Chapter 35: Personal Stake
Location: Dalton Estate
Ten minutes later…
Emerging from the estate, Tarro led Sally and NICOLE on a peaceful stroll throughout the grounds of the property. Tails and Bunnie emerged shortly thereafter, escorted by the renegade Metal Sonic model.
"Follow me," Shard stated, "I'll escort you to the Engineering Bay."
She watched as the Fox and Rabbit head of in another part of the estate, leaving them the alone. They walked in silence for several minutes, their stroll taking them past Draug who was sitting on the ground playing with Bokkun.
"I still have got plenty of questions," Sally said, "Questions that I wasn't able to inquire about."
"I'm sure you do," he replied, as he began his leisurely stroll.
"Exactly how did you figure out what Robotnik did?"
"I've got a device called the Omni-Viewer; it allows me to peer into alternate realities."
"And once you detected the breaches, you were able to trace them to their point of origin," NICOLE stated.
"Exactly."
"Alright, but why decide to help?"
"To ensure the defeat of Robotnik," Tarro answered, "By getting the Terran Republic involved, I'm pushing the Eggman Empire closer to its eventual downfall."
Sally glanced at the boy, convinced that there was something that he was withholding. It wasn't long before Tarro to release a sigh, finally deciding he needed to elaborate further.
"I've had to bear witness the near extermination of both the Olog-hai and the Echidnas. Maybe I'm just sick of witnessing genocide."
Continuing to wind their way through the estate grounds, they eventually reached an area that overlooked the ocean. Elsecaro was located a distance away, the resort town slowly erupting in a cavalcade of neon.
"I'm compelled to ask; just what exactly are you doing on Mobius?"
"My homeworld isn't exactly…politically stable," he replied, "From time-to-time one of the Lords will attempt to seize power."
"How frequently does this happen?" Sally questioned.
"Often enough for heirs to constantly have to live in fear of being targeted for assassination."
"Wait! You've been targeted for assassination?"
"I was born with a low Power Level, and the Nobles took offence to that."
"All because you were born weak?"
"Strength is highly prized in Saiyan society," he explained, "To the point that every newborn Saiyan's Power Level is measured immediately after birth."
"So, just because they deemed you weak that gave them the justification to authorize your assassination?" Sally questioned.
"Rule of the Strong. To accept otherwise would be considered an insult. Doesn't help that I lack the natural aggression that other Saiyans have."
"How exactly did you manage to avoid being killed?"
"I killed the assassins instead," he said coldly, "Each and every one of them."
Shocked by the confession, the Princess found herself taking an involuntary step backwards. Immediately noticing this, Tarro promptly shook his head in disappointment.
"I was taught a valuable lesson; never to let my guard down."
"That's not really a healthy way to live," NICOLE commented from her handheld.
"Perhaps not. But it's kept me alive for this long."
"I wanted to ask another question," Sally said, deciding to change the subject.
"Go ahead."
"How in the world did you manage to afford such a place?"
"Dalton died, the island got put up for auction, and a bidding war erupted between members of the Old Families," he replied, "I swooped in a snatched it up."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"You think I came here without a portion of the Royal Treasury? I may have resorted to paying three times the asking price, but I prevented the island from falling into the hands of those degenerates. Besides, they probably would've turned around and converted it into a preserve where they'd hunt their fellow Terrans for sport."
Sally felt a wave of revulsion ripple through her, the accusation it seemed completely in line with what she knew of the Old Families. Seeing her disgust, the young Saiyan quickly decided that a change of subject was in order.
"I also own stakes in a number of companies," he stated, "Provides me with a passive income."
"What type of companies?"
Opening his mouth, Tarro found himself cut off by obnoxiously loud music that suddenly filled the air. Looking out across the waters, they found the source to be a massive super yacht that had anchored itself off the coast of the island.
"Fantastic," Tarro grumbled, "Worst part about living in Tyrador are the frigging tourists."
"That vessel's called The Padraig," Shard reported from the terrace which overlooked the beach, "Might not want to confront them."
"Even better! It belongs to the Calabas Family. Arturro's pissant son must be taking it for a joyride. Or perhaps his Daddy was already aware."
"Calabas?" Sally questioned.
"Molly mentioned that they're part of the Old Families," NICOLE reminded.
"Ugh! Now I remember."
"Come on," the youngster said, "I'm sure that dinner's nearly ready."