The scientists weren't sure who gave them the order. All they knew was that it was urgent. They'd been brought to a secret laboratory on Genesis to complete the work. Sonny called all the leaders to a meeting in the war room. He couldn't share what Flora told him. Not completely.
Sonny sighed. He had the last say in everything, and the pressure was weighing on him. He was waiting to hear back from Kuun, too. Worst of all, he had to keep Callie and Corso in the dark about what he knew. He wasn't comfortable with this, and hoped it wouldn't hurt them. Sonny had told his current guards to keep out of sight.
When Sonny reached the war room, he pulled up all the tasks that needed to be handled in a hurry.
He had a team of Technoid scientists working on manufacturing more of the bubbles.
Their biggest concern was the warlord that was already contained; he was acting far too calm for his situation.
Then, there was Corso's second evaluation. Sonny wanted to deal with it himself, but Flora insisted he shouldn't. There might still be fragments of the Warlord inside of him. Sonny needed to know more about this. Maybe Craig Benson could help.
Sonny looked at all the planets where they had armies, and the suggested size. It didn't take him long to make the calculations for the next step. He called in General Benson, Duke Maddox and General Bleylock Senior on holo conference. Duke Maddox nodded when Sonny handed him his assignment.
"Good call. Do you have enough of the bubbles prepared?" He asked. Sonny nodded.
"More should be ready to go out within the next hour. I'll need each planet scouted, and checked. If there is a big risk of loss of lives, report back. I'll dispatch Pirate ships to assist with evacuation to the Sanctuary. After that, we prepare for retaliation." He said. All parties nodded. Sonny cut the transmission. With that out of the way, he could focus on making sure the Warlord was not having any hold on Corso.
Akillian hadn't changed at all. Kuun looked around the living room of Mom Ice's house. It brought back memories. How she'd give him coffee after a hard day's work of trying to rescue people on the disaster stricken planet. Mom Ice was there for him, letting him get things off his chest.
He also remembered his Commander telling him to come to him one day for a mission.
"I've been reassigned to Ascaron. It's a volatile situation there. Before I go, I need to ask you something; can I trust you to keep something safe for me?" His commander asked, looking at the young man in front of him. Kuun met his gaze.
"Of course, Sir." He said. His commander looked relieved.
"What I'm asking you is classified. No one else may know about this." He said. Kuun nodded.
"Understood, Sir." He said. His commander nodded and walked over to a filing cabinet in the far corner of his tent and opened a secret compartment to reveal a package.
"For your own safety, I will not disclose what's in it. Guard it with your life." The Commander said, giving him the item and a sealed letter.
"Let's hope you'll never have to find out." He said.
Kuun returned to the present as he felt Mom Ice put a warm cup of coco in his hands.
"Can't do much about the weather, but we're used to it now." She said, Kuun smiled.
"I missed your warmth." He smiled as he sat down beside her, on her sofa.
"You didn't come to Akillian just to reminisce. Is this about the package you asked me to keep safe for you?" Mom Ice asked calmly. Kuun could only nod. Mom Ice got up and headed over to the bookcase in the left hand corner of her living room. Kuun watched as she opened a hidden room and took out a box. Kuun tried to hide a small chuckle when he saw the box had the Pirates' Emblem.
"Are you Pirate as well? Or is Micro Ice not telling me something?" He tried to joke. Mom Ice chuckled.
"D'jok gave me this. Sonny gave him two of these boxes for secret messages." She said with a smile. Kuun nodded as he took the box. He was tempted to open it, to see what was inside, but he knew he shouldn't. He pocketed it. Mom Ice looked him in the eyes. Those beautiful eyes.
"Please stay the night. I've missed you." Mom Ice's voice sounded like a whisper. Kuun just nodded as the two of them wrapped in a blanket.
Sonny was in deep thought after having heard Craig Benson explain how being a host still left the Andro Zygnans able to control your mind, even after being gone. He needed to find a way to make sure Corso's body was really vacated. This could become dangerous. He wasn't surprised. Why else would the Warlord still be so calm? Now he had to find a way to keep people safe from Corso. And keep Corso safe, as well. For now, he had to stay clear, even if it pained him.
Micro Ice for once found some time for him and Zoeline to hang out. Then his new schedule dropped and he was fully booked. How was a Pirate supposed to get a day off? Artie had just laughed as he complained about it.
"Save that for when the entire Galaxy is not at risk." He said.
"Doesn't mean you shouldn't make time for your loved ones." Micro Ice said. Artie had to agree.
"Most of us don't have them. Or they're Pirates themselves and are also swamped." He said.
"I need some time with Zoeline, or she might leave me." Micro Ice tried. Artie grinned.
"I think I can give you one, but you'll owe me." He warned. Micro Ice sighed.
"Pirates' life ain't easy." He said. Artie smiled.
"Now you sound like us." He said. Micro Ice nodded.
"Hope you'll still want some field missions." Sonny said, standing in the doorway with Marco on his shoulder. Micro Ice looked at him.
"You said you didn't want me and D'Jok on those." He said, looking at him kind of surprised. Sonny smiled, holding his son against his shoulder.
"Well, sometimes you don't get what you want." He admitted.
"Mei and Callie will go to the Sanctuary today. Mom Ice and Maya will follow as soon as they arrive with Kuun." Sonny said. Micro Ice didn't like the feeling of that.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"You And D'Jok will have to work together, to have my back. Until Corso is checked to be clean, he has to work with Kuun, and not me. I don't like that, but it's the best we can do for now." Sonny said. Micro Ice nodded.
"What about my girlfriend, Zoeline? Should I ask her to go with Callie and Mei too?" He asked. Sonny nodded.
"Everyone unable to fight will go. The rest will stay and help defend Genesis. The Andro Zygnans won't wait long to retaliate, unless we make the first move." Sonny explained. Micro Ice nodded.
"What's that first move?" He asked.
"I'll inform you and D'Jok once everyone's safe in The Sanctuary." Sonny said.
"Got it." Micro Ice said. Sonny smiled.
"You and D'Jok will both be tailing me, in what I am doing. Call your girlfriend, have her pack and be at dock five in five hours." He ordered. Micro Ice nodded, and called Zoeline.
It was time. Even with The Warlord unaccounted for, they had to start the first attack. Cobra wasn't happy with his host, it was weak. He needed a new one. And he needed to know for sure The Warlord was gone for good. There was no use for him any more. Cobra was tired of being inactive. Galactik War wasn't won by hiding. They had to strike first. But Blackbones was still a problem. But they knew something. A weakness they could exploit. They could subdue him, long enough to connect him to the Weapon. Though Sonny knew that by now. They had to be careful. Cobra summoned a servant.
"I want these three elixirs at the ready and I want Sonny monitored. He will be under our control soon enough."
Kuun had gotten himself, Mom Ice and Maya on the astrobus to Genesis. Maya knew who he was, and didn't ask any questions, almost as if she knew what was about to take place. Maya took one last look at Arcadia as they left, tears in her eyes. Mom Ice tried to be cheerful, but she was also nervous. This was an evacuation, she knew. Kuun was looking out the window of the astrobus. Space made him feel small, like a speck of dust. Both Mom Ice and Maya fell asleep. Time to report in. He moved to the back of the bus. The worn face of the Pirate chief appeared on the screen of his holo caller.
"I got the item, and me and we're about four hours away from Genesis." He reported. Sonny nodded.
"Report to Astroport Five when you're there. I have new information and I need to change things up. Corso won't be with me." Sonny said. Kuun was puzzled by this.
"Doesn't Corso usually go with you?" He asked. Sonny nodded.
"Corso might still be under The Warlord's control, he can't be around me. So, you'll be working with him until he's freed for sure." He said. Kuun nodded.
"Of course. I just hope he'll be alright." He said.
"Have you seen the item you were told to get?" Sonny asked. Kuun shook his head. Sonny nodded.
"Take it, then follow my exact orders." He said. Kuun nodded as he opened the box. It contained a sphere, with all of the planets of the Galaxy inside.
"The Sphere of Wisdom." Kuun whispered. Sonny nodded.
"Hidden for a long time. It will answer a lot of the questions we have. I will have to ask the Sphere of Wisdom what planet will be under attack first." Sonny said. The Sphere came alive, millions of green, tiny veins emitting a strong light. Then, a map came up. Sonny and Kuun watched intently, as the light stopped at one planet; Akillian.
Things are falling into place. Akillian will need to be evacuated.
How will Micro Ice and D'Jok be able to protect Sonny?
Are there still secrets tied into the Flux and the effects on those that hold it?
How will Sonny stop this attack?
All of this will soon be explained.
Thank you to Paranoidgirl for the Beta ing and the encouragement to push on every time I lose my spark.
I hope you all enjoy the story.