M4DN3SS R3DACT3D (a sh!t madness combat story)

[[F1FTEEN]]

The drive was short, which was something the whole group was very grateful for aside from the fact that it was a result of Deimos's reckless driving. 2B was far more shaken up than he would've liked to be, but somehow, they hadn't crashed. That was something to be grateful for.

Sanford continued to hold responsibility over Hank and carried the man out to the new complex- the one that 2B had decided to call home since it was devoid of all agents and grunts.

2B lead the group into a dimly lit, large room with several old, hospital-like beds. The whole place was deserted, but 2B had seen it as an opportunity. So here he was, taking it up as his home, technology and medical supplies and uncomfortable beds and all.

"Okay, you can just set him down there- gently, please."

Reluctantly following the doctor's instructions, Sanford carefully set Hank down on the bed and stepped back. 2B motioned for Deimos to sit down on the bed next to him.

"I'm going to try to make this quick. I'm sure you've been stuck like that for a while... you're lucky I've already done this procedure."

He shot Hank a side eye, receiving one in return by the man in question.

Sanford sat on the bed next to Deimos. They exchanged one last glance before the doctor moved in front of him, preparing to give Deimos the numbing substance he would need to stay pain-free during the whole procedure.

...And Sanford sat through the entire thing. 

He didn't want to be away from Deimos for even a second now. If anything were to go wrong, if anything at all were to happen to any of them, he would be there. He wasn't leaving his side until he knew he was okay and everything had gone well.

And before he knew it, the doctor was finished.

"How's he look, 'Ford?"

Sanford looked over his friend with a slight smile. The whole metal jaw on him was something he would have to get used to, but he didn't look bad at all. He even seemed happy.

"He looks great."

"I know I do."

Of course the first thing Deimos said after regaining the ability to speak was a snarky comment like that. But it made Sanford so, so happy to hear his voice again.

They talked for a while, letting Deimos get used to the new feeling, and gradually things started to get quiet again. Hank was far too tired to add to their conversation, and the doctor was busy as a nearby counter, looking through documents that were probably very important for reasons Sanford didn't know and probably wouldn't ever.

And that's when his mind started to wander.

It was still there.

It had been reduced only to his right eye, covering it black, but it wasn't spreading.

...At least, not at the moment.

He had to stop it.

He couldn't take the risk.

He couldn't let it stay again.

He broke the silence between the four of them. "Ey, doc?"

"Hmm?"

"Sorry to interrupt ya, but- S'there a bathroom around here?"

"Just down the hall."

"Alright.. thanks."

He stood up and left the room, looking around the long halls. he spotted a bathroom just a few doors down.

He trudged up to it and swung the door open, slamming the door shut behind him.

If he was going to start this mess, he was going to end it too.