Renegades: A New Dawn

Chapter 70: Not in the Job Description

Fracture Clinic, Manchester Royal Infirmary

For some competitors, the return from Spain meant time to reset and relax before Lockdown. For Blair however, it meant sitting in the Fracture Clinic, waiting to learn how bad the damage to her wrist was. But she at least had Jade with her. 'So how did you break your wrist again?' 'I didn't do anything, like I told you.' 'Oh yeah, it was Maddy's friend who magically doesn't have any memory of anything that happened.' 'I honestly don't think she does, she's a really good actress if she does remember. She literally can't tell us anything that happened for like a that.'

'You don't think she's a double agent then?' 'If she is, we'll find out pretty quickly. Also I doubt Akiza would do that, she already tried it ages ago with Jana and that didn't end up working. It's just going to be that she doesn't remember anything, and we're probably wasting our time by trying to get anything out of her. What we actually need to be focusing on is why she never attacked Maddy. And more to the point, why nobody from Junction 7 has attacked Maddy, surely you'd go after the kingpin, especially when she's in bad shape. I mean this is between us, but Rio's been putting morphine in her water as pain relief. Because mentally she's as good as ever, but physically her body just can't handle it.'

'I mean I guess if you think about it, she's what - new kidney, broken ribs' 'Still recovering from major surgery, her weight's all over the shop, AND she's having to deal with all this? I'm actually scared that she's just going to collapse again, we saw what happened last time she ignored all the signs.' 'I could try speaking to her, wolfblood to wolfblood.' 'Don't bother' was Blair's advice though. 'There's only one person she listens to like this, and she's currently on a permanent babysitting vacation in Rochdale. Just hope she knows what she's doing with Jess.'

At the base

Maddy was sat in one of the meeting rooms with Jess, who was still struggling. 'I'm telling you, I don't remember anything, it's like I just didn't exist.' 'Just try, you must be able to think of something.' 'I keep telling you, I don't. I wish I did but I don't, it's just a completely blank slate the entire time.' Trying to find something, Maddy then tried another route. 'I know you're sick of talking about this and I'm sorry' 'Don't, I need to know what's going on. Because I just can't live like this anymore.'

'Ok, let's try something - what were you thinking when you were under that mask? What thoughts were going through your head?' After thinking back, she still couldn't come up with much. 'I feel like I was just in this kind of mental prison, I was semi-conscious, but I couldn't wake up, I was kind of aware I was being controlled somehow but I… I just don't know, I just felt trapped.' As Jess retreated into her shell again, Maddy decided to call in some advice from Jodi, who was stood by her. 'Outside a moment.'

As they pulled the door near-shut, Maddy had a question. 'This is a weird one Jodi, but I feel like the spell she was under is kind of blocking her memories.' 'Ok, I'm not understanding how I can help here.' 'C'mon, you've been under a trance longer than anyone else we know' 'I told you, it wore off ages ago, like we're talking months.' 'All I want to know is how you got your memories back afterwards.' 'I dunno, they just came back? I just talked through things, asked Phil for a couple of things, but honestly, hypnosis kind of preserves things.' This appeared to give Maddy a thought. 'Jodi, you're amazing, thank you.' 'Erm, ok?' Maddy then got her phone out and made a call.

Meanwhile, in the medical bay

'So let me get this straight, the great viking, the powerful norse warrior, the graceful fighter, got a… 5.5 inch cut on her hand from opening a tin of baby formula.' 'If we're being fair, I was distracted by trying to talk Phil through nappy changing. Hannah's bought these nappies off the internet with a real weird fastening clasp, and he can't work it out.' 'But let me guess, you got it straight away.' 'Rio, I've been braiding my hair since before I could walk, I'm sure I can work out some nappy.' 'Do you not… y'know… get fed-up of being a free babysitter for someone who hated you a couple of months back.'

'Look, me and Phil have had issues, but he's come around. Besides, I'm really enjoying this little job, it's better than sitting around here all day, no offence. And I get to spend time with Ally as well, she's a great little helper with Sky, even if I do need to teach her a bit of hygiene. Anyway, how are you getting on, little miss VP and medic, honestly I get the feeling you want every job to yourself.'

Rio though, looked troubled at this. 'Look, I can't do this anymore.' 'Pardon?' 'I know it's something people would do anything for, but I just don't think being Vice-Pres is for me.' This was a thought which Astrid brushed off easily. 'Seriously? I think you're great at it.' 'I'm not though. Like Blair's smart and quick-witted, Maddy's brave enough to make the properly hard decisions like she did with Claude and with Akiza, and she's sensitive like with Kris, I'm not a born warrior like you, I'm not acrobatic and world-travelled like Jade, I'm just some rich girl who doesn't have the first clue what it takes.'

Astrid then took her wrists, and spoke intensely. 'You are more than good enough. Because you're not Maddy or Jade or anyone else. You've got the best instincts of anyone I've met here, your intuition is on top of the world, you're the most wary of people, which is good, you make everyone earn your trust, and quite frankly, you're probably the most house-trained, I mean have you tasted Maddy's cooking?' 'Maddy's not a bad cook actually.' 'Yeah, if you want a hunk of beef on the plate with a potato dumped on the top. If you're lucky the potato might even be peeled. Point is, you're really good if you just have a little bit of belief. You don't need to be everyone else, just focus on what makes you great.'

Just then, Rio's phone started ringing. 'It's Hannah, I'll give you two guesses what this is. Hello.' 'Hi Rio, is Astrid around?' 'Yes, in fact she's right next to me, by any chance do you need free childcare again?' 'Rio, you know she volunteered, right? I was going to ask if she could come down for a couple of hours though, he's been really restless today and Phil can't sing him to sleep because' 'Well for a start he can't sing, no offence.' 'Yeah, and I need to nip out for a couple of hours.' Astrid then shouted 'Say no more' to her, and immediately got ready to leave, while Rio rolled her eyes.

Fracture Clinic, Manchester Royal Infirmary

After a wait of over four hours, Blair's wrist was finally being examined. 'So Blair Flannigan?' 'Yep.' 'Forgive me for getting distracted a moment, but Detroit?' 'Pardon?' 'Your accent - are you from Detroit?' 'Almost, Shelby Charter Township, it's just a lil' north. Your accent is… I want to say Rhode Island?' 'Providence baby, moved to Oldham when I was 11, then moved to Newton Heath when I was 15. So what do we have here then?' 'Apparently my wrist can't stand up to a hammer, don't ask.' 'That's fine' the doctor responded, while examining Rio's handiwork with the cast.

'Who did this for you?' 'My friend just made a temporary cast for while we were flying home, some thing she learned when she was younger I think.' 'Well you can tell your friend that she's done an excellent job - it's tight enough without being restrictive, and is impressively weatherproof. I'd say it gets a top grade. But let's get it off so we can see what the damage is.' As the cast slid off, Blair went for her X-Ray, with Jade accompanying her every step of the way.

At the base

Hannah arrived sporting a pair of rose-gold sunglasses, pushing her loose hair behind her head, and immediately meeting up with Jodi in front of the doors. 'Go on then, what's going on.' 'Well you know' 'I know the situation with Jessica, Astrid filled me in on all of the details over breakfast.' 'Yeah, well I mentioned to Maddy how there are ways of… um… pulling out memories? And long story short, now she wants you to do some therapeutic hypnotherapy on Jessica.'

Extremely confused, Hannah responded with 'Hang on, she does know I've never actually done it like this before? I mean I know how… theoretically… but I've never performed it or anything like that.' 'I know, I did try and warn her, but Maddy… you know what she's like, she's hard-headed, and once she has an idea, she doesn't let it go. She's really insistent that this will help to solve the mystery.' Sighing, Hannah nodded. 'Right, let's go then.'

As she walked through the base, Sakura walked over to her, and gave her a big hug. 'Hannah, I've not seen you since you were in the hospital! What brings you all the way up here?' 'I'm just doing something for Maddy, she needed my help. I heard you're training Rio up a bit.' 'Yeah, we're working together in the medical bay, she doesn't need the help though, she's a natural at all of that. I mean she made a pretty neat cast for Blair.' 'Yeah I saw that, very impressive. You sure you didn't teach her anything?'

Glowing, she replied with 'I can't say "anything", but I didn't teach her that certainly. If anything I'm going to get her to teach me how to do that, it was super cool. How's the baby?' 'Skylar's doing well, he's going to be a real demanding so and so, but I love him precisely for that.' 'I meant Phil' Sakura joked, making them both laugh. 'No, he's been amazing, he's still finding his feet a bit, but he's really doing his best, and besides, that's where Astrid comes in, she's a total natural at looking after babies. Anyway, I should get up there before Maddy gets impatient.' 'Good luck with her, she's been really… odd recently.'

'Oh, how so?' 'Just… I don't know, something's not right, she's become obsessed with finding out what Akiza's plan is to the point of total transfixion at times. I know we need to work out what's going on, but she's convinced that Jess was somehow not the masked attacker even though I literally unmasked her.' 'Good work with that by the way, never seen a move so clean in my life.' 'Thanks, it was just timing, when people are running at you they make themselves easier to see. I just noticed her out of the corner of my eye and timed the jump. When I was in Medical school, I was twice named "Most likely to become a successful burglar" because of that timing. It's the stuff you talk about when you're bored.'

Still laughing at the thought, Hannah gave Sakura another hug, and walked up the stairs to the office, where Maddy and Jess were waiting. 'Jess, this is Hannah, my adoptive Mum, don't worry about it it would take far too long to explain, Mam, this is Jess, my… erm… friend' 'She means we kissed a couple of times in high school, Year 8 I think?' 'Something like that.' 'So Jess, it was mentioned to me that you've been suffering with amnesia since that the other day, I know what happened and everything.'

'I just don't remember anything, it's like there's this massive blank space.' 'I might be able to help you with that. What I can do is perform something called Hypnotherapy on you, are you aware of it?' 'Yeah yeah, I know what it is.' 'Hopefully by doing it, I can draw out some of your memories that you can't access, fill in the blanks and get you some answers. Is that ok by you?' The response was loud and clear. 'Do it, I can't live like this.' 'Ok, we'll do it in the medical bay. Jodi, could you take her down to the medical bay and fill Sakura in?' 'Yeah yeah.'

As they left, Maddy went to follow them, only for Hannah to stop her. 'Look I'm sorry, I had to do something.' 'Look, I know what you're doing here, but I need to be realistic with you. If Akiza did tie her memories to the mask like you theorised, I might not be able to recover her memories. This can only recover memories that are in her mind to begin with.' 'And if I want the rest of the answers?' Hannah responded with a stern look. 'Don't fuck with Faustians Maddy, you don't know what you're getting yourself into.'

They then went to join Jodi and Jess in the medical bay, but as they passed by the door to the foyer, all they could hear was Jade and Blair arguing about Ally again. 'All I'm saying is' 'All you're saying is she's broken, yeah, I get it, well if she's not good enough for you she doesn't have to live with you' 'WILL YOU JUST SHUT THE HELL UP BLAIR! You know I think the world of her, I'm just saying she clearly needs some kind of support that she isn't getting. I want you to listen to the advice we got, because she's going to school full-time in a few months, and we need to know'

'We already know there's nothing wrong with her, she's a kid, they are different. There is nothing wrong with her. You wouldn't understand what she needs like I do' 'Why's that, 'cause I was a dirty little stripper girl? Nothing like the perfectly presented Blair, your hair's always neat, your clothes are always so nicely folded, your belt's always totally straight, aside from being bi you're the perfect example of a promising young woman, so your kid needs to be perfect as well, regardless of whether that's what she fits.'

'It's nothing to do with you being a stripper, you've not been looking after her since you were a pre-teen, you're not the one who snuck home from school early because she'd been left on her own again, you're not the one who will have the stigma of being "the Mom with the weird Autistic kid", it's ok for you, you're not the one who has everybody expecting them to be perfect all the time. You could just walk away, it ain't your responsibility.' As she said this, Jade pushed her girlfriend to the ground, and stormed off. 'Where you going Jade?' 'AWAY FROM YOU!' she snarled as she left, Blair running after her.

In the medical bay

Jessica was lay on a bed, with Hannah sat next to her, with a pendulum. 'As you watch the pendulum swing back and forth, back and forth, you will begin to feel your eyelids going heavier and heavier. Do not fight it, for it will help you recall that which you have lost.' As Jess fell into the trance, Hannah prepared the all important question. 'Jessica, I want you to recall your first meeting with Akiza Izinski.' Jess' eyes twitched, and her face strained as she started to talk.

'I remember… it was a day.' 'Was it Tuesday?' Jess nodded in response as Sakura scribed. 'This woman approached me, she said her name was "Aki", asked if I knew Maddy Smith. I said yes, and someone put a bag on my head.' 'Where did they take you?' 'A room, dark, I remember a cold wind coming through.' 'Where were you?' 'My feet' 'Your feet were tied?' She shook her head. 'Off the ground?' She nodded. 'My arms were tied. She held out this item, a watch. She told me I would follow her commands, be a martial artist. She gave me something, to put on my face.' 'A mask?' She nodded. 'I recited a text.'

Maddy then whispered frantically down Hannah's ear. 'What did the text say?' 'I… don't remember… a blood oath… my soul and mind… bound' 'Were they bound to the mask?' She nodded again. 'I was told the mask was permanently on my face.' She then spoke in an accent not dissimilar to Akiza's. "When Maddy is here for her reckoning, the mask will become you. You can never take this off, it is your face." I drank blood, the mask was put on. I never took it off, I am the mask, the mask is me."

Hannah then asked a more pointed question. 'Do you remember a hammer?' Jess nodded, with tears streaming down her face, which was visibly affecting Maddy and Sakura, but Hannah was unmoved and stoic. 'Tell me.' "You will take this hammer." A picture…' 'Maddy?' 'No… tall… girl… brown belt… hazel eyes…' 'Was her name Blair?' Jess nodded. "You will smash her arm with this. Her career is over, she will beg to join, put on the mask".' 'Did Akiza talk about Maddy?' 'I… don't remember.'

At this point, Jess started screaming in pain and terror, and Maddy put a stop to the process. 'We can't go any further, look what it's doing to her.' 'Maddy, it's your call, but if we don't do this now we won't find out anything more. This is our one opportunity.' 'I can't put her through this, we'll work the rest out, ok?' Nodding in the affirmative, Hannah worked her magic. 'Jess, I will count from five to one. When I reach one, your trance will start to be lifted. You will remember none of our conversation today. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.' As soon as she reached one, the pain left Jess' face.

As she slept, the three convened outside the bay. 'So we know she was kidnapped by Akiza, sounds like she was taken to some kind of warehouse or garage maybe? The attack on Blair was meant to end her career. But why would she want Blair?' Maddy's immediate response was 'Humiliation. Being forced to grovel to Akiza would be humiliating for someone who's built themselves out of nothing. The ultimate revenge. It confirms the idea that there was a NonCon Faustian as well. Which means we should be able to bring her out of it.'

Hannah had a warning though. 'Faustians are very powerful, even a NonCon can have lastign consequences.' 'So what - we abandon her?' 'No, we keep her in the safe house. Away from important documents, away from conversations about Akiza, if this doesn't work we don't want her knowing anything that can be used as a weapon. Make no mistake Maddy, this is war, and Akiza will use every dirty tactic possible to win. It's a decision for you to make, but I would strongly advise you not to keep Jess here.'

Sakura then left, and the conversation continued. 'So how do you break Faustians?' 'There should be a book about it down in the library, but normally when there's a contract you'd have to retract the spell, then burn it. Only truly powerful individuals mentally can escape without a full retraction. The other alternative is' 'Kill Akiza?' Maddy stated nervously, to which Hannah shook her head. 'Spell isn't tied to her it seems. We'd have to wipe her entire mind and start again. We'd be able to restore the very basics, but nothing else. And I don't know if this machine has the capability to do that.' 'It's worth a shot.'

Outside

As Sakura walked out of the base to get some food, she was surprised to find Rio sat on a chair outside, just watching the world go by. So she walked back into the base,and came back out carrying a seat of her own, placing it near Rio. 'Anything interesting?' 'No really, just some stupid protest.' After a short silence, Sakura abandoned any sense of subtlety with her questioning. 'Blair and Jade getting to you?' 'I just don't get it, if she has it, big deal, we'll adapt, we always do. It's just stupid that she can cope with being bi, she can cope with everything she's been through, but she can't cope with Ally being Autistic? I just can't deal with all this shit, especially when I've got to be this inspiring person as well, ever since my illness I feel like I'm being held up as some kind of messiah, and I never wanted that, I never wanted… all this'

'I get you.' 'Like, all this leadership stuff is good for Maddy, she's strong and she's charismatic and awesome, she's this born leader, and I'm just not any of that, I'm kind of quiet, and polite, I'm not this all-conquering force of nature. I really kind of just envy you, your life's simple in the medical bay, but you experience something new every day still' 'Really don't' 'Point is, I… just don't feel like I'm right for this. I only entered the election because I didn't want to be the victim, I didn't think anyone would, like, vote for me.'

'Problem is, if not you then who?' 'Blair obviously, I think everyone thinks that' 'Trust me, not everyone thinks that.' 'Astrid, when she's stopped playing nanny for Skylar, honestly I think you'd be pretty great.' It was at that moment that Rio just happened to turn around, and saw Sakura's eyes lighting up. 'You… want this?' 'You kidding? Being VP would be awesome, honestly not being stuck in the medical bay would be something, I'd kill just to get to talk to everyone more, you know how long it is since I got to talk to someone for 10 minutes like this without sticking a needle in them?' 'How about we swap jobs then?' Rio suggested, as Sakura laughed the idea off, before pausing. 'You're serious, aren't you?'

'Yup.' 'Well I suppose…' 'Go on.' 'I'm already kind of training you up, so if I do that enough, I can then resign as medic, you're the obvious replacement.' 'And then I can use the excuse of that to weasel out of being VP.' 'You know, you could just resign' Sakura suggested, but this was something Rio appeared to be less keen on. 'Not a good look is it though? I don't want people to think I'm quitting.' 'Even though you are?' 'The last thing I need is the rumours around my health, I've only just stopped people speculating how much money will be in my will, which by the way, is way too much.'

Sakura then thought of a question that was completely off topic. 'Hey, um, this is weird I know, but when did your speech get so much better?' 'When I stopped trying to force all the words out. Turns out the speech issue isn't a huge thing if I'm speaking naturally, it's only when I get proper emotional, so I've been trying to stay calm, not easy when the two "adults" you live with are on the verge of a fight at all times.' She then passed Sakura her bank card. 'Not to generalise, but there's a great noodle place down the high street, I ate there once and it's taking all my willpower not to just move there. Thanks for the chat.' Sakura smiled, and stated 'You're welcome. Hope it helped you blow off steam.' 'Yeah, that's one way to put it.'

Ashworth Brook Farm

Phil was finally getting to sit down with Skylar having gone to sleep, when there was a gentle knock on the door. Eager to not disturb the baby, he slowly crept towards the door, and then opened it up, to find Jade stood there, looking somewhat troubled. 'Come in, I heard about your argument with Blair.' 'Thanks, I know you're supposed to be the expert on all of this stuff with Autism, so I wanted to talk to you about it.' 'I wouldn't call myself an expert, I know a bit. Come, we'll talk in the kitchen.'

Once in there, Jade spilled. 'I'm really convinced about it, I got this manual thing and she fits so much of it so well, and I know we can't just go by that, but it's just the way she gets fixated on things and just seems to be in her own world so much.' 'I really think getting a diagnosis would be helpful. Now I do know how you get diagnosed, is she signed up to a GP?' 'Pretty sure she is, you'd have to ask Blair. Really wish I'd sorted all of this out now. So can we actually get her diagnosed officially?'

'You'd have to talk to your GP, I will be more than happy to help you however you need with that, but on one condition.' 'Anything.' 'You'll have to get Blair's consent first. I know the situation, and I will talk to her about it, we've got a training session on Thursday and I'll have a word with her then, but until she is at least on board with discussing it, this is going nowhere, I'm not doing it behind her back.'

At the base

Maddy was still getting nowhere trying to work out Akiza's plans. 'But why would she not attack me? She was clearly too deep under the mask's hold to have any kind of thought about it, she wasn't rebelling because she'd remember that, but if Akiza really wants revenge against me, then why wouldn't she want to attack me when I'm vulnerable, she's had opportunities.' She then growled and started thumping the table. 'Why can't I come up with anything? Think stupid brain, think!'

Outside the office, Jana was listening in when Blair approached her. 'So you think she's losing it?' 'I've known her for years and I've never seen her like this before, Akiza's just got her totally stumped.' Blair though, had a theory. 'I can't help but feel like it's this whole mafia don character she's got going on that's causing some of the issues.' 'What - like it's stopping her thinking straight?' 'Yeah, exactly, it's going to her head and making her overthink everything.'

'Why do you think Akiza's not attacked her then?' 'Because she knows that Maddy's still too strong. If she's going to attack she's going to wait until Maddy can't fight back, that's why she wouldn't accept her challenge.' 'Running scared?' 'I wouldn't say scared, more wary. Akiza might be a psychotic bitch, but she's also smart, and she knows enough about Maddy to know that she wouldn't last 30 seconds in a fair fight.'

'What if she's working with someone though?' 'Like who? Apart from Junction 7, because none of them can even lay a scratch on her, I'm pretty sure half of them have already tried and failed.' 'I'm thinking someone like Dan or Emma.' 'No, Maddy's been cool with them for ages. Also why would they be working with Akiza, they'd just do it themselves. It's not anything to do with them, trust me.' 'Tom?' 'Pretty sure he's still in Tokyo waiting to have the two halves of his body glued back together.'

'Lydia? Seems pretty annoyed at her not doing anything about Freja and Belle.' 'Yeah, and she knows Maddy's the only reason Freja even remembers her again. You really think she's going to take out Maddy and have Rio take over? Also there's the small matter of Akiza firing Lydia from the club once. I like your idea Jana, but if she is working with someone, we need to have a clear idea before we tell Maddy, she's bad enough already.'

The next morning

The tension in the club was starting to ease, aside from Belle and Lydia, who were still warring with each other. But after getting over her continued frustration, Freja put her devious mind to use, and came up with an idea, which Belle wasn't happy about. 'Freja, can you give us the key please? I'm the one trying to get on.' 'I know.' she responded chirpily. 'But you still need to learn how to work together instead of tearing each other's hair out. By the way Lydia, the next time you do that to her I'll shave you bald.'

Lydia then snapped back. 'I know you think this is funny, but let us go! I'm not staying handcuffed to her all day.' 'You are. And all of the next day. And the day after that. Until you've learned to live together and work together.' 'You can't make us do that! Why can't you see, she's' Freja then put her finger over her sister's lip, and whispered down her ear 'If you object again I'm giving Phil a ring and booking an appointment', which silenced her immediately.

Rio then walked in, and couldn't help but laugh. 'Yeah, real funny.' 'Sorry, it's just really weird to look at. I just came in to tell Belle that she's got a parcel in the foyer, pretty heavy thing as well.' Hearing this, Belle looked at Lydia. 'You ok if we go and get it?' Lydia responded by spitting in Belle's face, so she dragged the elder twin off the sofa, and across the carpet to go and receive her parcel. As this happened, Rio went up to Freja, laughing still.

'You're cruel, I hope you know that.' 'I had the best trainer. How did you get hold of those handcuffs so quick anyway?' 'Oh, I just stole them from Jade's wardrobe.' 'Jade keeps handcuffs in her wardrobe?' 'Oh yeah, she and Blair like to… erm… spice things up sometimes?' Freja's eyes widened, and Rio immediately knew she'd have to explain more. They walked off together, with them in hysterics at Blair and Jade's bedroom antics.

Ashworth Brook Farm

As Phil arrived back at home to pick Astrid up, she walked down the stairs wearing thick mascara and a shortened, dark blue bunad, pairing them with a very familiar looking pair of cowboy boots, and straightened hair plunging straight down her back. 'I didn't know you were the same shoe size as Hannah.' 'Technically her feet are slightly bigger than mine, but I wear thick socks so that makes a difference. Anyway, we ready to go?' 'Certainly are.' After he kissed Hannah goodbye, they left the house as she watched on. 'One day he'll spend some time at home.'

45 minutes later

The meeting place nominated by Declan was a small office space in the heart of Manchester. As they parked up a 10 minute walk away, Astrid looked slightly concerned. 'You know where you're going?' With his sunglasses on, he nodded, and spat his chewing gum straight into the bottom of a nearby bin. 'I've been down these parts more times than I've had hot dinners, and boy can Hannah cook a hot dinner.' 'Yeah, because you're out all the time. Ironic I know, but' 'Trust me, I wouldn't be out as much if I could avoid it, but needs must.'

When they arrived at the office, Declan was waiting, in his normal clothes and with a lawyer sat next to him. There was no customary shaking of hands though, little more than Astrid and Declan staring at each other as she took a seat. 'You don't have a lawyer I see.' 'Slight correction, my lawyer isn't with us today, I told her to take the day off, because I don't think I need her. Because I fully intend on Astrid talking to you.' She looked around with a sharp jolt and stated 'M…me?' 'I don't expect you to speak legalese, but you represent yourself better than I can.'

She looked daggers at him, and then faced off with Declan. 'I have spoken to the shareholders of Leo. After much discussion with them, they have agreed in contract to buy out my mother.' 'How much do you own?' 'Myself, 30%. Between all of us, we own 67.5%. If we have a supermajority of at least 60%, then there is a provision within the business to buy out any individual's shares at twice their trading price.' As he stated this, Astrid looked at Phil. 'I didn't understand a word of that.'

'He's saying that he can't officially hire you until he has bought his mother out of the company.' 'We are currently crowdfunding to raise the funds necessary.' 'Which are?' '$140,600.' Nodding, he got a chequebook out of his pocket. 'Yes, I am old fashioned, why did you ask' he sarcastically quipped while writing the cheque, writing the sum of £100,000 on it. 'Let me make two things clear with this. Firstly, you are forcing Chazz to face Blair at Lockdown.' 'The best I can do is firing he and Mr. Smiley if he refuses to comply.'

'That'll do. Secondly, this is strictly a loan. Frances will be in touch tomorrow regarding repayment.' 'i will happily write a credit note for you. The company will repay you your money with 5% interest in monthly instalments of £2100. If we miss a single payment, you have permission to sue us for your money. The first instalment will be paid in around three weeks, when the deal is expected to close.' He then turned to Astrid, who was fiddling with her hair nervously.

'I am already in the process of clearing you to compete without a contract.' 'So getting arrested won't do anything to that?' 'On the contrary, it is marketing. You're the buzz of the industry right now, people will hang off your every word. Even my mother won't be able to resist the spotlight you bring with you, it's a spotlight she could only dream of.' He then passed the credit note to Phil. 'My phone number is on here. I will ring you when Astrid has been cleared to duel for us. In the meantime, I suggest that you and your client have a safe journey home Mr. Robinson, it was a pleasure doing business with you.'

'Oh she isn't my client Declan, she's just a family friend I'm helping out' Phil responded. But Astrid then had a shocking suggestion. 'You know, I kind of could be…' 'Pardon?' 'I'd like you to be my manager, and you have a client in the Leo.' He was starstruck at the suggestion, and went silent with shock for a minute. 'I mean, I would absolutely love for that to happen.' She then offered a handshake, which he accepted, birthing a new alliance.

Next time: Maddy looks to tear Justin apart in the Torture Chamber, while Phil shows his versatility against Sledgehammer. Elsewhere, Rio sends out a challenge, and an old rival of Phil's lands in Renegades: A New Dawn Chapter LXXI: Chamber of Horrors