Chapter 8: An Offer You Can't Refuse

Jason walks down a corridor of the main base in full armor, smiling as he reflects on the events of the afternoon. As he approaches the door to the room where he carries out the planning of his operations, he sees Tron Bonne and Storm Eagle standing in front of the door looking depressed. Jason can barely make out what they are saying as he approaches.

"Storm, Jason is not gonna be happy..." mummers Tron under her breath.

"I know Miss Bonne...but there was nothing we could do...we tried our be-Master Jason! You're back!" says Storm, finally looking up.

"Is there a problem? Why are you two so down?" asks Jason, passing them to get to the door.

Storm speaks up and moves between Jason and the door. "Sir, you have to understand. Before you open this door-" Storm's sentence stops as a crashing noise and yelling can be heard from inside. Jason pushes Storm out of the way and opens the door. He takes one look inside and then catches the depression in the air. Jason utters one word as he feels the impending doom loom ever closer.

"Crystal."

Jason watches as Crystal screams at a huddled group of Coyotebots. Some of the metal soldiers try to answer her as she goes on and on, but are immediately told to shut up.

"I'm so sorry Jason, we couldn't hold her back. She just, caught us by surprise and said she wouldn't leave till she saw you..." Tron says, peeking from the doorway. Jason walks up to Crystal and seizes her hand before she tosses another book at the trembling robots.

Crystal turns her head to see who it was and prepared to unleash the fury. That is, until she saw it was Jason...and he was (in a sense) holding her. Immediately she went from an unstoppable monster to well, regular Crystal. Even though Jason looked at her with cold, dark eyes, she still gazed into them as if he were looking at her lovingly. After that brief moment, she turns her back to him and puts her hands to the sides of her face.

"J-Jason...it's so nice to see you. I missed you so much I-I just had to visit."

While she talks, Jason motions for the Coyotebots to get the heck outta there so he can handle this. The Coyotebots dash out and lock the door, leaving Jason alone with the dangerous beauty.

Jason speaks up. "Crystal, why were you so angry? You were terrorizing some of my troops..."

Crystal turns around, but this time with an angry, not-so-nice look. The look even makes Jason take a step back! Crystal's voice takes a very nasty tone, the kind you never want to hear from a girl.

"All right Jason Christopher, exactly who was that girl you were with and what were you doing with her?!" Uh oh, she used his full first name, go to Def Con 3!

Jason gives a nervous laugh. He'll have to be careful with what he says to her. He decides that the truth, or close to it, would be best. He regains his cool and says, "She is just a friend, and we went out for something to eat. All we did was talk."

Jason looks at Crystal, trying to see if it worked. Apparently her gritting her teeth was a bad sign. Suddenly she exploded.

"YOU WENT OUT WITH HER?!" Crystal's face is red, but not from blushing.

Jason stands strong in the face of danger and continues to reason with Crystal, saying "Ann is a very close friend of mine Crystal, and I don't see why you'd care if I was with her. You and I aren't a couple."

Crystal still fumes and bursts. "ANN HUH? SO THE WITCH HAS A NAME!" Maybe Crystal was missing the point...

Jason sighs and resumes talking. He decides that talking might not be enough, so he slowly steps toward her, taking gentle hold her hands.

"Crystal, why are you so jealous? Annie is one of my best friends, and I am very glad to know her...almost as glad as I am to know such a beautiful girl like you. Crystal, (looks directly into her eyes and draws her ever closer) I would never lie to you..."

Crystal was calm once again as Jason took her hands, and listened to him intently as she looked into his shaded eyes. After his words she sighs and falls onto Jason, hugging him tightly.

"Oh Jason, I knew you loved me! I'm so happy!" Crystal hugs him tighter as she giggles with joy.

Jason looks down at her and smiles uneasily while thinking, "Oh great, now she thinks were in love...and she is squeezing the air outta me!"

"Now Jason, I booked us reservations at a Corellian restaurant. It's a great place! Let's go!" Crystal squeezes him tighter with glee.

"Ahh!" yells Jason, from both the unplanned date and the sudden loss of air. "Look, Crystal, I don't think you understand, I have work I have to get done. Perhaps some other time?"

Crystal gives him 'The Look' again. She lets go of her death-grip and folds her arms.

"Now Jason...you aren't planning on seeing that Ann girl again, are you? Because you will NOT get out of this one, Jason! You are taking me out tonight, or (sweet voice) I'll stay for the evening..."

Jason just sighs. He knew what she meant by 'Staying the evening.' And he knew even if she was an extremely beautiful girl, he always planned on waiting till he was married for...what she had planned if they didn't go on the date. (For younger readers, they mean endless hours of playing Super Smash: Melee!) He also knew that she always found a way to make him do things, always! If she wanted to go on a date...he'd have to take her...

"I'll find a way to resist you someday, once I find my one true love...either that or I'll (shudders) end up marrying you..." says Jason, low enough so she couldn't hear him. He speaks to her. "All right, we'll go. Are you going to wear your uniform?"

"Why yes! Aren't you?" responds Crystal.

Jason just presses a button on the black digital watch on his left wrist, deactivating his armor. Under his armor he wore a black tuxedo along with his hat, but he still had his blaster and lightsaber on his belt.

"Of course I am Crystal. Now, let's warp over to the docking bay. We'll take my personal Super Stardestroyer, The Argo." Jason gave a weak inward smile as the thought of what The Argo had seen latelybut then shook it off and left it for another time.

Crystal furrows her brow. "Jasy? Is anything wrong?"

Jason shakes his head and gives her a small laugh. "Nothing, nothing at all. I've been hit with a lot recently, so I end up thinking about a lot."

"Wellok. I understand. Don't worry, maybe tonight I can take your mind offa things!" Crystal gives a cheery giggle and takes his arm, tugging it lightly.

Jason can't hold back his smile at her attempts. "Just lay of the Jasy.'"

"Oooooh-kay" Crystal pretends to be disappointed.

"all right, I may survive this after all!" Thinks Jason, to himself of course.

Jason and Crystal use the bases' teleportation system and warp to the docking bay. As they board the ship, Jason sighs and looks up.

"Dear God, please watch over Ann tonight...and help me through this!" silently prays Jason to the Big Man upstairs.

Crystal also thinks to herself. "Hee hee, maybe after tonight's date, I can add a little more to my plan for him and me..."

-

Tron walks into the control room with a tray of coffee. In the room sits Storm Eagle, who slaves over a computer screen.

"If you stare too long into that screen, your optics will fry." Tron places the tray on a table near Storm. She looks over his shoulder to see what he's looking at.

After a few seconds without a response, she shoves his shoulder to grab his attention. "Hey Storm! Can you even hear me?"

Storm looks up and then back to the screen. "Oh, hello Miss Bonne. I didn't see you come in."

Tron crosses her arms and taps her foot. "Oh really..."

"Please excuse me, I'm working on studying this information. Miss Bonne, could you please bring me a cup of coffee? The caffeine might allow me to go a while longer without having to go into stasis to recharge."

Tron sighs and points out the coffee next to him. Storm Eagle doesn't even think to see her as he types some commands into the computer. Tron growls and gives a forced cough to try and get him to look.

Storm keeps his eyes on the flashing screen while he types. "You know, you should take some medicine for that cough. We would not want you to get sick."

"STORM LOOK NEXT TO YOU!" shouts Tron.

Storm glances to his side and sees the steaming cups of java. He then turns his attention back to the screen. "Thank you Miss Bonne. That was fast."

Tron was just about to reach the end of her fuse, until...

"Excuse me, but would you like to see what I am working on Miss Bonne?"

Tron's curiosity gets the best of her and she looks at the screen again.

"Sure Storm, and call me Tron. After all this time, you still address me so formally..."

"I'll try Miss Bonne. I have been researching the rebel's battle data in an attempt to use their weaknesses such as personalities, fighting styles, mental weakness, etc. to better our chances in stopping them when they are found. On top of that, later I must update these files pertaining to the events of several months ago."

Tron lets the 'Miss Bonne' slide and reads the data on screen. Next to the stats of each of Jason's renegade family are pictures of some of their battles and techniques.

"Interesting Storm, so what have you found?" asks Tron.

"Well, all we need to know is right here Miss Bonne."

Tron leans past Storm and brings up an entry.

(Computer speaking)

Subject: Commander Jay Redfield Simmons AKA The god of fire

Sex: Male

Age: 16

Hair Color: Dark Brown-Black

Eye Color: Dark Brown

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 130 LB

Nationality: Australia (Earth)

-Fighting styles: Specializes in speed and accuracy. Also known to use the element fire in battle, either from own internal energy or from pyrotechnic generating weapons.

-Weapon(s) of choice: Standard blaster, laser tint modified to blue; Twin .45 mm pistols, clip fed (20 rounds per clip); Iron 'Strike-Chain' bull-whip with optional super-heating blade; Boomerang with active laser blade when thrown, can be used for handheld weapon in close combat; Bow and Arrows (arrows include standard, exploding tip, fire arrows, and 'lucky' Black Arrow.)

Also uses standard Jetpack/'Octopus' Arms and a variation of Dash Boot system.

-Armor: Wears a black tuxedo or 'Indiana Jones' style clothing. Fabric of both suits made to absorb light hits, either physical or energy based.

-Optional Weaponry/Armor: Heat-resistant armor (Total height in armor: 6'5'' Total weight: approx. 550 lbs) with twin long-range flame-throwers on each arm and 'Piledriver' nose shield on left arm.

-Personality notes: Known to be 'girl-crazy.' Also known for his 'hot-headed' nature. Very absorbed in his looks due to his severe Narcissism. Confident, likes to eliminate targets in a swift manner unless said target proves a challenge. Tendency toward operating independently and is prone to resisting authority.

Tron pulls up a seat next to Storm and sits with him. "So, how will this (points to data) help us beat that (points to Jay's picture)?"

Storm sighs and stretches his wings. "That's what I've been trying to figure out. Maybe we could use his self-righteous nature against him? It's not likely he's going to learn to be a little more passive in such a time period. I believe when we finally find them, we will be up against what we last saw..."

"Storm, we have to be ready for anything. Let's just put that idea you had on the back burner for now."

Storm takes one of the cups of coffee. He brings the cup up and hits his metal beak, forgetting he doesn't have a mouth. He tries to move his head to put the liquid into his mouth, but it's no use. Tron watches his attempts and then gets up. She tries to move the cup so he can drink out of it.

"Oh here Storm, just...try and put it in between your beak hinges right...ok!" says Tron as Storm finally is able to drink it.

Storm takes a sip and immediately spits it out over his side (away from Tron).

"I'm sorry Miss Bonne...I just...I'm sorry." Storm's gentleman personality didn't really shine there!

Tron smiles at the giant metal reploid. "Come on, I'm a mechanic. I just fix the machine, I don't make it!"

Storm regains his posture and looks back to the screen.

"Lighten up, jeez..." mumbles Tron.

Storm pretends not to have heard her and says, "Back to work." to get things moving again.

"Right, roger that Storm. Hey, who do we look up next?" asks Tron.

Storm scans the other 3 briefly. "Hmmm, I'm not sure how to pick. Miss Bonne, you should choose. Lady's choice."

"Oooh, such a gentleman. Lemme see...(closes her eyes and puts her finger on the screen, placing it on Jacob's stats.) That one!"

Storm brings it up. "All right, computer, read statistics on subject Jacob for us."

(Computer)

Subject: Commander Jacob Raphael Simmons AKA Lord of Thunder

Sex: Male

Age: 15

Hair Color: Dark Brown-Black

Eye Color: Dark Brown

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 127 lb

Nationality: United States of America (Earth)

-Fighting styles: Specializes in one-hit-kill concentrated attacks or wide-range, generally weaker (and usually non-lethal) strikes. Uses electricity for main basis of attacks, either with weapon or own power.

-Weapon(s) of choice: Beam Scythe (super concentrated fusion particle beam); Shock Blaster, which fires laser-like pulses of electricity; a grapple-gun 'Hookshot.' Also uses 'Octopus' arms, modified to carry electrical current and rocket-boot system in armor for flight.

-Armor: Wears green plate armor, resembling that of ancient Japanese Samurai armor, or more precisely Ronin Warrior Sage's armor of Halo.

-Optional Weaponry/Armor: Technical data not available.

-Personality notes: Dislikes battle, but finds it necessary for peace. Makes it a point to try and offer the enemy a chance to surrender before engaging in battle, unless he knows the enemy will refuse. Usually a reserved person, Jacob does what he believes is right when needed. Past history restricted.

Storm becomes curious at the last statement. "Computer, access data banks on past histories. Subject: Commander Jacob."

The computer checks entry and then says, "Access denied. Authorization needed from Supreme Commander Jason to access data files."

Storm sighs in discouragement. "Oh well, I shouldn't stick my beak where it doesn't belong."

"Ah, relax Storm! I'm sure it wasn't important anyway. Let's take a break. All this work is making me hungry. How 'bout you and me grab something to eat? My treat!" says Tron with a smile on her face. Storm walks over to the door and opens it.

"After you, Miss Bonne. And it would be correct to say, 'How about you and I grab something to eat,' just for reference."

Tron folds her arms. "Oh yeah? Well you should never start a sentence with the word 'and.' Now let's go!"

-

Elsewhere, a set of eyes slowly open to the sight of a TV showing some old 'Looney Tunes' cartoons. Jacob quickly remembers where he is and looks around for Lita.

"Uh oh, I hope we didn't leave the oven on..." Jacob looks down and sees that he is still wearing the green apron. More noticeable, however, is the sleeping form of Lita, which clings around his waist as they sit on the couch in her apartment. Lita begins to stir.

"Hmmm? Oh, hi Jacob. (Lita lets go of him and sits up) Wow, we fell asleep...I hope we didn't leave anything on the stove..." Lita slips into dreamland again and leans on Jacob's shoulder.

Jacob sighs. They both cooked up such great food and ate so much, they were too tired afterwards to do anything! Looking at the clock revealed it to be 7:00 in the evening. Jacob thought about getting up and putting Lita to bed, then to start heading home. But he was so comfortable there, and he'd hate to wake his sleeping beauty. He tried to think of what he should do, but his eyelids felt like they were experiencing 100x gravity...maybe if he could rest his eyes for just a bit he could think of some...thing...