Chapter Ten: Dreams/Revelations
It was just recently that the tiny group found themselves once again looking over the affairs of their family. As they escaped one danger, they were thrust into another. This is where the three found themselves, in front of the wise sprite who was like the protector of the spiritual place. Meredith Lan, still looking young and lovely, even though she had spent her son's entire time line in this place, placed a hand on the wise sprite's shoulder. "Please, Simon." she begged. "I have to at least make him see."
The ancient sprite known as Simon shook his head, sighing. Ever since this whole trial in Trison had started, she had been begging him to let her talk to her husband. "And as I have said before, Miri," he replied. "It is not our place to decide the outcome of fate."
"Surely you see the problem here." Dr. James Matrix persisted. He adjusted his glasses, then crossed his arms. "My children are looking at a deletion sentence if something isn't done."
"James, please." Simon again sighed.
"Simon," Dr. Patricia Matrix said, softly. "We're just worried, that's all."
"As you should be." the wise sprite said. "But we can not interfere in this matter. Who knows what could happen if just one of you comes to them. They must work this out for themselves."
Miri sat down on the white couch beside her. "I just can't understand him." she whispered. "Robbie was different. How could he change so drastically? I know my passing caused him so much pain, but...turning against Bobby like this? And Christopher! His own grandson hates him."
Simon wheeled over to her, patting her on the shoulder. "I know this is hard, child." he said. "Who knows the ways of sprites these seconds? Your deletion hurt your husband more than we can ever know. And certainly his actions towards young Robert and his own family are causing far more hurt than we can truly decipher."
"And this trial isn't helping either." James muttered.
"Simon, you can see more about what's to come than we can." Patty said. "Tell me this isn't going to ruin them. Jet and Kit have been at each other's throats this whole time. They used to be so close."
"My children, I can tell you that things will...find a way to work themselves out over time."
The three groaned. Another one of Simon's vague answers. They never knew what he meant by any of it and he certainly didn't go the easy route and tell them the answers they seeked. They would just have to find out on their own. Miri sighed again. There had to be a way to reach Robert, bu she couldn't see how without breaking a rule or two, but she would find one.
Her family depended on it.
***
Another second, another second of trial. The stress was starting to hit Jet like a one ton truck of bricks. Since taking over the defense, he and Nikki had gone back over testimony of witnesses and the like. The only problem was, all the witness were trustworthy, with the exception of three highly suspicious witnesses. The twins couldn't poke holes in the prosecution even if they tried. The only thing Jet could do was call his own witnesses, but even the young attorney in training knew that was a dangerous move.
"It's still your turn, Mr. Lan." Riley said, head resting on his fist. User, was he tried of this case.
"Thank you, your honor." Jet replied, nervously. "Defense calls Sabrina Matrix."
Sabrina looked up from her organizer's game, surprised Jet had called her. Clearing her throat, she handed the object to her brother, and made her way to the stand. "Ms. Matrix," Jet began. "Please tell the court your relationship to the defendants."
"Well, Enzo Senior is my father and Dot and Enzo are my aunt and uncle." the young sprite replied.
"Ms. Matrix, things have been said about your father's time in the games." Jet continued. "As well as his part in the viral takeover of your home system. Would you care to shed some light on the situation?"
"Look," Sabrina said. "What my Mom and Dad did in the games was on survival. If they didn't do what they had to, they never would've made it home and therefore, wouldn't have had me or my brother. As for the viral takeover, I can tell you for a fact that Alexander Gain was 100% behind the orchestration of it." The crowd of spectators gasped. "My family was just the vehicle to deliver it."
"No further questions."
"Mr. Peters, your witness."
"Thank you." Peters replied, standing and walking over the half game sprite. "Just so I understand, Ms. Matrix, are you saying that what your father did to poor Cody Richson was justified?"
"Have you ever been in a game, Mr. Peters?" Sabrina asked. "Do you what it's like to hold the fate of an entire system in your hand? One little mistake and you delete and you take the system with you. My parents were stuck in the games for ten hours. During the Daemon War. With all ports to the Net closed. Is deletion ever justified, Mr. Peters? Of course not and I'm sure Cody what's his bucket was a nice guy and all, but you snooze, you lose. There is no game, set, pause in our neutral nets. You either win or you meet your programmer."
"And I suppose your father taking over Mainframe was justified as well?" Peters asked.
"Did you not hear me the first time?" Sabrina retorted. "I said Alexander Gain was behind it."
"Do you have any proof?"
"Other than the fact that he's a no good, dirty, son of a..."
"Objection!" Jet cried.
Riley looked at him in confusion. "You're objectioning to your own witness, Mr. Lan?"
"Uh..." Jet murmured.
"I have no further questions for this witness, your honor." Peters interrupted, heading back to his table. Sabrina sighed, stood, and headed back to her seat. Jet sat at the defense table, near compteplation of handing the reigns back over to Kit.
"Your next witness, Mr. Lan." Riley replied.
"I call..." Jet began, then hesitated. "I call Robert Lan to the stand."
The crowd murmured and whispered, some unbelieving that the current Prime Guardian himself was being called to testify. Even Bob was caught off guard, but he slowly rose to his feet and headed for the chair. "Prime Guardian," Jet began, suddenly thinking on his feet for the first time in this trial. "In your opinion, were the steps used in the viral takeover of Mainframe practicing standards for the Collective?"
Bob looked at his son. Didn't he realize the danger he had put their family in? "No." Bob said, causing the crowd to once again gasp at the response of the defendants. "If anything, special measures were employed to due to the...circumstances that evolved."
"I see..." Jet replied, trailing off. He had made a big mistake in asking that question. He hoped his next one would prove to be better. "So family and friends are more important to you than anything else?"
"Of course they are." Bob answered. "The best thing you can ever have are family and friends."
"No further questions."
"Mr. Peters."
"I just have one question for you, Prime Guardian, sir." Peters said from his seat. "What do you plan to do?"
"Excuse me?" Bob asked.
"What are you planning to you with those guardians that have disobeyed Collective rules?"
"I'm not sure..."
Peters stood and walked over to the stand. "Your students, the Matrix brothers, as well as Sabrina Matrix, are all under you command, are they not?" he asked.
"I believe that's more than one question." Bob chuckled nervously.
"Question one, part one." Peters said, sarcastically. "Please answer the question."
"The Matrixes are under my command, yes."
"So what does Collective rules say about assaulting a citizen or even murder?"
"Objection!" Jet cried. "Counsel is badgering the witness!"
"Over ruled." Riley said.
"Well?" Peters asked.
"It is...forbidden to assault a citizen while in your system..."
"And of any system, unless provoked, isn't that right?" Peters asked. "So what are the penalties, Mr. Lan? Isn't assault constituted by suspension or even expulsion from the Guardian Collective?"
"Objection!" Nikki exclaimed.
"That is enough, Mr. Peters." Turbo boomed. "The Prime Guardian isn't on trial here. As for reprimands, those will be dealt with in a timely manner and as soon as this trial concludes." The former Prime directed his comment to his successor.
"I have no more questions."
Bob returned to his seat, giving his youngest a look that said there certainly would be reprimands for the defense. Jet sighed. His abilities as lead defense was being to show and it wasn't showing a good side. He could hear Kit snickering behind, knowing his brother has been right about him. Jet was trying to impress and not trying to help his family. "Mr. Lan," Riley said, impatiently. "Your next witness."
Jet bit his bottom lip. "Defense calls..." he stuttered. He then turned to look at his defendants. "Defense calls Dot Matrix to the stand." The crowd was shocked, as was the court.
"Mr. Lan," Turbo replied. "I suggest you reconsider that choice. You do realize that if you call any of your defendants, they are subject to cross-examination. Are you sure you want this?"
"No." Jet whimpered. Realizing he sounded like a little baby, he cleared his throat. "Actually, if it may please the court, I'd like to have a short recess."
"Mr. Lan, you are quickly trying this court's patience." Riley said, sternly.
"You may have the rest of the second, Mr. Lan." one counsel member said. "But for your sake and the sake of your family, I hope you are much more prepared."
***
Jet stormed off to his hotel after the trial, ignoring everyone and transporting himself there. "Basic." he spat, pacing his room like a caged tiger. "You basic, little..." He stormed around, kicking at files on the floor before finally punching the wall in front of him. He then out a scream. "For the love of...oh dear User, that FAQing hurt! I think I broke every digit in my hand." A knock on the door quieted him for a nano before he squeaked, "Who is it?"
Enzo opened the door a notch and peeked inside. "What in the World Wide Web are you doing in here?" he asked, coming inside and closing the door.
"Nothing." Jet said. "Just fracturing my hand is all. What do you want?"
"I was elected to come and find you." his uncle replied. "I figured you'd be up here."
"This was the first place you looked?" Jet asked, surprised.
Enzo nodded, while Jet groaned. "What can I say?" his uncle shrugged. "You're practical. Besides, I just asked Nikki and she kinda homed in on your signal, I guess. I thought it was some twin thing."
Jet once again took up his pacing. "I couldn't help but notice you seem a bit agitated recently." Enzo commented. "Anything wrong?"
Jet stopped to look at him. "Anything wrong?" he sputtered. He moved his arms in motion to their surroundings. "What is this? A vacation? Yes, things are most definitely wrong, Enzo."
"There's no need to get snippy."
Jet sighed, closed his eyes, and fell back on his bed. "Am I random in thinking things are only going to Dell as long as I'm in charge?" he asked.
Enzo took a seat beside the bed and crossed his legs. "Tell me what you are feeling, my son." he said, in his best Phong impression. Jet opened his eyes, gave him a look, then closed them again. "I have sensed some conflict." Enzo continued.
Jet rolled his eyes, then sighed. "Do you ever get the impression that being the youngest means you have a specific model to follow?"
"Come again?"
Jet sat up and looked at the green sprite. "Didn't you ever feel like...because you're...because you're...well, you know...a copy of Matrix, that people expected you to be Matrix."
Enzo looked at him in confusion at first, until recognition swept through his processor. "Is that what this is about?" he asked. "You think people want you to be like someone else?"
"I did ask you a question, you know." the teenager said, standing and pacing once more.
"And I asked you one." came the retort. The two were silent for a bit before Enzo answered, "Actually, people wanted me to be the exact opposite of Matrix. If anything they never wanted a repeat performance of...things, if you get my drift." Enzo leaned forward and scratched his head. "Look, Jet," he began. "As you may have gotten from this trial, Matrix went through a lot of things that I didn't. That really does make the difference, you know."
"How?" Jet asked, turning to face him. "How does what happen to Matrix...?"
"I didn't grow up in the games." Enzo continued. "Matrix did. Dot and Bob, and even Matrix, made sure that would never happen. Did I get annoyed that Dot treated like a baby until...well, she still treats me like a kid sometime...but yeah. It pissed me off. But it was because she cared. She had lost one brother, she didn't want to lose another." Jet was silent. "Look, I seem to be getting the feeling that you're trying to win this trial in order to get away from Kit..."
"As long as I've processed, Enzo, everyone has expected me to be a Kit in the making." Jet responded, bitterly. "I'm not Kit. Nor do I aspire to be him." He looked at his uncle, pleading and desperation in his eyes. "I need to win this case, Enzo." he said. "I'm going to and then it'll be about me and not him." Jet took a deep breath. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I'm going for a walk."
***
"I'm glad you could see me, Bob."
Bob sighed, as he sat down in front of his former superior. This was the second time Turbo had called him in, especially now after the cross-examining he had gotten that morning. So Bob sat in front of a large desk in the chambers of the makeshift judges chambers, waiting to hear what Turbo had to say. "I think you know why I asked you to come." Turbo continued.
"I have a fairly good idea." Bob sighed.
Turbo nodded. He looked the new Prime in the eye and asked, "What are you planning to do, Bob? With your students?"
"I don't know."
"You know the Collective has certain...rules...for this kind of thing."
"You want me to strip them, don't you?" Bob asked. Turbo just looked at him. "It's not that easy." Bob continued. "It be different if they weren't family, but...we've gone through enough. We're going through enough. My family's at the breaking point as is."
"Bob," Turbo began, laying his hands on the desk. "I know you and your family have overcome a variety of obstacles, but I hope you don't think you can skirt Guardian protocol on this. Technically, I should have you fired as Prime Guardian."
Bob looked up, shock and anger in his eyes.
"But I'm not." Turbo said. "But I am leaving your students up to you. How you handle the Matrixes is your business, though I hope you will try and have some sense of the law you are required to uphold. You're dismissed."
When Bob left, he was seething. He wasn't sure what made him angrier, the fact that Turbo had heaped this whole thing on him; the fact that as Prime Guardian, it was his duty to carry out whatever sentence he deemed fit for those involved; or the fact that inadvertently, Sabrina, Enzo, and Matrix had gotten themselves royally screwed. As he zipped through the city, he tried to think of a way, any way that would punishable by protocol without having to actually have protocol. When he reached the hotel, he steeled himself for the task that awaited him.
As he walked in, he noticed some of the tension they had been experiencing seemed to have lifted. Matrix and AndrAIa were snuggled up in the arm chair by the fireplace; Enzo and Alex sat on the sofa, quietly picking out baby names; Sabrina, Roscoe, and Nikki were putting puzzle together; Kit and Dani sat on opposite ends of the living room, Kit reading a science read me, while Dani worked a project of her own. Bob did notice her casual glances towards her fiancee, ones he either didn't see or chose to ignore. Bob sighed, knowing what he was planning on doing wouldn't help situations. He didn't see Dot or Jet anywhere, figuring they were off doing their thing. At least they didn't have to see this.
"Bri, Enzo, Matrix, may I see you three in the kitchen for a nano?" he asked. "Private format?"
The sprites looked up at the announcement, having not noticed Bob as he stood watching them. The three in question looked at each other, before rising up, and filing into the kitchen, Bob right behind them. "Something wrong, Uncle Bob?" Sabrina had asked, once the door closed.
"I had another meeting with Turbo earlier." he replied.
"And...how did that go?" asked Enzo.
"I've got a couple of decisions to make." Bob said, matter of factly. When the three gave him looks that clearly said for him to press on, he followed up with, "Decisions that have to do with whether or not I strip you of your Guardian titles."
The three were stunned. "But Uncle Bob, you can't do that." Bri insisted.
"And why not?" he asked, becoming very agitated. "I am Prime Guardian, Sabrina, and I have the right in making those decisions."
"The question is," Matrix spoke for the first time. "What decisions did you come to?"
"I haven't." the blue guardian whispered. "Not officially anyways. I have some thoughts, some you definitely won't like."
"Such as?"
"Simple." Bob replied. "I suspend Sabrina and Enzo from active duty."
"What?" the two cried.
"And me, Bob?" Matrix asked.
Bob shrugged. "I don't know, Matrix."
"Bob, you really can't be serious!" Enzo pleaded.
"Does it look like I'm joking, Enzo?" the sprite exclaimed. "I'm actually giving you guys a break! I could very easily strip you of the Guardian protocol and icon right now, so don't give me any more reason to do so."
The three were silent.
"You're getting off very easy." he continued, slightly calmer. "I'm going against rules and regs because you're family. Do you think I want you to be stripped of everything you have ever worked for? I wouldn't do that to you. I couldn't and I won't, but please. Don't treat me as the bad guy in this. This is your own damn faults. As much as I would've loved to have beaten Gain's ASCII along with you, I didn't. That alone has doomed you and doomed us in the process. I hope against hope we get out of this with even our semi good names intact." The guardian sighed. "That's it." he whispered. "You guys are dismissed." The three slunked by him, but before they reached the door, he added, "This hurts me too, you know." He turned to face them. "I didn't want this."
"We know, Bob." Matrix said, holding the door as Enzo and Sabrina left, the large sprite following after them.
***
The Super Computer, more specifically, the SC's large memorial grounds to those that have deleted. The old sprite that stood there hadn't been here in hours. He felt he had neglected his duties as a husband for not visiting her more often, but he had tried to forget how much it hurt to have her leave him. As he stared down at the headstone that marked where her deleted ashes, corpse, whatever remnants of her were left, were under that marker. He remembered, so many hours ago, how he had come here to her funeral, eyes full of tears and a small boy holding one of his hands.
He sniffed once, holding back tears that threatened to escape. User, he missed her. He didn't think someone like her could ever fall for a sprite like him. He was reserved and laid back; she was outgoing, a social butterfly, but somehow they did indeed get together and got married. Then had....
Him.
The very thought of the boy made the sprite seethe with anger. This was his fault. He had deleted his beautiful wife, the love of his life. Robert Packard had never been the same after that. His reason for processing was gone and it was that son of theirs that caused her death.
Robbie, that's not true.
Packard turned around quickly, thinking he had heard something from behind him. He saw nothing and turned back to stare at that headstone.
Robbie, what happened to you? Why are you so angry?
Again, the blue sprite turned and saw no one. "You're losing your grip, Packard." he muttered to himself. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw something. It was like a fog or a mist that was coming together to form something...no, someone! Packard watched, a man transfixed as the eerie shape took it's form and then was shocked to see who that form was. "It can't be..." he whispered, walking closer to the entity. Upon a closer look, he found he was correct in his assumptions.
"Are you just going to stand there or will I get a hug?"
"Meredith..." he whispered, his arms outstretched as he came to hold her. But as his arms enclosed, he hugged air and his departed wife was no longer in front of him, but behind him.
"Sorry." she said. "I forgot you can't really touch me."
Packard turned and walked up to her. She was still as beautiful as the second he met her. His hand went to cup her face, but realizing he wouldn't be able to touch her, it slowly went down to his side. "Is that really you?" he whispered.
"In a sense." the apparition replied. "I've missed you, Robbie."
"User, I've missed you." he said, wanting to hold her and knowing he couldn't.
She reached out to touch his face, but pulled back. "Robbie, we need to talk." she said. "About Bobby."
The blue sprite tense at the nickname she had given their son. "Why are you doing this, Robbie?" she asked, her face on the verge of tears. "You're hurting him so much."
"Have you seen what he's done to his own son?" Packard asked, incredulously. "Our grandson, Meri, is a murderer. Just like the boy."
"Robert, that is not true and you know it."
"You're dead because of him!"
"No!" she exclaimed. "It was an accident, Robert. Bobby had nothing to do with that."
"It was the Guardians who did this to you," he said, reaching out to touch her. "And the boy is one of them. He might as well have deleted you himself."
Meredith Lan shook her head. Who was this sprite? "You've changed, Robbie." she whispered. "It's like I don't know you anymore."
"I died when you did." was the response. "I am dead."
A blaring noise shook Packard from his state. He looked around and found himself in his grotesque boardings for the trial. A dream. All a dream. He surprised himself when he sniffed and wiped a stray tear from his eye. She didn't understand, wouldn't understand how lost he was without her. How the boy was the cause of his torment. Well, the boy would pay. The blue sprite stood, straightening himself out as he got ready for their final meeting.
The chips were in place and Packard hoped they would be lucky.
***
Jet had walked around the system of Trison for User knows how long. If he had been paying attention, he would have seen the majority of the system's sights and attraction, but he wasn't. The young sprite was still thinking about the trial and how much he had buried them into it. He tried to think about how to combat the prosecution, but he couldn't. If he didn't call his mother or uncles to the stand, that was it.
He was out of witnesses.
Which wouldn't be so bad if things were going their way, but they weren't. The evidence was clearly against them. The prosecution had ensured that they be seen as the criminals they were being protrayed as. And certainly the behavior of counsil did nothing to boost their popularity. Jet sighed. He couldn't believe this. The constant sibling rivalry that began the trial would soon land his family in jail. Jet could see it now. Certainly, his mother and uncles would go to prison, then Sabrina would be stripped of her Guardian duties (he knew that was his father's only choice as Prime Guardian). Jet knew Peters wuld almost certainly charged Kit with murder and then his brother would go to jail. Then what would happen? That left Chip at the mercy of whoever, knowing that his mother would only follow suit in with the same charge.
Jet continued to walk, hoping the wetness on his face was just a random data storm. He had really messed things up. In his attempt to break free from a shadow he thought was placed on him, he had doomed his mother and uncles a prison sentence. He didn't want his family to go to jail. And he certainly didn't want to be the one to help them to it. Jet stopped, sniffed, and tried to control himself. When he finally looked at his surroundings, he realized it was way past downtime and there few people out. He also realized he had landed himself in the less than reputable side of the system. His family was probably worried sick, he needed to go back.
As he looked around, he knew he couldn't transport back. At least not in the open. Wouldn't that be great? He started up walking again, looking for any secluded place that would get him back to the hotel and not get him deleted. He found his way to a dark allway that had a large motel next to it. The place seemed to be dark and quiet, so Jet slipped into it nicely. He looked around, making sure no one was around to see what he was about to. When he was ready, he closed his eyes and started to visualize the hotel.
But a loud argument coming from upstairs stopped him.
***
Kit read through the same paragraph in his read me for the 22nd time. Periodically, he glanced at the tall clock by the way, other times he glanced over at his fiance. At this moment, he was glancing at the clock. He saw the time, then looked at his watch. His brother had yet to come home and the older sprite was growing increasingly worried. He knew Jet wanted to blow off some steam and Kit was most certainly re-thinking his behavior towards him. This session of the sibling rivalry game was soon getting into dangerous territory and if it didn't stop soon, they would land their mother in jail.
"Shouldn't Jet be back by now?" he asked.
The sprites who were still up looked at the clock. "I didn't realize it was so late." Enzo said, looking up at the face.
"Time for bed, Scooter." Alex cooed, illiciting a grin from her husband.
"Goodnight, everybody." he said, as the couple rose. As he walked past Kit, he said, "Don't worry bout Jet. He just has some stuff to work out. Give him another milli."
Kit nodded slightly, once again looking at the clock. He stole a glance towards Dani, who regarded him with her own look. "Well, I'm off too, I guess." she said, standing. She walked past Kit, ignoring his outstrecthed hand and, "Dani..." to head upstairs to her room. Kit looked skyward and sighed.
"I'd try talking to her." AndrAIa said.
Kit regarded her with a look. "Really, Sherlock?" he asked, sarcastically. "What a brilliant idea."
"At least I'm not in the doghouse." AndrAIa mumbled, sticking her tongue out at Kit and wrapping her arms around Matrix.
"Would the two of you get a room?"
"With pleasure." Matrix replied, picking his wife up in his arms and carrying her upstairs. Kit just shook his head and rolled his eyes. He again looked at the clock.
Where in the Net was he?
***
Jet, meanwhile, had forgotten all about returning to the hotel when he heard the commotion from the room above him. He wouldn't have given it a second thought if he didn't recognize one of those voices. Being careful to remain quiet, Jet climbed the fire escape to the second floor. Reaching the balcony, he stayed close to the brick wall in order to hear more.
"I say we take what we want now and avoid waiting any longer." one voice demanded.
"Now listen to me," said another. "We have them right where we want them. Why screw it up?"
"Gentlemen, gentlemen," came another. "I assure you that this case has already been won. By me."
Jet's eyes widened. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be.
"And you're so sure of that."
"Of course I am." the speaker continued. "Were you not there today? If you thought Kit Lan was a lousy attorney, his brother is much worse. I about threw a party when he suggested calling Dot Matrix to the stand."
"Damn that Turbo." muttered Gain. "Intereferring in things he shouldn't."
"Hey," Peters replied, helping himself to a drink. "He's not Prime Guardian any more and at this rate, either will the current Prime."
"Are you sure Jet Lan isn't gonna get in our way?" Vance asked.
"First and foremost, Jet Lan can suck me." Peters stated. "Secondly, he and Dr. Lan are having issues, which of course is aiding to your plan. He's got no more witnesses unless he wants to crucify himself and call his defendants. I'm telling you, tomorrow Dot Matrix and her brothers are going to jail. Then you can do to whoever, whatever you want."
"I want those powers." Gain told Vance.
"And I want my title back." he responded. "And believe me, once you have Sabrina Matrix, Roscoe will come begging on his knees."
Jet stayed close to the wall as possible. He couldn't believe it. It was a set up. It seemed the three witnesses they had dreaded had teamed up and had planned to do away with them. And worse, the prosecutor was in on it! Jet couldn't understand it. Gain and McMillian he could figure, but Packard? His own grandfather? He didn't think sprites went around turning their backs on their family ~ though what he knew about Megabyte and Hexadecimal, viruses seemed to be the only ones~ but here he was, listening as his grandfather, his father's father, took part in a plan that would send his family to the slammer.
A plan in which he and Kit had helped right along.
The teen balled his fists. How basic could you be, dipswitch? he chastized himself. He knew from the beginning that the conflict he and Kit were involved in was having a profound affect on their case and their chances. And apparently to top it off, three of the family's new found hated enemies had used that in their favor. The boy couldn't help but feel completely overwhelmed now.
"I want Nikki." Gain replied, taking a sit on the plush couch. "After what that little tart put me through on the stand the other second, I think I need to teach her a lesson, if you know what I mean."
The other three laughed, while Packard seethe. "That's my granddaughter you're talking about." he growled.
"I didn't see you coming to her rescue when we first taught up this plan." Gain said. "In fact, I vaguely remember you wanting to save your other grandson."
Packard was silent. "I saw some potential in the boy," he whispered. "Now, I'm not so sure."
Well, that hurt, Jet thought. It was bad enough that his own family didn't truly believe in him, now his estranged grandfather didn't believe in him either. A realization came to Jet like a virus to a system. This was the turning point. The teen had first hand knowledge of a plot to put his family in prison and he could use that. Against them. But first he needed to research, to make sure this final and last stand was in their favor and that they be the victors in this battle.
