"Hey Jessie." I heard someone say. When I didn't respond, still half asleep, whoever it was walked over and that's when I felt someone sit beside me. "I know you're awake." Making a noise somewhere between a snort and a sigh I opened my eyes.
"I told you." Shock said as he hovered near the door. Sitting beside me I found Berto who was grinning down at me.
"Fine I'm up." I grumbled, sitting up and stretching. "What time is it?" I asked and Berto checked his watch.
"A little after 8 am. I wasn't going to wake you but Commander Forge called and he wants us back at N-Tek. I kinda think we're in trouble too." Berto told me and I blinked. "No one knew where we went and after disappearing yesterday…"
"Uh oh. I guess we'd better get back then." I replied, standing. Linking with me, Shock changed me back into my camouflage gear and we left the apartment. Sadly Berto was right; the second we got back Max and Steel showed up.
"Where did you guys go? Commander Forge's pretty mad." Max asked and both Berto and I exchanged a look of worry. "Yeah I'd hate to be in your shoes now." When we reached his office Commander Forge was sitting at his desk. The moment we walked in he frowned at us.
"And just where have you three been?" He asked sounding pretty calm and that really worried me.
"Before you get mad at us, it was all my fault. I was messed up about my mom and..." I started to say before Forge held up a hand and cut me off.
"Look I'm not mad because you left. I'm mad because you three didn't tell anyone where you were going. If you needed to take a break just let someone know before you leave next time, okay?" He said and I began to feel a little guilty.
"Sorry Commander Forge." I said and he nodded.
"Is there anything we can do?" Berto asked as he reached over and gave my hand a squeeze.
"There is one thing. " Forge said and a short while later we found ourselves standing in front of the abandoned computer. "I want you three to find out everything you can about the missile that Agent Claire was working on. Maybe there's something hidden in this computer."
"Why was the file in this computer?" I asked and that's when it hit me. "Was this my mom's office?"
"Yes before she...passed Claire used this workstation. That's why it hasn't been used since the accident." Forge explained and I nodded, taking a deep breath and willing myself not to get upset.
"Okay then hopefully we can find out something. Oh and before I forget, my mom mentioned something about an 'invasion'. An invasion from who exactly?" Shock asked and Forge quickly shrugged. After he was gone I turned to Berto and Shock.
"He's hiding something from us." I said as I looked at the computer. "And I want to know what as soon as possible."
"Hopefully your mom's computer can tell us something." Berto said and I nodded, more determined than ever to learn what I could about my mom and what she was working on. Several hours passed as I watched Shock and Berto work on hacking into the computer. Seeing as I was next to useless, despite what Berto and Shock kept telling me, I ended up watching them work while occasionally bringing in food and drinks for Berto. Before my eyes they found another video file and when I saw the date it was made I wasn't sure about watching it.
"Just remember that we're right here for you." Berto said as I stood next to him. Hovering nearby Shock asked if I was ready. Once again I took a deep breath, trying to stop my hands from shaking.
"Go ahead guys." I said and with a nod, Berto tapped a button on the keyboard. When the video began to run I swallowed when I saw that it had been filmed in Copper Canyon. In the exact spot where I woke up.
"This is Agent Claire and I am now in Copper Canyon." My mom said, trying to keep her long brown hair from flying into her face. "As you can see behind me my team and I have successfully completed building the missile. If this launch proves successful I hope that we can once and for all remove the threat of a possible invasion from Makino." She said and we all exchanged a glance. Who's this 'Makino' I wondered. As someone in the background began a countdown I heard something let out a roar and that's when my mom turned around. As I watched she paled as she spoke a name I was all too familiar with; Elementor. Before my eyes I saw my mom rush towards the missile and begin to type something into the control panel on its side as the Elementor stomped towards her. Then everything happened at once; I saw my mom throw something to one of her team and tell them to run, before turning back to the missile just as the monster reached her. Then there was a massive explosion and that's when the video ended abruptly.
There was silence in the room as I stood there. Unable to form words I instead reached over and placed my hand against the computer screen. Then I managed to uttered one word; "Mom." As I felt the first few tears running down my face I fell to my knees. Instantly Berto knelt beside me and wrapped his arms around me. Within seconds I broke down and cried out for my mom, burying my head in Berto's chest as I sobbed. Holding me I was numb to Berto gently stroking my hair as he held my tight.
"It's okay. I'm here." He whispered as I closed my eyes and sobbed, my heart having ripped in two. I don't know what happened next as I withdrew from everyone around me.
Sometime later in the Medical Bay I sat on the couch while my friends stood nearby, probably worried about me.
"Is there anything we can do?" Berto asked as he stood beside me, a hand on my shoulder.
"Until she decides to talk to us, there isn't really anything we can do for her." Kat explained and Berto shook his head, frustrated.
"Come on girl, talk to us." Berto said, standing directly in front of me. But he might have been a million miles away because I didn't even notice he was there. "Please Jessie."
"I wish there was something I could do for her. This is all because of that stupid video. If she hadn't seen it…" Shock said and Berto shook his head.
"This isn't your fault. She would have found some way of seeing the video. You know how stubborn she is." Berto told him, hoping he'd get an annoyed reaction from me. When I remained silent he rubbed his face.
"Hey don't give up, guys. She'll come around." Jefferson said not really believing his own words.
"I really hope so." Berto said as he kept trying to get some sign that I was aware of anything around me. Soon everyone began to leave and eventually only Shock and Berto remained. "Why won't you speak to us?"
"I can try to check her vitals. I don't know if it'll help but it's all I can think of doing." Shock suggested and Berto gave him a slight nod. Seconds later an image of my vitals appeared. "Nothing physical seems to be wrong. She's in shock." When the image disappeared they returned their attention to their friend.
"I want to help you but I don't know how. Just say something, a single word, just to let me know you're okay." Berto begged and when I didn't answer he suddenly glared at me. "Alright then stay silent. See if I care." He growled and stormed out of the room, leaving Shock to blink in surprise. Berto didn't get far when he slumped against the wall of the corridor. Just as Shock found him, Berto slammed his fist into the wall.
"What are you doing?" The Ultralink asked as Berto shook his hand, wincing a little. "Trying to break your hand again?"
"I...don't know what I'm doing. I want to help her and she acts like I'm not even there." Berto muttered as he slid down and sat on the cold floor. "What do we do?"
"By being there for her when she decides to let us in. That's all we can do." Shock replied and after a moment or two Berto finally nodded. Climbing to his feet he walked towards his lab, followed by Shock who gave one last glance at the Medical Bay. Hours went by and I remained lost in my world, unable to process what I'd seen on that video as the truth. Now I really know she's gone, I thought to myself, and that Elementor's the cause of it. As I sat there I tried to get angry at the monster but all I felt were hot tears running down my cheeks instead. Burying my face in my hands I sobbed, hoping someone would find me. Of course I forgot about my link with Shock, who was thinking of a way to help Berto.
At this point Berto was pacing the floor of his lab, his hand under his chin as he worked on a solution to his problem. As Shock watched him, he thought he heard a voice. Listening closely he discovered that it was Jessie.
"Hey Berto." He called out and when the scientist didn't answer he tried again. "Hey!" Once again Berto didn't look up so he flew over and almost collided with him.
"Whoa! Shock what are you doing?" He asked startled and Shock rolled his eye.
"It's Jessie. She's crying." He told Berto and when that finally sunk it, Berto took off running. "And now he finally hears me." He grumbled before he shot after his friend. When Berto ran into the Medical Bay he sighed the moment he saw me with my face buried in my hands.
"Jessie, what happened?" Berto asked and I looked up, wiping at my red eyes. Sighing he sat beside me and I leant against him, sniffing. Watching on Shock wondered what he could do to help.
"I'm sorry." I whispered as I fought to keep from bursting into tears again. Thinking Berto was mad at me I avoided looking at him.
"Why are you sorry? I'm not mad at you." He told me as I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Then why did you say you didn't care if I spoke again?" I sniffed and he reached over to stroke my hair.
"I didn't mean…look I wanted to help you and I didn't know how. I'm sorry I got angry." Berto replied and I opened my eyes to look up at him.
"You're really sure?" I asked and he gave me a smile. I tried to smile back and that's when I felt my lips tremble. Unable to help it I started to cry and Berto wrapped his arm around my shoulders. Burying my face into his chest I sobbed, my whole body shaking, as Berto held me.
"It's okay Jessie." He whispered as I cried. After a while my sobs dissolved into a hiccupping sound and I finally lifted my head. "It's a dumb question I know but I have to ask it anyway. Are you feeling any better?" Removing one of his arms from my back I sat back and rubbed at my eyes.
"A little I guess. Thanks for looking after me." I said and he seemed relieved. "I'm grateful for that."
"You know that I wouldn't leave you alone." Berto answered and that finally brought a smile to my face. Even Shock smiled as he hovered overhead and I felt silly since I hadn't noticed that he was there.
"That includes me as well, Jessie." He said and I smiled at him. "Is there anything we can do for you?"
"At the moment all I can think of is maybe some water?" I said and Berto gave me a quick nod. Then when he stood he almost tripped rushing away to get me a drink and I couldn't help bursting into laughter. Even Shock laughed as Berto blushed slightly before he left.
"I never knew he was so funny." I giggled and Shock hovered in front of me. While we waited I had to admit that I felt better. "I meant to thank you too, Shock." I told him and he shrugged. "Seriously you helped me." I added and he sighed.
"But you're upset because of me." He replied and I raised an eyebrow at the Ultralink before I pulled him into a hug. "Hey!"
"I'm upset because I lost my mom, not because of you. Please stop thinking that you're to blame." I told him as he struggled to break free. "I'll let go of you when you promise, and mean it, that it's not your fault. Okay?" I said and after eyeing me for a moment he finally agreed. I let go of him and he shook himself.
"Now that that's out-of-the-way I've wondered about this 'Makino' person. Who is that and how do we go about preventing an invasion?" I asked as I stretched my aching limbs. We put our heads together and soon came to the same conclusion; we had no idea what it all meant. "Now I have a headache. Just perfect."
"Oh quit complaining. You know we always figure something out. Eventually." Shock answered nudging my arm and I rolled my eyes at him.
"I'm back." Berto announced as he returned and I grinned as he walked over. Handing the glass to me he returned my smile. "Now that's what I've hoped to see." He added as I took a sip. "Oh and its soda since I thought you could use the caffeine."
"You thought right." I replied as I took another sip. "Much better. Thanks Berto."
"You're very welcome. Do you need anything else?" He asked me and I shook my head. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
"Well Shock and I were talking about something from that video clip. Do you know of someone called 'Makino'?" I told Berto.
"Makino? That doesn't ring any bells. I guess I'm not very helpful." He replied and I shook my head.
"You've been a big help to me and Shock. Frankly we're both in the dark over him and an invading force." I told him and he shrugged. "Maybe there's more we haven't found yet."
"I'm not sure we should use that computer again. After…what we found." Berto said and he was pretty surprised when I told him I wanted to know more. "Are you completely sure?" When I remained determined he frowned. "Fine then. But I have a better idea. How about we ask someone in charge?" Not sure who he meant I agreed anyway and soon found myself outside Forge's office.
"No offence but I doubt Commander Forge will tell us what we want to know. For what I've seen so far, he's the type to not give out classified info." I said and Berto rolled his eyes at me.
"We won't know until we try. Stop being so negative." Shock added and I shrugged. I already know what he'll say and it won't help us. I thought to myself. And how right I was.
"Where did you hear that?" Forge asked, staring at us in disbelief for a moment. After I told him he said exactly what I thought he would. "That's classified. End of discussion." Before I could speak up he went back to reading some files he had on his desk. Realizing that we'd been dismissed I walked out, silently fuming.
"That went well." I grumbled as Berto tried to cheer me up. "He's hiding something."
"We'll figure something out." Berto said and I rubbed at my eyes, annoyed that we were being kept in the dark deliberately. "For now you should just take it easy." When I stopped walking and gave him a look, he ran a hand through his hair. "I worry about you, okay?" He added as he took my hand.
"Alright I promise to take better care of myself. I mean it too." I replied and he smiled at me. "I really don't know where to look for answers now. It would have been great if Commander Forge had helped us but of course that didn't go so well."
"I don't have any ideas now so why don't we take a break?" Shock said and I sighed, knowing they were both right. When I found myself in the Medical Bay less than fifteen minutes later I'll admit I was a little confused. Until Berto told me that he'd called Kat to make completely sure I was better. Grateful that he cared about me so much I agreed.
"How are you feeling Jessie?" Kat asked as she checked my pulse.
"Not bad considering…" I replied as she lifted my wrist. "Umm yeah I'm good. Thanks for asking."
"Your pulse is a little fast but all thing considered you seem a lot brighter than a few hours ago." Kat said as she let go of my wrist and I rested my hands in my lap. Is there anything you need?" She asked me and I shook my head. "Okay well call if you need anything." After Kat left, Berto smiled at me.
"Once again I'm really glad that you're talking again. For a while I wasn't sure if you'd ever speak." Berto told me and I gave him a grin.
"Like you could ever shut me up. Seriously Berto?" I answered and he laughed. And that set me off too. Rolling his eye Shock wondered, once again, what was so funny?