They couldn't wait until Kuun returned. The enemy was equipped to strike at any moment. Sonny felt bad about Akillian being a target, again. Last time, the Snow Kids had momentarily lost their flux, after Harris, Bleylock's former partner, detonated a Flux Device there. It only barely recovered from that. Sonny still tried to research something to restore it after his own mistake. End the Ice Age it was in. Seeing the planet evergreen again, that would be something to show his kids. Sonny rubbed his chin, while he called Dame Simbai. She looked surprised to see him.
"Sonny? Why are you calling? As the Guardian, I'm sure you…" She stammered. Sonny shook his head.
"Please don't think of me differently because of that. I'm still the same old Sonny." He chuckled. Dame Simbai felt relieved.
"I suppose you still are. Apologies, this is all very new to me." She admitted. Sonny nodded.
"It really doesn't feel like me. I'm a Pirate." He said. "Nothing more, nothing less." Dame Simbai nodded.
"I'm just glad to have you. I've studied what it takes to be a Guardian, and it turns out you were being kept an eye on since you were a child." She said. Sonny winced, before recalling something from his childhood.
The last summer before the group of friends would be off in many different directions. Sonny obtained a full scholarship and also an internship with Technoid. Just two more weeks, and he would be leaving for Technoid base. His friends decided to head to Mount Tustra lake, to cool off. Sonny considered staying home studying, but his friends talked him into coming. So Sonny headed to the lake. The boys decided they wanted to cool down, and Pete, one of his friends, brought a rope which he tied to a branch to jump off from. They decided on the order to go. Sonny would go third. He saw the branch was not as thick as it should be. Both of them swung towards the deep point before they let the rope go. Then, it was Sonny's turn. He walked carefully out on the branch and prepared to swing. As he let go, he heard a snap behind him. Sonny tried to free himself, but it didn't work. The branch came down hard, and it sank faster than he anticipated. Sonny felt a searing pain in his head, and then, it all went black..
He was never sure if he actually saw the creature, or if it was a result of him hitting his head. Sonny tried to swim towards the surface. His lungs screamed for air. That's when this creature came swimming from the deep and helped him ashore.
He hid the experience from his friends, even his parents. A few days later, a rash started to form on the back of his right shoulder. It felt like it was infected. When he checked the shoulder, he noticed it was a small chip, used to track people. Looking back, it should have worried him more. Someone was watching him. He managed to get it out and destroy it. He always wondered just what that was. Guess he knew now. Sonny shook his head. He should get a hold of that Sphere. He turned his attention back to Dame Simbai.
"I planned on asking about your project, but it sounds like there's more work to be done before it yields results." She said. Sonny nodded.
"I'll let you know if there's more." He promised. That was when Brim Balarius stepped in.
"I have studied the history of this Galaxy, and how it dealt with invaders. Apparently it's protocol for the Guardian to present the Sphere and offer up a more peaceful solution to the conflict. Previously, this was done through football. I find this… hard to believe."
Sonny nodded agreeingly. They didn't even know if the Andro Zygnans would accept the offer, let alone let this be decided by a Football Match. But if he wanted to end this peacefully… he had to at least try.
"Brim Balarius, I'm going to ask you to work with the Council of Pirate Elders. I need all the information available about the Guardian and what they can do to stop it." He said. Brim Balarius nodded. As he left, Dame Simbai looked at Sonny.
"Get some rest until you receive the Sphere. You'll need it." She said. Sonny nodded. He ended the call, before he laid down on the bunk bed. Soon enough he was asleep.
Corso checked the shipment lists and supplies for the Black Manta. He hated that he could not be with Sonny, now that he needed it the most. But Sonny assured him, he was fine. He had to believe him. Until they knew for sure he wasn't carrying out remnants of The Warlord, he had to stay away. Callie and Sonny sent him short videos of the twins at home. Adrienne had latched her tiny hands in Sonny's hair, Callie nearly died laughing while Sonny pleaded with their daughter to let go. Adrienne already had the same kind of face as D'Jok. Corso sighed. He could feel that not every connection to The Warlord was cut, even if it appeared like that. He was tempted to go to his prison, free him. Like Hell he would.
Once the video was done, Corso did a course check for the sanctuary. Sonny organized a silent, but effective evacuation, using both Technoid and other planets' vessels to gain entry and to disguise the people of Akillian, to get them off the planet. Something bad was going to happen, Corso could feel it. Sonny wouldn't do this for no reason. He was keeping something from him, and he could feel The Warlord stoke his anger. Trying to convince him it was underhanded. Corso shook his head. Until The Warlord's influence was gone, he had to keep his distance. Sonny was still in danger, and if The Warlord found out Sonny was the Guardian, it could get dangerous. Until this matter could be resolved, Corso would prepare the Black Manta for the flight with evacuees to The Sanctuary.
Cobra was checking his data. Locating Blackbones would be difficult. His wife and kids were guarded closely, as was the rest of his family. He knew The Warlord tried to use Corso to get close enough to take over Sonny's body, but it had failed. It fell on him to initiate the attacks that would draw Blackbones out of hiding. If they found Blackbones, they found the Guardian. They had methods to make people talk and even Sonny would have trouble not breaking.
Cobra called one of his servants over and showed an image of Sonny.
"Find out where he's hiding. And soon."
The Pirates were at the docking area to greet Kuun, Maya and Mom Ice. Kuun led them to a more secluded spot. Micro Ice and Kuun would bring Mom Ice and Maya to the Black Manta.
Before the group could split, Kuun stopped D'Jok and handed him a box.
"Get this to Sonny. I can't bring it with me when I meet Corso." He asked, looking sternly at the younger Blackbones. D'Jok swallowed his nerves.
"Got it. Tell Micro Ice to hurry up. Dad called a training session for the two of us." He said. Kuun nodded with a smirk.
"Good luck, if what Corso says is true, you'll need it." Kuun said. D'Jok nodded.
"I'll let him know."
Sonny felt more rested as he woke up. He really needed a nap.
There was a message on his transmitter. Sonny opened it. It was Raven. She left him a link and a message to call back.
He decided to do that, but before he got to it, there was a knock on the door.
Sonny opened it; it was D'Jok.
"Kuun told me to hurry up. Also, is Corso alright? Sounds like he's having a rough time." He said as he handed over a box. Sonny agreed.
"We're gonna change that, but first of all, we need to be ready for a strike. I'm going to train you and Micro Ice. The group has to be small, just the three of us, with one backup; Kuun." Sonny told his son. He could tell D'Jok was confused. Sonny handed his son the files he needed to read, as he opened the box.
Sonny braced himself for the moment he lifted the Sphere. Sonny gritted his teeth together to keep from screaming.
D'Jok looked up. He rushed forward, trying to help, but he was pushed back. Sonny was now on his knees, his hands on the sphere.
Finally, Sonny could no longer hold on to the sphere. It rolled from his hands, and stopped near D'Jok's feet. He picked up the Sphere up to put it back in its box. Once he touched it, he could see the force that had held him back from helping his dad.
Two beings, made of light. They bent over Sonny. One of them turned to D'Jok.
"He'll do fine." It said.
The Black Manta was ready to take off with Corso in charge, as Sonny kept to himself. Callie tried to plead with Sonny, but to no avail. Sonny was certain Genesis would be the next target. Only D'Jok knew the real reason Sonny kept to himself.
Sonny was watching from a hacked camera. Corso would understand why he did this. Corso looked at Bennett and Artie, who would be his co captains on this journey.
"Bennett, are all the passengers on board?" Corso asked. Bennett nodded. "Everyone strap in. We are taking off to The Sanctuary."
They were passing Akillian on the way. Corso couldn't explain why, but he felt it would be a good idea to fly past it in stealth mode.
Maya was looking at the icy planet, wondering if she would ever see it again. She didn't tell Mom Ice, or anyone of her nightmarish visions of the last few weeks.
If her visions came true, there would be no more Akillan after this. No more Breath. No more Flux for them.
Like Ascaron.
Maya had to remind herself Ascaron's core still existed, and as a result, the Pirates had flux. They guarded said core fiercely.
Maya could only hope this would not happen to Akillian.
They slowed down, but not because they wanted to. Tractor beams were pulling them down.
On the bridge of The Black Manta,alarms were going off. How could they have known they were flying past here?
The answer hit Corso hard. His connection to The Warlord.
"Now what?" Artie asked him. Corso's instincts took over.
"Fire the lasers!" He ordered. The Black Manta was not going down without a fight.
Is Corso really part of the attack, or is there an unseen element at play?
How will Sonny react?
Who are the two beings of light?
Thank you Paranoidgirl, for the time and energy spent on beta reading this.
Happy reading.