March 28th - Day 6: “I won’t let you do this.” + angst @evanbuckleyweek
Hit Me with Your Best Shot, Fire Away
The team was bone tired. It had been a grueling first half of a 24 hour shift.
They were ready to nap if possible and get a small bite if they weren't too tired.
"Hen, how many kids were on that bus?" Buck asked while nursing a water bottle.
"Less than a dozen. Two future doctors and a nurse, one president, a couple of entrepreneurs, and two marines and a pilot." Hen smiled.
"Gotta love career day. Too bad none of them were gonna be joining us." Chim smirked laid out on the couch next to hen.
"Who knows, maybe one day they will. I didn't know I'd be here a few years ago. And I look forward to every day with y'all." Eddie smiled bumping buck's chair startling him and earning a glare back.
"That's good to hear Eddie. You've been a great addition to the 118." Bobby said while bringing over plates of food.
"Cap you spoil us." Buck laughed while digging in.
Bobby was just starting on his own plate when the alarm went off.
In seconds they were up and fully awake for the next situation as adrenaline pushed them on.
"Cap, what's the call about?" Eddie asked.
"Dispatch said it's a tinkerers junkyard."
"Something about a malfunctioning robot."
"What the hell is that?" Buck asked making a shocked face.
"Oh it's Barbra. She's my baby." The lady said while smiling with pride.
"And why did you make an automated crossbow turret again ma'am?" Eddie asked.
"Because I was bored and to keep them animals away from my reserves ." Melissa said with a shrug.
"Please help!" The person said.
"Alex we'll be with you in a bit. Stay calm and still where you are at." Bobby ordered while they asked and thought of what to do with Barbra.
"How did Alex get in without being shot?" He asked.
"Her night vision has been acting up. My guess is the thief there was trying to steal from my supplies before the morning light. I just found him after breakfast." Melissa said.
"And you haven't tried turning Barbra off?" Buck suggested.
"Oh gee. I hadn't thought of that. No, I gave her her own power supply in case of a power outage and her wireless connection is weak for range. I gotta be close enough to shut her off with my phone but her bolt is ready to fire at anything that's in her range though." Melissa explained.
"So. We gotta give her something to shoot at?" Eddie suggested.
"Yeah. But it's gotta be at least the size of a dog or a bear. I programmed her to only attack something big enough to be dangerous."
"Well that's great." Buck sighed and shook his head.
"Cap we don't have anything on us that could withstand a crossbow bolt do we?" Hen asked.
"Could a riot shield work. We could call athena and the police, or a bulletproof vest maybe two." Chim suggested.
"Ouch." Alex said drawing their attention.
"Alex, you okay?" Bobby asked along with Hen.
"We can treat you after the police get here to help us out." Chim said.
"No. I'm hemophilic, please. Hurry!" Alex screamed.
Bucks and Hens eyes went wide as Eddie said "shit" and Bobby and chim said "no,".
"Guys, we're sitting in a junkyard. We can find something." Buck said while moving to get out of the blocked off shed they were in.
"Excuse you, recycling center for inventors." Melissa scoffed.
"Sorry ma'am!" He shouted back.
"Alright, let's move. Anything sturdy enough to work but light enough to carry." Bobby said while they moved to follow.
After a minute they had a sheet of metal from a broken roof.
"No. Too thin. Could go right through maybe," Chim said.
Another minute found both a manhole cover and a car door.
"Manhole cover's thicker. But a little heavier. It's our best shot." Eddie said while taking it to the entrance. "Melissa can I have your phone please. Open whatever we need."
"No! Eddie. I can't let you do this." Buck said grabbing his arm to hold him back.
"Buck, I've gotta get him out."
"But I'm faster." Buck shot back.
"You're still on the thinners though." Eddie countered.
"No. I'm not. I just got off them." Buck explained.
"Buck? Is that true?" Bobby asked, he knew buck had a checkup recently.
"I'm gonna draw it's fire. Follow in after me. Only get closer after I've got it to shoot." Buck said thinking about Alex's time passing by.
"Buck, remember it's got a hole, dead center," hen said.
"I know. I'll be careful. I'll try." Buck was already setting into a running stance.
"Melissa, how long does it take to reload?" Bobby asked.
"Umm. 5 to 7 seconds. I think."
"Okay. I'm gonna get it to fire. Ready Eddie?" Buck asked while holding the manhole cover up as a shield.
At Eddie's nod buck took a breath and started running at a steady pace.
Chim and Hen had their gear ready to follow once Eddie ensured it was neutralized.
Eddie ran as he saw it swivel back in buck's direction. Buck hoped that the others would forgive him for lying later but he had the least to lose and he knew he could do this. He had to, Alex's life was counting on him.
Just as it got a clear view of buck in its crosshairs a light indicator flashed red as it shot the bolt out.
The world slowed as buck brought it up to better cover him while being mindful of where the hole was located. Even if the bolt could go through it didn't hit him now.
It made contact and snapped in half from the force of the hit that buck felt push him back as Eddie was already near to Barbra.
With only a few seconds left Eddie brought the phone close enough to turn off Barbra. Her lights powering down.
The others quickly brought the backboard and set Alex down as Eddie grabbed the bolt that was to be loaded next and the spares ready to be used throwing them on the ground just in case.
Buck breathed a sigh of relief as he and Eddie let the others work making sure Barbra didn't disturb them by coming back online.
Back in the truck buck sensed the air change as Eddie sat down.
"You lied didn't you?" He glared.
"I didn't have a choice. I couldn't let you risk your life and I was right, I am faster than you." Buck said with a frown.
"But what would we do if you got shot?"
"Treat both of us or call for a backup ambulance. I know what could have happened it was a calculated risk but it turned out okay. I'm sorry but I'd do it again. Christopher needs you Eddie." Buck was thankful Bobby was on radio with dispatch to check if there was another emergency for them to help as they were done.
"He needs you too. We need you buck. So you can't just risk your life like it's nothing. You're important."
"Well, I can't lie and promise I won't do anything like that again but I'll always try to do my best to come back in one piece. Who else has your back like I do Eddie." Buck smirked.
Eddie nodded. "Damn right."
Buck smiled back now as Bobby relayed their next stop, a fire.
Today was just getting started. No doubt by the end they'd be sore. But as long as buck had Eddie and the team beside him, he'd be good.
