Chapter 20: Fray
Location: Eredas Estate
Seven minutes later...
Reported by UNN, Inari watched as two Battlecruisers descended from the sky, splashing down in the waters that surrounded Coal Harbour. Already the district's low-lying areas were becoming flooded, and who knew how many people would perish. Knowing that Tarro needed to be informed, the boy quickly left the family room in search of the older Saiyan. The inhabitants of the estate were still in bed, so he didn't have to look very hard before he found him. He lay buried beneath the covers of his bed, while Sly lay atop the sheets, shameless in his nakedness. The youngster was hanging halfway off the bed, with only his brother's arm secured around his chest kept him from ending up on the floor. Stepping into the bedroom, Inari was quick to take a few brief seconds to glanced around the interior. The room consisted of a king-sized bed occupying the majority of the space, with a smaller bed located at the foot of the larger one. That bed normally went unused by Sly, instead preferring to share the bed of his adoptive brother.
"Tarro...," Inari whispered, gently trying to shake him awake.
"M'wake...," the older boy grumbled.
He opened one eyes and immediately focused itself onto the younger Saiyan, taking notice that he was still in just his fundoshi.
"What is it," he groaned, shifting beneath the bed sheets.
All the commotion had caused Sly to abruptly awaken, who glanced around the room in general bewilderment.
"There's fighting in the capital."
This announcement immediately caused Tarro to fully awaken, prompting him to sit up within the bed. Reaching over to the nightstand, he snatched a TV remote from off its surface and turned on the television that sat in the corner. It was automatically set to UNN, with the morning news anchor reporting on the outbreak in violence in Central City. The recording of the two battlecruisers crashing into the harbour was being replayed, which filled the younger boy with unease.
"That's not something you see every day," he admitted, "The good news is that they've opened a hole in their defences, the bad news is now there's nothing preventing those other Battlecruisers from opening fire upon the city."
"What now?" he asked.
"Time to get involved."
"NO!" Sly shouted, "You no go."
The Dovahkiir child was on his feet, staring defiantly at the brother who had adopted him with those brown eyes of his.
"Sly...," Tarro began, looking past the boy and focusing on the television set.
At some point, several Battlecruisers had suddenly warped in and immediately attacked the Humanity First aligned vessels. They were ganging up on the enemy ships, specifically focusing on taking out the weapon systems and engines.
"Listen, little brother. All those people are in need of help and I'm the only one capable of doing so."
Sly gave his brother a dubious look, his resolve wavering slightly, but enough to get him to budge completely.
"They've just taken out a Minotaur-class," Inari announced.
Turning back towards the TV, he watched as the burning visage of a Minotaur-class Battlecruiser being tractored away to be dumped into the river. The ship had been stationed above Jackson Heights, and it appeared it had attempted to crash itself into the district.
"I know you must be frightened, but I promise I'll be back before you know it."
"No...," he whimpered, "No you won't."
Having no friends of his own to play with, he should've considered the possibility that Sly would develop a form of separation-anxiety.
"Sly, when have I ever not come back?" he asked.
The toddler considered for a moment, trying to come up with a convincing argument of why his brother's departure was unnecessary. Unable to come up with one, Tarro watched as a defeated look appeared on the Dovahkiir child's face.
"You come back," the boy said, his words coming out as a demand.
"I promise."
With the desired effect achieved, Tarro flung the covers from his body and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Clad in only his fundoshi, he planted his bare feet against the hard wood floor and rose to his feet, heading over to a nearby wooden dresser. Pulling open one of the drawers, he removed a baggy pair of charcoal grey pants and tugging them on along with a black t-shirt. He slipped on a orange and blue vest and fastened it closed with a thick belt of brown fabric, while putting on brown boots and thick wristbands. Once attired, he stepped into the hallway and discovered Korianda had been patiently waiting for him to emerge.
"I heard the commotion," she stated, offering him a sheathed katana.
"Thanks," he said, taking it from her.
"Is it as bad as it sounds?" she asked, watching him secure the weapon across his chest.
"More vessels arrived, but they're not on the side of the loyalists."
"Betcha Humanity First thinks they're the patriots."
Tarro scoffed at that comment, but knew that the members of Humanity First were deluded enough to actually believe it. Heading for the family room, he stepped out onto the patio and engulfed his body in a golden flame-like aura. He turned back in the direction of the doorway, discovering that Inari and Sly had accompanied Korianda.
"I'll be right back," he said, directing his words at the Dovahkiir child.
The boy scowled at him, but nonetheless gave his head a nod, giving his brother his reluctant approval. Rocketing into the air, Tarro tore off into the direction of Central City and the battle that awaited him.