Chapter 13: Dark hours
The two captured pirates wasted no time in their prisoncell. As soon as they were alone, Sonny and Corso started looking for weakspots. But Technoid had learned the pirates ways over the years. They had chosen a strong holding cell. No concealed airvents they could reach, the only one they found, was in the ceeling, and with no hooks, there was no way to get up there. Corso wiped the sweat of his forehead. «I never thought I'd say this Soony, but this time, we really are stuck». For once, Sonny had to agree. The situation wasn't looking good. Corso sat down,beack leaned against the wall. «I just hope Artie and Bennet got away safe and sound, we'll need their help». Sonny nodded it. «They got out before us, I saw them, have you triggered your distressignal?». «I tried, but the signal is blocked». Sonny was not surprised to hear that. It was clear to him that technoid had indeed learned the pirates ways of dealing with sticky situations over the years. Some decades back, it had been much easier to make a relatively safe escape, but now, they had cought him this time. Usually, that would never happen. Sonny knew he hadn't been truthfull towards Corso on the matter. It wasn't just luck that had led to his capture by Technoid this time. Even Sonny was growing older, and when he had learned that Mei was pregnant, it had made him think of the future. He was a grandfather to be, and he wanted a proper relationship with his grandchild, not one that involved sneaking around in the shaddows whenever he wanted to see his family. A plan had started to form in Sonny's mind, if he could pull it off, he would be a free man, and if not, he'd make a deal with the devil, in this case Technoid, to get somekind of freedom back. Sonny had no plans to return to the company he still blamed for his beloved wife's untimely death, and for depriving him of all the years with his son, years he could never have back. Sonny still recalled the shock of learning who D'Jok, the snowkids infamous striker, was. At first, he could hardly believe it, but it all added up. His wife would never have given that bracelet to anyone else than her own son or doughter. It had been confirmed when Sonny had asked D'Jok about the bracelet. Finding both Clamp and D'Jok alive, had raised his hopes that she might have been too. If she was, Sonny knew he would have gone to see her. If she would have turned him in to Technoid, Sonny knew he would have willingly let them take him. But, she was gone. She died when giving life to D'Jok,leaving him in Maya's care. All she had given her son, was the bracelet. Was it a sign? Sonny would like to believe so. Had she somehow known he had made it,and that he was looking for her? Sonny thought of the early years as a rookie pirate. Going to Akillian had been painfull, the place was so full of memories. He remembered it as beautiful and evergreen, up till the disaster struck, and the planet became glaciated. That, was his fault, he had messed up, and till this day, he was still trying to make up for it. Sonny looked up. «We can't do much Corso, we'll just have to wait and see who comes first, our friends or Technoid»...
Duke Maddox was in his office. He was looking at an old personell file. The file on professor I'Son D'Arish. Now, Sonny Blackbones. He stared at the picture. Sonny really hadn't changed much, the years had been kind to him. « Just what happened between you and Bleylock Sonny?» the old man asked into the air. I'Son had been one of their best, possibly the best, scientist they ever had. He had talent and skills beyond average. I'Son would have gotten far, Duke Maddox had seen General Bleylock's young protege in action. There litterally was no stoping him. But at some point, something had happened. I'Son had met this young freshman, whom he fell in love with. No wonder really, the girl was bright and smart, and the two made a nice couple. Duke Maddox had seen them in events that was hosted by Technoid. I'Son only had eyes for his girlfriend, and collegues. Where Bleylock was concerned, something had happened. I'Son had been watchfull, and kept his distance to Bleylock, and clearly to Bleylock's dismay. Then, I'Son and his then wife to be, had applied for a transfer to Akillian, being effective immideately. Duke Maddox hadn't gotten a lot of explanations as to why, other than a doctor telling that I'Son had been subjected to torture, and needed some time to heal from the wounds. Duke Maddox had seen the X- Rays. It looked bad. He had signed the transfeerpapers and let them go, not ever asking why. Now, he wished he had. Clearly, I'Son had not wanted General Bleylock present at their wedding a few months later, but it had been unavoidable. And perhaps was he imagining things, but Bleylock had looked far from happy. Memories from the years he had chased Sonny, tired to capture him, the few times he had been face to face with the pirate leader, up till this very day surfaced. Sonny wasn't all that bad as he made him out to be, his actions towards Technoid could be explained in rational ways. But Sonny refused to return to his company, inspite of promises that he would be treated well. It was principles that mattered here. Duke Maddox knew Sonny had left Technoid with a broken back in the courtroom. He should hate him for it, but deep down, the Duke wanted to understand the pirate chief. As he slowly read through Sonny's file, he realised there was good reasons to demand a full physical examination on the pirate chief. If the snowkids had been contaminated with Metaflux, born by air, then, it was likely that Sonny himself had been exposed to this. Duke Maddox closed the file. A smile formed on his lips. Maybe he could still get his hands on the metaflux that Clamp and Sonny had created, by extracting it from the pirate chief. He dialed a number. «Get the extractor ready, and then, go get the two pirates»...
It was a snowstorm on the way outside. D'Jok had put his protective googles on, so had the others. The little pod moved slowly in the snow, even though inside, it was still possible to get snowblindness. The entire group was intensely focused on what they were about to do. Time was working against them. The longer it took for them to get through the storm, the lesser chance Sonny and Corso had to survive. «They can't just kill them, can they?» asked Micro- Ice. «They'd send in clones of them, rather then the real Sonny and Corso when it's time for the verdict» moaped Artie. Bennet nodded, agreeingly. «But, we would find out that it was clones, wouldn't we?» asked Rocket. He was the silent man of the group. But when he spoke, it was usually sense in what he said. «Sure we would, but it would leave us no clue as to where Sonny and Corso were, or what had happened to them» said Bennet. D'Jok stared into the snow. « I just can't loose Dad, not now».Artie placed a hand to his shoulder. «Don't worry D'Jok. Sonny always pulls through you know». D'Jok woud love to believe that. His mind was a total chaos. Before they left, he had been introduced to his greatgrandfather, a person even Sonny didn't seem to know much about. Could he trust this old man? D'Jok felt insecure. He wanted to talk matters over with Sonny, but first, they had to find them. D'Jok knew, Sonny had never been this close to freedom, in years. And now, just as Mei turned out pregnant, it seemed Sonny had all of a sudden decided to stop running, and fight the enemy through the legal system. Sure, most thought that the pirates were broke. What a bunch of bologny that was. D'Jok knew the pirates had money, from all their raids. But they were safely guarded and never used for unnecessary things. They could afford a good attourney for his dad and Corso. But what bothered D'Jok, was the fact that Corso too had been taken. Clearly, Sonny had already sunk them with his testimony in court. That made Technoid desperate, and D'Jok knew, that in desperate times, the enemy would show his father and Corso no mercy. The two leadning pirates hoovered in a danger that far exceeeded what they had ever endured in the past. D'Jok placed his hand against the window. «Hang in there Dad, We're coming»...
Mei was lying in bed. Her stomachcramps had worsened a lot since Sonny and Corso were arrested. She feared for their lives. The little one inside her body.. would he or she ever get to know the infamous grandfather, who was portrayed as a bady guy, but in reality was the kindest, most loving parent she had ever known,that included her own father.? Mei thought of all the struggles Sonny had gone through. How had he managed to remain himself? She would have had great difficulty seeing anything nice in the humanbeeings if she had lived through the same. Sonny still believed in the good in humans. But he had scars, deep scars. Mei had observed him at their home when he thought himself unseen. After all these years, Sonny had never been able to work his way over the hatred he felt towards Technoid, he accused them of many things, but the one thing that was truly hard to hear about, was the death of D'Jok's mother. It was weighing Sonny down by the tons. If the expression «carrying the world upon his shoulders» would fit someone, Mei would say this expression described Sonny to a tee. But when Sonny could put those moments behind him, and relax, he was a loveable fahter and in law. Mei could remember her and D'Jok going to Shiloh to visit the pirates. The little craft that came to get them, carried only one pilot, Sonny himself. Mei loved the heartfelt hugs Sonny would hand out. There was a sense of safety to be found in his presence, and in his arms, you felt safe, knowing Sonny would let nothing happen to you. His reaction when she told him of the baby had been fantastic. Sonny truly looked forwards to this. Mei heard a knock on the door. «Come in» she called out. In rolled an old man in a wheelchair. Mei sat up. "Mr D'Arish! What can I do for you?". Mei was about to leave her bed. "Oh no, stay in bed young lady. You look like you need the rest. I actually came to talk to you about D'Jok and my grandson, Sonny". Mei was on alert. She knew things about Sonny, things she knew she needed to talk to Sonny about before she could reveal them, even to D'Jok. "I can't tell you much about Sonny, I promised to protect him, and that limits what I can tell you" she said. "That's ok, I just want to know who he is, what kind of a person is Sonny? I lived all of his life without knowing of his excistence. It's my own fault. I should have treated Evan better, and let him make his own choise". The old man looked sad. Mei felt sorry for him, but Sonny had trained her well. She knew not to trust just anything anyone would come up with when they were out looking for information. Especially where Sonny Blackbones was concerned. Mei was worried for her father in law. She loved her own parents, even though many had a hard time understanding how this could be with her mother. Sonny never passed judgement on her mother though, at least, if he did, he made sure she did not know of it. "What I can tell you, Sir, is that you can trust Sonny. If he gives you his word to something, then, it will be done as he says it will". She smiled. The old man smiled a tired smile. " You are family too, you carry my great great grandchild young lady. How does D'Jok and Sonny feel about that?". Mei smiled. If the old man wanted to pull the conversation over on a more neutral ground, she'd play along. She sat better in the bed and started talking of the future to come…
Sonny sat leaning against the wall, half way dozing off. There was nothing none of them could do to get out, they needed help, and were forced to wait. Corso was sleeping next to him. The two friends had decided to use the time in limbo, to sleep and get some much needed rest. Corso went first, and Sonny sat watch. His hazel eyes searched the room, like it had done several times already. There was always a weakness, and if you couldn't find it, create one. Sonny thought about the past, and his future. It could end two ways: either, he would be cleared off all charges, he'd be free to start over, live a normal life. Once upon a time, that had been his greatest desire, next to getting revenge for his wife's and unborn child's death. It was a twist of faith that it took nearly 16 years before Sonny finally found the truth. His son, had not died in the crash, neither had his wife. She had died, when giving birth to their son. Sonny closed his eyes for a moment. It was still painfull to think of. But his life changed with an interwiew with D'Jok after they lost against the shadows. The bracelet.. Sonny twirled his slowly round his wrist. It was heaven and hell, pleasure and pain. All of lifes possible oposites in that bracelet. And the medallion.. once a token of the purest of love, his best years, the token of Niobe's love for him, what they had. Now, a symbol of belonging in two different worlds. On one side, there was D'Jok and Mei, and their unborn child. On the other side, there was the pirates. His family wich whom he lived. A sound made Sonny jump. All his senses froze into alert. Someone was coming, from the sound of it, Technodroids. "Corso, get ready, it seems we have visitors coming" he said. Corso rose. "Friends or enemies?". "The latter, seems Technoid wants to play it hard this time, be prepared for anything. Whatever comes, don't break". Corso nodded. The footsteps stoped. A hissing sound indicated the door was being opened. Sonny and Corso lined up, back against back. If they were to be subjected to torture, it would be no easy task for Technoid to sieze them….
Bennet was frustrated. It had taken them far more time than expected to reach the cave. But this time, Micro- Ice stoped them. "We better find another way in, this is the way we went when we came for Mei" he stated. Artie agreed. "Micro- Ice is right. They would be alert to this entrance now". Bennet grabbed the electronic map. "No worries mates, we'll get in, a pirate always have multiple excitpoints, part of the escapetraining". Artie looked at him. "Unless you sucked it up to Sonny, you don't have that training" he stated. Bennet looked at him. "Sorry Artie old boy, but there was no need to "suck it up" to Sonny as you call it. Sonny ordered me to go through that training, or I would be locked up in the Black manta for ages". D'Jok looked at Bennet. "That didn't sound like Dad" he commented. Artie laughed. "D'Jok, when the day comes that you decide to be trained as one of us, you'll see that Sonny is like that". Micro- Ice nodded. " Not to mention how he will make you do what he wants, without even telling you". Bennet smiled. "you finally figured that part out huh?". Micro- Ice sratched his head. "Well, thanks to you erasing my memory, it took some time, but you know, the memoryeraser does have a flaw". "Huh?" both Bennet and Artie looked startled at Micro- Ice's comment. Over the years, Micro- Ice had learned how to be serious when he made jokes. It irritated the hell out of Corso, and even Sonny found it annoying from time to time, but they survived. Sonny had spoken to Micro- ice, and found the flaw in the memory eraser. He and Corso had worked round the clock to upgrade and improve the device, and had succeeded. But Sonny had given it some thought, and decided not to erase Micro- ice's memory again. First and foremost, because Sonny feared it could cause problems for Micro- Ice down the line, and then, because Micro- Ice had proven he had grown up, and could keep secrets, Sonny decided to trust the young man. A decision he had not regretted. Micro- Ice had made good use of the trust Sonny had given him, and helped the pirate chief with a tricky task. It had ended in Sonny being able to pull off a conversation with Duke Maddox about the past, and Bleylock's doings, a conversation that had been a long time coming, but wich circumstances had made too difficult for Sonny to pull of successfully. With Micro- Ice's help, he had gotten that part taken care off. Micro- Ice smiled. "You see, the memory eraser only deletes the memory partially, especially if it's set to low erase. Sonny found out that with me, the memory that was erased, was only partially gone, because the sight of the bracelet that both he and D'Jok has, triggered the memories. I couldn't tell exactly where I had seen the bracelet before, I just knew it was not D'Jok's. Then, when Sonny and I met again, and I saw his bracelet again, he knew that I could still have some memories left. Sonny worked with me and Corso to solve the puzzle, when he realized what was wrong, it was an easy fix for Sonny. And with Clamps help, they made the version you got today". Artie was stunned. Bennet looked thoughtfull. "So, what you're saying is, that we actually have an improved prototype?". Micro- Ice couldn't keep from smirking. "Yes Bennet, Sonny made sure you had the new version before he was taken the first time". Micro- Ice all of a sudden stopped, like he knew he had said too much. Artie and D'Jok looked at him. "Micro- Ice.." D'Jok lay his arm around his best friend's neck. "I know Dad told you something that we weren't supposed to know of. What did he tell you?". Micro- Ice blushed with shame. "I'm sorry D'Jok, I can't tell you, I can admit that I know something, but Sonny made me swear to keep my mouth shut about it..". "Not your best attempt then, is it Micro- Ice?" commented Artie. Bennet appeared to be in deep thoughts. "Whatever reason Sonny had for his actions, there is a rhyme and reason behind it. Sonny will tell us all when he's ready, but now, we need to get in there, and free them, they need our help". The group nodded silently, and slid silently through the snow. Micro- Ice had once again been saved by the bell…
Sonny stared back at Duke Maddox. The look in the Duke's eyes told him all he needed to know. Duke Maddox knew about the medication he had been given by Clamp. The medication that had returned the gift and the curse that the flux named the seed of Shiloh was. Sonny had used to see the seed of Shiloh as a problem. A big problem. He had only just found out that he had gotten it back. The difference was that this time, he was older and wiser. He now knew how to control the uncontrollable flux. Sonny straightened up. "Your Excellency, to what do two humble pirates owe the honor of your late visit? Are you here to see to it that we're comfortable in your prison?". Corso struggled not to laugh out loud when he heard the eloquent way Sonny handled the Duke. Duke Maddox approached them. " You got a sense of humour Blackbones, but there is a reason for this visit". Without further explanation, Duke Maddox pointed to them. "Take them to sublevel three, block D". Sonny felt a chilling cold run through his body when he heard that. No, anything but that!. He struggled to remain calm, not to let anyone see the ghosts of the past that rose in his mind. "Sonny?" Corso was awaiting a response. Sonny knew he expected an order. In Ancient Shiloh, Sonny responded. "Be prepared for pain Corso, lots and lots of pain". The droids led the two pirates to the designated destination. Sonny slowed the pace more and more as they neared the place he dreaded. Once they stood before the door, the headached hit Sonny hard. "AARGH!" Sonny grabbed his head and rubbed it. "Sonny! Are you ok?" Corso sounded tensed and worried. "I'll be fine..AAAARGH!" Sonny fell to his knees, the pain prevented him from seeing the approaching droids, for Technoid, this was a mistake they would soon regret…
D'Jok and the team had already reached the room in wich the torture was supposed to take place, through the air vents.
"This place is creepy, what on earth is it?" asked Artie. Bennet shivered. He had heard stories from many pirates about this place, the names of the place varied. Some called it "Hell", others "Bleylock's playground" and some called it "The deathrow". It didn't matter. This was a place most pirates used to describe a nightmare scenario. They had talked about it round campfires. Even Sonny seemed to know things about this place, perhaps more than most. But if he did, he never spoke of it. When the conversation turned to the subject, Sonny usually left. Bennet had suspected Sonny knew a lot more about Bleylock than he was telling. But he also knew that pushing the subject would get him nowhere. "We got to get in, and locate the cell where they're holding them" said D'Jok. All of a sudden, a scream was heard, it was a scream out of utter pain. All the ones in the rescuegroup jumped. "Who..who was that?" asked Rocket. Tia, who once had gone with the pirates knew. "Are we too late? That cry of pain came from Sonny, no doubt". That was all she could say, before a sharp, greenish light struck them, followed by a pressure wawe. It knocked them over. "Artie, did you feel that?" screamed Bennet. Artie was shaking. "It can't be Bennet, he doesn't have it anymore, he chose it away..", Bennet rose from the floor. "They're near, let's go help them". But before they could go anywhere, D'Jok grabbed his arm. "Bennet, I too want to rescue Dad and Corso, but I want to know first, no I demand you tell me what that was". Bennet and Artie exchanged looks. Bennet sighed. "That, D'Jok, is trouble with a capital T. To you, it's a myth, you all think we pirates don't have flux. It's a wellkept secret, not known to many outside the pirates community. We do have a flux, but Sonny banned the use, for several reasons. The main reason, is that it could be detected, using the flux, would be like putting a marker on the ship, and on him. You won't find any pirate on Shiloh that would do that to Sonny. The second reason he banned all use of it, was that the ones that had it, could not control the flux. It is wild, unpredictable and untamable, whoever possesses the seed of Shiloh, needs be mentally strong. Sonny was all of that, and since he used to be an old footballer in his schooldays, the seed of Shiloh manifested in him. Sonny could not control it. Brim Simbra, the master of the flux society, interviened, and helped Sonny rid himself of it. But he also told Sonny, that if it would ever be required, the Flux would manifest again". Bennet looked at D'Jok, to see if he got what he was saying. D'Jok was in shock. "Something really bad just happened then, this was a defense". Rocket woke them all from the shock. "What are we waiting here for? Let's go help them". The rescue team ran off, they rounded a corner, and stoped dead in their tracks. The remains of several droids was scattered around the door, Duke Maddox was rubbing his head, where he sat leant against the wall. But the sight in the middle, was incredible. Sonny was sitting on his knees, holding his head, as if he was suffering tremendous pains, Corso was holding him by the shoulders. Surrounding the two pirates, was a green, vibrating shield. D'Jok had heard of the seed of Shiloh, he had read of it, but always thought it was just a myth. Now, his own father presented the living evidence that it wasn't. The seed of Shiloh had resurfaced. But, was Sonny Blackbones strong enough to control it?...
This is getting to be exciting. Is this flux a blessing or a curse? You tell me.