Part Six of the Aveh-Nisan Chapter

A Failed Experiment

Written by Yen (April 2000)

Seth pulled his robe close, tightening the sash automatically.

Invisible fingers stopped him, the slightest ghostly pressure on his hands. "Still so shy, Seth?" The whispered words ran through his ears, and he shook his head promptly. "No, my master," he said solemnly, politely and submissively.

"That's good, very good, my loyal servant." The overpowering presence of his lord lifted, and Seth breathed a little easier. Despite all his confidence, a little doubt remained. His master was too powerful for total peace of mind.

A warm hand on his shoulder made him jump. "Come with me, Seth," a new voice commanded. He turned slowly to see an alluringly beautiful woman smiling mischievously at him.

"... Who are you?"

Ruby eyes twinkled merrily at him, and perfect lips pouted. "Don't you recognize me?"

A sinking feeling settled in his stomach. "M-master?" He stammered, disbelief making him stutter.

She nodded graciously and pirouetted for him. "How do you like me in this form?"

"..."

When she faced him again, she tossed her silver hair back and wrinkled her nose. "It's been a while since I took a female form."

"... It suits you," Seth managed to say after a nervous swallow.

His mas- mistress bestowed a smile on him for that. "You like me this way then?"

"Yes, of course." By now, he had managed to bring his heart rate under control.

"Very well. Take off your clothes."

!?! "... Why?!" It was the first time he had ever raised his voice towards him... her.

She approached him, one slender tapered foot walking over the other as if in a ballet. Her translucent gown shimmered in the low light of his sleeping chamber. Her pale form, delicate and promising.

"Simply, Seth, I want to clear all your doubts away..."

Samuel jumped nimbly to one side as the gurney sped by him with its hassled orderly giving him a weak smile.

"No problem," Samuel mouthed the words, smiling an easy grin as he continued on his way to Daniel's room. The magician was unconcerned, aware but uncaring of the panic raging at near past tolerance level around him. It was after all none of his business. Daniel was his only concern.

Finding an occupant other then his friend at his destination got him involved.

"Where is he?!"

The angry shout woke her up. Margie blinked, taking a moment to gather her senses.

"What did you do with him?!"

Margie frowned and lifted her head slowly. The side of her face felt cool as she had been sleeping with her cheek pressed against the cold glass.

"Sir! Please calm down!" The second voice was not at all calm. "Aide Saren has only been transferred to another room!"

"What the hell for?!"

The antagonist sounded familiar to Margie.

"Well, where is he?" Samuel asked again, steely impatience in a deceptively polite tone. He frowned when the nurse glanced at him from the info screen. The young man gulped nervously.

"... We seemed to have misplaced him-"

"What?!"

"Mr. White."

He turned to see Marguerite Fatima standing just behind him. She was frowning at him.

"Kindly keep your voice down." Her eyes met him solemnly. There was no mistaking the warning in them. "This is a hospital after all."

Samuel smiled, shrugging somewhat absent-mindedly. "Sorry about that." He didn't sound the least bit penitent. "It's been my experience that people move faster with a little encouragement."

Margie considered his statement carefully before nodding. "You will find that Bledavik works differently from Nortune."

Samuel's lips twisted in a crooked grin. "If you say so." His eyes flicked back to the nervous lad behind the nurse station. "Perhaps then, you can help me find out where they misplaced Daniel. Hmm...?"

Sometime later, they located Daniel in a small secluded room away from the hospital's mainstream. The elderly nurse who had overseen Daniel's transfer apologized profusely. The sudden crisis in Bledavik had turned the hospital upside-down and with it, its staff. They had found it necessary to transfer patients of lesser priority and reserve the vacated room for epidemic victims.

Margie watched as Samuel looked over Daniel carefully. He was being extremely thorough in his inspection. He examined Daniel's hair, eyes, mouth, throat. He unlaced the strings on his shoulders and pushed down the medical shift to check his friend's chest and stomach. Someone cleared her throat behind him before he reached further down. Samuel turned to see the disapproving nurse and an embarrassed Margie.

"Oh..." The look on his face was blank and realization slow in coming over it. Efficiently, he tucked his friend back into the bed. "Well, he seems fine."

"Of course he is!" Nurse Bethelm stepped forward, her face flushed with angry insult. She didn't like Samuel at all. "Aide Saren has have the best care here."

"That's what you all say."

Margie stepped in between the two and soothed the elderly woman's wounded pride. "It's all right." She grimaced for an instant. "He's always like that. Don't mind him."

It was several moments before Nurse Bethelm nodded and left the room reluctantly.

Margie sighed softly and turned to glare at Samuel's back. The magician was examining Daniel again.

"... Why do you go over him like that?"

Samuel didn't notice or choose to ignore the exasperation in Margie's question. Instead, he pressed a palm firmly on Daniel's solar plexus. "I'm making sure those idiots did what I told them to do," he replied calmly.

Margie moved to stand beside him. "Just what are you doing?" She asked again, this time curious. Samuel answered by lifting his hand and showing it to her, palm facing towards her. Nothing was on it. "The last time I was here, Daniel was oozing with nanites."

Margie remained silent as Samuel began poking and prodding Daniel.

"You do not like nanites?" She asked tentatively.

"No, it's Daniel who doesn't like them." With a gentle heave, he turned Daniel over to lie on his stomach.

"... He would have died without nanotechnology."

"It's your blasted nanotechnology that's keeping him in a coma."

Nanotechnology, a science with its roots in ancient technology. The construction and programming of tiny machines. Machines so small and able to mimic and to create life.

Nanites have been used extensively in many of not all fields of science, work and technology. Nanites appear not only in physiology, medicine and machinery, but also in construction and recently in terraformation.

~~~

"If nanites are programmed to substitute cells within a living body, it is far easier and possible for them to perform other tasks." Citan paused in his speech and coughed to clear his throat before continuing his report to the Council.

"In the reconstruction of the city of Bledavik, the test set of construction nanites were let loose within a chosen and shielded area for their final field test.

The large view screen beside him turned on, and they could see a mound of sand and dirt covering an area large enough for a gear to land on. Citan held up a palm-size white cube for his audience to see. It was identical to the cube sitting on top of the mound.

"The NaniCube is the nanites base point. They have been programmed not to go beyond the set distance limit from the cube. In this case, the borders just enclosed the pile.

On the screen, the cube suddenly turned azure blue. Moments later, dirty yellow sandstone rose from the ground.

"The nanites have been programmed to only utilize the material within the area."

The artificial stone rose slowly and steadily in a familiar pattern.

"For this test, the three-dimensional design of a pentagon-shaped structure was chosen."

When the walls were at waist-height, the view changed from elevation to perspective.

"The openings of the doors and windows are left alone by the nanites, and they even extend down into the ground to construct the foundations of the house."

Citan went on explaining the process by which the nanites transform the sand and dirt into the desired material. He also mentioned that what they were viewing was a fast play recording of the actual process. By the time the doctor had finished his report, the house was completed on the screen. In real time, it would take ten times longer.

There was a pleased twinkle in Citan's eyes as he concluded. "We have also seen remarkable achievements in the terraforming project in Aveh. Understandably, it will take much longer to turn desert into arable land then the construction of a house, but it is a promising start."

~~~

Margie couldn't understand why Daniel would hate nanites. He was the one who suggested their use in Bledavik's rebuilding.

Samuel saw the look of misgiving on her face. He frowned at her. "Don't look at me like that," he grumbled as he rearranged Daniel on the med bed. "It's not my fault he's allergic to them."

Allergic... "Oh," Margie realized weakly. "He's allergic..." How is that even possible? It was the first time she heard of someone allergic to nanites.

Samuel nodded derisively, his blue eyes keen on his friend's face. "That's why he has not woken up. He's acutely allergic to nanites. He's unconscious until his body has purged its system of nanites.

"But nanites replicate themselves."

"That's why I told those dummies to expose him to an electromagnetic pulse. That shut down those little trouble-makers alright." He grinned at her, "Won't be long before Daniel here wakes up from his beauty sleep."

He shocked Margie badly when he yelled into the patient's ear, "Hey stupid! Wake up already!"

Daniel snored at him.

"Well, my dear lady, my work here is done for now." Margie allowed him to take her hand and kiss it gallantly. "Thank you for helping me find Daniel."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked way, whistling. Margie watched as people moved aside for him in the crowded hallway.

He gets stranger each time I meet him.

She forgot Samuel as another matter nagged for her attention. Margie went back into Daniel's room. After closing the door shut, she walked over and stood by his bedside.

Like Bart, Daniel looked like he was just sleeping. Suddenly, she felt so weak and fell to her knees bonelessly. Only her panicked clawing at the bed sheets kept her from collapsing fully to the floor.

Belatedly, she realized that shock had finally caught up to her. The comedic distraction by Samuel was the last barrier between hopeless fear and her weakened grasp on sensibility. Tears escaped from tightly shut eyes, and she leaned helplessly against the bed.

Why did this have to happen? Panic, like wild fire, ate up her strength with dizzying ferocity.

It’s Bart. He’s taken ill… Sigurd's words that began this painful journey.

Promise, Margie, promise me you'll give us a chance. Bart's earnest face flashed by. With it, the memory of a kiss before he left her standing by her bedroom door. She had not wanted him to leave.

I shouldn't have let you leave, Bart. Regret was as painful as it is subtle in coming. I should not have let you go.

Her hands clenched, futile fingers pulling at the sheets as if they could pull back time.

Bart...

Warm fingers settled over pale knuckles, and Margie breathed in sharply. She looked up slowly to see Daniel's hand covering hers. He was still asleep. Her movements, having just disturbed his slumber.

Margie stared at his hand, seeing only the taut brown skin over gaunt bones. A humorless thought entered her mind.

I guess you cannot distract me from Bart this time. Unlike the last time, remembering Bart brought pain along.

A soft sob forced itself from her throat. She couldn't control, barely understood the mindless emotions churning inside her. Life giving you a poisoned cake.

Why must it be so hard?!

Time later, Margie stood up and wiped her face clean with a handkerchief. Her features were composed, her eyes bright. A time for despair. A time for hope. As her fingers carefully folded the cloth into a neat square, something else assailed her.

For a moment she closed her eyes in pained realization before leaving the room to find Nurse Bethelm.

In all the confusion, they had forgotten that Daniel was already a victim of the virus. He had nearly died from the Wel vampire's icy spear.

Suffer once, suffer twice, thrice. An irony of life where the strong became stronger, the weak, weaker. Where fortune favors the rich and misfortune, the poor. An unfair cycle.

Taura Melchior was sober. Beside him, Emeralda waited patiently, her eyes on the readout just as his were.

Kim Kasim's nanites had a solution.

The Wiseman sighed heavily. Emeralda was immune, because she was composed entirely of nanites. Even Taura, himself was infected by the insidious virus. His ancient body was more artificial then natural, but the virus still thrived in his system, because of what little biological components he had left unreplaced with technology. His brain, for instance.

Taura winced. He imagined he could feel his mind destroying itself inside out.

Nanites could help if all biological components were replaced by them. They would all have to become like Emeralda. Human beings will have to become nanocolonies.

Would this cure be too high a price to pay?

Taura shook his head slowly. There has to be another answer.

One possible solution would be to have nanites change back the mutated cells before they destroyed one another. It was similar to what had happened years ago when the Limiters were removed. This time, there was a very short deadline, and no one save for one was immune.

That in mind, Taura set to work with Emeralda assisting him.

Billy watched as Primera cast another healing spell on a patient. As the azure lights dimmed and died down, her sister's face fell. It was not working. Nothing was working except the last ditch cryo insertions. This patient and others like her had been sedated and awaiting placement in stasis chambers.

Her mouth set into a determined line, Primera prepared herself for another try. Billy's hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"Enough, Prim," he whispered gently into her ear. "There's nothing more you can do."

Her shoulder muscles tightened underneath his fingers, and Billy thought she was going to shrug his hand off when she uttered a soft noise and turned to hide her face in his robes.

Billy embraced her sister protectively as the medics arrived to take the patients away.

Elly brushed her hair out of her eyes irritably, glad for the distraction, irked by the obstruction. Her pace quickened as she neared her destination, the Nisan Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary as it was usually referred to was one of the most important areas in Nisan. It and the Cathedral drew visitors from all over Ignas, just as the Council Hall and Jugend did in Nortune. The Nisan Sanctuary is to date the largest and the most extensive healing facility ever. Its primary purpose is to serve as a have-not rehabilitation center and hospital. It had been founded upon Lady Elhaym's and Reverend Black's requests.

Elly kept her eyes focused on the sharp silver peak that marked the center of the Sanctuary. Another turn around a hedge, and she finally saw the low white building.

The Nisan Sanctuary was round, its sides curved towards its center where a white translucent pyramid jutted seamlessly from its top.

Carefully planted around it were trees whose slender trunks grew straight for several meters before branching out into leafy canopies that leveled with the structure's roofline. Sanctuary is also known as the Fatima Jasper.

"Mother Sophia!"

"Great Lady!"

"Lady Elhaym!"

Elly found herself surrounded the near instant she entered Sanctuary. The sisters watching over the entry portals leading into the main hall tried in vain to keep the patients away from her.

"Save me!" "Bless us, Great Lady!" "Have mercy-"

Elly almost blanched as mutants and non-mutants alike grabbed at her, their hands and fingers stretched to the limits for a touch of her. Their eyes, wide and only on her.

Elly heard Sr. Agnes' faint cry. "Lady Elhaym, go back! Get out!"

The sisters had warned her of coming to Sanctuary. Elly was also discouraged from even going out into the city proper. Crowds and riots formed automatically at the mere mention that she was about. She was constantly with a honor guard, even within the Cathedral.

The crisis had made the situation in Nisan oppressive. Normally tolerant of mutants, the have population had become belligerent towards their mutant neighbors overnight. Elly wanted to help. She managed to lose her entourage with the excuse of having to take a short nap in her room. Taking a private route between the Cathedral and Sanctuary, she soon arrived at the Fatima Jasper's rear egress.

"Have the guards protect the Holy Mother-" Sr. Agnes' command was lost as the patients surged forward towards Elly. Sisters blocked their advance as she instinctively stepped back.

"Lady Elhaym!"

Elly turned to see the captain of her guard running towards her with his men at his heels. She knew she had little time.

She smiled at them reassuringly before turning away to walk calmly between the ranks of protective nuns and into the midst of her followers.

Her soft and gentle voice hushed them. "Let me help you."

Sigurd ran a haggard hand through his hair. Pain suddenly speared through his head, and he closed his eyes, willing the pain away. He had been at work, leading the epidemic-alarmed city of Bledavik non-stop for the past three days and nights. His head ached, throbbing with every stressed moment. Desperately, he prayed the headaches were not a symptom of the illness.

"Master Sigurd, please take a few moments to rest." He opened blood-shot eyes to see Maison standing in front of his desk. He didn't even hear him enter his office. So intense was the pain.

"... I can't." He lowered his hand to the table. His palm pressed hard against the surface, seeking support from the cool polished wood. "I have to keep on working." His eyes closed momentarily. "They need me."

Maison shook his head and walked around the table to him. "You can't do much if you are too weary." He reached his side. Sigurd had not moved an inch. "As young as you are, you have your limits." His leather roughed hand felt cool against his forehead. "Your temperature is high."

Indeed, he did feel hot. Was the internal cooling system malfunctioning?

"I want you to take a nap, Sigurd." Maison's tone was serious, brooking no disagreement. For the first time, he addressed him by his name.

Sigurd took a deep breath and slumped. He was so tired. He let Maison support and guide him off his chair. A short nap... just a little sleep... he will back soon.

"Dad!"

Billy shook Jessiah frantically. His father was lying prone on the floor.

"Papa!" Primera appeared by his side on her knees. "Wake up!" He grabbed her just as she was going to throw herself down to him. "No, Prim. Don't touch him." Little help as it was, he stood up and carried her away. He didn't want her to see their father's face.

"No!" Primera pummeled at him with her fists. "Let me go! Papa!"

"I'm sorry," he whispered as they left their home. It's better this way...

His sister cried. "Papa, please wake up!"

Taura slammed the metal sheet against the table, and leaned weakly against it. The flimsies held to the thin report fluttered wildly before settling down. It was happening too fast, and the answers, too slow in coming.

A cure was possible, but they need to halt or at least slow down the virus before it took all of them down.

Strong hands tightened around his upper arms, and he glanced aside to Emeralda who was helping him up. He could see his old helpless visage mirrored in her young eyes.

I must not give up. I must not.

Yui leaned weakly against the wall of the clinic. She gasped out in pain and reached out unsteadily to the intercom. It was a few scant inches from her near paralyzed fingers.

She fell to her knees and coughed hard. Blood dripped to the floor. On the only two beds in the small sickbay, her husband and Bingo lay in stasis fields.

She fainted just as the door slid open, and Midori rushed in.

"Mama!"

Elly held her hand to her mouth, stifling her sob. She turned away from the comscreen, which displayed Fei's tired face.

"Elly... please don't cry," he pleaded gently. "They'll be all right, I swear." Promise ringed in Fei's voice, and Elly knew he would give his all to fulfill this promise to her.

She turned back to him with clear eyes. Too many tears had already been shed for the victims. "I know they will be, Fei," she said softly. It was her own promise for both of them.

It was a small thing, but it fired Taura's temper.

"These are not the right papers!" He exploded at the messenger. The young man's eyes went wide with shock and fear. "I- I'm sorry, sir," he stammered as he backed away. "I'll get the right ones, I promise," he managed to say before he ran out of the lab.

The report plate fell from suddenly numb fingers to ring a sharp metallic sound against the floor before clanging down still.

"Nice going, Taura."

He almost almost yelled at the jeering Gaspar.

Gaspar's face fell when Taura said nary a word and returned back to his work. He knew it was the most serious when Taura wouldn't exchange barbs with him.

He turned his attention from Taura to Balthazar who too was working at another table. He could hear the click clack of computer keys being pressed and depressed.

Unconsciously, his hands tightened at his sides. He felt so helpless. How could he fight an enemy he couldn't even see or touch.

Yui... His granddaughter and her husband were in coma due to this unseen enemy. He couldn't do anything to help them. Unlike his two colleagues, his talents were little and no use in this matter. What good was martial arts against a virus?

With a silent sigh, he forced himself to walk over and pick up the report that Taura dropped. He had to find something to do. Anything to keep himself busy and not think about his family. At least, little Midori was still all right for now.

Four days... and already three-quarters of the population...

Taura closed his eyes, trying to stave off panicked fear. One... two more days, and it would be over.

"Taura?"

He ignored Gaspar behind him. Could he not see he did not have time to argue with him?!

"Taura!"

He whirled about angrily. "Not now, you idiot!"

Gaspar's eyes flashed at the insult, but he thrust something else towards him other than his fist. It was the wrong papers he dropped.

"Look at it," Gaspar commanded. Taura almost spat at him. Instead, he took and read it.

...

"He was hurt during the attack, wasn't he?"

"... Yes, he was the one impaled in the chest."

"He's uninfected."

Margie was standing up from her vigil besides Bart's cryo chamber when the door burst open, and medics swarmed into the room.

One of them turned off the stasis field. The chamber was opened, and they slid Bart off onto a gurney.

?! "What are you doing?!"

"Mother Marguerite! Wiseman Melchior found a cure!"

"Ramsus!"

Kahr turned automatically to see Billy running towards him. His pale face was urgent, but with hope not fear.

"Have our fastest ship and gears launched immediately to Bledavik."

"... They found a cure?"

"Yes!" The young man shouted joyfully as he skid to a halt, almost bumping into him. "They have a serum, but it can only be made in Bledavik. Until we can synthesize it ourselves, we'll have to get it."

Ramsus nodded, and Dominia, Kelvena, Seraphita and Tolone immediately headed for the hanger area. He would follow them shortly.

"Shall we have shuttles take victims to Bledavik?" He asked.

Billy shook his head. "No, they have their hands full as it is with their own patients." His eyes suddenly lit up. "Tell your people to wait. We have a better transport to take us to Aveh."

"Sr. Agnes!" Elly shouted as she ran from her room. She collided into Sr. Agnes just outside in the hallway. Tray, dishes, spoon and fork, and a glass tumbled through the air, spilling food and drink on them.

They stared at each other. Milk dripped down from Elly's face while lettuce and a occasional tomato slice adorned Sr. Agnes.

"... Your lunch, Holy Sophia."

A giggle broke out from Elly first, and soon they were both laughing, and it was a while before they helped each other up from the floor. It was a very pleasant relief.

...

"Sr. Agnes, have shuttles and gears immediately go to Bledavik."

Sr. Agnes smiled. "I have already done so a short while ago."

Elly stared at her while the nun began picking vegetables off her clothes. "... How did you know?"

"Marguerite informed me just a few minutes before I would surmise your Fei did. I was coming to tell you as well as bring you your meal. I thought you were still resting."

"I couldn't sleep," confessed Elly. She didn't mention that she had been about to climb down from her window when Fei's call came through.

Sr. Agnes began herding her back to her room. "You should be able to sleep now then. Everything will be fine now that a cure has been found."

Elly paused just by her doorway. "I'll be fine alone," she said reassuringly. "You better get some sleep too, Sister."

Sr. Agnes didn't argue and left her, but not before cleaning most of the mess in the hallway. Elly breathed a sigh of relief as she closed and locked her door. She stared at the knotted and tied sheets leading from the foot of the heavy queen-sized bed to the open window.

She smiled. Everything will be fine.

"Just what do you think are you doing?!" Casn screamed at Rico. Behind him were gathered many of the other members of the Council. They were standing on the steps leading into the government hall.

Rico smiled wolfishly, and Casn almost backed down.

"I'm commandeering the Yddrasil IV," announced Rico to the evicted officials. Even as he spoke, Billy and Ramsus appeared leading a long procession of medical personnel, patients, cadets, soldiers and volunteers. The Elements soon cleared a path through the crowd of disgruntled former tenants of the fortress.

Casn gritted his teeth. "You are leaving Nortune defenseless!"

"No, we are not!" All turned to Ramsus, who approached Casn purposely. This time, the upstart senator backed away. Ramsus paused and glanced at Rico before continuing, "Despite the absence of the Yddrasil IV, the city is well defended. With the shield generator, even armed civilians should be able to defend Nortune sufficiently."

One of the councilors ventured to say, "That is your duty, Praetorian."

Ramsus ignored the outburst and walked up the rest of the way to stand before Rico.

"Permission to come aboard your ship, Sir!"

There was the slightest of starts from the mutant senator before he lifted his head and nodded regally. "Granted, Praetorian."

Behind, Billy shouted, "All right, everyone! Let's hurry!"

Taura looked at Gaspar and Balthazar in shock. "Who said I have a cure?!"

Both men blinked. "... Don't you?" Balthazar asked hesitantly.

"Not yet!"

Gaspar snorted. "I saw your face, and you shouted, "Eureka!" That means you found a cure."

"... No, it meant I verified that Saren's blood contained the antibodies to the virus."

"... Isn't that a cure?" Balthasar asked.

"... I still had to isolate the exact antibodies!"

Gaspar shouted, "Just make a serum from his blood!"

"It's not that simple. He's allergic to nanites."

"... He is?" Both men asked simultaneously.

"... How long before the regiments from Nisan and Nortune arrive?" Asked Taura.

"They will be here within the two hours," informed Balthazar, looking quite worried.

"Damn it all to hell!" Cursed Gaspar. "How long will it take you to find the cure?"

Taura said thoughtfully, "I'm not sure... I still have to wait for the test results on Bartholomew."

"... Test results...?" Repeated Balthazar blankly.

Gaspar froze, recalling. "... You still had to isolate the exact antibodies...?"

Taura was beaming at them.

?! "Why you?!"

"Gaspar, don't kill him!" Balthazar barely managed to hold onto the enraged Gaspar. "He's the only one who knows the cure!"

"He already gave it to Fatima!" Gaspar shouted. "Melchior's expendable!"

Taura walked away, chuckling. That will teach him. I should be the one to tell the others there is a cure.

"Isaac, let me go!"

Midori watched as her father's eyes flickered open. She pressed her face against the transparent wall of the gas chamber and knocked.

His face turned towards her. His eyes widened when he saw her, and a smile touched his lips. Midori... She could hear her name in his thoughts.

"Father..." She whispered, and her warm breath fogged the cold glass. She was about to wipe it clean when someone lifted her up.

Grandfather whispered into her ear. "He needs to sleep now." He cradled her close in his arms. "You can talk with him later." Even as he told her that, wispy smoke entered into Citan's chamber. Her father's eyes flickered close as the sleep gas overwhelmed him.

Gaspar smiled. "Let's go see your mother wake up."

Bart had a splitting headache. He groaned and reached up to rub at his temples. What happened...?

"Bart!" His eye flicked open just as someone hugged him tightly. "You're awake! You finally woke up!" ... Margie?

Strong arms returned her embrace, and she sighed happily, burrowing her face against his neck. She little cared he smelled strongly of antiseptic. This was paradise.

"What did I do?" She moved back slightly and looked up to him. He was grinning at her. Margie never thought she would feel so happy to see that mischievous look in his eye.

She kissed him before he could kiss her.

His headache was gone. Margie's kiss works even better than aspirin. Their lips separated, and he stopped her before she could move further away. He stared into her eyes, cherishing the warmth and care in them. He missed her terribly as if they have been apart so long.

She didn't resist nor protest when he pulled her back for another kiss.

...

"Don't mind me."

Bart's eye snapped open when he heard Sig's voice. With a jerk, he straightened abruptly, still holding Margie against him.

"But I'm not sharing my oxygen tank with you two."

Margie laughed and pulled away from him. Bart looked aside and finally saw Sig resting on a reclined med bed. His half-brother was smiling and garbed in a plain white medical gown. He looked down at himself.

"What the heck?! Why am I- why are we in the hospital?!"

"... You must be quite a kisser, Margie, if he just realized that now," Sig commented wryly.

"Hmm... Bart once said the exact same thing."

"... Really?"

"Somebody tell me what's going on!"

"Papa?"

Jessiah turned towards the sound of Prim's voice. He could not see. Bandages covered the whole of his face and down most of his body. "Prim?"

"Here, Prim." He heard the familiar rustle of Billy's robes and felt the weight of someone beside him on the bed. Small slender arms hugged him. "Papa..." Prim sounded so worried.

"It's alright," he said gently, embracing his daughter back. Soon, she was sleeping soundly beside him, her head resting on his chest. She must have been so tired to fall asleep so quickly.

He heard Billy say, "She had been watching over you constantly."

He replied gruffly, "You should have made her sleep or something." He regretted his words immediately. It was not Billy's fault.

"I couldn't. She's already a healer in her own right." At least, his son didn't sound irritated or angry. Most likely, because he didn't want to disturb his sister.

Jessiah turned his head towards him. "... You taught her well." He felt his eyes wet and was grateful for the bandages covering them. He added jokingly, "Are you going to teach her how to use a gun next?"

Billy chuckled, "No, father. I'll leave that task to you."

When Fei entered the main briefing room aboard the Yddrasil IV, it was in chaos.

"Dan!" He smiled as Primera rushed towards them to hug Dan who entered the room before him. The youngster yelped, "Hey! No, Prim!" He turned beet red, even redder than the healed pink blotches on his face and arms when Prim refused to release him.

Fei chuckled, and Dan glared back at him. Prim was still hugging him. "Don't complain, Dan. I wish Elly was here to hug me." Elly and Sr. Agnes were the only ones of their group not here.

"Fei!" He looked up to see Citan walking towards him. "Doc! Glad to see you up and about." The other man grinned and pushed back his glasses up his nose in his usual characteristic manner. He looked great, as if he had not recently recovered from the virus.

Dan grumbled, trying to extricate himself from Primera's arms, "It's not fair." Both men looked down to him, and smiles widened. Primera had a stranglehold on Dan.

"Not fair?" Inquired Citan. "Not fair that Primera is embracing you?"

Dan said, "It's not fair that you don't have to deal with these itchy spots like I have to!"

"I have my wife to thank for that. She placed me under before any of the worse symptoms appeared."

"How is Yui?" Asked Fei with concern.

Citan gestured to the large round conference table. Yui was sitting in one of the chairs, and talking to Gaspar standing in front of her. Midori was with them too, held high up in her great grandfather's arms. Both Uzuki women had identical looks of exasperation on their faces.

Fei asked Citan, "What's going on?"

Citan chuckled, "Grandfather will not let Yui get up or will let Midori down."

Fei laughed. "Aren't you going to help them?"

"Fei, I try as much as possible never to get on the wrong side of an overprotective grandfather-in-law."

"Hmm... good idea."

"Prim! Let me go!"

Fei said conversationally to Citan, "Does Billy and Jessiah know about... them?"

None of the three saw Primera's smile widened as she snuggled against Dan.

"... Hey!" Dan yelled and proceeded anew to escape from Primera. "Don't even think in that way!"

Citan commented, "As I recall, Jessiah is feeling quite sour."

"Why?" Said Fei and Dan simultaneously.

"Billy, for the last time, leave me alone!" They could hear Jessiah's roar even in the noisy din of the spacious room.

All three turned to where Jessiah was also sitting down in one of the chairs at the table. Billy was sitting in the chair beside him. They couldn't hear what he was saying to his father. He suddenly slapped his father's hand.

"Damn it! They're itchy!" Jessiah roared again.

Fei commented, "I think Billy's enjoying this."

Citan nodded, agreeing with him.

They heard a slap. "Hey!" Both looked down to Dan who was holding his hand defensively and glaring at Primera. She glared back at him. "No scratching," she said stubbornly.

"But they itch!"

"Maison, leave me alone!" Bart complained as he stalwartly refused to move. Maison was behind him and pushing him towards the table.

"I want you to sit down, young master."

"I don't want to sit down!"

"I want you to sit down!"

Sigurd and Margie watched, amused, when Maison twisted Bart's arm behind him.

"Ouch! Okay okay, I'll sit down!"

"You should listen more to your elders, young master."

"Elder is right... Ouch! Okay okay, I'm going!"

Sigurd chuckled. Bart never learns.

"I think you should sit down too, Sigurd."

"You're not my elder, Margie."

"Do I have to twist your arm too?"

"Okay okay, I'm going."

Conference

Fei: I'm glad to see all of you are in fine spirits.

Bart: Don't say spirits, Fei. A lot of us almost became spirits.

Maison: Young master...

Sigurd and Margie sighed.

Billy: Nice pun, Bart.

Bart: Shut up, Billy boy.

Jessiah: Boy is right.

Billy slaps Jessiah's hand. "No scratching, father."

Jessiah: Aw... jeez!

Citan and Sigurd chuckled.

Jessiah: It's not funny!

Dan: You said it!

Prim slaps Dan's hand when he tried to scratch behind his ear.

Dan: Leave me alone!

Billy: Don't shout at my sister that way!

Midori glares at Dan.

Dan: Get her to leave me alone, and I will!

Fei coughed. "But she likes you."

Billy and Jessiah stared at Fei. "What?!"

Dan: Nothing!

Gaspar whispers to Yui. "Is it always like this?"

Yui: Not always.

Taura harrumped. "Can we now go to the main topic at hand?"

Gaspar: Can't wait to brag, can you?

Taura: Shut up.

Balthazar closed his eyes briefly.

Maria covers her mouth and a smile.

Rico rolled his eyes ceilingward while Emeralda simply observed them with quiet amusement.

...

Sigurd: The serum is being aerated through Bledavik, Nisan and Nortune as per your orders, Wiseman Melchior.

Melchior: Make certain that every area is open to it, especially in this vessel.

Sigurd: That has been done as well.

Citan: How long does it take for the gas to take effect?

Melchior: Fortunately, the cure works almost as fast as the virus. Within a few days, everyone should be vaccinated against it.

Maison: You mentioned that Daniel had the cure all along...

Melchior: Not exactly the cure, but he is immune to it.

Balthazar: Specifically, he is allergic to it.

Margie: ... He's allergic to nanites as well...

Citan: ... He is?

Bart: Is that even possible?

Screens activated and raised in front of each of them. There was a diagram of a human body on it. It pulsed a steady green against the dark background.

Melchior: Daniel's immune system is hyper active.

Red began to surround and enter into the green. As they watched, it was repulsed back out or dissipated.

Melchior: The virus never had the opportunity or the strength to invade his body.

Citan: But nanites were continuously pumped into him.

Margie: His friend told me that's the reason why he remained in coma even when after he healed. His body was still rejecting and driving away the nanites that kept on replicating inside him. He had the doctors radiate him with an isolated electromagnetic pulse to shut them down.

Citan nodded. "That would deactivate them."

Melchior smiled. "It is a good thing he did that. Otherwise, we would never have found out he was immune."

Gaspar: We almost never found out were it not for the boy that Taura yelled at.

Mechior: Keep quiet, I already apologized to the lad.

Gaspar: That's hardly a sufficient return for being scared halfway out of his youth.

Balthazar: Will you two stop bickering?

Melchior and Gaspar: We do not bicker!

Fei: There is something else about Daniel.

Sigurd: ... What is it, Fei?

Their screens suddenly flickered, and Elly's image appeared on them.

Yui: Elly! I'm so happy you can join us.

Elly: I'm sorry it took a while, but I had to research on a hunch.

Citan: A hunch?

Elly: Yes, Daniel's surname Saren seemed familiar to me. I have heard that name before.

Bart: Where?

The screens split into two. Beside Elly's comscreen was a report form that only three in their group have seen before years ago in Krelian's Lab.

Citan: ... This...

Fei: He is Animus.

Melchior: It is said here that no chemical or mental means could be used on him. Mechanical means were also ineffective.

Bart: Subject's heart immediately arrested upon application of procedures... I don't like how that sounds.

Citan: He goes into a comatose state when they experimented-

Sigurd: -tortured him.

Maria: They couldn't use him.

Jessiah: Disposed... so they threw him away with the trash.

Melchior: This must have happened about twenty years ago.

Billy: Why do you say that?

Balthazar: By that time, they had located the necessary number of suitable Animus.

Yui: Oh my god! He was only an infant then.

Gaspar: Those bastards... Chances are they experimented on him the moment he was born.

Elly: Perhaps... they even made him.

To be continued...

Author's note:

Some of the parts seemed way too humorous for such a serious situation. I still have to learn how to properly blend differing emotions, especially laughter and sadness.