Chapter Nine
Terror In The Sky
The next few weeks seemed to fly by as Dr. Horton fully recovered. Mike
worked exclusively in the lab, helping Larry dismantle and examine the last
of R.M.T.P.'s components. In preparation for the reconstruction job ahead,
Dr. Cooper had acquired three new lab techs, and this meant the regulars
would have to be extremely careful with all conversations concerning Mike's
special powers when they were present. There was always that underlying fear
between Cooper, Larry and Jeanie...the fear that someone would notice the
slightest little difference in their friend, and begin to ask questions that
would be impossible to answer. It was beginning to become very difficult
keeping Mike's tremendous appetite undercover. It became worse every day.
Dr. Cooper helped his young friend out in this matter, by privately asking
Larry and the other regulars to pick up extra meals for him at lunch, alternately,
when he needed them. This way would even curb the suspicions of the cafeteria's
counter attendant, who was constantly badgering Mike about either wasting
food, sneaking it for others, or getting too much on one pass. This worked
out well, until one day as Mike ate with Larry and the new techs, one said,
"You know, Mike, I've never seen anybody eat as much as you do in my whole
life! I don't know how you do it! And, come to think of it, I've never seen
you even go near the men's room during working hours. Wow! You must really
be able to hold it in!"
As the others chuckled, shaking their heads back and forth, Mike felt
his face become hot with the beginnings of a blush. He silently finished
his meal. But his mind was whirling with worry. He was shocked with the sudden
recollection that he hadn't needed to use the bathroom since before the transporter
accident! The busy schedule he'd kept after going back to work left him no
time to think much about daily habits, and now he regretted being the type
of person who didn't fuss over the need for daily nutrition and scheduled
routine biological functions. Of course he'd realized something was odd when
he'd felt ill, but nothing seemed seriously out of order until that moment.
Mike's scalp and spine tingled with an odd feeling as he finished cleaning
off his tray. He knew a visit to Dr. Horton for an exam was what he needed
next, but he was frightened that the diagnosis of his problem would bring
him terrible news. He asked Dr. Cooper if he could speak with him alone, and
they went to a quiet corner of the lab.
Dr. Cooper seemed extremely concerned after Mike explained what was wrong.
He had overheard his conversation with the technician, and, the remark.
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