Life after Galactik Football
Tia swallowed a lump when she saw the black pirate ship that lay in hiding. It was nice of D'Jok to show her the way here, as she knew how vigilant the pirates was about staying hidden. The way they defied Technoid, what other choise did they have really?
'Here we are. I alerted Dad that you were coming with me. You need to tell him right away Tia, dad isn't gonna let you come with them, if you don't tell him the truth' D'Jok turned towards Tia to warn her.
Tia nodded. So much had happened lately. She had finished her studies, wich she had postphoned several times over, because of her football career. Tia didn't really want to become a diplomat, but when she became a young adult, she realised that most of her team had a destiny waiting for them in the future. Even D'Jok, the son of the infamous pirate, Sonny Blackbones, had a destiny. Well, out of all of them, he was the one that had the worst background. It was known to Technoid that he was the son of Sonny, wich made him have to watch his steps closely. Technoid were always looking for a way to capture Sonny, and the easiest way, would be to use D'Jok. But so far, that had not happened, or D'Jok didn't tell anyone about it.
D'Jok reached the hatch, and pressed a code. The hatch opened in the back of the ship.
'Come, we're nearing dinner time, and dad will be sure to get cranky if his dinner is served cold' said D'Jok.
Tia remembered the blue soup the pirates had eaten. Way too salty! She remembered how Sonny and Corso had appreciated the meal she had prepared. It was hard to think that a batch of soup could make grown men that happy. D'Jok was greeted by Corso when they came in.
'Tia! Good to see you again!'
Was that a smile that she saw? Corso usually never smiled.
'Nice to see you again too grouch!' she teased.
'Corso, where's Dad? Do you know?' D'Jok asked.
'look in the controlroom. Sonny said to finish up some paperwork before we depart. Is there a problem?' Corso looked suspiciously at them.
D'Jok nodded. Tia looked down, she didn't feel the need to draw attention to herself just yet. But Corso nodded. It seemed, like many times before, he knew.
'The missing obia moon ship' he said.
Tia couldn't hold back, she placed her hands before her eyes and started crying. Corso looked to D'Jok, who pulled Tia close and comforted her. The two men exchanged glances over her shoulder.
'I'll go find him'..
Tia pulled her breath as she once again found herself in the Black Manta's galley. To her left, sat D'Jok, and held her hand. He knew why she was here, why she had nowhere else to turn for help. Sonny sat across the table. He looked worried after hearing Tia's story.
'Artie, get me a widescan report for the area where the ship went missing, Bennett, check the onboard supplies, we may need to restack, Corso, I don't need to tell you what to do, right?' Sonny didn't even bother to turn to his second in command.
'I'm on it Sonny!' Corso left them.
Tia sobbed. She had great difficulties stoping the tears. D'Jok looked at his father.
'How long has it been like this D'Jok?' Sonny asked.
'Since she learned that the ship went lost Dad. It didn't help much that Rocket left her round the same time either' said D'Jok.
Sonny nodded.
'I see. How soon did she come to you for help?' he asked.
D'Jok sighed.
'Dad, Tia is one of the strongest girls I know. She didn't come to me. Mei told me what had happened. I went over to see her, and found her like this' D'Jok looked at his father.
Sonny crouched down in front of Tia. Carefully, her took her hands, so small in his, but still, he knew he had her trust. Tia's trust was hard to earn, her life had been everything but easy, whoever thought the dougther of diplomats lived a happy life, didn't see the backside of the medal. The last time Sonny had promised to help her, she had pushed him into a corner, making him take her with them on a mission that Sonny knew had every potential to become a dangerous one. The girl in front of him now, didn't remind much of the strong young woman he once knew. Seeing her this broken, Sonny wouldn't say the words out loud, but it hurt. Infact, everything something bad happened to his son's team, it had made him feel bad. He had witnessed how the team had been able to tackle every obstacle thrown their way, they had struggled to work together as a team the first time they played in the cup, then, the metaflux became a hidden threat, one that had forced him to take action when Clamp had made him aware of it. They had relocated the team to a safe hotel, as Sonny's presence was needed to help Clamp extract the metaflux and secure it, then, he would take it to a safe place. He had managed to take care of it, but not without coming dangerously close to sacrifising his own life in the process. Tia had been with them later on too, to save her parents from Technoid. They all had a good chance to get to know her then. Tia was a fresh breath of air onboard for that mission. She had proved herself a great chef, and made sure the pirates had a healthy meal. If he could have, he probobly would have persuaded her into staying. But, he knew, Football came first. She was also a bit young. But now.. with Rocket gone, and her parents again missing, where could she go? This kindhearted woman, who on many occassions had helped wounded pirates with a place to hide untill they recovered, if she was alone, didn't they at least owe her to find out what had happened to her parents ship? And what was more, make sure she had a safe place to stay?
'Tia..' Sonny reached out a hand and gently whiped the tears from under her eyes.
'Tia, I need to ask, do you still trust me?' Sonny looked at her.
Tia nodded.
'I never doubted you Sonny, I know you stay by your word if you make a promise to someone. It's like it's sacred to you somehow' she said.
Sonny nodded when he heard this.
'Then trust me Tia, we will find the truth of what happened. Normally, I would ask you to stay here, with D'Jok and your former teammates, but, D'Jok told me Rocket left you too. That changes things. I know what you're capable of, and I know you'll be of help to us on this mission. So, I bid you welcome aboard my ship again' said Sonny.
Tia managed to produce a smile when she heard that. At least, she would be among friends. The kind of friends she could talk to, ask for advice, and who would help her through, without asking questions.
'Do you need my help Dad?' D'Jok looked at his father.
Sonny looked at him.
'D'Jok, you know the risks by now. We can't travel aboard the same ship, if we get cought, we're without a leader' Sonny said as he rose.
'I know Dad, how much longer till the safe hideout is ready? I'm starting to get ready to get out of Duke Maddox sight' he said.
'Is he tailing you a lot?' Sonny's eyes narrowed as he looked at his son.
D'Jok knew that all he needed to, was ask for help, and Sonny would make sure the Duke was led blind. But, in order for him to be the back up the pirates needed if anything happened to Sonny, he just had to deal with it.
'No, no more than usual. It's just a bit difficult to hang out with friends when you have to look over your shoulder all the time' said D'Jok.
Sonny nodded. His son's frustration was very understandable, but nonetheless, he had to hang in there a little longer.
'We're nearing D'Jok, but stay alert for danger, and watch your back. And make sure you can't be tracked back here when you leave'.
D'Jok nodded.
'Take good care of Tia Dad, I fear the worst may have happened to her parents' D'Jok whispered when they were out of hearingrange.
Sonny nodded. He shared his son's fears. But untill they had something concrete to work with, he had to assume they were still alive.
'Don't worry about Tia D'Jok, I'll personally make sure she's looked after and gets taken care of ' Sonny promised his son.
D'Jok nodded.
'Tell Tia something came up, and I have to leave' he said.
Sonny nodded and opened the hatch to let D'Jok out.
'Be careful son!' Sonny locked eyes with D'Jok.
'Always Dad, you trained me well!' D'Jok turned and hugged his father, before he left, through the airvents, just as Sonny had trained him to do. Sonny looked untill he was out of sight. Then, he returned to the galley.
'Tia, D'Jok had to leave early, to avoid a technoid patrol. He asked me to tell you he's sorry he didn't say goodbye'.
Sonny felt bad about lying like that to Tia, but was left with no real choise.
'It's ok, I'm not much of a company now' Tia said.
Artie returned to the galley, and handed Sonny a report. Sonny looked at it. Then, he called Bennett.
'Do we have everything we need for a longer trip?' he asked.
'All the food supplies are full, all other necessities are also onboard' Bennett confirmed.
'Corso?' Sonny turned on the intercom of the ship.
'We're ready to take off, you just need to give the word Sonny!' his second in command informed.
'Then, prepare for take off!'
Tia felt how the gigantic pirateship lifted from the ground, and took off into deep space. She yawned, as she was very tired and she finally felt safe enough to show it.
'Tia, come with me, I'll make sure you get some sleep' Sonny smiled.
Tia looked grathefully at him. Those who figured Sonny Blackbones for a bad guy, couldn't have been more wrong. Tia followed him through the ships hallways to the private cabins. Sonny opened a door and led the way in. But Tia had noticed the sign 'Captain' on the cabindoor. Sonny had given up his own private cabin for her. But, as long as he didn't say anything, she decided not to argue.
'Here, you rest till you feel better Tia. If you need anything, use the ships intercom. Someone will come assist you right away' Sonny smiled.
'You look like you could need some rest yourself Sonny, are you sure about this?' Tia asked.
Sonny smiled and nodded.
'Thank you, I'll make sure to cook you all a nice dinner later' promised Tia.
Sonny nodded.
'My men and I will appreciate that Tia' he said.
Tia was left to herself when Sonny returned to the ships commandcentre.
She got ready for bed. As she crawled under the sheets, and lay her head on the pillow, she could sense a male cologne. Sonny's cologne. As a female, she sensed the smell as a very masculine one. To her, it smelled like a grown man. That, and security, Sonny wouldn't break his promise to keep her safe. If it meant he had to sacrifice his life to keep her alive, Tia knew he would, without hessitation or second thoughts. That was who she knew him to be. The leader of the pirates, their chosen guidingstar, and in a time of need, the only man she and the snowkids could rely on to take care of the things no one else dared to touch. Sonny was a hero, one that the galaxy didn't see as a hero..yet.
Tia closed her eyes. And drifted off into dreams about classic heroes saving virgins...
'We're nearing the area where the first signs of the ship being in distress had been registred, Sonny' said Corso.
Sonny nodded. Artie's widescan search had provided them with an audio recording that clearly indicated something had happened, that gave reason to believe that they weren't dealing with an accident at all.
'It seems farfetched, Technoid isn't holding grudges for this long, are they?' Corso said slightly confused.
Sonny shot him a glare.
'I wouldn't put it past them Corso. Technoid was dishonored when we helped them escape last time, they could be out looking for revenge' Sonny said.
'But this long after? Sonny, even you have to agree this seems strange' said Bennett.
Again, Sonny nodded.
' We need to conduct our own investigation into things, if we're to find out what happened. I only believe in what I see, and so far, I don't see anything that has yeilded any answers' Sonny said as he checked the maps again. He then threw a quick glance at the camera that held an eye on Tia. She was still sleeping.
'She must be completely out of it' said Artie compassionately.
'Let her rest, there isn't much we can do for her yet. When she needs anything, she'll make contact through the intercom' Sonny didn't even look up from what he was doing.
'Do you really think they're still alive Sonny? According to the computerinformation, the ship exploded, and in a rather violent way. If there was anyone on board..' Corso left the words hanging.
They all knew what this meant for Tia. With no known family to take care of her, where would she go? Her parents had left her alone for far too often in the past, they tried to include more familytime with Tia after they had saved them the first time. Tia had been happy about that, and asked D'Jok to thank Sonny and his men for the help on that. But, life as diplomats sure wasn't easy, and Tia's parents all too often found themselves in a situation where they had to leave her for their job. It wasn't right, they knew, but was left with no choise.
'There was something strange going on in the hours before the explotion, Artie, can you enhance the image and isolate the far side of the ship?' Sonny asked, as he removed the special googles he had used to enhance the image he studied.
'No problem, you found something?' Artie asked.
Sonny nodded it.
'It could be nothing, a shaddow, a cast off, but I'd rather make a thorough check than dismiss the chance right here and now' he said.
Artie did as Sonny asked.
'Bring it up on the big screen, I want you all to see this' said Sonny.
The image appeared. Artie carefully enhanced the picture, frame by frame. The pirates held their breaths as the truth of what had been staged occured to them.
'That son of a...' Corso growled.
All the pirates that knew Corso's background knew why he reacted like he did.
'It can't be, those machines were taken out of circulation, they were too unstabile, due to their cores' Bennett argued.
'Who says they didn't keep one or two for further testing?' Artie commented dryliy.
Sonny looked at the scene that unfolded, frame by frame on the screen. Old memories cought up with him. Memories from the very day he exposed General Bleylock's true nature...
'Come now I'Son, it's just a test, just threes' General Bleylock looked at the young scientist next to him.
I'Son seemed terrified, like he couldn't move.
'With all due respect General, there are soliders out there, men who are defending their planet' I'Son looked at him through the glasses that hid his greenish eyes.
'All expendable losses, I'Son. You know, every war has some causalties'
'Bleylock, NO! Don't do this. Not with an invention I participated in' I'Son had a slight greenish colour to his face, like he was about to get sick.
'You don't have to watch you know, why don't you go to your cabin and read a book, and relax? I'll come by later!' offered General Bleylock with a smirk.
'I'd prefeer it if you didn't' I'Son bit his teeths together.
He had to control his emotions in front of Bleylock, otherwise, he would be concidered the weak link. And without Technoid's funding, he had no way to complete his studies.
Bleylock smiled as he saw the doubts in his young scientist. So young, so naive. The time was right for him to initiate part two of his plans for young I'Son. He handed him a bottle of water. I'Son didn't check the seal, he just opened it and drank. Seconds later, he was on the floor. Knocked out. He could do nothing to warn the soliders of what danger lay in store for them...
'Sonny?' The sound of Corso's voice pulled him back to the here and now.
Sonny opened his eyes and looked at Corso. His friend and second in command looked at him with a worried expression.
It was no difficulties understanding why. This was a part of his past, Sonny's past. If Technoid had modified these old machines and started a secret mass production..
'If they are making these machines again Sonny, we have a problem. A big problem. They didn't need much modifications to hunt us down. We'd be sitting ducks Sonny. And the Black Manta is sure to be target number one' Corso said.
Sonny could do nothing but agree. This was serious. But why were the obia moon ambassadours the target for their test?
'Duke Maddox knows how to hold grudges for long, but it doesn't make any sense. If he wanted to make sure the Obia moon ambassadours didn't speak of things, they would have arrested them again when they reached Genesis. Wich they didn't. But why?' Sonny was thinking out loud.
'Don't you know Sonny?' said a voice.
All the pirates looked up, to see Tia come walking in.
'Tia..how much did you hear?' Sonny asked in a kind voice.
'Enough to know that there is a possibillity my parents are still alive. And that we're dealing with an old weapon of Technoid's' Tia looked at him, as if she challenged him to speak against her.
Sonny knew he had to stand his ground firmly. Last time, Tia had pushed him into a corner. That was not happening this time.
'You sounded like you figured out something we haven't Tia. If so, you need to tell us' Sonny insisted.
Tia looked at the other pirates standing behind Sonny. They all nodded, agreeing with Sonny.
'D'Jok told me that you're creating a safer place than Shiloh to hide in. Well, from what I see, I hope the build is near complete. If my parents have been taken prisoners Sonny, it's not because of their work, it's because of their associates' Tia explained.
Sonny and Corso looked at eachother. The area the attack had taken place in, was close to the borderline of Magnus Blade's territory.
' You think your parents could have been in contact with Magnus Blade?' Corso couldn't keep himself from asking.
'No, that's not it. Magnus Blade isn't all that powerfull, he was in the past, nowdays, he's without power, and hiding from Technoid, just like we are..' Sonny said.
Artie looked at Tia.
'Tia, you're refeering to someone in this room, aren't you?' he asked silently.
Tia nodded. Then she turned to Sonny.
'Sonny, would you under any circumstance cooperate with Magnus Blade, to an extent where he knew where he could find you?' she asked.
Sonny's eyes narrowed.
'No!'
Tia nodded as she approached the screen.
'This was a test, I'm sure of it. It seems Technoid has found a way to track you Sonny, and I believe, they won't stop untill they have you in custody this time' she said.
Sonny nodded. What Tia said, made sense.
'In that case, Corso, contact D'Jok through the secure stealth mode 6 and tell him to prepare to take over. If we can't outrun them, it's like you said, we're sitting ducks' Sonny's face was deadly serious as he spoke...
This is, despite what it may seem, a Tia- Centric. Allthough I prefeer to write about the pirates, as those were the ones I feel I understand the best, I will try to make this story about Tia, who she would be after the part of the football is over. This idea started circling in my head not long ago. I will see what comes of it.