Tech looked around as he and the others arrived at the Bullet Station, waving as he spotted a familiar cloaked figure waving at them in the crowd. "Any sign of Rev and his father?" Ace asked as he and the other Loonatics walked up to Zadavia. "Not yet," the alien woman said as she pulled her hood down, "But it's still early. They should be here soon."
"Would now be soon enough?" Lexi asked as she tapped Tech on the shoulder and pointed off to the distance. Everyone turned to see Rev and Ralph standing on the platform waiting for the train to pull into the station. Zadavia led the team through the crowd, calling out to catch the roadrunners' attention.
"There you are," Rev chirped excitedly, "I knew you'd make it in time. See, Pa, I told you they'd be here." "Great, and it looks like they made it just before the train arrived." Ralph said trying his best to sound enthusiastic. "Is that all you're taking with you, Tech?" Rev asked pointing to Tech's tote bag and suitcase, "I figured, knowing you, you'd try to bring half the lab with you."
Tech gave an uncomfortable chuckle and said, "Yeah, well. I figured I wouldn't need to since I'm only going to be staying at your house for about three days. Maybe four if the weather gives me trouble. But definitely no more than five," Tech turned to Ralph and said, "I'd hate to overstay my welcome." Ralph arched an eyebrow curiously, opening his beak to speak only for the sound of a bell to interrupt his thoughts.
Tech winced and plugged his ears as the bell rang loudly; Lexi let out a pained groan as her super-sensitive ears throbbed from the sound reverberating off the hard walls and floors of the station. "Ugh, and that's our cue to get ready to go," Tech moaned "Our train must be pulling into the station now."
"I'm going to head down to the boarding zone and grab us a place in line," Ralph announced, "Don't take too long, son." "We'll be right there, Pop." Rev promised. Ralph nodded and quickly dashed off into the crowd.
"So, Rev," Ace piped, "You wanted us all to come by to see you off. I'm guessing it's not just because you wanted to say good-bye to us all?" "No. Well, I mean… yes, but I also did ask you all here for a reason," Rev said with a sigh, "It's just… well… it's a bit complicated."
"Just spit it out already," Duck said rolling his eyes, "Some of us do have other plans for the day, you know?" "Yeah, I'm sure you can't wait to get home so you can try to break into Tech's room and find his journal. But this is actually kind of important, Duck." Rev said in a scolding tone. "Hah! I'd like to see him try," Tech snorted, "I mean, you didn't honestly think I was going to leave my spaces completely unattended, did you?" Everyone turned and looked at Duck with a curious expression; the drake just chuckled awkwardly and shrugged.
"So, Rev," Zadavia asked, "What did you want to speak with us about?" Rev rubbed his arm nervously, taking a deep breath and said, "I need to make sure that I can trust you guys," Rev turned to make sure his dad wasn't around to hear, "I need you guys to swear you won't tell anybody about what happened down at Acmetropolis General. Like ever! Nobody can ever find out."
"Rev, you don't have to," "Yes I do!" Rev snapped, cutting Ace off mid-sentence, "I need to hear you say it." Tech and the others exchanged a confused glance before Rev continued, "You guys don't understand, there's a lot of stigma attached to the idea of infertility in avian culture in general. It's even worse for races like roadrunners. In our culture, being infertile is seen as almost no different from being dead. And if this gets out, my family will be ostracized, our business will suffer; it'll just be an absolute cluster. And Pop… oh dear God! Rip's childhood, what little of it is left, would be over, and I will never live it down. Never!"
"You're… not kidding, are you?" Lexi asked. Rev shook his head slowly and said, "No… I'm not kidding, Lex. I really, really wish I was." Zadavia and the others turned to Tech questioningly; the coyote just held up his hands and shook his head nervously.
"Rev, trust me, nobody here is going to say anything to anyone," Ace avowed, "Yeah, we're your friends, Rev." Lexi piped, "We'll keep your secret." "I'm going to need more than that," Rev said shaking his head, "This isn't a simple 'do me a solid and' whatever kind of situation; this is my family's livelihood, heck, my own life is on the line!"
"Rev, calm down." Zadavia chimed in, "None of us will disclose anything to anyone." "You… you swear it?" Rev asked. "You have our word," Zadavia said with a bow, turning towards the others she said, "Isn't that right… Duck?"
"What!? Why are you calling me out?" Danger quacked in offense. Everyone looked at Duck with intense stares as Slam let out a frustrated grumble, crossing his thick arms and shaking his head. "Duck," Zadavia stressed, "Alright, alright!" Duck quacked, placing his left hand on his chest and holding up his right hand dramatically saying, "I promise, I won't say anything."
"Good." Zadavia said firmly. Rev beamed a cheerful smile to his friends and said, "Thanks, guys," Slam let out a happy grunt as everyone gathered around Rev for a group hug, "You're the best." As the crowd gathered heading towards the boarding zone, Tech clenched his teeth hard, trying his best to endure the sounds of their voices roaring in his ears for just a few more seconds until the hug ended.
"Tech, are you alright?" Zadavia asked worriedly. "Yeah, I'm fine, it's just loud in here. Really, really loud." "Ugh, no kidding. It's like an echo chamber in here." Lexi groaned as she covered her ears. "Rev, we'd better head to the boarding zone." Tech said. Rev nodded and grabbed his tote bag as he and Zadavia shared a quick hug good-bye. Everyone waved and bid the duo farewell as Tech grabbed Rev's hand and guided him through the crowd to catch up with Ralph.