"So what's on it?" I asked a few hours later in Berto's lab and he grinned.
"It'll take a few more minutes to decode it but so far it has a video file on it." He told me as I sat in his desk chair. "I'm not completely sure what's on the video yet but do you want to watch it?"
"Of course. Let's see what's on it." Shock said and I nodded as Max and Steel looked in, just as curious as me. Once the video file started Berto came and stood beside me as I waited, reaching over and taking my hand. When it started I saw my mom standing in what I realized was N-Tek and as I watched I saw a little girl walking across the floor before being scooped up by a black-haired man with bright green eyes.
"And where do you think you're going?" He asked and that's when I knew that the girl was me and that was my dad. As he held me I giggled before he hugged me than handed me to my mom. Still giggling I watched as my dad planted a kiss on my forehead. Then alarms began to sound in the building and as we watched I saw several N-Tek agents in armor and helmets race past.
"Go to your lab and take cover. I need to make sure nothing gets into this building." He said and before he could rush away Claire grabbed his arm, fear in her chocolate-brown eyes.
"I'll be fine and I promise I'll come back. Just get to safety okay?" He told my mom who stared at him for a moment before she nodded. Leaning down he kissed my mom and then gave me a kiss on the top of my head before he hurried to get his armor. Before he left I saw him turn and wave to me and my mom. And I saw myself give him a wave, still too young to really understand what was going on. Just as the video file ended I saw something pop up on the screen and I realized that it was another video. Berto looked at me for a moment and when I gave him a nod he played the file.
This time it was just my dad in this file and as I watched I saw that he was hurt. Blood running down his face and a hand pressed to his side he grimaced as he glanced at something off to his left before reaching towards the camera.
"If you're watching this recording then you know about the Makino war that's being waged in Copper Canyon now. Their numbers are in their millions, much more than we originally imagined and even though we have James McGrath on our side I'm not sure if we can…" Before he could finish an explosion made the camera fall and the video became fuzzy. Within the next few seconds I saw the camera clear and my dad's face appeared again. "I don't know if we can win this. If…If I don't come back tell my wife, Claire and my little girl…Jessie I'm sorry that I won't see you grow up but I only fought to keep you and your mom safe. To think that I have these powers and even they're not enough. Maybe if I use all the Turbo energy I have left to stop the ship…maybe my death won't be in vain and we can turn the tide of this fight. I can only hope so anyway. To anyone who finds this please stop Makino. We can't let him do what he did to so many worlds…to so many innocent people." And that's when the video ended as another explosion rocked the building and the camera must have fallen over because the video went fuzzy and then blacked out completely.
For the longest time I sat in the chair my mind reeling and Berto looked down at me, not sure what to say or do for me. Even Max and Steel seemed dumbfounded as I sat in silence. Soon Shock finally spoke but before he could ask what we all wanted to know I felt the first tears running down my cheeks. In minutes I began to sob and that's when Berto knelt in front of me and I leapt out of my seat, burying my face in Berto's chest. Even with my sobs muffled everyone could hear me as I cried out for my lost family and as I did I felt Berto hug me tightly. As he tried to comfort me, probably telling me that it was okay and that he was here for me, I was completely obvious as I shook. I have no clue how long I knelt on the floor but I remember someone, Berto most likely, helping me back into the chair as I wiped at my eyes.
"Should we go?" Max asked suddenly and I shook my head. "Are you sure?" Again I shook my head.
"It's okay if you want to leave but I just feel like having everyone here." I told them and Shock flew over to hover beside me.
"So that was your mom and dad huh?" Steel asked and I nodded as I used the back of my hand to wipe at my now red eyes. "They were pretty brave people."
Sniffing I thanked him and he nodded. "What do I do now? I still don't even know my dad's name." I said as I sat there miserable and that's when I heard someone speak.
"Henry." Forge said as he walked in and I managed to glare at him before rubbing at my eyes again. "I should have told you sooner."
"Yeah you should have." I growled standing and everyone stared at me. "They were my parents!" I shouted, furious, and as everyone continued to stare at me I rubbed at my forehead fighting off a growing headache. "I'm getting sick and tired of being kept in the dark about my missing memories. So start talking. What exactly happened the day the invasion started? How did my dad die? Did his power overload?" I asked as I grew increasingly agitated. Finally I had to take a breath or risk passing out and as I did Berto reached over and took my hand. "Just tell me." I said my voice barely above a whisper.
"When the first invasion happened, sixteen years ago, N-Tek fought against Makino to save Earth from being invaded and then absorbed. Your father Henry was one of two Turbo users who fought alongside us. We thought we were holding our own until the four Elementors showed up and we soon found ourselves outgunned. Then both Turbo users unleashed their Turbo energy on our enemies and I thought that maybe we might have a fighting chance to save our planet. But then the Ultralinks showed up and began taking over our weapons and vehicles, turning them against us. Just as it looked bad for us your father stood up and unleashed a tremendous burst of Turbo energy that obliterated most of the Ultralinks and one of their ships. That turned the tide of battle and we were able to prevent them from enslaving us. But it cost your father his life. We looked but we never found his body. So we promised that we'd take care of you and your mom. Then your mom designed the Tachyon missile and I had hoped that she would be careful. But I should have realized that she was still hurting after your father's death and that she'd do everything she could to keep you safe. I didn't know that Dredd would find out about it and that he was working for Makino. If I'd known I would have warned your mother to be careful and now it's too late. I'm sorry Jessie." Forge told us and as I stood there I didn't know how to react. At first I was furious at him for keeping me in the dark for so long then I was sad at my father giving up his life to save everyone. Then to my surprise I actually managed to smile and that shocked everyone in the vicinity.
"I know what you're all thinking but I'm okay. Well maybe not quite okay. At least now I know I bit more about my parents and who they were." I told my friends before I needed to sit down. Sitting heavily I rubbed at the bridge of my nose as I heard someone leave the room. As I glanced up I noticed that Forge was gone and I sighed heavily, worn out mentally and physically by everything. Sensing my mood change Berto knelt beside me and put his hand on my shoulder as he tried to cheer me up. Even Max and Steel walked over and attempted to cheer me up. But that proved impossible when I looked down at the floor and eventually Max and Steel excused themselves, leaving me with Shock and Berto.
"I know this must be getting repetitive and everything but…well are you okay?" Berto asked me and when I didn't answer he ran a hand through my hair. Finally I spoke and he looked at me.
"I don't know what to do. I've lost my whole family and I don't know where to go from there." I said and he sighed before he put his arm around my shoulder. When I didn't react he pulled me into a hug and after a few seconds of silence I returned the hug. As he held me in his arms I thought I was all cried out until I felt the first few tears begin to fall and as I started to sob I felt Berto grip me tighter. As he did I heard Shock speak into my head, trying to help me.
"We're here for you, Jess." He told me and I sniffled as I fought back my tears. As I soon discovered I was stronger than I realized when I managed to stop crying a few minutes later. When I did I gently pushed back from Berto until I was at arm's length, rubbing at my eyes as both my friends looked on.
"Thank you both." I sniffed and they gave me a reassuring smile. "Can you guys take me home?" I asked them. "I just feel like resting there for a while."
"Of course Jessie but are you sure you'll be alright?" Berto asked me and I asked if he could take me home. "Yeah sure. I'll just tell Commander Forge where we're going." He added as I frowned slightly before I sighed and gave him a nod. Following him to Forge's office I waited outside with Shock and as we waited Shock looked me in the face.
"Why are you staring at me?" I asked and he sighed as I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "Look I'm as okay as I'm going to get." As soon as Berto returned he told me that he just needed to change clothes and then we'd get going. I gave him a nod and he hurried away before returning a few minutes later wearing his black hoodie and a red shirt.
"Ready to go?" He asked and I gave him a nod. As we walked through N-Tek he hesitated for a moment before he reached over to take my hand and when I didn't react he gave my hand a gentle squeeze. After a long moment I squeezed his hand back and that seemed to make him think I was alright. By the time we reached my apartment it was getting dark and as I reached over to open the door I found myself not wanting him to leave. Once inside he closed the door behind him and when he turned he noticed that I was standing in the middle of the room, looking lost. "What's wrong?" He asked me as he walked over and Shock detached from me, just as confused.
"I don't know. I think I need to sit down." I muttered and he took me by the arm, leading me to my bedroom door. The second I entered the room I stumbled and Berto had to hold me up. Without a word he helped me to my bed and I sat heavily. After a moment he sat beside me and I felt him gently run his hand through my hair.
"Are you feeling okay?" He asked me and I looked him straight in his eyes, completely silent. "Um…Jessie?" He said and when I continued to stare at him Berto started to worry. "If there's anything bothering you, you know that…" He didn't even get to finish the sentence when I suddenly lunged forward. Taking him by complete surprise I knocked him on his back and sat on his chest, pinning his arms down with my hands. His eyes going wide he stared at me, shock in his chocolate-brown eyes, as I stared right on back at him. Then as he opened his mouth to probably ask if I was okay or even to ask what I was doing when I leaned down and pressed my lips against his, abruptly cutting off whatever he wanted to say. For a moment he just stared at me, confused, then his eyes closed as he started kissing me back and we ended up wrapping our arms around each other as our kiss deepened. Before I knew what was happening Berto wrapped his legs around mine and before I knew what he was doing he rolled and I found myself lying on my back. As I stared up at him, a bit confused, he smiled down at me before he leant down and began nibbling my earlobe. At first I didn't react but as he began to tongue my ear I groaned. Not putting up any resistance I let him and he alternated between kissing my ear and neck until I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down into a kiss. This time he nibbled my lips and then I felt his tongue touch mine and I opened my mouth wider and moved my tongue against his. After a few minutes I reached up and slipped a hand under his shirt and began stroking my fingernails gently across his chest. For a few seconds he seemed to enjoy it, making a noise in his throat, until his eyes shot open and he sat up suddenly breathing hard. He stared at me as I sat back, confused and hurt, until he managed to speak.
"What are we doing?" Berto asked and I blinked at him. "We shouldn't be doing this. Its not right." As soon as he saw tears welling up in my eyes he cringed and reached across to hug me but I pushed him away. Then before his eyes I began to sob before I buried my face in my hands. "I'm sorry Jessie. I didn't mean it like that." Berto said as I sobbed and after waiting for almost a minute he tried again to hug me and this time I let him. As he held me I sobbed and he sighed as he rubbed my hair, trying to apologize for upsetting me. I finally calmed down enough to look up at him, my face wet from my tears and he attempted to again tell me why he'd stopped kissing me. "You're upset and I shouldn't have taken advantage of you like that."
Sniffing a little I managed a slight smile. "I was the one taking advantage of you if you remember. Look I was…upset and I just wanted someone to be here with me. If I made you uncomfortable…sorry Berto."
"Hey it's okay. It's not like I wasn't enjoying myself." Berto said and I giggled surprising myself. "I mean…um…I really don't know what I'm saying now." And that's when Shock finally flew into the room and looked from me to Berto.
"Is something wrong?" He asked and I fought the urge to burst out laughing. Instead I found myself yawning. "Maybe you should get some rest. It hasn't exactly been an easy day." He said and I nodded. Then he glanced at Berto for a moment before giving him a nod and then leaving the room. Puzzled he looked at me, an eyebrow raised and I shrugged as I yawned again. After he offered to leave me in peace I surprised him, and me, by asking him to stay. Berto hesitated until I asked him again and this time I gave him my best puppy dog eyes and he finally caved. After I lay down on my side he lay behind me and I felt his arms wrap around my middle. Putting my hands over his I closed my eyes and after a very short time I dozed off. It wasn't until the late into the next morning that I heard a voice speaking to me and I buried my face into the blanket, still half asleep, and I heard someone chuckle.
"She's a sound sleeper." I heard another voice say and despite the fact I was trying to sleep I couldn't help a slight smile. "Hey she's just pretending." Before I had time to respond someone reached over and started tickling me and I began to giggle.
"Hah! You can't hide from us!" Berto said as he continued to tickle me. Finally I burst out laughing and he grinned as he tickled me under my ribs and I finally sat up. Letting go of me he smiled as I rubbed at my eyes with one hand and I returned his smile.
"Okay I'm awake." I gasped and Shock rolled his eye at me. "What's up?" I asked as I yawned and Berto shifted over so I could sit on the edge of the bed.
"It's late morning and I thought I'd wake you up before you slept through the afternoon too. " Berto told me and I gave him an embarrassed grin. "Want to go out for breakfast?" He asked me and I nodded. A short time later we went for a walk outside in the bright sunshine and I had to admit that the nice weather was making me feel a little better though I couldn't help thinking about yesterday and just for a moment I frowned. My expression changed back to a smile but Berto noticed this and he decided to try and cheer me up, remembering exactly what had happened. Unfortunately for him this proved a lot more difficult than he first thought as even when we were sitting together eating breakfast I kept staring into space and I only noticed him speaking to me when he touched my hand. Apologizing I tried to remember what he'd just said and when I couldn't I sighed.
"Sorry Berto. I don't know where my mind is today." I told him and he reached over to squeeze my hand.
"You don't need to apologize to me. I know it hasn't been easy for you for the last few days." He said and I gave him a smile though I really didn't feel like smiling at the moment. "Hey it's okay." He said suddenly and I wondered why until I realized that I was crying. Hurriedly I wiped at my eyes with one hand, feeling self-conscious. After we finished breakfast Berto took us for a walk in the park, hoping it might cheer me up a bit. Noticing the park was pretty much empty, which was unusual for such a nice sunny day, Shock detached and stretched his arms.
"Man it feels pretty good to be outside for a change." He said as he looked at us. I was still feeling a little down and thinking quickly Shock had an idea. When he linked with me again I stared down at him for a moment, puzzled, before there was a flash of green light. Seconds later he detached as I stared down at myself. To my surprise I was wearing an emerald-green dress and lime green shoes.
"Oh wow." I whispered as I admired the dress. "It's so pretty. Thanks Shock." I said not noticing Berto staring wide-eyed at me.
"You're welcome. You looked like you needed cheering up and that's when I had this idea." Shock said and I smiled at him. "And it seems to have worked."
"You do seem a lot happier. Great idea Shock." Berto agreed and I swear Shock actually blushed at the compliment. "By the way it suits you." He added and I smiled at him this time. Feeling a lot better now I asked if we could continue our walk. With a nod Berto reached over and took my hand in his and we started to head for the pond. But we didn't get far when I thought I heard something and I stopped.
"Do you guys hear something?" I asked them and Berto raised an eyebrow. "Never mind. I just thought that…" Before I could finish I suddenly found myself on the ground and as Berto knelt and helped me to my feet Shock asked if I was okay. "First; Owww! Second; what was that?" As we watched on my eyes went wide when I saw the Mega Elementor land nearby and start stomping towards us. And as he did I wonder why this was happening to me and just as everything was starting to turn around for me too. "Berto contact N-Tek. We're going to need all the help we can get." I told my boyfriend who nodded and starting running for the trees. Unfortunately Mega Elementor noticed him and went after him, forcing me to run towards the Megalink and hope he switched targets. When he kept following Berto I reached down and, grabbing a rock, I hurled it aiming for the creature's face. My shot was right on target and I grinned when the creature roared and glared down at me. "Yeah it worked. Oh wait." I muttered before Mega Elementor growled at me.
"How dare you strike me?" It growled and as he stomped towards me I wondered what I should do next. "Maybe you should run?" Shock suggested as I dodged its claws and took off running. "Hey wait up!" He called out but I was a bit preoccupied by the Mega Elementor trying to stomp me into the ground.