Azure grumbled to herself, ears flitting in every direction. "So what d'we do?" She asked again.
"Nami Muro's the closest city. It would be easy to assume they've been taken there." Hikori said as calmly as ever.BR
Azure nodded. "Yes...Yes that would be wouldn't it....I'm going to Nami Muro, anyone with me?" She picked Nemo up into her arms and slung him around so he was riding piggy-back. "Hikori? Lirpa? Pacal?" She looked around. BRBR
***BRBR
Habbek had no intention on an escape attempt as Vlah'do had implied earlier. Instead he used the knife to cut open his right pant leg to examine his leg. It was as he feared, his leg was indeed broken, he could see through the torn skin of the compound fracture that it was more than just a dislocation or cut. Through the flowing dark burgeundy blood, he could see the bone had been broken. Vlah'do and Hoth looked on as Habbek wrapped the torn cloth around his knee in a vain attempt to stop the bleeding. BR
"You know, this could work to our advantage." Vlah'do said.BR
"What's that?" Habbek asked.BR
"You're knee. He broke it in a vicious act of police brutality. This would go over really well in court."BR
"No," Habbek said. "Dont hype this up with your lawyer nonesense. This is the least that could have happened to me after killing five people. I deserve this pain." BR
Vlah'do was silent. This was one of the rare people left in the universe.BR
The atmosphere in the back of the jeep changed to solemn silence. Hoth extended his legs to get the blood circulating again. He rubbed his head where a large bruise was forming on his cheek. BR
"And there's another example. They set a bomb on the door. And now look at Hoth. He is also victim of police brutality. Didn't I see someone kick you down on the ground?"BR
"Yeah. Someone hit me when I tried to get up."BR
"They can hardly say you were treated humanitarily, and you didn't threaten them in any way, so there was no need for them to do what they did."BR
"No! You don't understand." Habbek said. "I'm sorry about what happened to you two, but I deserve this. And I dont know about you two, but I'm going to suffer the consequences."BRBR
The armored jeep rolled up to a the prison were the passengers with an unfriendly welcome. Habbek could not stand on his leg and so a stretcher was brought. The three akrennians were put in a prison cell together without much ado. BR
After a few minutes of waiting, an officer came around and banged on the bars with a night stick. "Okay you three bums, background check. Which one of you is... Vlah'do?"BR
Vlah'do stood, his glare penetrating. "That's me. Just hope I never get your name."BR
"The officer opened the door and rolled his eyes as he put the cuffs on Vlah'do to lead him to the office. "Oh yeah?" He said noncahlantly and took him to the office. There he was stripped of all his belongings and they ran a background check. BR
A tired looking man sat at a desk while the officer held him. "Name? Clan?" The man said wearily.BR
"Vlah'do of Kodah."BR
"Age in standard?"BR
"26."BR
The inquiries continued until the man checked through his wallet. He pushed the wallet to Vlah'do. "Please desribe to me their contents." He said systematically.BR
"Let's see." The officer who held him sorted through the wallet's contents and held them up to him because his hands were cuffed behind his back. "That's my government ID," the two men looked at each other nervously. "That's my money. Standarn credits, I think I have 29. That's my citizenship card. That's my diplomatic immunity identification." BR
"What?" The man grabbed the card, suddenly alert. "Let me see that." He read it through, hoping that it would somehow be counterfiet. The two policemen exchanged a terrified glance.BRBR
***BRBR
Azure had left the house to go down to the police station, leaving Iris, Hikori and Lirpa in Habbek's house. They decided to stay and clean up a little and maybe await a phone call. This call came and Hikori pounced on the phone. BR
"Hello?"BR
"Hikori? It's Hoth."BR
"Hoth, thank the Gods. What happened?"BR
"I dont know. They wont tell me anything. I think I'm a suspect or something. But I know that the NMPD is in deep trouble."BR
"Why's that?" Hikori pressed the intercom button on the phone so that the others could hear the conversation.BR
"Remember our friend Vlah'do? He's a diplomat."BR
"A diplomat? Now they're in for it."BR
"You said it. Last time I left, Vlah'do was chewing the chief of police out. I think he's got something planned."BR
"How are they treating you?"BR
"Like an animal. That's to be expected for a suspected murderer. I've been moved into a cell with a pretty large and violent human guy."BR
"Not that it's a bad thing, but why did you use your phone call to call us?"BR
"Because I have no one else to call and I think Vlah'do has everything under control anyway."BR
"Ah."BR
"They seperated me, Vlah'do and Habbek. I dont know where they are now. I hope they're all right. Ah," Hoth whispered. "The guard is telling me to get off now so I have to go. Just come down to the station and see if you can get this cleared up okay?"BR
"We'll be there as soon as possible."BR
"All right."BR
"Take care of yourself Hoth."
"No need to worry. I'll be fine."BR
"Bye." Hikori hung up the phone. "What are we waiting for?" He said to Lirpa and Iris.BR
"The blood stains to come out of the carpet." Iris knew they were Habbek's and was visibley sad.BR
"You're worried about our friend Habbek?" BR
Lirpa tugged his arm and hugged him close. BR
"Don't worry you two, I'm sure that if justice is properly served, everything will turn out right."BRBR
***BRBR
Azure stormed up the stairs of the police station, Nemo in her arms, prepared to deliver a tongue lashing and, if worst came to worst, a good smack on the head to anyone who got in her way. Nemo was snoozing soundly with his head resting on her shoulder when she stalked up to the front desk and delivered a death glare to the innocent secretary planted there. BRBR
"I want to see someone." Azure growled dangerously, Nemo stirred and blinked in a disoriented fashion.
The secretary was occupied with her typing and seemed not to notice Azure's presence.BR
"I. Want. To. See. Someone." Azure said again, banging a fist on the desk rather roughly.BR
The secretary looked startled and a little disturbed, she looked up and blinked her large eyes, a Grapoan Azure recalled the species' name. BR"Um...Yes...Ur....Who?"BRBR
"Hoth, Yar clan." Azure's glare eased a small amount now that she had the distracted Grapoan's undivided attention.BR
"I'm sorry....But-"BR
Azure raised an eyeridge and her glare returned to 'I'll-burn-holes-in-your-head' status. BR
The secretary let her hand stray towards a button under her desk. "I'm sorry. You can't."BRBR
Nemo shifted and mumbled something, reminding Azure of his presence and restraining her from continueing to non-verbally threaten the Grapoan. Instead she grumbled something and turned to find a seat. She didn't plan on leaving anytime soon.BRBR
***BRBR
Lirpa fretted quietly, ears twisting as she wished she was able to express her distress in words and not just sounds and gestures. Hikori nodded at her, agreeing silently. BR
Iris was oblivious to the both of them, the smell of blood was getting to her and she felt like gagging. She stepped outside for a moment to give herself a break. BR
Hikori flicked his ears but said nothing for a while. "Perhaps we should go down there..." He murmered in suggestion. "We may be able to help in some way..."BR
"Or we may just get in the way, lad." Iris responded. BRBR
***BRBR
Two security guards came and loitered in the waiting room, alerted by the silent alarm. They talked quietly to each oter before approaching Azure. "Ma'am," One said. "Is there a problem?" BR
"Yes there's a problem! The police came to a friends house while we were just sitting there eating and arrested my good friend and my mate in a very violent fashion!" At this point she was holding Nemo's hand while standing and staring down the security guard. "And I want to know why!"BR
The guard backed down, but showed no emotion behind his man-with-no-eyes sunglasses. "Just calm down ma'am, I'm sure we can arrange something."BR
"I dont want something! I want to see him!" She came close to becoming physical, and the guard saw this.BR
"If you'll just wait here, I'll go and see what I can do. Who is the person you want to see?"BR
"Hoth, of Yar."BR
"I'll be back as quick as possible." He and the other guard headed off, leaving the secretary extremely nervous in the empty waiting room with Azure. BR
"Geez," said the guard. "Did you see the vein on her forehead? She's gonna blow her stack!"BR
"Yeah, but she'll be fine once we tell her about Hoth."BR
"Isn't that the 6 counter murder suspect? Why? What happened to him?"BR
"He has friends in high places. The other guy they arrested was a diplomat."BR
"No way!" He shook his head. "We're in deep trouble." BR
"No kidding."BRBR
The Grapoan nervously tried to get her work done as Azure occasionally casted her dirty glances. BREventually, an officer came into the empty room and greeted her. "Mrs.Azure?"BR
"Yes?" BR
"Hi, I'm officer Teshi. I'm here to talk to you about your mate Hoth."BR
Azure was releaved that the police hadn't just blown her off, but was still in a bad mood. "What is going on? Why did you arrest him?"BR
"There has been a terrible mistake, and because of that, we are willing to make an unprecedented deal due to these circumstances."BR
"What's that?"BR
"Firstly, understand that the charges against your mate are extremely severe and would normally be given a mandatory sentence even to a suspect. However, in this case we have agreed to grant your mate parol on two conditions. He must remain on parol until the court case and testify. It will also cost a large amount of money."BR
"I dont care, just do it!"BR
"Fine. I'm glad to have been of service. Let me get you the parol officer and we'll discuss price and time and all that. Okay? Wait here." He left before she could do anything. BR
I wonder why they're treating my so nicely? Maybe they really messed up! This ought to be fun. BR
The secretary saw Azure's evil grin and shuddered. Nemo whimpered.BRBR
***BRBR
Hikori had finished practically scraping the carpet from the floor, he sat back on his knees and stretched his back. Lirpa and Iris each did something similar in turn. BR
"I still believe we should go. And I am. If anything Azure and Nemo could surely use the company." Hikori said in his even tone. Lirpa nodded.BR
Iris flexed her fingers and worked the cramps out of them, she simply stood up and nodded. "Aye, s'pose yer right, lad." BRBR
***BRBR
Azure picked Nemo up again and gave him a small reassuring hug. "Don't worry, kiddo." She whispered into his ear before setting him back on the floor and taking his hand again. She replayed the earlier incident in her head, ready to use any and all of what she remembered against the police force. Hopefully she would be able to help Vlah'do and Habbek too. She just wondered how they'd even been able to trace it back to them..BRBR
***BRBR
The guard came over to Hoth's cell and banged on the bars to get his attention. His keys jangled as he got them out and stuck them in the door. "You're an very lucky person Hoth, you've got friends looking out for you in a high places..." The door opened and the guard led him out of the cell without cuffs. BR
He was taken to the waiting room where the parol officer had been talking to her. "So, if you'll just give us any forms of identification you have we'll find your credit account and..."BR
"Hoth!" Azure disregarded the officer and ran to Hoth, practically jumping on him. BR
"Mmmuph!" Hoth grunted, ears twitching. "Watch the ribs, Az.." He muttered, hissing slightly although he was as glad to see her as she was to see him. BR
"Oh, be quiet!" Azure hugged her mate and turned to the officer. "Alright, hold on..." She sifted through her pocket and produced a card which identified her as a cargo trader. "Here."BRBR
***BRBR
Hikori flicked an ear and glanced at the street signs, their progress towards the city hadn't been fast since Iris had to be guided around dips and rises in the land. Hikori decided that the street signs were of no use since he both didn't know the city and didn't have a map. They would have to guess their way to the police station, or whatever might serve as one. BRBR
***BRBR
Habbek's house was still a mess. There was burn marks on the floor by the door which was splitered in pieces all over the room, the carpet was scored in several places and there was dark red blotch in the carpet that later streaked to the entrance. Pacal sat in a comfortable arm chair and Karn on the couch. The air in the room had grown tensious as they both sat there, silently. They had decided to stay behind and wait at the house in case someone came or tried to call.
Karn felt the need to break the silence. "So, you've been Habbek's friend for sometime eh? Has he ever been in a situation like this before?"BRBR
Pacal turned to him with concern on his face. "No. He's never had any trouble with the authorities." They've never caught him before. Pacal knew of Habbek's troubled past. Suffice to say, these weren't the first people he had killed, just the first people he had killed in a long time. BR
Karn thought for a minute of how to phrase his next question. "What do you think will happen?"BR
"I am confidant in this planet's judiciary system."BR
Pacal said firmly "Justice will be served and Habbek will go free."BR
"I dont mean to be a pessimist, but what makes you so sure?"BR
"I don't know. I just can't imagine Habbek going to prison. I'm sure that when he gets his case the jury will be sympathetic."BR
"Why? Has Nami Muro had a piracy problem before?"BR
"Yes, We've had a very large problem. Nami Muro is a large industrial city with a lot of infrastructure. Pirate's take advantage of this fledgling planet's weak police force and the people are tired of it."BR
"Sounds like Habbek's going to have an easy case."BR
"Not so. Seven counts is incredibly serious."BR
Karn smiled sarcastically. "Now who's the pessimist?"BR
Both resigned into their thoughts and remained quiet for some time. BR
Karn broke the silence. "Don't worry for your friend Pacal."BR
"Oh, but I do."BR
"I'm sure that everything will work out fine."BR
"I hope you're right friend, its just that I wish there was something I could do for him."BR
A figure stood in the doorway. "Oh, but there is!"BR
Pacal and Karn turned to look. "Vlah'do!" Karn said and ran to him, hugging him tightly. BR
"Gah," Vlah'do gasped as the Igonnian squeezed the breath from him.BRBR
Pacal noticed that he had changed his clothes. "Where have you been young man?" BR
Vlah'do unwrikled his ukata and straightened up, beaming. "I was just at the department of commerce in Nami Muro. They melted like butter on the sidewalk on a hot day! They released Hoth on parol, gave me and all of you a nice hotel room and many other privaledges, such as diplomatic immunity and witness protection!" BR
Pacal shook his hand warmly. "And what about Habbek?"BR
"Well, last thing I remember, he was in the jail with a broken knee. I demanded that he recived medical attention immediately and he did. Hoth was supposed to have been let out on parol and that's as much as I know. I haven't had a chance to talk to either of them yet, but that's as much as I know. Now," Vlah'do had in his hand a manila folder. He extracted two papers. BR"Comes the time in which we repay our good friend Habbek." He handed the papers to Karn and Pacal. They were subpeonas. "I must say I am very impressed with the judiciary system here. They responded faster that I thought they would," Vlah'do smiled. "Or maybe it's just that I twisted their arms a little..."BRBR
***BRBR
Iris' ears flattened at the loud sounds of the city, although she was a bit used to it since she lived in New New Orleans most of the time she was still shocked when hover-cars passed close by her. She sneezed in the dust bloud that trailed after the mobile vehicle.
Hikori had finally gotten directions to the courthouse and they'd reached the steps.BR
"Hikori! Lirpa! Iris!" Azure grinned at them. "Hoth got parole! I don't know about Vlah'do or Habbek, I think I've gone and stretched their patience too far..."BR
"Yeah, that officer looked a little red in the face." Hoth added, greeting Hikori and Lirpa with a nod and Iris with a pat on the shoulder. "And Vlah'do's fine, he has diplomatic immunity."BR
Azure blinked and crossed her arms. "Didn't know, that'd leave Habbek then."BR
Hoth nodded. "Yeah, and I've got nothing against contributing our credits to getting him outta there. He saved your life and Vlah'do's, about the least we can do for 'im."BR
The other three Akrennians nodded their agreement. BRBR
The officer overheard their conversation and left the room to go discuss the option with his boss. He returned to see them still talking amongs each other amiabley. The officer cleared his throat. Azure, who had been somewhat distracted, turned to him. "Ah, officer." She said, her mood significantly brightening. "You're just the man I want to speak to. You see, we have a friend that's here, by the name of Habbek. We would like to see this man."BR
The officer's face was set in a grim mask of authority. "No can do." He said bluntly. "Firstly you're friend is in the hospital."BR
"The hospital?" Asked Iris. "What for?"BR
"He had a broken knee?"BR
"What?" Azure's mood suddenly turned dark again. BR"Your thugs broke his leg!" She stared him in the eyes and stepped up to him.BR
The guard stared her down. "Listen lady, you've put us through a lot today and we aren't going to be pressed anymore. Your freind can't help a mass murderer. He stays in the hospital until the court case."BR
Azure grabbed his collar and moved her muzzle close to his face with a menacing snarl. "You can't keep an innocent and injured man in jail." BR
The officer retained his dignity and stared right back at her. "You're just lucky that we have a fast judiciary system or he'd be rotting in that jail for years. The case is tommorrow." BR
Azure was surprised to say the least. "Tommorrow?" She released him. "Then you'd best provide him with the best lawyer money can buy!"BR
"That's already taken care of. You're very lucky to be in this system, it's the most efficient on New Earth, and maybe in the galaxy."BR
Azure was substantially calmed. "I can imagine why."BR Since New Earth was formed, the humans had refined some of the problems with their government. Most places didn't even have definate borders between countries. Most countries were large industrial cities under a socialist government. Earth and humanity had changed more in the past 15 years than ever before.BRBR
Vlah'do took the three from Habbek's house, after making sure it was secure and took Pacal and Karn to the hotel the government had provided him with. It was extremely lavious, with gold mantles and long wooden staircases and porcelien vases on wooden tables in the hallways. Vlah'do led the two to their rooms. "But I have a house you know." Pacal said. BR
"Oh, I know." Replied Vlah'do. "But I just thought that you might like to milk the government for all it's worth. That and you might like to stay here for the court case; its tommorrow. I'm very pleased about that." He led them to their rooms. "I also reserved a room for Azure, Hoth and Nemo, Iris, and Hikori and Lirpa." BR
"Wow," Karn said. "You thought of everything." He walked into his room and looked around. "A king sized bathtub! Wow! Thanks!" He checked the closet. It was filled with his favorite kind of suit and shirts. The fridge had his favorite food and drink inside. BR
"Feel free to call room service whenever you want." Vlah'do said. "Now, you two get dressed repectabley because we're going to have a visitor soon." He walked into his room and left the two to wonder about what he meant.BRBR
***BRBR
Iris' ears flattened and she frowned, flinching. "Uph.." Her ears twitched with her movement but stayed flat.BR
"Well can we at least have the name of the hospital?" Azure asked, cocking her head and crossing her arms.BR
The officer glared at the concrete. "I'll have to ask my boss."BR
"You do that." Hoth said firmly, nodding his head in the direction of the door. "We'll wait here, go on."
The officer made an exasperated noise by blowing air out his nose, rolled his eyes, and walked back into the courthouse.BR
The group waited patiently, observing the movement on the street until Lirpa made a soft trilling sound in her throat.BR
The officer coughed and, although reluctant, released the name. Azure figured it'd be pushing it too far to ask for directions so simply inclined her head slightly as a show of respect and led the group off the stairs and out into the city.BRBR
Iris' ears fell out to the sides, giving her an almost comical appearance. "Is 'e really hurt that bad?"BR
"Well he couldn't walk, I know that, I didn't get a very good look at 'im." Hoth replied.BR
Iris' ears fell flat again and she closed her eyes. "Ah..."BR
Azure flicked her ears and cocked her head at Iris. "You really like this fella don't you?"BR
Iris flicked her right ear, which was closest to Azure. "Aye. He saved ye didn't 'e? Aye, an' then he was nice enough t'invite us to his house for dinner. He's got a good soul." She said quietly enough that only Azure heard her, if she had been able to see she would have avoided Azure's glance. BR
Azure watched Iris' expression for a moment before consentrating on the sidewalk again. What she'd seen was a mixture of confusion, concern, and a glimmer of hope. Azure immediatly realised Iris had expanded her clan once again.BRBR
They paused on a street corner as Hoth asked directions before they moved off again. Azure allowed herself to think about Iris for a moment. Since Iris had never had a clan she included all her friends and 'family' in hers, not that she ever said it out loud, but she saw the crew of the ArchAngel as HER kids, her family. Azure, Lirpa, and Hoth were each nearly raised by her, she'd comforted them, advised them, and loved them like she would have a family member. And when they met new crewmembers along the way she expanded again. Azure knew Iris hadn't had the best past, and the lack of parents made Iris humble and mild, but she was normally much more perky than she was at the moment. BRBR
There was a short silence before Iris spoke again, flicking her ears again. "Ye know, I've never had a real compliment before..."BR
Azure blinked and cocked her head, confused as to why this had come up.BR
Iris continued quickly, one ear perking nearly all the way up. "'E gave me a compliment, an' I believe he meant it. I plan to thank 'im if 'tis the last thing that I do." She said firmly, lowering her head nearly to her chest before lifting it again.BR
Azure cocked her head further, now confused since Iris seemed so set on it. "Well hopefully it WON'T be the last thing you do..." She said slowly.BR
Iris smiled faintly. "Aye, same thoughts here, lass."BRBR
***BRBR
Pacal and Karn had both eaten, cahnged and taken care of thier personal hygene in preparation for the visitor that Vlah'do had told them both about. Neither had any idea who it could be, but prepared themselves for anyone; this guy was full of surprises. BR
Karn was in his room, struggling with a toothbrush when he heard an the phone ring. He jumped because he wasn't used to the sound, but remember what it was and searched the house for the source of the ringing. He picked up the reciever. "Hello?" There was a slight muffled buzzing sound. "Hello?" Then he realised that he was holding the phone up side down. He inverted it and said again. "Hello?"BR
Vlah'do was on the other end. "We're ready. It's pretty important that you and I talk with this guy, so come over. I'm in room P12." BR
"Got it. I'm coming." He put on a nice coat and left, locking his room. He walked down the red carpeted hallway to find Vlah'do's room and open the door, turning the golden handle. BR
Inside, he saw Pacal, Vlah'do and their guest seated at a table in the middle of the room. Vlah'do looked at the man happily and Pacal was thoroughly as their mantrin guest ate a large slice or cantaloupe. "You know," He said, juice dribbling on his dirty shirt. "This is just like I thought it would be." He was all smiles. BR
Vlah'do looked up and stood. "Karn, this is Fahkrir. Do you recognize him?"BR
"I think so..." Karn said, his face showing concern. "Isn't he one of the..." BR
"Yeah. One of the pirates."BR
Frahkrir looked up, nodded amiabley and continued eating his cantaloupe. BR
"Why is he...?"BR
Frahkrir swallowed a mouthful and spoke up. "After we got loose from that trap, we broke up." He bit a generous mouthful, chewed noisly and continued his narration. "Some of us headed to Nami Muro. I went to the police because I wanted to get that scum bag Bild. But he got away with his stupid Dark Nebula, but mr.Vlah'do here recognized my name and made me a deal!" He smiled and chomped into the melon. Karn looked at a plate on the floor that held various other melon rinds. "And that fool said honey dew was better..."BR
"Yes, I found our friend Frahkrir here and made him a deal." Vlah'do said. "I said that if he testified in court, he would get full pardon and witness protection."BR
Pacal spoke up. "What good is Krahkrir's testimony in court?"BR
"In court there is always a battle of credibility. Both sides compete to show that they are more honest or reliable than the defendant or plaintiff. Frahkrir will help establish that Bild's crew was nothing more than a motley gang of pirates bent on setting us all in chains."BR
"Clever! I would never have expected someone of your age to be at that calibre of thinking."BR
Vlah'do was embarrassed. "Why thank you..."BR
Frahkrir wipped his mouth and reached for another melon. "Yeah, that Bild was always a rotten one, ordering us around like dirt! I'm better than dirt! Well, not that nutra-soil, that stuff's loaded with nutrients, I can't compete with that." Everyone laughed as Frahkrir dug in. BRBR
***BRBR
Hoth glanced around and grumbled something under his breath. "From what that guy said this should be it...I don't see a sign anywhere...AGH! Idiot!"BR
Azure cleared her throat and pointed up. "Hoth, gotta look higher than your shoulders."BR
Hoth's ear tips darkened in embaressment. Azure paid no attention and pushed him up the stairs in front of her. The rest of the group followed in a loose band. BR
The X-rays had been taken, the cast set and crutches issued. Habbek refused to stay in his room however and so hobbled around the waiting room, rather annoyed and frustrated. BR
Azure, Hoth, Lirpa, Hikori and Iris had all entered the hospital and loitered in the waiting room. They looked around in search of Habbek but couldn't fund him. Azure was about to approch the front desk when she heard him.
"You fool! I dont want your money! Take it! I said take it!" Azure rounded the corner to see Habbek struggling with his crutches and throwing quarters at a charitous bypasser.BR
"Habbek!" Azure said.BR
He looked over at her and smiled, erasing all the anger that had prevoiously occupied his face. "Azure!" He stood, once again struggling with his crutches, knocking them together noisly as he moved over to them akwardly. BRBR
She glanced at the bypasser, who looked more than a little embaressed. "They treatin' ya alright?" She asked, looking back at Habbek.BR
"Well as can be expected." Was the snorted answer.BR
Hikori flicked his ears back before bringing them level with his eyes and nodded at Habbek, Lirpa immitating the gesture. Iris lowered her head nearly to her chest and twitched her ears, allowing them to flop out to the sides again.BR
Hoth snorted lightly and looked around at the other patrons, a woman held a heavy icepack to a child's head, a man coughed violently. "Good thing you got in quick as ya did, looks like you'd be waiting a long time if you didn't."BR
Habbek stood up and shook hands amiabley with all the his visitors. "I'm very glad to see you all." There was a slight hesitation and prolongation when Habbek shook Iris' hand. He swallowed and continued talking. "So, what do we do now?"BR
"Habbek of Vades'Slos. Habbek of Vades'Slos, please pick up a white paging phone. I repeat..." Habbek's ears purked up as this announcement came over the hospital intercomm. BR
"I guess that's me." He hobbled over to the front desk where the secretary absent-mindedly handed him a phone.BR "Hello?"BR
"Habbek? Is that you?"BR
"Yeah, who's this?"BR
"Oh, just someone who's endebted their life to you!"BR
"Hoth?"BR
"No, Vlah'do! Listen, we've got a room for you, Azure, Hoth, Lirpa, everyone over at Hotel Les Clochettes."BR
"Okay, I'll tell them."BR
"They're there?"BR
"Yeah, they all came to visit me. Isn't that nice?"BR
"Indeed. Wow! What a forunate twist of fate. I'm glad that I dont have to scoure all of Nami Muro to find you guys!"BR
"Okay. I'll come over now."BR
"Now? Are you ready?"BR
"I dont see why not."BR
"I don't have much time left on this blasted phone card. Just come over okay? We'll talk more then."BR
"All right, bye."BR
Habbek hobbled back to the others. "Vlah'do's waiting for us at Hotel Les Clochettes. Let's go."BR
"Go?" Azure said. "Don't you have to get some doctor's permission or something?"BR
Habbek shrugged. "I guess if I do, it'll have to wait. Seeing my friend is more important to me. Let's go."BR
The six akrennians moved out of the hospital and back on the streets in another journey on foot. BRBR
Iris' ears swiveled rapidly as she picked up on the sounds of the street and the vocally one sided conversation between Hikori and Lirpa in front of her. Iris knew Lirpa was gesturing with her arms, throwing exagerated movement to convey her mood or whatever she was trying to say, but Iris also could not see Lirpa. So one couldn't talk to the other without the use of Iris' braile pad or another person to 'translate' for her. BR
Hoth glanced over his shoulder at Habbek and frowned. "Y'know, I'd hail a taxi if I could see any..." He murmered to Azure. BR
She nodded. "Yeah, I've go the credits, but not a friggin taxi in sight. Figures, eh?" BR
Hoth nodded in agreement as Azure shifted Nemo, who had by now fallen asleep again, on her shoulder.BRBR
Iris cocked her head and turned an ear in Habbek's direction, locating him. She dropped her pace to match his. "I'd like t'thank ye..." She paused awkwardly for a moment, her ears twisting in an odd manner before continuing. "'Aven't recieved an honest compliment before." She said, nodding to herself and flattening her ears before quickly perking them again. BR
Habbek was lost for words. A few hours ago, he had felt a familiar foolishness which he was feeling again. He didn't quiet know what to say. Damnit, he thought. This shouldn't be this hard. He swallowed. "Um, you're welcome." Again he mentally punished himself for being so dumb. This wasn't supposed to happen to people his age, this was for punk teenagers. He stared ahead as though he had lost interest in the conversation, but snuck a look at Iris' face which he hoped would go unnoticed. Even though she was blind he could tell she was a clever one and felt as though her unseeing eyes were not only able to see, but all-seeing, making him extra catious. Stop this, He told himself. This is foolishness, act your age. They continued walking to the hotel in silence. Throughout the whole walk, Habbek felt that he should have said something, but couldn't bring himself to, making himself feel even stupider.
They entered the Hotel and approached the front desk.BR
"Hello," Hoth said to the attendant. "We are Hoth, Azure, Nemo, Lirpa, Hikori, Iris and Habbek. do you have reservations for us?"BR
The attendant perked up, looking at them in surprise. "Oh yes sir! You've reservations are already made. You have one room for youself, Azure and Nemo. Another room for Hikori and Lirpa, a room for Mr. Habbek, and a room for Ms. Iris. If you will just follow me." The man ran out from behind the front desk and looked around at the floor. "Do you have any luggage?"BR
Azure smiled humorously. "No," She said. "We're traveling light."BR
The man gave her an inquizitive look. "Yes ma'am." He said respectfully, somewhat baffled. "Follow me please." He lead them up a flight of stairs.BR
Hikori looked around in admiration at the fine tapestry, carpets, gold handles, wooden furniture that adorned the hallway and shandelieres. "I must say, this is a lavish place."BR
Hoth looked around to. "Yeah, I'll bet with our luck we get a room in the basement." BR
The attendant heard the comment but decided to ignore it as they neared the their destination. He had been given directions to lead the seven of them to his room as soon as they got there. He turned a corner and tapped on a door. "This it the place."BR
Vlah'do opened the door slightly, saw who his guests where and threw open the doors. "Welcome friends!" BRBR
The group each greeted Vlah'do in turn, shaking hands.
Azure, instead of being respectfull and giving him a normal handshake, set Nemo down, grasped Vlah'do in a headlock and gave him a nuggie. Much to the surprse, dismay, and discomfort of Vlah'do. Azure released him about as quickly as she had grabbed him.BR
She smirked at his look. "That is something I picked up on a Drifter Colony, when they were still up there."
"Unfortunatly for the rest of the crew..." Hoth murmered to the side.BR
Azure turned and cocked her head, smirking. "No, your coffee is unfortunate."BR
"Pepsi, Azure, PEPSI." Hoth countered.BR
"Oh yeah?"BR
"Yes." Hoth bristled slightly.BR
"Well in that case..." Azure got a very scary and maniacal look on her face, dove, and tackled Hoth.
Hoth grunted, rolled, and flipped so she was on her back. Azure rolled so he was pinned on his back, her shoulder in his stomach. BR
Hoth growled and shoved her against the wall, pinning her once again on her back, using his lower arm to lean on her chest and hold her down. BR
Azure grinned and reached for his exposed mid-section, if she'd been out to hurt him she could have knocked the air out of him in one blow. But she did something worse, much worse.BR
She tickled him. Hoth was unable to keep his pressure and collapsed limply, invollunterally giggling. BR
"Enough....I've had...Enough..." Hoth gasped out between laughs.BR
"Say 'I give'. Saaaayyyy iiiiittt...." Azure grinned, not stopping her task.BR
"I...GIVE! IGIVEIGIVEIGIVE!" Hoth cackled out. BR
Azure grinned, stopped attacking his ribs, leaned back and smacked her hands together. "There, now that that's taken care of..." She looked up at the four confused faces and the five that held expressions of 'You-get-used-to-it.'BR
Hoth muttered something under his breath, punctuated by short fits of snickers. Azure smirked and leaned over, licking his cheek lightly before she stood up, to Hoth's surprise but certainly not his dismay.BRBR
Vlah'do's expression was that of surprise as he gingerly rubbed his head. He looked at the two inquizzitively before continuing with his instructions.BR "Uh, I got you a room." He handed the two electronic keys. "You, Hoth and Nemo have got room P4. You two have P5," He handed another set of keys to Hikori and Lirpa. "You have P6," He said to Iris. "And you have P7." The final set was given to Habbek. "I want you all to rest up tonight because tommorrow is the court case. They had the first hearing today to get all the formalities out of the way so that tommorrow we can get down to business."BR
All aknowledged and took thier keys. Hoth looked at the time on a extravagent grandfather clock down the hall. "Rest up? It's not even 6 o'clock!" BR
"Hey, what do you want to do until then?" Azure said.
The eight akrennians stood in the hallway as they thought of something to do. The silence was broken by Vlah'do. "Well, I dont know. This is a big city, there should be a lot of stuff to do. Just make sure to get back at a decent hour." He recieved strange glances all around. "Yeah, I feel a little strange saying things like that. It's just that you two are..." BR
Hoth and Azure exchanged glances. "Yes?" Said Hoth.BR
"Well, let me put it this way; I really respect you two because you show that you have to get older but you never have to grow up." BR
Azure smirked broadly. "Thank ya!" She cackled. "We might act a little childish, but it keeps us on our toes. Isn't that right Hoth?"BR
Hoth simply pointed at Azure and said, "She's the one who started it."BR
"Am not." Azure pushed him forward and snickered.
Nemo blinked dumbly and cocked his ears, hugging Azure's leg. BR
Iris hid a smile with a hand and chuckled. Hikori had an expressionless face on, Lirpa smirked faintly. BRBR
Vlah'do laughed openly while Pacal and Karn just stared akwardly. "Well, you still have my respect." Vlah'do said to the grapling pair. "But I personally don't want to spend the rest of the evening staring at the wall of my room. This city is full of things to do, any ideas?"BR
"Cosmic bowling!" Karn almost yelled, attracting the attention of a bypassing man in a suit. BR
"Cosmic bowling? What's that?" Pacal asked.BR
"Maybe we should get out of this hallway," Hoth said to Azure. "I think we're blocking the flow of traffic." BR
"Right." Azure said. They walked down the extravagent hallways in the incandescent light to the front of the hotel where many chairs and tables were set up for people to talk and order coffee at a nearby cafe. BR
"Shall we sit?" Vlah'do said in mock formallity. BRBR
Azure smirked and curtsied awkwardly. "Why thank you, young sir. I believe I shall." She said jokingly, taking a seat at a nearby table. Hoth slid into the chair beside her with Nemo in his arms and they were followed by Iris. Lirpa and Hikori took seats on the other side of the table.BR
"As you wish milady!" Vlah'do moved three tables together so that they could all sit together. The eight of them together made quiet a conspicuous sight; six akrennians, one igonian and a mantrennian, all sitting together at the tables like a family reunion. BR
A waiter nervously approached them. "Excuse me?" He diverted all their attention to him. "Can I help you folks?" He asked in typical restaraunt manners.BR
Hoth looked up. "Coffee!"BR
Azure bapped him on the nose. "Coffee? It's the middle of the evening!" BR
The squable that ensued was ingnored by most, now used to it, as Vlah'do adressed the waiter. "Yes, could we get some menus?" BR
"Certainly." The man whisked off.BR
Karn watched the man leave with interest. "I've never tasted Earth's food before. Is it good?"BR
Pacal laughed. "That's kind of a broad category. Some of it is good, yes. The only thing is that all of the meat they serve is always dead and cooked. There's a certain style to the food I can't quiet put my finger on."BR
"Small!" Habbek was seated at the end with his leg propped up by another chair on the other side of the table. "Everything they serve is really small! You have to go back two or three times!"BR
Pacal laughed. "In your opinion maybe."BR
With two different conversations flying back and forth, often with insults, Karn stopped staring in fascination at the grapling Azure and Hoth to talk to Vlah'do. "Hey, how do you know so much about Earth? I mean, you just landed here and, even though you had a hard time swimming, delt with the natives and government and got us where we are now! How?"BR
"Well, I guess its all because of my dad. He was always into human culture and stuff. He always said that we had much to learn from them."BR
"Your dad is a smart man, but I think that he took these people a little too seriously."BR
"No, not at all. In fact, he hasn't seen a human in a long time. He used to interact with them all the time, but now he lives on P'Lochda and doesn't get out very much."BR
"So you learned human culture from your dad?"BR
"No, I was interested in it too. I had a couple experiences with humans back when I was a kid. Keep in mind that back then, humans were still a marginal society and there weren't many left. When I found out how cool the humans really were I decided to take this job as a diplomat instead of joining the military like the rest of my family did. I wanted to see other races and cultures and stuff."BR
Unbeknowst to the group, a man was sitting in a chair across from them eavesdropping in on the conversation. He was wearing a long brown trechcoat and a business suit. He decided that he was not hearing what he wanted to and so came over to talk to them. He greeted the eight. "Hello everyone. My this is a big group. Is this seat taken?" He walked over to the chair that Habbek was propping his foot up on and slid it away from the table. His foot dropped to the ground and wacked against a table leg.BR
Habbek howled in pain. The man stared at him in shock. "Err, I'm sorry." He already knew that his leg was broken.BR
Habbek mumbled something under his breath and stared at the ground. BR
Vlah'do eyed him, not comptetuously, but inquizzitavely. What would a stranger want with a group of assorted aliens? "Yes?" He asked as politely as he could. BR
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Gren Hacob. I work at a legal clinic. I'm just curios, what are a bunch of tourists like yourselves doing in this city? I mean, there are much better places to visit."BR
"Oh, we're not tourists." Azure said, after finishing with Hoth. BR
Vlah'do silenced her with a look. "You're from a legal clinic eh?"BR
"Yes sir. I'm not really busy right now, clients have been disappearing."BR
"What luck! We could use a lawyer!" Karn blurted.BR
Vlah'do nudged his ribs from under the table to silence him.BR
"Excuse me?" Gren asked.BR
"We already have a lawyer, thanks anyway."BR
Pacal tapped Habbek on the shoulder. "This guy seems to be prying a little. What do you suppose is going on?" He whispered.BR
Habbek stared at the man. "I dont know. I think Vlah'do knows what he's doing though."BRBR
Iris came up from a cringe, though she held her ears back. She cocked her head at Gren but said nothing. BR
"A case eh?" Said Grenn. "Sounds interesting. What happened?"BR
"Under legal advise from my atourney I'm not at liberty to talk about it." Vlah'do replied flatly.BR
"Oh, I understand. Do you want something to drink?"BR
"No, I'm..."BR
"Waiter, a bottle of wine please!" He snapped at a passing waiter.BR
Vlah'do grunted. "I don't drink. And we're already about to order, thank you."BR
Grenn ignored him. "Bordeux please." He said to the waiter as he shuffled off. BR
"Really, that's okay."BR
"No, I insist." BR
Geez, Vlah'do thought. This guy is starting to bug me, what does he want? "Well, thanks but..."BR
"So tell me, are you in need of legal advise?" BR
"No, we are perfectly fine. Thank you." Vlah'do said briskly.BR
Habbek suddenly realized what was going on. This guy must be trying to leach some sort of information out of them for someone else. He must be working for someone higher than him. This infuriated Habbek and he reached across the table and grabbed Grenn by the shirt. "Listen you little leech! I know what you're after. Who do you work for?"BR
The man responded as anyone would if a 7 foot tall large male akrennian grabbed thier shirt and threatened them violently. "I... its that... I dont know what you're talking about!" BR
"Don't give me that! Spill it!"BR
"Better do as the man says." Azure said calmly, her smile vanishing.BR
Iris flattened her ears. "Aye, yes, it doesn't fit that a perfect stranger would walk up an' offer t'buy a group of akrennians a drink. An explanation is in order, m'lad." She said quietly. BRBR
"Look, I don't know what you're talking about!" Grenn insisted. BR
"Damnit man! I know you're up to something! If you're a lawyer, what are you doing without any of your stuff? Breifcase, papers?" Habbek reached inside his coat and rummaged around quickly. "See, there's no adress book, no cell phone, nothing! And what's this?" Habbek's wrist got caught on a wire. He twist his hand around it and pulled it out. "A wire? You're wearing a wire?" Attached to the wire was a small recording device and a microphone near at the collar. BR
Grenn gulped, realizing the gig was up. "Listen, I can explain." BR
Habbek threw the recorder on the ground, smashing it to pieces. "You'd better!"BR
"I'm not a lawyer, I'm an intern. Listen, if I tell you this, you've got to promise not to take it to the police."BR
Vlah'do grabbed Habbek's arm, releasing his grip on Grenn. "We promise that if you tell us we won't go to the police."BR
Grenn looked nervously around the table. "Fine. My boss told me to come down here and talk with you guys. He wants to win this case because it will help his reputation and in this system a reputation is all you've got! He really needs a case right now."BR
"Who is your boss?" Vlah'do inquired.BR
"Your prosecuting attourney, Mr. Takomuro."
"That's a crime!" Habbek spat. "We could have you and your boss thrown into a federal prison for this!"BR
Once again Vlah'do stepped in. "Don't worry about it Habbek."BR
Grenn was sweating. "Listen, I'm real sorry to have done this to you. I didn't want to. Can I leave?"BR
Habbek slumped back in his chair. "Yeah, get out of here."BR
He did so all too hastily. Habbek turned to Vlah'do. "You aren't going to just let this go are you?"BR
"No way! Remember what I said about credibility? This little incident is our secret weapon! We can shatter all their hopes of the jury believing them!"BR
"Genius!" Karn intejected. "That'll teach them a lesson!"BR
The three continued to talk and idle around until the waiter arrived to take orders. BR
"What can I get you?"BRBR
Azure glanced at her menu and picked the first thing she saw. "Um....Cream of, how do I pronounce that....Brock-call-lee soup?" BR
The waiter blinked at her but went on. "And you?"BR
Hoth looked at him hpefully. "Do you have hamburgers?"BR
"I'm afraid we don't."BR
"Oh...Do you have coffee?"BR
"This is a coffee house."BR
Hoth glowed. "I'll have a coffee."BR
Azure's responce to that was a sigh and a shake of her head.BR
The others made their orders more quickly. BR
"I'll have a... chicken club sandwich." Vlah'do said.BR
Habbek looked up. "Beef Teriyaki."BR
"Ceasar salad." Pacal ordered.BR
"Taco salad!" Karn said enthusiastically. BR
"I'm sorry, we don't have that." The waiter said.BR
"Oh," Karn said dissappointedly.BR
"You might want to try this one." Vlah'do said, pointing to the menu. BR
"Okay then. I'll take the... Alaskin salmon." BR
"Very good. And for the lady and child?" the waiter scribbled on a pad. BR
Azure smiled. "He'll have a cheese toasty."BR
"'Scuse me?"BR
"Uh....Cheese melt."BR
"Ohhh. And for you, ma'am?"BR
Iris looked confused for a moment before she spoke. "D'ye 'ave eggrolls?"BR
"I'm sorry, no we don't."BR
I'll have what she's 'avin' then." Iris gestured in Azure's general direction, nodding her head lightly.
The waiter shrugged and wrote a two after Azure's order, quickly trotting off. BRBR
"Nami Muro's the closest city. It would be easy to assume they've been taken there." Hikori said as calmly as ever.BR
Azure nodded. "Yes...Yes that would be wouldn't it....I'm going to Nami Muro, anyone with me?" She picked Nemo up into her arms and slung him around so he was riding piggy-back. "Hikori? Lirpa? Pacal?" She looked around. BRBR
***BRBR
Habbek had no intention on an escape attempt as Vlah'do had implied earlier. Instead he used the knife to cut open his right pant leg to examine his leg. It was as he feared, his leg was indeed broken, he could see through the torn skin of the compound fracture that it was more than just a dislocation or cut. Through the flowing dark burgeundy blood, he could see the bone had been broken. Vlah'do and Hoth looked on as Habbek wrapped the torn cloth around his knee in a vain attempt to stop the bleeding. BR
"You know, this could work to our advantage." Vlah'do said.BR
"What's that?" Habbek asked.BR
"You're knee. He broke it in a vicious act of police brutality. This would go over really well in court."BR
"No," Habbek said. "Dont hype this up with your lawyer nonesense. This is the least that could have happened to me after killing five people. I deserve this pain." BR
Vlah'do was silent. This was one of the rare people left in the universe.BR
The atmosphere in the back of the jeep changed to solemn silence. Hoth extended his legs to get the blood circulating again. He rubbed his head where a large bruise was forming on his cheek. BR
"And there's another example. They set a bomb on the door. And now look at Hoth. He is also victim of police brutality. Didn't I see someone kick you down on the ground?"BR
"Yeah. Someone hit me when I tried to get up."BR
"They can hardly say you were treated humanitarily, and you didn't threaten them in any way, so there was no need for them to do what they did."BR
"No! You don't understand." Habbek said. "I'm sorry about what happened to you two, but I deserve this. And I dont know about you two, but I'm going to suffer the consequences."BRBR
The armored jeep rolled up to a the prison were the passengers with an unfriendly welcome. Habbek could not stand on his leg and so a stretcher was brought. The three akrennians were put in a prison cell together without much ado. BR
After a few minutes of waiting, an officer came around and banged on the bars with a night stick. "Okay you three bums, background check. Which one of you is... Vlah'do?"BR
Vlah'do stood, his glare penetrating. "That's me. Just hope I never get your name."BR
"The officer opened the door and rolled his eyes as he put the cuffs on Vlah'do to lead him to the office. "Oh yeah?" He said noncahlantly and took him to the office. There he was stripped of all his belongings and they ran a background check. BR
A tired looking man sat at a desk while the officer held him. "Name? Clan?" The man said wearily.BR
"Vlah'do of Kodah."BR
"Age in standard?"BR
"26."BR
The inquiries continued until the man checked through his wallet. He pushed the wallet to Vlah'do. "Please desribe to me their contents." He said systematically.BR
"Let's see." The officer who held him sorted through the wallet's contents and held them up to him because his hands were cuffed behind his back. "That's my government ID," the two men looked at each other nervously. "That's my money. Standarn credits, I think I have 29. That's my citizenship card. That's my diplomatic immunity identification." BR
"What?" The man grabbed the card, suddenly alert. "Let me see that." He read it through, hoping that it would somehow be counterfiet. The two policemen exchanged a terrified glance.BRBR
***BRBR
Azure had left the house to go down to the police station, leaving Iris, Hikori and Lirpa in Habbek's house. They decided to stay and clean up a little and maybe await a phone call. This call came and Hikori pounced on the phone. BR
"Hello?"BR
"Hikori? It's Hoth."BR
"Hoth, thank the Gods. What happened?"BR
"I dont know. They wont tell me anything. I think I'm a suspect or something. But I know that the NMPD is in deep trouble."BR
"Why's that?" Hikori pressed the intercom button on the phone so that the others could hear the conversation.BR
"Remember our friend Vlah'do? He's a diplomat."BR
"A diplomat? Now they're in for it."BR
"You said it. Last time I left, Vlah'do was chewing the chief of police out. I think he's got something planned."BR
"How are they treating you?"BR
"Like an animal. That's to be expected for a suspected murderer. I've been moved into a cell with a pretty large and violent human guy."BR
"Not that it's a bad thing, but why did you use your phone call to call us?"BR
"Because I have no one else to call and I think Vlah'do has everything under control anyway."BR
"Ah."BR
"They seperated me, Vlah'do and Habbek. I dont know where they are now. I hope they're all right. Ah," Hoth whispered. "The guard is telling me to get off now so I have to go. Just come down to the station and see if you can get this cleared up okay?"BR
"We'll be there as soon as possible."BR
"All right."BR
"Take care of yourself Hoth."
"No need to worry. I'll be fine."BR
"Bye." Hikori hung up the phone. "What are we waiting for?" He said to Lirpa and Iris.BR
"The blood stains to come out of the carpet." Iris knew they were Habbek's and was visibley sad.BR
"You're worried about our friend Habbek?" BR
Lirpa tugged his arm and hugged him close. BR
"Don't worry you two, I'm sure that if justice is properly served, everything will turn out right."BRBR
***BRBR
Azure stormed up the stairs of the police station, Nemo in her arms, prepared to deliver a tongue lashing and, if worst came to worst, a good smack on the head to anyone who got in her way. Nemo was snoozing soundly with his head resting on her shoulder when she stalked up to the front desk and delivered a death glare to the innocent secretary planted there. BRBR
"I want to see someone." Azure growled dangerously, Nemo stirred and blinked in a disoriented fashion.
The secretary was occupied with her typing and seemed not to notice Azure's presence.BR
"I. Want. To. See. Someone." Azure said again, banging a fist on the desk rather roughly.BR
The secretary looked startled and a little disturbed, she looked up and blinked her large eyes, a Grapoan Azure recalled the species' name. BR"Um...Yes...Ur....Who?"BRBR
"Hoth, Yar clan." Azure's glare eased a small amount now that she had the distracted Grapoan's undivided attention.BR
"I'm sorry....But-"BR
Azure raised an eyeridge and her glare returned to 'I'll-burn-holes-in-your-head' status. BR
The secretary let her hand stray towards a button under her desk. "I'm sorry. You can't."BRBR
Nemo shifted and mumbled something, reminding Azure of his presence and restraining her from continueing to non-verbally threaten the Grapoan. Instead she grumbled something and turned to find a seat. She didn't plan on leaving anytime soon.BRBR
***BRBR
Lirpa fretted quietly, ears twisting as she wished she was able to express her distress in words and not just sounds and gestures. Hikori nodded at her, agreeing silently. BR
Iris was oblivious to the both of them, the smell of blood was getting to her and she felt like gagging. She stepped outside for a moment to give herself a break. BR
Hikori flicked his ears but said nothing for a while. "Perhaps we should go down there..." He murmered in suggestion. "We may be able to help in some way..."BR
"Or we may just get in the way, lad." Iris responded. BRBR
***BRBR
Two security guards came and loitered in the waiting room, alerted by the silent alarm. They talked quietly to each oter before approaching Azure. "Ma'am," One said. "Is there a problem?" BR
"Yes there's a problem! The police came to a friends house while we were just sitting there eating and arrested my good friend and my mate in a very violent fashion!" At this point she was holding Nemo's hand while standing and staring down the security guard. "And I want to know why!"BR
The guard backed down, but showed no emotion behind his man-with-no-eyes sunglasses. "Just calm down ma'am, I'm sure we can arrange something."BR
"I dont want something! I want to see him!" She came close to becoming physical, and the guard saw this.BR
"If you'll just wait here, I'll go and see what I can do. Who is the person you want to see?"BR
"Hoth, of Yar."BR
"I'll be back as quick as possible." He and the other guard headed off, leaving the secretary extremely nervous in the empty waiting room with Azure. BR
"Geez," said the guard. "Did you see the vein on her forehead? She's gonna blow her stack!"BR
"Yeah, but she'll be fine once we tell her about Hoth."BR
"Isn't that the 6 counter murder suspect? Why? What happened to him?"BR
"He has friends in high places. The other guy they arrested was a diplomat."BR
"No way!" He shook his head. "We're in deep trouble." BR
"No kidding."BRBR
The Grapoan nervously tried to get her work done as Azure occasionally casted her dirty glances. BREventually, an officer came into the empty room and greeted her. "Mrs.Azure?"BR
"Yes?" BR
"Hi, I'm officer Teshi. I'm here to talk to you about your mate Hoth."BR
Azure was releaved that the police hadn't just blown her off, but was still in a bad mood. "What is going on? Why did you arrest him?"BR
"There has been a terrible mistake, and because of that, we are willing to make an unprecedented deal due to these circumstances."BR
"What's that?"BR
"Firstly, understand that the charges against your mate are extremely severe and would normally be given a mandatory sentence even to a suspect. However, in this case we have agreed to grant your mate parol on two conditions. He must remain on parol until the court case and testify. It will also cost a large amount of money."BR
"I dont care, just do it!"BR
"Fine. I'm glad to have been of service. Let me get you the parol officer and we'll discuss price and time and all that. Okay? Wait here." He left before she could do anything. BR
I wonder why they're treating my so nicely? Maybe they really messed up! This ought to be fun. BR
The secretary saw Azure's evil grin and shuddered. Nemo whimpered.BRBR
***BRBR
Hikori had finished practically scraping the carpet from the floor, he sat back on his knees and stretched his back. Lirpa and Iris each did something similar in turn. BR
"I still believe we should go. And I am. If anything Azure and Nemo could surely use the company." Hikori said in his even tone. Lirpa nodded.BR
Iris flexed her fingers and worked the cramps out of them, she simply stood up and nodded. "Aye, s'pose yer right, lad." BRBR
***BRBR
Azure picked Nemo up again and gave him a small reassuring hug. "Don't worry, kiddo." She whispered into his ear before setting him back on the floor and taking his hand again. She replayed the earlier incident in her head, ready to use any and all of what she remembered against the police force. Hopefully she would be able to help Vlah'do and Habbek too. She just wondered how they'd even been able to trace it back to them..BRBR
***BRBR
The guard came over to Hoth's cell and banged on the bars to get his attention. His keys jangled as he got them out and stuck them in the door. "You're an very lucky person Hoth, you've got friends looking out for you in a high places..." The door opened and the guard led him out of the cell without cuffs. BR
He was taken to the waiting room where the parol officer had been talking to her. "So, if you'll just give us any forms of identification you have we'll find your credit account and..."BR
"Hoth!" Azure disregarded the officer and ran to Hoth, practically jumping on him. BR
"Mmmuph!" Hoth grunted, ears twitching. "Watch the ribs, Az.." He muttered, hissing slightly although he was as glad to see her as she was to see him. BR
"Oh, be quiet!" Azure hugged her mate and turned to the officer. "Alright, hold on..." She sifted through her pocket and produced a card which identified her as a cargo trader. "Here."BRBR
***BRBR
Hikori flicked an ear and glanced at the street signs, their progress towards the city hadn't been fast since Iris had to be guided around dips and rises in the land. Hikori decided that the street signs were of no use since he both didn't know the city and didn't have a map. They would have to guess their way to the police station, or whatever might serve as one. BRBR
***BRBR
Habbek's house was still a mess. There was burn marks on the floor by the door which was splitered in pieces all over the room, the carpet was scored in several places and there was dark red blotch in the carpet that later streaked to the entrance. Pacal sat in a comfortable arm chair and Karn on the couch. The air in the room had grown tensious as they both sat there, silently. They had decided to stay behind and wait at the house in case someone came or tried to call.
Karn felt the need to break the silence. "So, you've been Habbek's friend for sometime eh? Has he ever been in a situation like this before?"BRBR
Pacal turned to him with concern on his face. "No. He's never had any trouble with the authorities." They've never caught him before. Pacal knew of Habbek's troubled past. Suffice to say, these weren't the first people he had killed, just the first people he had killed in a long time. BR
Karn thought for a minute of how to phrase his next question. "What do you think will happen?"BR
"I am confidant in this planet's judiciary system."BR
Pacal said firmly "Justice will be served and Habbek will go free."BR
"I dont mean to be a pessimist, but what makes you so sure?"BR
"I don't know. I just can't imagine Habbek going to prison. I'm sure that when he gets his case the jury will be sympathetic."BR
"Why? Has Nami Muro had a piracy problem before?"BR
"Yes, We've had a very large problem. Nami Muro is a large industrial city with a lot of infrastructure. Pirate's take advantage of this fledgling planet's weak police force and the people are tired of it."BR
"Sounds like Habbek's going to have an easy case."BR
"Not so. Seven counts is incredibly serious."BR
Karn smiled sarcastically. "Now who's the pessimist?"BR
Both resigned into their thoughts and remained quiet for some time. BR
Karn broke the silence. "Don't worry for your friend Pacal."BR
"Oh, but I do."BR
"I'm sure that everything will work out fine."BR
"I hope you're right friend, its just that I wish there was something I could do for him."BR
A figure stood in the doorway. "Oh, but there is!"BR
Pacal and Karn turned to look. "Vlah'do!" Karn said and ran to him, hugging him tightly. BR
"Gah," Vlah'do gasped as the Igonnian squeezed the breath from him.BRBR
Pacal noticed that he had changed his clothes. "Where have you been young man?" BR
Vlah'do unwrikled his ukata and straightened up, beaming. "I was just at the department of commerce in Nami Muro. They melted like butter on the sidewalk on a hot day! They released Hoth on parol, gave me and all of you a nice hotel room and many other privaledges, such as diplomatic immunity and witness protection!" BR
Pacal shook his hand warmly. "And what about Habbek?"BR
"Well, last thing I remember, he was in the jail with a broken knee. I demanded that he recived medical attention immediately and he did. Hoth was supposed to have been let out on parol and that's as much as I know. I haven't had a chance to talk to either of them yet, but that's as much as I know. Now," Vlah'do had in his hand a manila folder. He extracted two papers. BR"Comes the time in which we repay our good friend Habbek." He handed the papers to Karn and Pacal. They were subpeonas. "I must say I am very impressed with the judiciary system here. They responded faster that I thought they would," Vlah'do smiled. "Or maybe it's just that I twisted their arms a little..."BRBR
***BRBR
Iris' ears flattened at the loud sounds of the city, although she was a bit used to it since she lived in New New Orleans most of the time she was still shocked when hover-cars passed close by her. She sneezed in the dust bloud that trailed after the mobile vehicle.
Hikori had finally gotten directions to the courthouse and they'd reached the steps.BR
"Hikori! Lirpa! Iris!" Azure grinned at them. "Hoth got parole! I don't know about Vlah'do or Habbek, I think I've gone and stretched their patience too far..."BR
"Yeah, that officer looked a little red in the face." Hoth added, greeting Hikori and Lirpa with a nod and Iris with a pat on the shoulder. "And Vlah'do's fine, he has diplomatic immunity."BR
Azure blinked and crossed her arms. "Didn't know, that'd leave Habbek then."BR
Hoth nodded. "Yeah, and I've got nothing against contributing our credits to getting him outta there. He saved your life and Vlah'do's, about the least we can do for 'im."BR
The other three Akrennians nodded their agreement. BRBR
The officer overheard their conversation and left the room to go discuss the option with his boss. He returned to see them still talking amongs each other amiabley. The officer cleared his throat. Azure, who had been somewhat distracted, turned to him. "Ah, officer." She said, her mood significantly brightening. "You're just the man I want to speak to. You see, we have a friend that's here, by the name of Habbek. We would like to see this man."BR
The officer's face was set in a grim mask of authority. "No can do." He said bluntly. "Firstly you're friend is in the hospital."BR
"The hospital?" Asked Iris. "What for?"BR
"He had a broken knee?"BR
"What?" Azure's mood suddenly turned dark again. BR"Your thugs broke his leg!" She stared him in the eyes and stepped up to him.BR
The guard stared her down. "Listen lady, you've put us through a lot today and we aren't going to be pressed anymore. Your freind can't help a mass murderer. He stays in the hospital until the court case."BR
Azure grabbed his collar and moved her muzzle close to his face with a menacing snarl. "You can't keep an innocent and injured man in jail." BR
The officer retained his dignity and stared right back at her. "You're just lucky that we have a fast judiciary system or he'd be rotting in that jail for years. The case is tommorrow." BR
Azure was surprised to say the least. "Tommorrow?" She released him. "Then you'd best provide him with the best lawyer money can buy!"BR
"That's already taken care of. You're very lucky to be in this system, it's the most efficient on New Earth, and maybe in the galaxy."BR
Azure was substantially calmed. "I can imagine why."BR Since New Earth was formed, the humans had refined some of the problems with their government. Most places didn't even have definate borders between countries. Most countries were large industrial cities under a socialist government. Earth and humanity had changed more in the past 15 years than ever before.BRBR
Vlah'do took the three from Habbek's house, after making sure it was secure and took Pacal and Karn to the hotel the government had provided him with. It was extremely lavious, with gold mantles and long wooden staircases and porcelien vases on wooden tables in the hallways. Vlah'do led the two to their rooms. "But I have a house you know." Pacal said. BR
"Oh, I know." Replied Vlah'do. "But I just thought that you might like to milk the government for all it's worth. That and you might like to stay here for the court case; its tommorrow. I'm very pleased about that." He led them to their rooms. "I also reserved a room for Azure, Hoth and Nemo, Iris, and Hikori and Lirpa." BR
"Wow," Karn said. "You thought of everything." He walked into his room and looked around. "A king sized bathtub! Wow! Thanks!" He checked the closet. It was filled with his favorite kind of suit and shirts. The fridge had his favorite food and drink inside. BR
"Feel free to call room service whenever you want." Vlah'do said. "Now, you two get dressed repectabley because we're going to have a visitor soon." He walked into his room and left the two to wonder about what he meant.BRBR
***BRBR
Iris' ears flattened and she frowned, flinching. "Uph.." Her ears twitched with her movement but stayed flat.BR
"Well can we at least have the name of the hospital?" Azure asked, cocking her head and crossing her arms.BR
The officer glared at the concrete. "I'll have to ask my boss."BR
"You do that." Hoth said firmly, nodding his head in the direction of the door. "We'll wait here, go on."
The officer made an exasperated noise by blowing air out his nose, rolled his eyes, and walked back into the courthouse.BR
The group waited patiently, observing the movement on the street until Lirpa made a soft trilling sound in her throat.BR
The officer coughed and, although reluctant, released the name. Azure figured it'd be pushing it too far to ask for directions so simply inclined her head slightly as a show of respect and led the group off the stairs and out into the city.BRBR
Iris' ears fell out to the sides, giving her an almost comical appearance. "Is 'e really hurt that bad?"BR
"Well he couldn't walk, I know that, I didn't get a very good look at 'im." Hoth replied.BR
Iris' ears fell flat again and she closed her eyes. "Ah..."BR
Azure flicked her ears and cocked her head at Iris. "You really like this fella don't you?"BR
Iris flicked her right ear, which was closest to Azure. "Aye. He saved ye didn't 'e? Aye, an' then he was nice enough t'invite us to his house for dinner. He's got a good soul." She said quietly enough that only Azure heard her, if she had been able to see she would have avoided Azure's glance. BR
Azure watched Iris' expression for a moment before consentrating on the sidewalk again. What she'd seen was a mixture of confusion, concern, and a glimmer of hope. Azure immediatly realised Iris had expanded her clan once again.BRBR
They paused on a street corner as Hoth asked directions before they moved off again. Azure allowed herself to think about Iris for a moment. Since Iris had never had a clan she included all her friends and 'family' in hers, not that she ever said it out loud, but she saw the crew of the ArchAngel as HER kids, her family. Azure, Lirpa, and Hoth were each nearly raised by her, she'd comforted them, advised them, and loved them like she would have a family member. And when they met new crewmembers along the way she expanded again. Azure knew Iris hadn't had the best past, and the lack of parents made Iris humble and mild, but she was normally much more perky than she was at the moment. BRBR
There was a short silence before Iris spoke again, flicking her ears again. "Ye know, I've never had a real compliment before..."BR
Azure blinked and cocked her head, confused as to why this had come up.BR
Iris continued quickly, one ear perking nearly all the way up. "'E gave me a compliment, an' I believe he meant it. I plan to thank 'im if 'tis the last thing that I do." She said firmly, lowering her head nearly to her chest before lifting it again.BR
Azure cocked her head further, now confused since Iris seemed so set on it. "Well hopefully it WON'T be the last thing you do..." She said slowly.BR
Iris smiled faintly. "Aye, same thoughts here, lass."BRBR
***BRBR
Pacal and Karn had both eaten, cahnged and taken care of thier personal hygene in preparation for the visitor that Vlah'do had told them both about. Neither had any idea who it could be, but prepared themselves for anyone; this guy was full of surprises. BR
Karn was in his room, struggling with a toothbrush when he heard an the phone ring. He jumped because he wasn't used to the sound, but remember what it was and searched the house for the source of the ringing. He picked up the reciever. "Hello?" There was a slight muffled buzzing sound. "Hello?" Then he realised that he was holding the phone up side down. He inverted it and said again. "Hello?"BR
Vlah'do was on the other end. "We're ready. It's pretty important that you and I talk with this guy, so come over. I'm in room P12." BR
"Got it. I'm coming." He put on a nice coat and left, locking his room. He walked down the red carpeted hallway to find Vlah'do's room and open the door, turning the golden handle. BR
Inside, he saw Pacal, Vlah'do and their guest seated at a table in the middle of the room. Vlah'do looked at the man happily and Pacal was thoroughly as their mantrin guest ate a large slice or cantaloupe. "You know," He said, juice dribbling on his dirty shirt. "This is just like I thought it would be." He was all smiles. BR
Vlah'do looked up and stood. "Karn, this is Fahkrir. Do you recognize him?"BR
"I think so..." Karn said, his face showing concern. "Isn't he one of the..." BR
"Yeah. One of the pirates."BR
Frahkrir looked up, nodded amiabley and continued eating his cantaloupe. BR
"Why is he...?"BR
Frahkrir swallowed a mouthful and spoke up. "After we got loose from that trap, we broke up." He bit a generous mouthful, chewed noisly and continued his narration. "Some of us headed to Nami Muro. I went to the police because I wanted to get that scum bag Bild. But he got away with his stupid Dark Nebula, but mr.Vlah'do here recognized my name and made me a deal!" He smiled and chomped into the melon. Karn looked at a plate on the floor that held various other melon rinds. "And that fool said honey dew was better..."BR
"Yes, I found our friend Frahkrir here and made him a deal." Vlah'do said. "I said that if he testified in court, he would get full pardon and witness protection."BR
Pacal spoke up. "What good is Krahkrir's testimony in court?"BR
"In court there is always a battle of credibility. Both sides compete to show that they are more honest or reliable than the defendant or plaintiff. Frahkrir will help establish that Bild's crew was nothing more than a motley gang of pirates bent on setting us all in chains."BR
"Clever! I would never have expected someone of your age to be at that calibre of thinking."BR
Vlah'do was embarrassed. "Why thank you..."BR
Frahkrir wipped his mouth and reached for another melon. "Yeah, that Bild was always a rotten one, ordering us around like dirt! I'm better than dirt! Well, not that nutra-soil, that stuff's loaded with nutrients, I can't compete with that." Everyone laughed as Frahkrir dug in. BRBR
***BRBR
Hoth glanced around and grumbled something under his breath. "From what that guy said this should be it...I don't see a sign anywhere...AGH! Idiot!"BR
Azure cleared her throat and pointed up. "Hoth, gotta look higher than your shoulders."BR
Hoth's ear tips darkened in embaressment. Azure paid no attention and pushed him up the stairs in front of her. The rest of the group followed in a loose band. BR
The X-rays had been taken, the cast set and crutches issued. Habbek refused to stay in his room however and so hobbled around the waiting room, rather annoyed and frustrated. BR
Azure, Hoth, Lirpa, Hikori and Iris had all entered the hospital and loitered in the waiting room. They looked around in search of Habbek but couldn't fund him. Azure was about to approch the front desk when she heard him.
"You fool! I dont want your money! Take it! I said take it!" Azure rounded the corner to see Habbek struggling with his crutches and throwing quarters at a charitous bypasser.BR
"Habbek!" Azure said.BR
He looked over at her and smiled, erasing all the anger that had prevoiously occupied his face. "Azure!" He stood, once again struggling with his crutches, knocking them together noisly as he moved over to them akwardly. BRBR
She glanced at the bypasser, who looked more than a little embaressed. "They treatin' ya alright?" She asked, looking back at Habbek.BR
"Well as can be expected." Was the snorted answer.BR
Hikori flicked his ears back before bringing them level with his eyes and nodded at Habbek, Lirpa immitating the gesture. Iris lowered her head nearly to her chest and twitched her ears, allowing them to flop out to the sides again.BR
Hoth snorted lightly and looked around at the other patrons, a woman held a heavy icepack to a child's head, a man coughed violently. "Good thing you got in quick as ya did, looks like you'd be waiting a long time if you didn't."BR
Habbek stood up and shook hands amiabley with all the his visitors. "I'm very glad to see you all." There was a slight hesitation and prolongation when Habbek shook Iris' hand. He swallowed and continued talking. "So, what do we do now?"BR
"Habbek of Vades'Slos. Habbek of Vades'Slos, please pick up a white paging phone. I repeat..." Habbek's ears purked up as this announcement came over the hospital intercomm. BR
"I guess that's me." He hobbled over to the front desk where the secretary absent-mindedly handed him a phone.BR "Hello?"BR
"Habbek? Is that you?"BR
"Yeah, who's this?"BR
"Oh, just someone who's endebted their life to you!"BR
"Hoth?"BR
"No, Vlah'do! Listen, we've got a room for you, Azure, Hoth, Lirpa, everyone over at Hotel Les Clochettes."BR
"Okay, I'll tell them."BR
"They're there?"BR
"Yeah, they all came to visit me. Isn't that nice?"BR
"Indeed. Wow! What a forunate twist of fate. I'm glad that I dont have to scoure all of Nami Muro to find you guys!"BR
"Okay. I'll come over now."BR
"Now? Are you ready?"BR
"I dont see why not."BR
"I don't have much time left on this blasted phone card. Just come over okay? We'll talk more then."BR
"All right, bye."BR
Habbek hobbled back to the others. "Vlah'do's waiting for us at Hotel Les Clochettes. Let's go."BR
"Go?" Azure said. "Don't you have to get some doctor's permission or something?"BR
Habbek shrugged. "I guess if I do, it'll have to wait. Seeing my friend is more important to me. Let's go."BR
The six akrennians moved out of the hospital and back on the streets in another journey on foot. BRBR
Iris' ears swiveled rapidly as she picked up on the sounds of the street and the vocally one sided conversation between Hikori and Lirpa in front of her. Iris knew Lirpa was gesturing with her arms, throwing exagerated movement to convey her mood or whatever she was trying to say, but Iris also could not see Lirpa. So one couldn't talk to the other without the use of Iris' braile pad or another person to 'translate' for her. BR
Hoth glanced over his shoulder at Habbek and frowned. "Y'know, I'd hail a taxi if I could see any..." He murmered to Azure. BR
She nodded. "Yeah, I've go the credits, but not a friggin taxi in sight. Figures, eh?" BR
Hoth nodded in agreement as Azure shifted Nemo, who had by now fallen asleep again, on her shoulder.BRBR
Iris cocked her head and turned an ear in Habbek's direction, locating him. She dropped her pace to match his. "I'd like t'thank ye..." She paused awkwardly for a moment, her ears twisting in an odd manner before continuing. "'Aven't recieved an honest compliment before." She said, nodding to herself and flattening her ears before quickly perking them again. BR
Habbek was lost for words. A few hours ago, he had felt a familiar foolishness which he was feeling again. He didn't quiet know what to say. Damnit, he thought. This shouldn't be this hard. He swallowed. "Um, you're welcome." Again he mentally punished himself for being so dumb. This wasn't supposed to happen to people his age, this was for punk teenagers. He stared ahead as though he had lost interest in the conversation, but snuck a look at Iris' face which he hoped would go unnoticed. Even though she was blind he could tell she was a clever one and felt as though her unseeing eyes were not only able to see, but all-seeing, making him extra catious. Stop this, He told himself. This is foolishness, act your age. They continued walking to the hotel in silence. Throughout the whole walk, Habbek felt that he should have said something, but couldn't bring himself to, making himself feel even stupider.
They entered the Hotel and approached the front desk.BR
"Hello," Hoth said to the attendant. "We are Hoth, Azure, Nemo, Lirpa, Hikori, Iris and Habbek. do you have reservations for us?"BR
The attendant perked up, looking at them in surprise. "Oh yes sir! You've reservations are already made. You have one room for youself, Azure and Nemo. Another room for Hikori and Lirpa, a room for Mr. Habbek, and a room for Ms. Iris. If you will just follow me." The man ran out from behind the front desk and looked around at the floor. "Do you have any luggage?"BR
Azure smiled humorously. "No," She said. "We're traveling light."BR
The man gave her an inquizitive look. "Yes ma'am." He said respectfully, somewhat baffled. "Follow me please." He lead them up a flight of stairs.BR
Hikori looked around in admiration at the fine tapestry, carpets, gold handles, wooden furniture that adorned the hallway and shandelieres. "I must say, this is a lavish place."BR
Hoth looked around to. "Yeah, I'll bet with our luck we get a room in the basement." BR
The attendant heard the comment but decided to ignore it as they neared the their destination. He had been given directions to lead the seven of them to his room as soon as they got there. He turned a corner and tapped on a door. "This it the place."BR
Vlah'do opened the door slightly, saw who his guests where and threw open the doors. "Welcome friends!" BRBR
The group each greeted Vlah'do in turn, shaking hands.
Azure, instead of being respectfull and giving him a normal handshake, set Nemo down, grasped Vlah'do in a headlock and gave him a nuggie. Much to the surprse, dismay, and discomfort of Vlah'do. Azure released him about as quickly as she had grabbed him.BR
She smirked at his look. "That is something I picked up on a Drifter Colony, when they were still up there."
"Unfortunatly for the rest of the crew..." Hoth murmered to the side.BR
Azure turned and cocked her head, smirking. "No, your coffee is unfortunate."BR
"Pepsi, Azure, PEPSI." Hoth countered.BR
"Oh yeah?"BR
"Yes." Hoth bristled slightly.BR
"Well in that case..." Azure got a very scary and maniacal look on her face, dove, and tackled Hoth.
Hoth grunted, rolled, and flipped so she was on her back. Azure rolled so he was pinned on his back, her shoulder in his stomach. BR
Hoth growled and shoved her against the wall, pinning her once again on her back, using his lower arm to lean on her chest and hold her down. BR
Azure grinned and reached for his exposed mid-section, if she'd been out to hurt him she could have knocked the air out of him in one blow. But she did something worse, much worse.BR
She tickled him. Hoth was unable to keep his pressure and collapsed limply, invollunterally giggling. BR
"Enough....I've had...Enough..." Hoth gasped out between laughs.BR
"Say 'I give'. Saaaayyyy iiiiittt...." Azure grinned, not stopping her task.BR
"I...GIVE! IGIVEIGIVEIGIVE!" Hoth cackled out. BR
Azure grinned, stopped attacking his ribs, leaned back and smacked her hands together. "There, now that that's taken care of..." She looked up at the four confused faces and the five that held expressions of 'You-get-used-to-it.'BR
Hoth muttered something under his breath, punctuated by short fits of snickers. Azure smirked and leaned over, licking his cheek lightly before she stood up, to Hoth's surprise but certainly not his dismay.BRBR
Vlah'do's expression was that of surprise as he gingerly rubbed his head. He looked at the two inquizzitively before continuing with his instructions.BR "Uh, I got you a room." He handed the two electronic keys. "You, Hoth and Nemo have got room P4. You two have P5," He handed another set of keys to Hikori and Lirpa. "You have P6," He said to Iris. "And you have P7." The final set was given to Habbek. "I want you all to rest up tonight because tommorrow is the court case. They had the first hearing today to get all the formalities out of the way so that tommorrow we can get down to business."BR
All aknowledged and took thier keys. Hoth looked at the time on a extravagent grandfather clock down the hall. "Rest up? It's not even 6 o'clock!" BR
"Hey, what do you want to do until then?" Azure said.
The eight akrennians stood in the hallway as they thought of something to do. The silence was broken by Vlah'do. "Well, I dont know. This is a big city, there should be a lot of stuff to do. Just make sure to get back at a decent hour." He recieved strange glances all around. "Yeah, I feel a little strange saying things like that. It's just that you two are..." BR
Hoth and Azure exchanged glances. "Yes?" Said Hoth.BR
"Well, let me put it this way; I really respect you two because you show that you have to get older but you never have to grow up." BR
Azure smirked broadly. "Thank ya!" She cackled. "We might act a little childish, but it keeps us on our toes. Isn't that right Hoth?"BR
Hoth simply pointed at Azure and said, "She's the one who started it."BR
"Am not." Azure pushed him forward and snickered.
Nemo blinked dumbly and cocked his ears, hugging Azure's leg. BR
Iris hid a smile with a hand and chuckled. Hikori had an expressionless face on, Lirpa smirked faintly. BRBR
Vlah'do laughed openly while Pacal and Karn just stared akwardly. "Well, you still have my respect." Vlah'do said to the grapling pair. "But I personally don't want to spend the rest of the evening staring at the wall of my room. This city is full of things to do, any ideas?"BR
"Cosmic bowling!" Karn almost yelled, attracting the attention of a bypassing man in a suit. BR
"Cosmic bowling? What's that?" Pacal asked.BR
"Maybe we should get out of this hallway," Hoth said to Azure. "I think we're blocking the flow of traffic." BR
"Right." Azure said. They walked down the extravagent hallways in the incandescent light to the front of the hotel where many chairs and tables were set up for people to talk and order coffee at a nearby cafe. BR
"Shall we sit?" Vlah'do said in mock formallity. BRBR
Azure smirked and curtsied awkwardly. "Why thank you, young sir. I believe I shall." She said jokingly, taking a seat at a nearby table. Hoth slid into the chair beside her with Nemo in his arms and they were followed by Iris. Lirpa and Hikori took seats on the other side of the table.BR
"As you wish milady!" Vlah'do moved three tables together so that they could all sit together. The eight of them together made quiet a conspicuous sight; six akrennians, one igonian and a mantrennian, all sitting together at the tables like a family reunion. BR
A waiter nervously approached them. "Excuse me?" He diverted all their attention to him. "Can I help you folks?" He asked in typical restaraunt manners.BR
Hoth looked up. "Coffee!"BR
Azure bapped him on the nose. "Coffee? It's the middle of the evening!" BR
The squable that ensued was ingnored by most, now used to it, as Vlah'do adressed the waiter. "Yes, could we get some menus?" BR
"Certainly." The man whisked off.BR
Karn watched the man leave with interest. "I've never tasted Earth's food before. Is it good?"BR
Pacal laughed. "That's kind of a broad category. Some of it is good, yes. The only thing is that all of the meat they serve is always dead and cooked. There's a certain style to the food I can't quiet put my finger on."BR
"Small!" Habbek was seated at the end with his leg propped up by another chair on the other side of the table. "Everything they serve is really small! You have to go back two or three times!"BR
Pacal laughed. "In your opinion maybe."BR
With two different conversations flying back and forth, often with insults, Karn stopped staring in fascination at the grapling Azure and Hoth to talk to Vlah'do. "Hey, how do you know so much about Earth? I mean, you just landed here and, even though you had a hard time swimming, delt with the natives and government and got us where we are now! How?"BR
"Well, I guess its all because of my dad. He was always into human culture and stuff. He always said that we had much to learn from them."BR
"Your dad is a smart man, but I think that he took these people a little too seriously."BR
"No, not at all. In fact, he hasn't seen a human in a long time. He used to interact with them all the time, but now he lives on P'Lochda and doesn't get out very much."BR
"So you learned human culture from your dad?"BR
"No, I was interested in it too. I had a couple experiences with humans back when I was a kid. Keep in mind that back then, humans were still a marginal society and there weren't many left. When I found out how cool the humans really were I decided to take this job as a diplomat instead of joining the military like the rest of my family did. I wanted to see other races and cultures and stuff."BR
Unbeknowst to the group, a man was sitting in a chair across from them eavesdropping in on the conversation. He was wearing a long brown trechcoat and a business suit. He decided that he was not hearing what he wanted to and so came over to talk to them. He greeted the eight. "Hello everyone. My this is a big group. Is this seat taken?" He walked over to the chair that Habbek was propping his foot up on and slid it away from the table. His foot dropped to the ground and wacked against a table leg.BR
Habbek howled in pain. The man stared at him in shock. "Err, I'm sorry." He already knew that his leg was broken.BR
Habbek mumbled something under his breath and stared at the ground. BR
Vlah'do eyed him, not comptetuously, but inquizzitavely. What would a stranger want with a group of assorted aliens? "Yes?" He asked as politely as he could. BR
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Gren Hacob. I work at a legal clinic. I'm just curios, what are a bunch of tourists like yourselves doing in this city? I mean, there are much better places to visit."BR
"Oh, we're not tourists." Azure said, after finishing with Hoth. BR
Vlah'do silenced her with a look. "You're from a legal clinic eh?"BR
"Yes sir. I'm not really busy right now, clients have been disappearing."BR
"What luck! We could use a lawyer!" Karn blurted.BR
Vlah'do nudged his ribs from under the table to silence him.BR
"Excuse me?" Gren asked.BR
"We already have a lawyer, thanks anyway."BR
Pacal tapped Habbek on the shoulder. "This guy seems to be prying a little. What do you suppose is going on?" He whispered.BR
Habbek stared at the man. "I dont know. I think Vlah'do knows what he's doing though."BRBR
Iris came up from a cringe, though she held her ears back. She cocked her head at Gren but said nothing. BR
"A case eh?" Said Grenn. "Sounds interesting. What happened?"BR
"Under legal advise from my atourney I'm not at liberty to talk about it." Vlah'do replied flatly.BR
"Oh, I understand. Do you want something to drink?"BR
"No, I'm..."BR
"Waiter, a bottle of wine please!" He snapped at a passing waiter.BR
Vlah'do grunted. "I don't drink. And we're already about to order, thank you."BR
Grenn ignored him. "Bordeux please." He said to the waiter as he shuffled off. BR
"Really, that's okay."BR
"No, I insist." BR
Geez, Vlah'do thought. This guy is starting to bug me, what does he want? "Well, thanks but..."BR
"So tell me, are you in need of legal advise?" BR
"No, we are perfectly fine. Thank you." Vlah'do said briskly.BR
Habbek suddenly realized what was going on. This guy must be trying to leach some sort of information out of them for someone else. He must be working for someone higher than him. This infuriated Habbek and he reached across the table and grabbed Grenn by the shirt. "Listen you little leech! I know what you're after. Who do you work for?"BR
The man responded as anyone would if a 7 foot tall large male akrennian grabbed thier shirt and threatened them violently. "I... its that... I dont know what you're talking about!" BR
"Don't give me that! Spill it!"BR
"Better do as the man says." Azure said calmly, her smile vanishing.BR
Iris flattened her ears. "Aye, yes, it doesn't fit that a perfect stranger would walk up an' offer t'buy a group of akrennians a drink. An explanation is in order, m'lad." She said quietly. BRBR
"Look, I don't know what you're talking about!" Grenn insisted. BR
"Damnit man! I know you're up to something! If you're a lawyer, what are you doing without any of your stuff? Breifcase, papers?" Habbek reached inside his coat and rummaged around quickly. "See, there's no adress book, no cell phone, nothing! And what's this?" Habbek's wrist got caught on a wire. He twist his hand around it and pulled it out. "A wire? You're wearing a wire?" Attached to the wire was a small recording device and a microphone near at the collar. BR
Grenn gulped, realizing the gig was up. "Listen, I can explain." BR
Habbek threw the recorder on the ground, smashing it to pieces. "You'd better!"BR
"I'm not a lawyer, I'm an intern. Listen, if I tell you this, you've got to promise not to take it to the police."BR
Vlah'do grabbed Habbek's arm, releasing his grip on Grenn. "We promise that if you tell us we won't go to the police."BR
Grenn looked nervously around the table. "Fine. My boss told me to come down here and talk with you guys. He wants to win this case because it will help his reputation and in this system a reputation is all you've got! He really needs a case right now."BR
"Who is your boss?" Vlah'do inquired.BR
"Your prosecuting attourney, Mr. Takomuro."
"That's a crime!" Habbek spat. "We could have you and your boss thrown into a federal prison for this!"BR
Once again Vlah'do stepped in. "Don't worry about it Habbek."BR
Grenn was sweating. "Listen, I'm real sorry to have done this to you. I didn't want to. Can I leave?"BR
Habbek slumped back in his chair. "Yeah, get out of here."BR
He did so all too hastily. Habbek turned to Vlah'do. "You aren't going to just let this go are you?"BR
"No way! Remember what I said about credibility? This little incident is our secret weapon! We can shatter all their hopes of the jury believing them!"BR
"Genius!" Karn intejected. "That'll teach them a lesson!"BR
The three continued to talk and idle around until the waiter arrived to take orders. BR
"What can I get you?"BRBR
Azure glanced at her menu and picked the first thing she saw. "Um....Cream of, how do I pronounce that....Brock-call-lee soup?" BR
The waiter blinked at her but went on. "And you?"BR
Hoth looked at him hpefully. "Do you have hamburgers?"BR
"I'm afraid we don't."BR
"Oh...Do you have coffee?"BR
"This is a coffee house."BR
Hoth glowed. "I'll have a coffee."BR
Azure's responce to that was a sigh and a shake of her head.BR
The others made their orders more quickly. BR
"I'll have a... chicken club sandwich." Vlah'do said.BR
Habbek looked up. "Beef Teriyaki."BR
"Ceasar salad." Pacal ordered.BR
"Taco salad!" Karn said enthusiastically. BR
"I'm sorry, we don't have that." The waiter said.BR
"Oh," Karn said dissappointedly.BR
"You might want to try this one." Vlah'do said, pointing to the menu. BR
"Okay then. I'll take the... Alaskin salmon." BR
"Very good. And for the lady and child?" the waiter scribbled on a pad. BR
Azure smiled. "He'll have a cheese toasty."BR
"'Scuse me?"BR
"Uh....Cheese melt."BR
"Ohhh. And for you, ma'am?"BR
Iris looked confused for a moment before she spoke. "D'ye 'ave eggrolls?"BR
"I'm sorry, no we don't."BR
I'll have what she's 'avin' then." Iris gestured in Azure's general direction, nodding her head lightly.
The waiter shrugged and wrote a two after Azure's order, quickly trotting off. BRBR
