Alternative Care

Chapter 12

In the CuraTech Lab, Go Go huffed in frustration after she reached the voice mail on Fred's home phone via her helmet com. Heathcliff better return the call ASAP, she thought.

Though the problem of how to change back the CuraTech workers hadn't been solved yet, she wanted to be ready to fly out with Honey Lemon by helicopter to rejoin the others the instant it did. She then called Hiro via her com, but got no response, and shook her head to Honey Lemon.

Honey Lemon nodded, then turned back to the armored worker who'd nearly broken free. Go Go had directed her to those who had to be re-stuck earlier, and now she was down to her last ball. Police had arrived and followed the situation intently, but seemed unsure of being able to handle the cybernetic warriors who thrashed against their rubbery confines.

Honey Lemon lobbed the ball onto the man as he started to break loose. It stuck him in place, and she took a moment to offer a brief prayer to the others in support.

***

A few blocks away from CuraTech, Hiro listened to Sam's message on his phone and turned to Fred in concern. "I don't know how or why, but Siu's at Fred's place. I've got to get there now," Hiro said. "Hate to leave you Wasabi, but..." he gestured subtly to Fred, who struggled against the adhesive taffy-like substance to no avail.

Wasabi looked glumly to Hiro. "We're getting seriously split up," he replied. "But it's all we can do til Fred and those other guys get back to normal."

Hiro patted Wasabi's shoulder, hopped onto Baymax, and shot off into the late afternoon sky. As they gained altitude, Hiro looked ahead in thought. Siu is using health care as a way of gaining control and hurting people. But Baymax, he was designed to help people through real health care.

He looked down to the back of Baymax's bright red helmet.

That's it.

"Hey Baymax, I've got an idea."

"What is it Hiro?" Baymax asked while he watched for birds or other potential obstacles in the air.

"I want you to develop an antidote to the mind control and armor chip that Siu used on Fred and the others. Just scan this CuraTech gadget Sam gave to me earlier. Let's slow down to a hover," he said. Hiro cautiously held out the small metallic device.

Baymax extended an outstretched palm and let it fall into his hand, then slowly moved it back to scan it with his optical sensors. He then reached his hand back, Hiro retrieved it, and Baymax resumed flying.

"I will analyze its data and attempt to create an antidote on the way," Baymax informed Hiro.

Hiro looked forward in determination. "Good job, buddy. I wish we could help Fred first, but we've got to stop Siu before he gets the girls. And if we get him..."

"We may save all the others. I will need a little time after we land to verify the antidote will work."

"You got it Baymax," Hiro replied as they picked up speed.

***

The moment before Siu fired, the girls had dropped below the trajectory of the shots. Their faces were the only exposed parts a chip could connect to and affect, so they swung forearms up in protection as well. The man frowned disapprovingly and aimed again but they fanned out, which caused him to hesitate briefly.

"We'll have to make you stay still," Siu said sternly. He and Heathcliff shot forward with kicks aimed at the legs of Sam and Clover respectively. Both hopped back to dodge the dangerous blows, exhaling in effort. Alex took in the situation with concern and moved in front of the armored warriors to get their attention.

"We can't  fight here. Fred's cool stuff could get destroyed," she said with authority.

Clover squinted and pursed her lips, but chose not to reply.

"Well, yeah. We should try to get back outside," Sam said. "Cover us, Clover."

Sam and Alex dashed back for the door, and Clover palmed a small gadget, then flew after them via her jet pack in reverse to watch their attackers. Heathcliff rushed in low again, and Siu grabbed two large wood chairs.

"Incoming! Jump!" yelled Clover, and all three managed to avoid armored Heathcliff.

The two heavy chairs sailed across at them. But Clover had her Laser Lipstick ready, and aimed shots that blasted each to pieces before either reached their targets. Sam and Alex had drawn their lipsticks as well, but hesitated at the sight of Heathcliff, who blocked access to the door. Siu rushed forward in hopes of catching Clover to implant her with a chip, but she darted out of the way in the high ceiling foyer.

Heathcliff aimed and shot a chip at Alex, who thankfully weaved to the side with forearms raised in defense. She grimaced in realization of this new development.

"Watch out! He can shoot those chips too!" Alex said.

Sam considered this briefly. "We can't let anyone else get controlled or this could end up like a high-tech plague!"

Siu and Heathcliff prepared to move in again.

In a surreal moment amidst the chaos, the doorbell rang.

The front door opened and there stood Hiro and Baymax. The robot's sensors had picked up life signs right near the front door, so Hiro decided on the direct approach. He gasped when he saw the armored warrior's back in front of him and Siu further back in the foyer who faced Clover.

"Hey!" Sam said in relief. "That's Heathcliff!" She gestured to the armored man closest to him.

The teen moved aside swiftly from his robot. "Grab him, Baymax!" he shouted.

The armored robot lunged forward and snagged Heathcliff's upper arms firmly. "Outside!" Hiro said, and Baymax shot out the open doorway after Hiro. The spies were right on his heels, as was Siu.

"You!" he called out to Hiro in anger. He noticed a number of police officers stood near their parked cars with guns drawn at both him and Heathcliff.

"Don't shoot!" Hiro yelled to the police. "They're probably bulletproof, and shots might bounce off and hit people. Baymax is holding someone who's being controlled," he explained to them over his shoulder in a rush. He then focused back on Siu. "You hurt my friends. And your own workers," Hiro said, then gestured to Heathcliff stiffly. "You need to change them back."

The villain just shook his head. "Guess I'd better cut my losses," he said. "See you later."

He dashed off suddenly away from Hiro, Baymax, and the spies. An officer shot out at Siu with a taser, but it bounced off his armor harmlessly. Those with guns held their fire out in concern of Hiro's advice. Before Siu could aim a shot from his built in chip launcher, the officer who attacked took cover behind his car to avoid being a target.

Siu grimaced, turned, and sprinted for the side of the mansion. Hiro hopped back onto Baymax, who still held the armored Heathcliff despite an ongoing struggle. "After him!" Hiro exclaimed.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed, and thanks for reading. 

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