"Well, Kenji-chan, are you ready to go now?"
"Uh-huh!" Kenji nodded happily, taking hold of Imakarum's arm and hugging it as they both made their way out of the room. "I wanna have waffles!"
"All right then," Imakarum said, reaching over to ruffle Kenji's hair again. "I'll get you some waffles to eat."
As the two of them made their way down to Cloud Tower's large cafeteria, Imakarum felt Kenji lean closer. He truly enjoyed these simple times spent with his son. That was why he was going to annihilate the Guyvers and the Anti Chronos Task Force, both for Lord Alkanphel's glory and Kenji's safety. Once the whole of the Earth belonged to Lord Alkanphel, Kenji would be safe to journey out into the world at large.
Though his son professed to be comfortable and happy within the walls of Chronos, Imakarum knew that Kenji was eager to see the outside world. While he was able to take Kenji on short excursions—what he usually did when Kenji's enthusiasm to see the world built to the point where he could not contain it anymore—he knew Kenji would have preferred to stay out for as long as his enhanced stamina would allow him to. With the threats of Aptom, the Guyvers, and the Anti Chronos Task Force, though, such things just weren't possible. It was simply best for Kenji to stay inside the various Chronos installations Imakarum took him to when he was making his inspections.
A quick journey spanning two elevators and a number of hallways that Imakarum didn't bother to count left them just outside the main cafeteria. Wrapping his arm around Kenji's shoulders, Imakarum led his son in. As much as he would have preferred a more secluded breakfast held away from the noise and constant stares that he found directed at him when they were down in the main cafeteria, Imakarum chose a table that was more toward the center of the room. The fact that he could stop the Zoanoids from staring with a single thought notwithstanding, it was still rather annoying to have to do so. And such methods had no impact on the humans who inhabited the facility.
Still, Kenji seemed to enjoy the bustle for some reason or other, so there were times Imakarum indulged his son by taking him down there and letting him observe the various staff going about their duties. After all, the things that were boring, pointless, or irksome for him still had some attraction for Kenji. And as his father, he had to at least try to respect that.
Once they had found a table to sit down at, far enough from the busier parts of the room to satisfy Imakarum's desire for privacy, but close enough for Kenji to still feel part of the busy atmosphere, Imakarum helped Kenji get settled and then went off in search of some waffles. As he watched his son eat his breakfast, he considered again just when he was going to bring up the issue of Kenji accompanying Lords Fried'rich and Luggnagg on their inspection of Chronos' Pillars of Heaven. He was almost certain Kenji would be willing to go: he liked Lord Fried'rich and seemed rather eager to explore the various bases Chronos had around the world. Still, Imakarum wasn't entirely certain that he wanted Kenji to leave. The fact that they could easily stay in contact with one another through their telepathic link notwithstanding, it would never really be the same as holding Kenji in his arms or talking with him face to face.
Of course, Kenji would probably enjoy spending time with Lord Fried'rich. And Lord Luggnagg seemed interested enough in Kenji's welfare that Imakarum was not that worried about his son's physical safety. After all, two full Zoalords would be ample protection for his son, as well as all the Zoanoids that were stationed at the Pillars of Heaven.
Once he noticed Kenji was finished with his food, Imakarum helped him to stand back up and took him to wash his hands. It wouldn't do to have Kenji getting syrup on any of the important instruments. Once Kenji had washed his hands – and brushed his hair again, which Imakarum thought was particularly cute – Imakarum led him back to their room.
-Kenji?-
-What is it, Dad?-
-I was wondering, how do you feel about Lords Fried'rich and Luggnagg?-
-Well, I like Mr. Fried'rich; he's nice and he helps me with stuff.-
-Oh?- Imakarum chuckled softly. -You mean like those Alvix models that you developed?-
-Uh-huh,- Kenji said, nodding happily. -He helped me make them. And he taught me how to test them.-
-Well, I'm glad you think so highly of him, Kenji. I know you haven't spent so much time around Lord Luggnagg, but do you have any impressions of him?-
-Well, he's kind of quiet.- Kenji paused, nibbling on his lower lip as he considered his answer.
Imakarum knew that his son was trying to think back, to remember the few encounters he'd had with Chronos' semi-reclusive Ninth Zoalord.
-I don't really know what to think about Mr. Luggnagg, Dad. He really isn't around very much.-
-I suppose that's a fair assessment, Kenji.- As well as very true, Imakarum thought but didn't say. -Would you like the opportunity to get to know Lord Luggnagg better?-
-Um…- Kenji bit his lip, obviously thinking carefully about the options that he'd been presented with. -I think I'd like that. Will you be there too, Dad?-
-As much as I would like to accompany you, I have my own duties to attend to here for the moment. You know that I move around a great deal, Kenji-chan. You're welcome to stay with me, of course; I just wanted to give you the option of going with Lords Luggnagg and Fried'rich if you wanted it.-
-Well, um, when would I have to leave, Dad?-
-Two days. That's when Lord Fried'rich and Lord Luggnagg will be leaving to inspect the facilities at the Pillars of Heaven.-
-What's that?-
-That, Kenji-chan, is what Chronos' base in Chicago is called,- Imakarum said, slipping his fingers into Kenji's fringe and playing with the loose strands of hair.
-Oh. Can I think about if I want to leave or not?-
-Of course you can, Kenji. Take as much time as you need, but you have to keep in mind that Lord Fried'rich and Lord Luggnagg will be leaving in two days.-
-I will, Dad.- Kenji smiled, leaning over to kiss Imakarum on the cheek. -Thanks!-
Imakarum smiled, even as he briefly hoped that Kenji would decline the offer. But that wouldn't be very fair to Kenji, to keep him from seeing how other areas of Chronos were run simply because he would be lonely without his son by his side. Quashing the thought, Imakarum turned his attention back to Kenji.
-Would you like to go back to our room and play? I've got some work to do here, but it's not anything I think you'd be interested in.-
-What is it, Dad?-
-I'm going to be speaking with the scientists that work here.-
-Oh. That does sound really boring, Dad.-
-I told you it would be, Kenji-chan,- Imakarum said, chuckling with gentle good humor.
-I think I will go back to our room, Dad.-
-That's a good boy,- Imakarum said, patting Kenji's head as his son leaned in to kiss him on the cheek again.
Watching as Kenji left, Imakarum smiled briefly; then he turned his mind back to his current task. The periodic interrogations of the scientists had been one of Lord Hamilcal's more inspired ideas. To make certain that all of the human research staff at this facility were all truly loyal to Lord Alkanphel's cause and eliminate those who were not, Imakarum would question them about their habits and proclivities. The anti-rebellion virus, while it was coming into wider use, was not quite so well established in certain areas as to be a useful means of keeping control of the many humans that Chronos employed. The clandestine activities of Drs. Halverson, Henderson, and Sanderson, as well as the outright defection of Prof. Odagiri and his followers – not to mention the fiasco with Yamamura in Arizona – had persuaded Lord Hamilcal to put the anti-rebellion virus into use in all of Chronos' human staff. For now, though, it was Imakarum's duty to make certain that the humans serving Lord Alkanphel, in whatever limited capacity that they were able to do so, remained loyal to their cause.