A/N: Well, unfortunately, real life stole me away from this story for far too long, and if memory serves it's approaching one year since I've updated. I am so sorry about that; truly I am. I appreciate all the patience and kind words that my reviewers have had (and given to me) and hope that this chapter doesn't disappoint. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays to all!
"…" – conversation/worlds
'…' – thoughts
"…" – Zoids and Organoids talking
Chapter 3: Revelations
Lumière Island, Florecia Ocean, Planet Zi, 6 December ZAC 2104 – 4:00 pm
The resounding 'crack' caused anything in the vicinity (among them ten different types of fish) to scurry away before they were caught up in what had just happened. Ian Kruger stumbled backwards, hand automatically reaching up to cover the bruise he was positive was forming on his face.
"How dare you, old man," Irvine hissed eyes narrowed dangerously. The ex-mercenary had reacted on instinct and socked the Republican Five Star General for his false words. "Those are lies. How dare you think that you can say shit like that and believe it to be true?"
Kruger ignored the pain emanating from his face and responded, "I am not lying, Irvine. I am your biological father."
"Bullshit!" Irvine roared fists clenched tightly. Drips of dark red blood began to trickle from them onto the ground, turning the pristine white sand a dull red-brown color. "You are not my father! My father was a barrel-maker from Silver Town near the Imperial border to the southwest of Guygalos by one hundred miles in Republican territory, and even though he treated me like shit because he was passed out half the time from an overdose of gin and beer, he was still my father!"
Kruger shook his head even as he drew out a battered folder from a deep hidden jacket pocket. "Irvine, that's not true. I have proof –"
"I don't want to see your fuckin' proof!" Irvine swore eyes beginning to glitter dangerously. "Nothing you can say can ever convince me that you're tellin' me the truth!" He stalked towards Kruger and raised his fist to throw yet another punch when he caught sight of the battered manilla folder. "What is that, some fabricated shit to try to convince me of the truth?"
Kruger shook his head. "No. This is the official record of Gunther Prozen's spy network from the early days of the last war between the Empire and the Republic on my motives and me in general. Your biological mother, Raie Kojo, took the disguise of a Republican farmer and spied on me to learn of the Republic's next moves. However, when she returned to her clan in the Empire, well, you were discovered. Prozen, who was apparently in charge of those members of the Kojo Clan who fought for the Empire mandated that you be rid of as soon as possible."
Irvine remained silent, anger still brimming at the surface of his mind during Kruger's explanation. 'This bastard thinks that he can convince me to play along with some fool's joke with a battered old envelope of information? Shit, he's lost it even more than I realized.'
"Old Man, listen to me. I don't care what you say 'cause I know that you're lying. How in Zi could you believe something coming from that snake Prozen's mouth, much less something dated over twenty years ago, huh?" He scoffed. "I thought that you had more common sense than the rest of us. Guess not." He walked past a silent Kruger, hands still clenched tightly. He only unclenched them when he heard Kruger tell him that they were bleeding... not that he'd listen to a thing coming out of the man's mouth, of course.
As Kruger watched the ex-mercenary stalk away he sighed. His Liger padded up behind him and gently nudged him, offering comfort. Kruger took the offered comfort from his Zoid, watching his son move further away from him.
"Master, are you not going to go after him?" The Desert Liger was very confused. How could his Master, whom he knew had been anxious and nervous about meeting his son not go after him and convince him of the truth? The Liger liked the human; he knew how to handle Zoids well and knew how to find those spots where a good scratch was appreciated and his words on the efficiency of the weapon upgrades had earned him five stars in his book and a spot on his very short list of acceptable people.
Kruger shook his head glancing up at the clear blue sky, admiring the picture. "No. If I go after him, there is a high chance that he will never accept the truth. If I let him think it over, there's a chance that his curiosity will become too great." He sighed again rubbing his Liger's snout. "I knew that this wouldn't be easy, old friend, and how right I was."
"Master, how long do you think he will need? I like him." Kruger chuckled at the lion-type Zoid's words.
"I'm pleased to know that you like him, and considering that there are few whom you do accept I suppose you feel he should be honored?" At the low growl Kruger chuckled again and continued, "I do not know how long he will need, but if I am judging him correctly, and if he truly is my son, then his stubbornness will not let him concede to the fact that he was wrong that easily." Looking at the battered manilla folder he sighed and placed it in his jacket's hidden pocket.
"How about a run, hmm? I saw a rather flat area further inland from the map I examined previous to coming here that featured some rough features." In response, the Desert Liger backed up a few steps and lowered his head enough that Kruger could clamper inside.
'Irvine, I am not lying, and until you see that day I shall wait.' Kruger's thoughts flew across the island wind to twirl around said ex-mercenary who was deaf to their meaning.
Cliff Face, Lumière Island, Florecia Ocean, Planet Zi, 6 December ZAC 2104 – 4:30 pm
Irvine had retreated to the top of the cliff from earlier that day, mentally exhausted. At first, he'd grabbed a handful of pebbles and thrown them without care down below, enjoying the cacophony of noise from their hitting other parts of the cliff face and then landing in the ocean. Eventually, though, that activity had ceased to be enjoyable; he'd taken to lying on his back, eyes watching the sky; his eye patch had been discarded and placed in a pocket.
'That man's so full of bullshit,' Irvine thought watching idly as a white cloud drifted into sight. Narrowing his eyes, he scoffed when he noted that the shape the cloud was forming was that of the Desert Liger.
"Can't believe that he expects me to believe him and some battered envelope with proof based on that snake Prozen's words. Just because I respect him as a warrior doesn't mean that I'm naïve." Irvine closed his eyes and let his mind drift to the past, to one full of the memories he had of his real father.
Barrel Maker's Shop, Silver Town, 100 miles southwest of Guygalos, New Helic Republic, Planet Zi, 25 August ZAC 2082 – 12:00 pm
"Dad!" Five-year old Irvine ran into his father's barrel-making shop eyes alight. "Dad, I found that new kind of nail you needed!"
The man he was speaking to was about six foot three inches, extremely tall when compared to the average height of five foot seven with closely cropped copper hair and dim green eyes. Clad in torn but comfortable pants and a tank top of some kind, the man made an imposing image. A cigar was clenched in his mouth and as he looked over at the boy he smirked.
"Lemme see," he held out a hand and Irvine gently placed the pack of nails in his father's palm, marveling once again how small his appendage was to that of his father's. The man examined it, eyes narrowing as he looked at it from numerous angles before he smirked again.
"Finally did somethin' right, huh?" The man's other hand came down to ruffle the younger boy's head, the latter grinning at the motion. Pocketing the bag of nails, he added, "Think you can handle somethin' else?"
Irvine nodded enthusiastically, ecstatic that his father was, for once, totally sober and coherent. Many times he had been passed out on the coach from too much of the "Devil's Drink" as his mother called it and had gotten violent, even aiming at Helena once; Irvine had protected her with only a hairline scar on his forehead as proof.
"Good," the man reached into another pocket on his work apron and withdrew a wad of bills that had Irvine's eyes widening. Taking three of them he handed them to the boy and said, "Run down to Howard's Place and get me the usual. Bring it back here." Not noticing Irvine's downcast face at his words, the man returned to his work, the sound of hammer meeting nail reverberating in the tight space.
"Sure thing, Dad," Irvine muttered turning around and leaving the shop, making his way down the dusty road to his father's booze supplier three bills clutched in his hands. Maybe he wasn't going to be sober after all...
Cliff Face, Lumière Island, Florecia Ocean, Planet Zi, 6 December ZAC 2104 – 4:34 pm
Irvine's eyes shot open, breathing a bit ragged. 'How in the, I didn't, I, I haven't remembered what the hell he looked like for years... why now?'
Looking to the side, he noted that there were some scars in the earth. Curious, he got to his feet and, moving closer saw that they were natural. Now even more curious, he crouched and ran inquiring fingers over the small hairline fracture in front of him. When nothing happened, he shrugged his shoulders and turned back around to face the Florecia Ocean.
"Damn it, why now?" His words were caught by the wind and transferred across the island to where Kruger and the Desert Liger were running. "Why now am I remembering that traitor?"
Irvine was abruptly brought out of his thoughts at hearing someone call his name and, glancing behind him couldn't help but smirk as Moonbay ran into view, clutching Dr. Dee's stupid parachute.
"Irvine, what are you doing up here?" Moonbay demanded hands on her hips. Of course, she didn't look as threatening as usual due to the bright green parachute lying in a heap next to her.
Irvine shook his head before looking once more at the ocean wondering if he could trust her. Deciding to see, he asked her how long it'd taken her to show Rosso and Viola that stupid little cove of hers. Of course, as he'd expected Moonbay shot him a nasty reply about his attitude and then proceeded to describe the cove in detail, including the tidal pool she'd discovered while escorting Rosso and Viola and the multi-colored starfish there.
Moonbay abruptly stopped speaking when she realized that her friend was intently listening to her describe starfish. Tilting her head, she moved so that she was in front of the ex-mercenary the frog parachute held in place by a rock so it wouldn't fly away.
"Irvine, why the interest in starfish?" Moonbay asked, concerned. Her friend didn't give a damn about sea creatures, citing that they were only good as variants on normal dinners; or at least, that's what he had said the last time when she'd begun describing the types of dolphins she'd seen en route to the island.
Irvine realized that the transporter had seen through the trick. Shaking his head, he focused on the ocean but was abruptly forced to look into Moonbay's eyes when she reached up and grabbed his chin, which upon reflection honestly frightened him. They were simmering with emotion, and they really were kind of pretty up close...
"Irvine?" Moonbay snapped her fingers in front of her friend's face wanting to make sure that he was still with her. "Irvine, what is going on with you? You never space out like this!"
Irvine shook his head free of Moonbay's grip and, smirking straightened up. "'S nothing, Moonbay." He looked over the cliff face to the horizon once more. "It's just that, well," he paused then asked, "can I trust you?"
Moonbay blinked having not expected this question from her friend of over a decade. "Of course you can! Idiot, what made you think that you couldn't?"
Irvine shrugged again not verbally responding for a moment. When he turned to face her, Moonbay was shocked at the haunted look in his eyes. "What would you do, 'Bay, if someone came up to you and said that your entire life's been a lie, that your family wasn't a family at all?"
"Well, uh, I would probably confront them, ask them what the hell they were thinking and proceed to find the truth out for myself." Moonbay's eyes alighted on her friend and, realizing just what he was asking her questioned, "Irvine, who told you that your entire life's been a lie?"
"... Ian Kruger."
"I'll kill him for you!" Moonbay offered smirking. When Irvine didn't rise to the bait she scolded herself for her lack of tact and placed a hand on his arm. "Sorry. My mouth spoke before my brain." She paused then continued, "Irvine. I'm here to listen, you know. Whatever Kruger said to you is not true. You had a family, you had Helena, and you have a family now. You do know that, right?"
Irvine didn't respond for a moment but when he looked into Moonbay's chocolate eyes once more he knew that everything would be okay. How, or why, he hadn't a clue, but it was his gut instinct.
"Yeah, I guess so." Irvine smirked at Moonbay recovering some of his bravado and continued, "I guess you're trustworthy enough to hear the sordid tale." He moved over to a small circle of stones that he, Van and Thomas had created the last time they'd been to the island. "If you'll join me here, Your Highness, we shall begin."
Moonbay rolled her eyes ignoring the jibe as she walked over and took a seat next to the Lightning Saïx pilot eyes narrowed thoughtfully. As Irvine told her what had taken place between Kruger and him, she said nothing so as to not interrupt her friend. It wasn't often that he opened up completely as he did now, and she wanted to make sure that it stayed that way.
"... So then, I punched the guy good in the face, threw away his so-called "proof"," Irvine used air quotations to emphasize his lack of confidence in this word, "and stalked away." He hesitated then plowed on. "'Bay, I can't help but think that even though that bastard Prozen was in charge of this whole shitty operation that Kruger ranted on about, well, what if the snake actually told the truth? I mean, I had this dream about my dad in his shop and for the first time in years, I remembered what he looked like." He looked away. "He looked nothing like me and, for that matter, neither did my mom. Helena was a mix of the two of them, and when I dared to ask why I didn't have copper brown or black hair, or even green eyes I was told that I inherited my grandparents' looks; 'course, I have no clue what said grandparents looked like, so that was probably a lie."
Moonbay shook her head. "Not necessarily, Irvine. I mean, I inherited my eyes from my granddad on my mom's side, and she and my dad both had bright blue eyes." Irvine looked at her askance, and she added, "I looked it up on the family tapestry before I left home for the last time." She shrugged. "Curiosity killed the desert cat, I suppose."
"So you're saying that this whole genetics-thing is actually real?" Irvine asked, still not one hundred percent convinced. Silver Town had been pretty low on the economic scale, a community straddling the edge of prosperity and poverty for almost all of her existence. His family had had the family tapestry, of course, but much of it was in pretty bad condition; they'd had no money to buy the materials to preserve it so there'd been tears in it, stains from both rubbing and regular alcohol and what he'd later found out was not merely a dark spot but dried blood. Not that he'd admit it to anyone, but when Helena had died and he'd been foisted off into an orphanage he'd desperately wanted to burn the tapestry, to keep his family to himself, but his dead-beat paternal uncle had stolen it and he'd not seen it since.
Moonbay nodded folding her arms over her legs. "Sure is. I heard that Rudolph's using it to identify the bodies of soldiers and civilians that Prozen experimented on before and during his role as Regent." She paused. "'Course, those are only the rumors that I picked up from Rosso and Viola today, so for all we know the thing's a failure."
Irvine snorted. "Great. More doubts."
Moonbay sighed and, getting to her feet held out a hand for Irvine. When he took it and pulled himself to his feet she moved so that she was once more standing in front of him. Surprising both him and herself, she leaned up and placed a chaste kiss on his lips before moving over to the frog parachute. As she dragged it out from underneath the sedimentary stone, she commented, "Irvine. I'll always be there if you need me."
"'Bay," Irvine murmured wanting to say something but unable to; Moonbay's devious grin aimed at Dr. Dee's parachute drove everything else out from his mind. "What's the plan?"
The kiss was soon forgotten in the midst of planning payback on the insane doctor for his earlier actions, and when dinner rolled around the two successfully succeeded in scaring the doctor so much that he fell backwards off his seat and backtracked a few feet in the sand. The laughter drew a frown from Fiona, who moved quickly to rescue the man, with Ryss on her tail. Kruger shot a tired smile at Irvine who didn't notice; Moonbay, however, did.
Base Camp, Lumière Island, Florecia Ocean, Planet Zi, 6 December ZAC 2104 – 10:30 pm
As the excitement over multiple guests gracing Lumière Island began to fade, small cliques formed. Van, Irvine, Thomas and a seemingly reluctant Raven gathered together, conversation turning to Zoid battles and strategies, with small jibes between Van and Raven over who was the better pilot. Thomas and Irvine both protested the assertions that they were inferior to Van and Raven, only to be told that they needed to improve a hell of a lot in order to get any better.
A few feet away, Fiona, Ryss, Rosa, Viola and Maria had come together on the premise of discussing how Dr. Dee's research was coming but, in reality, were trying to learn all of the "sordid details" (Viola's words) of Maria's new relationship with the elder Shubaltz. Maria's face was currently flushed a light red, much to the delight of her friends, who were one hundred percent sure that the Wind Colony native was in love with the Imperial soldier; Maria refrained from commenting on this. The giggling drew confused looks from the four pilots, only to be replaced by firm decisions to not bother with what was going on over there. It wasn't that important anyway, right?
Rob Hermann, Jake O'Connell, Rosso and Karl Shubaltz were chatting quietly amongst themselves, sharing a pot of instant coffee that Jake had scrounged up from somewhere unknown but which was greatly appreciated. Apparently, the subject had somehow become that of Rosso doling out advice to Rob on what married life was like. Jake found it totally amusing that an ex-bandit was giving advice to a Major General and a man who'd been born in many respects with a silver spoon in his mouth. Karl sat there, sipping his coffee (black with just the faintest hint of sugar and cinnamon) and musing over how men who'd been enemies almost ten years ago were now the firmest of friends, and it was all thanks to a young, loud-mouthed boy from the Republic.
'How things change,' Karl mused glancing at the group of four young pilots. 'Six, even seven years ago they wouldn't have even been talking to each other. One was too focused on becoming a mercenary, one a powerful and feared Zoid pilot, one the best Zoid pilot in existence, and the other,' his eyes glanced over to his brother, who was currently arguing about something with Van eyes sparkling, 'the other wanted to be better than his big brother.' He took a sip of his coffee and continued with his thoughts.
'What amazes me is how quickly the world can change, and what a change it was. From a war-torn, suspicious, paranoid society to one that is working on correcting the wrongs of the past… that is a world that I am proud to defend.'
"Karl, what do you think?" Rosso asked smirking when the blond-haired Major General started. "About Rob's idea, I mean."
Jake and Rob sniggered while Karl uncharacteristically flailed around for an answer, with Rosso congratulating himself on making the usually collected Imperial panic.
Further away, yet the closest to the fire, Ian Kruger found himself mulling over his mug of coffee (he'd kipped some from Jake's stash earlier, not saying a word when the blue-haired Republican soldier complained about there being so small an amount in the main pot that was being heated near the fire).
'Today was shot to hell,' Kruger thought grudgingly, having acknowledged to himself that he'd royally screwed up when it came to Irvine. 'Maybe I should have tried to be subtle and discreet, as the "up-in-your-face" approach didn't work.'
Kruger was too busy pitying himself to notice that someone had taken a seat next to him, a tin mug of coffee jostling from the motion. What he did notice, though, was the sound of a liquid splashing as it met another. Looking up in surprise, he inwardly groaned when he saw the hardened eyes of Moonbay.
"So Kruger. How ya doin'?" Moonbay was not pleased with the man; hell, she was beyond ready to steal Irvine's Saïx and deal some real damage to the Republican General's Zoid. He deserved it for making Irvine question his existence.
Kruger sighed and, taking a sip of coffee (he grimaced at the now cold brew) for strength looked at the woman and responded, "Moonbay. Good to see you. May I assume that this is about what I spoke to Irvine about?"
"Damn right," Moonbay hissed not wanting to let Irvine know that she was attempting to run interference for him; he'd kill her.
Internally, Kruger damned himself for always being right. It got tiresome after a while. "Very well. Shall we move somewhere more private?"
Moonbay looked around for a moment before motioning with her head to a clump of palm trees about twenty feet from the fire. Shrugging, Kruger knocked back the remainder of his coffee and dropped the tin cup into the sand, following the young woman. Dr. Dee watched the two walk away and, deciding that some payback was in order sniggered as he followed them.
"Shoot." Kruger leaned against one palm tree, its trunk at an angle due to subtle erosion of the island over time. Moonbay fingered the tin cup in her hands a moment before speaking.
"Is it true?"
"Is what true?" Kruger answered back crossing his arms across his chest. His eyes were hard as flint, a look that, when added to the flickering firelight cast an eerie countenance upon his face.
Moonbay sighed taking a sip of her coffee, eyes staring at the ground. After a moment of silence, interrupted by the slight murmurings heard from the campfire she cleared her throat. "Is it true that you're claiming to be Irvine's father?"
Kruger didn't say anything for a moment, contemplating how he was going to answer. 'Of course he'd share this with her. If his words from earlier are anything to go by, they care deeply about one another, though I do wonder what their exact relationship is...'
"Well, Old Man?" Moonbay asked voice sharp. Kruger didn't start, used to worse from his days in the war. Before he could open his mouth, however, a flash of white caught his interest. Turning his head to the left, he narrowed his eyes, hoping to figure out who, or what, was spying on them. Moonbay, catching on, followed the Republican General's line of sight and bristled.
"Idiot," Moonbay muttered finishing the coffee in one gulp and, taking aim threw her dented cup, silently cheering when a muffled curse emanated from a form collapsed on the ground. Sighing deeply, she marched over and dragged the form back with her, dropping it at Kruger's feet.
"Dr. Dee. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Kruger asked neutrally, eyebrow cocked. Moonbay, catching it mentally shivered, wondering if it really was true; the look was eerily reminiscent of Irvine in a really bad, pissed-off mood.
The good doctor got to his feet and, muttering a few curses underneath his breath as he straightened himself up replied, "I was merely curious."
"Curiosity killed the Helcat," Kruger remarked softly eyes still hard.
Dr. Dee waved the advice off with one hand. "Bah, nonsense." Pausing a moment, his eyes acquired a twinkle that had Moonbay arching an eyebrow out of curiosity.
"So, Ian. I heard something interesting just now."
"Yes?" Kruger was wary, eyes narrowed distrustfully at the scientist.
Dr. Dee's smirk faded into a solemn look. "Ian, my friend. Do not think me a blight, or even a plague, but merely someone willing to listen." Moonbay arched an eyebrow, not used to seeing the serious side of the genius-cum-mad scientist of a doctor.
Kruger let out a breath before inclining his head, silently accepting the ear of a good friend. Turning his attention back to the young Transporter, Kruger continued, "Yes, Moonbay. I am Irvine's father."
Moonbay let out a breath, not at all sure what to do next. Sure, she'd been half-expecting that answer, but to actually hear it verbally was still a shock to her. Crossing her arms, she wasn't quite sure what to do, much less say, next.
"If that's true," Moonbay said after a moment admitting in those words that she wasn't still one hundred percent positive if Kruger was speaking the truth, "then why in Zi did you not raise him?"
Warning bells blared in Kruger's mind, alerting him to the fact that any answer that he might try to give would probably end up being wrong… and in Moonbay's eyes, anything that he said would be damning.
"I, uh," Kruger began stuttering at the impassive look on the Transporter's face. Damn it! Since when did he begin to stutter? "Look, Moonbay. I know that whatever I say will not change the image of me that's in your mind right now."
"Damn straight."
"But," Kruger continued as if he hadn't been interrupted, "I am telling the truth. I am Irvine's biological father, and the reason that I did not raise him was because I didn't know that I had a son until a few days ago."
"Bull." The venom in Moonbay's voice even had Dr. Dee's eyebrows rising further into his almost non-existent hairline. "That doesn't run with me, General Kruger. How can someone not know that they have a kid?"
"Because I thought that the woman I loved was dead!" Kruger hissed moving suddenly so that he was in Moonbay's face. Startled, the dark-skinned woman took a few steps back. "I was told that the woman whom I had fallen in love with and wished to start a family with was dead, killed in a fire that consumed both her small farm and herself. Now, tell me, Moonbay, how I could have raised a child if I had no clue that the child, much less his mother, existed?"
Moonbay's eyes widened before she cast them aside not wanting to look into the Republican General's eyes. Without looking, Moonbay knew that Kruger's eyes were going to be filled with pain and longing, and right now, she was beginning to feel like a real ass for forcing the guy to relive his past.
"Calm down, Ian," Dr. Dee soothed stepping into the tense argument. "She didn't know."
Ian Kruger took a deep breath, closing his eyes and attempting to center himself. He hadn't meant to lash out at Moonbay. The stress of the situation and the fact that he'd botched the entire attempt to tell Irvine about him being his father, well, apparently he'd let them get the better of them.
"I apologize, Moonbay, for my outburst," Kruger said opening his eyes and looking at the abashed woman, who had one arm clutched in the other.
"Yeah, well, I kind of owe you an apology too," Moonbay replied wryly eyes meeting Kruger's in apology. "I jumped down your throat about something that, I guess, really isn't my right to know." She shook her head and reached a hand up to tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear.
Dr. Dee smiled and clapped his hands together. "Isn't this wonderful? Old friends mending fences…"
"You're not forgiven for trying to eavesdrop on a private conversation," Kruger interrupted smoothly, ignoring the incensed look that flashed across the doctor's face.
"So… what now?" Moonbay asked taking up position on the same tree that Kruger had been leaning against earlier, arms behind her head.
Kruger didn't answer for a moment, lost in thought. Dr. Dee, on the other hand, smirked at an idea that suddenly popped into his head.
"Did you try to show him the DNA results?" At Kruger's incredulous look the scientist primped. "What? My hearing isn't that bad!"
"Yes, but he ignored the envelope with the results and the report from Prozen," Kruger answered reaching inside his jacket and once more pulling out the battered manila folder. Both Dr. Dee and Moonbay craned their necks to view it, impressed that something that small held such a life-changing revelation in it.
"May I see it?" Dr. Dee asked gently and when after a moment Kruger held it out the Republican scientist took it, carefully thumbing through the dog-eared report until he found the DNA test results run by the Madame President's scientists with Kruger and Irvine's blood samples. Despite the fading light as the campfire died, Dr. Dee was still able to read the results, and after a few moments of contemplation he silently closed the file and looked at first Kruger, then Moonbay.
"The test appears to have been run three times for accuracy," he began slowly then after a moment continued, "and based upon the results and my study of the blood samples side-by-side, I can say that Irvine is indeed your son, Ian."
"Can I assume that you are willing to help me convince Irvine?" Kruger asked hopefully.
Dr. Dee taped the folder against his wrist, careful to not harm the documents within even more than they had been through constant use. "I suppose."
"Thank you." Kruger's gratefulness was obvious and heartfelt. His grin of relief faded at the twinkle in the scientist's eyes. "What am I missing?"
"What makes you think that you're missing something, or for that matter, that poor ol' me is up to something?"
Kruger sighed and gently took the proffered folder, tucking it back into his jacket before absently answering, "Well, I've only known you since we both entered the Republican Army, worked with you on a few projects and kept you out of… "that" incident."
Moonbay watched, fascinated, as the blood seemed to drain out of the mad doctor's face at Kruger's last words. She smirked and opened her mouth to ask just what was going on when Dr. Dee moved closer to the Republican General and held out his hand, waiting for the handshake. As Kruger took the scientist's hand, something passed between them and before Moonbay could blink the situation was back to what it had been just before Kruger's ominous remark.
"When shall we start?"