Twisted Cogs: Creation

Chapter 4: Echo

Twisted Cogs

Chapter 4

Echo

Zane watched in horror as his father hit the water. Then he scaffolding. Zane didn't think twice he dove into the water, and swam down. He saw the scaffolding and his father was pinned down. He reached down pulling at the metal pieces which bent under pressure very easily. His fathers eyes were closed, and his mouth was half opened. He could be wrong, but he was pretty sure humans needed air to survive. He himself found that he too needed air to cool his systems. His internal systems were started to send him an error message for his exhaust systems. He was unable to purge without opening his vents which would pull water into his systems.

He reached down and pulled his father up from under the scaffolding and swam him to the surface. His systems hitched halfway up. His vision began to dance in front of him. It caused his vents to open. He was panicking for air. But if he continued to panic he would drop his father. Just a few more feet now. We'll be alright...His head broke the surface. Judy reached out and pulled Julien out of the water.

"Dr. Julien!" Judy pulled him into his side letting water leave his lungs before beginning CPR. Zane watched from where he was holding onto the side of the pool. He kept trying to pull in air, but something was wrong. Something wasn't working right. He smiled when he saw his father begin to cough and hold his arm. It was at an odd angle. He turned over to see Zane in the water.

"I'd say..water rescue would be a success." He panted out. Zane shook his head, he was losing it. He couldn't quite get this right. His lost his grip.

"Not...right." Zane whispered. Julien sensed it before Zane sunk into the water.

"Judy!" She jumped in after him as his head went under. The last moments of consciousness were what he remembers most. Judys silhouette floating down toward his sinking body. She grabbed him around the midsection and pulled him back toward the surface.

"Whats wrong with him?"

"He still needs air to survive. Its a natural cooling agent even computers need air to cool itself. He's no different. If he can't vent the hot air he keeps it inside and begins to overheat. That must have happened and his vents opened. He still can't cool himself off because the water is blocking his fans. Julien reached over and pulled the vent covers from Zane letting the water drain out.

"Come...we need to get some oil into his system, or he'll start to rust out." Zanes systems hitched again. Julien felt his body under his arm, it hurt so much to just hold him like this. He wasn't sure how bad his arm was injured, but he didn't care. Zane came first. He walked him into the R and D lab. In the middle of the room where Zane once lay their was a bronzed version of him. He sat down in a chair and pulled a small jug of oil over and pointed for Judy to hand him a mug. She handed it to him and he poured the oil into it.

"Come on Zane wake up." Julien coughed again trying to dislodge the water from his lungs again. He reached out grabbing the mug now full of oil and lightly pouring it into zanes mouth. The oil slowly went down his throat and the swallow reflex caught it, but he wasn't waking up. Julien closed his eyes, saying a silent prayer. He wasn't a religious man, but if he could get some help from anyone hopefully it would be him. He poured the oil into his mouth again. Zanes hand shakily drifted up to touch Juliens hand to keep the mug there, he drank greedily from the mug until their wasn't anything left. When Julien tried to pull his hand away to put the mug down Zane wouldn't let go of his hand. Julien didn't argue, nor did he try to pull harder, he let Zane hold his hand. His mouth an oily mess from his feeding. He hadn't drank oil yet, only water. He must have been hungry for it. Julien made a mental note to give him oil at least once a day.