Part 20 – Know Thine Enemy

"What was that about earlier?" Bray asked, staring at Danni with a hard look in his eye.

Danni was writing in a notebook and didn't look up. "What are you talking about?" she asked nonchalantly.

"I'm talking about how rude you were with Solaris!"

"What? I wasn't rude to Solaris! I've been stopping others being rude to her, for God's sake!" Danni exclaimed, throwing her pen and notebook down.

Bray crossed his arms. "The way you snatched Micah from me and stormed off? Does that ring any bells? What's wrong Danni?"

"Will you shut up?" Danni hissed, walking to Micah's crib. She looked down on his sleeping form severely. "Don't you dare wake him!"

"Fine," Bray said, lowering his voice. "So what's wrong?"

"Nothing! I have every right to take Micah. We both adopted him, remember?" Danni said placing her hands on her hips. "Or maybe you don't remember Bray. That could be because I've been the one taking care of him ever since he arrived here!"

Bray flinched. "That isn't true! I do my fair share when I can! You know I have a lot on my plate right now! Dealing with the Militia, Ebony, security market days, the Gathering…"

"And I don't deal with all those things too?" Danni asked incredulously.

"Of course but—"

"But you deserve more slack because of them? No way. I take care of Micah when he's cranky, when he's irritable, when he won't sleep at two in the morning, when he's screaming for his dead mother!"

"Why are you saying all of this? I get up with him when he cries too, I do what I can Danni!" Bray insisted. "Why didn't you tell me you were feeling overwhelmed?"

"I am not overwhelmed Bray, I'm angry! You're flouncing off to talk to Solaris every five minutes. I can hardly get time with you myself, let alone get you to do your share with Micah!"

"I am not 'flouncing off to talk to Solaris every five minutes'! I don't know where you've been recently, but I've actually been trying to organise a Gathering!"

"Like I haven't!"

A shrill cry echoed through the room, and they both looked to Micah's crib.

Danni glared at Bray. "Great. Thanks, thanks a lot. Looks like I'll have a restful evening anyway!"

She went to the crib and picked up Micah. Without another word, she stalked out of the room with the baby.

"Damn it!" Bray swore, slamming a fist against the wall.

Danni was walking across the Mall with the screaming baby with no idea where she was going. She was bouncing Micah vigorously, but he just wouldn't quieten down.

"What is it? What do I have to do to get you to shut up?" she asked helplessly.

"Well shouting won't help!"

Danni looked round to see Salene coming over to her.

"Here, let me try." Salene took the baby and rocked him soothingly. He didn't stop crying right away, but he did settle down a lot. "You just have to be calm with him. If you're upset, he will be too."

"It's hard to be calm when I'm just as cranky as he is," Danni said sardonically.

"Come on. You need some tea." Salene led her to the café.

Danni made some tea and they sat down to a table with it.

Danni watched Salene cradle Micah and sighed wistfully. "I just freak out when he won't stop crying. Sometimes I get so worked up I just panic. And when it's the middle of the night and Bray's on security and I'm all alone – it just feels like the world is closing in on me."

"I understand. But the baby's adjusting. He'll get used to you, and soon you'll be able to handle him just fine."

"I don't think so. I don't know how you do it. I heard how you took care of Trudy's baby when she was newborn, and look how you dealt with Patsy and Cloe. A few words today and they left the meeting right away even though they were angry. And now with Micah – you're a natural. Children just love you," Danni said, shaking her head.

"That's because I'm used to them. My mother used to run a crèche. I've been around kids all my life. You were an only child, right? And your dad was a scientist. You probably weren't around young children that much." Salene looked at her sympathetically.

Danni shook her head. "No, no I wasn't. And I never expected to have a baby to take care of either – at least not so soon. I wanted to make the world a better one before I ever had any. But that decision got taken out of my hands – and I can't exactly give Micah back, can I?"

"No. No you can't. And I know how you feel," Salene said darkly. Her thunderous expression quickly lightening and she smiled. "Having a baby around isn't a bed of roses, but it is a gift Danni. It's taken me a while to realise that myself, but now I have. When Micah grows up he will be so thankful that you took him in when his mom died. You and Bray are great people, and once you get used to it, you'll be great parents."

Danni nodded. "I hope so. I just feel so… I hate to say it, but resentful. I mean, he's not even my baby Salene! He's not mine and I've got to deal with it all! Bray brought him here and I agreed to take care of him… but I didn't have much of a choice at the time, you know? And now I'm just feeling trapped."

"That's okay Danni. Trudy felt the same, and so do so many other moms. But I'm here, and so is Trudy. She's great with babies; she's grown into an amazing mother. And May – May isn't as cantankerous as she seems sometimes. She's a really good friend – at least she was. I guess she's been feeling a bit lonely since I married Ryan. But I'm going to repair all of that, and she'll help to take care of Micah too. So will the girls. You aren't alone."

"I don't want you to take this on. Any of you. Micah's not your responsibility."

"Yes he is! We're a tribe, we help one another Danni! And you and Bray have the most pressure and work out of all of us! And now a baby? You need help, and I'm willing to give it!" Salene insisted. "Really!"

"Thank you. I feel a lot better," Danni smiled. "I've never really gotten close to anyone in the tribe apart from Bray. I don't have any girlfriends to talk to. Bray just doesn't get everything, you know?"

"Of course. But now you do have another girl to talk to Danni. Me," Salene said. She reached out and touched Danni's hand.

"It's good to know."

"Talk to me any time Danni. I'm here. And don't worry about Micah. He's in good hands."


"You wanted to talk to me?"

Bray raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, last night Ebony. Bit late, aren't we?"

"Sorry, but I do have a tribe to run," Ebony answered shortly.

"So do I. I wanted to talk to you about Spike."

Ebony rolled her eyes. "What about him?"

"He told me yesterday that the murderer had been caught and that he drowned down by the docks."

"First I've heard of it."

Bray crossed his arms. "Well that could be because you didn't want to hear about it when he tried to tell you."

"No, I didn't want to hear about it. All I know is he had my men drag some girls' body into my hotel last night. So I guess it must have happened like he said. Shouldn't you be celebrating? Your little crusade worked out wonderfully, didn't it?" Ebony said snidely.

"Maybe I did. I don't know. But I hope so," Bray replied just as snidely.

"Then what's problem?"

"I guess there isn't one," Bray told her in a testy tone.

"Anything else?"

"Yes actually. We have a visitor I'd like you to meet."

"Oh?" Ebony's curiosity was piqued.

"Yeah, Amber's sister."

Ebony blinked. "Her sister," she stated.

Despite the disinterest she showed on the outside, Ebony was decidedly bugged by this. Amber's sister had turned up, so what? It didn't mean that anyone had found out what she'd done. Ebony couldn't help it but the slightest mention of Bray's ex jolted her.

"Her sister. Solaris. She's around here somewhere," Bray told her. "Solaris! There's someone I'd like you to meet!"

A tall girl appeared from the café. Ebony just barely suppressed a gasp. She was the image of Amber. Despite her older and more feminine look, and her dark hair, Solaris still had Amber's features. And it was extremely shocking for Amber's killer to see.

Ebony titled her chin defensively as Solaris approached. The girl locked eyes with Ebony and her stare didn't waver even as Bray made the introductions. Ebony didn't like the way Solaris was looking at her at all. It was a weird look, like she could see into her, like she knew everything about her even though she'd only just met her.

"Hi Solaris. I'm sure you'll be at home here with all of Amber's old friends," Ebony said to her in a disinterested tone.

"I am, yes. I feel very welcome," Solaris returned, in an oddly cool tone.

Bray looked at Solaris with a strange expression. "Are you all right Solaris?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I've been helping the girls with their costumes for the Gathering, I should get back to it. It was… nice meeting you Ebony." Solaris turned around and stalked off without another word.

Bray stared after her, a little shocked, before turning back to Ebony.

"She's pleasant," Ebony snorted.

"She is pleasant. It's just you she's been like that with. Maybe she senses that you didn't like Amber," Bray said shrewdly.

"Maybe," Ebony retorted. "It seems like long lost sisters returning is some kind of trend."

Bray tilted his head questioningly. "Meaning?"

"Do you remember Java?" Ebony asked him, almost choking on her sister's name.

She still couldn't believe that this was happening. She desperately wanted to take her sister down – for good – but she had the Technos behind her. And Ebony was extremely certain of the Techno's power. No tribe in the City could compete with it. Ebony needed more time to try and come up with something, anything to defeat them. And if that meant keeping quiet, and letting Java play spy with the Mallrats, then so be it.

Bray nodded at her. "Yeah, I remember Java."

"Well… she's—she's back Bray. My big sister's back!" Ebony exclaimed, literally forcing the cheer into her voice.

"Java? That's great Ebony," Bray said, looking a little shell-shocked. "What about Siva?"

"No, it's just Java. I guess Siva wanted to stay with their tribe."

"Where did they go when they left?"

"The neighbouring city – the one ten miles west of here. They've made it home these past few years. Java came back to find me."

"I'm happy for you. Really I am," Bray said to her.

"The thing is Bray, I don't think she can stay at the hotel. It's the Loco's home and the Militia base. Things are busy there on the best of days. Besides the fact that there's a rabble of men there day and night, Java just wouldn't feel at home. She likes peace and quiet, and you and her always got on. Her and Trudy too. It'd be nice if she could stay here and catch up with you all."

Bray looked apprehensive. "I don't know Ebony. We're already pretty full, and now Solaris is staying here too… There's not much room."

"Please Bray. It's for my sister. She hasn't been back here in years, she needs some friendly faces around her."

"I'm going to have to talk it over with the tribe Ebony, I'm sorry. I'll ask them later, okay?"

Ebony was screaming inwardly bur she just nodded at him. "Fine, fine, have it your way. Just don't spend too long deliberating. Java really wants to stay here."


Pride, Amber, Hawk and Tigra all stood in a clearing about half a mile from the Gaian camp. Pride was preparing to leave on his search for Sienna, and the other three were seeing him off safely out of the curious view of the rest of the tribe. Pride wanted to leave as quickly and quietly as possible, so as not to alarm their people. The Gaians were troubled enough over the disappearance of Sienna, without having a big dramatic send off for the one gone to look for her.

Amber and Pride stood close together under a huge oak tree. Hawk and Tigra stood a few feet behind them, Tigra holding Robin.

"Be careful out there… in the City I mean," Amber said to her husband.

"I will."

Amber looked down and smoothed her hand over Pride's chest sorrowfully. "Just come back to me. Please come back to me."

"Of course I will. And I'll bring Sienna with me."

Amber fought back the tears burning the back of her eyes. She couldn't cry, at least not in front of him. If he thought he was leaving her while she was upset, he'd be distracted on his search for Sienna. She swallowed hard and smiled at him.

"I'm sorry for how I was. Once Sienna's back we'll all sit down and have a long talk. I promise. I'll be more open about my past with her… and with you," she said softly.

"You don't have to. It's your past, and your decision if you want to share it or not," Pride said kindly, running a hand through Amber's golden blonde hair.

"No I want to. Really."

"All right. I'll be back within no time. Just take care of our daughter, and our people," Pride told her.

Amber nodded simply, and stepped back from him. Pride looked to one of his most trusted friends Hawk, who walked over to him.

"Watch over the tribe Hawk, especially my family."

"Day and night," Hawk nodded fervently .

"Thank you," Pride smiled, and clapped a hand on his shoulder.

Pride turned and gave his friends a farewell look. He gently kissed Robin on the head, and then pulled Amber into an embrace.

"I love you Pride."

"I love you too. I'll be back soon."

Amber smiled at Pride as he walked away slowly. He gave all of his friends one last look before setting off resolutely into the forest, his internal compass letting him know intrinsically that he was going the right way.

Pride had not been travelling long when his seasoned hunter's senses came in play. A strange crackle behind him. A strange sent on the wind. A strange presence. He turned around sharply and with a few long strides, he traced his steps back, looking left, right, left, right… until…

"Archer."

"Pride." The boy stepped out of the undergrowth, a grim look on his face.

"Just what the hell are you doing following me?" Pride demanded.

"I have every right! Why should you go and look for Raven and not me?"

"You're too young Archer!" Pride said sternly.

"You're hardly a year older than me Pride, don't be ridiculous. You don't trust me, that's why you left me there."

Pride raised his eyebrows. "Maybe you're right – you haven't exactly been very trustworthy lately, have you? If you're so grown up and mature then why don't you act like it Archer? Stop throwing tantrums and shouting at everyone!"

"But Raven's—"

Pride cut him off sharply. "I know Raven's gone, Archer, that's why I'm out looking for her! You need to calm down and go back to the tribe. They need you more than I do."

Archer scowled, and complained petulantly. "I'm a good tracker Pride, you know that. One of the best in the tribe. How could you ask me to go back knowing that I could very easily find Raven?"

"Because I'm going to find her myself just as easily. Now return to the tribe Archer, before I put you back there!" Pride said, his voice rising irritably.

Archer's face turned stony. "You'll regret this."

Pride gave him a disbelieving look. "I don't think I will," he said smoothly. "Once Hawk realises you're gone he'll come out here and drag you back himself. Don't make him have to do that Archer. Go back to the tribe."

Archer just looked at Pride, his eyes dark and angry. "I don't trust you. I don't trust you one bit," he intoned dangerously. He stepped toward Pride, his face half-shadowed by the canopy of trees.

Pride blanched at that. Exactly how was he the untrustworthy one here? "And what do you mean by that?"

"You bring a strange girl back to the camp one day, you decide she should be a leader, and then you marry her on a whim— not exactly things the careful and responsible Pride is known for doing."

"What's your point?"

"Eagle changed you. She chained you to her. Now your place is behind her while she reigns."

Anger flashed before Pride's eyes. "Don't you dare talk about her that way."

Archer ignored him. "You loved Raven long before you loved Eagle. Before Eagle arrived you never would have waited for someone's permission to go and search for Raven—you would have done it immediately. You holding out for your woman's say so may have caused Raven her life!"

Pride faltered for a moment, his mind replaying everything had just said. He ignored the sharp ring of truth in Archer's words, and just glared at him. "Go. Or I swear Archer, I will have you put out of the tribe— then you'll learn just how much power I do have!"

Archer just raised an eyebrow and snorted. "Happy hunting," he spat, before turning on his heel and stalking through the bushes.

Pride just stared after him, incredulous. He had to put their dispute, and Archer's deceptively apt words from his mind if he was to continue on this journey. And so he did. He travelled stubbornly for hours before allowing himself to rest, and even then, it was only for a short time. He feared if he stayed still for too long he'd see the sense in what Archer had said.


"Are you ready, dear wife of mine?"

Java just gave Ram a poisonous glare, before looking away.

"Oh. Not happy I see. I can't have you leave me and not know what's wrong now can I? I just wouldn't be able to sleep," Ram said smiling.

"You could care less how what was wrong with me, so don't pretend you do. If you actually did, dear husband, then you would have listened to me in the first place about this whole charade!" Java shouted at him.

Ram snorted. "Oh please! You'd jump at any chance to get something on Ebony – and this is probably the biggest chance you'll ever get to do that! You're getting inside her world Java, the world she expelled you from. Aren't you the least bit excited at this opportunity?

Java just looked at him plainly. "No, not really, because I am the one putting myself in danger. The Locos aren't exactly civilised. If she snaps one day and decides she wants to get rid of me once and for all, she's got a few dozen trigger happy men willing to do the job for her!"

"She's not going to do that. She knows what's at stake – the City. She wants it Java. She wants to control it. If she hurts you, we hurt her, and she knows that. We'll take this City right out from under her at a second's notice if she puts one foot out of line. But— if she plays nice, then so will we."

Java shot him a contemptuous look. "You'd just better hope that she does."

Ram crossed his arms, and surveyed Java, who was dressed in civilian clothes, a red skirt, with some exceptionally pointy heeled boots, and a revealing black top. He'd never seen her looking so attractive. When she wasn't all buttoned up in her tidy Techno uniform and barking orders, she was actually beautiful.

"You know, you look amazing in that outfit."

Java's eyes flared, and she looked disgusted by his comment. "Shut up. I'm glad now that you're making me do this. At least I get to escape you for a while!" she spat, before her eyes went wide, and she realised what she'd said.

Ram just smiled at her gently. "Well. There we have it. The truth of the matter. Java, do you want to end our little marital arrangement?"

Java was silent for a moment, before shaking her head. "No—no of course not… I just—I was wrong to say that. I'm sorry."

"No you're not," Ram laughed. "Maybe after your little turn as a spy, we'll sit down and reconsider our marriage."

"What? No, no, I don't want to do that," Java insisted, looking panicked.

Ram just smiled mysteriously. "We'll see. Now finish getting ready. Your precious little sister will be expecting you."


Coming soon in Part 21 – Tell Me My Fortune:

- Solaris bonds with the most unlikely person
- The Gathering draws closer
- May is now the one who rejects Lex instead of the other way around
- Spike finds himself wrapped in his lies during a Mallrat meeting
- Java and Ebony come to blows, and it won't be the last time