As the abraxians made their way into the courtroom, and the General stepped forth to give testimony, either in favour of Technoid or for him and his men as buyers, The pirates had tensed. Corso deliberately placed himself between Sonny and the Abraxians, ready to either pull him down into cover or push him to the side, should anything happen. Sonny had put on a mask of stone. Callies drone camera caught his face for a moment, there was no way anyone could make out what he was thinking. But the actions of his men spoke volumes. Once Sonny sat down, Corso remained standing, weapon in hand, blocking anyone from launching at his leader. The Abraxians was shown to a side of the courtroom, with a distance to the pirates. Duke Maddox looked at them. He had heard of them, knew of their work,but to learn of the contract his company had made with them on Sonny, had shook him to his core. Sonny seemed calm,despite his mens obvious distress. Callie had redirected her camera, now focusing on the Abraxians, and their leader, General Bleylock, to tell of how a contract had been made on Sonny, how he had received specified training within the field of flux research, been trained by the ones that knew how to syntesize or even create it, in theory at least, to her knowledge, it had not ever been carried out. Now, her camera captured the stern face of Judge Allegri. It was time to hear the third side in all of this.

Judge Allegri made her call. She could tell the pirates had gotten very tense after the Abraixans marched into the courtroom. The General seemed to ignore Duke Maddox, The head of Technoid, completely, and nodded to several of the board members. A clear sign he at least had some dealings with the company. Sonny Blackbones had already hinted to there being something fishy going on with this group of militaary men, in his first statement. And that allegation had been strengthened by Flint Corsos statement. She observed the pirates behaviour as more military entered the room. Several other pirates had their weapons drawn as well. If she did not say anything, this could develop to a serious blood bath.

"Mr Blackbones, Your Excellency, I would want you two Gentlemen to weigh in on my decision about this. Does the Abraxians potentially hold information of value about all that we are speaking of here, information that should be shared with the court and the galaxy?" she asked.

Duke Maddox looked uncertain, as if these were people he had never dealt with.

"I believe Your Honour, that Sonny is more equipped to answer this. I have never had any direct dealings with them, and therefore, I feel I should not make a statement about wheter they can contribute or not with matters" he finally said.

The Judge made a note of his reply. Then, she turned to Sonny.

"What about you Mr Blackbones? What say you?" she asked.

Sonny and Corso exchanged a look. Corso nodded to him. This was a way to prove the trafficking and the loss of the scientists that were victims of this operation. Sonny had come close to being one of them, and if the Abraxians had it their way, it could still happen. It was possible they knew of more cases than was known for now, and certainly, details of Sonnys planned future as a purchased merchandise. Sonny realised what he had to answer. They needed to hear this statement, no matter how uncomfortable it felt.

"Your Honour. If this is to be considered a fair trial, all parties need to be heard, even the parts we may not like. The Abraxians has made claims that needs be shed more light on. I would support them being given time to describe the contract they had on me, and with whom inside Technoid, all arrangements was to be made after General Bleylocks death. I may not like my former mentor in any way, but I would still welcome a chance to understand why he made the calls he did" Sonny said. The judge nodded, Blackbones had given a very thought through and sound advice. The court would hear the Abraxians account of events.

Callie could tell Sonny chose his words carefully before he spoke. How Corso still stood between him and the abraxians spoke volumes. Corso did not trust their intentions, and he would shield Sonny from any attack they could try.

Judge Allegri nodded this. It was a wise call that Sonny had made. He seemed just as taken as her with this being a fair trial, with all facts on the table. No matter how ugly it could become.

"For now, I will ask you to sit down Mr Blackbones, and call General Alistair Bleylock to the witness stand. Mr Blackbones is right. This trial is broadcasted to the galaxy at large. The only way this will be right, is by all sides being allowed to give statement. General Bleylock, you will take place on the witness stand and be sworn in. For both prosecutor and defence team, I advice to write down questions during the swearing in, as I am sure you all have some. This trial is about getting the facts of the matter straight. For the record, let it be known, Mr Blackbones will remain a free man, as per agreement with the head of technoid. He is not subject to imprisonment or captivity. With this settled, lets proceed".

As Sonny had stepped down from the podium, Corso remained a barrier between him and The Abraxians. Judge Allegri had noticed how Corso would guide Sonny back to his seat, watchful and with his weapon drawn. As Sonny had sat down, Corso placed his hand, not to his shoulder, but his back. The pirates communicated with signs, a language coded in a way only they got. She could tell the other pirates looked to Sonny for a sign. And Sonny turned to them.

"Relax pirates, but stay alert for danger. Until we know more, you are in stand by mode" Sonny said as he sat down.

Judge Allegri could see them lower their weapons, but their looks on the Abraxians spoke volumes. Sonny seemed the least phased by it all. He seemed composed, and took a note pad and a pen. He also handed one to three other men,Corso, Bennett and Artie, to help write down any questions that would arrise. Then, she looked at Technoids representatives. Funny how many of the board members looked extremely uneasy with all this, the only one that seemed genuinely confused, but determined to get clarity, was the head of the company. All that was brought to a head, seemed to have been gathered over time. She was still curious as to what Sonny still had left to tell, but it would come out in due time. First, she needed to have the General sworn in.

General Alistair G Bleylock was impressive when he took the stand. And the look he shot in Sonny and the pirates direction, was one that promised he would twist this in his own favour, and if at all possible, Sonny would be stopped from doing anything about it in terms of legal matters. Judge Allergi decided to keep an eye out for the Abraxian General and his men, whom had become a part in this matter. She had the feeling that Sonny could potentially be in danger from them, even with the protection of his men. She was determined to make sure Sonny would leave safely with his men, if need be, with police escort. The General sat down, and started to give his testimony. It was another nail in Technoids coffin, and exposing in all its details how members of the board had dealt with their young and very often quite skilled scientists, when they started to really become an asset to the company. The pirates was eager in writing things Bleylock also focused on his own diseased son ,and his contact with Blackbones,then under a different name. Blackbones had been taking notes himself during the testimony, and so had his men. Blackbones lawyer had several notes in front of him, with various questions. Since they were the ones The General and his men came for, she would allow for the pirates to start the hositillites with the questions.

The abraxians were done. First, it had been a tough questioning by the pirates lawyer, and they had several questions, especially pertaining to Sonny, and what they had planned for him if he had gone with them. The answers seemed evasive, making the pirates more sceptical. They had a sixth sense about things, and they were not about to put Sonny in danger.

Judge Allegri checked what time remained of the day. Not long enough to get into detail with what Sonny had to say. That had to wait till the following day.

Still, she did not feel all sure about wheter the pirates was safe if the Abraxians were allowed to leave first. The Abraxians were known to be good urban fighters, and could pose a threat to Sonnys safety if they left first. The looks they had thrown in Sonnys direction had tipped her off. They planned something. Judge Allegri decided to separate all parties into groups, escorted by security, out of the , whom had spent time with the pirates already, struck her as a natural companion for them. Judge Allegri slammed her club, and laid out how the vacating of the courtroom would be. The pirates just nodded in agreement. As soon as this was in place, Judge Allegri set things in motion. The pirates calmly got up, and Callie, whom had now packed her cameras, joined them. Corso beckoned for her to walk along side Sonny, so the pirates had an eye on the both of them. Callie nodded and did as she was told.

The pirates left with no incident, and were soon on their way to the safety of The Black Manta.

General Bleylock looked at Duke Maddox as they were next. His son had worked for this weak old man, and not been able to take over every single bit of the company in the years he was there. In his hardened heart, that was a sign of how weak his son became, especially after he found Blackbones and moved in together with him. A part of him wanted to ask Blackbones about it, was his son really happy with what he found in the other man, a potensial mate, enough to abandon all he came from, his heritage and more, just for some fun in the bedroom? It was hard to tell. And it was unlikely that Blackbones would talk about that part of his life with his son. The reason he had made the bid and secured Blackbones as a merchandise to his planet and his military forces, was an effort to bring his stubborn son home. And Bleylock was stubborn. He had taken a liking to the ways of the ones not living on his homeplanet, the frivolous life they lived. And all the freedoms that came with it. Freedoms that was not the Abraxian way. If he had stayed on his home planet, this was a problem that never would have come to be. He had let him go at a time where his son was very impressionable. And that led to his son exploring things, coming to like things, not meant for him. His hope had been that, by buying the scientist his son seemed to have taken a liking to, would be enough to bring him home. Blackbones, whom had been spesifically trained to work with flux, his son made sure the training was spesific and on point. And his young protege grew, and mastered what no one had done before him. The Meta flux had been the final test. And he had done it. And realised just what it could be used for. That was when his very human side, the weak side, took over. He tried to get away with it, and the result was that his wife, whom carried his child, had been ripped from him. Blackbones had been stripped of everything he held dear. And that caused him to flee. His son had searched for him, with no trace. It took months before they found out what had become of him. He had joined the pirates, whom fuelled his anger. And he was now a threat to Technoid. His sons fears was, the pirates would help Blackbones find out the truth about other things he hid from him. And The General suspected Sonny indeed had found out, and perhaps, he was the only one that knew. He would tell them, the following day. Then, as they awaited the verdict, The Abraxians would have to find a way to seize and deal with Blackbones. General Bleylock fell into deep thoughts, as his group left last. A smirk formed on his face. There was one way he could think of to deal with this. He just hoped Blackbones wanted answers enough to comply.

At the Black Manta, both Callie and Corso had noticed how silent Sonny was. What was more, he barely touched his meal. Callie looked at Corso. Corso nodded. He knew what was troubling his friend, and what he needed.

Gently, he pushed Sonnys soup bowl aside.

"Sonny, I can tell your mind isnt with us. I can guess as to what is bothering you. Come with me, I think I know just what you need right now" Corso said in a mild tone, placing his hand on Sonnys back.

Sonny looked at him.

"I am not sure what you are getting at Corso.." he said.

Corso smiled.

"Come with me, and I will show you. I think this may help you get the clarity you need" Corso said.

Sonny nodded, and got up, and walked over to the sink with his bowl.

Corso did the same.

The two men left the galley, and headed to the pirates silent room. This was a place the pirates used to de stress when things went too far. And Sonny looked like he needed some silent time just for himself right now.

Corso led him inside and over to a recliner.

"Sit down Sonny, while I set up what I had in mind. This is a bit unusual, but unusual usually works the best for you. I took the liberty of constructing a special hologram projector. You got a decision to make, about something you are trying to protect me, Callie, all of us from, by withholding it. We all could take it, but I know you. You are going to hold it in, if you feel it will protect us this hologram will give you a most unusual sparring partner, one where you can voice it, in safety from the rest of us,protecting us all. You feel up for that?" he asked.

Sonny looked amused.

"Just when did you have the time to make this toy without my knowing Corso? I thought you were too busy while I was sick to have the time to make new toys?" he said.

Corso smiled.

"It isnt new Sonny. I had it for a long time now. Not even sure I could ever use it for anything, unless you decided to at one point get those heavy burdens you carry off your chest. The images in here are some of your worst enemies through all the times I have known you. Those I fought alongside you against, I programmed in the history of. But there was always one I never fully knew the story of, and I am not going to pressure you on it. So this one has a recording option. Its for you to have a chance to speak it out, in anger if you have to. Try not to get too stressed. Here, let me show you how it works. Then, I will seal the room for 8 hours. Those eight hours are yours, to deal with the inner demons, and get things off loaded. When its done, you will feel much more levelheaded. I can see you are struggling, I just want to help you, wherever I can" Corso confessed.

Sonny smiled.

This was Corso at his best. This side wasnt obvious, but he had his moments.

Sonny nodded. As soon as Corso had shown him how it worked, Corso left him alone, and sealed the room.

Sonny had a window of eight hours, to deal with his inner demons. Sonny found himself zapping through the images of old enemies, and what they could help him deal with. There had been several over the years, but one was worse than all the rest. His true nemesis. Bleylock. He had spared Corso and his men that story for personal reasons. He even hated thinking of it himself. Sonny had his image before him now. He had two options here. Bleylock, before his fall after they fought over the metaflux, and Bleylock after, with a metal leg and arm and a very monstrous appearance. That part he didn't much care about. Bleylock had chosen his path at that stage, and they were mortal enemies. It was with the younger Bleylock where his inner demons lay burried.

Sonny activated it. It was like being thrown back in time. Sonny programmed what he knew into the hologram, and then, he set up for a conversation long overdue, with someone long since dead and gone, whom was responsible for far more death and devastation than he liked to remember.

The hours went by at snails phase. Callie felt on edge, and Corso was busy with his own things. But finally, Sonny came out of the sealed room. They looked up as he entered the ships bridge.

Corso smiled when he looked at him. It seemed his plan had worked. Sonny had a look of sheer determination in his eyes, and also, like he had taken of a heavy burden.

"Feeling any better now Sonny?" Corso asked.

Sonny nodded.

"Thanks Corso. I needed , we focus on telling it all as it is, and then, if need be, we will deal with the Abraxians. After that, we will start looking for clues about the missing scientists, and all that comes with it. But first, I got a story to tell the Galaxy, a story that is more than likely to land half, if not more, of Technoids board of directors in jail, and Technoid will be crippled at the base of power. It has gone on for too long, and now, the most wanted man in the galaxy, If I ever was a threat to them before, I am going to be the one that put an end to their reign of terror, for good. That is my promise to the galaxy, and its a promise I fully intend to keep" Sonny said, to loud cheers from his men.

Then he looked at Callie whom smiled.

This would be a story that would grip the galaxy.