So, next chapter! I think of it as like a second album for a musician; when people find out if you're a one-hit-wonder or not. Scary. Well, I'm pleased with what I've written but would still appreciate any comments, feedback etc. I gratefully accept constructive criticism; it helped me to write this chapter.
Big shout out to Shnizel, my very supportive friend and fellow Merlin acolyte. I thank you for your input!
Thanks also go to my incredible Beta, Kuno. :D Thanks for picking up all the little errors x
Flourish. Exeunt.
Otto sighed. Laura was still blanking him but he could tell from the quick look he'd taken at her computer history that she was searching for anything to do with C.O.U.R.T. He smiled. She'd find it by the end of the day: Laura was the best hacker he knew, bar himself of course.
The talk dark boy sitting next to him at the table, food untouched, was staring into space; a space currently occupied by a certain Miss Trinity. Otto poked him none to gently in the arm.
"So, any development in relations between you and the Icequeen? You're pining for her, and what's worse, it's obvious. "
Wing absentmindedly rubbed his arm. Otto rolled his eyes. The fool was so lovesick that he was in a world of his own. He'd have to see about that. He began reciting any words that might spark a reaction in the basically comatose boy beside him.
"Raven. Cypher. Grappler. Ninja. Shelby. Ex-girlfriend."
At that last word, Wing's head shot up. He shot Otto a look that said If you go any further or any louder I will find a way in my considerable arsenal to kill you in the quietest, quickest, most painful way possible. Otto winced at this death-stare, patted Wing on the shoulder, and sidled away towards a less life threatening conversation.
"I tell you, Doctor Nero's up to something!" proclaimed Nigel. Franz stopped munching for enough time to add, "And it is being not the changing of the lunch menu." before continuing on with his gargantuan lunch. Otto slid into the seat next to him, careful to avoid the flying chicken pieces and chips.
"What's happening?" asked Otto, still fielding Franz's flying lunch. Nigel sighed and stared exasperatedly at Otto. Being at the centre of the gossip hub of H.I.V.E was a difficult task, but one he was willing to endure.
"Well, my source says that Nero has cut all the classes for the Alpha stream for two months after Christmas."
"Two months?" exclaimed Otto. "That's great news; but strangely suspicious. Is your source credible?"
"I guess so, you know him better than me. It's-OUCH!" Nigel jumped about a foot in the air, and then crumpled to the floor. Half the dining hall stood up, gawping at the spectacle.
"Excuse me. Excuse me! Is no one going to check if he's OK?" yelled Laura, barging her way through the crowd, decking people left right and centre with her bag, and kneeling beside the unconscious Alpha.
"I guess it was caused by that massive electric surge I felt. Definitely enough to knock him out but too much to keep him silent. Are you taking notes on this for future reference, HIVEmind?"
The blue wired head bobbed up from Nigel's Blackbox, with a guilty expression.
"I didn't mean to shock him quite that hard Mr Malpense; it was meant to be just a necessary precaution. If he had told anyone, I'd be in big trouble-." The AI's head vanished seconds before the headmaster of H.I.V.E strode through the knot of students gathered round the unconscious Nigel.
"What's happened to Darkdoom?"Nero said resignedly, and after seeing Otto in the inner circle, "Malpense?"
Otto looked up with an amused expression and said, "Honestly Doctor Nero, even if I hadn't done anything, would you have believed me?"
"You may have a point there Mr Malpense. But in my generous position as headmaster, I shall take the benefit of the doubt and require only that you, Miss Brand and Mr Argentblum," looking dubiously at Franz, still eating now that any threat to his friend had passed, "take Mr Darkdoom to the infirmary, after which I shall expect the entire Alpha stream in the main cavern for an important announcement."
The dining hall hummed with excited chatter from all the streams. Large gatherings to share news were rare, and nearly always signalled important deaths, disasters or impeding destruction. Nero swept out, followed by a black shadow that no student noticed, except one.
Wing wasn't really interested in the politics, or ins and outs of H.I.V.E. At this present time, all his attention was focused on one thing; Shelby Trinity. It had all gone wrong so quickly. One moment they'd been having a spirited conversation about the ethics of combat (well, she'd been spiritedly conversing; he'd been adding input when she stopped to breathe). Somehow they'd got onto the topic of the limits of evil. Shelby had strayed into dangerous territory: she had been doing hypotheticals and she'd asked:"What if your parents were murderers? Would you still love them?" He'd stiffened and gone silent. He couldn't understand why she hadn't noticed that this was actually the case with him; she'd been there, and supported him through it. When she realized, she'd apologized. And apologized again. And again. But he'd withdrawn into himself, and didn't answer. Shelby couldn't get anything out of him. From inside his shell, Wing watched her emotions towards him progress from sympathy, to anger, to silence and their eventual break-up.
So here he was. His pride wouldn't let him walk over and apologize to her, and neither would hers. They were stuck in mutual misery without each other, punctuated by awkward meetings in the corridors and in lessons, and the occasional grappler match. The last one had been move-perfect but even Colonel Francisco noticed that there was no improvisation from his two most talented students from the Alpha stream, no willingness to take a risk in order to win. Now both students were stuck in a state of uncertainty, neither willing to cross over and make things right again. Most pupils now gave Wing a wide berth, and their closer friends tried to remain impartial, but were beginning to tire of being go-betweens.
"Hey, Surly." Otto punched Wing playfully on the arm to get his attention. He was secretly worried about his friend. All the work that they had put into Wing since they had all started H.I.V.E was rapidly becoming undone, because of their stupid pride. He was turning into a zombie before their eyes. Wing declined to comment as they walked into the main cavern, already filled with the black jumpsuits of the Alpha stream. He didn't compute what he was seeing until he hit the back of Shelby. She twisted around.
"Oh."
"Oh."
"I'll just...um...go this way..."
"Sure. You just slip away from this confrontation. In fact, you get out of any confrontation, don't you, freak." Shelby spat, before blushing and turning away, to face Laura.
Wing slipped through the gap, followed by Otto, who had been an uncomfortable bystander to that scene, along with Laura. Otto couldn't understand why things had changed between Wing and Shelby; in the space of an afternoon, they had changed from being deeply in love to avoiding each other, and when they met, creating awkward and highly volatile situations.
The atmosphere was full of a mixture of tension and anticipation, and even a little fear, in light of the announcement. They sat down in a different row from the two girls, so Otto had to twist to mouth So? at Laura. She shook her head wearily. It hadn't been Wing only who'd reverted to their original attitudes. Shelby had lost all of her endearing mannerisms and become hard and conceited, as demonstrated in that little drama. Sometimes Laura felt that she didn't know her friend anymore.
Nero walked up to the lectern and raised his hand. Immediately, there was silence and all eyes turned to the headmaster.
"He looks ill", whispered Nigel to Franz.
"He is definitely looking of the peaky", Franz agreed. "Maybe he needs some more food."
Nigel was about to retort to his friend that food was not the answer to all problems, when he caught Ms Leon's eye. She raised an outstretched claw at him menacingly, and hissed a warning.
They shut up.
"Students. Alphas. You must all be wondering why I have gathered you all here today. I have news that will affect all of you. We are not alone on this planet as a corporation that shapes the history of our world, which you know." Nero paused to cough, a dry cough that shook his form violently. The hush from the students was deafening. He continued," But there is one more power than good or evil on this planet. There is Justice. I know some of you wonder how the world has not been obliterated yet, through our feuds and dastardly plans, which can cause massive destruction. Well, until now, this secret has been known only to the heads of G.L.O.V.E, H.O.P.E, and H.I.V.E, but it has been deemed that it is important for you, the leaders of tomorrow, to know also. There is a group that monitors everything that happens in the world, and seems to know everything before we even think it. If an idea threatens innocents, or could potentially destroy the world, then it is stopped by L.I.B.R.A." Confronted by a sea of confused faces he elaborated:" The League of International Balance for the Rights of All. Yes, I hear you whispering that you've heard tales of giant lasers and nuclear war on a smaller level, but these are stories to save face. There is no law against lying. Anyone who breaks the laws set down by their courts is trialled and punished. The leader of L.I.B.R.A has expressed a wish for better relations between our communities so you shall all be sent for two months to your opposite number on the justice side, C.O.U.R.T. It stands for the College Of Unity and Rights Training. There will be consequences from both H.I.V.E and C.O.U.R.T if any one of you steps out of line. Am I quite clear?" There was a murmur of assent from the crowd. "Thank you. Your transport will leave in the morning. Your Shroud number and time of departure will be on your Blackboxes tomorrow." And with that final message, he swept out of the cavern, along with his heads of staff. A crescendo of excited chatter filled the room.
"I told you so!" yelled Nigel.
"Will the arrangements for the eating be of the same type at C.O.U.R.T?" wondered Franz.
"Whoop de do." Shelby sarcastically muttered.
"Shut up." said Laura, eyes agleam with excitement.
"Did you hear that Wing? We're going to a secret facility where the justice and laws for the world are decided. What could possibly go wrong?" chirped Otto.
Wing just sat there. It was another hurdle to get over in his world. What was the point? Why was everyone so excited?
Nero sighed and ran a hand through his hair. It was thinning on top, he noticed; probably due to the antics of a certain foursome. "Natalya, do you think this visit will go smoothly?"
Raven materialized from the shadow of the wall. "When has anything involving students leaving the island gone smoothly, Max?"
"You are of course right Natalya. We'd best prepare for a bumpy ride."
So? What do you think? I'd dearly love to know...
Read and Review (please) :D
Blue button, due SW of this A/N