Chapter 90 – To Attempt a Rescue
"I'm not sure about this." Image said as the two arrived at the console alone.
"Well, we have to try something." Spike said in retort.
"Perhaps finding a delivery address and mailing ourselves?" the Meltackian said.
Spike let his eyes narrow in annoyance, "Really?" was all he asked. Image simply stood still, his hands fidgeting in nervousness. Spike, seeing the colors of the Meltackian change to signify a small bit of panic, sighed in some frustration and some pity, "Why not just commune with him?" he asked, "You've already got a connection with him right? You said so yourself, you had to report to him."
"I can't." Image said, "He's too far away, it's much easier for us if we can look into your eyes, but if we can still feel your presence then it's still possible."
Spike sighed again, "Ok, do you want me to do it?" he asked.
"That would make me feel more comfortable." Image said, primarily to himself, and nearly panicked when the baby dragon climbed up onto the console and pressed the buttons to call Sselekk. He hadn't expected the baby dragon to even be able to reach the console. "Wait NO!" he called out to Spike's mind, but just then, the call was answered. He stiffened as the screen changed, but relaxed when he saw not Sselekk, but his girlfriend Kkimira. "Oh, Kkimira." Spike said and rubbed the back of his neck, "Is Sselekk around?"
"Sorry you just missed him." she said, and watched as the Meltackian visibly relaxed, "Did you want something?"
"We just wanted to see if he could help us save Image's sister!" Spike said without missing a beat. Image stiffened in shock at the boldness of the little dragon.
"Oh, I think I can catch him and ask." she said with a smile, and just as Image started waving his arms in a fashion that said 'no', she turned and walked away. They could not hear the conversation, but when she came back, she smiled, "Sure, he'll help." she said, catching the Meltackian off guard.
"Great!" spike said, "I was planning on sneaking in and sneaking her out."
"Well, it is the main base." she said, "If you guys can make it to these coordinates, Sselekk can pick you up." She then took a closer look at the baby dragon, "You need a makeover Spike, your scales are a bit dirty." and turned off the console just as the coordinates came up.
"Got a data stick?" he asked as he turned back to the still shocked Image.
"Ugh, do you have to?" Spike asked as Kkimira kept placing powder on his scales to make them more natural. The Meltackian and the baby dragon had made their way to the coordinates given to them by the large Sunik. It had taken them several hours of trekking through both the desert and underground tunnels that had been made from both nature and tools. The four of them were in some kind of underground transportation system, slightly dark and train-like on the inside, the cool air circulated through the interior, keeping each individual at a comfortable level. They kept their voices down as there were several other Suniks aboard, though nothing that would consider it to be crowded.
"You guys didn't have to do this you know." Sselekk said.
"Were you going to get her out?" Image asked, with distrust.
He hesitated a bit, stiffening at the thought, "Ok maybe not me, but you do know you have a master of stealth on your team, right?"
The two looked at each other in surprise, and quickly realized what he was talking about, "Twiggs." Image said gently placing his hand on his face.
"Was the Leader of the Stealth Unit!" Spike continued and did the same thing.
"Heh, didn't think that through, did you?" he asked with a smirk.
"Did you even think of saving my sister?" Image shot back, "Seeing as YOU'RE the reason she's locked up right now?"
The four of them fell silent, Sselekk's eyes falling into sorrow, "It wasn't all his fault young Image." Kkimira said softly as she finished applying makeup to the baby dragon, "He simply followed orders. You all changed his way of thinking." Her words, the soft kindness behind them, caused Image to calm, the reds and angry colors making way to a calmer aurora. "He was sure they would have released her after the first mission you completed, but the Chamber master had other plans. His claws were just as much tied as your own were."
"Chamber Master?" Spike asked in nervousness.
"Yes, he's like a councilor or what you might see as an advisor to your monarch." Sselekk said.
"Oh, like the vizier to Princess Celestia?" Spike said.
"Yes, but there are four of them." Sselekk acknowledged, "One for each department. The Treasure Keeper, the Chamber Master, the People's Voice, and the Law Keeper. The Chamber Master basically advises on things like relations with the other races and how to keep on good terms with them."
"Who do you report to?" Spike asked.
"Normally? The Chamber Master. He's also in charge of country defense." the large Sunik said.
"But lately we've had a change of Vizier. The New Vizier has only been in office for a few Cycles, but he's shown some devious nature when it comes to getting what he wants." Kkimira said.
"And the others?" Spike said, and found confusion on all their faces, "I just think that if I'm going to pretend to be a short Sunik, then I'd better learn more about your culture and stuff."
"Fine." Sselekk said in a huff, "The People's Voice is kind of like the one who advises on what the people want. She likes to be out and about and has real ties with other Suniks, she really listens to them, but I'm afraid she's not heard as much as the others for some reason. The Treasure Keeper is the Government Finance controller of sorts. He's the one who advises on what the government's points should be spent on and allocates funds. He's audited regularly to keep him honest in his dealings, but he's old and sick right now so we're actually preparing to replace him, he's however trying really hard to keep that from happening for some reason. The Law Keeper is the one who reports on the crime rate and advises on how to deal with those problems when the Inner-City Defense isn't enough. She's kind of a stickler and loves taking charge of things. We're still not sure how much sway she has in the Vizier council but I can tell you this; she isn't really popular right now with the citizens, there's talk of a coup to replace her." Spike thought a moment, his mind racing with the new knowledge he had, "Stick with me when we get off." the large sunik said, "I'll introduce you as a new recruit, that should get you past the guards."
"But what if they laugh at me for my size?" the baby dragon asked.
"They will, but I bet if you show them something only you can do, they'll shut up." Sselekk said.
"Like what?" Spike asked, "I'm not a Sunik, and I don't see lava anywhere around here."
"Why lava?" Kkimira asked.
"I'm basically Immolation proof." he said, catching the three of them by surprise.
"So…the hot sun of Sunik…" Sselekk asked, "Doesn't bother you?" Spike simply shook his head.
"What about that gem you ate a few days ago, you could show them that trick." Image said.
"What?" Sselekk asked in shock.
"I'm a dragon." Spike said as if it were the most common thing in the world, "Dragons eat gems, and occasionally cupcakes."
"That's got to be Egas Level jaw strength." Sselekk said.
"But my only gem is on the necklace you gave me." Kkimira said.
"I am not going to eat something that means something to somepony else." Spike told them.
"Also, stop saying pony. It's a dead giveaway." the larger Sunik said and suddenly the train came to a slow stop, "Well, whatever it is, think of it fast because we're here." Spike began to grit his teeth in nervousness, as they all got off of the train. "I'll see you later today." Sselekk said to Kkimira as they prepared to separate.
"Take care of them Sselekk." she said and tapped her caw against his nose, "This will give me a good idea of how our future will be."
The large Sunik stiffened as she kissed his cheek, and walked away, "THAT'S NOT FAIR!" he shouted back to her as she waved to him. Spike and Image both laughed at the large Sunik's misfortune, "Oh Egas, why me?"
