White paced back and forth in front of the table, his phone resting flat on the surface, as if waiting for something important. He chewed nervously on his fingers, his impatience evident in his movements.
"RING!" The phone suddenly came to life with a loud ring, breaking the tense atmosphere.
Without skipping a beat, he snatched up the phone, his heart racing with anticipation. "Kelvin, I've been waiting for your call. Any updates you've got to share?" he blurted out, unable to contain his eagerness.
"Hey, take it easy, White. Just relax a bit," came Kelvin's calming voice through the receiver.
"I can't stay calm knowing I'm being chased," White replied, his voice tinged with anxiety.
"I get it. And here's the kicker, the United City just cracked a new way to craft a prototype exoskeleton suit with dark matter stone. It may not pack the same punch as the Gundam you created, but it's lightning-fast and tailor-made for covert ops. They've already field-tested it on four subjects, deploying them to hunt you down," Kelvin delivered the news grimly.
"Take care out there, White. Don't do anything reckless. I can't bear the thought of losing my best friend," Kelvin's voice quivered with sadness.
"Thanks, Kelvin. You know me, always cautious," White reassured, his voice brimming with determination.
"Yeah, I know, I am your best friend," Kevin said, a warm smile lighting up his face.
"In the meantime, don't you think it's time?" said Kelvin, his tone shifting to seriousness.
"Don't worry, Kelvin. I'll reveal the truth about his birth soon," White assured.
"You better do it before it's too late," Kelvin warned.
A knock echoed through the parlor of the House, drawing white attention to the door.
"Hello, Dad, it's me. We have a problem, Dad," Junior's urgent voice pierced through the door.
"Sorry, Kelvin, can we please talk later. Looks like Junior brought in a patient in critical condition," White replied, concern lacing his words.
"Okay, White. I'm glad your kindness rubbed off on him. Hopefully, it'll shape him into a compassionate adult like you," Kelvin remarked before ending the call.
"Dad, Dad, are you awake?" Junior's voice grew louder as he continued knocking on the door, his worry palpable.
White hurried to the door, swinging it open with a swift motion. He peered at his son with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Where is the patient?" he inquired, his tone brisk yet attentive.
"He's over there," Junior pointed at the wheelbarrow parked about 10 meters away from the door.
White strode toward the wheelbarrow, his heart pounding in his chest. As he approached, he caught sight of something that made his breath catch in his throat. "Oh my God," he exclaimed, his voice filled with shock.
Without hesitation, he started rolling the wheelbarrow towards his house, his hands trembling with urgency. "Junior, get inside and gather all the tools we need for the operation," he instructed, his voice urgent.
"Yes, dad," Junior replied, darting off to his father's room to fetch the necessary tools and supplies.
As White wheeled the man closer, he groaned in pain, slowly coming to his senses. "Ouch, my head hurts," the man muttered, his voice weak but audible.
White noticed the man's plight and offered words of reassurance, saying, "Don't worry, we'll get you out of here. Hang in there."
Upon hearing White's voice, the man being wheeled turned towards him, recognizing the familiar sound. With a weak voice, he uttered, "Is that you, White?" before succumbing to unconsciousness once more.
White, taken aback by the recognition, stared at the man's face in disbelief. It was Jacob, one of his former comrades from his time with the United Nations. "Jacob, is that really you? What happened?" White exclaimed, but Jacob remained unresponsive, having fainted once again.
White gently slapped his cheek, his expression determined yet gentle. "Let's focus on getting you better first. I'll find my answers after I've finished treating you," he said, his voice firm but reassuring.
Taking Jacob by the hand, White led him down the corridor to the operating room. Inside, the sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air as White's son joined them, carrying trays of gleaming medical equipment. With a nod exchanged between father and son, they began the intricate operation.
---
[ AN HOUR LATER ]
White and his son emerged from the operating room, their faces glistening with sweat from the intense procedure. Jacob lay on the operating table, now stabilized with the stolen robot parts replaced. All that remained was for him to regain consciousness.
"Dad, here," his son said, handing him a handkerchief to wipe off the sweat. White accepted it gratefully, their bond evident in the simple gesture.
White took the handkerchief, its soft fabric absorbing his sweat as he dabbed his brow. "Thank you, son," he muttered gratefully.
"No problem, Dad. Lemme go get you some water," Junior replied, slipping out of the room.
"Thanks, son," White called after him, sinking into a chair in the operating room.
He fixed his gaze on Jacob, his mind swirling with questions. What happened to his teammates? Why was Jacob here? What had happened to him?
But the answers lay dormant, waiting for Jacob to wake up.
White exhaled heavily, the weight of his decisions pressing on him. "Did I make the right choice, running away with the Gundam? I didn't even think about what would happen to my teammates if I left. I'm an idiot."