Loonatics: United

Compromised System

Episode 149: Paperwork and hearts

Sylth Vester, the Loonatics and the two Maniacs walked through a large hallway, black walled with patterns of white light at the top and the bottom of the walls. The floor was of black marble. "So, you have expanded your team, huh? Strength in numbers, I guess that was the only way for you to be more competent." Sylth commented.

"First, we didn't 'expand' anything, this is just a temporary collaboration." Duck said with annoyance. "Second, we kicked your tail several times in the past, I wouldn't call that 'incompetent'."

Sylth shrugged. "Whatever you say, bird."

"I see you upgraded yourself honestly I wasn't a fan of your previous appearance but now you look way better." Rev said, getting glares of subtle disapproval from his comrades. "What? It's true."

Sylth chuckled. "I'll take your compliment. It hurt like hell but it was worth it." He caressed his own face proudly. "I recovered my natural beauty."

"You can't recover what you never had in the first place." Duck joked, making some of his comrades chuckle.

"Duck, manners." Tech warned.

"Yes, Duck, that's not the way to treat your business partner." Sylth added.

"My business partner? That's between you and Mr…uhm, 'shady purchases' here." Duck crossed his arms with indignation while looking at Tech.

Tech just looked at Duck with eyes of disinterest and annoyance. "Mr. 'Shady Purchases'? That's the best you could think of?"

They reached the tall door at the end of the hallway, Sylth approached the retina scanner that was located next to it and got his left eye close to it. The scanner let out a beep of confirmation and then the door opened by sliding upwards, revealing the huge room with a great variety of robots, weapons and other battle machines, exposed in showcases and shelves. "Feel free to explore on your own, guys, just don't touch anything pl…" He stopped talking when hearing something breaking.

Duck was standing next to the broken remains of what had been a black spherical device over the floor, looking at Sylth with embarrassment. "Uhm, sorry. I guess."

Tech was studying the looks of the different battle bots that were exhibited in the showcases as he walked by them, accompanied by the rest of the heroes. Duck appeared among them after teleporting. "Sentinel PM72." Tech nodded at one of the exposed robots while placing a hand on the showcase's glass. "Not bad."

Rev got next to him while looking at the tall, black armored humanoid robot. "Cannons, rocket launchers, propellers." He scratched his lower beak. "These could be useful, with the proper ammo." He looked at Tech with doubt. "It's a pretty basic and old model, though. Do you think it's a good option?"

"They aren't top notch but they're very durable. I've heard they can resist pretty well even against the most destructive weapons." Tech said.

"And you're right, Tech." Sylth got between them. "They're synonym of 'heavy duty'. The favorite of small guerrilla groups."

"I guess we fit in that category." Akinyi opined.

"Can we get three dozens of these, then?" Ace inquired.

"Of course, a deal is a deal." Sylth looked at Tech and gestured towards the door. "Come on, Coyote. Let's do the paperwork."

On the meantime, Edison and Vale were talking in the medbay. "It's strange how close you two got in so little time." Vale was resting his back against the wall while glaring at Edison.

Edison was looking at the ceiling as he laid over the bed, with both hands behind his neck. "One just knows, I guess."

"What you mean?" Vale inquired.

"I'm not sure how to put it." Edison replied. "You feel something inside that tells you to go ahead or back away. The times I saw her eyes right before mine and felt the warmth of her body started to make things clear. She went through the same, I suppose."

"Woah, that's quite an answer, man." Vale chuckled. "Life takes so many unexpected turns."

Randy was in a corner at the bottom of the warehouse, sitting over the floor, resting his back against the wall, wrapping his legs with his arms, with his head lowered down. Rev, Akinyi and Slam arrived, walking by the exposed weapons and industrial machinery. "I hate to admit it but Sylth has a rather impressive inventory." Rev said.

Slam grunted, rolling up his eyes, stating it wasn't that impressive.

"Amigo!" Akinyi greeted as they approached him. "You okay?"

"Are you hurt man?" Rev inquired.

"No." Randy replied coldly.

Akinyi looked at Rev and Slam. "Can you leave us alone for a moment? Please." She mumbled, but Randy still could hear her.

"Mhm, alright." Rev looked at Slam and gestured away, then they walked away from the two Maniacs.

"May I?" Akinyi inquired with courtesy, sitting next to him and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Amigo. I know how you feel." She started to stroke his back with tenderness. "I really do."

Randy shook his head. "I thought…" He paused his words and looked away.

"You thought…?" Akinyi inquired.

Randy sighed. "That we had, well, something." His gaze was locked on the black floor.

"Aw…" Akinyi rested her head on his shoulder. "Randy, you know I love you so much. But…as a friend, a very good friend."

Randy chuckled with disbelief. "I was your friend way before him."

"And?" Akinyi returned to her previous position, getting her arm away from him. "Amigo, as tough as this sounds, that doesn't mean I have to be with you first, this is not a matter of 'turns' or whatever." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I love Ed, it's strange but it's also the truth. I just…discovered him, and he discovered me too." Akinyi sighed. "But I know that you don't care about that, and I can't blame you. I went through this in the past, with other guys. And all of those times I managed to move on. I hope you can do the same, buddy." Akinyi kissed his cheek, then she got onto her feet and walked away from him.