Chapter 33 - Memorable First Impressions

Chapter Summary

Previously, Superman, Wolfwood, and Milly acted as first responders to the Plant chamber break-in. The trio swiftly took down dozens of robot intruders.

Now, Vash rushes from the medical ward to assist, but everyone (except Vash) realizes that might've been a hasty mistake.

"Vash! Get your ass back here! You're in no shape to be rushing around yet!" The blaring alarms mostly drowned out Brad's shouting. The aging engineer trailed yarz behind the Humanoid Typhoon.

The emergency lights coated the hall in a red haze, and Vash blended in with his crimson coat. His own presence mirrored the sign of warning—of imminent danger.

He fumbled to finish buttoning up the duster as he ran, half his fingers refusing to follow his commands. Each articulation sent a silent scream of cease and desist. Vash willed himself not to wince or whine.

Vash slid to a halt in front of the midship elevator doors and tapped insistently at the call button. "C'mon, c'mon! Hurry!" he mumbled, watching the floor indicator counting down.

The elevator was four floors away when the emergency lights shifted back into the warm white daytime lights, and the alarms turned off. The hall became eerily quiet without the incessant shriek filling the whole ship.

Vash whipped his head in both directions down the corridor, wondering why they had stopped.

Brad jogged up and rested an arm against the wall, huffing and puffing to catch his breath. "I'm… too old… for this nonsense."

Vash caught eyes with Brad, who looked equal parts confused, concerned, and discontented.

The older man sighed. "Alright, you Tasmanian Devil, seems like the disaster's been averted," Brad said, wiping his brow. "How 'bout you get your butt back to the Medical Bay?"

Sweat beaded on Vash's forehead too, but not from his frantic dash. His fingers tapped on his right thigh in an anxious pattern. The weight of his revolver had started becoming familiar again but was missing at the moment. Of course, Vash had left Peace Bringer safe behind in his bedroom. Typical. Just when he would need it.

Vash considered Brad's suggestion for half a second, thoughts already racing.

DING!

Vash squawked and jumped. The unintentional reaction sent a different shock through his whole body.

With squinted eyes, Vash's head swiveled back and forth between the opening elevator doors and Brad.

Brad's face morphed into an annoyed glare. His mouth opened to urge—or rather scold—Vash to stay. "Don't even think—"

"Things to do! People to see!" Vash patted Brad on the shoulder with his still twitchy, tingly arm. Brad narrowed his eyes, turning to inspect the hand resting on his shoulder and back to Vash's grinning face.

Just as Brad went to move, Vash pulled his hand away. He then ducked under and wove around Brad's grasping arms. Too slow!

Vash dove into the elevator, pushed the button for the lower deck, and tapped away at the close door button. "Thanks again for the great work! Loving the new color."

As the door began to close, Brad huffed and crossed his arms, giving up on chasing the typhoon further.

"Oh! Tell the Doc I said thanks, too!" Vash called out in a rush with a wave.

With the doors shut and the elevator descending, Vash let out a ragged gasp. His jaw clenched and his eyes squeezed shut. All he saw was a burning whiteness behind closed eyelids.

His right hand swiped across his chest, grasping his left shoulder. Electric needles shot down his left side, almost forcing him to his knees.

In the isolation of the claustrophobic five-by-five elevator car, Vash gave in to the crippling distress of not only his own excruciating pain but also that of the dozens of Plants calling out for help from below. Despite being completely unaware, Vash's cries came unbidden. The elevator walls' sound-absorbant panels thankfully muffled the noise. No one would even hear him.

The floor indicator tinged in steady intervals, though the sound barely broke through the ringing in Vash's ears. He forced his mind to focus on the single task of counting down with each tick.

Through sheer willpower, he extinguished the flames searing his nerves. Turned the volume knob down on his sisters' cries.

What felt like an eternity was maybe only a minute as Vash compartmentalized the flood of sensations and distress. His vision gradually returned, and his wailing quieted into choked whimpers.

Vash needed to fast-track adapting to the once-familiar, once-again-foreign feeling of using his prosthetic left arm. Despite all the sweeping gestures he used just minutes ago (stupid, idiotic, foolish!), he now cautiously tested each motion. He gingerly flexed each finger, rotated his wrist, and bent his elbow. A process he'd done before but never in a million years wanted to do again.

He'd rather be shot in the gut with a .45. Okay, maybe just a .22? Or… maybe not at all? Anyway, it sure sounded better than this torture right here and now.

Vash's sniffling turned into self-pitying chuckles. Darn, he was just glad no one saw him being such a blubbering mess. With his gloved but otherwise fleshy right hand, he ran his fingers through his hair, sweeping his spiky bangs angled back and out of his eyes. He wiped his face with his sleeve and then dug through his pockets.

Just as the elevator dinged and the doors opened, Vash slid his amber-lensed sunglasses onto the bridge of his nose. He took a deep breath in and out—then sprinted down the lower deck halls. The bullet hole-ridden coattails of his geranium red duster flared out behind him like ribbons in the wind.

—

Vash slowed from a sprint down the long, wide corridor leading toward the Plant Bay. The enormous, round blast doors were sealed tight. Two SEEDS crewmates with lost tech rifles stood guard—an unusual sight.

"This area is off limits until— Wait a minute… Vash, sir?" the older of the two asked as Vash approached.

It took longer than Vash expected to recall the man's name. And Vash wasn't even sure he recognized the younger crewmate.

"Hendrix. Long time, no see." Vash forced a smile to both and nodded to the unfamiliar person. "I heard the alarms, and the Plants sounded frightened. What's going on?"

Vash didn't miss the way the younger crewmate studied him and seemed confused by what he said. But Vash cared more about the emergency and the Plants' and crew's wellbeing than about making good first impressions.

"Emergency Level E-C-5." the man simply stated. A tense expression stuck on his face, his weapon held firmly.

"E-C-5? Outsiders?" Vash's heart plummeted. He stepped forward, impatient to go inside and see for himself.

"Hey now, we got it under control," Hendrix's voice shifted to sound less dour. The man raised a hand, making Vash pause. "But it wasn't your typical Outsiders. A whole slew of foreign mechanoids breached into the Plant Bay. Seems like our new off-world, uh, guest and two of your friends put us to shame, coming to the rescue. By the time our closest security team arrived, they'd already taken out over half a dozen drones."

Vash had to admit the cries of the ship's Plants had gradually quieted as he ran closer. "I'd still like to check on the Plants. And did anyone get hurt?"

"Nothing more than bumps and bruises. That, uh, 'Super Guy' got knocked around the most, but I don't think he even got a scratch on him. Darnedest thing."

Vash sighed in relief.

"But, still some bad news, I'm afraid." The man grimaced as he turned to the digital keypad to unlock the blast doors for Vash. "Seems like two production Plants were stolen."

"What?!" Vash gritted his teeth and turned his head to the side. "I should have gotten here soon." Unconsciously, he clenched his fists. Both of them. The left one shot spikes of white-hot pain up his shoulder. He didn't quite hold back an instinctive hiss.

The younger man stepped back. Vash noticed the worried expression on his face.

Also noticing the sudden pained reaction, Hendrix inched forward like he might have approached to ensure Vash was okay. But he didn't. Instead the senior guard remained by the keypad as the floor-to-ceiling blast doors opened, clunking and grinding from disuse and lack of proper maintenance.

"We all got here as quickly as possible. I'm sure if you could, you'd have as well," Hendrix said, tilting his head toward the chamber. "Good luck in there, sir."

"Thanks." Vash nodded and strode forward.

—

"—possible for you? You might be able to fly, but outer space?"

Stepping into the foyer of the Plant bay, Vash was surprised to see Lois and her no longer missing special someone—in the middle of a very intimate embrace.

Vash could feel his cheeks going pink. His lips curled into a wiggly smile.

Vash took another step forward, wishing he wasn't intruding yet still itching to get into the chamber proper. Both the Earthling lovebirds were so engrossed in each other that they didn't even turn to look Vash's way. They did step back though, probably somewhat aware of the ginormous bay doors sliding open. Kinda hard to miss.

Vash was glad that Lois finally found the person she and Jim had so devotedly searched for across the universe. The multiverse even. On No Man's Land no less.

If it weren't for the serious situation at hand, Vash would've expressed his relieved, over-the-top joy to see the couple safely reunited. Despite Vash's briefly raised spirits, a new concern overrode the more pleasant emotions. Did he hear right? Did he remember right?

Lois's boyfriend, Clark, was that Superman hero from the video, right? Vash's mind replayed the scene outside the sandsteamer when a flying man took even an otherworldly person like himself off guard. And Clark was planning on flying into space?

Something about that idea—flying into space—gave Vash a weird feeling, essentially hallucinating doing such a thing himself. That was just silly, though? Vash the Stampede flying in space? Nah, couldn't be. But it made him wonder…

Clark sighed. "I don't—" he said. "I have to try."

"Don't be crazy. You can't just fly into space on your own," Lois replied, her voice cracking. The stress of everything she'd endured still seemed to weigh on her. The heaviness settled on the couple, causing even Superman's shoulders to slump.

Hearing the woman's fear of her loved one running off on his own, again, indirectly struck Vash's guilt chord, too. Habits die hard, and Vash had the longest track record of going about things on his own. Maybe this young man had the chance to nip that habit in the bud before he hurt those who cared for him.

Do as I say, not as I do. Right? Vash thought.

Vash cleared his throat. "Lois is right. It'd be unwise to go alone."

Lois and Clark both turned in sync. Vash resisted a grin, glad he finally got their attention.

"You!" Clark gasped.

"Eh? Me?" Vash blinked and pointed at himself.

"Yes you, Vash," Lois said, rolling her eyes yet sporting an amused grin.

Then with a chuckle and a genuine, albeit strained smile, Vash answered, "Ah, yep, that's me!" Vash struck a pose, and lowered his voice. "The one and only, bona fide Vash the Stampede."

Lois laughed, leaning up against Clark for support. "You're such a weirdo," she said. Clark smiled politely, but titled his head with a bit of a wrinkle over his brow.

"Good" first impressions were overrated anyway. "Memorable" first impressions were always more Vash's style.

—

"Hey, look who also decided to join the party late!"

Vash glanced further into the Plant chamber and spotted Wolfwood, Meryl, and Milly standing by Jim. Wolfwood gave a sloppy salute while the other three turned their way.

"Vash!" "Mr. Vash!" Meryl and Milly's faces both lit up.

Before Vash could even respond, Meryl began to jog over with Wolfwood, Jim, and Milly trailing behind. Clark and Lois quickly stepped to the side, letting the little whirlwind of a woman rush by.

"You were discharged from post-op already? Luida said you wouldn't be up and about until this evening!" Her gaze lingered on his face for a moment, but she clearly couldn't resist inspecting the object of her curiosity.

Vash gingerly raised his new prosthetic arm for her to take a look. He attempted a little wave of the fingers. It still wasn't very pleasant but it was hard to resist humoring her inquisitiveness.

Although they didn't say anything, Vash caught Lois and Clark taking a look too. Lois was definitely curious as she'd gotten used to traveling with him these last few days.

"Woah! Typhoon, my man, that's like the slickest cybernetic I've ever seen! So shiny!" Jim said squeezing in besides Clark and Lois.

"Finally got ya back in one piece eh, Blondie?" Wolfwood added with a smirk. Punisher rested over his shoulder, unwrapped and glowing dimly.

Even Vash took this first real opportunity to study the new design. It truly was some of Brad's best work yet. The profile was nearly identical to the musculature of his right arm. Gone was the old bulky shoulder guard. The translucent black glass-like quality was familiar to his old teal, but didn't quite catch the eye as quickly. Unless someone was extra perceptive.

Brad described a bunch of technical stuff that honestly went in one ear and out the other. (Not because of Vash's typical airheadedness! Because he was trying not to have a panic attack, dreading going under the whole time during pre-op.) But from what Vash remembered, Brad said it was made from a new blend of some kinda fancy thermoformed polycarbonate something or other. Essentially it was a super durable, crack-resistant, flexible, temperature-resistant, advanced material that Brad said should last him longer than the others. If Vash didn't do something stupid, like try to lift an ion cannon with his bare hands. Again.

Anyway, it looked cool and even had some neat new features. Not that he'd be testing them out any time soon. He hoped.

"I'm happy you're feeling better, Mr. Vash!" Milly said. Her light blue eyes were still bright even in the dark, blue-washed lighting of the Plant Bay. Her smile was just as bright. "Miss Meryl and Mr. Priest have been worrying about you all day. Well, I'm sure everyone was a little worried. But Miss Meryl and Mr. Priest were the most!"

Vash gave Meryl and Wolfwood both big grins. "Aww, you shouldn't have worried about me. Standard operation, you know. With all the advanced medical tech and the best surgeon on the ship, I was in good hands." Vash turned, noticing Meryl creep closer. "Speaking of hands…"

Meryl reached out with her own hands, but Vash's prosthetic hand decided this was a perfectly good opportunity to spasm like an angry worm with wriggly legs. Vash yanked his whole arm away. At the same time, Wolfwood's hand darted forward and grasped Meryl's tiny wrists, stopping her from reaching out further.

"Hey! What—!" Meryl began to protest. "Vash? What's wrong?"

Wolfwood's gaze locked onto Vash. "Ya dolt," Wolfwood snapped, the words directed at him, not Meryl. "You left before they gave ya a clean bill of health, didn't ya?"

"Hm?! W-what makes you think that?" Vash answered with a chuckle and a forced smile. As gentle as he could while seeming casual about it, he hid both hands behind his back. "I'm as healthy as a Thomas!"

Wolfwood shot him a bland look that screamed, "You're an idiot, Needle Noggin." Meryl's annoyed pout arrived in full force next. She gave Vash another once over with her investigator lenses on.

"Healthy as a horse," Clark (seemingly) randomly chimed in.

Jim's and Lois's respective chuckle and snort accompanied Clark's aside. "Really, Smallville? Such a farmboy," Lois nudged him in the side with her hip.

It took a moment for Vash to recall the old Earth phrasing. So, not so random. On the other hand, Meryl, Wolfwood, and Milly still looked completely confused.

"What the heck, Blue?" Wolfwood drawled, raising a brow. "Healthy whor—mphhh?"

"Ahmm! Undertaker!" Meryl reached up and covered Wolfwood's mouth. "Haha. Don't mind him!" Meryl's voice rose in pitch as she attempted to shut Wolfwood up before he finished his thought and embarrassed himself. Or embarrassed Meryl by proxy.

Vash's smile grew, and even the stabbing pain up and down his left side subsided. A soothing wave of emotion washed over him as he watched them interact. Had he missed them this badly?

Apparently, the Earthlings didn't miss Wolfwood's retort. Lois and Jim started cackling, bending over, holding their stomachs. While Clark looked absolutely mortified, his eyes so wide and face flushed red.

"What? No! I said…! I meant…! You know! 'Healthy as a horse'." This time, he overly enunciated the animal's name. "Like, uh, equine?"

Wolfwood easily pushed Meryl's hands away from his face, and despite her struggle, he just pulled her closer so her arms were pinned between their chests.

"Okay, now yer just making words up! Tell 'em, Miss November University!" Wolfwood huffed.

"Ugh, let me go, Nicholas!" She squirmed, but the more she did, the more Wolfwood held her tighter.

Vash chuckled a bit at their playful behavior. It felt like their bond from back then must not have waned much. He tried to recall if the two were close. With Wolfwood's role back then… Nah, it couldn't have been, could it?

The Earthling kids smirked and chuckled a bit as well, watching Vash's… friends. Clark still looked a little embarrassed, but it seemed like it was fading.

"A horse—ugh, ow!—also known as an equine, was a domesticated quadrupedal old Earth animal. Ouch! Undertaker, watch where you're putting those hands! Before the invention of automobiles, horses were the main method of transportation for centuries. Like a Thomas is for traveling in the Outer."

Wolfwood finally relented and let her go. Meryl shuffled away and slid over to stand by Vash's side. She fussed over her appearance, straightening her hair and clothes.

"Bah! Whose side are you on, Little Lady?" Wolfwood turned to Vash. "What about you, Blondie?"

Vash shrugged. "The saying's original phrasing used the Earth animal called 'horse.' It's just changed over the years here."

Wolfwood glared daggers at Vash. He even shot a few at Meryl, who just stuck her tongue out at him.

He scoffed and crossed his arms. "Traitors. Both of ya!"

—

Vash's eyes scanned the monitor, reading through vital readouts, making sure one of the more distressed Plants was alright. Those thieving drones had hoisted this one's tank out of its housings and attached it to one of their hover-lifts.

With careful instruction from Dr. Stephenson, Clark — or rather Superman — delicately yet effortlessly lifted the tank back so the engineers could reattach all the wiring and tubing. The lead engineer and the other techs watched in awe as the flying man easily lifted the thousand-plus pounz tank.

A few terminals over, Jim was attached to Dr. Stephenson's hip, asking questions nonstop. At this rate, the young man could get a degree in Plant engineering in no time.

"I knew I'd find you down here, even without Brad storming into my meeting."

Vash sighed and glanced over his shoulder. Luida stepped around to his left side, inspecting the newly attached prosthesis. Luckily, for the last fifteen minutes or so, the arm was starting to cooperate more and more, the twitching only slightly bothersome.

"Why he thinks I can convince you any easier is beyond me," she said, shaking her head. "Vash, you really should be resting."

"You know me," Vash said with a weary smile. "Can't sit still."

Luida watched Vash quietly for a few moments while he typed and analyzed more diagnostics on the screen. "Is there anything I can do to help? Or do you, Dr. Stephenson, and the other engineers have things handled?"

Vash shook his head. "They seem alright. Still a little shaken up and confused. However…"

Vash turned fully, leaning back and resting on the edge of the desk. His eyes traveled to watch the others puttering about to get the Plant Bay back in working order.

Clark's flashy red cloak rippled as he swept through the chamber in midair, catching Vash's eye.

"However…?" Luida repeated with a hint of undemanding curiosity.

Vash's attention returned to his once guardian, her patience and kindness never ceasing to amaze him.

"Do you think I can…" Vash shook his head again. Instead, he gave her his best innocent smile, the corner of his lip raised. "Do we have a space shuttle that can escape the planet's atmosphere?"

Unsurprisingly, Luida paused, her mouth slightly agape and brows slowly lowering. From her curious look, she'd likely guessed his plans or noticed his switch to a different question. "And what, might I ask, do you need a spaceship for?"

—L&P—

AN: I realized I didn't post this the same day I did on AO3. Apologies! I have 34 coming soon and 35 is a WIP.

Thanks Donovan Master 55 for another review and continuing to read and support! Hopefully, these next few chapters are more exciting for you as the story rolls along with the plot.