Munzo, 2 Days After Zeon Zum Deikun's death
Adrian Ral Hamon was no stranger to bad conditions. Nor was he a stranger to doing a job at night. But this...
This was torture.
The temperature had to be below 65*, on top of that it was raining. And it was pitch black, if it wasn't for the street lights he wouldn't be able to see 2 feet in front of his face. "Remind me." he asked, "Why am I out here again?"
"I did say bring a coat. Now quit complaining. We're just going to get the man to Port Authority and we're done." His mother told him
"Right, your reliable friends."
"They get work done." She approached an alley and turned in before stopping in front of a door. "Here we are." Hamon knocked, "Mr. Farowsley it's us!"
Nothing happened, then slowly but surely the door creaked open. "Good. Not any of those Zabi devils." His eyes fell on Adrian, "Who's the brat?"
"My son, Adrian Hamon, he's learning the tricks of the trade. He'll also be providing us with cover. If anyone asks, you're my husband, and he's our son." Crowley practically pulled him out the doorway and herded him out the alley to their car. Adrian fell behind Crowley,
"Mother." He jerked his head to a shadow of movement.
"I know." Crowley ducked her head down. "They knew where he was all along."
Following the death of Zeon Deikun, the Zabi family had been relentlessly hunting his associates, making sure no one came along to challenge their newfound power. This just happened to be one of his more paranoid and unlucky staff members or, to be exact, his former Chief of Staff.
Crowley shed her smuggling skin and switched into a doting wife, "Dear, We need to go, we'll be late."
The man looked bewildered at first. Then his eyes cleared as he said, "Ah, yes. Let's go!"
They herded into the car, Crowley took the wheel while Adrian kept a look-out. Sure enough, about 30 seconds later, a black car pulled out of an alleyway and began to follow.
"Adrian." Crowley said quickly, dropping the doting wife as quickly as she'd dropped the smuggler, "Open the armrest compartment. There's a gun in there."
Adrian hesitated, he knew how to shoot a gun, his parents and sister made sure of that. But actually using a gun…
Farowsley began to panic, "It's them! I thought you were going to protect me! It's all over now!" He babbled
"Now!" She barked,
Adrian slid the compartment open and took out a pistol.
"Alright. Now aim for the driver and tires." Crowley said. Adrian didn't hesitate this time, turning out the window to face the car behind them, he opened fire. Firing three shots at the window,
At first, nothing happened, and then the car began to slant and eventually careened off course.
Adrian slid back into the car, sighing in relief. Meanwhile Farowsley was still babbling about death and the Zabi family.
"Oh shut up you geezer!" Adrian snapped at last. It was more the nerves and adrenaline talking than his head. Thankfully, the old man stopped babbling and sat in silence.
The drive continued in relative silence. The car pulled into the Munzo Docking Bay, where Farowsley breathed a sigh of relief.
"Here we are Mr. Farowsley."
"Thank you! I owe you my life!"
Adrian looked away, biting back a sarcastic remark 'That's a quick change of tune.' He thought bitingly.
"It's just business." Crowsley said quickly, beckoning over two Port Authority guards, who ushered the man away.
Adrian leaned against the car as his mother came back. She turned to him, "Good Job today. Your father would be proud."
It was funny, because he didn't feel too proud of himself.
Adrian sighed as he got out of the car. Only to be greeted by his rambunctious father.
"Adrian! Back so soon?!" He looked down into his son's eyes. His face softened, "What's wrong?" He asked calmly.
"When I was with mom...I had to kill someone. They were Zabi agents but still…." He trailed off.
Ramba Ral sighed. "Killing. It's a terrible facet of life, but also one of it's most fundamental and essential. Truth is almost everything has killed before. Whether it's a plant taking life from another plant for it's own survival or us human beings, killing each other for our own gain."
"I think...I need some time alone." Adrian said at last.
"That's probably best." Ramba nodded. Adrian headed up to his room, Ramba watched him go.
"He's growing up too fast." He noted sadly.
"Didn't we all?" Crowley said in a mirthless tone. "How's Asteria's children? Did you bring them here safely?"
"Yes. We ran into some protesters that's all." He tch'ed. "It's chaos out there. The Federation is slaughtering rioters like sheep."
3 Days Later, Zeon Deikun's Funeral
"Zeon Zum Deikun, embodiment of our ideals and leader of our glorious Munzo. As Chairman of the Munzo Diet, he was a trailblazer for Spacenoid liberation…" As the preacher droned on about the qualities of Zeon Deikun, Adrian scanned the crowd beside him. Beside Jimba Ral, his grandfather, was the young son of Zeon Deikun. He noticed that the Rals and Zabis had taken to glaring at each other. He turned back towards the podium 'This is going to be a long funeral…'
Adrian breathed a sigh of relief once it was all over. He honestly expected a fight to break out at any moment, especially considering his grandfather's mood swings directed at none other than the Zabi family.
'Well. At least it's over and nothing happened-'
KA-BOOM!
The car in front of him exploded. The car he knew carried Sasro and Dozle Zabi. Adrian made some quick amendments to his former thought. 'Well. I stand corrected.'
"Lies! Lies and slander! All of it!" Jimba scattered papers all across the floor. "Damn the media! Always doing the Zabi's bidding! This is Degwin's plan! I'm sure of it! He just wants to shift attention from the Deikun assasination and manipulate public opinion against us!"
Adrian shifted uneasily. Jimba was in the throes of one of his anti-Zabi mood swings.
"Is that true Dad?" Ramba finally spoke, catching everyone off guard.
"What?!" Jimba whirled on him. "Do you suspect me as well?!"
"I didn't mean it like that. But still, would he murder his own son for such a reason? Sasro was a bastard through and through, but he got the job done and he was well liked amongst the other Zabis."
A timid male secretary cautiously opened the door, "Mr. Ramba. Lady Astraia is asking for you."
While everyone was distracted, Adrian slipped out the door, following his father.
"It's Captain Ral ma'am!" Ramba and Adrian stood outside the door of the Deikun's room.
No response, the timid clerk beside him gave a small nod,
"I'm coming in!" Adrian and Ramba walked in,
"Father!" An eager young girl ran and clutched Ramba's knees.
"My flower! Rosary how have you been?" Ramba patted the girl on the head and looked up as Astrasia beckoned him over. Rosary went back to playing with Artesia,
"Captain, I need you to do a favor for Artesia." Astraia told him, "Artesia, could you tell Uncle Ral why you were crying earlier?"
She nodded, "I'm worried about Lucifer. He's all alone…" She began to sniffle,
"Lucifer?" Ramba wondered, Artesia walked over to him, and whispered something, "Oh! I see! A cat?"
She nodded, "Lucifer gets lonely really easily, and he won't fall asleep unless I hold him."
"Don't worry! Uncle Ral will bring Lucifer to you!"
"Really?" Artesia's eyes brightened,
"Of course!" Ramba lifted her up,
"You're really the best Uncle!" And with glee, she gave him a massive kiss on the cheek. Causing Ramba to blush heavily, and Adrian couldn't help but feel slightly jealous.
As Rosary and Artesia played, Adrian merely looked out the window at the city, watching as eruptions of smoke and fire played up in various areas. The mob outside their gates was receding, but was still sizable.
"What are you doing?" Someone said behind him, Adrian turned to him. It was the boy they'd taken into their house.
"Thinking" He paused before he continued "All those people want the heads of the Rals." He studied the boy further, his name was something that began with a C...Clayton? No that wasn't right,
"I can't say I relate." He stuck out his hand, "Casval Rem Deikun."
Adrian looked at the outstretched hand, and after significant hesitation, took it, "Adrian Ral Hamon."
Gihren Zabi looked out over the city of Munzo and chuckled, "We've beaten the Ral family, and the city is in complete anarchy."
"Sadly, it's not enough to merely fan the flames. We need to restore order sometime soon," Degwin replied
"You realize it's your name the mob is cheering for?"
"Be that as it may, I can't push them, it would give the Federation the pretext it needs to intervene."
The door behind them opened with a slam, "Gihren! Father! I've finally found you!" A gigantic grin was plastered all over his face, "This is so fun! Watching the Ral Family fall!"
"Dozle?" Gihren said questioningly, "Should you really be up and about right now?"
"Aw come on! I can't stay in bed now, not when I'm this worked up! I'll settle the score for Sasro with my own two hands!"
"Need I remind you two that a cornered mouse will bite the cat? It's true that Jimba Ral is practically a dead man walking, but there's still his son Ramba Ral, who's popular among the Munzo Defense Force, and his grandson Adrian Ral." Degwin looked at Gihren from the corner of his eye, "Gihren, you need to master the art of duplicity."
"Well," Dozle began, "It's true Ramba is a good man. If he wasn't a Ral I'd definitely want to have him serving under me. And his grandson is quite intelligent as well."
"Give them a way out. After all, it's the prerogative of the victor to be lenient with a good opponent." He turned back to the window, "Jimba Ral and Deikun are men of the past. The Zabi Family will shoulder the responsibility of the history to come.
"I'm sorry sir but the bar is already closed - C-captain Ral?" Lt. Tachi said in surprise,
"Keep your voice down Lt. Tachi," He continued walking, "You moonlight as a bouncer?"
"N-no! I just volunteered because of how bad things looked."
Ramba ignored him, "Clamp! Every time I see you, you look more at home behind that bar." He laid his arm on the table, "How about it? Coming back to the military?"
"Meh. I don't feel like being a Federation lackey." He leaned in "But if you ever need me, I'll come running." He turned to the stage, "Miss Hamon! You've been requested!"
"Goodness. Your disguise today is more elaborate than usual."
"This isn't makeup. That little Lucifer did a number on me."
"Oh? Gallivanting around at a time like this? What's your latest conquest like?"
"A raven haired nimble fiend!" Ramba said bitingly, and Hamon looked slightly confused, but said nothing more of it.
"Sorry about this but I need you to do a favor for me. I want you to smuggle someone to Earth."
"The kids and your father?"
"You catch on quick." He sighed "After Sasro, Jimba won't make it out alive. And the kids are in danger as well. I can't bear to see them fall into the Zabi's hands."
"And what about you?"
"I'll think of something."
Hamon's face fell slightly, "So...those three will be the only ones going to Earth?"
"Well…" Ramba began, "They may be travelling with even peskier passengers."
"I could use my connections with the Port Authority. And I've been smuggling alot of people out of Munzo after all." She nods, "I can make it work."
"That's Lady Hamon for you! I knew I could count on you." His eyes narrowed at Lieutenant Tachi, "He's here again."
"Yes." Hamon said innocently, "What about it?"
"You shouldn't string along a naive guy like him."
"Halt! Do not approach any further or we will fire!"
"State Security Police Commander Kycillia Zabi is here on a special errand!"
"Mr. Ral will not see any member of the Zabi family!"
"Fine by me! I'm not here to see him!" She handed her helmet to a nearby soldier, "I wish to speak with Casval Rem Deikun as a representative of Degwin Zabi! The new chairman!"
The mansion promptly erupted in pandemonium.
"You fools!" "Where's Ramba?!" "He went out to drink?! That wasteful ingrate of a son!"
"I will meet with that woman." Casval said finally. "She said her name was Kycilla right? I know her. She's intimidating. But I will not let myself be intimidated by the same clan of murderers that killed my father."
"But you can't face down Kycilla Zabi alone-"
"But he won't be." Adrian stepped forward, dressed regally with a suit and a sidearm holstered at his hip. "I will go with him."
The two boys stood in front of the door. It was just them now.
"Oh dear. Have I woken you?" She said patronizingly, "Nonetheless this is an important matter. Something only you and I can do." She looked at Adrian,
"As the patrons of the Deikun family, we are obligated to be here as well." Adrian said coolly.
"Patrons? Or jailers?" Kycilla said offhandedly, and Adrian gritted his teeth without responding. Kycilia shrugged,
"As of this very moment, fighting occurs within this city. And many are being killed and injured. How did we find ourselves in this situation?"
Casval spoke at last, "Didn't this all begin when you murdered my father?"
"Who told you that?" Kycilia gasped, feigning surprise. "Your mother? No, not her. Must be Jimba Ral who planted that idea in your head."
"Ms. Kycilia, didn't you come here to have a discussion?" Casval said, taking the upper hand. "If you are willing, then we will continue, but I will not abide as you scold me like a petulant child." He began to turn toward the door.
"Very well. I apologize." Kycilia said,
'Casval still has some control over this conversation. It wouldn't help Kycilia if he left before she achieved her goal.' Adrian realizes.
"I have a proposal. The Deikun Family leaves the Ral's 'patronage'." The last word was directed at Adrian, who continued to say nothing. "You have a home, a mansion specially prepared for the Deikuns. Return to it, just you three. Do so, and we won't retaliate for Sasro, and we'll even calm the unrest in the city."
"Defeat in detail is that it?" Adrian said at last, "Get the Deikuns to leave and then have an angry mob obliterate the Ral family-"
"If you truly give me your word, then we will return to our home." Kycilia nodded as he continued, "However…"
"However?" Kycilia questioned,
"You say you're willing to overlook what happened to Sasro. But in that case, what about the fact you murdered my father!" Casval said scathingly, "I can never overlook that-"
"You're still going on about that!" Kycilia said with no small degree of anger in her tone, Casval struggled as Kycilia forced him onto a couch and cuffed him.
"Why didn't you call out? You're more than welcome to call for help."
"Release him." Adrian said simply, his hand already on his sidearm.
"Oh?" Kycilia turned to him, "If it isn't Lord Ral. Your hand is shaking. Do you even know how to use that weapon. Have you even ever killed a person?"
Adrian slid the compartment open and took out a pistol.
"Alright. Now aim for the driver and tires." Crowley said. Adrian didn't hesitate this time, turning out the window to face the car behind them, he opened fire. Firing three shots at the window,
"I have." Adrians voice came out far colder than he felt, "Six days ago. One of your men I believe." His hand stopped shaking, and all he focused on was Kycilia Zabi. "And I will do it again. If you don't uncuff Casval immediately."
"Degwin Zabi is now the most powerful man in the nation! I can throw you both in jail if I wished and no one would bat an eye!"
"Power can't bring back the dead." Adrian said simply, pulling the hammer back.
Casval took charge again, "Perhaps Degwin Zabi may be right now! But one day I will grow up and make you and Degwin bow down to me! I, Casval Rem Deikun, order you to remove these from me!"
Kycilia took a step back, in that moment, Kycilia Zabi felt something she had not known for years.
She genuinely feared for her life and fortune.
Between the unshaking pistol being aimed at her, and the unfearing demand from Casval she had no doubt that she would not leave this room if she didn't comply.
Keeping her voice level, she said quietly, "Very well." She walked over, and uncuffed Casval before stepping back.