Clamp was terrified by what was in front of him. He turned to Sonny, who very much understood his fear. His were pretty much the same.
"This is what a search of Sublevel Twelve at Technoid revealed. Bleylock had us both under surveillance beyond what our jobs allowed." He stated. Clamp nodded slowly.
"It really shouldn't come as a surprise." He commented. Sonny nodded slowly.
"Duke Maddox allowed you to take this?" Clamp asked. Corso nodded.
"Technoid hired Shiloh Security. We were permitted to do this. This is the result of our digging. Technoid being up to no good. What a surprise." He said. Sonny shook his head.
"We can't blame Technoid for this. It's not their operation. This is all Bleylock." He said thoughtfully. Corso was about to say something when Artie and Bennett arrived with another box.
"Before going on, you may want to look at this," Artie said carefully. Sonny made a double-take.
"Did you find something on the video files, Artie?" Sonny asked but he knew the answer. Artie nodded.
"Your medical file from that time is missing and that's making us worried," He said. Sonny nodded. Corso had a serious look on his face.
"That man you say was Bleylock's son must have it," He said. Sonny agreed. "I don't like that he has it," He mused. Corso nodded.
"That means he can use it against you." He said. Clamp looked at Sonny.
"What do you mean?" He asked. Corso looked at him seriously.
"Sonny's got some allergies that are ripe for exploiting," Corso explained. Clamp looked at Sonny.
"What sort of allergy? " He asked concerned.
"The symptoms were dizziness, blurry vision, nausea. To the point, I'm unable to walk." Sonny said. Clamp nodded.
"It happened before when someone tried to drug him." Corso said quietly. "It was… unnerving. I thank my mother every day for having taught me how to counter it." He smiled. Clamp was worried.
"And what was the treatment? If it can be used against him it better be ready." He said. Sonny nodded.
"Well, did you make something?" Sonny asked. Corso nodded.
"I did, don't worry. As long as you get it in time, you'll be fine." Corso said, looking at Sonny. "So as long as things didn't get worse, you won't choke on your spit." He added. Sonny nodded. Allergies could get worse when you get older.
"Also, maybe you have some preventive measures?" He wondered. Corso nodded proudly.
"I have. And he doesn't know that. We should keep it that way." He suggested. Sonny nodded.
"Have some of it made and make sure most people around me have it. Also, give some to my family. Allergies can be genetic." He said. Corso nodded.
"I have asked D'Jok and Mei to come over with her, so we can have this done." He said. Sonny nodded.
As Corso left the room, Clamp looked at Sonny.
"I don't like where this is going. This could turn into an all-out war. I don't want it to happen. No one does." He said. Sonny nodded with a hard look in his normally calm eyes.
"The Pirates and I will do all we can to prevent a new war or we will die trying."
Just outside the shadow Archipelago
Keiran looked at the one calling him. What he was demanding was outrageous.
"Let me get this clear, you want me to capture Sonny and bring him to Stellar Unix? That's close to impossible. He's not wanted anymore and works for Technoid.
I can't get close to him without risking my own life. I've been exiled. Trying to get close will be suicide." Keiran argued. He remembered Sonny's hateful glare and words.
'Enjoy your blood money, Traitor'
He knew Sonny would escape, he still had the money. He looked at it many times. Sonny was right. It was blood money. Even if he reached out, Sonny would have informed his people that he didn't trust him. That trust wouldn't be won back easily, even if he did get to speak to him. Capturing him would be impossible. Maurice Miller was stone-faced.
"Well then, I hope you said goodbye to your family back in Shiloh." He informed coldly. Keiran gasped sharply.
"Leave them out of this!" He yelled angrily.
"Capture Sonny and I don't have to bring them in." The conversation was ended. Kieran felt sweat running down his back. He had to speak to Corso, even if it meant getting into a fight. He was in the worst possible position to negotiate with the Pirates. All he could do, try to tell Sonny not to do this for him but the inhabitants of Shiloh. As the Pirates leader, Sonny had to listen to that. Keiran accessed the Pirates' frequency and sent out a coded message.
"I know I don't deserve your help, Sonny but please do it for my family."
Tia was in deep thought as she sat at her computer. Her mind drifted back to the time Sonny helped her free her parents. He helped her and so many people so much. She wanted to help him have a new start. Her status as the daughter of diplomat parents gave her access to files that no one else could. Tia wanted to find things that could truly help him. She decided to call her father.
"How can I help you, my dear?" He asked with a smile.
"I was wondering if you could look up information on this woman," Tia said and sent the image Mei gave her. Her mother looked at it.
"I've met this woman. Her name was Helena Danvers. Last time I saw her, she was married to a man named I'Son. I think I've met him before, too." She mused. Tia smiled.
"His name's Sonny Blackbones now." She said. Her father smiled.
"Are you doing this to help him?" He asked.
"Sort of. We know little to nothing about what happened to D'Jok's mother. I'm trying to find any information about her death to help Sonny." Tia said. Her parents nodded.
"I believe I have something. Let me make some inquiries, and see what I can do."
Maya was sitting in her cave. It got pretty lonely here now that D'Jok was gone. He had his own family with Mei and the baby now, and his own life in Genesis. It was easier for him to stay in touch and meet with his father too. Maya had met Sonny during the baby shower, and she knew he posed no threat to her role in D'Jok's life. Her mind wandered back to the abduction. Maya recalled D'Jok and Mei's fearful faces. And Corso… Maya knew Corso had kicked himself in all directions for letting this happen. Maya sighed. She had never told D'Jok of the visions she had about that outcome. She had seen the devastated Pirates, lifting Sonny's lifeless body out of the water, looking defeated, how they would put him in his bed onboard the ship before bringing him to a crypt in Shiloh.
This heavy blow would have torn the Pirates apart. Corso would catch the brunt of it, spiraling down in alcoholism, spending most nights with a gun against his head, only the taught that Sonny might be heartbroken by this keeping him from pulling the trigger. Luckily, that didn't happen. Like last time, she recalled D'Jok calling her after the rescue, telling her Sonny was fine. Maya smiled before an intense vision struck her. This time Maya was able to discern who it was about; Sonny.
She saw him with D'Jok, reading a letter. There were so many emotions in his eyes and deep deep gratitude. Maya remembered how the woman she now knew was named Helena Danvers had spent the last days before her baby son was born, writing that letter for her husband. Maya hadn't asked about her husband, seeing how it saddened her.
"Please don't pry. It will only bring you misery." She had said. She wrote the letter days before D'Jok was born.
The vision changed, showing a snowy landscape with father and son in the snow, holding shovels. Corso, Callie and herself were in the background, in front of a grave. Father and son exchanging looks before kneeling in front of the grave, putting down flowers. Both took their bracelets and placed it onto the grave.
Maya came to as her holophone called. It was the Obia moon ambassador.
"Maya, I need your help with someone." He said. Maya looked at him.
"Who?" She asked. The ambassador looked at her.
"It's time that the people of Akillian do something for Sonny Blackbones." He said. Maya nodded.
"I'd love to help. What do you need me for?"
Sonny was holding a little three-month-old Iris while Corso ran the test on D'Jok. She was always very attentive to her grandfather, making happy sounds as Sonny made sounds back. He laid down on the floor, letting the baby lay on his chest. Iris kept reaching for the finger with the old wedding ring. Sonny chuckled.
"You like shiny things don't you? Your dad is going to have to get plenty of tiaras." He said. Iris looked at him, blowing bubbles.
"Don't remind me, my bank account is already trying to take cover," D'Jok joked. Sonny laughed. Mei smiled as she found the small toys in her baby bag. Today she was more interested in her grandfather and Sonny was a very willing playmate.
"If granddad's around, she forgets other people exist." She laughed. Sonny gently sat up, the baby securely held to his chest. He carefully laid her on her back next to him and moments later, she started to turn over on her stomach. Sonny smiled as he turned on his side. When she succeeded, Mei pointed out that she seemed happy with herself. Sonny lifted her.
"You're going to be a real handful, aren't you?" He said. Iris made a small, proud sound. D'Jok shook his head.
"She's stubborn already." He mused.
"I wonder where she gets that from?" Mei laughed. Sonny smiled and looked up as Callie came into the room, bringing a new teddy bear for the baby.
"You're taking the grandparent's role seriously," Mei said.
"They are spoiling her," D'Jok said. Sonny sent him a look and grinned at his son's pouting.
"I haven't even started yet. Are you up to speed?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow as he awaited D'Jok's reply. Mei hid a smile and Sonny looked at her. That meant no. He had a feeling D'Jok had something on his mind and that he was seconds away from springing a surprise on him. Corso chuckled.
"You're falling behind the kid. Your dad might just take over." He said. D'Jok had a mischievous grin on his face. Sonny braced himself.
"Well Dad, since you're an expert on babies, Mei and I need some personal time, any chance you babysit?" He challenged his father. Sonny smiled. This was a perfect chance for him and Callie to practice being grandparents.
"Any time D'Jok." He replied with a smile. Mei smiled too.
"I didn't know about this together time." She said, looking at D'Jok for an answer. He smiled.
"It's a surprise." He said. Sonny smiled at Corso and signaled to stay silent. The young parents needed a night off and D'Jok had something planned.
"Looks like we get some time to be grandparents." He smiled and turned his attention to the baby again. Callie gave Iris her sucker.
"I don't mind that at all." She said as she took the baby from Sonny. Iris spits out the sucker and made a laughing sound. D'Jok looked at her.
"That was the first time we heard our daughter laugh," Mei smiled.
"All thanks to her grandparents." She grinned. Sonny couldn't help but chuckle. This was one of those precious moments he had missed out on with D'Jok, and here, he got it with his grandchild. There was a strange feeling in his heart. A new start, so many things he had been robbed of. Sonny signaled for Corso to continue his tests while he sat down and took Iris again. The baby looked at him with trust in her eyes and that laughter could melt even the most hardened Pirate. Would he be able to live up to her expectations as a grandparent? Sonny smiled as he played with the baby. He didn't see D'Jok and Mei smile to each other. Sonny had formed a bond with their little one, and they could see the truly happy smile he had on his face. Sonny looked over at Corso, who was still researching.
"What does it say?" He asked. Corso looked up from the screen.
"He has the allergy as well but not as bad as you do. A small dose of medicine should take care of it. Now, we need to test the baby." He smiled as he looked at the baby. Sonny nodded.
"Mei, do you want to hold her for this?" He asked. Mei shook her head.
"She is calmer in your arms, you hold her," She said. Sonny smiled as he held the baby and distracted her while Corso did the test.
"We have to wait for around an hour to get the results." He said.
The hour was passed with a light meal, and Iris going from arm to arm among the Pirates. After a while, she was handed to D'Jok. Iris was smiling all the time but in her father's arms, she started to get sour. D'Jok tried to calm her but it didn't work. Sonny wanted to intervene when he noticed Corso had a rather serious look on his face.
"Is something wrong?" He asked. A bad feeling came over him. Corso looked uneasy.
"Your allergy is severe, but for her, even a small dose would be deadly. Have a look." Corso made room for Sonny to sit down next to him. Sonny looked at the gauges. This was serious. Sonny sighed.
"Mei, D'Jok, we need to talk."
This was it.
He was back in Genesis.
There was a reply to his message and now, he was in the Astro port, sitting at a Cafe. He didn't know who he was waiting for. The Pirates wouldn't go easy on him, not after what he did. The only thing that went in his favor, was that he made sure Sonny wouldn't be harmed. That had to count for something. Keiran wished he had more time to talk to Sonny, make him see reason in what he had done. That wouldn't happen now. Keiran let his thoughts wander as he waited for the Pirates to approach him. He left his weapons on board his ship. He didn't want to appear hostile.
Keiran ordered a cup of coffee. He noticed his hands were shaking. As he emptied the cup, two shadows appeared behind him.
They were here.
"No Sudden Moves. Get up and don't turn around. We're giving you one chance. Don't waste it." A voice said with a lot of suppressed anger. Keiran did as he was asked. He could feel a laser pressed to his back as they entered a taxi.
"Stay silent and keep your head down." He growled. After a while they got out of the Taxi and Keiran was led into the back room of a Pirate operated bar of some kind.
"Keep him down." An angry voice called out. Keiran winced. He knew that voice.
Corso.
Because of course. And he was pissed.
"Give me a reason not to blow your brains out. After all, you did, you still think we will help you?" Corso was seething and Keiran could understand why.
"I was being blackmailed. If I didn't give them Sonny they'd kill everyone on Shiloh." Keiran tried. Corso growled.
"And you believed that? We want nothing to do with you. The only reason I haven't shot you yet is because I promised Sonny. Tell me, why should we believe a word you say after what you did? I suggest you leave and never return." Corso snarled with his fists tightly clenched.
"I never hurt him, I actively tried to avoid causing him harm," Keiran argued. Corso nodded, still seething with anger.
"That's the only reason you're still alive." He said.
"Is he alright?" Keiran asked. Corso looked at him.
"Why do you care? You got your blood money." He hissed. Keiran looked at Corso.
"And I regret taking it. I deserve to be exiled but the people on the Shiloh Nebula will be Miller's next target unless I bring him, Sonny." He said. Corso looked at Bennett. This needed to be addressed immediately.
"Call Sonny. NOW."
Tia stood next to her father as they greeted Maya. Tia called D'Jok and told him about the plan. D'Jok was deeply touched. He wanted to see his dad when receiving this information. Any excuse he had to spend time with his dad, he would take. He hugged Maya as she came off the Astro bus.
"Thanks for coming mom, and thanks for doing this." He said softly. Maya looked at her son and her grandchild. "Of course. Have you told Sonny yet?" She asked. D'Jok shook his head.
"I'll call him and see if he is busy. I can't wait to see his reaction." He said. D'Jok walked away from the others as he called his father.
"Dad, I hope I'm not interrupting something…"
Corso had told Sonny everything that Keiran said. Keiran begged him to see Sonny but Corso held his ground. After what he did, Corso was not going to put Sonny in the same room.
"Do you have any idea what you nearly did?" He said angrily. Keiran had looked down.
"I regret what I did, I have nothing against Sonny. He told me that one life is worth sacrificing for many others." He stated. Corso sent him a furious look.
"Sonny's wrong! And I'll make sure no one makes that mistake again." He said. "We can't afford to lose him. He's our Leader." Keiran looked at him.
"What if he gets killed? What will you do now?" He asked. Corso looked at him.
"Doesn't matter anymore. The Pirates are pardoned now. Sonny's got himself a girlfriend and a safe job. He's not in danger anymore." Corso said.
"That must have stung. Here you are, giving all your love to him and he walks off with the first floozy who offers him a date." Keiran asked, trying to strike a nerve. Corso gritted his teeth, shaking as he looked down.
"Shut up about things you don't know. Callie makes Sonny happy. That's all that matters to me." Corso smiled sadly. That shut Keiran up.
Corso had relayed all the information Keiran told him to Sonny. Corso could tell a plan was taking form.
"How are we going to deal with this?" He looked at Sonny's hologram. Sonny made his decision.
"Give the order to evacuate the Shiloh Nebula, silently. I have an idea for dealing with Maurice Miller." Sonny said. Corso looked at Sonny.
"How? You are not going to sacrifice yourself, Sonny, I won't allow it." He stated. Sonny smiled. Corso being overprotective again...
"Calm down, that's not what I'm planning. I'll tell you about my plan later. I got a few preparations to make." He informed him. Corso nodded.
"What do we do about Keiran? I propose a quick stabbing." He said. Sonny smiled.
"He's part of my plan. I'll talk to him when the time comes." He said. Corso sighed.
"You're the boss. I don't want you in the same room as him." He reminded Sonny. Sonny laughed.
"I'm only as good as my crew." He said in a mild voice before he ended the call.
Once he did that, his transmitter signaled a new call. Sonny picked it up.
"D'Jok! What a pleasant surprise." Sonny smiled. D'Jok smiled back at his dad.
"Are you busy? Can you meet us at Tia's restaurant?" He asked, still smiling. "I have something for you." Sonny frowned as he heard that.
"Is anything wrong? "He asked.
"No, I just think it might help," D'Jok said.
"Maya has something for you. A letter from mom." He whispered. Sonny inhaled sharply. Helena had left him a letter? He felt torn. The way things were going, this was a chance to let go and move on. He had to read this letter.
"I will be there in about fifteen minutes."
"How did he take it?" Tia asked after the call ended.
"I'm not sure but he'll be at your restaurant in fifteen minutes. Can you set up a private table?" D'Jok asked. Tia nodded.
"I will have my staff prepare one. It feels good to finally be able to give something back." Tia said. D'Jok smiled as he took Iris from Mei.
"You're the biggest achievement of my life. He'll be very happy to see you." He smiled. Iris blew some bubbles while looking at her dad. Tia smiled as Mei took her.
"Come on princess, time to go see granddad."
Tia had served them all a hot meal at her restaurant in a private chamber. Fitting, since it was a private matter that they were here for. She was behind the bar, waiting. When She looked up from wiping a glass, She saw Sonny enter, carefully looking around. He wore his hood, to avoid detection. Tia smiled as she approached him. She could see he was being careful. Tia approached Sonny to lead him to the room where the others waited for him. She could tell he was surprise. She carefully touched his arm, making him notice her.
"Tia," The Pirate Chief smiled as he greeted her.
"It's good to see you. I hope you had no problems getting here?" She asked. Sonny smiled.
"I was nearby." He smiled from under his hood. Tia smiled reassuringly.
"I hope this will help you with closure. I asked my dad to bring Maya here. Not only to deliver the letter but to let you see, what happened in the last hour before she passed. I hope that won't be too painful." She smiled carefully. Sonny smiled softly.
"Thank you, I truly appreciate the help." He said. She smiled.
"I'm just happy I could help." She said softly Sonny patted her shoulder in comfort. She led him to the room with the others.
"Dad!" D'Jok rose to greet his father. Sonny gave him a quick hug before he sat down next to Mei and Maya. Iris made happy sounds when she saw her grandfather.
"Happy to see me?" He joked as Mei handed him the baby.
"She always is." Mei laughed and pulled out a rattle. They had more important things for Sonny to deal with. Maya reached into her bag and pulled out an old envelope.
"I should have gotten this to you a lot sooner, I'm sorry." She stammered. Sonny put his hand on her shoulder.
"I wouldn't have been ready before," He softly said. Maya looked at him compassionately. This wasn't going to be easy.
"Would you like to start with seeing her last two hours or the letter?" She asked. Sonny taught it over for a second.
"I would like to start with the vision," He said with a timid voice. D'Jok put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm here with you Dad." He whispered. Sonny placed his hand atop D'Jok's.
"Thanks." He softly said. Maya took Sonny's hand silently and relaxed. She allowed the images in her mind, from over twenty-five years earlier, to flow into him.
He heard the first cries from D'Jok, his baby son. He saw her feeding him and the bleeding that would not stop. The fever that set in. Maya patting her forehead with a cold cloth. Her handing his so to Maya, knowing her time was up. Seeing how life was leaving her eyes, how she rolled over, having taken her bracelet off and her giving D'Jok his name. And her final words.
"I'Son, I'm so sorry… "
Maya carefully let go of his hand. An awkward silence filled the room. All eyes were on Sonny, who tried to regain his composure, eyes closed.
"How are you feeling?" She asked carefully. Sonny didn't say anything, currently filled with emotions and not just his own.
"Maya." His voice sounded very soft.
"I can't thank you enough for all you've done for Helena and D'jok." He started. Maya placed her hand on his arm.
"Don't worry, you've suffered long enough." She smiled. Sonny smiled back. His gaze fell on the letter and he reached for it. It was Helena's handwriting, he recognized it anywhere. Slowly, he opened the envelope.
Corso locked up Keiran in The Black Mantas holding cell. Whatever plan Sonny had in mind, they needed to keep an eye on Keiran. Corso knew about what D'jok was planning and it made him smile. Things were looking up for Sonny. Even if things went to Hell for the Pirates, Sonny would have a normal life to go back to. He wouldn't face the same fate as many leaders before him. I was also clear he wanted this for other Pirates, himself included.
If that was even possible. Corso loved the changes he saw in his friend but he wasn't sure if he'd be able to do the same thing or even if he wanted to.
He made his way to a small bar while he waited for Sonny to contact him. The Unadarian liquor here would do him some good.
Corso was so immersed in his drink, he didn't notice the lady that sat down next to him until he looked up.
"Dame Simbai?" Corso asked, surprised to see her. She smiled at him, as she took her drink.
"You look surprised, I like a drink occasionally." She said. Corso grinned.
"Never figured you for the type." He admitted. Dame Simbai smiled.
"And I never figured you'd be far away from Sonny. Where is he?" She asked, looking around. Corso chuckled.
"Now that we're pardoned, Sonny has a lot more freedom. I don't need to watch him all the time. He's currently meeting with D'Jok about something." He explained. Dame Simbai nodded. Corso then told about Keiran and what he said.
"Sonny needs to stay away from Miller. It's probably an attempt to extract Flux from Sonny. It's incredibly strong, especially in Sonny. It makes him valuable to the Flux Society." She said. Corso nodded calmly.
"I told him the same. He's not throwing himself headfirst into danger again. He said he has a plan." Corso said. Dame Simbai looked at him.
"I always wondered why you're so protective of him. What you feel for him is beyond mere friendship." She said. Corso nodded.
"I know the rumors. If it's all the same to you, I like to keep it between Sonny and me." He said with a small smile.
"I've been with Sonny through the most trying times in his life. It would be weird if this was just mere friendship." Corso said with a soft smile. Dame Simbai nodded.
"Was it… romantic in nature?" She asked carefully. Corso couldn't help but laugh.
"Yeah, we heard that too," Corso said. "That one's now well and truly proven false. If it was ever true, to begin with." He said, sounding a bit sad. Dame Simbai looked at him.
"So you do love him." She smiled as she took another sip of her drink. Corso looked at her.
"That's none of your concern. And it doesn't matter anymore." He said. Dame Simbai was about to say something when Corso's transmitter beeped. He waved goodbye as he left to meet with Sonny.
The Black Manta flew towards Akillian. The Obia Moon ambassadors had decided to come along to dig up more information on the deceased from the protocol office on Akillian. D'Jok, Tia, Mei, Sonny, Maya, Corso, Bennett and Artie had a special mission. Corso left the controls to Bennett as he went to find Sonny. He found him in the lounge, reading the letter again. Corso silently waited for him to finish.
"Are you feeling okay? You've been distant since you got that letter," Corso said, looking at the papers Sonny carefully folded. Sonny looked at him with a sad smile.
"I'm fine, just going through the motions. Ending a part of my life that has been the source of guilt for so long." He said as he put the letter inside his jacket. Corso nodded. He could relate. He placed his hands on Sonny's shoulders.
"You have nothing to feel guilty for. Helena would want you to be happy. It's what I like to think Noomi wanted for me." Corso sighed. Sonny looked at him.
"It's strange how our stories are so similar. Except I got lucky, and you lost everything." Sonny placed his hands on Corso's shoulders.
"I'm not going to pretend to understand how the Flux war affected you. Just know that I'm here for you if you need me." Sonny said with a serious look in his eyes. Corso smiled.
"Just keep yourself safe, that's all I ask. You're still our leader. I get the feeling you're still not safe. Please. For your family, stay safe." Corso said. Sonny smiled.
"You're right. The changes will take time to get used to but they're necessary. Let's get to Akilian and make sure Helena is given the burial she deserves."
The snow was falling on Akillian as the small group reached a clearing where Maya pointed to a specific area.
"She's buried here. It's such a beautiful place." Maya said. Sonny nodded. Corso took out a device that measured the density in the ground. Mei held the baby while Maya held the Akilian Star, to decorate a gravesite. Artie and Bennett had started to dig where Corso indicated the grave. As they reached the frozen soil, they checked again. Corso nodded to Sonny.
"This is the place," He said. Sonny nodded before he turned to Maya.
"You're sure this is her?" He asked. Maya nodded. Sonny placed a hand on her arm. Corso signaled they reached the body. Sonny braced himself. It had been in the frozen ground for so long, when they opened the cloth it was buried in, the body was still intact. Mei and Tia shuddered. Seeing a dead body was eerie for them. Corso and Bennett carefully lifted Helena's body in the coffin that had been brought along for this, before they let D'Jok and Sonny approach it. D'Jok looked at the frozen body. This was his real mother. She almost looked like she was sleeping. A tear escaped his eye.
"Mom… " He whispered. Sonny didn't say a thing as D'Jok took off his bracelet and placed it in the casket.
"Dad, it is your turn." He said sadly. Sonny stepped forwards. Over twenty-five years had passed since he last saw her.
"Helena." The guilt came back in full force as he dropped to his knees. D'Jok wanted to reach out but was stopped by Corso.
"He needs to do this." He softly said before he looked at his friend. They couldn't hear Sonny's words to his wife but his actions spoke volumes. Sonny took off his bracelet and put it in the coffin. Corso saw Sonny take off his gloves and carefully pulling the wedding ring off his finger, also placing it in the coffin. Corso felt a tear form in his natural eye. Sonny was finally letting go.
"You deserve to be happy." He whispered.
Sonny remained on his knees, carefully placing his hand on hers. As he sat there, it was like she spoke to him. She was telling him to let go. Start a new life with Callie and be a good father to D'jok. Sonny smiled for a moment.
"You always had so much compassion. I'm grateful for the time we had. Rest in peace, Akillian Rose," He said quietly as he stood up and nodded for the coffin to be closed and reburied.
On their way back, Corso checked his messages.
"Everything's all clear Sonny. What's the next step of your plan? "He asked. Sonny smiled slightly, a lot more relaxed now that the burial was done. Corso could have sworn he could see the guilt lift from Sonny's shoulders physically.
"Come with me." He said as he took Corso to the back of the ship. Corso was puzzled.
"Why are we here? There are the vaults. Personal stuff." Corso was slightly worried. He noticed the vault was Sonny's personal storage space. That worried him.
"I'm not going to like this, aren't I?" He asked, sounding nervous. Sonny smiled and shook his head.
"Relax Corso, I'm just going to show you something that may be a bit difficult to take in. It's something found on sublevel twelve. It might help things." He said as he opened the vault and signaled for Corso to step inside. Once inside, Sonny closed the door behind them and put on the lights. Corso jumped when he saw the content of an open crate against the wall.
"What is this?" He asked. Corso looked at the crate with an exact copy of Sonny. A clone. Sonny smiled reassuringly.
"It's the clone Bleylock made of me. I'm not sure why. The information doesn't get transferred over." He stated. Corso frowned.
"Maybe he got lonely." He said. Sonny nodded as he realized what Corso was getting at.
"We will never know. My clone will serve a purpose for the Pirates. It will act as my body double. You'll be the only one that knows about this. To pull my plan off, it's crucial only you know. The clone will have to act as captain, but you will pull the strings." He said. Corso nodded.
"Understood." He said. He looked at the clone.
"This is going to be challenging. The clone looks exactly like you." He mused. Sonny chuckled.
"Not completely but this will help." He said as he walked over to the clone. He pulled out a memory stick from inside his jacket and found a hidden slot on the clone's neck, where the information from the memory stick could be transferred to him.
"This will give him the memory it needs to fool Keiran. One thing will differ." Sonny stated.
"He doesn't have flux, right?" Corso stated. Sonny nodded.
"Right, but I did create a device that will give an illusion of it." He explained. Corso smiled.
"It's going to give Miller a headache." He said. Sonny grinned.
"My Flux is why Miller wants me taken again. To create new Flux devices, he needs a source of power. A Flux Master probably gives more than enough in his eyes" He said thoughtfully. Corso nodded.
"What about your son? Is he reaching mastery of The breath of Akillian?" He asked. Sonny looked at him.
"He's almost ready to reach category five. I just hope he's up to the challenge of handling the Breath of Akillian at this stage. It's been a long time since The Breath of Akillian was at this level. He needs time to understand and learn how to master it but he still has a ways to go." Sonny said. Corso nodded.
"Is the exhibition match a chance to look into matters more closely?" He asked. Sonny looked at Corso with a smile.
"The Flux society asked me to look into it. If we can't stop Miller or Bleylock's son, we may be thrown into another Galactik War." Sonny said as he focused on the clone again.
"The clone will have my basic knowledge and a little bit insignificant portion of my research. I made sure he can't do real harm by mixing fluxes." Sonny smiled as he told Corso the rest of the plan. His right-hand man smiled.
"This is going to work and we will lock up that scum for good."
In Genesis, Solaris and Callie helped Zarind grow stronger. Sonny was skeptical about Solaris' idea to boost the Paladin scout but didn't have a good reason not to. He asked her to make sure she had the energy for the process. The Paladin scout looked at Solaris as she explained what happened on their home planet.
"We need the Armor of the Golden Paladin." He stated. Solaris nodded.
"I've trained for that mission since I was born. That said, I need a partner." She said. Zarind nodded.
"This partner won't be a Paladin. I need the skills of a soldier." He said. Solaris nodded. "You're thinking of Corso. I'm not sure Sonny will allow that."
"He has no choice. It's the only reason he's still alive. There are pieces he needs to discover during that journey which will save our kingdom. Corso also needs the truth." Solaris said. "How do we tell them this? We need the Pirates and I doubt Sonny would let Corso go on such a dangerous mission on his own." Zarind was about to speak when he saw Sonny and Corso in the doorway. Sonny had his arms crossed.
"You two better start explaining."
In Sonny and Callie's living room, all of the Pirates were gathered, Coran and Zoonia would join them through a video link from Stellar Unix. The mood was uneasy. Corso drank some coffee, having a bad feeling about all of this. Sonny stood behind him. Coran and Zoonia looked tired and worn.
"How is the situation on Stellar Unix? "Sonny asked. Coran looked at him.
"Not good. The King and Queen are still imprisoned and worse, Miller has learned about the Golden Armor." Coran reported. Corso nodded.
"Figures. What more can you tell us?" He asked. Zoonia responded by sharing a video.
'Solaris wanted for murder. Reward; Twenty Million Standard Credits.'
Solaris looked less than impressed.
"Really? That's it?" She snorted. Sonny placed a hand on her shoulder.
"That price is even bigger than mine. That can put you in some real danger. How many people know about this?" He asked. Zoonia smiled.
"Only our region so far, Coran managed to block it being sent any further for now. That might change." She warned them. Solaris looked at them.
"What does this mean?" She wanted to know. Coran looked at her.
"You need to disguise yourself. I'm sure Sonny will be able to help you." He said. Sonny nodded.
"It's taken care of. We'll take the Black Manta to Stellar Unix in a few days to assist." He informed. Zoonia nodded.
"Solaris needs to come despite the risk. The Paladins need her to lead them. The Golden Armor must be retrieved." She said. Sonny nodded.
"The Pirates need to split into two teams. We have another task to take care of." He said. Zoonia nodded.
"You know about Bleylock's son?" She asked. Sonny nodded in confirmation.
"Do you know more about his identity? "He asked. Coran nodded.
"We do. Aaraya, if you please." He stepped aside to make room for a tall, thin woman with long blonde hair. She looked at Sonny.
"I'm truly sorry for my son's doing." She started. "He raised him to hate Sonny." Corso nodded. Sonny felt nauseous.
"I don't know where my son is. I do know that he will never stop hunting you. He believes you killed his father." She said. "If he isn't stopped, he'll do his best to fulfill what his father couldn't do."
A/N: Pieces are coming together. The Shadow Behind the throne may soon become much more active. Will things get better? Or worse? What will the trial reveal? All of this in upcoming chapters. Thank you to Paranoidgirl for the beta reading. Let me know what you think of this chapter.