Harris had hurried with his droid. Bleylock wanted the flux bombs in his ship, to destroy Genesis, from a safe distance. All his enemies were all gathered there for the galactik football tournament. Even as a wanted man, Sonny Blackbones had a son, whom would be playing the finals. He was sure to pay attention to the match, like everyone else. And in doing so, ultimately meeting his own death. Bleylock had well beyond passed a tipping point by now. He was raving mad. Harris saw no reason to destroy Genesis, that didn't serve him in his quest for power. He had to act. Bleylock didn't have the the flux devices like he thought. He had only one. Harris had made sure there was traces of flux, that would fool him in a setting where he aimed to kill a lot of people. Great power was something Harris couldn't share. He had instead taken action against Bleylock. He had saved him four years ago, and what he had done for him, he could also revoke.
Sonny was going through the search grids. He had spoken to both Dame Simbai and Clamp, and gotten the relevant updates from the flux society and Clamps investigations. He felt sorry he could not participate himself, but this time, there was other considerations to be made. Helenas continued safety and the baby came first. Sonny hated having to be in this position. He had not told Corso, but he was worried for Helenas condition. Now that Duke Maddox had revealed to him, certain parts of her medical record, that Sonny had not seen before, he had come to realise, this pregnancy was maybe not the best idea for his beloved wife. She suffered massive blood loss when birthing D'Jok, and due to the crash, she also had some displacement of organs internally. Sonny wondered why she never told him of this, but if he gave it some thought, the answer was crystal clear. The same way he tried to protect her, she also tried to protect him.
Sonny put the worries aside. Corso was with her, he would make sure she was well cared for.
He, had to focus on finding Bleylock. Sonny had a feeling, if he could help have Bleylock arrested, that would be all Duke Maddox needed to agree with the suggestions he had made in the negotiations. His mind was made up. He was not letting go of the pirates as his family, no matter how tempting it was to act on Duke Maddox proposal of immunity for himself and Helena.
He couldn't. Helena had chosen him over Technoid, that meant, they had a chance, to start over, at Shiloh city. She already loved that place, as much as he did.
Sonny had to admit, he himself had started to think of what it would be like, with a house, near the woods, raising his daughter there. Come to think of it, leading the pirates from the safety of Shiloh City wouldnt be so bad. Corso had said it more than once, he wanted him out of the line of fire, and into safer surroundings, because there was no one to replace him.
All these things, Sonny really had not thought much of, he just fought on with his pirates. It seemed, the time had come for him to look into this matter. But first, they had to deal with Bleylock.
Sonny focused on the screen in front of him where he sat in the guest room that functioned as his very luxorious prisoncell.
Then, he received a message, on his transmitter.
"Look up the air vent. To the left from where you sit" it read.
Sonny looked up, and noticed that there was a set of eyes behind the bars.
He got up, and removed the bars from the outside.
Moments later, Corso crawled out of the vent.
Sonny crossed his arms.
"I thought I made it clear, no attempts at breaking me out Corso. But with that said, I am glad to see you" Sonny said as he embraced his right hand man.
He could feel from Corsos response, that he felt the same way. As soon as Sonny released him, Corso took a look around.
"For a prisoner, you receive royal treatment. That bed looks mighty comfy" he pointed out.
Sonny nodded.
"I am not used to that kind of beds, but I do get some good sleep there" he said.
Corso nodded.
"I can tell, just from looking at you. Despite the situation, you look rested. That is a sight I can enjoy" he said.
Sonny looked at him.
"Since you are here, there must be a reason for your visit. You are not the one to just drop in, going against my orders, unless for good reasons" Sonny pointed out, looking at his right hand man for an answer.
Corso sighed.
"I felt like you couldn't talk freely while on the holo call. So I decided to check up on you. I wont push for you to abandon your plan. I..just needed to see for myself that you are ok" Corso admitted.
Sonny felt strangely touched by that gesture from his right hand man.
"Now that you are here Corso, please, update me on Helena, the baby and everything else that I need to hear about".
She loved these markets. All the fresh food that was there. If the pirates could have fresh fruit like this every day, they would have the healthiest diet in the galaxy. Now that Sonny allowed her to roam free in the galley,and also, be in charge of grocery shopping, Helena loved dragging Artie with her on these trips. She still had to move very slowly, and Corso was not exactly thrilled with her leaving the ship, but he could not really say no either. She was always accompanied by another pirate, so where was the harm?
Now, she picked out some fruits. Bennett had joined them, with a shopping cart. This would make the purchases easier to bring to the ship, and it kept Helenas mind busy, rather than missing Sonny all the time. Corso had been to see him a few nights ago, in total secretsy. A part of her felt a little jealous about that, but Corso had brought her a message from him. Sonny loved her, and he missed her like crazy, but he still had to play this role. They had a solid lead on Bleylock now, and he had to stay with Duke Maddox till it could be resolved. As much as he wanted her by his side, he couldn't risk it. Technoid could break their promise, and that would give them the perfect weapon to force him to do their bidding. For now, he was in control, but that could change at any moment. Until he could get a deal with Duke Maddox that was acceptable to him, she had to keep her distance.
So here she was, picking out fresh fruit for the pirates on board. As a nurse, nutrients was important to her. And she decided to give that to the pirates as well.
She had just paid for some large quanta of a fruit she knew all of them liked, when she noticed Artie and Bennett getting antsy. They had spotted something, or rather, someone.
It was a man, wearing a hood.
Artie decided to pull out his updated Id visor.
He was shocked when he took it down.
"I cant believe it, but the id visor says we got a match. And its..General Bleylock" he said.
Bennett had completely forgotten why they were there. Sonny needed this man he could help that happen, he would.
They all stormed off, including Helena. But before long, they lost him.
Bennett had no choice, he had to call it in to Corso,whom would report it to Sonny. They had to capture him, before the finals.
Corso was at the ship, looking over the supplies that was delivered, when he received the message. He ordered all available pirates to come with him. As soon as that was done, he messaged Sonny. Things was looking up, and with a little luck, they had him now.
Sonny informed Duke Maddox the instant he received Corsos message. Duke Maddox lit up.
"I want to witness this arrest. You are coming with Sonny, I don't care if you are seen. Bleylock will face both of us, once he is captured" he said.
Sonny nodded. Finally some action. And with luck, maybe he now could return to his men and his wife. The very thought was motivation enough for him to get ready..
When Corso and the men finally arrived, Artie and Bennett had lost Bleylock. Helena looked at them.
"This market is crowded. He cant have gone very far.." she said.
Corso agreed.
"Spread out. If he is close, we will find him. Artie, can you lead Helena back to the ship? Sonny would kill me if he knew she was out here, close to that monster in any way" he said.
Artie nodded. He would see to it that Helena stayed safe. Then, Corso sent the pirates in all directions. Helena and Artie were left alone.
"Do you need an arm Helena? Sonny would expect me to be on my best behaviour around you" he said as he offered her the arm.
Helena could only smile, as she accepted the offer.
Bleylock had seen them. And he doubled back as soon as he had lost the pirates that tailed him. She was pregnant again. No doubt, another Blackbones in the making. Sonny produced offspring like no one else it seemed. Well, too bad for him, and for her, he was going to cut that adventure short. Bleylocks eyes glistered with evil as he watched the direction they took. Good. That way he could cut them off. Now, he could finally exact his revenge on Sonny.
Corso had noticed the heavy Technoid presence. Good, it seemed Sonny had taken action and in a hurry. If that lead to him coming back, it would be a relief. And before long, he noticed two very familiar faces in the crowd. Duke Maddox, and Sonny had arrived in person for this chase.
Corso grinned as he met them.
"Glad to have you here Sonny. I figured you didn't want to miss out on taking him down" he said.
Sonny smirked.
"So,where is he Corso?" he asked.
Corso looked around.
"Here in the market somewhere. This place is huge. I sent out all available men, to look for him. Well, all except Artie. He is walking Helena back after the grocery shopping" Corso confessed.
Sonny grew white as a sheet. Helena was outside The Black Manta, out in the open. If Bleylock saw her, he would not stop until she was..
"Corso, call Artie. I need to get to Helena, before Bleylock does".
Artie seemed to know all the shortcuts out of hurried the best she could, with Artie swiftly leading the way. They expected to hear commotion any time, indicating that Bleylock was found and under arrest. Helena could hardly wait for that to be a fact. Then there was a chance she could have her husband back too. Artie led her into an alley way that was meant to lead out of the market. And all of a sudden, she heard a loud thud. And when she looked, Artie lay on the tried to see if he was bleeding. He was like a brother to her, a member of her family. She couldn't just leave him there. And over him stood a looming figure. One cut from her worst nightmares. As the hodded figure stepped closer, Helena knew where she had seen him. Last time, she administered his medication. And he was all wrapped in bandages, completely unreccognizable. Now, the bandages were before her, stood the monster they had seen on the screen during the big kicks challenge. He was Bleylock, but he didn't look like Bleylock. She was not sure what to compare it to. But it was not very pretty. And with her now standing here, she realised, she was in danger. This was something Sonny had done everything in his power to avoid. She couldn't say for sure off course, but she had a distinct feeling, the prospect of this scenario, would ruin Sonnys night sleep. He already sacrificed his freedom, to prevent this, and now, she had done the one thing he tried to avoid. Helena slowly backed away from Bleylock, and he now eyed her.
"We finally meet again Helena Blackbones. You and your husband has caused a lot of trouble for me, him mostly. I am afraid, your little adventure with him, and a new baby, is set to end now" he snarled, and moved closer.
Helena felt her pulse race. There was no way she could outrun him in her current condition, she had to stall remembered their last meeting all too well. Maia had warned her not to stirr his anger,Sonny had done the wanted to leave,but, she couldn't leave Artie. If she did, Bleylock was sure to murder him. She had to find a way to stall him, until help could , she had to flip the switch. Gone was the Helena the galaxy knew, and from the shadows, rose Helena Blackbones, the wife of Sonny Blackbones, the galaxys most wanted man, fearless and angry at what was done to her family by this monster.
"Lay a hand on me, and Sonnys face will be the last thing you see in this galaxy. Harm me, and he will hunt you to the end of times if he has to" she said, keeping her voice firm.
Wow, saying the words felt..empowering. This was how she had to go about stalling him, while waiting for help.
Bleylock didn't care about her Sonny, he would not rely on words alone, he would rely on her body language more, and sadly, Bleylock had adapted that practice. Helena wondered if this was something he had adapted from the time he and Sonny were still friends.
She carefully tried to circle, out of reach, to make sure to be there if Artie needed her help.
That was when Bleylock made his move. With a loud snarl, he leaped at her and grabbed hold of her, then pulled her to screamed in pain as he grabbed hold of her neck.
Bleylock, now having a prosthetic arm and leg, undoubtedly damages that occurred after his battle with Sonny for the Meta flux, raised her above his head, so she was forced to look at him.
"I see you don't reccognize me my dear. Perhaps that is to be expected. I used to be a handsome man, perhaps even more than Sonny ever was. My changed appearance, and my metal arm and leg, are all his fault" he said.
"Sonny did nothing wrong. You tried to kill him, several you wanted to do, would have killed all of us, and surely half the galaxy, you monster" Helena managed, before she felt a sharp pain to her abdomen. Bleylock used his metal hand to hit her, hard. She had said the wrong things, angered him. And as a result, he attacked the place she was most vulnerable. She had to protect their daughter, even if it meant she perished, Sonnys daughter had to make it.
Helena tried to protect herself,and her unborn baby. She crouched down in fetal position as soon as Bleylock tossed her on the ground, while Bleylocks blows rained over her body..
Why he had a feeling for what direction to go, Sonny had no idea of, but the alley way drew him to it. Duke Maddox had ran with Bennett while Corso partnered with him. This was like it should be, two friends running to catch the threat to the galaxy. Except,they were not prepared for the sight that met them. Artie lay on the ground, unconscious. Clearly he had been struck down with a blow to the head.
But where was Helena? Sonny felt cold inside when he thought of what this could possibly mean. Thats when he saw Corso stop.
"We found him" Corso said.
Sonny forced his way forwards. But he was not prepared for the sight that met him.
Seeing Helena fight the monster Bleylock had become, to protect their child, whom beat her, with a metal arm.
Sonny felt like his very blood boiled.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size, not a defenceless woman, you coward?" Sonny yelled.
Bleylock looked up for a moment. If it had only been Sonny, he would have launched at him,but the reality was, Sonny was not alone. And behind him, Bleylock could hear the sound of droids. It seemed, Duke Maddox and Sonny were working this together after all.
"You are a fool Blackbones. You wont find the multiflux, and if you are not careful, you stand to loose your wife, this time, for good" he warned, before he delivered one last blow, towards Helenas fragile body.
"NOOOO!" Sonny yelled as he saw it happen.
Bleylock started to run, with Corso in hot pursuit, as Sonny crouched down, beside Helena.
This scene..he had lived it before. He could see bruisings on her pretty face, where Bleylocks mechanical fist had rammed her.
"Helena..honey..Im here. Please, don't give up now" Sonny managed.
He could hear the trampling of the droids that ran past him, before more pirates arrived. Bennett supported a dazed Artie. And Artie looked ashamed.
Sonny carefully cradled her, whispering to her, holding her hand tightly in his.
Bennett didn't even look scared when Duke Maddox arrived.
"We got him Sonny. He acts like a caged animal, like a posessed man, He probably is too, with revenge. We are done here. Time to return to your prison cell" he tried, when he noticed whom Sonny was holding.
"Get me an ambulance, on the double. We got a victim here, and if she does not receive help, this will end bad" he ordered.
Sonny didn't really react. He couldn't loose her, not now. That was when he felt Corsos hand on his shoulder.
He looked up for a moment. Corso had a pained expression on his face.
"Sonny, we got no choice. The pirates arent equipped to deal with such a medical situation as hers at the moment. We need to hand her over, in Technoids custody. If we don't, not only will we loose Helena, we might loose the baby too" he said.
Sonny could only nodd.
He looked at Duke Maddox.
"What do you need from me, to save her life and the childs? I don't care what happens to me, you can lock me up for life for all I care, All that matters, is her survival, and..my unborn daughter" Sonny said, with barely audible voice.
Duke Maddox nodded slowly. This was not what he had planned for the pirate chief. If Helena died, he had nothing left to negotiate.
"The only thing I need from you Sonny, if for you to stay by her side for the next few days. Wheter she lives or dies, I don't know. But I do know that I will do everything in my power, to make sure, Helena survives" he said.
Sonny nodded.
As the paramedics arrived, Sonny allowed them to carefully move her on to a stretcher. Corso nodded.
"Go Sonny. We will be fine. Right now, she needs you. I will inform your son" he promised.
Again, Sonny nodded.
Duke Maddox followed in his own car, while the ambulance sped off with sirens going on full..