April 1992

  Chris and Melissa help Elle into the wheelchair on her way to surgery. Larry and Simon were prepping things in the surgery room, making double and triple sure everything was ready. The nurses go over what to expect with anesthesia. Elle was ready. Time to walk again.

  Her brothers walk along with the group. Jerry joking as usual.

  “Just imagine all the blood, Jerry.”

  He groans.

  “You can watch a horror movie but can’t handle the real thing.” Jackson makes a point.

  “That’s different.”

  “Squirt, squirt!” Elle teases Jerry. “Maybe I’ll have them save you some.”

  “Ugh! You’re both horrible.”

  “Now kids behave.” Melissa scolds through some ughter.

  During the time between the fight with Tetra, and now. Their fathers had been going through the data from the Director’s computer. They quickly found the schematics for a machine that can aid in impnting cybernetic repcements. The machine was simple enough to build, it just took a little doing by Mr. Prowman to ensure its construction’s secrecy. Having different companies make various parts with no knowledge of each other, making each of them. The machine looked like a smaller version of an . tube. Lasers help guide the microscopic wires into the nerve endings around the area that were to be repced. There was a lot more to it, though. Chris’ dad and Simon attempted to expin it better, but he couldn’t grasp it. But it was fascinating, to say the least.

  “Okay guys, we’ll take it from here.” The nurse tells them.

  Everyone gives her a hug and best wishes. Chris gives her a long hug. “See you ter, sweetheart. You can do this.” She nods, clearly nervous. He kisses her and gives her Spark a good boost. “Love you.”

  “Love you.” Elle tells him.

  They roll her into the surgery room while the dads wave to the group.

  More people filled the room than Chris expected. The machine in the center being checked over by Simon, who was checking a nearby ptop.

  The nurse wheels Elle in and the doors shut. Chris couldn’t help but stand there thinking of Elle walking again. He used his air powers to hear what they were saying.

  Dr. Arlen was assuring her that everything will seem like you just went to sleep and wake up a little ter.

  “You got the easy part, sweetie.” Simon tells her.

  “I love you, dad.” Elle sounded sleepy.

  A few moments ter, Dr. Arlen announces they are ready to begin.

  Chris drops his power. He couldn’t help but worry.