Clamp remained motionless on the examination bench as Dame Simbai examined him. Sonny had made a special tool ready, one that would allow them to identify the mark on Clamps neck. Clearly, he and Clamp had come too close to the truth for Magnus liking. And what happened to Clamp was to be taken as a warning. Magnus would know, if this was the same toxin used as on Paradisia, by giving him the antidote, a small bloodsample from him was all that was needed to counter the venom. But first, he needed more information on what they were dealing with.
"How is he Dame Simbai? Are you able to identify the venom used?" Sonny asked as he put on some protective gloves to assist her if need be.
Dame Simbai looked at him.
"Yes Sonny. It is not from Paradisia this time, wich is a good thing. That venom was particularly strong. I was not sure my remedies could slow it down either, all I remember was that you were in a very serious condition when Artie and Bennett arrived with you. You would not have made it, unless someone intervened. But this is a lot milder. I studied more the plants on Paradisia after the explosion. To make an anti venom based on plants that only grows on a dead planet, is hard, even for a skilled herbalist like me. This venom is far more common, although it may be hard to find the right plants to make an antidote" she said.
Corso nodded as he looked at the chart.
"Some of these plants that is used to create this venom is hard to come by. Not because of the price, they are fairly common, but because of their accessability. However, I scanned it into my transmitter. Seems I got some remedies for this, good thing I kept all the things my mother taught me in a safe place. I only have one or two plants missing to make an antidote. The plants may be hard to find, but may be sold on an illegal market here on Genesis" he said.
Dame Simbai looked at him. She was getting used to the very idea that the pirates actually had a herbologist among them. Corso struck her more as a soldier than the type to be working with herbs. It seemed the pirates indeed had a lot more secrets to them than they were ready to admit.
"Maybe I got the needed plants Corso, wich ones are they? You can always have a look around in my herb garden" she offered.
Corso grinned as he heard that. He could like a lady that spoke the same language as him when it came to herbs and plants to be used for food or medicine. Sometimes, the best medicine made, was that of the nature itself.
Sonny didnt pay much attention to Dame Simbais and Corsos discussion on what plants would be most effective in dealing with the venom. Corso cautioned Dame Simbai that Clamp now had two known cases of poisoning to his meritt, and they needed to make sure the antidote did not cause more pain and discomfort to the old man than it already had. When it came to herbs and medicine,this was their field of expertise. Sure, due to his education, he knew the basics of herbal rememdies, but he had never delwed deeper into it. Maybe he should take some classes with Corso on the matter once this was over. Something told him herbal medicine could be a way to go to deal with the resonance issue as well. He looked at Clamp whom remained unconscious on the examination bench. Memories from when Bleylock had poisoned him, the rushed decision to get the antidote from Bleylocks office, a risky move on their part,with only minutes to spare, the injection into a vein in Clamps neck, the nerve breaking moments, waiting, to see if it would work. It all flashed before his inner eye. Clamp had made it, but Sonny had asked Dame Simbai to discretely send him the report on Clamps health couldnt stay, that was too risky, but he could and would keep an eye out from the shadows. He knew Bleylocks taste for using poisons to leave no witnesses to his crimes, and how he would also use it to subdue his victims. He had experienced it a few times himself, and it was not a situation he wanted to relive.
He focused on the mark at Clamps neck. Not a bite, good for him. But whatever weapon had this distinct pattern to it, would give away its owner. It was too distinct to be a random case. That was when he noticed that Clamp had something in his hand. Sonny gently loosened his fingers enough to slide the fabric out of Clamps hand. It was a piece of fabric from what looked like a uniform. The colours also told a tale of what teams needed be looked at closer. Only one team he could recall had those colours in their uniform. It was a dead giveaway to the team that used it. It even had a portion of the teams logo on it. No surprise. Magnus could not manipulate just any team into working for him. So he chose an unknown one, one the galaxys eyes would not be on. A supposed underdog team. The irony being that not long ago, The pirates themselves was an underdog team was not lost. Due to the increased resonance in all teams during the final sixteen, The pirates had qualified for the final by their win against The lightnings in the semi final. The next semi final was The snow Kids versus The Pulsars. Magnus new team. And that, posed a threat to the kids that he would do anything in his power to elimminate.
The snow kids did feel the resonance like all other teams, during the final sixteen, the resonance had spread, affecting more and more players. Duke Maddox had expressed increasing worries about the progression as the hospitals filled up with striken players in need of care. Dame Simbai and The flux society had also grown increasingly worried, and were looking to the pirates for answers, answers he and Clamp did not yet fully have. This was pioneering work on their end. But despite all that had happened, and seeing horrifying images of collapsing players from all teams, The Snow Kids had all but given up. But They were maybe not as entusiastic as before. And with their declining health, Sonny understood why they would not be motivated. The resonance was strong in everyone, and sadly, he was not able to help everyone yet. Coming out of hiding and offer to use his flux to help, would only alert Duke Maddox to his whereabouts. And Corso had made it crystal clear what he thought of any physical meeting. But now, he had a name to Magnus allies. And a new challenge rose as a result. Sonny could hear Corso return from the walk in Dame Simbais garden, with two herbs he needed for his concoction.
"Corso, put every available man on getting as much information as you can on the team known as The Pulsars. The snow kids face off against them in two days. That is the window we have to figure out Magnus plan." Sonny said, holding up the piece of fabric Clamp had torn from a suit.
Maybe, if they had any luck, they could even locate the player that hurt Clamp.
Corso grinned.
"The Pulsars eh. At least that is some good news. Their planet is possible to access if need be. Unlike Paradisia. I will start prepping something for Clamp right away. He will feel better in no time" Corso promised.
As he wandered off to get the recipies,and put the pirates to work, Dame Simbai looked at Sonny. He appeared to be in deep thought.
"I cant wait much longer. Magnus has to be stopped. He has something prepared to use against the snow kids, to assure The pulsars face off against the pirates in the whole thing feels rigged. This final will be unusual. The goal is the cup. For the pulsars, Magnus weapon of choise is their flux,. Set to destroy the cup, and thus destabilize the galaxy, or us, to preserve it. Same game Bleylock once played at and then Harris. " Sonny said, as he kept a close eye on Dame Simbai.
She looked at the fabric he held in his hand,
"Should I alert The Flux society to what is going on with The Pulsars?"she asked, looking at the pirate chief that seemed to try to formulate a battle plan.
"yes, meanwhile, the snow kids need to prepare for this semi final. I am not at all sure they are strong enough to win it this time. Rocket and D'Jok are the teams clear weak links at this point. But they have to hang in there. If Mark and Sinedd take their places, and they are left to rest, it may work..." Sonny mused.
Dame Simbai nodded.
"I will notify Brim Balarius, will you stay with Clamp till Corso returns?" she asked.
Sonny said nothing, just nodded. As Dame Simbai left the room, Sonny sat down beside Clamps bed. He looked at his long time friend. What could be the purpose behind attacking Clamp? Surely Magnus knew this would not stop him. Sonny briefly thought the thought of a provocation. And the more he thought of it, the more it became clear to him what this was about. Him claiming the title of leader from him. It had all been an act when they spoke of it on Paradisia. But then, Magnus acted overbearing with it all, because he knew already that Harris and Vega had put him in a corner. He had acted nice, because he needed the pirates help. That was why he had provided him with the antidote. If he had died because of the poison, the pirates would have gone after him, to avenge Sonny. But why not tell about the scale of Harris operation? How much did Magnus know? Sonny suspected Magnus may not at all have been as innocent and naive as he had tried to make it seem. That made him search his mind deeper. Off course. Magnus had been grateful for the rescue, but he had also clearly missed life as a pirate. Had he known about his son from the get go? Was that why D'Jok now was struck with the resonance? The snow kids... Three time back to back champions. They were already legends at their young age. But with the resonance that now seemed to seep into all participating teams, Sonny was not sure they would be up to the task of defeating the pulsars. He had sent out men to try to track this team down, but it seemed hard. The pulsars had hidden well, and still there was no sign of them in training anywhere. But from the information he had already secured, they did not seem all that affected by the resonance. Their flux, a sonic pulse, would be tough for the snow kids to get through, even worse now that they had to limit their use of the breath. The Pulsars could be the team that eliminated the champions from the cup.
Sonny forced himself back to reality. The snow kids seemed to have already accepted that a fourth win would be asking too much. It would not be good for their egoes either. They had to get used to the idea of loosing the semi finals. Especially if The Pulsars came out as a stronger team. And if The Pulsars advanced to the finals, it meant that The pirates would face them, in fighting for the victory for the cup. They were the only team not affected by resonance if you used biology as a measurement. Technoids new team was cyborgs, wich made it not count. Sonny knew that he had to have his team prepare for a match that would be even, but first, they had to get the snow kids through theirs. And first of all, Clamp needed treatment. Sonny looked up as Corso entered the clinic with a syringe.
He had a plan ready for how to create a smokescreen Magnus had not prepared for. But first, Clamp.
He nodded to Corso, whom put on some gloves, and started the injection of his creative little mix...
It had taken forever to find the information she sought. The Pulsars, whom would have thought an unknown and unproven team like them, had ties to a former pirate, and possibly was going to use this mysterious weakness that had shown in the teams over the last weeks, as a way to get to the finals. Well, if they could defeat the snow kids that was.
Callie was an avid Snow kids fan, being from Akillian herself. As a reporter, she was supposed to be neutral, but often, she forgot that part. But her contacts had allowed her access to information that no reporter should ever have seen. She was no scientist, but these papers, and the gauges, maybe it made no sense to her, but a scientist, like the two old flux specialists, professor Labnor and Professor I'Son, two names that had mysteriously vanished from history at the same time as the great catastrophe had hit Akillian, would have known what it meant. If they were still alive, maybe she could ask Corso and the pirates for help to track them down, see if they could clue her into things. That was why Callie had asked for a new meeting with the right hand man of the pirates. She was sipping some coffee at a nice corner store when his shadow fell upon her. Clearly, he was not afraid of being seen. Well, pirates had their ways she guessed.
"You came across some papers, that you needed help with?" he asked as he sat down.
How rude! Not even asking her permission to sit down.
"Not wasting any time for pleasantries I see. Yes, I came across two names that may be able to help crack this wide open" Callie said.
Corso nodded.
"Show me what you got Missy, and I will consider bringing it forth to Sonny" he said.
Callie handed him the papers, and also, the photo of the two scientists. Corso could not help but smirk when he saw it.
" You dont know wheter they are alive, or if they are under new identities. I will let Sonny decide wheter to delwe deeper into this or not" he said.
It wasnt a question, as much as a statement.
Callie nodded. Corso decided to be nice for once. Callie had taken some risks getting this information. No need for him to be an asshole about things. he could at least give her some harmless information.
"They are both alive, but for safety purposes, it is better you not know what new names they go under now. I will make contact with them both. I am sure they will look at the material, as soon as I know anything, I will get back to you" Corso said as he got up, clearly preparing to leave.
"There is more. Your former leader Magnus Blade, had a connection to a member on the football Team, The pulsars. This team dont seem to have the same weakness as a lot of other teams that participated in the cup on Paradisia. I managed to get some exclusive footage of the team, and a short interview with the team captain, you may find some of the claims they made about Blade and his connection to them, interesting" she said.
That made Corso close in. Very close.
"Tell me all you know about Magnus Blade and his connection with The Pulsars"...
The snow kids had their last training session before the semi finals against the pulsars. To say that the mood was tense was an understatement. All the snow kids by now had varying degrees of resonance, and it was an outright frightening experience for them. They were so used to going on full speed, and now,doing so, could potentially be harmful to them. And Rocket and D'Jok were sidelined. The snow kids was determined to do their best, but the information that Corso had gotten from Callie Mystic, how he had any contact with her, none of them wanted to know, it had to be a pirate related matter, had shown that The pulsars was an oponent not to be taken lightly. Their sonic pulse was a strong flux, and despite their playing style looking aggressive, it seemed the pulsars was not as affected by the resonance as the other teams. D'Jok had gone to see Warren and many of the members of the lightnings team, while Tia had gone to The Wambas. The other snow kids had also gone to see the other striken teams. And when they returned, Sonny had them all sit down and give an update. It was looking grim. Most players were severely weakened. They hoped to recover in the off season. Sonny knew, he and Clamp had lots of work ahead of them. It would look eerily similar to the meta flux in one way, only, this time, they would not be creating a weapon, they would be making a cure for the resonance. With the data he now had, Sonny knew they had to build things from the bottom up. This had never been done before, just as creating a synthetic flux had never been done before, when he and clamp took it on. But this time, their work would serve the galaxy, and help restore, not point a weapon of unknown strength at it. A part of him looked forwards to the process. Another side, the ever cautious pirate, told him to be careful, and not reveal to Technoid where he was hiding. He could work with Duke Maddox just fine, but for as long as there was a price on his head, he did not have all that much wiggle room. Being wanted for 5 million standard units, made life exciting in one way, but it got old. He had it his way, that would sometime have to come to an end, not just for him, for all of them. Every pirates wet dream.
Sonny had shown up at practice with the snow kids, to get an over view on their current state regarding the resonance. He could tell D'Jok was none too happy with being sidelined along with Rocket, but his health was more important than his ego.
As soon as Sonny had all the data, he gave a quick suggestion to Rocket for a team play that would work to confuse the pulsars, at least momentarily. Maximum two onsets of the flux per player, to make sure no one else got severely sick. One onset per half. After that, Sonny retreated to the pirates lair where he and Corso prepared for the oncoming match...
This was it. The semi finals, for the fourth time. By now, they were so used to it, it was almost as if they expected to get to this point. D'Jok looked at the pitch from the coaches pod. This was not what he wanted, but at least, he shared fate with Rocket. The snow kids tried to put on a show, but it was clear, they knew they stood a good chance of getting defeated this time. Dame Simbai had done all in her power to boost them before the match. Corso had come by, with a small bracelet for each player. They were asked to activate it on the pitch. The pirates did not tell what it would do, only that this was the best kind of protection they could offer at this point.
As the snow kids lined up, They heard a knock on the door to the coaches pod. Dame Simbai opened it. It was Callie Mystic. She wanted a statement from Rocket. As soon as she had that, and also from D'Jok, she focused on the match that was about to start.
Dame Simbai and Clamp took their seats, along with Rocket and D'Jok. Time to get the show on the road...
Magnus grinned as he looked at the snow kids. This would be their day to be sent out as the loosers. And as soon as that was taken care of, The pulsars needed to defeat Sonnys pirates in the final. With their flux in the cup, he would hold all power in the galaxy for at least 4 years. And so much longer. But first, he needed his team to take that cup,and fill it with their flux. As soon as he had all fluxes under control, he could start the process of claiming the title emperor. And there was no way Sonny could foil his plan now. To weaken all players in the paradisian tournament had not been his original thought, but it sure helped matters now. With great teams like The Xenons, the lightnings and even the three times champions, the historic Snow kids weakened, he could use this final as his chance to pose the challenge Sonny had to know was coming. There could only be one leader of the pirates, though they had prospered under his reign, it was time for Sonny Blackbones to step down and let him have his rightful spot back. The pirates would be pardoned as one of his first acts as emperor, something Sonny was not in a position to do. Not now, nor ever. He wasnt going to kill him, that would not go down well with the pirates. He had successfully managed to do so with past leaders, and those that had found out by mistake or bore witness, had their mind wiped of any recollection of what they had seen. There was times he wondered if Sonnys son D'Jok had suffered any consequenses from their little memory erasure. It wasnt likely. Sonny would have figured that out by now, and if nothing else in this galaxy fueled his rage,put a hand on his son sure would. And though Sonny had been reckless in the past, Magnus had a feeling Sonny had learned to tame the rage over the years, with Corso by his side, he was sure to have learned how to turn that anger into cunning and calculated moves. He knew what Corso was capable of. He had taken a chance by letting this rouge soldier stay on, but Corso was silent, and never seemed to care much for anyone or anything, until Sonny joined them. If he had to get rid of Sonny, he would have to do the same with Corso and anyone that would stand by Sonny. Now, he turned his attention to the semi finals, this would either make or break his plan, but he felt comfortable, they would advance...
"Its not looking good Sonny. The Snow Kids seem to lack rythm and they have no confidence without their flux. I am counting 68% of shots on goal in favour of the Pulsars. We are lucky they have not scored three times already, that would break them" Clamp reported through his transmitter.
Sonnys hologram had an expression that was carved in stone and did not reveal what he was thinking.
"Dame Simbai, how are their health stats?" Corso asked where he sat next to Sonny in the bleachers, as Sonny used a pair of binoculars to get a better view of the pulsars and their play style.
The documents Corso had brought him from Callie earlier in the day had sowed the seed to a plan for Sonny. They had much support, if not outspoken, but still support in the fact that they were not ratted out to Technoid, but in the long run, it would not get them to the ultimate goal he had set for himself and the pirates when he took seat.
Their freedom, whatever form they could get it, was becoming a matter that demanded he started taking actions. But in order to do so, he needed an ally on the inside of the media, someone that could actually be supporting their cause. He didnt question his sixth sense on this. That ally he sought was Callie Mystic. The lady had brains, and she had shown skills that impressed even him. If he was to tell the pirates side of the story, it would take caution. If he did not act first, Callie Mystic would find their hide out eventually. She had managed to track down Stevens, wich was normally hard to do. If he could find a way to set the parameters, then maybe this could swing in their favour. He just had to give it some more thought, consider every angle.
"All are fine, but they just dont have it in them today, they may loose this one" Dame Simbai reported.
Sonny nodded.
"They are not used to play with limited use of the flux. The pulsars are still going strong. And they seem powerless to stop it. Even with team play. How much time left till half time?" Sonny asked.
"About 10 minutes. Should we let them use the breath now, or urge them to wait until the second half?" Clamp asked.
Sonny only gave it a moments thought.
"Hold off till the second half. And tell Rocket to prepare for the toughest motivational speech he has ever given. This can still turn around. Keep the score at nil nil and aim to get a quick goal in the second half. Whatever happens, you cant let it go into overtime. The snow kids wont be able to handle it" he said.
As soon as the transmission ended, Sonny turned to Corso.
"I didnt want to say it while D'Jok and Rocket could hear it, but they are outmatched in more ways than one. Magnus has found a way to shield his Pulsars from the effect of the resonance. I find that odd. All other teams are affected,but not them" Sonny mused.
Corso nodded.
"You would almost think its a cyborg team again, but that would not be like him. He would not use the same trick twice. The pulsars are probably just as human as you and I. But they have managed to stay on their feets. And they dont even seem to break a sweat" Corso commented dryly.
Sonny nodded. And he already had an idea as to what they were dealing with.
"They may be using a form of undetectable drug from their home planet. I sent a team stationed on a nearby moon, to do some digging. They found an interesting piece of information. Their planet is Magnus home planet" Sonny said.
Corso looked at him as if he had lost his mind.
"Then he and his family must have been settlers. The Pulsars look nothing like ..no that cant be. The pirates would have found out" he said.
Sonny nodded with a grin. He had expected the question.
"He is wearing an exon skeleton. What we have always seen is just a hologram projection, only he managed to somehow find a way to make it into a hard form we can touch. He must have gone under the radar for some time in the lair, to hide." Sonny explained.
Corso seemed to get it.
"The mask he wore.. It was a part of a disguise, I wonder what hid behind it" he said.
Sonny nodded.
"And when he had his appearance changed, after his eye was blinded, he had a mask made to fit on top. We never really saw how Magnus really looks like, ever. But if we look at the pulsars, not nearly as tall as he stands when with us, his disguise makes up for a lot of things he feels inferior in. I wonder how he did that. But this knowledge can swing in our favour, as he doesnt know what we know" Sonny said.
Corso rubbed his chin.
"It is always those that feel inferior that seeks power and control over others. But now that we know this Sonny, how are we going to use it?Magnus will expect a move on our end" Corso wondered.
Sonny smiled.
"The outcome of this match will determine our next step Corso. If the snow kids turn it around and win, The pirates face them in the final, and we will have a peaceful flux filling the cup at the end. If the snow kids loose, it comes down to us, the pirates, to save the galaxy from falling into a permanent and lasting resonance, and Magnus to become the galactik emperor he wants to become" Sonny stated.
Corso nodded, but he had a worried look in his normal eye.
"One more thing Sonny. No matter who wins the final, the pirates as a team are exposed when they will seek the cup. But I dont think Magnus will stop Maddox will attempt an arrest" he said.
Sonny nodded. He knew exactly what Corso was getting at.
"We got immunity on the pitch and the locker rooms. At least for the team. You and I are a different story. We both know what is coming Corso. I will have to be ready, no matter cant let Magnus win" Sonny said.
Corso nodded.
"You have to be more than ready Sonny. You have to be in the right mindset and physically ready to do battle with him. Magnus wont back down. He wants his title as leader of the pirates back, thats why he gave us back our flux. And if you loose the battle Sonny, I dont know wheter he will let you live. We cant prove it, but I always suspected he had something to do with Floras disappearance. And Carole may have been an unsuspecting witness to his crime" Corso said.
Sonny nodded, and turned back to the game as the second half was about to start.
What Corso said weighed heavily on his mind. And he was worried, since this had also been done to D'Jok. His son had bore witness to something, something that could possibly bring Magnus to his knees. Did D'Jok somehow know this, or was it all a blurr in his mind. But if D'Jok knew and came to remember, that put his son in mortal danger from Magnus. And that was one thought that made Sonny clench his fist to the point that they turned white.
No harm was gonna come to his son or his team, he would give his last breath to stop that from happening if he had to...
getting really exciting here. And at this point, I am planning to only use two more chapters to wrap this story up. the same lenght a season woulf have. Who the pulsars are and their flux, and also, their connection to Magnus Blade will be explained in the next chapters. Lets say that is may be very different from what many may have thought them to look like. And the inevitable battle for the leadership of the pirates will be just as exiting. Will Sonny still remain the leader of the pirates or is his time up. And what about DJok, and the snow kids, and all the other teams and their now onset of resonance. The resonance will be further addressed in a soon to start fic. The first chapter is in for beta reading now. It may take some time to get things started, but will be worth while. Would love to hear your thoughts on the story so far. For those calling for a Mei And DJok romance, that really isnt my thing. To be honest, I suck at writing stories like that. So maybe a separae story later on, I dont know yet. But they will be part of the next fic too, I promise. Bonus for the Micro Ice lovers, so will he. And we may see our dear Mice really shine. Got anything you want to say, please leave a revirew or a pm to let me know your thoughts.