Chapter Text
The situation was bleak. The blood loss was too severe for the meager number of remaining red blood cells to supply oxygen in time, the wound too big for the platelets to repair. As U1146 laboriously sliced through one invading germ after another, he could already feel the overexertion, from a combination of physical strain and oxygen shortage, getting to him. The Killer T cells were gasping and panting as they fought. Even the macrophages have stopped smiling, their bloodstained dresses tattered and torn. Beside him, U4989 stumbled over a chunk of debris that was once part of the wall of a large artery, fell, and could not get up again.
But U1146 will fight, for as long as he is alive. They all will. Whether there is still any hope for survival or not.
And desperate times call for desperate measures. He had a way, a last resort, that could allow him to hold out a little bit longer despite the lack of oxygen. It had rather severe repercussions, but now, it was not a time for thinking about consequences.
He tightened his grip on his blood-drenched knife, held his breath, and threw himself back into his endless battle.
+++++
U1146 wasn't even aware of the new red blood cells' arrival. It was only when U4989 had to hug him from behind to stop him lunging at another bacteria (who was already frightened by his expression alone) that he noticed the mass of red blood cells with unfamiliar but friendly faces, milling around. His head was spinning rather alarmingly by then, and he consented to allow himself to sit down.
'Dude, you actually switched to anaerobic?'
He nodded, his breathing too heavy to speak.
'Hardcore. I swear, as long as you're alive nobody else is gonna win Employee of the Month- wait.'
U4989 leaned in to look at his friend closely. If a cell uses anaerobic respiration too much, ethanol would accumulate in their bodies-
'You're cute. But I'm straight.' U1146 stated, his eyes unfocused.
'Thanks. And you're drunk,' replied U4989. 'Well done.'
'I'm not drunk. I'm straight,' U1146 corrected with all seriousness. 'I'm straight for- ah! Red blood cell!'
He scrambled up and took off running, his gait unsteady.
'Here we go,' U4989 had to bite his lower lip, hard, to stop himself from laughing out loud. ''Tis a great time to be alive... and breathing... literally.'
A crash, followed by a high-pitched scream.
'WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO TRANSMIGRATE THROUGH A MACROPHAGE, U1146?!'