[FIC] Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (pt 19)
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 5:11 pm
The smoke was heavy, but slowly dissipating.
Very slowly.
Occasional arcs of actinic blue light jumped from one part of the control panel to another.
They were the only light in the darkened cockpit.
The strained whine of the air circulation system was a clear indication that there was power.
The question was how much.
Sousuke had shut things down temporarily, while he decided what to do. There were bigger things at stake here than himself. He had done the one thing he had felt compelled to do... call Kaname. His communications board had shorted out after that, making contact with Mithril impossible.
Most of the newest and most sophisticated gear added to Arbalest was down. There was no way to make benthic or bathymetric readings. There was no way to probe the bottom or subbottom, finding out about the surrounding sediment. All Acoustic, optical, and radar-guided survey devices failed to register on the task screen when he had brought that panel back online before.
The GPS system was out, too.
External lights were useless, suggesting that Arbalest was covered with rock, sand, or mud.
There was no way to know how far the contained detonation of the cobalt device had thrown him. He was concerned that the expanding energy, in combination with the Lambda Driver field, may have excavated a temporary chasm in the estuary basin. The ARX-7 would have settled in that, under pounds… tons… who knows how much… of debris.
Could Arbalest move at all?
If it could, how far would it get?
Might he and machine die, just before reaching some safe point of concealment? What then? Who would claim the Arm Slave? What intensive investigations might the body of a non-national set off?
Should he just review his life… ask atonement for his sins… give thanks for the wonders he had seen… and fade away?
Kaname.
His thoughts kept coming back to Kaname.
He wanted to see her again. Just see her. If he could hold her and touch her, it would be a bonus. Memories of her different perfumes rose up in his thoughts, accompanied by her fresh clean smell after a shower, or the familiar scent of her clothes after they had just been washed.
They had unfinished business, the two of them.
Sousuke hated to leave any job incomplete.
There was more for him to learn about her. There was more for her to learn about him. Some day, there were more things to explore together..
His mind tortured him with images of Kaname and someone else.
Could he let that happen?
Yes… if he didn’t have any choice… if it was impossible to be there himself.
He didn’t know whether or not it was impossible yet.
He pushed the main systems reset button. It was time to make his final decision. He waited for the chiming noise, the slowly growing hum, and the return of the remaining view screens.
Nothing happened.
“Al?” He asked by habit. He knew the A.I. would be down while the main power was off.
He pushed the button again, with the same result.
“Damn. I… want… to….”
This time, he brought his fist down hard on the button, hurting it on the unyielding steel and composite material.
“Ahhhh…hhh…hh…h…h…h…h…h…h….” He hissed in pain. His shoulder was throbbing again. He didn’t want to move too much. If the tightness of his suit… Kaname’s bandages…. and any wound crust were serving as a means to prevent further bleeding, he didn’t want to disrupt that until it was inescapable.
The chime!
The hum!
Screens flickered, trying valiantly to come to life. Some did. Systems check data began displaying. Various bar graphs and pie charts removed the need for reading the smoke shrouded words.
“Al? Are…you function… ing, Al?”
“Af… Aff… Affirma… Affirmative. Sergeant. Data core fracture. Hinders. Capa… capa… capability. Attempting. Stabilization. Contingencies. Alternate path… ways.”
Various lights on the panel flickered, flashed, came on, or went off.
A particularly large arc of electricity just missed Sousuke’s head.
There was a series of chimes. Lights began to stay lit longer. A number of different screens came to life.
“Present systems configuration stable. Temporary nature of condition emphasized. Awaiting user input.” The A.I.’s voice was fluid and continuous.
“High priority,…assess residual… function of Lambda Driver… generator.”
Sousuke began typing an analysis request into his keyboard. He had an idea. If what he thought might have happen did indeed take place, perhaps he could get out in similar fashion.
“Status uncertain. Some function remains. Power levels low, but adequate for limited action. Further system tests could adversely affect function.”
“Understood. Proceed with…requested… analysis. Two concurrent…actions would be…necessary. Excavation. Use of the field…as a… motive tool. Additional… possibility to assess: attenuate…force stream…utilization as a… tactile radar.”
“Working.”
Sousuke passed out. Uncertain whether or not such an action was intentional, the A.I. routed a quick shock of electricity throughout the pilot seat. Sousuke came to again.
“Analysis complete. Displaying probability graphics now, Sergeant.” A rim of small lights surrounding one screen began pulsing. “Air supply now critical. Estimated residual ten to twenty minutes, depending on level of exertion and consciousness.
It was now or never.
“Impliment… plan… Al.” Sousuke began coughing again. There was taste of blood in his mouth. “Thanks… your… service….”
“Statement not understood.”
“Not… problem….” Sousuke’s body went rigid in a wave of diffuse pain.
Fighting to keep his eyes open, he saw a curious and indecipherable scene on the main view screen. Light pulsated, whirled, wavered, and danced. The view went cloudy, then dark, then temporarily bright again. He passed out. Once again, an electric jolt brought him back to consciousness.
“Field probe detected multiple solid objects above water level. Statistical analysis suggests buildings or bridges. Remaining energy shunted to motive operations. Oxygen intake will initiate when dorsal ports are clear.”
Sousuke wasn’t cognizant of all of the following details. He was aware of pulling himself painfully up onto a stretch of shore. Somehow, he managed to take a flare out of his suit emergency pack and ignite it.
After that, everything went dark.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Ayame stilled hovered at a distance, wary of her sister’s mood.
Each of them had all run the gamut of emotions that morning, but Kaname had been hit the hardest, as anyone might expect. She had put up a good front, but the façade was crumbling.
They had returned home, happy to see the hoard of reporters were gone. Mr. Smith walked around the neighborhood, making certain that there was nobody in concealment. He did not like reporters. He was not subtle in his opinion of them. Perhaps they could sense that.
At breakfast time, she kept buttering bagel after bagel, never quite aware of what she was doing. She never took a bite. Ayame had run them by the neighbor’s houses, seeing if anybody wanted any.
When their father had been tapped to be amongst a group of U.N. officials hastily assembled to review the damage to their buildings. Kaname had wanted to go along. Told she couldn’t, she had laid on her bed for hours.
When it finally looked like she might be coming around, the phone rang. When Ayame answered, a girl asked to speak with Kaname. She wouldn’t give her name. The phone conversation had her biting her lip, listening to Kaname speak.
‘Hello….’
‘Do you have word of Sousuke???’
'Then why….’
‘You should have told HIM that, not me….’
‘How should I know? He told me he had forgiven you. I haven’t….’
‘Oh… so you need MY help, now… I see….’
‘No. I haven’t heard anything about him….’
‘Do you think I would withhold that kind of thing… who’s the one who plays that kind of game….’
‘Of course I sound upset! You know what he meant to me. Means to me. You have no idea how much I meant to him….’
‘Yes. I’m sorry. I understand that… we have that much in common….’
‘I hope so. I will hold you to your word, even if he doesn’t….’
‘I would appreciate that. I would like to speak with them….’
‘I will let you know….’
Kaname had been furious for a few moments. Apparently speaking with someone else, she had broken down into tears. Talking to a third person, she fought to put on a smile, almost making it. She blushed for a moment, then began crying again.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Ayame had also turned a critical eye on Mr. Smith.
He was not himself that morning. He looked very tired. He wore the same clothes from the day before.
The pyramid of bagels that Ayame had built should have had his face lighting up like a Christmas tree or fireworks display. He didn’t pay them any notice. He thanked Ayame for a glass of orange juice, but never took a sip.
He kept flipping through the channels on the television
When Oichi came over, he barely acknowledged her. There were no tales of his exploits.
His telephone rang when Ayame had returned home with an empty platter. She had been just about to join Oichi and Kaname on the couch, when she saw Mr. Smith put the phone to his ear.
He sat upright quickly, knocking over the glass of juice. His mouth hung open. His free hand twitched.
“Are you sure? When? Where?” His voice was excited. “Did you do like I asked? Great! I owe you one now….”
“What?” Kaname sat up straighter, her face intense.
“Ayame, sweetheart. I’m starving. Bring me whatever you have.” Mr. Smith was smiling, his eyes alight. “It doesn’t have to fit on one plate!”
“Who was that?” Kaname asked, clenching her fists.
“Mr. Smith?” Oichi asked sweetly.
“Oh, and another glass of orange juice, please. And some milk. Coffee if you have it….” Mr. Smith rubbed his forehead and looked over at the two women on the couch.
“Ooooooooooh… who WAS it???” Kaname was standing now. She scowled at the rotund bodyguard.
“One of my buddies was walking the shoreline with his dog. Real nice dog. Black Labrador goes by the name of Digger. Real sweet pooch. He got him as a puppy back when we were on the force together.” Mr. Smith was talking happily. Did he have some good news?
“Tell me!” Kaname’s countenance was terrifying.
Oichi nodded her head, indicating it was a good idea.
“He saw a flare light up. He went to investigate. There was a young man there in really bad condition. He wore a funny black outfit, almost like a wetsuit….” Mr. Smith’s expression clearly indicated who he was speaking about.
“SOUSUKE???” Kaname trembled.
“Yes. He took him in his truck to the nearest hospital, before any of the official search parties to scoop him up. The hospital was flooded well past capacity with victims. He was able to pull some strings. A nurse he knew there helped hide the suit. The boy was logged in as a John Doe, discovered at the scene of the prior fighting and damage.” Mr. Smith coughed, then continued. “He just remembered this phone number.”
“Where is he?” Oichi spoke very calmly.
“HOW………. IS………. HE……….” Kaname looked as if she were ready to explode.
“Hmmmm… let me see…. what did he say?” Mr. Smith rubbed his chin. He winked at Oichi.
“Ayame!” Kaname ran towards the kitchen. “No food for Mr. Smith yet!!!”
Mr. Smith’s face looked serious.
“They said he was in critical condition. He was stabilized medically, then flown to the Trauma service at Harlem Hospital Center. That’s a good group of docs there. My buddy doesn’t know any more than that. He doesn’t have anyone he knows there, and they won’t give out any information.”
“We’ll see about that!” Kaname stamped her foot. She took out her recharged phone. “Ayame. Where’s that food?!!!” She dialed in a number and stood tapping her foot.
“Hello. This is Kaname Chidori. Jindai Blue. Patch me through to Tessa immediately. Excuse me, Captain Testarossa.” She frowned, looking ready to bite someone. “Of course immediately means now. It’s about Urzu-7!!!”
That last statement made all the difference. Tessa was pulled out of a meeting to speak with Kaname. She told the young submariner where the wounded soldier was. She asked if Mithril could pull the necessary strings. She hung up when she heard what she needed to hear.
“Is the car ready, Mr. Smith?” Kaname raised an eyebrow, her face a study in impatience.
“Huh?” The bodyguard looked up. Ayame had just placed a fully laden tray on his lap. His fork hovered just above a crisp slab of bacon.
“The car. That big metal thing with four wheels. You know. That huge monstrosity that always finds the potholes and scares the pants off of pedestrians….” Kaname picked up her purse and took out her compact. She checked her face.
“I know what the car is, missy.” He was salivating heavily.
“W---e---l---l---l---l---l---l---l---l---l….”
Mr. Smith stared slack-jawed. He looked down at his breakfast. She couldn’t want….
“Kaname…” Oichi stood up and smoothed her skirt. “Let Mr. Smith eat.”
“But….” Kaname tensed up all over.
“Kaname.” Oichi shook her head.
“But, Sousuke….” Her fingers twitched.
“Let the man enjoy his breakfast. You know it won’t take long. It will give me a chance to call your father.”
Mr. Smith turned a pleading look on Kaname.
“He may need me….” Kaname spoke in a very quiet voice, playing with a strand of her hair.
“Go ahead, Mr. Smith.” Oichi said. She dialed Shunya’s cell phone number.
The ex-cop dug in, making a satisfied sound. Ayame walked in, wanting to see what was going on.
“Why… did… you… have… to… bring… out… that… food…” The look Kaname gave her sister made the young girl cringe at first. Then she pouted. Soon after that, she looked angry.
“Bring the food… no, hold the food… bring the food… no, forget the food… Hmmppff!!!” She kicked Kaname hard in the shin.
Kaname looked irate at first, then smiled. She reached out and mussed Ayame’s hair. They both smiled.
“So, is Souske going to be OK?” Ayame’s eyes were very large. There was a quivering sound in her voice. She must have overheard the earlier conversation.
“I don’t know. We’ll head out as soon as Mr. Smith is done.” Kaname looked over at the man.
Ayame ran into the living room. She turned off the TV. Frowning, she swiped the tray off of Mr. Smith’s lap and ran with it into the kitchen. The poor man’s fork stabbed into his leg.
“Let me get you a bandage,” Oichi said, putting Shunya on hold. She looked at the retreating form of Ayame and sighed.
Kaname fought hard to keep from laughing. If she made Mr. Smith any angrier, he’d probably make it a point to purposefully find every pothole between there and the hospital.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Sousuke was very weak.
He found it difficult to open his eyes.
Strange sounds and smells teased at his senses, but he was too numb to pay much attention yet.
Where was he?
What had happened?
It was so hard to think. He must be on medications. Different medications. Pain killers… or truth serum.
He looked around the darkened room, seeing the closed curtains… the empty chair and swing table… and the I.V. pole. He was in a hospital. Or, medical facilities of a different sort.
There was an empty blood bag on the pole. That, and a bag of normal saline. The IMED device chugged happily along. Sousuke watched as drips of liquid fell one by one into the collection hub. He hoped there were no special substances in his replacement fluid.
As best he could, he tried to take stock of his physical condition.
His hands were restrained.
Why?
Was it merely a precaution, or was he a prisoner.
Had he said anything while he was out? Could somebody know who and what he was? What would they do if they did?
He felt very drowsy and fell asleep again. When he awakened, not much had changed. There was no visible guard at his door, but that didn’t mean anything.
His suit was gone. He would worry about that later. Naturally, he had no weapons with him.
If he could make it to a phone…. better yet, if he could make it out of the facilities and find a secure place to call….
It made no sense to take any chances.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Shunya had met them at the hospital. The other delegates and dignitaries could carry on their work without him.
Mr. Smith stopped at the gift shop, saying he wanted to buy some balloons. He did. When he came back out, Ayame frisked him, finding his pockets filled with snacks.
“I thought the boy might be hungry he said,” never missing a beat.
Kaname stood frozen at the center of the lobby, like a life-sized statue with exquisite detail. She couldn’t get herself to move. Her fear gripped her tightly.
“Kaname?” Her father placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“I’m scared, Daddy. Really scared.” Kaname had trouble breathing. Her heart was racing.
“What’s bothering you?” Oichi asked, taking candy bars out of Ayame’s pocket and handing them back to the watching bodyguard.
“Sousuke…. I don’t know how he’s doing…. if he’s in a coma… or hurt really badly… if he can’t hear me or see me….” She knew she was being unreasonable. But, she had been through so many ups and downs, she didn’t know how much more she could take.
“It’s OK, pumpkin.” Shunya spoke with a concerned voice. “He’s getting the best possible care. We’ll make certain he continues to. If it’s beyond our ability, we know people who can do just about anything, don’t we?”
“He better be OK. Big idiot. Jerk. Moron. Stupid head.” Everyone turned to look at Ayame. She had been the one speaking. “W—h—a—a—a—a—a—t….”
Kaname shook her head. She had to be more careful with her words around Ayame. Besides, those were her words of endearment.
They were something that belonged to her and Sousuke.
Sousuke.
“Let’s go, Daddy.” Kaname squared her shoulders and nodded her head. It was just another time she needed to be brave.
In the elevator ride up, Mr. Smith handed out candy to a number of sick children. Ayame sniffled, trying to convince Oichi that she was sick too. Shunya’s glare put an end to that.
They checked in at the nursing station. Only one visitor would be allowed in at a time. While Kaname walked hesitantly towards the room, Shunya supplied the medical personnel with the information about Sousuke that was safe to divulge.
Kaname began walking slowly, step by step. She was holding her breath. Soon, she was moving quickly. She couldn’t help herself, she broke into a run. She stopped just inside of Sousuke’s room.
There was no one there.
The bed was empty.
It looked like one of the bed railings was broken.
“Oh no….” She was stricken. That otaku! Had he decided he needed to escape? Where could he have gone?
She stood there, feeling as if the entire world was melting around her. What could she do?
“Sousuke….”
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
The look on Sousuke’s face had finally convinced the nurse that he could go to the restroom alone.
It had been hard sitting down and standing up, but he had succeeded with that important mission.
Holding onto his walker, he prepared to go back into his room. Hopefully that nurse wouldn’t be waiting there with a maintenance man or hospital security. She hadn’t been too happy with him even before he needed to answer Nature’s call.
He had broken the bed, getting loose.
Then, getting up, he had slipped when one leg gave way. While he was on his hands and knees, the energetic woman had walked in to check on him. She got a rather good view of his naked posterior segment.
She had dropped the pitcher of water. It broke. A mop was sent for.
A number of other nurses had wandered in, each with a new pitcher. He would have to remember to compliment the head nurse.
The staff was very attentive.
Before flushing the toilet, Sousuke stopped, his every sense alert. He heard what sounded like running, coming towards his room.
There should not be any running in the hospital.
He looked around the restroom quickly, trying to locate anything that might be useful as a weapon. The walker would have to do.
“Oh no….”
Who had said that? It almost sounded like….
Kaname!
“Sousuke….”
It WAS Kaname.
He kicked the door open, harder than he had intended. Not a good move. A picture fell of the adjacent wall in his room. The door slammed into his table, knocking over a whole collection of pitchers.
He pushed his walker out in a rush, his eyes widening when he saw Kaname. He was paying attention to her face when he slipped on the slick floor. The walker went flying. He ended up on all fours again, just like before.
“SOUSUKE!!!” Kaname blushed. That was not the welcome she had been hoping for.
A group of nurses all showed up at the door.
“Good timing!” One said. They all chuckled.
Kaname clenched her fists.
Sousuke spun around to look at the door.
“Uh….”
Very slowly.
Occasional arcs of actinic blue light jumped from one part of the control panel to another.
They were the only light in the darkened cockpit.
The strained whine of the air circulation system was a clear indication that there was power.
The question was how much.
Sousuke had shut things down temporarily, while he decided what to do. There were bigger things at stake here than himself. He had done the one thing he had felt compelled to do... call Kaname. His communications board had shorted out after that, making contact with Mithril impossible.
Most of the newest and most sophisticated gear added to Arbalest was down. There was no way to make benthic or bathymetric readings. There was no way to probe the bottom or subbottom, finding out about the surrounding sediment. All Acoustic, optical, and radar-guided survey devices failed to register on the task screen when he had brought that panel back online before.
The GPS system was out, too.
External lights were useless, suggesting that Arbalest was covered with rock, sand, or mud.
There was no way to know how far the contained detonation of the cobalt device had thrown him. He was concerned that the expanding energy, in combination with the Lambda Driver field, may have excavated a temporary chasm in the estuary basin. The ARX-7 would have settled in that, under pounds… tons… who knows how much… of debris.
Could Arbalest move at all?
If it could, how far would it get?
Might he and machine die, just before reaching some safe point of concealment? What then? Who would claim the Arm Slave? What intensive investigations might the body of a non-national set off?
Should he just review his life… ask atonement for his sins… give thanks for the wonders he had seen… and fade away?
Kaname.
His thoughts kept coming back to Kaname.
He wanted to see her again. Just see her. If he could hold her and touch her, it would be a bonus. Memories of her different perfumes rose up in his thoughts, accompanied by her fresh clean smell after a shower, or the familiar scent of her clothes after they had just been washed.
They had unfinished business, the two of them.
Sousuke hated to leave any job incomplete.
There was more for him to learn about her. There was more for her to learn about him. Some day, there were more things to explore together..
His mind tortured him with images of Kaname and someone else.
Could he let that happen?
Yes… if he didn’t have any choice… if it was impossible to be there himself.
He didn’t know whether or not it was impossible yet.
He pushed the main systems reset button. It was time to make his final decision. He waited for the chiming noise, the slowly growing hum, and the return of the remaining view screens.
Nothing happened.
“Al?” He asked by habit. He knew the A.I. would be down while the main power was off.
He pushed the button again, with the same result.
“Damn. I… want… to….”
This time, he brought his fist down hard on the button, hurting it on the unyielding steel and composite material.
“Ahhhh…hhh…hh…h…h…h…h…h…h….” He hissed in pain. His shoulder was throbbing again. He didn’t want to move too much. If the tightness of his suit… Kaname’s bandages…. and any wound crust were serving as a means to prevent further bleeding, he didn’t want to disrupt that until it was inescapable.
The chime!
The hum!
Screens flickered, trying valiantly to come to life. Some did. Systems check data began displaying. Various bar graphs and pie charts removed the need for reading the smoke shrouded words.
“Al? Are…you function… ing, Al?”
“Af… Aff… Affirma… Affirmative. Sergeant. Data core fracture. Hinders. Capa… capa… capability. Attempting. Stabilization. Contingencies. Alternate path… ways.”
Various lights on the panel flickered, flashed, came on, or went off.
A particularly large arc of electricity just missed Sousuke’s head.
There was a series of chimes. Lights began to stay lit longer. A number of different screens came to life.
“Present systems configuration stable. Temporary nature of condition emphasized. Awaiting user input.” The A.I.’s voice was fluid and continuous.
“High priority,…assess residual… function of Lambda Driver… generator.”
Sousuke began typing an analysis request into his keyboard. He had an idea. If what he thought might have happen did indeed take place, perhaps he could get out in similar fashion.
“Status uncertain. Some function remains. Power levels low, but adequate for limited action. Further system tests could adversely affect function.”
“Understood. Proceed with…requested… analysis. Two concurrent…actions would be…necessary. Excavation. Use of the field…as a… motive tool. Additional… possibility to assess: attenuate…force stream…utilization as a… tactile radar.”
“Working.”
Sousuke passed out. Uncertain whether or not such an action was intentional, the A.I. routed a quick shock of electricity throughout the pilot seat. Sousuke came to again.
“Analysis complete. Displaying probability graphics now, Sergeant.” A rim of small lights surrounding one screen began pulsing. “Air supply now critical. Estimated residual ten to twenty minutes, depending on level of exertion and consciousness.
It was now or never.
“Impliment… plan… Al.” Sousuke began coughing again. There was taste of blood in his mouth. “Thanks… your… service….”
“Statement not understood.”
“Not… problem….” Sousuke’s body went rigid in a wave of diffuse pain.
Fighting to keep his eyes open, he saw a curious and indecipherable scene on the main view screen. Light pulsated, whirled, wavered, and danced. The view went cloudy, then dark, then temporarily bright again. He passed out. Once again, an electric jolt brought him back to consciousness.
“Field probe detected multiple solid objects above water level. Statistical analysis suggests buildings or bridges. Remaining energy shunted to motive operations. Oxygen intake will initiate when dorsal ports are clear.”
Sousuke wasn’t cognizant of all of the following details. He was aware of pulling himself painfully up onto a stretch of shore. Somehow, he managed to take a flare out of his suit emergency pack and ignite it.
After that, everything went dark.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Ayame stilled hovered at a distance, wary of her sister’s mood.
Each of them had all run the gamut of emotions that morning, but Kaname had been hit the hardest, as anyone might expect. She had put up a good front, but the façade was crumbling.
They had returned home, happy to see the hoard of reporters were gone. Mr. Smith walked around the neighborhood, making certain that there was nobody in concealment. He did not like reporters. He was not subtle in his opinion of them. Perhaps they could sense that.
At breakfast time, she kept buttering bagel after bagel, never quite aware of what she was doing. She never took a bite. Ayame had run them by the neighbor’s houses, seeing if anybody wanted any.
When their father had been tapped to be amongst a group of U.N. officials hastily assembled to review the damage to their buildings. Kaname had wanted to go along. Told she couldn’t, she had laid on her bed for hours.
When it finally looked like she might be coming around, the phone rang. When Ayame answered, a girl asked to speak with Kaname. She wouldn’t give her name. The phone conversation had her biting her lip, listening to Kaname speak.
‘Hello….’
‘Do you have word of Sousuke???’
'Then why….’
‘You should have told HIM that, not me….’
‘How should I know? He told me he had forgiven you. I haven’t….’
‘Oh… so you need MY help, now… I see….’
‘No. I haven’t heard anything about him….’
‘Do you think I would withhold that kind of thing… who’s the one who plays that kind of game….’
‘Of course I sound upset! You know what he meant to me. Means to me. You have no idea how much I meant to him….’
‘Yes. I’m sorry. I understand that… we have that much in common….’
‘I hope so. I will hold you to your word, even if he doesn’t….’
‘I would appreciate that. I would like to speak with them….’
‘I will let you know….’
Kaname had been furious for a few moments. Apparently speaking with someone else, she had broken down into tears. Talking to a third person, she fought to put on a smile, almost making it. She blushed for a moment, then began crying again.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Ayame had also turned a critical eye on Mr. Smith.
He was not himself that morning. He looked very tired. He wore the same clothes from the day before.
The pyramid of bagels that Ayame had built should have had his face lighting up like a Christmas tree or fireworks display. He didn’t pay them any notice. He thanked Ayame for a glass of orange juice, but never took a sip.
He kept flipping through the channels on the television
When Oichi came over, he barely acknowledged her. There were no tales of his exploits.
His telephone rang when Ayame had returned home with an empty platter. She had been just about to join Oichi and Kaname on the couch, when she saw Mr. Smith put the phone to his ear.
He sat upright quickly, knocking over the glass of juice. His mouth hung open. His free hand twitched.
“Are you sure? When? Where?” His voice was excited. “Did you do like I asked? Great! I owe you one now….”
“What?” Kaname sat up straighter, her face intense.
“Ayame, sweetheart. I’m starving. Bring me whatever you have.” Mr. Smith was smiling, his eyes alight. “It doesn’t have to fit on one plate!”
“Who was that?” Kaname asked, clenching her fists.
“Mr. Smith?” Oichi asked sweetly.
“Oh, and another glass of orange juice, please. And some milk. Coffee if you have it….” Mr. Smith rubbed his forehead and looked over at the two women on the couch.
“Ooooooooooh… who WAS it???” Kaname was standing now. She scowled at the rotund bodyguard.
“One of my buddies was walking the shoreline with his dog. Real nice dog. Black Labrador goes by the name of Digger. Real sweet pooch. He got him as a puppy back when we were on the force together.” Mr. Smith was talking happily. Did he have some good news?
“Tell me!” Kaname’s countenance was terrifying.
Oichi nodded her head, indicating it was a good idea.
“He saw a flare light up. He went to investigate. There was a young man there in really bad condition. He wore a funny black outfit, almost like a wetsuit….” Mr. Smith’s expression clearly indicated who he was speaking about.
“SOUSUKE???” Kaname trembled.
“Yes. He took him in his truck to the nearest hospital, before any of the official search parties to scoop him up. The hospital was flooded well past capacity with victims. He was able to pull some strings. A nurse he knew there helped hide the suit. The boy was logged in as a John Doe, discovered at the scene of the prior fighting and damage.” Mr. Smith coughed, then continued. “He just remembered this phone number.”
“Where is he?” Oichi spoke very calmly.
“HOW………. IS………. HE……….” Kaname looked as if she were ready to explode.
“Hmmmm… let me see…. what did he say?” Mr. Smith rubbed his chin. He winked at Oichi.
“Ayame!” Kaname ran towards the kitchen. “No food for Mr. Smith yet!!!”
Mr. Smith’s face looked serious.
“They said he was in critical condition. He was stabilized medically, then flown to the Trauma service at Harlem Hospital Center. That’s a good group of docs there. My buddy doesn’t know any more than that. He doesn’t have anyone he knows there, and they won’t give out any information.”
“We’ll see about that!” Kaname stamped her foot. She took out her recharged phone. “Ayame. Where’s that food?!!!” She dialed in a number and stood tapping her foot.
“Hello. This is Kaname Chidori. Jindai Blue. Patch me through to Tessa immediately. Excuse me, Captain Testarossa.” She frowned, looking ready to bite someone. “Of course immediately means now. It’s about Urzu-7!!!”
That last statement made all the difference. Tessa was pulled out of a meeting to speak with Kaname. She told the young submariner where the wounded soldier was. She asked if Mithril could pull the necessary strings. She hung up when she heard what she needed to hear.
“Is the car ready, Mr. Smith?” Kaname raised an eyebrow, her face a study in impatience.
“Huh?” The bodyguard looked up. Ayame had just placed a fully laden tray on his lap. His fork hovered just above a crisp slab of bacon.
“The car. That big metal thing with four wheels. You know. That huge monstrosity that always finds the potholes and scares the pants off of pedestrians….” Kaname picked up her purse and took out her compact. She checked her face.
“I know what the car is, missy.” He was salivating heavily.
“W---e---l---l---l---l---l---l---l---l---l….”
Mr. Smith stared slack-jawed. He looked down at his breakfast. She couldn’t want….
“Kaname…” Oichi stood up and smoothed her skirt. “Let Mr. Smith eat.”
“But….” Kaname tensed up all over.
“Kaname.” Oichi shook her head.
“But, Sousuke….” Her fingers twitched.
“Let the man enjoy his breakfast. You know it won’t take long. It will give me a chance to call your father.”
Mr. Smith turned a pleading look on Kaname.
“He may need me….” Kaname spoke in a very quiet voice, playing with a strand of her hair.
“Go ahead, Mr. Smith.” Oichi said. She dialed Shunya’s cell phone number.
The ex-cop dug in, making a satisfied sound. Ayame walked in, wanting to see what was going on.
“Why… did… you… have… to… bring… out… that… food…” The look Kaname gave her sister made the young girl cringe at first. Then she pouted. Soon after that, she looked angry.
“Bring the food… no, hold the food… bring the food… no, forget the food… Hmmppff!!!” She kicked Kaname hard in the shin.
Kaname looked irate at first, then smiled. She reached out and mussed Ayame’s hair. They both smiled.
“So, is Souske going to be OK?” Ayame’s eyes were very large. There was a quivering sound in her voice. She must have overheard the earlier conversation.
“I don’t know. We’ll head out as soon as Mr. Smith is done.” Kaname looked over at the man.
Ayame ran into the living room. She turned off the TV. Frowning, she swiped the tray off of Mr. Smith’s lap and ran with it into the kitchen. The poor man’s fork stabbed into his leg.
“Let me get you a bandage,” Oichi said, putting Shunya on hold. She looked at the retreating form of Ayame and sighed.
Kaname fought hard to keep from laughing. If she made Mr. Smith any angrier, he’d probably make it a point to purposefully find every pothole between there and the hospital.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Sousuke was very weak.
He found it difficult to open his eyes.
Strange sounds and smells teased at his senses, but he was too numb to pay much attention yet.
Where was he?
What had happened?
It was so hard to think. He must be on medications. Different medications. Pain killers… or truth serum.
He looked around the darkened room, seeing the closed curtains… the empty chair and swing table… and the I.V. pole. He was in a hospital. Or, medical facilities of a different sort.
There was an empty blood bag on the pole. That, and a bag of normal saline. The IMED device chugged happily along. Sousuke watched as drips of liquid fell one by one into the collection hub. He hoped there were no special substances in his replacement fluid.
As best he could, he tried to take stock of his physical condition.
His hands were restrained.
Why?
Was it merely a precaution, or was he a prisoner.
Had he said anything while he was out? Could somebody know who and what he was? What would they do if they did?
He felt very drowsy and fell asleep again. When he awakened, not much had changed. There was no visible guard at his door, but that didn’t mean anything.
His suit was gone. He would worry about that later. Naturally, he had no weapons with him.
If he could make it to a phone…. better yet, if he could make it out of the facilities and find a secure place to call….
It made no sense to take any chances.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Shunya had met them at the hospital. The other delegates and dignitaries could carry on their work without him.
Mr. Smith stopped at the gift shop, saying he wanted to buy some balloons. He did. When he came back out, Ayame frisked him, finding his pockets filled with snacks.
“I thought the boy might be hungry he said,” never missing a beat.
Kaname stood frozen at the center of the lobby, like a life-sized statue with exquisite detail. She couldn’t get herself to move. Her fear gripped her tightly.
“Kaname?” Her father placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“I’m scared, Daddy. Really scared.” Kaname had trouble breathing. Her heart was racing.
“What’s bothering you?” Oichi asked, taking candy bars out of Ayame’s pocket and handing them back to the watching bodyguard.
“Sousuke…. I don’t know how he’s doing…. if he’s in a coma… or hurt really badly… if he can’t hear me or see me….” She knew she was being unreasonable. But, she had been through so many ups and downs, she didn’t know how much more she could take.
“It’s OK, pumpkin.” Shunya spoke with a concerned voice. “He’s getting the best possible care. We’ll make certain he continues to. If it’s beyond our ability, we know people who can do just about anything, don’t we?”
“He better be OK. Big idiot. Jerk. Moron. Stupid head.” Everyone turned to look at Ayame. She had been the one speaking. “W—h—a—a—a—a—a—t….”
Kaname shook her head. She had to be more careful with her words around Ayame. Besides, those were her words of endearment.
They were something that belonged to her and Sousuke.
Sousuke.
“Let’s go, Daddy.” Kaname squared her shoulders and nodded her head. It was just another time she needed to be brave.
In the elevator ride up, Mr. Smith handed out candy to a number of sick children. Ayame sniffled, trying to convince Oichi that she was sick too. Shunya’s glare put an end to that.
They checked in at the nursing station. Only one visitor would be allowed in at a time. While Kaname walked hesitantly towards the room, Shunya supplied the medical personnel with the information about Sousuke that was safe to divulge.
Kaname began walking slowly, step by step. She was holding her breath. Soon, she was moving quickly. She couldn’t help herself, she broke into a run. She stopped just inside of Sousuke’s room.
There was no one there.
The bed was empty.
It looked like one of the bed railings was broken.
“Oh no….” She was stricken. That otaku! Had he decided he needed to escape? Where could he have gone?
She stood there, feeling as if the entire world was melting around her. What could she do?
“Sousuke….”
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
The look on Sousuke’s face had finally convinced the nurse that he could go to the restroom alone.
It had been hard sitting down and standing up, but he had succeeded with that important mission.
Holding onto his walker, he prepared to go back into his room. Hopefully that nurse wouldn’t be waiting there with a maintenance man or hospital security. She hadn’t been too happy with him even before he needed to answer Nature’s call.
He had broken the bed, getting loose.
Then, getting up, he had slipped when one leg gave way. While he was on his hands and knees, the energetic woman had walked in to check on him. She got a rather good view of his naked posterior segment.
She had dropped the pitcher of water. It broke. A mop was sent for.
A number of other nurses had wandered in, each with a new pitcher. He would have to remember to compliment the head nurse.
The staff was very attentive.
Before flushing the toilet, Sousuke stopped, his every sense alert. He heard what sounded like running, coming towards his room.
There should not be any running in the hospital.
He looked around the restroom quickly, trying to locate anything that might be useful as a weapon. The walker would have to do.
“Oh no….”
Who had said that? It almost sounded like….
Kaname!
“Sousuke….”
It WAS Kaname.
He kicked the door open, harder than he had intended. Not a good move. A picture fell of the adjacent wall in his room. The door slammed into his table, knocking over a whole collection of pitchers.
He pushed his walker out in a rush, his eyes widening when he saw Kaname. He was paying attention to her face when he slipped on the slick floor. The walker went flying. He ended up on all fours again, just like before.
“SOUSUKE!!!” Kaname blushed. That was not the welcome she had been hoping for.
A group of nurses all showed up at the door.
“Good timing!” One said. They all chuckled.
Kaname clenched her fists.
Sousuke spun around to look at the door.
“Uh….”
