Helenas doctor had looked at her latest tests.
He hoped she had informed Sonny about the progression of her illness.
To birth another baby wasn't wise, but clearly, she wanted it bad, and risking her health because of it.
A pregnancy had been sure to speed up the progression of her illness.
If Sonny Blackbones, once one of the most outstanding scientists he knew, had knowledge of her condition, maybe he could also find a way to slow down the progress that seemed to pick up speed.
The doctor knew his credentials, and that his abilities was part of the reason why Sonny was wanted by Technoid.
And from what he knew, Sonny did work with them from time to time, unofficially off course, so no one caught suspicion.
If he was ever captured, The doctor suspected he stood a fair chance to remain alive, maybe with a monitor on his body, so they could track him.
Technoud wanted the knowledge he posessed, and Sonny was unwilling to be tied to the giant company again.
In many ways, a big shame, as he could do seriously good for others, by applying his incredible abilities to help the many, not just the pirates.
But then again, Sonny had his reasons for keeping his distance.
As long as Helena would show up for her appointments, for both her and the baby, they would find out in time if things progressed.
And he still had months to go before her next check up.
Till then, he had to sit tight, and hope things didn't get a lot worse for mother and child.
Corso was tired.
He had been up most of the night, checking in with the crew still on Genesis, and reading their reports.
They seemed to have located an area on Genesis where it was likely Bleylock had hidden.
There had also been minute traces of something that did register as multiflux on their scanners, but that was most likely residue from the bomb that killed Bleylock.
That problem, one of the biggest threats aimed at Sonny, was now neutralized.
Sonny was, at the very least, safe from Bleylock.
If only they could find that blasted robot cat, then he could at least make some head way here.
Sonny was worried about what looked more and more as if Bleylock had a helper.
If such a person existed, it was clear he had ties to Technoid.
Someone had picked him up, and helped him escape the pirates ensnarement, in a Technoid flying pod.
And Sonny was hell bent on finding out whom this was.
Corso had failed to see a face, he was too far off.
And it seemed Sonny had an agreement with Technoid, or more precisely, Duke Maddox, to find this person, so he could be dealt with.
At times, Corso found it amusing how Duke Maddox acted cold and angry towards Sonny in the media, whilst the reality was, Sonny and Duke Maddox did get along with Distance between them.
Duke Maddox had cut Sonny some kind of deal after his last imprisonment, that much he knew, but so far, Sonny had not said anything.
But Corso knew, if it became necessary, Sonny would find his way into Duke Maddox office, to deliver a message, and Maddox would let him walk, because he needed his help.
Could it be that Maddox knew Sonny wasn't guilty, that he just wanted the cat and mouse game back on?
Corso recalled Duke Maddox and Sonnys conversation in Technoids box.
Duke Maddox wanted him back in Technoid, because of his skills.
He could understand that, it was most likely what Sonny was facing if they ever caught him.
But Sonny had turned the offer down, wanting to do things his own way.
Corso was cut from his trail of thought, as he noticed something on a video from the area the pirates was searching.
He double checked it.
A grin formed on his face.
"Well hello there kitty. We have been looking for you".
At the hot spring, the three snow kids was enjoying themselves with team two of Sonnys personal protection teams.
Team three was apparantly on duty today, giving team two the day off, or as Stevens, this time without a mask, called it, special assignment.
Mei was amazed to see the pirates players demasked like this.
She had no idea one of them was female either.
"Do you guys wear masks all the time here on Shiloh too, or just when on Genesis?" she asked.
Kate, the female player smiled.
"Just when we are outside of Shiloh city. In here, it is as safe as it gets. Even Sonny don't need to disguise himself while here. Its not often we have spent time here, but it seems to be changing now, as Sonny has made the call to lead from the safety of the shadows. We pirates are happy he finally is putting himself out of the line of fire. It has been an eternal stresser for us, especially Corso, that Sonny puts himself at risk like he has. We are grateful for Helenas influence on him, making him make some safer choices" Kate told them, as she made ready to have a swim.
Mei too was in her swim wear, and the spring looked inviting.
D'Jok, on the other hand, seemed to have a million questions on his mind, mostly about pirates life.
Since he now had to live here, and had no idea if his life would ever return to the thing he saw as normal, he felt justified in asking.
Davison, Stevens partner on the left side, looked at him.
"You got a lot of questions kiddo, but as the bosses son, I get it. Our way of living is vastly different from the one you are used to. So ask away, and we will try to explain how things work to the best of our abillity" he offered.
D'Jok nodded.
He knew it would be safe even if Mei and Micro Ice heard what they told him.
They would have the relevant details that could be used to track them, erased from their memory by the time they left.
Micro Ice had experienced it several times, and also helped Sonny and Corso realise they had to fine tune their erasers more, as Sonnys bracelet had triggered Micro Ices memory.
The bracelet that would one day be his sister Shiloh Stars.
He wondered how her upbringing would be compared to his.
He knew how the galaxy outside of Shiloh worked.
Shiloh Star would not have that luxury.
Her life would be inside the citys confines, in safety, raised as a pirate.
With both her mother and father by her side.
To a point, having been robbed of his father through his formative years, had even fostered some feelings of resentment towards Technoid in D'Jok.
And he was still learning how to adjust to being whom he was.
The son of Sonny Blackbones, the pirates fearless and notorious leader, hated by Technoid from the look of it, but with a lot more support than the galaxy let on.
D'Jok kind of wished he could attend the same school as his friends when it started, but it wasn't possible.
Sonny had looked at the options available, and Akillan was too far away that the pirates could provide him sufficient support.
Sonny had explained, The pirates themselves, also had an educational system, one where they did the studies online, to keep up with the galaxy for the families that lived in hiding.
Sonny would provide that kind of system for his own son too.
Mei and Micro Ice would be in that class room with Thran, Ahito, and Rocket.
With Tia, he wasn't sure.
But with his connections, he could ask Sonny to speak to Tia, and hear how life was like being away from public schools.
Stevens seemed to catch his trail of thoughts.
"It wont be all that bad D'Jok. Sonny had some incredible connections. I am not sure what kind of plans he has for you, but logic says, he will ask you about what kind of direction you want to take in life. Sonny wont let you become a full time pirates as long as there is any chance you might make it on your own as a free individual. I sometimes suspect he feels guilty for every failed case, where he cant have the people return to such a life. Life as a leader is no walk on roses. We are truly happy Sonny took this on when we needed him to. Being a leader requires a special kind of skill. For all we know, you might be Sonnys intended leader recruit, we don't he wont push, and he will give you every chance of a normal life before you have to make such a call. But at one point, you will have to chose, we all did, and sacrifices will need to be made. To not attend school with your friends physically, is one such sacrifice. More will come. But it gives you an idea of what lies in store"Stevens said.
He observed how D'Jok received the news.
Sonny was sure to ask for a report later in the day.
D'Jok seemed thoughtful, but he shook it off, making a run for the ledge to jump into the deep end of the spring.
Sonny listened attentively to Corso, seeing the footage he had found from Genesis.
A part of him still felt like being that wild and reckless pirate he had been in the years without Helena.
And head back to Genesis, to hunt this robot cat down.
Corso had even managed to find some footage, though hacking Technoids databases, using a subsystem, to access Bleylocks files, allowing them to find distinct marks on the robot cat, to identify it as Bleylocks.
The thing also had a tracker system in it, hidden in the subsystem.
Corso had managed to remotely activate it, giving the pirates a lead on its whereabouts.
But it seemed to have been damaged, so it was only a part read on the tracker.
Corso looked at Sonny, whom rubbed his chin.
"How do you want to play this Sonny?" he asked.
Sonny felt like going with them, to hunt the cat down, but Helena was not fit for such a trip right now.
And it was the off season for the footballers.
It did open up for D'Jok to have a little more time with his friends, before the more brutal reality of what his life would now look like, would hit.
He didn't like to do this to him, and he still hoped to find a solution so he didn't have to.
They were interrupted by Helena, whom stretched and let out a sound, after feeding Shiloh.
"I am glad you are recovering so well Helena, Bleylock did his best to inflict maximum pain and injury from the look of things. I could strangle him if I had the chance" Corso said, looking at her.
"Get in line Corso, I cant promise it would be much left after I was through with him" Sonny said.
Helena walked up to Sonny and leaned her head on his shoulder.
Sonny carefully put his arm around her.
She had seemed more relaxed once they arrived here, but now, he also saw how she looked exhausted.
He decided on not asking her just yet.
Maybe she needed more rest, she had been under a lot of stress.
Helena smiled a tired smile.
"Sonny, I spoke to Maia the other day. We discussed our sons situation, and Maia had a solution, so he wont have to stay here all the time" she said.
Sonny looked at her.
That was another issues he had not been sure how to talk to his son about.
"Then tell me Honey. I don't want to put too much stress on him either, or change things too drastically for him. He has some level of protection in being a celebrity player. Technoid wont touch him, as it draws too much attention. What did Maia suggest?" Sonny asked.
Helena smiled.
"She suggested our son staying with her, that we give the needed written consent to make decisions for him where need be. So his life can stay as normal as possible. He will have to make a choice to be a pirate or not, soon enough. So we should let him have his freedom as long as it is still safe to do so" Helena explained.
Sonny gave her a small kiss.
"I get the impression that you ladies has this all worked out already. And you asking me, is more a polite thing, as it has already been decided, right?" he asked with a smile.
Helena grinned.
"No hiding the truth from you honey, so what say you?" she asked.
Sonny thought for a second, but could not find any reason for concern.
He smiled to his wife.
A partnership of two definately beat being on his own.
"I think we need to make sure to make our son pack winter clothes after all. Cause he is starting his semester on Akillian. The only thing that has to stay hidden is his name. It is too dangerous as of now, to come out and profess he is a Blackbones. Corso, see to it that new identity papers are made for him, by the time Micro Ice and Mei heads back. He goes with, and his transmitter is to have a tracker, so we can keep an eye out in case of trouble".
When the three snow kids returned, Sonny had just finished up on some pirate related matters.
Sonny smiled as the three entered.
"I hope you had fun at the spring with team two?" Sonny asked with a smile as he logged out of his computer.
Mei smiled.
"It was totally awesome Sonny. Too bad we cant shoot a commercial there. It was perfect surroundings for a photoshoot" Mei told him, sounding extremely enthusiastic.
Sonny smiled.
"Well, no Technoid personell will be allowed in on those parameters, so I got to say no to that. We pirates don't want that known to the galaxy. But I am very happy to know that you enjoyed it. The water of the spring is said to be good for the skin. Though, I would not say for sure, cosmetics was never my field of expertise" Sonny admitted with a laugh.
Helena chuckled as she looked at Shiloh.
"You hear that Shiloh? Your dad isnt perfect, and at the very least, he is not into make up. You just might have normal teens after all" Helena said to the baby.
Mei laughed.
"I will teach her all the latest trends, with your permission off course" she said to Helena.
Sonny raised an eyebrow.
"There is no off galaxy brands to get here, I don't know if you have noticed Mei. But maybe D'Jok can take you, so you can see what we make ourselves? You might find it works better than the off galactik brands you promote, and it is far more healthy for the body as it is completely free of anything that can cause allergic reactions. A safety feature for Shiloh city. You might have heard of one product we sell on Genesis though" Sonny said, and punched in a few codes, to bring up a small selection of beauty products.
Mei was amazed.
"Dont tell anyone, but I prefer this shampoo to Grumbles" she said.
Sonny smiled.
"Technoid is never about the quality, just profits. The pirates chose to go the other direction. It gives a certain income, but not enough to get rich by corporate standards. The pirates have far more humble lives than that. Its necessary. Speaking about that, D'Jok, I believe your mother has some news for you" Sonny said, turning fully to the group.
D'Jok turned to his mother, whom handed Shiloh, whom was making happy sounds, to her father.
Sonny picked up a sucker, and let her have it.
Helena smiled to her son.
"D'Jok, your father and I had a bit of a talk about your near future to come. As you know, Technoid is well aware that you are Sonnys son, wich potentially makes you a target for them. Because of that, Sonny and Corso have made a careful evaluation of the threat level you are under. The fact that you are a known name, is what makes it able to actually pull through a plan that Maia and I talked about, to ensure you get the minimum level of stress" Helena started.
Sonny smiled, playing with Shiloh, but everyone was aware he was listening to his wife, evaluating her preformance as a commanders wife and a pirate.
D'Jok looked confused.
Helena smiled.
"Maia and I talked about things. Being who you are, and your father and I being in the situation we are, left us with two options. For now, it is not safe for me, to return to Akillian. I still need time to recover, both from birthing Shiloh and my injuries. Sonny had the foresight to negotiate with Duke Maddox while he was held prisoner, and we were given a window where Technoid would not give chase. The down side was, if Sonny and I are seen together now on Genesis, there will be posted a bounty for three million for my capture. Not because I have done anything, but because I chose Sonny as my spouse for a second time. Sonnys bounty still stands at five million, but if captured together, someone will cash in about ten millions for us as a pair. Because of Shiloh, your father and I will have to lay low for a long time, and Sonny will run the pirates from the safety of the shadows. This caused an issue in regards to you. You are used to the galaxy out there. And for now, we need to keep your ties to the Blackbones name a secret. Corso has been tasked with creating a different last name for now, to make it harder to track you. And when it came to school, I am sure you know what the pirates do?" Helena asked, locking eyes with her son.
D'Jok nodded, feeling uncomfortable.
He had the feeling he was about to be served some bad news, maybe that was what Stevens had tried to warn him about?
Sonny noticed his sons discomfort.
"Relax D'Jok, your mind is racing and in the wrong direction, from what I can read. Listen to your mother, it is a lot better than it sounds son" Sonny said encouragingly.
Helena smiled.
"We did consider doing it here on Shiloh, and enroll you in the school here. But then again, you have a level of protection out in the galaxy that your father and I don't have, at least not for now. I told Maia of this, we still talk, even if my life now is so that I cant spend time with her. And Maia suggested, to make this easier on you, and allow you to stay in contact with your friends, and your team, for the school year, you will live with Maia on Akillian, and attend school there. Does this sound like a solution you can live with?" Helena asked.
D'Jok swallowed.
This was everything he wished for, and some.
Sonny smiled as he saw the relief on his sons face.
"I guess that settles it then. You will return to Akillian along with Mei and Micro Ice, in time for the start of the semester. But, there are some rules to follow for you as well" Sonny said, making it clear that these rules were not up for discussion.
"One, Maia will have our permission to speak in our place, in matters that relate to you,when it comes to school related matters, she will report back to us on anything out of the ordinary. Two, we will expect you to report in daily, on scholastic achievements and the day in general. If you fail to pick up the first call, one will follow within the hour. Continued failing to reply will force me to send pirates to seek you out. I would advice you not to make me send Corso, as that wont be pleasant at all. Other than that, treat Maia as you would your mother, or any other woman. And don't try to be funny about it. Mei, I will expect you to still report to Corso if he steps out of line" Sonny said.
Mei nodded.
"Consider it done Sonny" she said.
"Good" Sonny said, as he turned his attention to Micro Ice.
"Micro Ice, you got a special assignment here. You know D'Jok as your best friend, and you know he sometimes needs be kept in line. That will be your sole task. Be his shadow, and keep him out of trouble. If he gets to be to much, contact Artie. He is your assigned contact, like Corso is with Mei. Should you need for me to get directly involved to save him out of trouble, just let your contact know, and they will notify me. With that said, its time to send the two of you lovebrids on a walk into town. Micro Ice, You come with me, as I want to speak to you and Artie about something" Sonny said.
As the snow kids went to get ready, Helena smiled at him.
Sonny pulled her into an embrace.
"Finally starting to get the hang on this fatherhood thing. Not as easy as it looks" he admitted.
Helena smiled.
"You are doing great honey, I am proud of you" she said.
Sonny kissed her.
"And for us, once our son heads back to Akillian for school, we move into the new house. And then, our new life starts".