A Crew Saves Their Captain
"You're going to be okay, Hongjoong."
The voice feminine in nature, and strangely familiar.
"Don't quit on us yet, never got to meet you proper."
This was a voice he was unfamiliar with. But as he'd faded out previously, it was one of the last ones he heard. Though considering his circumstances and the words that reached him, they were a good wolf to him.
"We've got you. Just hold on. Fight. You're an alpha. So fight it. Don't let go. It's not time for that yet."
This voice was deep and low. Even more strange than the second. Yet somehow, oddly familiar. And he was encouraged by their words. He would fight. He sure as hell wasn't giving up now. He had a fire growing in his wounded wolf. He would find Taeil one day, and make him pay. Show him he was stronger than Taeil could have ever hoped to be.
"Don't you quit on us now. If you come out of this alright, you'll be my greatest achievement. One of two. Help me, help us save your life. You got a pack now. So fight for them."
Yet another voice he was unfamiliar with. And behind it all, he heard white nose. He could feel a burning pain in his side. And yet, a heaviness he was unfamiliar with. As he slowly regained some consciousness to be aware enough of what was happening, the voices became clearer. As did some sensations. He was on a hard tabletop. Likely the best they had for a bed. He heard clinking and soft clattering. Hands working feverishly about his body. Feeling cold metal touch his heated flesh. Especially so, where the pain exploded into flames behind his eyelids. He could smell a little oil and grease. What the fuck were they doing to him!? Save his life? Was he positive?
Haneul stood watching. Clutching his cane tightly. Waiting to see if they were successful. Beside her, Wooyoung was fairly relaxed. Yet, he was clearly checking their surroundings. Waiting for an inevitable invasion of zombies. They had been fortunate to find a small military installation they could hoard away inside of. And here, they were working hard to save Hongjoong's life. With Yeosang's knowledge of wolf anatomy and Mingi's mechanical genius, they were fastening together mechanical body parts to essentially plug into his missing body pieces. Given what they were working with, it made one think of a steampunk look. Or even a cybernetic one. Mingi had huffed, and said to just call it a lovely blended mix of the two. While Haneul did not appreciate his tone, she understood. She was getting in the way. He and Yeosang were working hard to save Hongjoong's life. He was under stress and pressure. And a massive time frame.
Yeosang stared down from behind his face mask. Having luckily found one for himself, and Mingi. And some way to sanitize their hands. Yeosang leaned in, and gently pried open one of the many gashes in Hongjoong's torso. Ensuring it was wide enough, for Mingi to set his next piece inside. Carefully, Yeosang guided it along. And ensuring it hooked up as necessary. He shook his head, "You'd think this Taeil was part zombie already. Given how deep his pack got into his body. Getting a section of his intestines. That's both impressive, and frightening."
Haneul pointed out softly, "Alpha canines are sharp, as you well know."
Yeosang shrugged, even as Mingi pulled his hands out, "Got it. All that remains, is his limbs and his jaw. Should we do his ear?"
Yeosang shrugged, "Why not? Might make him feel as normal as possible. Can't believe we're actually doing this in the zombie apocalypse. And it's going well."
"Yeah, well we're in a zombie apocalypse. I think by now you'd realize, nothing is impossible anymore."
Wooyoung perked up, "So, aliens could invade us?"
Yeosang fondly rolled his eyes, "Sure. Just don't go asking for it. We got enough problems without them getting involved."
Haneul smirked, but said nothing further. Watching as they put slightly bronzed metal all about Hongjoong's body. Having sort of become their assistant. Cleaning wounds, and ensuring the wound didn't get anymore infected than it was liable to do so. Once each piece was in, Yeosang would stitch him up. Ensuring his body could take the new metal anatomy, and hopefully heal. It was a long and clearly bloody process. The limbs were fairly easy. Though getting them to move like a normal flesh limb was slightly challenging. But Mingi pulled through. And of course, giving him a new mechanical eye and half a jaw. And the ear as well.
But, they'd saved him.
//
He slowly came to.
Feeling heavy, and so very drained and tired. As his eyes opened, he was met with the soft light of the sun peering through a window. As he looked about, he noticed something a bit off. His vision not just slightly blurry, but the edges of everything cast in an oil slick rainbow shade. After a moment, a familiar face peered down at him from above. Haneul smiled, "Hey, welcome back to the land of the living. Nearly lost you there. And, you had a very terrible fever. Worst I ever saw. Saw your pack also have nasty fevers. Except for that, Yeosang guy. He seemed just fine. Not sure what that was about, but I didn't ask."
Hongjoong slowly breathed in, hearing the soft mechanical whirling of things about him. Seeming to notice he was awake due to her talking to him, another face slowly came into his field a vision. A rather pretty handsome alpha wolf. Marble in coat. He leaned in, and pulled up a small bright light. How he found that, he wasn't sure. He flinched. Pulling his face and eyes away. The alpha smirked, "Yep, he's awake."
Hongjoong groaned, "Where am I. And, who are you exactly?"
The wolf nodded, "Somewhere safe. For a little longer. A small military installation. Lucky, too. Had some MREs we could add to our stash. I'm Kang Yeosang. Pleasure to meet you, packmate. I'm also the doctor that saved your life. This Taeil's pack really took a lot of meat from you. Your heart stopped once. Luckily, your brain function and pulse hadn't. A few chest compressions did the trick. As they are meant to." He gently pulled another in. Another alpha. Handsome, and clearly fiery in coat color, "This is Song Mingi. Another of your pack. You're safe with us. Trust us. My omega would never lie. Omegas just-" He shrugged, "Know when they see pack. It's an evolutionary safety thing nature gave them, I guess. With Mingi's help, we managed to bring you back from the brink. Quick run down, you lost a lot of blood. And, a lot of body. Hate to show you, but-"
Yeosang reached over, and produced a broken shard of glass. A mirror, of some kind. He showed Hongjoong his new face. The mechanical red eye, and his new mechanical ear. No wonder half their words were incredibly loud, as compared to before. His jaw as well. As he took it in, he noticed his jaw move as if normal flesh. Yeosang spoke, "Mingi's a mechanic. Without him, not sure I could have saved you."
Mingi nodded, and spoke in his low tone, "It will take you some time to get used to your now new mechanical parts. Wish it were under better circumstances. Or we could have saved your limbs. But, we don't really know where they flew off to. According to Haneul, she only saw a moment when your arm was flung through the air. Wasn't about to got hunting for it. Let the zombies have it. Will distract them for a time. It's going to be hard, but you've got your pack. You will learn to adjust. You'll even forget they're not flesh at times. If you can let us help. You're not alone anymore. Don't give in, or give up. Don't let any dark thoughts win. You're stronger than that. You beat this, you beat anything you set your mind to."
Finally, a fourth new face entered his field of vision. A pretty omega, by the looks of him. He smiled, "But, we're glad you're going to be okay. I'm Yang Wooyoung." He gestured, "Your doctor's wife, if you will. And while we really wish we could help you adjust at a pace best suited for you, we really can't. Yeosang's on a bit of a time crunch."
Hongjoong slowly took in a deep breath. Blinking, and letting the information process properly. Could he do this? Could he live half machine? After taking it all in and trying to determine how he felt, he inquired, "And where is he supposed to be?"
Yeosang spoke, face grim but serious, "Seoul. I'm heading, to Seoul. My reasons are my own at this time." He looked to Haneul. Indicating he wasn't sure he could trust her with his information. But clearly, wanting to tell him. Maybe in time, she could earn his trust, "Let's just say, I know a secret about this virus and the zombies. And plus, I'm not just your resident doctor. I'm a researcher. Studying this thing. I want to know how it's going to mutate. And when. Amongst other things."
Wooyoung smiled, "And you two get to come with us. We're pack. We're sticking together. Trust me, you'll want to. Yeosang knows what he's doing."
Mingi nodded, "Yeosang's valuable. As is his research."
Hongjoong sighed. Slowly, he nodded, "I guess, that's it then. How long before we're going?"
Yeosang frowned a moment, before Wooyoung spoke softly, "We're giving you more time to rest and recover. But, I have seen movement headed our direction. Got zombies headed our way. Might smell your blood. Looking for a bite. We're not sure. Then again, binoculars and the roof aren't the best for judging time and distance. Yeosang wants to help you walk about a little, before we get going."
Yeosang nodded, "Three days. We've got, three days. Then, we have to get going."
Hongjoong nodded. After a few, he finally spoke, "Thank you, for saving my life."
Mingi flashed a grin, "That's what packs are for." He gently reached out, and pulled the cane from Haneul for him to see, "Haneul says this is your cane. You cherish it. Hope you don't mind, I made some modifications to it." With a press of a button now installed, the cane extended. And a blade emerged at the tip, "Thought I'd make it a much more deadly weapon for you. Reinforced it as well. Not so much wood. With your mechanical arm, your swing will be harder. Can't risk it cracking and breaking on you."
At this, Hongjoong gave a slow grin, "Well, thank you. It will certainly come in handy."
Yeosang smirked, "Especially as you use it to walk about. You get the rest of the day. Tomorrow, I have to insist you to sit up and stand. We'll help, of course. I really, really hate to push it. But we really are pressed for time."
Hongjoong nodded, "I understand."
Haneul spoke, "Get some more rest, Hongjoong. We're going to be okay."
He nodded, and slowly drifted to sleep. His wolf now appeared different. Cybernetic, and steampunkish. But alive. With a deep conversation, his wolf more or less snapped at him to fucking buck up. Be the head alpha they needed him to be. But remember, they were pack. And to take things as best he could. He'd adjust.
At least, he finally had his pack.
//
He stood, leaning heavily on his cane for support.
Watching as Mingi and Wooyoung helped Haneul pack what she could carry of their supplies. And argue about taking one of the military vehicles. After a moment, his doctor approached. Once beside him, he spoke softly. Fondly, "You learn to love them. Especially Woo. Before this, he was very friendly. Too friendly, at times. Energetic and loud. He's still in there, somewhere. Waiting for a chance to put his warrioress to rest. I love him. I only know so much about Mingi. He wasn't with us until after Woo and I became mates. And he says there's more of our pack out there. I believe him." He turned to Hongjoong, smile small yet fond, "He saw you as pack. And I know he's right. Trust omegas. They're the smartest and most dangerous of us all."
He winked.
Hongjoong chuckled, nodding "I agree. I'm glad to finally have my own pack."
Yeosang nodded. He took them in a second time, before he turned. His back to them, and leaned in, "Not a fucking word to Haneul. She may be good right now, but this is strictly for the pack. As in, pack-pack. Me, Woo, Mingi, and now you. I have to get to Seoul, as they have the best research facility in Korea. Even in this new world. I'm not just researching the zombie virus, and all the variants to come. I'm making cures. I'm cured. As is Woo and Mingi. And you, as well. I got lucky this place had decent equipment. But it's not enough for what I want to do." He showed Hongjoong his briefcase, "This here, holds all the information I need for it. This is information we cannot let anyone know." He briefed a glance to Haneul again, "Not even her. You have to swear to keep this a secret."
Hongjoong nodded. While he wished to see if Yeosang was telling the truth, he just inherently knew he was. He nodded, "I got it." He turned to Yeosang, "I get you don't trust her right now. That's fine. But, would you ever?"
Yeosang hummed, "Probably not. The fewest number who know of this, the better. In this new world, knowledge is very key. If everyone knew I had the cure, I would be hunted from all sides. Protecting me, means keeping it to ourselves. Tight to our chests." He shook his head, "Of course I will cure her, I only had time between saving your ass, to make three more vials. The newest vial is what I carry with me. At all times, there is only ever one vial of the cure serum available. All others are destroyed. Not letting anyone get their hands on my fucking hard work. Once I have more, I will cure more. But, secretly. Trust me, Hongjoong. This is necessary."
Hongoong nodded, "I agree. So, Seoul for another cure. Then what?"
"I make a second variant, once I see the virus has mutated." He pulled back, "You got a pack unlike any other right now, hyung. You got a scientist and doctor. Yes, self-taught. But in this age, who gives a damn? Saved your ass, didn't I? I made the cure, didn't I?" He pulled his sleeve up, and showed a bite wound he had, "This is only a month old. Look at me. I ain't feasting on you lot, now am I? Then again, I don't think I want to know what hybrids taste like. Makes me want to puke. The only thing from another hybrid I'm consuming, is that addictive fluid called slick from that sexy ass omega. Because he's mine. My mate. Mine, and one other's. That's as far as I'm fucking going. You got a mechanic who made radios out of spare parts, and made your mechanical body parts. You got an omega that's a badass, and who knows how to fucking cook. Once he's given the chance again. Trust me, you will die for his cooking. Even if I pull his leg about it. Because I love him. And I have rights to tease my omega about shit. And now, we got you. Our head alpha."
Hongjoong raised an eyebrow, "How can you say that of me so quickly?"
Yeosang huffed, turning to meet up with the other three, "Omegas know best. Remember that." Once with them, he turned back to Hongjoong, "So, we taking a vehicle or walking? Your call, Hongjoong."
Hongjoong smirked. They were going to be an interesting, but indeed valuable bunch. He was happy they found him. He shook his head, "We're taking a vehicle. Why walk the entire way to that deathtrap? By the time you get there, the zombies will have reached their tenth variant."
Yeosang smirked. Winking, before they piled into the vehicle they had selected. Should it have been Hongjoong's call. After starting it up, they took off. Heading for Seoul. Half a pack formed. The other half still to come. A Captain at the helm at last. One with revenge in his chest. And a doctor to protect.
With that, they were off to Seoul.