After being at sea for only ten minutes Netto had made a solemn vow to never go on a boat again in his entire life. When he told this to Rockman, the small navi readily agreed. The vessel was indeed sound and it was certainly a nice day, but something about being surrounded on all sides by water scared Netto. Not that he'd ever admit he was scared.
"Netto, are you okay?" Pride asked him after he retreated down below.
"Me-nya?" he asked trying to laugh it off. "I'm fine, just a little…"
"Terrified?" Pride asked dryly.
"No-nya!" Netto said a little too quickly.
"Yeah right-nya," Rockman muttered.
Pride sighed and put her hand on Netto's head. "It's okay, you don't have to be so brave all the time."
"Yes I do-nya," Netto said sulkily.
Pride smiled and pulled the smaller boy into a loose hug. "No you don't. Dhruv is doing this for a reason and trying to defy it will only strengthen his resolve. Just try to tone it down a bit. Stay below and I'm sure you'll be fine."
Netto made a face but didn't protest against the hug. "I don't like how he can do all this-nya."
"No one does," Leopard said, coming down from the surface of the boat.
"Are you okay?" Pride asked the navi.
Leopard gave her a weak smile. "I will be as soon as I have my feet on firm ground."
"Amen-nya," Elecman muttered from a monitor on the side of the wall.
Netto jumped, "Where did you come from-nya?" he asked.
"There was an open link-nya," said Knightman.
Rockman immediately smelled a plan but decided not to say anything. Things were bad enough as it was, he would figure out what Dhruv was up to later.
"So, everyone is free?" Pride asked her navi.
"Yes-nya," Knightman said giving his mistress a small bow.
Pride smiled and came to the same conclusion that Rockman had. Dhruv was up to something, or maybe he wasn't and just wanted their attention. Pride closed her eyes and groaned, Dhruv wasn't stupid, she gave him that much.
Netto heard her groan and wondered if she didn't feel well. "Are you okay-nya?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she said quickly and decided not to ask questions quite then. They were only 20 minutes out to sea after all.
"So, what do we do now-nya?" Netto asked.
"Keep out heads down and don't give Dhruv any reason to do anything," Ocelot said, joining into the conversation.
"Then how do we find out anything-nya?" Netto asked hotly.
"We don't," Ocelot snapped back.
Pride cleared her throat and Ocelot sighed heavily. "Listen, just make sure that you don't reveal anything to him you shouldn't, okay? He is a smart person and he is using this as an opportunity to gather and record information on everyone. That's why he let you guys out," she motioned to the computer link. "So just trust me and don't do anything you don't want him to see, understand?"
Everyone nodded and she smiled wearily. "I thought he might try to pull something like this sooner or later. Beware of anything that seems like a trap, okay?"
Again everyone nodded and Ocelot turned on her heel and headed down the hallway. Leopard ran after her, leaving Netto, Pride and the navi's standing in the hall way.
"Nice speech-nya," Searchman said. "I wonder if she means it-nya?"
Pride frowned, "That's a good question."
ooooooooooooooooooo
The night came quickly and Pride had a strong suspicion they were heading north. This worried her because there was a great deal of danger for a boat of any size in the arctic ocean. Once again she became suspicious of Dhruv but realized that until her suspicions had basis she couldn't do anything.
Netto had no such worries and slept as soundly as he could in his bed. Fast asleep under a lot of covers, making sure he was completely covered. Rockman watched his operator with an uneasy eye until his fatigue became too great and he fell unwillingly into sleep mode.
Netto slept the first half of the night away easily. That is until he was awakened by Ocelot hovering over his bed. He snapped up warily and tried to blink the sleep out of his eyes.
Ocelot placed a paw over his mouth and held a finger up to her lips. "Let me talk first, okay?" she asked.
Netto nodded and she removed her paw. "Listen, something is going to happen when we land. I'm not allowed to tell you what because Dhruv gave me specific orders not to tell anyone, but I can warn you about it. We're going to a city that Dhruv has actually helped, they're very patriotic and if you say anything against him they become very upset. That is all I can say, understand?"
Netto nodded. "Can I ask you something-nya?" he asked rubbing his eyes.
"Yes?"
"Why didn't you tell me this in the morning-nya?"
"Because Dhruv has this whole place bugged. I waited until we passed a certain point where the electronic things didn't work for a bit," she said softly.
The first thing Netto did upon hearing this information was reach for his PET. Ocelot stopped him from grabbing the small electronic device. "It's okay, the devices will turn on in a few hours, now get some sleep," she said.
Netto pretended to do just that and listened as she left his room. Then he sat up and grabbed his PET. He waited an hour and a half until it came on where Rockman was there to greet him. "Oh my god-nya, Netto-kun are you okay?" he asked.
Netto nodded and yawned. "Don't worry, it was natural. I just waited until it was over-nya."
"Oh-nya," Rockman said softly. "Well, you should get some sleep then-nya," he said.
Netto didn't even reply but instead buried himself under his covers with his PET in his clutches. Not that Rockman minded in the slightest.
oooooooooooooooooooooo
The next morning was bright and cheery and Netto missed most of it. Pride let him stay in bed because she didn't know he was still asleep and Dhruv didn't really care at that point. The two humans stood around but didn't talk to each other the whole time.
"Gees, you could freeze water in this atmosphere," Ocelot muttered.
"Pride-sama is quite upset-nya," Knightman said with a slightly worried tone to his voice.
Netto finally came up from his bed yawning and listening to Rockman yell at him. "Netto-kun, you should have woken up the first time-nya."
"Relax, Rockman. It's not my fault the electronics went out-nya. If I would have gone back to sleep you would have woken me up anyways-nya," he said.
"Oh, there was an electromagnetic interference last night?" Dhruv asked.
Ocelot slapped her forehead.
Netto realized his mistake and tried to cover it. "Umm, no-nya?"
"Smooth-nya," Rockman muttered so only Netto could hear.
"Ah well, they certainly are common around here. I guess we could all be more careful then," he said not missing a beat.
Netto laughed nervously and went to go sit next to Pride. "What did you just say?" she asked.
"Something I shouldn't have-nya," he answered quietly.
oooooooooooooooooooooo
Later that day Dhruv summoned Ocelot to his office to talk with the tawny navi. "So, I heard there was a communications shut down last night," he said.
"Yes sir," she answered.
"Why did you not inform me of this?" he asked, his voice light. But Ocelot could tell he was mad.
"I did not think I should wake you up over such matters," she said.
Dhruv slammed his fist on his desk. "Dammit Ocelot, I employed you to tell me everything that happens here, understand?"
"Yes sir," she said again.
"Good, do not fail me again."
"Very well, is that all?" she asked.
"Actually no, I want you to bring me Netto Hikari tonight. I think it's about time we had a one on one chat."
Ocelot's fist clenched but she didn't say anything otherwise except, "Very well sir."
After she left his office Dhruv smiled and poured himself a congratulatory glass on wine. He certainly did need to have a chat with the Neko Child. He was becoming too dangerous to his plans, something needed to be done about that.
ooooooooooooooooo
Netto snuggled deeply into his sheets, desperately trying to ignore the rocking of the boat. "I'm not here-nya," he said softly trying a trick Rockman taught him. "I'm at home and not in the middle of a huge sea. No wait, that didn't come out right-nya."
Eventually he fell asleep much to the relief of Rockman who went into stasis mode soon after. They slept happily through half the night. Then Ocelot slipped in and shook Netto on his shoulder in an effort to wake the sleepy boy up.
"Nh, go away-nya," he muttered.
"Come on kid, we're going somewhere," she said softly.
"Can't it wait until tomorrow-nya?" he whined.
"Sorry Koneko, time to get up," she said softly.
Netto groaned at sat up, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "Ocelot, it's really late-nya," he said.
"I know," she said gently pulling him out of bed.
"Where are we going-nya?" he asked.
"To see Dhruv," she said while leading him down the narrow corridors of the boat.
"What happened-nya?" Netto asked.
"Nothing, he just wants to be a jerk and pull you out of bed at three in the morning," she said.
"Oh-nya," Netto said.
"That was sarcasm, Koneko," Ocelot said dryly.
"And you think I know that at three in the morning-nya?" he hissed, a little more awake now.
"We're here," she said instead of answering his question. She made to knock on the door but decided against it and burst inside.
"Well, well, well, welcome young kitten," Dhruv said when they came inside.
Netto glared at him but didn't retaliate. Mostly because of the tightening grip on his shoulder.
"I've been wanting to talk to you for awhile now," he said standing up from his desk and crossing the length of the room in several graceful strides.
"And you couldn't wait until night was over why-nya?" Netto shot back.
Ocelot resisted the urge to cover his mouth and settled for tightening her grip even further. Netto winced but didn't back down from Dhruv's glare.
"Well, you see the lovely Princess Pride might," he paused. "Object if she knew that I summoned to talk with you alone."
Netto glared at him, "So three in the morning is better for you-nya?"
"Why yes?" Dhruv said happily. "I'm glad we're on the same page."
Netto opened his mouth furiously but was stopped just in time by Ocelot throwing him a hard look. Unfortunately for the both of them, Dhruv noticed and nodded at Ocelot. "You have done enough, you may go now."
"Sir, I must object…" she started.
"I said, you may go now," he repeated in a tighter voice.
Ocelot sighed and released Netto's shoulder. She gave a polite bow and said, "As you wish, sir." She turned on her heel and left the room, she chanced one last worried glance over her shoulder before she left for good.
"Now that she's out of the way I wish to talk to you, Netto Hikari," Dhruv said.
"About what-nya," Netto said crossly. He didn't take kindly to being woken up at three in the morning.
"Well, I'm sure you've heard why you're here," he smiled.
Netto's eyes widened briefly but he covered the reaction as quickly as possible. "No, I thought I was here because Poipu asked me to-nya."
"Don't play the dumb one kid, it's not becoming. You and I both know you're smarter then you let on. Now I'll make this as quick as possible, you and your navi will help me."
Netto scoffed, "You can't make me and Rockman do anything-nya."
Dhruv eyes glittered with a malice that sent a shiver down Netto's spine. "Try me," he said in an icy voice.
Netto's tail puffed slightly and he returned Dhruv's glare with one of his own. "I will. I'm here because Poipu asked me to be. She is the one who needs me-nya."
Dhruv laughed. "You really think that?" he laughed. "Oh that's beautiful. Your little princess is just using you as a life support."
"Only because you're messing with her-nya," Netto hissed. "She wouldn't need me if you weren't here."
"Would you be upset if that happened?" Dhruv asked.
"What do you mean-nya?" Netto asked.
"If I wasn't here and your Princess wasn't hanging all over you, would you be upset?" Dhruv asked.
"She's not my Princess-nya," Netto muttered while blushing.
"I'm sure," Dhruv said with a small smile gracing his lips.
Netto slammed his hands on Dhruv's desk. "She's not anyone's princess dammit-nya!" he yelled. "She's a human being, with feelings and human needs-nya."
Dhruv jumped at the outburst from the human but quickly regained his cool. "Well then, she's not anyone's princess. That means if she became mine you wouldn't care?"
Netto blinked and paused.
"I thought so," Dhruv grinned. "You'd have to be an idiot to not realize the fact that she has feelings for you, and apparently they're returned."
Netto blushed and looked away, "She's just my friend-nya."
Dhruv laughed and Netto glared at him. "Kids are so cute."
"I'm not a kid-nya," Netto hissed.
"Yes you are. You haven't even hit your teens yet. You don't know how chaotic love can truly be. Pride is what, two, three years older then you? What makes you think it's okay to be in love with a princess? There are responsibilities to take, kitten. There is more to it then what you can comprehend," he said.
For the first time that night, Netto was speechless and Dhruv coughed. "Yes, well, that's just fact. Now, back to the reason I called you here."
"I'm not helping you-nya," Netto cut him off.
"You might change your mind," Dhruv said.
"Fat chance-nya," Netto scoffed.
Dhruv sighed and rubbed his head. "Very well, this conversation in over for now. But I'll be keeping my eye on you, kitten. So you better be careful."
Netto glared at him and made his way to the door.
"My name's not kitten-nya!" he yelled and slammed the door.
Outside of the small hallway the five mercenaries waited nervously. "He's going to do something, I know it," Ocelot hissed.
"Do what-nya?" Netto asked.
Ocelot saw the small Neko Boy come out and she gathered him in a hug. "God, I thought Dhruv had lost it and was going to hurt you," she said.
Netto struggled in the bone crushing hug and no one else said anything. "Y-you're over reacting-nya," Netto said breathlessly.
"No she's not," Panther said quietly.
Ocelot let Netto go and he silently gasped for breath. "No I'm not Koneko. Dhruv is a dangerous person. If he wants something then he will do anything to get it. I just didn't think he would make a move so soon," she said.
"Well, then we'll just have to be extra careful-nya," Netto said.
Tiger laughed and clapped Netto on the back. "That's the spirit!" she said.
"Aren't you all a over reacting just a little-nya?" Netto asked again.
"Sorry kid, my information is never wrong," Ocelot smiled. "Besides, I think you've grown on us more then we care to admit."
Netto laughed, "You don't need to worry about me-nya. I can take care of myself."
"If the way you talked back to Dhruv was any indication of how you react in certain situations then I think we have a lot to worry about," Ocelot said good-naturedly.
"Hey-nya!" Netto said.
"But that's over with for now. Time for you to go back to bed," Ocelot said pushing Netto down the hall.
Netto stuck his tongue out at them and went into his room.
"Something is wrong," Ocelot said. "Dhruv is getting more and more ambitious. What is going to happen?"
Leopard shook her head. "I don't think we know, Ocelot."
"Aren't we just trying to open out own business?" Panther asked.
"What business will there be to open if Dhruv creates the kind of monopoly he wants on the world?" Ocelot asked darkly.
"Good point," Tiger murmured.
"Besides, I wasn't lying. That kid and his friends are too nice of people to just let fall by the wayside."
"Then we'll do what we can, I'm behind you 100," Cheetah said.
Ocelot looked around as her comrades nodded. She smiled sadly, "You know this may spell the end of our dream?" she asked.
"You said it yourself, what world is worth living in with Dhruv at large?" Panther asked.
"Okay, we'll need to plan this out," Ocelot said softly.
OOOOOOOOOOO
Dhruv looked at them through the monitor on his computer and smiled. "Plan all you want kitties, I'm always one step ahead."