Jessica rotated the controls and moved into the flow of traffic on the ring road. “Is Tycho okay?”
Coop turned in his seat. Tycho looked as fine as Tycho usually looked. “I don’t think she noticed anything.”
“Okay. Who were those guys?”
“I don’t know.”
Her heart rate began to slow down back to normal. She glanced at the comms console and realized it had been flashing for a while, possibly since that other vehicle had begun following them. Jessica looked at the incoming code. “It’s Al.” She tapped the button to open the chat.
“Dr. Acorns. You disconnected before I could share some vital information.”
“Did it have something to do with thugs trying to ram us off the road?”
Al shrugged. “It might. Prior to the demise of the last Doos, it appears to have issued a bounty for the lot of you. My associate has final say over all bounty hunters on Titan and has sent a message to call them off, but a few may have gone rogue. They are still looking for you. As are the police.”
“Well, I appreciate the heads up, but it’s a bit late.”
“Something perhaps for you to remember the next time you think to terminate a call.”
Coop sighed. “This just keeps getting better and better.”
The alien's onyx head bobbed up and down in an exaggerated imitation of a human nod. “Are you near the habitat?”
“We’re about to make the turn that leads in that direction away from the spaceport. We should be there in… ack!”
Jessica shrieked as a different vehicle sideswiped her side of the transport. A leering face laughed at her and pointed a gun her way. Her hands flew to her face and covered her eyes.
«Ben, steer this thing!»
Coop grabbed for the wheel and spun them away from the new attacker.
“Dr. Acorns, are you all right?” Al's calm settled her panic before it could start.
“Sorry!” she said and lowered her hands back to the controls, shoving Coop's hand away. “I am so sick of these bastards! I am sick of people trying to kill me!” She jerked the controls to the left and slammed into the other vehicle then peeled off.
“I am sick of aliens and criminals trying to kill my friends!” She accelerated and slammed into her attackers again. “No offense, Al. You’ve been lovely.”
“None taken.”
“I just want to do my work and be safe and healthy! Leave. Me. Alone!”
Jessica braked, falling behind the other vehicle, then she accelerated again and slammed into it from the rear. She shoved against the jackasses who had attacked them and watched with satisfaction as the driver, the smug human from before, tried desperately to regain control.
«This is a new side of the good doctor. Who knew she was such a badass?»
Coop looked over at her, grinning broadly. “What do we say to the thugs?”
“Not today.”
She slammed the accelerator to the floor, pushing her victims ahead of her until the vehicle slid sideways and then spun out into oncoming traffic. Jessica turned in her seat and watched as a massive cargo hauler smashed into the little vehicle, flipping it end over end.
When it tumbled to a stop, its doors were wide open.
“You won’t be getting any trouble from them,” Al mused.
Coop looked over at Jess who was breathing very heavily. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I am. That felt… good.”
Al chuckled. “I can see you will be just fine. I will meet you at the Box habitat as soon as I can get free. I have a few final tasks to deal with here.”
The comm closed and Jessica stared out her windshield. She smiled the entire way to the ranch.
Chapter 25
Jess parked the vehicle in the garage which just the week before had been Scatola's research habitat, one of three such complexes that comprised the previous Box team's ranch. As soon as the atmosphere was good, she jumped out and ran inside to start prepping the equipment. Or something like that. Coop didn’t ask many questions. He just walked to the rear of the vehicle and opened the hatch.
Tycho looked horrible. She didn’t have any open wounds, but her body was covered in dried blood, dirt kicked up from Titan's surface, and who knew what else. But her petite chest rose and fell with the even, gentle breaths of a deep, restful sleep.
“She looks so peaceful,” said Coop.
«For now. If she wakes up who knows what she’ll do. Let’s hurry.»
“Good idea.”
Coop bent down and cradled Tycho in his arms. He carried her into the habitat and down the main corridor to the laboratory where Jess was busy powering up equipment.
“Just put her on the table,” the doctor called over her shoulder.
“Should I strap her down?” he asked.
“What do you think?”
“Right. War movies.”
Coop did as Jess instructed. When he finished he regarded his handiwork. Tycho was restrained at the wrists and ankles with flexible polymer bands that were stronger than steel. Another pair of straps pinned her down at the chest and pelvis.
“Think that’ll hold her?”
«Every movie I’ve ever seen says ‘no.’»
Coop placed his finger on his chin and considered this. Like Dyrk, he’d seen a lot of movies.
“You’re totally right.”
He rummaged through the cupboards and even made a trip to the supply room. Ten minutes later he stood over Tycho and again surveyed the results of his efforts.
“She looks like the victim of a bad bondage porno.”
«I’ve never seen one of those.»
“You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that.”
Satisfied, Coop stepped back and almost tripped over Potato. The little guy had pressed up against the side of the examination table and was doggedly trying to scale it. When he'd stuffed the weird creature into his environment suit before luring Tycho out of the airlock, it had been purple, its skin exposed from being shaved. Now that flesh lay hidden by a blue-green striped fuzz.
“When did you grow that, buddy? Just now while we were in the car?”
Potato's little legs kept scrambling against the table but couldn’t get any purchase and even if they had, physics was not in its chubby favor.
Coop bent over and picked up Potato. He stroked its back. The new fur was so short it bristled.
“What’s up with you, little buddy?” he wondered aloud.
«I think it's trying to get to Tycho.»
Sure enough, Potato squirmed and pumped its legs until at last Coop set it down on the table. The alien ran up Tycho’s body to her neck and nestled in next to her face. It calmed down right away.
Moments later Jessica returned. She saw Potato, and picked it up.
Upon being hefted out of its nest against Tycho it emitted a horrible little squeal of protest. It was a terrible, keening sound that set Coop’s hair on end. Jess dropped it in shock. Potato seized the opportunity to return to its position in the crook of the teen's neck.
“I didn’t know it could make noise,” Coop said.
Jess paused and considered it. “Potato has all the necessary anatomical equipment. But your assumption wasn’t a bad one. In all my time with it, it's never once vocalized anything. This is very interesting.”
“I just thought it was annoying.”
“You aren’t wrong about that either.” Jess shook her head to clear it. “Whatever. But you see its fur has started growing back. Things are happening. I need to get these tests running. Who knows how much time we have left.” With that, she exited the laboratory.
Coop found a rolling chair and settled into it. He kicked his feet up on the end of Tycho’s examination table, leaned back and tried to relax.
It had been a long day. He needed to close his eyes for a minute. He had no intention of actually sleeping, not even a catnap. He just wanted to rest his eyes for a few seconds. He never got the chance. In the very next instant,
Tycho started gasping.
Coop’s feet shot to the floor. He stood up, moved to the girl's side and stared down at her. Her back was arched against the numerous restraints and her breath croaked from her lips.
Potato had leapt from the table and was running rings around his left ankle, but all of Coop's attention was on Tycho.
“Please don’t kill me,” he mumbled.
«That was just pathetic.»
“Do you not recall how many Box she killed?”
«A fair point. And hey, turns out you were right back at the spaceport. Taking her out onto the surface didn’t kill her.»
Coop paid Dyrk no mind. He was too focused on Tycho who struggled against all her restraints until at last, her body sucked in a huge gout of air and her eyes flew open. They darted about until at last, they locked on Coop’s.
“That’s new,” he said.
«I’m learning that new is not always good.»
Tycho’s eyes bulged. “Wh… Wh… Wh…?”
Jess entered the lab and froze, one hand holding her tablet and the other raised to point at Tycho. “How is she talking? Her speech centers were blown out ages ago.”
Tycho’s gaze turned to Jess. The two women locked eyes and Tycho began to whimper.
«You know, I'd probably freak out too if I was strapped to a table and my dopplegänger walked in. Just sayin'.»
Jess dashed around the table and grabbed a scanner. She lowered it to the young woman’s head and made soothing sounds.
«Ben, is there anything someone could say that would make you feel better in her situation?»
“Nope. I got nothing.”
A minute passed. Tycho’s eyes continued to dart between Coop and Jess. Her breathing bordered on hyperventilation. Coop grew more nervous by the second.
“Jess…”
She held up a hand to silence him. “One second. This is… amazing.”
“What is?”
Jess removed the scanner and smiled. “Her brain is. It's healed. Areas that have been dead or dormant for months are all showing perfectly normal levels of activity. It’s inconceivable.”
Coop looked at Tycho who clearly understood everything being said, though none of it had an effect on her panic. “Inconceivable? I do not think this word means what you think it means.”
Chapter 26
Jess had a bedside manner that left something to be desired. So while the doctor puttered about setting up more tests, Coop pulled his chair closer and sat alongside Tycho. The young woman hadn’t said another word, but her saucer-sized eyes told him she was terrified.
He gently took her hand and put on his compassionate face. “Tycho, my name is Ben Cooper. You might recognize me from my movies.”
Tycho’s expression didn’t change.
«I guess she’s not a fan.»
Coop grunted. “Honey, you’ve been through a lot. You were in a coma, but you’re okay now. This lady,” he jerked a thumb toward Jess. “She’s a doctor and she’s going to help you. Heck, she’s been helping you. Just try and stay calm.”
«If she doesn’t stay calm it's going to be very bad.»
I know. That’s why I’m trying to soothe her, Coop thought back.
«Do you think she’s still a war machine?»
How would I know? And I’m not going to ask Jess while Tycho can hear us. I think she’s going to have enough to adjust to without being told she’s been brain-washed and turned into death-incarnate.
«That seems wise.»
Gee, thanks. Now, make yourself useful and tell me if she has a thingy like you inside her brain. It seems like something we might like to know.
«Will do. Just keep holding her hand. The connection makes it easier.»
Dyrk faded from Coop's awareness, presumably acting on his request. He kept his face calm and friendly, his smile warm without being creepy, and waited. He had no idea how long it took for one artificial, virus-spawned identity to look for another. He wondered if Dyrk even had a clue how to go about it. Minutes later, he felt Dyrk return.
Well?
«Nada. Zip. Zero. I didn’t find any trace of another viral echo. I think she’s in the clear on that front.»
Okay. What’s her virus doing?
«Her virus is active. Crazy active. But aside from the intensity, it doesn’t seem to be any different from what we’ve encountered in you and Jess. Other than me, I mean.»
Coop paused to consider this news. He wanted to tell Jess what Dyrk had learned but didn’t think it wise to drop all that info on Tycho. Besides, Potato had been trying desperately to get his attention.
The alien pawed at Coop’s foot. Then it darted away and pushed its body against Jessica’s calf.
The doctor paused. “What is it doing?”
“I think it’s trying to herd us together.”
“Well, it's adorable. But I have work to do. Please try and keep it corralled.”
Coop rolled his eyes. “Come here, Lassie, er, Potato.”
The alien reluctantly complied. When Potato returned, Coop scratched its back.
Tycho stared at Potato in shock.
“What is that?” she asked in a hoarse whisper.
Coop looked at her in pleased surprise. “Oh good, you can talk. Um, this is Potato. He’s an alien. And he’s important to us right now. But that is a really long story. Would you like some water?”
Tycho nodded weakly. She just stared at Potato while Coop procured a cup of water. He held it to her lips and helped her take a few swallows before setting the cup on a nearby table.
“Is that better?”
“Yes, thank you. What did you say your name was?”
“Ben Cooper. But just call me Coop.”
“Okay. Where am I?”
Coop debated how to answer this. He finally decided on an honest but safe answer. “You’re in a doctor’s office on Titan.”
“The moon?”
“Yep.”
“How did I get here?”
Coop sidestepped that one. “You were brought here to try an experimental treatment. Nothing else had worked for you. But Dr. Acorns, Jessica, she treated you.”
Tycho nodded. “I don’t remember any of that.”
“Sweetheart, I’m an actor. I don’t know much about medicine. But I think that sounds perfectly normal for someone who just came out of a coma. I wouldn’t sweat it too much.”
“No offense, Mr. Cooper…”
“Coop, please.”
“Coop. But the lady you called Dr. Acorns looks like my identical twin. And I’m strapped to this table, and you say I'm on a moon half-way across the solar system. Given all of that, tell me how I'm supposed to take it easy.”
“Well, when you say it like that, it sounds a little crazy.”
“Yeah. Mr. Cooper, crazy's a good word for it. May I have a blanket? It’s really cold in here.”
Coop stood up. “Sorry about that. Let me get you untied first. Then I’ll get you that blanket.”
«Are you sure it’s a good idea to untie her?»
Not totally. But I’m pretty sure.
«We’ve had worse odds.»
Coop nodded in silent agreement. Then he untied all of Tycho's restraints and draped a blanket he found in the closet around her.
“Thank you,” she said.
Jess finally stopped messing with her machines and sat down in front of the young woman. Potato climbed up her leg, onto her lap, and then jumped onto the examination table and pressed itself against Tycho's hip.
“There is a lot of this you won’t understand,” the doctor began, “but I don’t have time to cover everything. As Mr. Cooper mentioned, you suffered a traumatic brain injury which left you in a coma back on Earth. You were brought here to take part in an experiment. It involved injecting you with an alien virus.”
“A virus?” Tycho looked unsettled.
“Yes. And it healed you. Physically. It may help you to know that both Mr. Cooper and I also received this virus.”
>
Tycho reached for her cup of water, swallowed the rest of it and held it out for a refill which Coop provided.
“Thank you. Oddly, it does.”
“One thing about this virus is it's multifaceted and portions of its process involve a bio-chemical reaction that requires Potato, here. His pheromones act as a catalyst which returns your body to a genetically idealized state. Or, in my case, because my disease was genetic, an idealized state for my disease. So instead of curing me, the virus brought me closer to death. As a final effort to save me, we used your DNA to create a new physical map for my virus to model. Consequently…”
“You look like me,” Tycho finished. “I did well in biology class. But this is just a lot to take in.”
“I know it is.”
Everyone got quiet. Except Potato. It seemed thrilled that everyone was in such close proximity and showed it by dancing around in circles alongside Tycho.
The young woman looked at the hyperactive alien. “What is that exactly? I mean, other than a trigger for this virus?”
Coop jumped in. “That's Potato. It's an immortal alien that used to belong to a race of alien jerks called The Box. We don’t know all the details about that, and no big loss. But what is important is that Jess developed the virus from it.”
“Does it always act like this?”
Potato spun in counterclockwise circles. Faster and faster.
“No,” Coop and Jess answered in unison.
“He looks happy. Just weird.” Tycho reached out to pet Potato. And then things got strange.
Chapter 27
Potato stopped spinning and dropped to its belly on the table. Its little eyes darted about and its tongue lolled out of its mouth.
Tycho pointed at Potato’s back. “What are those?”
Jessica and Coop both leaned in for a better look and discovered three small lumps had grown up under its short layer of replacement fur. The lumps were moving.
Coop stood back up. “I have no idea. But it's icky.”
Jess inched her face closer.
The lumps writhed and grew. They'd started out no bigger than blueberries, but as the seconds ticked by they quickly increased to the size of golf-balls. They were too big to be called lumps anymore. More, Potato's new fur fell away from the trio of pustules, revealing Potato's lavender skin which stretched as something squirmed with the growths just beneath their surface.
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