Bearing Witness

Chapter 16 - Save Me From The Dark

In the aftermath of the brazen home invasion by Carol Marcus, and Jack Ericsson - Ananda is clutching a dazed, half naked Khan in her arms as Carol Marcus stores stolen samples of Khan's blood and semen to be processed in furtherance of their grand scheme. Jack surveys the scene, quite pleased to have accomplished his goal for the day.

Carol places her samples into a chilled, insulated attache case and steps over the augment duo as she proudly takes her leave. "Don't stop to gloat, arsehole. We've got what we need."

"You won't be needin' this anymore, will ya Johnny?" Ericsson reaches down to snatch the tracking device from Khan's wrist as he makes his exit. But not before slathering on a bit more derision on his way out.

"Oh! It has been a slice. You two are too much fun!" He taunts. "What're you doing? Stop, pleeeze... STOP!" Ericsson laughs gleefully as he mocks Ananda's heart rending cries; taking ghoulish pleasure in the chaos he has wrought this day as he removes himself from the scene.

Ericsson takes the time to pause on the staircase midstride for a brief reprimand: "By the by, do not attempt to grow a brain. If you come within five hundred feet of me, I will know within seconds." He triumphantly waves the tracking wristlet in the air. Then, seemingly out of nowhere - BeBop launches herself at the villain, growling and tearing at his pant leg.

"You useless ball of fur!" Ericsson screams. "Should have taken care of you the first time!" He kicks at the protective feline, but she refuses to let him go until she's ready to retract her claws. When he finally reaches the door, BeBop turns him loose, she's hissing, and growling from deep in her chest.

BeBop scampers down the staircase and directly to Ananda and dutifully presents her paw for inspection. "Goood girl." Ananda strokes the top of the feline's head with the backs of her fingers. She examines BeBop's paw, and notices a few bloodied shreds of Ericsson's skin attached to her claws. She gently urges the cat to lie still and summons the computer.

Khan drifts in and out of consciousness slowly. He tries to lift his head, but a paralytic agent is hampering his full range of motion.
"Computer!"

"Yes, Ananda..."

"Encrypt the line, and contact Kay Sollodovsky. Priority URGENT!"

"Working..."  

The line opens and Ananda hears beeping and clicking. After a few seconds, Kay is on the line:

"Kay!! I need you. Noonien has been whacked up by a sedative, or paralytic of some kind and he's drifting in and out. He seems to be aware of me but can't speak full sentences. Please bring your full medkit! Please Kay... hurry!" Ananda sniffles through her request, but gets through without breaking into pieces.

"I'll be right there, Nanda."

"Please use your code to get in."

"Will do. Heading for the door right now. Be there soon." Kay disconnects the call and makes tracks directly to Ananda's home.

...

"Noonien? Hey! HEY!" Ananda squeezes Khan and cradles him. "C'mon-c'mon-c'mon... Keep your eyes OPEN! That is an order!"

Khan looks up at Ananda half lidded. "Anan... Anan-da? So sorry. Didn't want to. Couldn't fend her off..."

"No. No, you don't apologize. You've done nothing wrong. Can you keep your eyes open for me? Please, Noonien... I need you."

When Kay arrives, she enters her security code and rushes down the staircase to Ananda's side. She unpacks her equipment and immediately begins her exam as she witnesses her friend rocking a haphazardly clothed Khan.