CHPT25

'Alright Snowkids, on your feet,' Aarch announced as he stood beside Artegor, ready to start the training.

'Me too, coach?' Micro-Ice asked hopefully as his teammates stood up from the orange benches in the training room.

The coach looked over at the medic who simply nodded, indicating that the attacker could train with the rest of the group.

'You too, Micro-Ice.'

The youngest Snowkid went to join his teammates in the centre of the room.

'Alright, I'm having Clamp put in the Xenons,' he told the seven youths as the infamous cube surrounded them.

'Aarch, listen to me when I tell you not to push Micro-Ice too hard, his ankle may have healed, but he's still in the recovery process,' Simbai warned as she stood behind her monitor.

'Just keep an eye on his health, Simbai. If you see anything alarming, tell me immediately.'

'Will do.'

D'Jok made his way to the centre of the field, ready for the kickoff. The Xenon clones appeared in their positions; their size stunned the champions.

'Please tell me you've exaggerated the size, Coach,' the Asian defender pleaded in to his earpiece as he looked up at the lizard's face.

'No Thran, they're the right size, just stay in position.'

'Hey, Micro-Ice, you'd better tell me if you're having any trouble,' D'Jok smiled.

'Don't worry captain, I will,' the younger striker winked as he prepared to get in position to intercept D'Jok's pass.

Zain had done all he could for Sonny and his men, now, all he had to do was deliver the message. He knocked on the chief's door and waited for a response.

'Can I help you?'

The politician jumped out of his skin when he heard the voice behind him. He quickly turned to come face-to-face with the Pirate chief.

'Ah, Mr. Blackbones,' he sighed with relief, 'you scared me.'

'It's the best part of being a Pirate,' he chuckled, making his way to the hotel room door and opening it.

'Did you want something, Mr. President?'

'Oh, yes. I needed to speak to you about matters concerning Technoid.'

His hazel eyes narrowed at that word; Technoid. The company that had destroyed the lives of many, took away his wife, ruined a chance of a normal life of fatherhood with D'Jok. The organisation that had tried to start a new flux war with the help of Bleylock, that had put a high price on his head, hoping that someone would turn the Pirate chief in, they had threatened his men on many occasions. In his eyes, Technoid was the worst scum of the galaxy. Why would Zain want to talk about the company that had threatened his own son with him?

'We can talk in here,' the blonde man sighed.

With a nod, the man with grey-blue eyes followed him in to the room, he knew all Pirates hated Technoid, but there was obviously more to it when it came to their leader. Once the door was closed, the president began to explain what the phone call he had made earlier meant for the Shiloh Pirates.

'Mei, look up, he's coming your-'

The defender had tackled the clone before Aarch could finish his sentence, kicking it to Rocket in the midfield.

'Good work, Mei!'

Rocket had managed to centre the ball to Micro-Ice, who just stood there blinking in to space, giving the Xenon defence an open ball, he had been rather distracted lately.

'Wake up, Micro-Ice!'

'Hm? Oh, yeah. Sorry Aarch,' he replied, shaking his head as he ran after the clone surrounded by the Breath.

'Our offence lacking,' Artegor sighed.

'It's still a fortnight until the final, we'll be fine,' Aarch reassured his assistant coach, though he wasn't very confident himself.

Dame Simbai was alerted to her monitor when Micro-Ice's screen started beeping, typing in several demands, she turned to the oblivious coach.

'Aarch, you need to pull Micro-Ice out.'

'What's wrong, Simbai?'

'His energy levels are dropping very quickly.'

Micro-Ice managed to run from the penalty area to the middle of the field before he had to stop and fill his lungs back up with air. The teenager threw his head back in frustration.

'Hey, Micro-Ice, are you alright?'

The younger striker looked up to see a pair of green eyes looking at him with concern.

'I'm wiped out, D'Jok,' he panted

Micro-Ice felt his legs buckle beneath him, but before he could hit the ground, he managed to fling an arm around D'Jok's shoulders for support.

'Is this going to be a regular occurrence? You seem to be collapsing a lot lately,' the redhead chuckled.

He shot his best friend a threatening glare before the pitch disappeared around them, they were in the training room in seconds. Strolling through the sea of concerned looks, with D'Jok's help, he slumped on to the hard wood and buried his face in his hands.

'Micro-Ice, what did I tell you about pushing your limits?'

The teenager looked up to see a strict looking Simbai hand him a glass of water.

'Be careful?' he responded sheepishly as he took a small sip.

'That's right. And were you careful?'

'No?'

'That's right. Now, drink that and go back to your room.'

'But-'

'Micro-Ice, what happened?'

The young player looked up to see his father storm towards him with worry in his eyes. Oh brilliant.

'Micro-Ice, are you hurt?' he asked with urgency in his voice, 'why do you look so pale, do you need to go to the hospital? I can buy you one, I-'

'I'm fine da- ah, dude,' he quickly corrected himself, 'I'm fine.'

The Snowkids looked confused, bar D'Jok, Tia and Rocket, who looked rather unaffected by this outburst.

'He's rather fond of these practice sessions, isn't he?' Clamp whispered to Aarch, who was still wondering why Micro-Ice would call the president dude.

'Are you sure?' the concerned father asked as he put a hand over the boy's forehead, 'you're burning up.'

'That's just because my fringe covers my-'

'Nope, you're not fine. Dame Simbai, run a blood test on this young man.'

This went on for around ten minutes before the teenager managed to assure his father that he was, in fact, fine. The white haired politician then went on to tell the players and staff to watch the 7 o'clock news for an important announcement, the real reason he interrupted the training session.

The news had just started, making everyone in the Snowkid's living room; players, parents and staff, turn to look at the screen.

'On tonight's news, dear holo-viewers, we have an exciting statement from President Zain himself, let's go live to Genesis Stadium, where he is about to deliver this announcement.'

Immediately, the camera switched to an image of Micro-Ice's father standing behind a podium, raising a hand to silence the questions from the press.

Everyone in the room watched closely, the last conference this man had held ended in a blood bath, though the chances of this happening again were slim, especially considering that Mei's mother was with the crowd of the Snowkids' supporters, they were interested to see the outcome.

The man on the holo-TV tapped the microphone and began to speak.

'Inhabitants of the Zaelion Galaxy and beyond. I'm sure many, if not all of you, are aware of the company Technoid.'

D'Jok shared a confused look with Micro-Ice. What was so special about an announcement concerning Technoid? They were in the news almost daily.

'Following some unforgivable actions on Technoid's part, we, the government, have been forced to take on some rather drastic measures. This company has now been placed under the direct control of the government, therefore, we will be able to closely monitor their actions hereafter.'

The viewers were even more confused now, but no one exchanged a word, only confused looks.

'The first official action we have taken to improve this company will improve the lives of many, the lives of the Shiloh Pirates in particular, for they have greatly aided in the protection of, not only my family, but also for the well-being of this galaxy.'

D'Jok held his breath, hoping that this was going where he thought it was.

'From this moment on, every Pirate is a free man.'