Chapter 10: Payback
The pirates were making a headcount on their men onboard the black manta. The numbers shifted
rapidly, as not everyone was back yet after the attack. Corso looked for Sonny, who was nowhere to
be found. He asked around. One of the men had seen Sonny give chase to someone, possibly the
runaway prisoner Alexi. "Do we know if Alexi's been apprehended yet?" Corso wanted to know.
"No, not yet, and to my knowledge, Sonny is on the list of the not yet returned" said the pirate. "Let
me know if you happen to see him" said Corso. He couldn't help feeling something was off. The hours
went by, and all the pirates returned. Some with minor injuries, most of them unharmed. All had
returned, except for Sonny. After a total of 12 hours had gone by, and several attempts to call Sonny
on his holo watch had failed, Corso had gone from nervous to paniced. It seemed evident something
had happened. Corso sent out search parties, to search all of Shiloh, Sonny Blackbones was to be
found and brought safely back to his ship. Bennet walked up to Corso. The deputy commander was
unusually jumpy. " Any news on Sonny yet Corso?" he wanted to know. "No, they're still looking. I've
rewiewed the surveillance footage, Sonny gave chase to someone, most likely our runaway prisoner
Alexi created this divertion to lure Sonny away from the place he would still be safe. My biggest fear
is that he could have overpowered Sonny and captured him again. If so, it's going to be difficult to
find either of them…" Corso all of a sudden looked tired. " We'll find them Corso, and he better not
cause Sonny any harm..", Artie came over and joined the conversation. "I seriously doubt Alexi would
hurt Sonny. I managed to trace a transmission from Alexi to Duke Maddox just minutes ago. You
were right Corso, Alexi lured Sonny out of the zone where our surveillance cameras could see him,
and into a back alley in downtown Shiloh, apparently he struck Sonny down, and took him in a car
away from the scene. This complicates the search. Sonny can be anywhere, the only thing we know
with certainty is that he is still here at Shiloh "."How do you know he still is Shiloh?" A glimmer of
hope rose in Corso's voice. Artie explained. "Firstly, no ships, either large or small has left Shiloh after
the attack or below. He can manage to keep Sonny caught here at Shiloh, but trying to abduct him
from Shiloh will be difficult." Bennet looked at Artie. "Artie my young friend, I think you know
somethingyou do not tell us right now." Artie could not keep a smile back. "Whether you believe it or
not, you are absolutely right Bennet. It's been taken extra precautions around Sonny. Sonny knows
about it, he participated actively in entering the necessary data to establish safety valve personally."
Corso looked thoughtfully at the young Artie. "Tell me about this Artie, if it can prevent that Sonny is
abducted and taken prisoner of Techno, it will be started immediately "...
Sonny came to himself slowly, with an incredible headache. Alexi. The snake had struck him down,
and abducted him. Sonny tried to sit up but could not move his arms. Ropes gnawed into his wrists.
Alexi had obviously spent time when he bound him, and assured himself that he would not get loose
if he tried. Sonny noticed that even his legs were bound. Great, this should really not be easy. Sonny
tried to shout, but no sound came out. He could feel a nasty wet cloth in his mouth. Alexi had really
thought about all the possibilities. To avoid that Sonny would be able to summon help, he had
gagged him. Sonny kept quiet and tried to reach the communicator. It was gone. The wrist felt
strangely naked. Sonny felt cold sweat running along the back. This was bad. He was cut off from
every opportunity to call for help. He could imagine how stressed Corso was now. If he knew his men
right, they held on to tear up Shiloh in search of him. But how could they find him when they did not
know where to look? Sonny surveyed the room quietly. Obviously a basement, but where? An
unpleasant thought struck him. Unless the pirates found him in time, would Duke Maddox succeed.
Alexi was going to deliver him, unharmed. Sonny knew what awaited him. Fear gripped him. There
were not many things Sonny feared, but the brain control program to Techno .. how many times he
had not seen it fail, pain screams haunted him every night. He had not seen the process itself, but the
labs were all on the same level. It would be impossible to avoid hearing it. Sonny had asked Bleylock
several times what caused the screams. Bleylock had just ruffled his blonde hair, and gently kissed
him deeply, looked into his eyes and calmed him down. "Do not worry I'Son. You are safe. It has its
advantages to be my love. What you hear will never happen to you, you are too valuable. And
anyway, I will protect you my love." Sonny snorted when he thought of it. Protected? Oh yes. But
only as long as he did exactly what Bleylock asked. He remembered the overtime hours. In the
beginning there had been a certain degree of romance in it. Bleylock knew when he worked late and
went to see him in the lab. Often Bleylock had brought food for them. They ate in the lab, while I'Son
monitored projects he would complete before he went home. Bleylock came with mini-projects,
which only took minutes for I'Son to make, as they brought home to Bleylock. Every time they went
to Bleylocks apartment, he had persuaded I'Son to spend the night. Sonny remembered how Bleylock
had seduced him carefully, it had not been obvious, but loving. Massage ... the one time Bleylock had
celebrated their first year together. Sonny remembered the two beautiful ladies who had come with
their benches. Bleylock had insisted that I'Son was first. Sonny remembered the gentle, professional
movements during the massage. They had smeared his body with oil (Bleylock had refused them to
touch intimate areas of his body) and spoke quietly to him while they worked. When they were
finished, he had expected that Bleylock also should have a round. What had happened, had locked
himself in his memory forever. The youngest of the masseuse, a blonde young girl, had become
interested in him. She had followed him when Sonny dressed and tried to pull down his underwear in
a clear attempt at sexual activity. He had stopped her, and feared Bleylocks reaction. It had not been
long in coming. Bleylock was furious, and had both of the girls arrested. Sonny had tried to calm
things down, but to no avail. Bleylock perceived it as an attempt to take Sonny from him, and
defended himself as best he could. Sonny had experienced Bleylock as particularly soft on the night.
His arms had held him in a soft yet hard grip, as if Bleylock feared losing him. Sonny sighed.
Obsession to Bleylock had become clear that night, but he had not seen it. He, however, had heard
about the two girls' fate at the university the next day. Both had been beaten to death, barely
recognizable . Sonny felt a sharp pain when he heard this. He blamed himself, though he knew this
was Bleylock's doings. A sharp sound, told him that the door of his prison were opened. Sonny looked
up. Alexi came in with food and water. "No one will say I do not take care of my prisoners," he said.
Sonny did not move. Alexi knelt beside him. "I'll remove the gag now Blackbones, but do not try to
summon help. I doubt that someone will hear you. We are alone here. If you keep quiet, I will
the ropes around your arms to make sure you still circulating in the bloodstream. You are not worth
much for Duke Maddox dead. "Sonny stared at him. It was a strange flash in the
otherwise quiet hazel eyes of his. He nodded to indicate that he accepted the conditions Alexi asked.
Alexi removed the wet cloth. Sonny leaned forward and coughed when he finally could breathe
properly again. Alexi lifted him gently into a sitting position. Then he opened a bottle of water and
gave it to Sonny's mouth. "You need to moisten the throat and mouth now, you've been gagged for
several hours while I checked this was a safe place to stay." Sonny's voice was only a whisper as he
answered. "Pirates are definitely out there and looking after me, they will not stop until they find me.
So how are you planning to abduct me without them finding me first?" Alexi grinned evil. "I got
plenty of time for planning in prison so this is how I plan to do it. "Alexi explained the plan for Sonny.
Sonny felt panic grip him. Alexi's plan was watertight. By following the steps he had outlined, none of
the pirates know that he was taken prisoner on board, and he would be unable to get free. Sonny
feared that Techno would succeed this time. They would finally get hold of him. he had seen one of
the operating tables in the brain control the lab again. he feared more than anything else , to be
strapped onto a such and get a chip implanted in the brain. Alexi marked Sonny's unrest. "Easy now
Blackbones." Alexi lifted a stun gun and placed it between the wall and Sonny's back. "A sudden
movement now Blackbones, and you hurt yourself with a gun behind your back. "Alexi loosened the
ropes that bound Sonny's arms, and gave him some food." Eat well Blackbones, I intend to keep you
in good health until I deliver you to Maddox. "Sonny ate quietly. "you know that there is no common
prison, he has planned for me?" said Sonny quietly. he felt better after drinking water. "you will be
transferred to a special prison, where you will use your skills to the best of Techno "Alexi said." And
this you know for sure? "Sonny could not hide the skepticism in her voice." this is what I am told,
that's what I relate to, "said Alexi. Sonny sighed. "You took the words just for you part of what I once
asked you to do in the profession? You do not check for yourself what is happening with your
prisoners after you give them to those who ordered them captive? How do you know that is not the
same prisoners are killed afterwards? ". "It's not my responsibility Sonny" objected Alexi. "Isn't it?
As captain of a ship, I am responsible for my actions, both before, during, and after something has
happened," said Sonny. "Where is the difference in what you do?". Sonny ate slowly forward as he
watched Alexi think through what he had just told him. Sonny ate as slowly as he could to haul out
the time, "come on Corso, I need your help now" ...
Corso was concerned. Upset and worried. He had tried to call Sonny several times without getting an
answer. It was more than obvious that something had happened to him. Search parties were looking
high and low. So far, no sign of him. An incoming message appeared on screen in the command
center. It was the mask-clad Magnus Blade. "Are there any signs of Sonny?". Corso sighed wearily.
"Not yet, we continue to look. No ship has left Shiloh in the time the abduction took place, so he is
still here at Shiloh. I put Artie, who worked with Sonny with a security system, to calibrate it so we
can trigger the his unique distress signal. It will give us an idea of where he is. "Corso had never liked
Magnus Blade's mask. Pirate leader hid what he was thinking behind the mask, and Corso found
mask wearing person as threatening. Magnus was thoughtful. "But what if Alexi has removed his
communicator? We will either find him or Sonny?" Corso took Magnus paradox frustrating. "We can
not give us, Sonny is still at Shiloh, we must find him before Alexi tries to abduct him. Right now,
Sonny status as a prisoner of unknown residence here at Shiloh, the state should not be changed to
to be taken by Techno "Corso fought tears. He feared what would happen to the captain of Black
Manta. He was not alone. He ended the conversation with Magnus Blade, who promised to send
more men out to look for Sonny. Corso got up and walked down the corridor. He did not know why,
but something led him to stop outside Sonny's private room, and lock themselves into. He sat down
at Sonny's bed. Corso pressed a button and the door locked up. Sonny had wanted this, to get some
privacy. Corso let the tears flow freely. He was afraid, he dared to admit it now. Sonny had been
gone several days before, but the times had Corso known where he went, and how to get hold of
him. It had been a week now, not a trace of him at all, everything stopped in the alley. Corso noticed
that the men were about to give up. They thought Sonny was abducted from Shiloh, and everything
that Techno had him in one of its prisons. Corso knew what would happen if they got hold of Sonny.
The thought of it made him sick. Corso remembered Sonny's word on just that when they talked
about the Techno-on-one. "If they ever do anything like that with me Corso, so do not hesitate, shoot
me to kill, there is not one life to live like that, like a zombie, I'd rather be dead if it is the choice."
Corso had asked him about removing the chip would work. Sonny shook his head. "It's one of two
things about the removal Corso, it is designed so that if it does not kill you, you are a mental
vegetable instead. Not a life I want it either, so promise me blood brother, it becomes necessary, kill
me. "Corso closed his could not imagine a life without Sonny." I who am to be so
withdrawn and cynical, you get under all my defenses Sonny, and you did it in such a way that I never
saw it. I felt for you, the strong novice, who had so many ghosts in the closet, who came here and
became one of us. Now I can not see the world without you there, you are strong Sonny, wherever
you are now, we will find you and get you home safely. I do not give up until you are safely in bed
asleep. "Corso smoothed the sheets on the Sonny's bed. He hoped that in the evening or night,
Sonny would be there, and they could relax ...
Sonny tried the ropes that bound him. Alexi was a professional to the tips of his fingers, he had to
admit that much. He had tried to fight being bound again after the meals Alexi fed him. But Alexi had
clearly calculated on this. The meals served only to sustain life, there was no nourishment to build
muscles. Sonny had tried to fight him the first days, but soon realized that Alexi had the upper hand.
They had rolled around on the floor as they fought, but Alexi had somehow managed to roll Sonny
over on his stomach, faced down. The minute that happened, he lost. Alexi had found out that Sonny
had tried to loosen the ropes by pressing against as he thightened it. The result had been that he had
patiently waited till Sonny couldn't hold the pressure anymore and thightened the ropes then. Also,
as punishment for Sonny's near escape, he had tied the ropes that held Sonny's arms to a ring in the
wall. It had added tremendously to Sonny's discomfort. Also, to make Sonny understand the
consequenses to trying to escape, he had gaged him again, this time using ducttape. Sonny had
gotten the message. He didn't try for an escape again. He had now remained Alexi's prisoner for
nearly 21 days, and was feeling weak and dehydrated. He knew Alexi was preparing for the final
stages of his plan, and that it was just a matter of time before he would be abducted and taken away
from Shiloh… tough he still hadn't given up hope that his men would find him, it faded. Sonny was
preparing himself mentally for what was waiting for him when they arrived at the Technoid planet
and he would be surrenderd to Duke Maddox…
Corso was desperate. The pirates had scowerd Shiloh time and time over. There was no trace of
Sonny, and still, the machine of Artie's indicated he was still there. Corso was unbelievably stressed.
He hoped Sonny had gotten food and water. It had been a long 3 weeks. The pirates had lost moral
on board, Sonny's absence effected them all. He looked up when young Stevens, the pirates' striker
came up to him. There was a glimmer of hope in those blue eyes. Stevens reminded him of the place
that Sonny had asked him to bring the answer to "Orin". Stevens described it as uncomfortable to be
there, and suspected that "Orin" and Alexi lived there. "It has some creepy basements, perfect
hiding place for a prisoner, no one goes there." Corso examined the searched areas, the area was not
checked. a hope rose in him. "Bennet." he cried. The blonde pirate came running down. "Send all
available men to this address and the surrounding area. I will have the area sealed. This is possibly
where Sonny is held. The first priority is Sonny, find him, free him and get him out, then, bring him
here, we take care of him here. ""Roger Corso". Bennet thrown around. All the pirates reacted
quickly. It was crucial to act quickly. Magnus Blade was informed and took his men with him to assist
the Black Manta's crew. Other pirate ships also took part. They approached slowly building ...
Sonny noticed that something was happening outside. He tried to sit up, but the ropes tightened too
much. he fell back and could not hold back a scream of pain as ropes pulled a hole in the skin. It hurt
bad ...
"What was that?" Stevens looked at Bennet. Klerko also came over to them. "It was a pain cry, and I
think I recognised of the voice," said Klerko. "Sonny" whispered Bennet. "Let's find him." He gave
evidence and the two teams stormed into the building. Bennet was going to do the same, but
Stevens stopped him. "The scream came from lower down the basement," he said. Stevens
teammate Hawkins, checked all the windows, he waved them over. The three came running. Hawkins
pointed. "see". Bennet saw Sonny lying on a bed, arms and legs bound and with obvious pain.
"Sonny, lie quiet, we come in," he cried. Sonny looked up and saw Bennet. Bennet and Klerko kicked
route in and climbed into the room. While Stevens and Hawkins were looking for an exit, was Klerko
alert while Bennet instantly cut the ropes that bound Sonny. Bennet looked at his wrists. The Ropes
had gnawed into them and left bloody wounds. Bennet quickly took up a bottle of water and gave
Sonny. Bennet examined him quickly while he drank. Sonny was heavily dehydrated and apparently
starved. His body showed all the signs of this. Bennett realized that Sonny was not strong enough to
walk. He called Corso. "We have found Sonny. He is ok but is severely dehydrated and starved. We
need to transport him home for medical attention immediately." Corso felt relief in him when he got
the news. Sonny was found, and he was alive. "Magnus is one of their team. Let him take care of
Sonny, find the scoundrel who did this to him to me, and I will personally make sure he regrets it."
Bennet saw that Sonny was trying to say something, but he was too weak. He ended the
conversation with Corso and focused on Sonny. Sonny had clearly hurt their wrists and clenched his
teeth in pain. Bennet took the bandages and iodine to clean wounds. Sonny yelled out when Bennet
gently touched the wounds. Bennet felt bad about having to force him to it, but did klerko to find a
stick among the things from the his firstaid sack. "Here, Sonny, bit hard on this, it will help." Sonny
took it and bit it right off when Bennett started working with others his wrist. Klerko sat behind him
and supported him in the back. Both knew how he sweated. They exchanged glances. "Let's get him
out of here and fast," said Bennet. Klerko nodded and between them they kept Sonny and carried
him out of the basement. Magnus was standing outside with his team, ready to move into. When
they saw Bennet and Klerko come with Sonny, Magnus took over. Sonny was very exhausted and
weak. Magnus lifted him gently in his arms and carried him into his car. " seize Alexi and take him to
the prison cell at the Black Manta" he sputtered to Bennet and klerko. "I'll take care of Sonny in the
meantime." "Take him home," said Bennet. Magnus nodded, placed Sonny gently in the front seat of
car and put the seat down so Sonny could rest, and fastened the seat belt securely around him.
Bennet and Klerko saw him drive off with Sonny. Then they went back in, armed to the teeth. Both
were furious over the treatment Sonny had been given and swore revenge. They went up on the
second floor where Alexi had just become aware that he was found. Just when he was ready to go.
Sonny Black Bones would not be a problem. He was weakened by limited food rations, unable to
fight. Alexi looked out the window when Magnus Blade carried him into his car and drove him away.
So those damn pirates found him and rescued him. Alexi knew they would come after him when they
realized how weakened Sonny was. The only thing that spoke to his defense was that he had not
caused Sonny serious injuries. Alexi armed with a knife and prepared to attack the pirates' ...
Bennett felt the fury pumping adrenaline throughout the body. They had taken into account that
Sonny could be injured, but this ... This was one of the worst forms of abuse Bennet knew about. The
wounds on Sonny's wrist, the suggested use of excessive force. Bennet was shaking with anger when
he thought of it. He served as the pirates' nurse / doctor in the absence of any other board, in the
same way as Sonny served as captain / chemist on board. They all had at least two tasks. Corso was
second in command under Sonny, and the crew's weapons and self defense expert. The Corso could
about the subject, was not worth knowing. He had trained Bennet in his time, young Artie, and
eventually Sonny. Corso had been brutal in the training of Sonny and really let him get through. But it
had borne fruit. Sonny had developed an enormous physical strength that seemed to him, and
learned to be very soft. Despite his height, could Sonny get through the narrow air channels thanks
to his agility. Bennet knew that many of priates who did not live in relationship with a woman,
found solace and a set of warm arms to sleep in when need of the one they were closes to. He
himself was no exception. Artie was not quite his taste, but the young Stevens and Bennett had
found the tone. Most of the pirates on board had such a friend. Corso was one of those without
Bennet was convinced it was because the person he wanted to fill the role yet as this. He had noticed
the longing in Corso's eyes when he looked at Sonny. Bennet thought it was something more than a
sincere friendship between them, but nobody knew for sure, both Sonny and Corso held the truth for
themselves. Bennet shook the memories of him, and got ready to knock the door down…
Magnus had reached the Black Manta. He walked cautiously around to the passenger side. unbuckled
the seat belt and lifted Sonny gently up from the seat. Sonny was unconscious, Klerko and Bennet
carrying him out had taken the last of of his strenght. Magnus lifted him gently in his arms and
carried him on board the Black Manta. Corso was standing outside the door to Sonny's room. He
looked seriously Magnus. "how is he ?" Corso could not hide the concern in her voice. "He's very
dehydrated and starved, have put a drip on him and give him a few hours rest, then make sure he
nutritious and low, but many portions, he will be totally fine," said Dr. Reicher after examining .
He had arrived at the request of Corso. He packed away the medical case after examining Sonny and
saw his wrists . The wounds were deep, and suggested that Sonny had been tied very hard.
Dr. Reicher looked carefully at him. "Whoever bound him like that, had no plans to let him have any
chance of escape. He must be worth a lot for this bounty hunter." "Four million standard credits, to
be exact," muttered Corso and sat down next to Sonny who lay stretched out on the bed. "Will he
recover?" Dr. Reicher nodded. "Is there anything I have learned about him is that he can withstand a
lot of pain, if there are someone that will get through this altogether, it's Sonny BlackBones". The
doctor put adrip in Sonny's arms, and Corso turned on his sleeping device for 6 hours. Then they all
went out of the room and let Sonny rest. Corso locked intentionally door and turned on the
surveillance camera for the space inside and outside the door. "When Alexi is arrested, I ordered to
put him in a prison cell at the Black Manta," said Magnus Blade once they were out of Sonny's room.
Corso nodded seriously. "He will not escape again." Corso clenched his fists in rage. To see Sonny in
such a state drove Corso wild with anger. "He will be interrogated as soon as Sonny is strong enough
to participate. I need his presence during the interrogation, when he is the only one except for Alexi
who knows what happened." Corso nodded again. "I will inform him when he wakes up, right now he
is resting." Magnus nodded, said goodbye and gave the doctor a ride home. Corso sat in the
command center and sent out the message "All search parties , return to base. Sonny has been found
and brought to safety. He is weak, but alive. All search parties teams, returning immediately." Once
he was finished with the message, Bennet called him. "Search party one here, over" Corso
immediately. ", have you news about the swine I'll rip a certain body part of?" laughed, as he
serious, "Is there anything wrong with Sonny?" the fear was not to be mistaken. "All is well with him
now, the doctor has examined and put him on the drip for a few hours. We shall see to it that he eats
well afterwards, nutrient-rich but small portions." Bennet breathed a sigh of relief. "Good to hear,
otherwise all is well with him ?" Corso confirmed it. "He is sleeping now, under heavy guard, you
have good news to me." "We have arrested Alexi, he fought back, but a furious Klerko was too much
even for him. But where are we putting him ?" asked Bennet.
Corso meant had the answer ready. "Magnus ordered him placed in the cell here at Black Manta till
Sonny is better. It will be harsh interrogation this time and Sonny is forced to participate." nodded,
he knew what Corso meant. They forced a terrified Alexi into a waiting car, driven with Artie who
looked equally angry as the others. When he saw the ship Alecxi trembled with fear. "What's wrong?
I thought you would board the ship" growled Klerko. Bennett pushed Alexi board and to the cell.
Corso meant was standing outside, with him a furious look. Bennett intervened when he saw the
pulsation in Corso meant's mechanical eye. "It is time for that later Corso meant, wait until Sonny
told his side of things now," he said. Corso meant nodded. Alexi was thrown into the cell after a
thorough examination for hidden weapons. when none was found, he was locked in an isolation cell.
The nightmare began for Alexi X. ..
Concluding chapter 10. There will be time for revenge on both the Duke and Alexi in the chapter to
come. Keep reading. We have now reached well into year 4 of Sonny's time with the pirates, only 11
more to fill in. many surprises to come, some expected, others a total surprise.