Whelp! Here is the next chapter!
Bit explanation, bit leading into future drama…
Hope you like it! Let me know what you think!
The HTA was a buzz with talk when Malea and Calaris arrived the next day. Both of them limping through the front entrance after a night of nervously watching their bedroom doors in the event the Forrestier guard somehow discovered what they had done. Sleep didn't find either of them until dawn broke that morning - and even then, it was uneasy.
But thankfully, or otherwise when judging by the look on her father's face that night, a clan conference had been called and the leaders summoned. It did nothing to ease Malea's nerves, but at least Lord Forrestier's personal guard wasn't focused on her and her best friend. They would have been in the city dealing with all the leader waffle at the conference tower.
"Do you know why the conference was called?" asked Orion Hexaton from his group of friend. He called out to Malea and Calaris as they stumbled in. "My mother wouldn't utter a word about it once she got back. Apparently, it was organized by a group of smaller clans."
"How would we know?" grumbled Calaris. "They did not summon my father. Mal, what about you?"
"Dad was called in because we border Forrestier territory. Other than that, no idea," said Malea, rubbing her forehead. Feeling the start of a headache.
"So it was about the new heir's then..." grumbled Tarvi. His short stature hiding him behind the group. He looked around the room, seeking his pale almost-fiancée. "Not even here a week and already causing a ruckus. No wonder Humali isn't at school again... I bet she is confirming the new guy's legitimacy for the leads."
"And the girl's," said Calaris, stomping next to them to join in on the conversation. "There are two of them, genius. Both are probably more fucked up than what is being released to the media. Humali is the most qualified person our age who can conduct the needed tests. They most likely asked her to manage their conditions to make them more comfortable."
"But she's spent most of the time at Forrestier territory," muttered Tarvi, gritting his teeth. "And she barely mentions the Azalea girl despite her missing arm."
"Aren't they really close though?" said Markus Cortex. A hand of encouragement patting Tarvi's back. "They said the new heirs are like siblings on the news. I'm sure they are just conducting their tests in the same place. To keep them comfortable, like Calaris said."
Tarvi pouted. "I guess you're right... She wouldn't abandon her duties to us smaller clans for some traumatized gear-head, right? This alliance is vital if we want to stand up to the leads."
Malea nearly choked on air. The image of the attractive high-stakes hover booter coming to her mind. If that was the 'traumatized gear-head' Tarvi meant, then he was going to be in for a surprise when images were released. She frowned in his direction.
"Shame, I thought Lear was her type," whispered Calaris into her ear with a smirk. "I think she enjoys getting an eyeful of what's under that armor."
A punch in the arm followed a 'let's talk later' glare, and they rejoined the conversation.
"Did you hear the rumors, though? On the rebel forums? Apparently, our new heirs were targeted during the conference. One agent nearly got Aquila! Lady Azalea will smash us if they find out which clan they belong too," said Orion with a frown.
"Good," grumbled Tarvi. "Maybe Humali might get some time off and that bitch's media face will be destroyed for the Lombax population. Still, I wonder why it wasn't mentioned anywhere else. Arnold said nothing about the attack this morning."
"They must have a mole. Since they got through it without enough damage to be on the news." said Calaris with a shrug. "Not surprising. The leading clans have their claws in everything."
"Or Arnold - being from a leading clan himself - would never report such humiliating news to the public. I mean, an agent got close to a leading heir. That's huge!" said Orion with a grin. "Let's just hope they can get those agents back home before the leads bring out the interrogators."
Well, that's positive thinking. If Malea knew anything about the ruthless nature of the Forrestier's and Azalea's, it's that they don't forgive lightly, especially with the leading family. She guessed those agents would already be in the hands of the interrogators.
And chances are they weren't coming home.
Tarvi puffed out his chest with a snarky smile. "Maybe they might get Lear next time."
"I doubt it!" boomed a voice from the balcony.
They froze and glanced up at Bastion, staring down at them in anger. Malea's eyes found her feet, suddenly thinking they were interesting, and tried to ignore the man on the balcony. Their instructor was a Dex elite, meaning Lear was his future leader. Any negative talk about the guy will probably result in an extra ten laps around the gym.
"Save your talking for debate class," he muttered sternly. "Several of your clans are up for investigation after last night's attacks. Under Lord Forrestier's and Lord Dexivier's instruction. No less than three days since their announcements! It is a pitiful display of the hostility of the smaller clans and a complete lack of compassion for our survivors. Most of the Lombax population would tear into you heirs for the current discussion you are currently having. Now..." He gestured to the gym. "Have any of you started your laps?"
...
Malea and Cal survived the gym session, the taunting history lesson, and the painful Polarian class taught by a snot-nosed woman wearing tight pencil skirt attire. Finally, with tired brains and aching limbs, they dragged their feet to a quiet diner on the edge of the city. Wanting to chat in private outside their clan facilities.
The Tail and Gun. Sounded more like a bar than a diner, but it had decently priced food and a minor amount of public traffic. Making it perfect to discuss yesterday's events and its effects on last night's conference. Malea shook her head. She had a million thoughts rampaging through her skull, and only Cal to reveal them too. A risky combination on the best of days, let alone with the information they have filmed on Cal's tablet.
They took a booth at the far end of the diner. Sinking into the plushy cushions on the seat with an agonized groan.
"So..." muttered Cal, picking up the menu and browsing the light snacks section. "At least it explains why Lord Forrestier picked the guy up personally. You think they went into lockdown?"
"Of course they did! The attacks would have been catastrophic if they didn't!" said Malea, looking at the cold drinks. "I'm just wondering which clans were dumb enough to attack a pair of leading heirs on their third day in the dimension."
"Probably the ones who had the most to lose."
"Like who?"
"I'm guessing Polivier... and Hexaton... and some of the scrapyard clans," said Cal, with a thoughtful nod. "They are still heavily restricted by the Forrestier's. Maybe the Pols also think Lear is a threat to the Ventore marriage alliance. With Tarvi complaining and all..."
"But he is a threat," grumbled Malea. She flicked up the order screen and paid for a savara-grass water. "We saw... you know. Humali would be insane to turn a guy like that down. Though the loss would be astronomical for us..."
"It will be worse," said Cal. Her eyes narrowed and she glared around behind them, making sure no one was listening. "You know how the Ventore's are one of the few clans remaining who are still bipartisan? The marriage alliance with us smaller clans would have led to us controlling the last remaining medical specialist clan. If it goes through, we will have the leading clans at our medical mercy. But..." She glanced down at her computer pad, still safe in her school bag.
"If she chooses 'you-know-who', then our own medical access could be restricted," finished Malea, with a whisper. "Another resource controlled by the leads."
Malea leaned deeper into the booth and let out a frustrated sigh. This was only speculation, but it made sense. If conflict was on the horizon - which they all knew it was - then what resource could change the course of a war? What could make the other side bend the knee before too many lives were lost?
It seemed liked the small clans were betting on the Ventore's... and maybe the leading clans as well.
"It's hard to imagine that crazy nerd as a king-pin political piece, but here we are," said Cal. "Tarvi said she was spending most of the past three days within Forrestier territory."
"No accident," said Malea. "And if she was there during the conference last night..."
"Then she will be in lockdown. Possibly in the same place as the new guy," said Cal with another contemplative nod. "If so, then the attacks last night could be an even bigger blunder than we anticipated. They'll use it as an excuse to keep them together. At least, until the investigations end." She took a bite of food and clicked her tongue. "I wonder how well they could get to know each other in a week?"
Malea's drink teleported in front of her, though she no longer felt like drinking it. She glanced at Cal's backpack, where the video lay hidden in the depths of its memory drive with Lear's attractive features and high physical capability on full display. Eleven languages... incredibly well travelled... ship gear-head... survivor... Tarvi was going to have a fight on his hands to keep the easily bored Humali away from that.
"We're screwed..." she whispered.
"Fucked is more like it," muttered Cal. "And I can't even get mad at her for it. Compared to Tarvi, the guy has everything going for him. He doesn't even seem to mind her weird-ass projects."
"Which is what will matter to Humali... more so than the political conflict," grumbled Malea, placing her head into her hands. "This is a disaster! And it's all in her court! There's nothing we can do about it!"
"Well... There is something," said Cal, gesturing to her a backpack with a grin.
Malea's stomach plummeted, and she felt light as blood left her face. "What! No! We could go to prison..."
"We don't use it... but we can leak it to a few leaders. Let them create drama. It might not stop Humali, but it could at least warn them of the threat Lear poses to their plans. Giving them time to act."
"And how do we do that without getting caught? I like the thought of keeping all my fingernails, Cal!"
"We give it to someone else! Leave it to me," said Cal, her head ducking lower and her voice turning into a whisper. "Trust me, Malea. This is too serious to ignore. If we don't act then it'll be twenty years ago all over again by next Tuesday. Though this time we will be kissing the lead's arses to get medication. It won't just be our clan's production at stake - our lives will be at their mercy."
Malea sank into her seat as she watched Cal's eyes stare with hope at the backpack. Knowing she was powerless to stop her friend.
But what other choice did they have
...
Rivet yawned. Staring around her room in frustration. The yellow and green decor reminding her of Sargasso and making her want to go on a speedle ride. But there wasn't a single speedle in this dimension. Nor a leviathan to hunt. Or an arena where she could vent her frustrations out on a few combat bots. She couldn't even visit Trudy, who was due to give birth any day now.
A minor sob escaped her throat. Finally she had found her kind, even her very own mother, and yet she laid here bored and homesick. Wishing she could stare at the view in her Sargasso hideout rather than the ceiling of her over the top bedroom.
"Rivet..." said Kit. Looking up at her from the floor. She had started another puzzle - this one an artistic interpretation of a Death worm, appearing more menacing than what they were in real life.
"Yeah, Kit? Anything new?" muttered Rivet. Stopping the tears before they escaped her eyes.
"Do you think we should contact the monks? They were expecting us to come back..."
Rivet frowned. In all the confusion and revelations, she had forgotten about them. A flash of her mother's teary face answered the question and caused a pang of grief to course through her chest. "I doubt we'll be allowed too... Fuck, this is all..."
She waved her hand in the air. Trying to come up with the right word.
"Fucked?" Offered Kit.
"I'm a bad influence on you," said Rivet, the hand slumping back on the bed with a 'thump'.
"Ratchet said the same thing when we first paired up."
"That doesn't surprise me... Wanna bet how long it will take for him to crack? I know he is the 'suck it up and power through adversity' kind of guy, but he hates being controlled. All this 'stay put and do as you're told' nonsense is the definition of the word."
"What do you think?" said Kit, placing down another puzzle piece.
"A month," said Rivet with a firm nod. "Unless his dad or grandfather force his hand earlier. Ratchet can tolerate a-lot, but with all this secrecy going on he's going to dig. There's a limit on the amount of blind trust he will dish out, after all. Oh! I can't wait..." she grinned. "Until then, we watch him play the role of Mr. Perfect."
Kit nodded in agreement, then went back to her puzzle. "I say... two weeks."
"What makes you say that?"
"According to Clank, he has yet to reveal his entire past to his family. They have been talking to him more than he is talking to them."
Rivet whistled. "They are not gonna like what he's hiding. Has he at least mentioned his bank account? They have bolts here like they do back home."
Kit shook her head again. Placing down another piece. "No, he has not. It is apparently still increasing due to the payouts from his patents and the government. Clank said he's not sure what to do with it."
What could they do with it? Neither of them could even go hoverbooting without it being planned a day in advanced and a small army in tow. She hadn't spent a bolt since the moment she wondered in, and she assumed Ratchet wouldn't be any different. All their affairs have been handled by others - who they haven't met. Rivet ruffled her nose. She hasn't even chosen the drink she receives when she asks for one. It was weird.
A frantic, but pleasant, pressure knocked on the front of her brain. She sighed and braced herself for what was to come next.
"Aquila!" screamed her mother. Pummeling her way through the door and launching her arms around Rivet faster than a bolt of lightning. "You were attacked! Are you hurt? Did they get to you at all, my darling?! What was that I heard about you taking them out? Do you know how dangerous that is? Are you in shock? Speak to me!"
Rivet wriggled for a second and heaved the moment she could take a breath, squeaking out, "I'm fine... They were weak..."
Her mother pulled away, cupping her daughter's face and examining for herself. She frowned, but started to visibly calm down. "You seem tired, my darling."
"She was worried about Ratchet," lied Kit. Placing down another puzzle piece. "He hasn't been returning her calls and thinks he was targeted as well."
"Ah!" said her mother, nodding in understanding. "He was indeed, but there is nothing to worry about, my dear. His clan turn off their communications during lock down and I would have heard if they had attacked him. I'm sure Mr. Lear will be available as soon as the lock down is over."
"Is that so..." said Rivet through gritted teeth and a short glare at kit. "Anyway... How was the conference?"
"Dull," said her mother with a wave of her hand. "Can't believe I had to listen to that tripe instead of spending time with you, and to think it was all a distraction for an attack..."
"It wasn't that bad," said Rivet, tugging away from her mother and stretching out her shoulders. "The attacker was not exactly well trained. I've had tougher fights at Zurkie's..."
Her mother stared at her with a scrunched-up face. "Zurkie's?"
"It's a weapon-free space pub," said Kit. Her mother sighing in relief for a second before adding. "With an attached gladiator arena you can watch from the bar. We took part now and then..."
The sigh turned to one of frustration. "Amalina... I worry about you. Gladiator? Really?"
"It gives you a reputation," said Rivet with a smile and a shrug. "A girl is nothing without that. Gives you bargaining power and discounts on drinks. The prizes were also pretty nice."
Her mother raised a palm to her head, rubbing the temple of her forehead. "I will never understand the life you lived. Just... promise me no more gladiator fights. Please? It will allow me to sleep tonight."
Rivet rolled her eyes. "As if there are any in this dimension... but sure."
"Did Mr. Lear partake in such things also?"
"You will need to ask him that," said Rivet with an innocent shrug. "Maybe before I met him? He usually babysat Clank at the bar when I competed."
Ratchet had some serious explaining to do if he hadn't even mentioned that. Then again, Rivet only knew the detail because she looked him up on the holonet. Though the evidence was everywhere over in the home dimension, just flick on the news or walk into a grocery store. She imagined his father finding Ratchet's face on a cereal box thrown in from a random dimension portal and demanding to know what it meant over breakfast, or a rabid fan sneaking their way into the Forrestier compound for an autograph.
"Well, you are both okay now," said her mother. A glint entered her eyes. "The attackers are being interrogated as we speak. Soon, my dear, we'll find out who entered the lockdown facility."
"...And why?" added Rivet, with a raised eyebrow.
Her mother chuckled. "We already know that, my dear. They were after you. Didn't even give you a chance to settle in. Well, no matter. At least we will discover their identities early so we know which clans to flag."
The sense Rivet had during the attack returned. As if she was back there with the assailant underneath her, feeling the hatred and desperation emitting from her gaze. Knowing they despised her just for existing.
She shook the unease from her shoulders. "Why would they want me? I have hurt no one... have I?"
"Nonsense! It's what you represent, my dear, which they can't stand. You're the future of the Azalea clan and my daughter. They wish to make us bow to their whims through you... Which we won't let happen, of course." Her mother pinched her cheek and offered a vicious grin.
Rivet gave a jittery smile in return. "Of course. I saw how strong my guards were in combat. They really are something..."
It was an outright lie. One she knew Ratchet would have picked up on if he were in the room. That assailant was easy, and somehow got through her personal guard as if she were a top agent. Which meant her guard... didn't have a-lot of practical experience. Rivet would be safer replacing them with Kit. It would at least give the bored little bot a job. Or moving into Ratchet's closet - it's big enough for a bed and was where he hid his RYNO prototypes.
Not that she was going to say any of that to her lovable crazy mother.
"Exactly! You shall be fine, my darling," her mother leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Lisava will be with you until dinner. Unfortunately, lockdown will continue until the investigations have wrapped up, but it should only be for another day, my dear. No more."
"Great?" said Rivet. Her false smile widening.
"I have to return to the investigations. Relax for now, alright?"
"Okay, Mum."
She left with as much speed as she arrived with, leaving Rivet and Kit to continue doing nothing. They sighed into the empty space around them. Both wondering how they ended up in this situation until Kit raised her head to Rivet and gestured to the window.
"Would you like to break out and annoy Ratchet?" asked Kit. Her little eyes flashing with enthusiasm.
"Kit! Stop letting my bad habits get the better of you... but sure. Hopefully, he'll be more entertaining than whatever is going on here," said Rivet, her ears pricking up with mischief.
Bit less political this chapter – with fun and drama on the way!
Next chapter will be back in Ratchet's POV as he learns more about his Dad.
Let me know what you think!