They were finally at a safe distance from the tractor beams. Callie went to the captain's cabin to see Corso.
Corso was still weary after what happened. People at The Sanctuary could help. And he had to keep away from Sonny, who The Warlord wanted as a host.
Corso exited the shower, when Callie wheeled the twins in. He couldn't help but smile when he saw them.
"What's the occasion?" He asked, pulling Callie into a hug. Callie smiled as she kissed him.
"Your quick thinking got us out of a very tight spot. I'm sure Sonny will be proud of you once he hears of this." She said. Corso smiled.
"He already knows. We used our telepathy to communicate, in Ancient Shiloh for good measure." He explained. Callie frowned.
"Is he still inside you? That can't be safe." She said. Corso slowly shook his head.
"There's someone who can help at the Sanctuary." He said. Callie smiled.
"Sounds like this Sanctuary will be big." Callie asked. Corso smirked.
"It's three times the size of Genesis. We should reach it in a few hours. Don't worry about The Warlord. I'll flush him out for good. After that, Sonny can join us." Corso said. Callie looked at him.
"I'm glad you're confident. I just hope it's earned." She said, Corso nodded.
"How about, I let you use my access code to the Pirates system? Maybe your keen eye can pick up something we might have missed." Corso suggested. Callie leaned in to kiss him.
"No problem."
Micro Ice looked for an open and clear spot on Mount Tustra, as Sonny expertly maneuvered the ship to the ground. Sonny pulled out a device with maps of the area. He looked at both D'Jok and Micro Ice.
"Make sure you have everything you need on you. Once we are out of here, there will be no turning back." He said. D'Jok and Micro Ice looked at each other as Sonny packed his own bag. Before they went outside, Sonny stopped them. He handed each of them a transmitter. Sonny then grabbed his cloak and nodded to them to do the same. Then, they did one last check of their stuff, before they made their way to the cold labs.
The supply ship finally reached the Black Manta, and Corso started to plan repairs on the damaged ship.
'Poor thing went through a lot' He taught, hoping it could recover.
The supply ship towed them to the Sanctuary, as they continued to repair The Black Manta. Corso ran diagnostics on all instruments, and the damage was minimal. That was when he heard Iris Helena shout excitedly.
"Mommy, Mommy, look! Grandad's home!" She shouted. Mei lifted her up. The Sanctuary was gigantic. Sonny didn't lie when he said it was three times the size of Genesis.
Corso nodded, as he let Bennett navigate the Black Manta into the dock reserved for her. Corso opened the radio channel.
"This is Captain Blackbones speaking. Sorry about the delay. We have arrived at the Sanctuary. I hope you will all feel comfortable, as soon as you are settled in. If anyone needs medical attention, we have the facilities here to care for you. Welcome to the Sanctuary." Corso announced, unable to hide the pride he felt at showing this off. Callie looked at it.
"It looks absolutely amazing." She said, admiring the slick lines of the Manta shaped building. Corso agreed as he handed her a keycard.
"Get to this address. I'll join you as soon as I get this damn Warlord out of me." He said. Callie smiled and took the card.
"You'll find everything you need for you and the kids." Corso said. Callie nodded and rested her head on Corso's chest, feeling his hands rub her back gently. Her eyes went to little Adrienne and Marco, safely asleep. There were no regrets.
It was getting cold, and Sonny slowed his walking when he realized D'Jok and Micro Ice struggled to keep up. He turned to look over his shoulder.
"Can you keep up?" He asked.
"How can you do this?" D'Jok complained. Seeing Akillian like this, cold and solitary, was a new experience to him, and it felt eerie, like something bad was waiting to happen. Sonny smiled behind the mask he wore. "I wish I had a magnet board right now." He said. Sonny chuckled.
"They don't quite work uphill. I tried." He commented. Micro Ice grinned. Sonny sighed. He didn't tell Micro Ice and D'jok the details yet. It was too painful. He had to see with his own eyes first.
Micro Ice picked up something six miles away. Just the kind of place someone could conduct illegal Flux research. Like he did, once. And Sonny suspected it was still going on. He just hoped he could stop them. They needed to avoid detection. Micro Ice and D'Jok were inexperienced with this.
Sonny could see Mount Tustras straight ahead. The ledge they had to climb looked thin, their climbing gear would come in handy here. They would need to be careful.
Sonny signaled the way, and the group continued forward in silence.
Callie looked around the apartment as she pushed the stroller in.
It was huge, open and light.
As she lifted the twins, she noticed how the light shone through a big window, facing an artificial waterfall in the distance. It was a beautiful sight. It looked like Akillian, before the glaciation. Callie noticed other details as well. Pictures from their wedding day on the mantle of the fireplace. A huge, comfortable futon large enough for three people. Callie walked from room to room. A spacious kitchen, with a big breakfast table. Sonny thought of everything. Callie wanted to give him a call, to let him know they made it, but for now, she would wait. As soon as Corso returned, they could call him.
Meanwhile, the twins were getting grumpy.
Callie decided to sit on the couch while feeding them, and then put them to bed for their nap while she fixed herself a snack.
The doctor was studying the sample in the tube. He knew the Andry Zygnans had a reputation for being conquerors, but this way of controlling their victims was just.
He looked at the content, floating around in a tiny bubble, it was still alive, but ferocious for such a tiny thing.
He turned to look at Corso, who pushed himself off the examination bench.
"Did we get it this time?" He asked. The doctor grinned.
"I think we're clear, but are you ready for a final test?" He asked. Corso nodded. Better to be absolutely sure.
The doctor played one of the messages Sonny recently shared with the galaxy.
Corso was calm, feeling the sense of pride he always did.
What they had in the tube though, reacted violently to the very sound of Sonny's voice. After that the doctor did one last scan.
Nothing.
Corso was relieved to hear that. He could finally be with his family safely.
He bid his farewell to the doctor, before heading home.
This would be a hard climb and the ice wasn't as thick as he had hoped. Not to mention D'Jok and Micro Ice were by no means trained for this. Sonny was moving forwards slowly, gently testing the ground under his feet for each step.
He also pulled out the climbing gear, making sure they all wore anti gravity belts for safety.
Micro Ice was looking at the wall up ahead.
"I don't think we can use grappling hooks here." He said. Sonny nodded. D'Jok looked thoughtful.
"Is there a door we can enter through up there?" He asked. Sonny nodded.
"The ventilation ducts are the safest place to enter." He said. Micro Ice looked at him.
"Are you finally going to tell us why we're here?" He asked. Sonny nodded, as he told them the truth.
Corso was happy when he finally entered the apartment. Callie looked exhausted. She put the babies to bed. Gently, he sat down next to her. Callie stirred for a moment. She looked confused. Then, a soft smile spread on her face.
"All clear?" She asked. Corso nodded.
"Wouldn't be here if it wasn't." He assured her.
Callie smiled, and intertwined her fingers with his, before she fell back asleep.
They figured him out. He should not have chosen someone with as many electrical components to his brain as Corso. By all means, the man should be dead. The Andro Zygnans worked well with fully organic organisms. Corso's mechanical parts interfered. And now, the link was broken. He had no way of getting close to Sonny any more. It made him furious.
If only he could control Sonny…
He tried to connect with Cobra, have them search for him, but they didn't respond. Once he escaped, they would pay.
"Just wait. I will make all of you regret this."
Corso woke up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Callie came from the kitchen with two mugs. The twins were in a baby gym, making happy sounds. Corso smiled.
"I've missed coffee." He said. Callie smiled.
"Figured you'd need some before we call Sonny with the good news." She said. Corso agreed as they called him.
No response.
Corso frowned. After the fifth attempt, Callie looked at him.
"It's not like him to not answer," She said. Corso pulled up Sonny's vitals on his arm mounted computer.
"He's fine. Bit tired but that's it." Corso went quiet when it dawned on him. He was on Akillian.
"I really hope you know what you're doing."
Things are getting tense.
What will Sonny find in the laboratories? And how will he handle it?
All this and more in the next chapters.
Thank you Paranoidgirl, for the help. Your work is truly appreciated, and your ideas even more.
Happy reading.