-How long does it take you with those codes, Cletus?- urged him Patrick.
-Ah I'm almost done- he said in a hurry.
-Really?- Argus had moved closer –you know, Cletus, I thought you were smart, not naive-
Cletus casted a glance over him.
-What do you want, Argus?- he asked straightforwardly.
But Argus pointed a gun at his head in return.
-I wasn't born yesterday, I know you destroyed Machina-
Patrick and Seagul were bewildered by those words.
-Argus, what are you talking about, Cletus is one of ours and he's loyal to me- said Patrick.
-I'm sorry, Mr. Patrick, but since I trust no one I am completely sure about this- he paused for a few seconds –you could have only fight it back with your stick- he hissed.
Cletus smiled.
-Clap clap, do you want a golden medal now that you figured it out?- he provoked him.
-Damn you!- Argus grinded and in that moment the door opened.
-EVERYBODY FREEZE!- Rufus came in with his usual cockiness, ignoring who he may be up against.
Cletus touched his face, baffled.
-Rufus!- whispered Seagul.
-Father…- said an upright Rufus.
-Rufus?- continued Patrick, baffled.
-Dirty major- said Rufus glaring at him.
-Yes well, Cletus, Argus and Goal is over there, now there's every one of us- concluded Cletus in a hurry.
-No no you'll be gone soon- threateningly said Argus.
-Oh no, soon you will all be…gone- said Cletus pushing a button on commands' chart.
An alarm went off and a countdown starting from 40 minutes appeared on the monitor in the center of the room.
-40 minutes? Which self-destruction takes 40 minutes?- observed Rufus.
There was a moment of general bewilderment.
-What happened to the guards?- pointed out Seagul then.
-Ah those, I think they're sleeping- answered Goal.
Patrick and Seagul stared at each other in confusion.
Cletus took advantage of Argus' distraction and threw himself at him, trying to take his gun.
In the meantime, Rufus was glaring at both Argus and Cletus.
-What are you staring at, boy?- asked Patrick.
-You betrayed us! They trusted you- said the young boy.
-Yes well, too bad I've never been on their side, you know Rufus, I wanted to leave that terrible planet just like you-
-I know your story- said the guy.
-So you know we've been used and then betrayed- said Patrick.
-That didn't give you the right to decide the fate of an entire planet- commented Goal.
-Rufus, you're still in time- intervened Seagul –Join us now and you can live on Elysium- the man had a malicious look.
Instead, the boy felt only despise for him.
-But who do you think we are?!- once more Goal intervened –you'll end up like you deserve, and my father too, once we sabotage your plan we'll expose you to the council-
Patrick sneered out of disapproval.
-C'mon, let go- Cletus was rolling around the room with Argus and they were both holding tight.
-You're insane if you think of screwing everything up, why are you doing this?- yelled at him Argus.
-Because…because it's not right to destroy an entire planet-
-since when can you tell right from wrong?-
-I don't know! I just know it's wrong-
-We were perfect and you're screwing everything up- added Argus.
-There's no such thing as perfection, Argus- firmly said Cletus.
At those words Argus let go, Cletus immediately stood up with the gun in his hands.
They were both out of breath.
-Cletus, we need to reach the lifeboats- urged him Goal.
-Yes…- he said and was about to reach them.
But Patrick had an hidden gun he immediately pulled out.
-Stop!- he said.
-Cletus, watch out!- warned him Goal.
But the boy hurried up, Patrick pulled the trigger the moment Cletus threw himself at Goal and Rufus pushing them out of the room. They closed the door and then sabotaged the lock by shooting at it.
-Ouch- murmured Rufus slowly standing up –Why do I always end up on the ground?- he complained.
-Cletus? Are you hurt?- Goal was sitting next to him.
-It's nothing, just a scratch- Patrick's shot had hit his shoulder.
-Take this- Rufus untied the bandana he took around his neck and handed it to Goal.
The two brothers looked at each other, a satisfied smile slowly appeared on Cletus' face, Rufus resisted briefly and immediately looked away, he couldn't admit that Cletus could be nice.
-Your egocentrism is flooring sometimes- commented Cletus.
But Rufus remained silent.
In the meantime Goal had bandaged the Elysian's shoulder with the handkerchief. Rufus was looking at Cletus again.
The two Elysians stared at him.
-What's up? What are you staring at?- the young boy eventually burst –I only did it because I owned him-
-Yes sure- they both said simultaneously, giggling under their breath.
-Just one question- asked Cletus standing up –where are the guards?-
Cletus turned toward his brother.
-So you're not as dull as you look- he said.
-And I may keep on surprising you- he said in return.
In the end the three of them headed to the main bridge.
