beside Berto I closed my eyes, rubbing the bridge of my nose as I felt the jet lift off. Now on our way back and feeling safe, exhaustion finally took its toll and I dozed off. When I woke next we were just touching down in the hangar of N-Tek. Rubbing my eyes I climbed to my feet and stretched my aching limbs. As we walked into the hangar Forge greeted us.
"Is everyone okay?" He asked us and Berto stepped forward, supported by Kat. "What happened?" He asked and everyone looked up when I spoke.
"It's my fault." I muttered and before anyone had time to tell me otherwise, I walked away. Shock looked at my friends with a shrug and went after me.
"What did Jessie mean by that?" Forge asked and Berto sighed before he told them exactly what had happened. Once Shock caught up with me, I was wandering around with no clue where I was going. Exhausted I stumbled along, ignoring Shock's repeated attempts to talk to me. In the end he flew in front of me and I stopped walking.
"Would you stop for a second and listen to me?" He said and as I stared at him, he continued. "We're safe and Berto's hand will heal. Stop feeling like everything's your fault because it's not."
I stood there in silence for a moment until I shook my head. "Okay then it's not my fault. I'm going to go and sit down before I fall." I answered and wandered away from my Ultralink. Hovering in the middle of the corridor Shock wondered what to do. At the same time I kept walking until I bumped into a wall. Looking up I recognized the room and wandered inside, barely able to stay on my feet. After I had only taken a few steps inside the room spots appeared in front of my eyes and I had to sit down. Leaning against the wall I rubbed at my eyes, fighting off my exhaustion as best I could. It felt like an eternity before someone came looking for me.
"There you are. I've looked all over for you." Berto said and I glanced up at him, noting that he now had his hand wrapped in a bandage. Moving my knees close to my body I rested my head on my knees. With a sigh Berto sat beside me and stared at me until I looked at him. "What's with the long face?"
"Why do you think?" I muttered and he rolled his eyes. "Look at your hand if you don't know."
"Hey you didn't break my hand, Naught did. What's wrong with you?" He replied and I glared at him.
Stumbling to my feet I wanted to storm out but I could barely stay on my feet so instead I sat. "I keep messing up, okay? I was stupid for thinking I could take on Dredd on my own and you paid for my mistake. You got hurt and I couldn't do anything but run away like a coward. What happens if I freak out like that again? That's what's wrong with me. " I finished as I fought to keep my tears at bay.
When he spoke again, he raised his voice. "Okay you seriously need to take a breath before you keel over. Furthermore will you stop beating yourself up over every little mistake you've made? Come on, you've had your powers for just over a week and you think you'll be able to handle everything thrown at you? Come on, Max and Steel make mistakes and they keep going. And believe me they make mistakes. But they don't give up and neither should you." Berto said as I sat there in silence. When I didn't speak his face softened. "Look I'm not mad at you. You made the best decision by getting us to safety and for that I'm grateful and impressed." When I still didn't respond Berto was almost out of ideas when he saw my shoulders shaking slightly and he took a good look at my face. That's when he saw my red eyes and the tears streaming down my face. With a raised eyebrow he moved closer and, using his one good arm, pulled me against his shoulder. Sobbing I buried my face into his side. Unaware of anything around me I didn't notice Max, Steel or even Shock show up. When they found me, my face hidden from view and Berto sitting beside me, they decided to leave me alone for now.