"Jay," Ram said tiredly. "Stand down for goodness sakes. Java's hurt and I'm going to drop her soon if I can't put her down. I assure you that you are safe from me.
The former general stared hard at his former leader. "No one will ever be safe when you're around, Ram. But I can see that you 're in no condition to attack us right now." He slowly lowered his arm and stepped back, bumping into Lex, who had not relaxed his aggressive stance.
"Give over, Lex. They are both hurt and obviously exhausted. I do not think they are going to be much danger at the present."
Lex held his ground, looking like he wanted to protest this statement. But then, two things happened: Java whimpered again and Ram's grip on her slipped and he had to bend his knees to catch her.
"Lex, move!" Salene called from the foot of the stairs. She was backed up by Ebony, Ellie, Siva, Trudy and Sammy, while Amber stood at the top of the staircase, holding Bray in her arms, Brady and Mouse each gripping a leg.
"Fine, drop your guards, let them stay. But when you're all murdered in your beds, don't come around haunting me!" He stormed away, pausing only when he reached the stairs. "Siva, let's go."
She glared at him. "I'm not going anywhere, Lex."
"You would choose these two psychos over me?"
"I'm not choosing anyone over you, Lex. But we can't just turn our backs on them. That is not our way." Siva implored him with her eyes.
"If I drop Java, you might as well have left us out there."
Siva jumped and overbalanced, and would have fallen if Lex had not caught her. Her husband bent, lifting her into his arms. "You're going upstairs with me now. If you're not going to look out for the baby and yourself, then I will." He carried her up the stairs, brushing past the girls, not looking back.
She made to protest, but when she saw over Lex's shoulder that Ram and Java were being directed to a bedroom, she kept quiet. Lex would not help the former Techno leaders, but this way, he was not keeping them from receiving aid.
Ram gently laid Java on the bare bed, the semi-conscious girl making almost mewling cries as she curled up, instinctively seeking the fetal position. His face showed naked concern as he gazed down at his wife, his hands moving restlessly as if he did not know what to do with them.
Trudy watched him silently, touched by his seemingly genuine worry for his wife. She backed up, not wanting to intrude on this private moment, until a short command stopped her.
"Left or right, Trudy; You're in my line of fire."
The purple-haired girl started, then took a step to her left. Mega's words had a galvanizing effect on her, and her expression hardened. All business now, she said, "This is a room of honor. It belonged to one of our fallen tribe members. I expect that you will use it in a respectful manner at all times, got that?"
Ram nodded, saying. "Let me guess, a casualty of us tyrannical Technos?"
She blushed, looking away from him. When she spoke, her voice was quiet and devoid of emotion. "No, your religious-zealot predecessors. Just like you, they led good people down the path to ruin, destroying their lives!" As she spoke, the emotion built, until she was yelling at the end. Mega slipped an arm about her waist, taking care to keep his laser-clad arm trained on Ram.
The latter raised his hands, palms outward. "Easy there, Mega. I didn't mean to upset your lady. I obviously touched a nerve and for that I'm sorry. Honest." His expression was the embodiment of contrition.
"Interesting choice of words, Ram; I don't think an honest word has passed your lips in the entire time that I have known you."
"I'd love to argue the point with you, Mega, but I don't have that luxury right now. Java's been through a really tough time recently and she needs rest, so if you don't mind…" He held his arm out, directing the pair to the doorway.
"Don't presume to order us around you dictatorial ! You have the use of the room for the moment. You'll soon be somewhere more appropriate, locked up in the cage." Trudy swept out of the room, brushing aside Mega's arm.
Mega's eyes followed her as far as they could without him turning his head. Then he looked back at Ram and lowered his arm. "Understand this, Ram. Asylum or refuge or whatever it is we're allowing you right now; it's only a temporary arrangement. You will stand trial and be punished for the crimes you have committed against the City."
"Et tu, Mega?" Ram gave a short laugh, shaking his head. "Who knew a tribe with a name as silly as the Mallrats would have been my downfall?" He turned away from his former follower, muttering to himself as he gazed upon his sleeping wife.
Mega exited the room, stopping just outside to talk to Pride who was guarding first shift. The Techno leader removed his laser and handed it to the Gaian warrior. "If he tries anything, blast him. It's set to 'stun'."
Pride nodded. "It's tempting isn't it, to just set it to the highest level and just blast away?"
Whatever Mega was about to say was lost in the wailing cacophony that was the alarms going off for the second time that night. "Don't leave this spot," he directed Pride. "It's entirely possible this is just a ruse by Ram." He then ran back to the entrance, soon to be joined by pretty much the same group as before, with the exception of Siva and of course, Pride
"Is it an attack? Has Ram been secured?" Salene asked questions to no one in particular.
"Ram is secure. Pride is guarding him. As to whether or not this is an attack…" Mega left the question hanging. He motioned Jay to move forward, his laser at the ready, then he called out, "Who's there?"
"Commander Mega, it's me Q, sir and May." The tall young man stepped forward into the light, the Mallrat at his side. They were both disheveled in appearance: May's blouse button incorrectly and there was an oval bruise blossoming on his neck. This was all overshadowed by the urgency in their manner and the May's wide startled eyes.
"Jack, open the gate, quickly." Jay called out.
For once, Jack didn't argue with the blond, working the mechanism.
Q and May rushed inside, the latter clinging to Q as if for dear life.
"Officer, report." Mega directed.
"Yes sir. There's been another attack sir, worse than the others. Three buildings hit at once. They weren't empty sir." He almost whispered the last statement.
"Oh God." Salene raised a shaking hand to cover her mouth.
May's knees buckled, her weight falling onto Q, who lifted her up. "She—she saw the bodies. One of the buildings didn't fall immediately. And some, some of the people inside jumped. They were at least ten stories up." May moaned, as if she was re-living the memories.
"The poor dear. Let's get her to her room." Salene motioned Q to follow her.
"Actually, that sounds like a great idea. Amber, Trudy, Ebony, you should all go back to bed." When the girls made to protest, Jay continued. "I know you want to help, but the casualties are going to be too severe tonight and the area too chaotic. It wouldn't be safe. We will take you to the hospital in the morning."
The girls nodded, assenting to the arrangement, and trooped off to the bedrooms, taking the children with them. They passed Q coming down, Trudy brushing his arm in sympathy.
"Q, you're back. Good; join us in the café." Mega said.
They sat, not noticing the blond figure crouching on the second floor, listening to everything being said.
"Lex, you know the drill, go out, be visible, try to restore order. Q, wipe the lipstick off your face for Chrissakes; you're going to have to stay here and guard our unwanted guests. We need Pride to lead the militia again."
The dark-complected Techno flushed, ducking his head and dragged his sleeve across his lips and cheek, saying "Yes, sir!"
"All right, everyone's got their directives, let's move. Q, go relieve Pride, he's just around that corner there." He pointed and Q left at a swift clip.
Jay, Lex, Mega and Jack all stood to leave, the last saying. "Jay, Mega, I'm coming with you."
The blond general looked like he wanted to argue, but a couple of head movements from Mega stilled his protests and he nodded in Jack's direction, saying, "Fair enough. You're supposed to be a genius, maybe you can figure out who these Maravaj people are."
"Who?" Jack looked puzzled.
Mega responded. "We'll explain along the way."
Ellie quickly descended the stairs. I gave Jay the time he asked for. Now it's time the City knew what was going on. She ran after the guys, making sure to keep a concealing distance between them and herself.