SoV-19

=Scars of Victoria=
==Chapter 19 - Vitality==
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
----
===Speech to the Public===
Leeward Arcology, Victoria University Hospital - Victoria, Capellan Confederation - 02/07/3049
-----
Intertwining trees reached toward the sky like cathedral vaults within the Northern Quarter Dome at Victoria University Hospital. Minoru Kurita wheeled himself out onto the floor using his left hand, sickly yellow bruises still visible on his legs and arms. His right arm was still slung into a cast and a neural band, microphone, and monocular lens were looped around his ear. A robotic arm raised upward behind him, waved toward the balconies lined with spectators throughout its transverse plane.
His friends, some of his rivals, and most of his VITAL colleagues waited for him on the floor. They surrounded him with affection, even Kai and Cassandra exchanged high five with the hand. 
Two of the VITAL roboticists inspected the hand and its mechanisms attached to the wheelchair.“I see you are adapting to the robotic hand quite well, Minoru.”“I would sooner have my own back but thanks for letting me borrow this until it heals, Lucas.”“If you insist.”“Even though I broke more bones this time somehow my fifteen minutes in the ring with Kai hurt me worse than a failed nuclear explosion.”“That is probably because you remember that.” Kai said behind him, “I expect a rematch. Heal up and keep training. We’ll do a bigger charity match on Solaris Seven and sell it out.”
Minoru nodded then eased himself to his feet tenderly supported on either side by Ryuun and Kai. His voice crackled forth from the speakers. <<“Thank you everyone for coming out today people of Leeward.I am very happy to even awkwardly stand in front of you, but I will be brief for both your and my sakes.I would first like to thank the excellent doctors and staff at the hospital for saving my life, and in particular Doctor Maxine Valle for her zeal in ensuring I stay handsome with just a little scar for the memories.”>>
The crowd laughed as Maxine blew kisses into their ranks.
<<“To my friends and Doctors Allard, Cardosa, Smirnova, Zhou, and the staffs at VIT and VITAL. Without whom my project and perhaps this city would have been a disaster. They have taught me a lot about myself, and I am privileged to have them.I think we can all personally verify that ODIHE saves lives now. Right?”>>
They roared in applause for the little robot suit that could and its operator. Minoru chuckled at the sight of an unfurled banner with a small dog whose barks shatter a bomb.
<<“When I came to Leeward I didn’t expect to be treated like a hero, certainly I never intended to be one.My task was to build something that could save lives, not operate it. Not take the fate of a city into my own hands. Machines are not enough to transform a place; they need people and intention behind them. This city represents something transformative, and you should all be proud of yourselves.May the winds of Victoria always be with you Leeward, and carry you to new frontiers.”>>
----
===Admiring the Sunset===
05/11/3049
----
“Come on slowpoke. You’re going to miss it.”
Minoru crested the ridge, his movements stiffened by the back brace and heavy orange parka he wore. “You don’t have a back injury, Kuan-Yin. We should have left earlier then.”
He stood beside her as Victoria’s sun settled below the horizon glowing purple pastel as its light flickered off ice particles suspended in the air. “The refractive…” Kuan-Yin kissed him hard and put her finger to his lips afterward, “Shhh. Just enjoy it.”
----
Owari(End)Main story has concluded, however there is a Epilogue Chapter
----
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
019, Chapter