Nigel opened his eyes to a beautiful woman. Melissa was holding something wet against his forehead.

“Welcome back,” she said. “I was worried you got hit a little too hard.”

“Jet!” Nigel said as he shot up and scanned the ruined office.

“She’s been injured, April took her . . .”

Nigel looked at Melissa, her eyes glistening with tears.

She’s even more beautiful when she’s upset, he thought, then stopped himself. What? Why am I having these thoughts? That cyborg hit me a little too hard. Need to find Jet.

“Let’s go!” he said.

Nigel tried standing, but lost his footing and fell on top of Melissa. He lingered there for a long moment as something stirred deep within him. He loved Jet, but he also had a deep and sudden lust for Melissa.

I think she feels it too.

Melissa confirmed his thoughts by kissing him on the lips. He surprised himself by kissing her back.

“I’ve wanted to do that since that night at Tage Manor,” Melissa said.

A noise emitted from the entrance to the room, Nigel stiffened as he saw Nozomi staring at them.

How long has she been observing us?

“Touching. I can’t leave you alone with anyone, Nigel. You are a dog,” Nozomi said, grinning. She picked him up by the scruff of his neck. “On your feet, soldier. Someone is here to see you.”

Melissa reached out for Nigel, but Nozomi pushed her to the floor. “I’ll deal with you later.”

“She stabbed Jet,” Melissa blurted to Nigel.

Nigel froze. “Why?” Nigel’s eyes filled with tears.

“Stop being weak, I just cut the chain to the ball dangling from your neck. Now you’d better come with me if you have any chance of seeing her again—boy!”

Nigel hesitated; Nozomi handcuffed him, then gave a shove. Nigel stumbled, but she kept pushing until Nigel was out of the lab building. Nigel looked around. They were in a small parking lot. He could see a busy street through an abandoned lot about two or three blocks away. A moment later a van pulled up and the side door opened. He looked inside and couldn’t believe his eyes. Rick Watson was dressed in black and holding out a hand.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Nigel said.

“Hey, Nige, I suggest you come peacefully. Noz here is stronger than she looks. And twice as flexible,” Rick said, laughing.

Nigel gave Rick a look of utter contempt.

That bastard makes me sick!

“I bet you are wondering where your girlfriend is. Have a peek,” Rick said as he held out an oversized phone.

Nigel snatched the phone. He couldn’t believe what he was looking at. Based on the angle of what appeared to be traffic camera footage, April was carrying Jet into some kind of animal hospital. The video switched to a black-and-white security video of inside the animal hospital. Nigel couldn’t hear anything, but saw Jet being taken into a back room.

“It looks like an animal doctor is going to take a knife out of your girlfriend’s back. I’m sure that’s a tricky procedure. One wrong move, and then she could bleed to death.”

“I can barely see her face in the video,” Nigel replied.

“You’re not the only hacker we know, Nigel. I suggest you decide quickly if you want to help her,” Rick said.

Nigel clenched his jaw and threw the phone at Rick. His father ducked just in time.

“My employer has many doctors. He will ensure she is taken care of. That procedure looks tricky and probably requires a blood transfusion. What is the vet going to do? Get blood from one of the dogs?”

“Help her,” Nigel said.

“Get in,” Rick said.

Nigel froze, but he couldn’t seem to decide. Nozomi got close and whispered into his ear, “Get in before I finish the job.”

Nozomi shoved Nigel into the van, then shut the outside door. The van jumped into motion. Nigel nearly fell over.

“Is she not joining us?” Nigel asked.

“Noz?” Rick said. “Nope. She will want to take her pound of flesh from the Mason girl. Besides, she’s helped enough. We need your computer skills more.”

“She better not hurt Melissa.”

“Whoa, now that’s my boy! How many girlfriends do you have?” Rick said, chuckling.

Nigel flushed, as his right hand formed into a tight ball.

“I’m just kidding, lighten up, Nige.”

Nigel rocked in his seat as the van sped on the streets of Brooklyn faster than was safe. He couldn’t believe how quickly the situation had changed. His heart ached at the thought of Jet not getting the proper medical attention. Rick picked up the phone and dialed a number.

“We got him. You can pick up the girl now,” Rick said as he disconnected the line.

I hope I don’t regret this. Hold on, Jet, I’m coming.

The van changed direction and started heading back into the city.

About thirty minutes later, Nigel found himself atop one of New York’s newer skyscrapers, watching a helicopter land. Most boys would enjoy taking a helicopter ride with their father. Nigel could only think of reaching Jet.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“You’re needed in Newport,” Rick replied. “Once our business is complete, then we will send you to your girlfriend.”

“If she’s hurt, then you will be sorry. I don’t care if you are my father. I will end you!” Nigel said.

Rick helped Nigel get into the helicopter and took a seat next to his son.