Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ Lost Technology ( Chapter 18 )

 

Disclaimer: Hmmm... I own my kids (Because I made them) I own my husband, (Because the Marriage License says so) and I own a REALLY big mortgage. (Because I'm stupid and signed on the dotted line.) However I don't own Trigun. (Because if I did, I wouldn't have said mortgage.)

“blah blah” : talking

`blah blah' : thinking

“blah blah” : telepathic talking

blah blah : other misc. stuff.

 

*~*~*

 

Forever Mine

Chapter 18: Lost Technology

 

 

 

The artic-blue eyes of Millions Knives took in his surroundings. The sterile whiteness of the room, the smell of antiseptic, even the various machines and monitors that he was all too familiar with… lost technology. He surmised that they had made it to the fallen ship and he was now in its infirmary. However, he wondered where Vash and his little pets were? He immediately opened his mind to scan his surroundings, only to come up with one human close by, an unfamiliar one at that. Another female, by the thought pattern, and it seemed as though she was looking over data on a monitor concerning the injuries that he sustained while fighting Vash.

 

Knives' eyes narrowed as he looked over the reports through her and found it quite disconcerting that his brother would leave him in the care of someone other than his little pets or himself. He immediately tried to mentally contact his brother. When he realized that his brother actually had his link closed off, he became enraged, to the point of snarling his twin's name out loud.

 

McKenna heard the rumble of the name `Vash' coming from the center room and sighed after the initial shock wore off. Could he really be up already, especially with the medication that had been prescribed to him? The amount of hydra-codeine that was in the meds alone should have kept him asleep for at least ten hours and here we are only about eight hours since he had last taken the addictive drug.

 

`Well, I suppose I should contact Mr. Vash and the Doc to tell him that he's awake,' she thought, turning on the com-link that was stationed next to the computer on the center island. Just as she was about to key in the code to connect her to Vash's apartment, a voice invaded her mind.

 

“Where is my brother, human? He does not have his link open and I require is presence immediately or I will become very irritated!”

 

Mac quickly keyed the code in and talked to the other twin, who at first seemed to be a little bothered by the intrusion. However, once he realized who it was, he lightened right up and told her that they would be there momentarily. She then contacted the Doc in the main control room, who also said that he would there shortly.

 

She sighed again as she rose from the stool and headed to the center door, which led to the upset Plant. Yes, she now knew why his healing capabilities were astounding. Thanks to the Doc enlightening her about what exactly the twins were and what they were capable of. She confidently strode into the room, but stopped in her tracks once the intimidating, yet beautiful, ice-blue eyes of the platinum blonde met her now unsure aurulent ones.

 

She took a deep breath and finished the short walk to his bedside and gave him a warm smile, before greeting her patient, “Hello Mr. Knives, I'm…”

 

“I do not really care who you are, human,” Knives coldly interrupted as he closed his eyes in an attempt to discourage the mortal from continuing.

 

“Well, that really is too bad now isn't it? Especially since you will be here with me until you are well enough to be moved to Mr. Vash's living quarters. So, we can either get along…” she started snidely until the blonde stopped her, mid sentence, with just a thought.

 

He opened his eyes again the take in the appearance of the now incapacitated woman standing to the right of him. Her wild hazel eyes spoke of true fear as the lack oxygen began to take its toll on the petite woman's completely frozen form. He smirked knowingly, waiting for the sheer panic to set in. Then he saw it, the look in her eyes, it changed, but not to what he assumed it would. Instead of changing to a pleading desperation, it changed to an unwavering determination.

 

`Very interesting,' Knives thought as he released his hold and watched her form fall to the floor while she gasped for air. Unfortunately, he knew that he couldn't kill her because of the promise he made to his brother. Well, at least not yet. So, he decided to simply close his eyes again and wait for Vash's arrival. However, a moment later, he heard the fallen woman begin to chuckle lightly, in between her fight to regain the lost oxygen. He instantly opened his eyes and saw the woman kneeling on the ground shaking her head, while muttering something about a testy one.

 

“What did you say, peon?” he growled, while watching her stand and straighten her white lab coat.

 

“I said…” she started has she adjusted her glasses. “That you are a testy one, aren't you?”

 

“You should learn to respect a superior being, garbage.”

 

“Garbage?”

 

“Yes garbage!” Knives hissed as his eyes flashed with anger. “Your kind does nothing, but wastes the gifts given them. Stripping, destroying, decimating and when the valuable resource is depleted, you move on to something else, to another planet, another energy source, another life form. Essentially, beginning the cycle again while sucking the life out of the new place, the new resource, all just the spread the disease of what is called Homo sapiens. Your kind is nothing, but waste! Garbage!”

 

“Yes… I suppose you are correct in your deductions, Mr. Knives,” McKenna sighed after a tense moment of silence, while intently staring at the Plant before her. “My kind did ultimately destroy their home, the Earth, all because if our naiveté. We thought that our planet would live forever, with all the mining, polluting and wars.” She paused for a moment, never taking her now saddened gaze from the man lying before. Then on a exhale of a large breath, she continued, “Unfortunately, my ancestors didn't realize the consequences until it was too late.”

 

Knives just suspiciously stared at the young woman before him. Not really believing that she was actually agreeing with him, sympathizing with him. He thought it was a front in order to worm her way in with a higher class. However, when he entered her mind to verify his speculations, all he felt from her was a deep sadness and concern, but for whom?

 

His brethren?

 

Vash?

 

Even Himself?

 

Impossible!

 

Unless, there are more humans out there like his brother's pets that could actually look past their fear of the unknown and care for his kind, instead of thinking of them only as a resource or even worse… monsters.

 

“However, I would also like to think that my species had learned from their mistakes and, even though, we ended up crash landing on such a desolate planet, we will eventually be able to adapt and live harmoniously, with the arid land…. and… with out the help of the Plants,” she added with conviction, bringing Knives out of his ponderings as returned his attention to the woman before him.

 

`Hmmm… very interesting indeed,' Knives added internally as he closed his eyes again to go over the new data that was floating around in his mind. `I may have to observe this one as well as my brother's little pet.' He then opened his eyes again showing that he had calmed to his normal superior self.

 

“Woman, I would like to sit up,” he autocratically commanded before adding, “I assume that this vessel's food replicators are in working order. I have not had something decent to eat and require nourishment, nothing heavy of course.”

 

The sudden change in the blonde's attitude left Mac gaping at the man, while she thought, `God… now he's an arrogant S.O.B.'

 

“Well… now woman!” he snapped, instantly bringing her out of her stupor. She walked up to the bed and pushed a button on the railing, which caused the head of the bed to move into an upward position. She asked if the new position was comfortable and advised that he could adjust the bed to whatever position he desired by simply using the controls. He, in turn, advised that he already knew that, but wanted her to do it.

 

McKenna just rolled her eyes and replied, “Fine, I'll just position you back to laying down.” Her audacity made Knives smirk, reminding him of his brother's raven-haired pet. Especially when she added, “So, what would his royal highness like to eat?”

 

`Oh yes… very similar indeed,' he added internally and was about to respond when he, finally, felt his brother's presence close by. The next instant, he distinctly heard a high-pitched squeal calling out his brother's name. `Please don't tell me there are more senseless twits that my brother associates with,' Knives internally groaned before rolling his eyes. He looked to the woman next to him, who also heard the obnoxious call and autocratically advised her that, since his brother was here with company, she could leave and get him some baked salmon with lightly sautéed asparagus tips.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

Meryl's mouth literally hit the floor when she saw the young woman jump on her Vash while squealing his name almost reverently. `Who in the hell is that… and what is she doing to my Vash…' her mind screamed before she closed her eyes to try and calm herself down.

 

“Jessica!” Vash stammered as he tried to pry the woman-child off of him. Meryl immediately heard Vash's panicked voice and open her silvery orbs, catching the desperate plea on his handsome face for help. She just shook her head and mumbled something about only he could get pinned under a girl and not know how to get out of the unwelcome situation before starting to bend down to help him up.

 

“That's quite enough, Jessica!” the Doc reprimanded, instantly stopping Meryl from helping the blonde. “Let the poor boy up, he has had a long journey and does not need you hanging all over him!”

 

Jessica rose from her perch on top of the gunman while her emerald-colored eyes continued to gaze upon the man dreamily. “Oh Vash…” she dreamily started, while watching him stand. “I've missed you so much! Please tell me that you are staying?”

 

“Well, we'll probably be here for quite a while, I suppose,” he replied, causing the brunette to launch herself into his arms again while screaming…

 

“YAAAY!”

 

At the second embrace, Meryl began to scowl while crossing her arms and tapping her foot impatiently. She was becoming very annoyed with the little chit and was about to let everybody know about it.

 

Vash noticed that Meryl was about to explode, which he knew would not be pretty and decided that they all had enough of Jessica's antics. He gently pushed her away while laughing goofily and told her that they would have plenty of time to catch up later. He then looked to his short-girl and smiled warmly, which made her calm down and smile back. “I don't believe that you two have met.” Vash said to Meryl after their eyes locked. “Meryl, this is Jessica,” he began before he turned his gaze from the woman who held his heart to the other woman who he thought of as a little sister and finished, “And Jessica this is my Meryl.”

 

Jessica, who seemed oblivious to the meaning behind her crush's use of the word `my,' turned her gaze to the smaller woman standing next to the Doc and chirped, “Why hello! Is it okay if I call you Meryl?”

 

Meryl couldn't help but smile warmly at the naïve woman before her as she raised her hand in greeting and replied, “Hello and please do call me Meryl, Miss Jessica.”

 

“Oh, just Jessica please,” she said, shaking the offered hand before turning her attention back to the tall blonde and gaily adding, “Well since you have returned, I think that we should celebrate by having a huge feast in your honor, Vash!”

 

“Well… gee… what a great idea,” Vash laughed as he showed a toothy grin. “When?”

 

“Tonight, of course!” Jessica exclaimed. “Let's say 6:30 in my quarters. Does that sound good to everyone?”

 

“That would be greatly appreciated,” Meryl chimed in. “Would you like for my partner and me to bring anything?”

 

“Well… how about dessert?”

 

“Okay.”

 

“Jessica, since we are going to have such an undertaking in just a few hours, don't you think that you should start preparing?” the Doc suggested, fully knowing that it was past time to get into the infirmary to assist Mac with the potentially homicidal twin.

 

“Gee… you're right! Could you invite Mac for me?” she asked sweetly before saying that she had better go. Then with a waive goodbye, she left the remaining three standing in front of the entrance to the infirmary.

 

“Wow, that was… interesting,” Meryl mumbled to herself as she turned her attention from the brunette's retreating form to the two men, who started to enter the medical facility. She followed them into lab where McKenna had been waiting patiently and heard Vash ask her if Knives had done anything to harm her.

 

“No, not really… I mean at first he seemed pretty standoffish and probably didn't like the fact that when he woke up and I was the only one here,” she said, deliberately playing off the actual events that occurred no more that ten minutes ago. “But then he just became very pretentious and ordered me to fix him something to eat. So, I guess you could say that I am now on my way to so… eventually,” she added as a small smile appeared on her face.

 

Meryl immediately smiled and the slightly taller woman and knew that they were going to get along very well with one another. She continued to listen to the three discuss the twin's injuries and their speculating on how much longer it would be before he would be completely healed. Then the next thing she knew, Vash was saying that he had should probably sit with his brother for awhile and asked Mac if she wouldn't mind preparing him something for dinner.

 

“Sure, Mr. Vash,” Mac answered before turning her attention to the other woman in the room. “Meryl, instead of sitting here, would you like to join me?”

 

“Sure,” the raven-haired beauty smiled as she started to follow the redhead out the double doors. However, she stopped for a moment and added, “Vash if you need me…” She trailed off as she saw the knowing smile form on his lips prior to hearing him in her head say…

 

“I'll always need you, Meryl.”

 

“And I you, Vash” she replied, with a warm smile, as the twin doors slid shut. Turning to McKenna, she told her that she was ready. Mac instantly replied with an `okay' before both women walked down the hall a few yarz to the entrance of the redhead's apartment that was on the opposite wall to the infirmary.

 

Would you like something to drink?” McKenna asked as they walked through the entrance of her living quarters.

 

“Actually, I would love a cup of coffee,” Meryl practically moaned as she followed the auburn-haired woman into the kitchen. “I haven't had any since yesterday afternoon and I think I'm going through withdrawal.”

 

“Mmmm… that does sound good! The ship has a wonderful Sumatra blend that I know you will love. Of course, we will need to have something to snack on while we are drinking it!” Mac supplied with a big smile. “Hmmm… how about a piece of cheesecake? I just baked one yesterday and it has caramel and chocolate chips on top!”

 

“Oh that sounds heavenly, I haven't had a piece of cheesecake since the last time I was home,” raven-haired beauty breathed before logic kicked in. “Are you sure, though? I mean it's awfully expensive, especially with the chocolate and caramel.”

 

“Actually, it didn't really cost anything. The ship's replicators made all of the ingredients and then I just baked it. Of course, the system is advanced enough to fully prepare anything, but I like to bake I guess,” the redhead explained with a smile. “So, let me get the coffee and cheesecake and then I'll show you how to use the system.

 

“That would be great,” Meryl replied as she watched McKenna take the dessert out of what looked like a refrigerator and placed it on the counter. She then saw her place a stainless steel carafe into an alcove on top the kitchen counter and typed in something in the keypad next to the machine. A moment later, the scintillating scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, causing both women to breathe in deeply and sigh. McKenna took out a couple of plates from the cupboard in front of her and then couple of forks from the drawer to her left.

 

Once she had the sinful treat sliced and on the plates, she set them on the kitchen table. She told Meryl that the coffee would be done momentarily and that she could show her how to work the replicator in the meantime. McKenna then motioned for Meryl to follow as she stepped over to a monitor that sat on the counter and pushed a button on its stand. The flat panel screen immediately came to life, bringing up a picture where Mac began to lightly touch the cool surface while telling the Meryl exactly what she was doing.

 

A few minutes later, the meal Knives wanted had been requested and the two lovely ladies walked over to the table with steaming cups of java in their hands. “That was really easy,” Meryl commented as she sat down. “So, how long will it take before it's complete?”

 

“Oh, about ten minutes or so,” McKenna answered as she took a bite of her cheesecake. “That should give us plenty of time to finish our treat before we have to take that pompous ass his meal,” she added in a slightly biting tone, which caused Meryl to choke while trying to sip her coffee. “I'm so sorry Meryl… I…I didn't really mean that,” the redhead sputtered out as she realized what she said, which made the insurance girl laugh.

 

“Don't worry about it. He is a pompous ass, after all!” Meryl conceded.

 

“But… I thought that…”

 

“What?”

 

“Well, that you were all friends…”

 

“No not really… well, at least not with Knives.” Meryl sighed. “I suppose that no one has really told you about them have they?”

 

“Does it have something to do with Knives not liking humans? He was rather obvious earlier,” McKenna replied dryly after taking a sip from her cup. “The Doc just told me that they are not human… if that's what you mean?”

 

“It's a little more involved then that and it really isn't my place to say. Besides, it would take quite a bit longer than ten minutes to tell you the whole story," Meryl advised before changing her mind. “Though, I guess you should know the basics, since you will be around both of them for awhile.”

 

“I don't wanna pry…”

 

“Its okay, McKenna, you should at least know some. You see, it's just that the twins have a difference in opinion, I guess you could say…” Meryl started as she told the woman sitting next to her about how Knives hated the human race, while Vash embraced them. She also told her how the platinum blonde had created the Gung-Ho Guns to hunt down and kill Vash, all of the disappearances, and even their final showdown that occurred a little over a week ago.

 

“Ya' know, I believe this is the first time that they have been together, for any length of time, in probably over a hundred years.” Meryl added as an afterthought.

 

“Over a hundred years… amazing! I wonder what made Knives hate us so much?” McKenna contemplated, mostly to herself, as she took the last sip from her cup.

 

“I don't know, but it must have been something horrendous,” Meryl quietly muttered.

 

“So, Meryl…” Mac began, wanting to change the subject. That is, until she heard the automated voice from the replicator say that the meal had been completed. With a sigh, she got up from the table and walked over the monitor on the counter. She touched the screen again, which caused a panel on the wall to open, revealing the Plant's meal. “Well, I suppose we should get this over to the infirmary,” she murmured as she pulled the meal out and grabbed a tray from one of her lower cupboards.

 

“Do you think Mr. Vash would like a piece of cheesecake?” she asked Meryl after placing the delicious looking meal on the tray.

 

“I'm sure he would,” she replied with a smile as she got up from the table. She then picked up their now empty dishes from the table and placed them in the kitchen sink. “Your cheesecake was delicious. That has to be the best dessert… oh I completely forgot!”

 

“What?” Mac prodded as she cut out more slices.

 

“Well, Jessica invited all of us to dinner and we're supposed to bring dessert.”

 

“Oh… Well, I have an idea. Why don't we drop this stuff off and then we could head down to your quarters and make some.”

 

“You wouldn't mind?”

 

“No not at all,” the redhead smiled before placing three pieces of cheesecake on the tray. “Besides, I have a feeling that Mr. Knives would rather not have me around right now.”

 

“Ummm… McKenna?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Why are there three pieces?”

 

“Huh? Oh… one for the Doc, one for Mr. Vash and one for the pompous ass,” she replied with a big smile.

 

Meryl returned the big smile and said, “Ya' know I believe that we are going to get along very well together.”