Chapter 6: Wake Up Call

Chiro hadn't even looked around the room they were led to before crashing on the bed.

Mila had followed suit, the most they had managed was getting their shoes and coats off before collapsing beside one another.

Chiro yawned, his eyes opening slowly as he looked around the room he was in.

The bed was pretty large, a massive overhead light above it, that he was pretty sure was recycled from the med bay he had been in. He chuckled, closing his eyes again, curling back up on his side.

He couldn't blame Otto for using what he had. The night before had been so hectic.

If I wind up staying here, I'm telling 'em I don't wanna risk surprise late night surgery.

He snickered.

Just like in that video game I got a few months ago.

He could already imagine it, Gibson dressed in a set of scrubs and a lab coat, making a pose with his arm outstretched.

"Let's begin the operation!"

Oh gosh noooo.

Wonder how he'd react to it though. Be kinda funny.

He turned over, his head landing on his sister's arm.

It was hard to believe it was all real… They were staying in some secret base, run by a team of cybernetic monkeys.

He sat up, looking down at her.

Mila was always the last one to wake up.

They used to joke when he was younger that he rose up with the sun and she with the moon.

He nudged her a little.

"Mila…" He whispered. "It's morning."

Mila scrunched her nose up, rolling onto her side.

"No."

"Come on…" He poked her shoulder a few times.

She tried shrugging him off… pushing on his face instead by mistake.

"BLEH! HEY!"

She sighed, putting her head face down.

She swore, she had the most unhinged nightmares the night before.

She didn't even bother opening her eyes. She just curled up more, shrugging the covers up over her again.

"Sorry, did I get you?" She mumbled.

Chiro growled a little, already reaching for his own pillow.

"Yes!"

"Good."

He rolled his eyes, before flopping down beside her again, deciding against petty revenge…

For now.

The morning was young.

"I had the worst dreams last night…" She sighed, turning over to face him, opening an eye. "I dreamt you unleashed a pack of crazy, rabid monkeys…"

The door slid open.

"About that." Chiro tapped her shoulder.

Mila rolled over, coming face to face with Otto.

He smiled, giving a wave.

"Morning."

Mila sighed, propping her chin up as she smiled.

"Alright, worth getting up for that." She said, turning to Chiro. "Still, no TV for a week. No urban exploring for a month."

Otto furrowed his brow in confusion.

"What?"

"Who cares about that?!" Chiro jumped up, striking a pose, as the bed shook.

Mila yelped, holding onto the mattress.

"Chiro!"

"I'm gonna be a superhero!" He cheered. "I'll never go urban exploring again!"

Mila cussed under her breath.

She knew there was going to be a catch with that punishment.

Great, now he'll go splat professionally.

Otto tilted his head.

"Uh, is she okay?"

"Not a morning person." They both said before Chiro jumped off the bed, grabbing up his shoes and jacket. "Once she gets food in her then she starts to act like she's actually alive and not just a talking plant."

"Ohhh like Gibson without his coffee."

Mila rolled back onto her side, closing her eyes.

"You guys go do whatever. Don't let him do anything dumb…" She mumbled.

"Okay, Sis." Chiro leaned over, kissing her head. "Love you."

She smiled, sighing happily.

"Love you too."

Chiro turned to Otto.

"Let's get outta here and let her sleep."

They crept out, turning the lights down behind them.

Mila yawned, just starting to drift off…

"So, when do I get to see the mecha? And better yet… pilot it?"

Her eyes snapped open as the door shut.

"THE WHAT!?"

She sat up with a start, scrambling for the door, grabbing up her boots.

THUNK!

Slamming right into the door as she cussed again, much louder this time.

"OW! SONOFA-"

oooooo

Sparx hummed a little tune as he rifled through the kitchen cabinets. He found plenty of MRE's, though he was definitely going to ask about going into town to get some real food later.

The HyperForce's kitchen wasn't anything grand. It was paneled with white metal, the table and chairs hovered above the floor thanks to an anti-gravity device that balanced them any time the floor shook - made ensuring nothing went flying when a monster came rumbling by much easier… and currently, had one blue monkey leaning over his folded arms, his tail hanging limp.

"So, didn't sleep at all eh?"

"Be quiet-" Gibson cut himself off, clamping a hand over his mouth. "I didn't… I didn't…!"

Sparx smirked.

"What? We're starting that already?"

"Don't you dare." He mumbled. "It's too early for this."

Sparx held up both hands.

"Alright, alright, I'll back off." He opened up a drawer, holding up a box. "Score! I told you we saved some!"

Gibson lifted his head, grimacing.

Sparx was proudly holding up a box of instant coffee packets.

Why? Why did I do that? It's not even the good kind…

"How expired is it?"

Sparx checked the date.

"It expired… Three years ago."

Gibson propped his chin up, his tail swishing lazily. He supposed as long as it was still in the individual packets it should still be safe. It was certainly better than nothing.

After a moment, he nodded gravely.

"That'll do."

"I'll start the kettle then. Doubt Antauri's tea survived."

"No but after last night, I admit, I think he deserves it a little."

Sparx snickered.

"So I'm not the only one who thought he went a little overboard in "I'm the big brave smart advisor, lemme scramble your brains with my awesome power and show you evil's face." last night?"

He nodded, looking around to make sure he wasn't nearby.

"Did Nova tell you what happened after you left?"

Sparx hummed as he set the kettle on as the stove started up with a click.

"You mean, the fact that our kid and the kid we saved are the same one? Yeah. How do you feel about it?"

"... I'm going to restock the med bay." He sighed. "And reinforce the seatbelts in the tank myself."

Sparx laughed, shaking his head.

"You're gonna be one of those protective parents, aren't ya?"

Gibson chuckled, smiling a bit.

"Maybe just a little."

That was still a novel concept, he had to admit.

The kitchen door slid open as Nova walked in, stretching her arms over her head.

"Good morning! I trust no one's poisoned themselves with expired food yet?"

"Not yet! You're just in time to see Gibson do it though." Sparx snickered. "We found the coffee."

Nova looked at him, disgust written across her face, sticking her tongue out.

"How OLD is that?!"

"Seven and it's three years expired!" Sparx held it up, shaking the box. "You want some?"

"I'd rather drink one of Antauri's veggie shakes."

All three winced, remembering it.

Nova drew a star over her heart, mentally thanking the Power Primate they didn't have anything in cold storage.

THUNK!

"OW! SONOFA-!"

They all looked up at the ceiling.

"Guess Mila's awake." Nova grimaced. "That didn't sound good."

"I don't hear any bodies hitting the floor, she's fine." Gibson shrugged.

"You know, note to self, never let you operate without caffeine." Sparx grimaced. "You are CRANKY without it."

The door opened once more as Otto hurried in, Chiro in tow.

The boy's eyes were wide in wonder, a big smile on his face as he looked around, before it faded a little.

Sparx looked over.

"What? Disappointed?"

The boy chuckled, giving a shrug.

"I don't know what I was expecting. Otto was showing me around on the way down and I guess I thought it'd be… Something. It's a kitchen though."

"Yeah, we got MRE's and coffee."

Chiro raised an eyebrow.

"Huh?" He eyed it. "Is that safe?"

Sparx set two mugs on the table, of… what appeared to be a pale brown liquid.

"That… doesn't look right." Otto cringed. "I don't want any."

"Me either-wait, how old is-"

THUD!

"OW! WHY DO YOU FLOAT EVERYWHERE!?"

"Ngh! You know, a simple "Excuse me." would have sufficed!"

"LIKE I PLANNED THIS!"

The door slid open again as Mila and Antauri entered, glaring daggers at one another.

Antauri's fur was on end, side-eying Mila with a displeased look as he rubbed his forehead.

Mila was cursing quietly, having both hands on her head.

"Ooowww, that really hurt."

"Are you guys okay?" Chiro asked, worry etching itself across his face.

Mila took a seat at the table with a loud huff.

"I don't wanna talk about it."

Antauri floated down to his own seat, sighing.

"The feeling is mutual."

Mila looked down at the mug in front of her, a small smile coming to her face.

"Aww, Ichi, you're such a good kid."

"Uh, Sis, you probably shouldn't-"

"Let him take credit. I made it. It was in storage though." Sparx cut in.

"Still, thank you."

"Wasn't much trouble. Gibson's useless without the stuff, so I made an extra mug in case anyone else wanted any."

"Well that's sweet of you. Not bad, Maverick."

Sparx rolled his eyes.

"We'll talk about that later."

"When you see that movie you'll be thankful."

Mila took a deep breath to calm herself.

Alright, at least there's coffee. Coffee will make everything so much better…

"So, Gibson, we're both the only non-morning people around here, huh?"

Gibson nodded, pulling his mug over to him, eying it apprehensively.

She shrugged.

Alright, not talkative before coffee. Don't blame him!

"Well, cheers to coffee then." Mila held up her mug.

Everyone was deadly quiet as the two took a sip from their respective drinks…

Instantly coughing and sputtering.

"OH MY GOSH!" Mila shrieked, setting it down. "That is HORRIBLE!"

Gibson shook his head, pushing it away.

"I thought we might have that problem. That is disgusting."

"That's what you get for saying the expired coffee was okay, Gibson!"

"YOU GAVE ME EXPIRED COFFEE!?" Mila exclaimed. "Are you trying to kill me?!"

"To be fair, instant coffee is still edible for 20 years past the date…" Gibson murmured.

Mila inhaled sharply before getting up.

"That's it." She said in an icy tone.

Chiro shuddered, taking a step back.

Oh no…

She's really mad now.

She took a deep breath before digging in her pocket and pulling out her car keys, the look of rage building anew, eying each monkey and then Chiro before looking down at Otto.

Immediately her mood changed, a smile on her face.

"You wanna go shopping with me and get outta here?"

Otto tilted his head.

"Are you gonna keep being mad?"

"Nope, because I need to get out of here and I'm going to go and get coffee… and I'm hoping you know what everyone likes to eat and drink?" She gave him a pleading look. "Please?"

Otto hummed in thought.

"I'll buy you breakfast."

Otto grinned.

"You got yourself a deal."

"Alright, awesome, c'mon." She offered him a shoulder as he climbed up.

"Drive safe." Chiro smiled.

She gave a peace sign over her shoulder as she started to head for the door.

"Otto, see what the city is like now." Antauri looked over. "And… please be safe out there."

Otto smiled, giving a thumbs up.

"Don't break anything before I get back!"

With that, they were gone.

Gibson laid his head back down on the table.

Chiro cautiously went over and poked his head.

"Uh… Gibson?"

"For the next two hours, no one talks to me. I don't care if Skeleton King decides to appear, he can get in line."

"Seriously, we should never let him near his scalpels when he's like this." Sparx shook his head. "It's dangerous to our health."