Chapter 12: Waiting
The order to sieze the pirates came unexcpected. The droids were moving slowly towards them. Mei shook the shock of. «Sonny, you have to leave, now». Sonny grabbed her arm and gently steared her to the bench where Mr. Winters looked very confused. «They are up to something, be on alert for clones to take mine and Corso's place» Sonny told his attourney.
«But Sonny, are we just gonna let them arrest us?» Corso was shocked to see his friend and leader nodd this. «For the time being, it's the best option Corso». Corso could not see the meaning of this, but surely, Sonny had a plan to this, or at any rate, he had to be working on one. «But Sonny..», Sonny gave him a hard stare. «No Corso, we have to. There is too many lives at stake as it is, showing some cooperation on this, will be in our best interrest». Mr. Winters grabbed Sonny's arm. «I'll do what I can to get you out of technoid's hold Sonny, and that means the both of you» he said. Sonny nodded it, before he and Corso faced the droids. «Sonny Blackbones, you are under arrest..», «get on with it, we haven't got all day» said Sonny and held out his hands. Corso was not sure of what his friend was thinking of, but followed Sonny's lead. Both pirates were handcuffed, and led into a waiting van, embedded with Technoid's logo. Sonny didn't say a word. He just kept observing his surroundings, looking for weakspots. Years of training had made this search a pure routine for the pirate chief. After driving for a while, the van stoped. «Get out!» a captain of Technoid's military ordered the two pirates. «Now what Sonny?» Corso was clearly awaiting an order. «Follow orders Corso, untill further notice», the last part of the sentence, Sonny deliberately spoke in ancient Shiloh, the pirates secret language, a language long forgotten, except by a few. The leader of the pirates had to learn this as part of his training to be just that, the chief, the one all would turn to, the one to show the way, the last frontier. Being the pirates leader had far more disadvantages than the rest, but over the years, the pirates had not regeted choosing Sonny for the job. Sonny had what it took, and an inhuman instinct to sense danger before it came too close, and he had proved himself an expert in problemsolving. It was evident what kind of loss he was to Technoid. But one man's loss is another one's gain. Corso could spot an underground. Were they being taken back to the Akillian mountains? He also sensed that Sonny had slowed down his pace. He seemed hesitant, like he sensed danger. «Corso, whatever meets us in there, be prepared to defend yourself. Worry only about yourself». Sonny still spoke ancient Shiloh, Corso knew therefore that the message he got,was important. «You shut your mouth Blackbones» said the captain, and used the end of his rifle to shove Sonny hard in the back. «Sonny!» Corso turned to see Sonny fall in the snow. «Don't Corso, I'm fine, just keep walking» said Sonny. But Corso had seen the silent message in his hazels, whereever they were taken, Sonny sensed trouble, they had just gone from a bad situation, to a worse one...
Judge Allegi was furious. How dared Duke Maddox and Technoid question her authority like this? It was evident that they had planned to arrest and be rid of Sonny Blackbones no matter what the cost. But Judge Allegi, even though thrown off the case, had not planned to let this rest. Now, she was faced with the obia moon ambassadours. They both looked very serious.
«Your honor, we are all aware of Mr. Blackbones past and present, we also are in a deep debt to him for saving us from Technoid's prison barge many years ago. I can assure we will use all of our diplomatic channels to attempt to have him and Mr. Takashi set free». Tia, who was the ambassadours doughter, had been silent up till now. «Technoid describes Sonny in a way that tells me that they don't know him at all. It's like they think he's incapable of good». Tia was sad to see Sonny and Corso treated like this. She still remembered how she had met them many years earlier, when she needed their help to free her parents. Corso had acted all overprotective over Sonny, and at first, he had refused to take her there, Tia had still managed to persuade the pirate into taking her. They had brought her to a part of northern genesis, and to a bar, where she got to speak to Sonny in person. Tia still remembered this meeting as a good one. Sonny would have had every right to be mad at her parents, and was certainly not in any way obligated to help them, not after what seemed a dirty accusation on their end. But Sonny had shown his skills even then. Without any evidence for it, it seemed he still knew that the video was a fake, and that this was not like it seemed. Tia had pleaded with him for his help, knowing he was the only one that could help her. Tia had to smile at the argument that had followed. Sonny had agreed to help, but had not planned to bring her. Tia had made her own demands on that, Sonny had tried, to have her focus on the up and coming football match, probobly worried he'd get troube with his son, the snowkids present captain, if he let her come with them. But as stubborn as Tia was, she had told him that family was more important than football, effectively blocking any chance Sonny had to continue arguing. Sonny had agreed to take her with them. And onboard, he had left it to Artie to look after her. But Artie had told her that when she fell asleep in the commonroom, Sonny himself had placed her in his own cabin, telling him she was best off in there. Tia had made a meal that made all the pirates leave the table happy with full tummies. Sonny had come up with a risky plan to enter the prison barge, by pretending to turn himself and his men in. The plan had paid off,and gotten them where they wanted to go. Tia's parents, after freed, had helped Sonny by telling the galaxy that he was innocent, when they had escaped. But they never felt it was quite enough to thank the pirate. They had been trying to come into contact with him, and now, when technoid had captured him, they had been given a chance. Tia knew her parents had used all their contacts so far to help Sonny. Now, they sat down, to have a strategymeeting, as to how they would solve this. A knock on the door was heard. «Enter!» called Judge Allegi out. The door opened, and in, an old man, was wheeled in a wheelchair. Tia couldn't hold back a gasp when she looked at the elderly man. Sonny Blackbones, was just a younger version. This had to be Sonny's family, but who was he, and why was he here? The old man seemed to sense her questions. «Ladies, gentlemen, my name is Wayne D'Arish, the wanted and now siezed pirate, whom you know as Sonny Blackbones, has been positively identified as my grandson, I'Son D'Arish. Pardon me for this intrusion, but I am here to help him and the pirates, and his young son, D'Jok, whom I believe has taken the last name Blackbones too?», Tia nodded. D'Jok had decided to show the galaxy that he was proud of his father, and had taken his last name. It had not gone down without objection from the mentioned pirate chief though. Sonny had disagreed with D'Jok's choise with his personal safety in the bottom for his argument. But D'Jok had told Sonny off, and kept the name. Sonny had learned to deal with it. But for a given timeframe, it had led to the pirates being more watchful of D'Jok. «Well then, Mr. D'Arish, do have a seat, it seems we got work ahead of us, now that Technoid has taken Sonny and his friend Corso into custody again» said judge Allegi. Tia just smiled. «I wouldn't worry too much. I've seen Sonny in action up close before. He'll find a way out, i'm sure of it»...
Mei was devestated. She had let them down. Because of her, Sonny was at Technoid's mercy, so was Corso, and no one knew where they were. «It's my fault, I shouldn't have identified him» cried Mei. D'Jok hugged her tight. «This was not your fault Mei, none of us knew Technoid was going to pull that card out of their sleeves». Mei was not convinced. «They planned to take him, no matter what didn't they?», D'Jok turned away, from the looks of it, it seemed this was the case. Micro- ice was serious for once. "We can't just sit around and wait for something to happen, we have to help them". D'Jok gave him a frustrated gaze. "Micro- Ice, we don't even know where they took them. For all we know, Corso and Dad may be dead as of now". He was interrupted, when Artie and Bennet came walking in the door. D'Jok jumped from his bed when he saw them. "What are you doing here? If you're found..". Bennet raised his hand. "We know the risk D'Jok. We came to ask your help". Mei looked at D'Jok. "D'Jok, do it, whatever they ask, join them. Sonny needs your help, so does Corso". Ahito did not look convinced this was a good idea. "D'Jok, what do you think coach Aarch is going to say? It's the reunion match in a few days and all. And we only just learned who the oponents is". D'Jok sighed. They were playing the tin cans of Technoid's again. "I swear, I will personally destroy every last one of them by the end of the match. And they better not hurt Dad or Corso". Artie smiled. "They won't get to. We know where they took them". Bennet smiled when he saw D'Jok's surprised face. "We got a plan, now, gather up, and I'll explain"….
They were blindfolded, unable to make out where they were. Corso ground teeths and pronounced cursewords constantly. Even Sonny had to admit that the situation was not the best. He had secretly been working the handcuffs that held his arms locked to his back, and found a weakspot. A little more work, and he could free himself with the greatest of ease. But his strength was nearing it's end. He was still weak, wich he had remained all the time in Dame Simbai's care. But the mix that clamp had given him, wich contained the seed of Shiloh, would be their defense this time. Sonny had felt it for a few days now, how the flux of the pirates had returned to his body. It took effort to control it, and keep it hidden. But Sonny was determined to do so. The risk factor was that no one really knew how the seed of Shiloh would react. It was like the myth, wild, uncontrollable. For most that was. Sonny had learned to harness it. Theoretically, he had never tried practically. Now, he needed to hide all signs of the flux within his body, wich he felt was growing stronger and stronger. Now, he was awaiting Duke Maddox next step. The old man stood in the middle of the room. "I won't give up Sonny, you know that? All that has been done, does it not provoke you? Give you all the reasons in the world to counterstrike and lash back at technoid and me for what we did to Shiloh? To your doughter in law?". It was a shock for Sonny to realize what Duke Maddox was asking him. " Your Excellency. What good would it do the pirates to retaliate? It won't bring back the ones we lost. What was an act of cowardsy, was bringing Mei and the unborn child in danger" snarled Sonny. Duke Maddox looked at him. "I realize that there is a good chance you will win this time Sonny, and you know I can't let you, it would be the end of myself and all of Technoid". "That would be a good thing, the way you operate things" spat Corso. Duke Maddox looked like he wanted to give a harsh answer. But then he just sighed. "the damage is already done Sonny, your testimony may have been the missing nail in the coffin". The two pirates looked at each other. This sounded like a defeated Duke Maddox, and he was angry over it. "Seriously Duke, what did you expect?" asked Sonny. Corso joined in. "So far, we have not retaliated, because we tried to find out what happened, and who we lost". Duke Maddox looked at him. "There was no one on that rock". "Wrong!", Sonny's voice was like thunder. And it had the desired effect. Everyone turned to look at him. "There was a settlement there Duke, a total of fiffty people are dead because of this. Yes, they are only waiting for my orders to retaliate. So far, I've not given that order. What happens from this point on, is in your hands Duke". For a moment, Duke Maddox looked sad, before his eyes hardened again. "lock them up till I find out what to do with them". Sonny and Corso were brutally pushed into a smaller room and the door slammed and locked behind them. Sonny rose slowly. "Are you ok Corso?". Corso growled. "I think I've already had enough of Technoid's hospitality" he mumbled. Then, he focused on Sonny. "How are you holding up Sonny?", "you know me Corso, I pull through", Sonny grinned. Corso looked around. "Now what Sonny?". "The hard part Corso, we wait"...
Artie and Bennet made ready to leave. Rocket, Tia, D'Jok and Micro- Ice had decided to join them. The group was just getting ready when they jumped at the sound of a knock at the door. The two pirates were even more jumpy than their usual selves. "Did anyone tell anyone that we're here?" asked a startled Bennet. "No, no one said anything, we know to keep it a secret when you're around" replied Mei. The years after playing football, had made her get to know the pirates far better than the rest of the team. And she was worried for Sonny. He had become so dear to her, and she just couldn't see herself bringing their child into this world without the grandfather being there. Micro- Ice answered. "Who is it?", "Clamp, Dame Simbai and Judge Allegi" sounded the response. The pirates looked at eachother, did they have any news on Sonny and Corso?, "Let them in" whispered Artie. "Enter" called D'Jok out. The group entered. It didn't take a genious to realise that the group was planning a rescue attempt. Bennet and Artie made no attempt to hide, Clamp looked at Bennet. "I know better than to ask, you pirates are always carefull, and you got backup plans upon backup plans. Sonny trained you that way didn't he?" the old man asked. The two pirates could do nothing but nodd. "you do understand we have to find them?" said Bennet. Dame Simbai took the word. "Yes, I talked to Brim Balarius of the flux society. They need help, Master Balarius also told me to give you this" she said and handed Bennet something that looked like a stone. But Bennet knew what it was. "A compass?" he asked. "Yes, this will let you find them faster, but you have to hurry". The pirate nodded, his eyes were impossible to read behind the glasses that he never removed. D'Jok had asked Sonny about this, but Sonny had just told him that each pirate had a story of his own, and if they wanted you to know, they would tell youm eventually. "But Dad, what about your story? How many knows your story?" had D'Jok asked. Sonny looked away for a second, before he replied. "Only a handfull of people do D'Jok, and it is best it remains that way. But you would be the one that knows the most, because you are my son, and my story is part of your story" he told his son. D'Jok had wondered of this. Like he had wondered many things. A question that bothered him for years, was why Maya couldn't tell his destiny apart from his fathers. Sonny had also wondered, and together, father and son had sought the answer and found it. Maya had told them how it was that their destinys were linked, so she couldn't tell wheter what she saw concerned D'Jok or Sonny. Sonny had been worried when he learned this. But it had brought Maya into the warmth with the pirates, and they did ask her help in times of crisis. Sonny still remained a bit distant to her, but they would talk when it was necessary. Maya worried about D'Jok becoming a pirate himself, following his fathers footsteps. Sonny on the other hand, made it perfectly clear to D'Jok, that even though he loved him with all his heart, being a pirate wasn't D'Jok's place anymore than it was Micro-Ice's. "Being a pirate D'Jok, it's the last way, always. I became one of them, because I had no choise, the other option was to turn myself over to Technoid. I love you D'Jok, and I once made the promise that whenever you need me, I'll never be far" he told his son. D'Jok thought of these exact words when he sat on his bed. "Dad.. he made me a promise, that if I ever needed him, he'd never be far. This time, roles are reversed" D'Jok thought out loud. All the eyes were on him. D'Jok rose. "I don't care if Aarch yells at me afterwards, this is about my dad, and I won't let him down. For years now, I've been the son of Sonny Blackbones, but not done anything to prove myself". "Now, D'jok, that isn't true, what of your preformances on the pitch?" asked Bennet. "That is just football, Dad..he's my family, the only one I got left.." said D'Jok. A sound made them all look at the door. "Not all the family D'Jok Blackbones, you got a great grandfather too, and as soon as your father is safe and sound, we will solve this matter with technoid once and for all". D'Jok stared at the man in the wheelchair. The look was like a mirror image of his father, only with white hair and a lot older. "Who?" D'Jok stoddered. The old man made his way towards D'Jok. " You don't know me D'Jok, neither does Sonny. I made mistakes in the past, mistakes I've been made to pay for. The minute I found out who Sonny Blackbones was, I knew what I had to do. Find them and bring them here, I'll make sure Sonny is made a free man"...
Who is this old man really? What's his motives? Can he be trusted? And what does technoid plan for our two captive friends? Don't miss the continuation.
