Chapter 15: For the truth
The dark shaddow moved closer. Sonny tried to move backwards. But it was like the feets was glued to the ground. He couldn't move. It was like seeing the scenario from when the snowkids won their second final all over again, but with one major difference. This time, Corso could not interviene and break the attack. Bleylock's arm reached out. «This time, you will die, Sonny Blackbones»..
Sonny sat up with a scream. Sweat was dripping from his forehead, and his heart was racing. The door opened and Corso and D'Jok came running into the room. «Sonny! Are you allright?» Corso seemed stressed.
«I'm fine Corso, a nightmare» he replied.
D'Jok searched his father for any signs that he was lying. «It seems they increased after you got the seed of Shiloh back» he said thoughtfully.
Sonny had thought the same. He rubbed his eyes. Then, he made ready to get up. D'Jok held his sleeping device. «Dad, perhaps you should use this?».
«No son, not now, we got matters to tend to» Sonny responded. He looked at Corso. «Have you heard back from the teams working with the bombing of Shiloh yet?».
«The reports are in Sonny, it seems this was a lot larger scale than we thought».
Sonny gave it a nodd. Technoid had gone all out to make him make a mistake on wich they could imprison him, a trap Sonny had not fallen in. Corso was awaiting orders.
« get hold of Mr. Winters. I want to know how soon this case can get rolling again». Corso nodded, and left the room.
«D'Jok, the reuinion match, friendly as it is, should be moved elsewhere».
«Dad? How come?» he wanted to know.
Sonny looked down for a sec. «D'Jok, I can't tell you how it is I know things. I don't know myself. It's an instinct developed over years of being hunted down. Such livingconditions changes you, the way you see the world, the way you think and how you act. I had to adapt, as the alternative would have been certain death, I did what I had to do. You son, have a choise, you don't have to do what I did, I already paved way for you, not knowing of your excistense. But believe me D'Jok, there is a storm coming, and you don't want to get in it's way». Sonny's hazel eyes held D'Jok's murky grey in a hard grip. D'Jok understood.
«I'll go talk to Aarch, and see what can be done» he said.
Sonny nodded. As D'Jok left, Sonny heard the door open. He more sensed who came into the room than saw him. His grandfather looked old, but he was still growing strong. Sonny remained standing, looking out the window, on the falling snow, back turned against his grandfather. He had no desire to talk to him. But like all D'Arish men, his grandfather was not giving up that easy. «How long do you plan to recent me for my past mistakes Sonny?» he asked. Sonny ground teeths. The past was still a hard thing to talk about. He remembered all the years that his father had hopes to sort things out, and how the glow in his eyes went out each time. «Why now?» he asked. Mr D'Arish had known all along that this talk would not be easy. Sonny clearly recented him for the past, he could sense the pirate chief being on alert. Mr Darish sighed. «If I tell, will you listen with an open mind? Or am I wasting my time?». Sonny knew his grandfather had cornered him with that sentence. As much as he recented him, he also knew he had to try to get along, if not for his own sake, then for D'Jok's. There was nothing Sonny wouldn't do to ease things for his son. And with the expectant baby, it became even more urgent to try to fix things. For too long, no one in the family had made any moves to correct things. Maybe it was time it would all start, with him. Sonny turned around and sat down. «I'll listen, what do you want to talk to me about?». Mr D'Arish looked at him. «It is my understanding that you have suffered losses in the past Sonny, and that you have found some answers, but not all?». Sonny's gaze met his. « Yes, and what are you trying to tell me?». Mr D'Arish sighed.
«I don't know how you can accomplish it, but if anyone can acess the Technoid's buildings unseen, it's you and your men. You would want the D'Arish file on your name, that they got. You will find there is a lot that Technoid never told you, but once you read it, things will be clearer, I don't know, but maybe, it can help you come to peace with some of your ghosts».
A pair of eyes looked suspiciously at him.
«How would you know what's in the file?» he asked.
«I don't know what's in the files Sonny, but Technoid was a threat to your family long before your time. I'll explain when you got the file and can read for yourself» he said.
«What makes you think I'll risk the life of any of my men for this?» Sonny remained inquizzitive.
«Your continuing search for answers, Sonny».
Sonny nodded it. Then he made a call...
Corso didn't like coming here, not for any reason. He was a wanted man, like any other pirate, but Sonny had asked him to do this, it was important. No one knew what Sonny had been talking to his grandfather about, but they had all noticed how changed he had been when he came out. It had been a sense of calmness that had not been present before. Sonny had assured everyone he was fine, he had just solved a few major personal problems. But Corso feared what would come from the file Sonny had asked him to retrieve from the Technoid archives. Sonny had learned to harness his flux fast, there was no worries there, he had also found that he could use it to protect both himself and his men. But Corso still feared that the file on D'Jok's mother would cause Sonny to loose control. It had become evident that Sonny was unable to get over the loss. He had to worry about the consequenses later. In all the years they had been friends, he had not let Sonny down yet, and he planned to keep it that way. He moved to Duke Maddox office, surely, all files that was related to Sonny in any way was found there. Taping into the computer was a piece of cake. Then, it was just a matter of searching for the right files. As soon as he found it, he had it copied over to a disc he had brought, there were a total of four files Sonny had requested spesiffically, but as always, he told his man on the job that anything would be of interest. That tactique had kept him alive so far, no need to change what already worked well. Corso was about to wrap things up, and get out safe and soundly, when a second file cought his attention. «A classified file on Sonny?» he mumbled. The password could get tricky, but Corso tried. By a streak of luck, he gained acess. The file had seemed small, but when Corso decrypted it, it was a huge file. Corso's eye widened in shock as he couldn't stop reading. Right before his eyes, he saw that the pirates had a real security problem. Sonny was as far from safe as he could get. Technoid had fooled them. It was only when Sonny was aboard his ship he was in anyway safe. Security videos from Shiloh even showed Sonny's apartement, and a detailed schedule of when he was there alone. But another file cought Corso's attention. «Sonny's medical record? This must be a mistake, those files aren't available to anyone outside Shiloh» Corso mumbled. As pirates, they would all get sick or injured from time to time. Sonny was no exception. But when Corso opened the file, he gasped in shock. «No, it can't be»...
D'Jok and Mei were on their way back from the doctors appointment. Mei had her check up. They both smiled secretly to eachother. The doctor had revealed the baby's gender. D'Jok was in seventh heaven in regards to the baby. He looked forwards to this. The only thing that cast a shaddow over things, was his fathers upcoming sentence. D'Jok knew, that if Technoid won, he might not ever see his father again. He sensed Sonny thinking about it too, but whenever Sonny realised that D'Jok looked at him, he would go through hell to hide it. But D'Jok knew. He knew no one that was a more devoted parent than Sonny. Sonny would litterally put everything else aside if he or Mei ever needed help, wheter he endangered himself in the process, he didn't care about. To Sonny, family came first, he knew he could never make up for the years they had lost, but he would do whatever he could to be there for his son now. D'Jok smiled when they returned to the academy, and saw Sonny and Clamp come walking out of Clamp's lab. The old man sort of had a spark in his eyes whenever he was around Sonny. D'Jok could imagine the fun the two had back in the days, before the tragedy struck. «Dad!» he called out, making the two men turn. «Back so soon D'Jok? I thought it took longer» smiled the tall pirate chief.
«Nah, a football star has certain advantages you know» grinned D'Jok. Mei was starting to get tired of D'Jok's games, and now that she was pregnant, she was even more edgy than before.
«Come on D'Jok, I need to eat, you go get me something healthy to eat» she bossed the striker around. Sonny could't help smiling, but raised a hand to choke a laugh.
«I'll get the parts for the transmitter Sonny» said Clamp.
«You go ahead Clamp, I'll join you later» said Sonny, before he offered Mei his strong arm and guided her over to the table in the dining area.
Sonny had taken time to eat luch with Mei and D'Jok. They planned things surrounding the expecting birth. Mei had set her mind on several things. «I want you there to keep D'Jok leveled,Sonny» she stated.
«You know I would do so Mei, but I can't make a certain promise, not with the way things are» he replied mildly.
«If it's a babygirl, let's call her Destiny» said D'Jok.
«D'JOK! Sonny, please knock some sense into his scull» pleaded Mei.
Sonny laughed. Then he rose, and quickly grabbed D'Jok in a headlock. «You heard her D'Jok, the name for a doughter of yours, is not Destiny».
D'Jok struggled to free himself from Sonny's grip. «Dad, I thought this was something us men got to choose».
Sonny broke into laughs. «No, leave that to the better half in your life D'Jok».
D'Jok finally freed himself from Sonny's grip. Then he grew serious.
«Dad, my name..»
Sonny's eyes grew dark. « You think it was the name your mother chose don't you D'Jok?».
D'Jok sat down. «I guess I always wondered that dad, I just didn't want to hurt your feelings by bringing it up».
Sonny nodded. «We never spoke of simple things like that did we son?» he smiled.
«No», D'Jok looked down.
Sonny could tell he felt uncomfortable with this.
«D'Jok, your name was the same I would have chosen if I had known you were alive. Your mother, my one true love, she knew I would have loved you more than life itself, and how I thought of the strenght in a name. Did Maya ever tell you what the name D'Jok means?» Sonny asked.
«No, I don't think Maya knew dad» said a confused D'Jok, and looked at his father.
«The name D'Jok, it means several things, but the way we use it, it means the brave fighter. And never doubt it D'Jok, not even in your worst moments, that you are a fighter. You have already proved that. You have courage and a figiting spirit, it will keep you alive. you learned to reach for your goals, and I am not taking any credit for that. I had no part in raising you, neither did your mother, but I found you. Years later. You were close to being what you wanted to be, a star. I told you, when you were in doubts, when you spoke about being one of the stars in the sky, that you were already there, ridding you of the metaflux, a weapon Clamp and I designed, in a naive moment, because we wanted to give the droids an advantage, would not change that. We talked for the first time as father and son then D'Jok. You were unprepared, I wasn't».
«I always wondered Dad, when did you find out?» asked D'Jok.
«Thanks to Micro- Ice» smiled Sonny.
«Micro- Ice? What was his role in this?» D'Jok's confusion was increasing.
Sonny smiled when he thought of the situation. Micro- Ice had indeed helped him escape and saved his life. But, he had also, when he saw the bracelet, understood that there was a connection between him and D'Jok. Micro- Ice had not even understood it himself, but when he had asked Sonny wheter he had children, Sonny had instinctively understood that the boy was telling him something. He had asked for a reason to the question, one that Micro- Ice had failed to give him, and Sonny had just accidentally seen the interwiew, and the bracelet that D'Jok carried, the twin of his own, the one that belonged to his wife. The shock had hit him hard, but Sonny had known, the very minute he laid eyes on D'Jok, who he was. His son, whom he thought to be dead, years earlier. It had made him vulnerable, he knew, but he had gotten his second chance at fatherhood, he had hoped it was not too late with his wife, that maybe they could work something out, a love like theirs would not die easy.
«Micro- Ice made me watch the tv where you sent him the message. I knew it was meant for him, but somehow, the bracelet, made it be for me too. When I saw that D'Jok, I knew. There was no doubt. I had found you, and the rest, is history» he smiled. D'Jok smiled too.
« we got a rough start didn't we Dad?».
« Having Bleylock as your enemy would do that D'Jok. I never found out how he learned about the familyties between us, but I wish I could have that undone» Sonny smiled sheepishly.
«Well, you became overprotective after that was over Dad, spying on me» laughed D'Jok.
«Sonny never spied on you D'Jok. He was trying to protect you, with every last breath» argued Mei, who was tired of being left out of the conversation. Sonny smiled thankfully to her.
«Well, we're all here today, and believe me, the little one will be even more protected than you D'Jok. I'm not taking any chances, he or she will remain safe. The Blackbones name attracts danger, but also, the very name holds power and respect. Make sure the little one learns that from early on» he smiled.
«But Dad, you'll be there to do this job on your own, I feel confident that you'll be free now» D'Jok smiled.
«Never underestimate Technoid D'Jok. They won't stop, unless they're made. I'm not sure it's something we can do. It'll only be temporary, like every gift from Technoid» Sonny said. A sound from the door, made them all look up.
«It's possible you're wrong Sonny, but time will tell, I will do my best to protect the D'Arish bloodlines, wich include both you and D'Jok, and now, soon, a new little life».
Sonny was about to respond, when his transmitter beeped. Corso.
«What is it?» Sonny asked.
«Trouble with captial T Sonny, there is a confidential file to your name, I'm sending it before I make my way back, you need to read this». Corso's voice was tensed.
Sonny agreed. He loged on to a computer and saw how the upload ended on a 100%. When he opened it, he was shocked.
«Corso, this is a direct order. Get out right away, we got problems that needs be adressed in meeting right away».
«I got you Sonny, I'm already gone».
«Good, make it back fast».
«Ok, you got a plan?».
«sort of half, but it's a starting point».
Sonny ended the transmission, and continued to read the file...
Corso was drinking his coffe, as Sonny went trough the files. The secret file proved a real challenge to crack, and Sonny was getting frustrated. Whatever was in there, was important, and he needed to know.
«Find anything Sonny?» Corso asked, looking over his shouder. The second in command could tell Sonny was intensely focused on finding the password that would allow him to read the file. Sonny shook his head.
«So far, all I've tried has been in vain. Seems they finally figured out how to create something we pirates can't read».
Then, Bennet all of a sudden came to smile. «Not necessarilly so Sonny. It might just be a password you haven't thought of yet». Sonny looked confused.
«What do you mean Bennet?» he demanded to know.
Bennet didn't answer, instead, he connected a device to the screen. Corso looked at him.
«Another one of Artie's little toys eh?» he said.
«Quite a handy little toy Corso, you just wait till you see what it can do» smiled Bennet.
He pressed a few buttons, and then activated the device. The crakcing seaquense started at normal pace, but then something happened. Sonny was impressed.
«Acellerating the search huh?» he asked and raised an eyebrow towards Artie, who was lying down on a sofa, playing a videogame.
«I had some spare time, I figured I could put it to good use» he said to the pirate chief.
«You got too much time to spare Artie, I'll make sure you get some more to work with, before you make a mess of things» threatened Corso. The two were about to start bikering again, when a loud beep was heard, and the password came up.
« type the password and open the file» commanded Sonny.
Bennet did as he was asked. The file was a lot bigger than initially thought. As the pirates began to read, they were shocked to see what knowledge Technoid really had on them and their location. But all the information they had on Sonny was frightening.
«How in the galaxy did they come across Sonny's medical records from Shiloh? No one but the pirates doctor knew this» whispered Artie.
«What's more. How did they find his appartement on Shiloh? And how could they have this detailed records of when he was present and not?» asked D'Jok stunned.
«We got a securtiy leak within our ranks, there is proof of that, right in our faces» growled Corso.
«There is more to this file» said Sonny. He scrolled down. Technoid had gotten hold of this information for a reason. He couldn't expain why, but this file held the key to why Technoid had been chasing him all these years. Why had none of the other pirates on the run had a bounty on their head from the beginning, when he had one almost instantly after he escaped them? Would he find the answer? When Sonny opened the last file, even he, the fearless pirate chief, gasped in shock.
«No, it can't be..»...
what did Sonny find in those files? And how will this discovery affect the story? Will the pirates defeat Technoid this time, or will they remain fugitives? And what about the expected baby blackbones? Boy or girl? Keep reading, and you will be stunned. And please, a rewiew? Just so I know wheter the story is worth continuing.