Brotherhood

The next day, Werner was working on a report he had to do for work. But his mind began to wander as he thought of his plans for his next day off. So he was spending a lot of time looking around in order to see what the other members of his team were up to.

Melody was off to one side, trying to perfect her blush in order to look her best, although he had no idea what use that would do now. Unless she had found a boyfriend of sorts, but who could that be? Surely not Malik Bendict, the only person younger than Melody on the entire council. Those two were always at one another's throats, and they weren't even on the same team.

Leehalt was diligently working on his report, as always. If he could do something to trip Werner up he would. Ever since they were boys Leehalt had been jealous of his peer. He'd tried to beat the other man at every sporting event and intellect challenge known to man. But Werner always came out on top, whatever the contest. Most of the time Leehalt lost because he was prone to letting his temper get the best of him, and refused to stay focused or disciplined.

But today, something was different. Leehalt motioned for Werner to come over to talk to him, as if he wanted to make a truce at long last. Werner was willing to give the other man a chance, he was really tired of playing these silly little games. So he brought his work over to where his comrade sat.

"Werner," Leehalt began, "I know we haven't been the best of friends in the past, but I'm willing to let bygones be bygones. You know, bury the hatchet and all that rot. After all, we have to work with each other every day, so we should at least try to work out all of our problems."


"Just what are you getting at with all of this Leehalt? I'm in agreement here, I want to stop dancing this little duet with you. It's beginning to get old. But I want to know what you want from me in return. Remember, you can't pull the wool over my eyes, I know you all too well. The only time you use that tone of voice is if you want something from someone," Werner stated.

Leehalt whispered, "I have to keep my voice down, can't let anyone else hear what I have to say. You remember that girl we met in Little Rock yesterday? The one with the collie dog?"


Werner nodded. "Of course I remember Ekatrina. She was really nice, wouldn't you agree?" But his face was beginning to get red as he thought about her. He was well aware that he was blushing, and wondered if Leehalt noticed it too. He must have, for he began to scowl at Werner.

"Well, I want to ask her out," Leehalt admitted, "But I don't have the courage to do so. So, could you possibly write a love letter to her, from me? I'd greatly appreciate it if your would. You know how shy I get among women. I'd probably lose my nerve before I even enter Little Rock."

"You can count on me. I'm really good at poetry and the fine arts. Perhaps the only person who can write better poems than me would be Elliot, but he's been through all this before," Werner said.

Leehalt told him, "I thank you for your assistance Maxwell. You'd better not disappoint me." He then walked over to the other side of the room, leaving his scowl behind on Werner.

Werner wondered why Leehalt had asked this of him. Then, it hit him square in the head. Leehalt knew that Werner had a crush on her as well. He'd figured that if he could get Werner to betray his love in order to keep his promise, it would be the greatest revenge of all. If Werner hadn't had a crush on her, he would have probably gone to Elliot for advice, for Werner was right about his friend's prowess in the finer arts. Else he would have written the letter by himself.

The young man smacked his forehead for being so stupid. He'd just walked right into Leehalt's trap. 'How am I going to get out of this one? Looks like I'm going to need some advice from my unofficial older brother.' He then returned to work, planning to talk to Elliot about the situation later on.

* * *

"Hey Werner, what's up?" asked Elliot, "Is there something wrong?" He offered his friend a seat, and the other man took it. Jet left the room, knowing when there was going to be an adult conversation from all of his experience with his father's talks with Werner.

"Well, you're not drinking," joked Werner. It was after seven PM, and Elliot hadn't so much as touched a glass of wine. Usually this was the best time for the man to enjoy his nightly refreshments. But there wasn't a bottle to be found throughout the quarters. Did something happen?


Elliot complained, "Melody and Malik got into another fight. Malik called her a vain little witch, since she was putting makeup on again, and she got so mad that she threw a whole fifth of Jack Daniels at him in anger. Then, he grabbed an expensive vinaigrette wine from the shelf, and threw it at her. Soon every bottle in the whole place was broken, as well as some of the lab equipment. Pete ran out for some more test tubes and other supplies, but he's not getting wine tonight."

Werner sighed. "That's too bad. I need to ask you a favor. It's a matter of life and death for me. Would you be willing to help your old friend out?" He briefly summarized what had transposed between himself and Leehalt. Then, he asked if Elliot could possibly write Leehalt's letter for him.

"Sure I will," the man replied, "It'll be our little secret. No one is ever going to know that you didn't do it. I'll get started on it the second I can, later on tonight after Jet goes to sleep."

"I know I can count on you. For your help, I'll give you this," Werner stated. He produced a bottle of Jack Daniels and a small keg of ale that he'd originally gotten for Elliot's next birthday. What's to say that giving him them a little early wouldn't do any harm. He could always buy more. So after bidding the father and son goodnight, Werner went back to his own quarters to sleep.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

I got this idea from Zoids NC/0. Well, what Leehalt said in Yggdrasil made me think about the whole Layon/Toros rivalry. And any of you who've seen the show should know what comes next (evil grin on her face).