Ai No Kusabi Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Caged ❯ Chapter 26 ( Chapter 26 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Ai No Kusabi nor do I make any money from this fanfic.
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: Iason/Riki, Raoul/Katze, Original characters and novel character pairings.
Parts: 26 of ?

Author's note: I'm not really one to put song lyrics in. Maybe think about using lines from songs but never do. Not a very big Carey fan but I thought this kinda matched considering what's happening so far when I heard it on the radio :D

 

Know I can't forget this evening

Or you face when you were leaving

But I guess that's just the way the story goes…

You always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows…

Yes it shows…

No I can't forget tomorrow

When I think of all my sorrow,

When I had you there but then I let you go

And no it's only fair that I should let you know…

What you should know…

I can't live

If living is without you

I can't give

I can't give any more

I cant' live

 

Mariah Carey- Without you

 

~~**Forever Caged**~~

“Today is the day that he should go through the change.”

“Every twenty-five years…Such a short time but so long in a human life.”

“What do you want us to do?”

Jupiter turned. “I have created a diversion. Iason will be on the hunt for the truth now that he's caught me lying to him. He will send him out which will take him from their watchful eyes. I will monitor him and then once he comes close I'll call him back to Eos. You will have very little time to get to him before my Blondie becomes aware of his situation. Take out the Furniture first, don't kill him just make him unaware, so that he is not warned before hand.”

“Forgive me for asking but wouldn't it be better to get to him while he is away from Eos?”

“No. If he is not strong enough then he will need my child to pull him back if you don't suppress the change from happening. Now go, I have many things that need to be taken care of this day.”

oOoOoOo

 

Katze woke to an empty bed and blinded at the brightness that shone from the uncovered windows. His head felt like someone had taken a sledge hammer to it.

 

“Master Katze?”

 

Katze groaned and threw his arms over his eyes. The restlessness was back, the same feeling he had before Jupiter's hounds came and got him but with it came heat, he felt sick and his brain also felt like it was about to explode.

 

“Master Katze?”

 

Flinching at the softly spoken words Katze held his hand up to quiet Niko. “Just give me a second Niko…”

 

“Get up now Katze.”

 

Sitting straight up Katze cried out and grabbed his head. Blinking to clear his vision he gasped in horror when he saw Iason standing at the foot of Raoul's bed with Niko wringing his hands not far behind the syndicate leader. Katze watched as a pale eyebrow rose slowly and those ice blue eyes trail down, following his glaze Katze blushed and yanked the blanket up to his neck to cover his naked body. “Master Iason…forgive me…did I forget an appointment with you this morning?” Katze winched, his head pounded fiercer with every word he spoke know matter how softly he tried to speak them.

 

“Niko.”

 

“Yes, your Excellency?”

 

“Dress him and fix whatever is wrong with him now.”

 

Katze breathed easer when the huge Blondie turned and stride out of the bedroom. Falling back down on the fluffy pillows Katze groaned again and massaged his temples.

 

“Sorry, there was nothing I could do.”

 

“I know Niko. I'll get my self dressed just please get me something for my head.” Getting up and dressed was the hardest thing Katze thought he ever had to do, his body was going haywire. Hot flashes, cold chills, screaming in its need to just lie back down and sleep to escape it all.

 

Centering himself Katze walked out to see Iason pacing in the living room to. The last time, and only time, Katze had seen Iason this on edge to the point that his glacier shield of calm cold grace had been cracked like this was when Riki had been kidnapped by Guy.

 

Still uncomfortable by being seen undressed in Raoul's bed Katze took another minute to compose him self before clearing his throat to signal his appearance then again when Iason seemingly took know notice of him.

 

“Tell me again, exactly, what the device Guy,” Iason sneered when he said that hated name. “Did to disrupt our security systems.”

 

Unable to keep standing Katze, shakily, went to the sofa and sat heavily hoping Iason didn't get offended by his actions and lack of manners. “It did no damage. Although crude in design he was able to disrupt the alarm signal from the pets' saloon and the door locking mechanism. Once it was removed the system was once again able to pick up the alert but the door, per safety programming, would not open hence the reason it needed to be broken down.” Bile rose up from saying just that much making Katze breathe heavily and swallow repeatedly to keep the vomit down.

 

“Master Katze?”

 

Katze, not knowing he had been hunched over panting, looked up to Niko's concerned glaze. Taking the cup from the offered hand Katze chugged the bitter cloudy drink, choking a little he forced him self to suck down every last drop before giving the glass back.

 

“As I thought…” Iason stopped pacing and nailed his ex-Furniture with a piercing stare. “Where is Raoul?”

 

Wiping the moisture from his upper lip Katze shook his head. “I can't be sure but he might be in the lab. He had mentioned something about Riki's blood sample being unusual so I am assuming that is were he went.” Katze didn't add that Raoul and he had been about to engage in sexual activity when he told him that.

 

“How unusual?”

 

“I'm sorry but he did not say.” Katze kept his sigh of relief to him self as he felt the pain in his head slowly start to recede even though the hot and cold flashes remained. From Iason's agitated state now was not a good time for him to get sick.

 

“Katze, I want you to do something.”

 

“Sir?”

 

“Take this.” Iason threw a small jump drive to Katze. “That is Jupiter's energy signal. Hack into Jupiter Tower and see if you can trace that signal to every place her energy surge has been, past and present.”

 

Katze sat shocked hoping he hadn't heard Iason correctly.

 

“You heard me correctly Katze. I want you to hunt down every where my creator has been. It's noon right now so you have three hours to get me the information Katze.”

 

Katze nodded slowly. “To do something like this will be…” Possibly near impossible to get away with, suicidal, crazy! “It would be a very tedious task to under take, Master Iason. I would need to take a lot of my people, trusted people, away from their current operations, that are needed in the Black Market, and that could raise a very big red flag to anyone watching just to try and not get caught and get the information you want quickly.”

 

“Do it.” Iason said without any hesitation. “Go to the Black Market and take as many as you need.”

 

Katze nodded again then looked around. “Forgive me, but should we be speaking of this here?”

“No, we should not be but in light of the situation and my schedule, that I cannot cancel, I will have to trust in Jupiter, that she does not invaded the privacy of her children's homes as she claims she does not do. In a few short hours there will be a presentation that all Elites must attend in the lobby to view the new security features that has been installed.  It complete waste of valuable time but Jupiter is adamant about all of us attending, even our pets. It is after that that we will gather and see what you have discovered.”

Katze knew he was missing something in what Iason said but didn't ask. When Iason wanted him to know something he would tell him. “Will I need to attend?” Ice blue eyes were ablaze with anger.

“All pets are to attend.”

“Is there anything in particular you want me to find out?”

“Times, locations anyone she might have gotten in contact with.”

Katze stood and bowed. “I will do my best Master Iason.”

Iason looked at Katze's pale face. “I know what I am asking is very dangerous but if I did not think you could do this I would not have bothered coming here. I have a meeting to attend now and another soon after. I would want to gather, with you want Raoul, before the event but time is not on my side so it will have to be after.” Iason held Katze's glaze. “I see that you are unwell, Katze; and if this was not important I would order you to rest and recuperate but rest is not something either of us can afford to do at this time. I've discovered something that could very well unravel the foundation of everything thing I have build my beliefs on.” Potentially betrayed by my creator, Iason turned and headed for the door. “Three hours Katze.”

Slumping down in the chair Katze wiped the perspiration off his forehead. “Niko…make me another drink and package some of it so I may take it later…”

“…I know his Excellency's word is law but….you are clearly unwell…”

Katze stood shakily. “It's fine Niko. I've been sick and worked before. Just please get the drinks ready for me.”

“Fine…but when Master Raoul finds out it'll be your ass not mine.”

Katze ignored the Niko's grumbling forced his aching body to his room and grab a pair of shocks and shoes. “And don't be calling Raoul after I'm gone Niko!” Damn Furniture was ignoring him now Katze thought exiting his room.

oOoOoOo

 

Riki sat tapping his foot impatiently while chewing on his thumb nail. Jade and Lilly had joined him in the empty saloon, which V managed to keep closed, together ten minutes ago.

 

Jade was completely healed from the road kill look he sported yesterday, his Onyx probably stuck him in a Healer to get rid of the evidence that he raped him but he had a haunted look in his eyes and every little sound made him flinch and jump. Lilly also looked a hundred times better then the last time except, like him, he was fidgety and constantly looking at the door and clock. 12:12pm…

 

None of them said anything they just sat there waiting in silence. Not being able to stand it Riki spat out the nail he bit off and stood. “Where the fuck is he?” Just as the words left his lips the door opened.

 

“Sorry! I got delayed in…something.” V said rushing in.

 

“Our time isn't as free as yours V.” Riki said rolling his shoulders, the damn area where he got the shot was burning and the drink was making him paranoid. He couldn't stop the intense feeling that someone was watching them…like Jupiter. “What's the problem V? What's happened since we saw each other yesterday?”

 

V shook his head as he pulled out his cell phone. “How the hell did you know there was a problem?” V asked as he stepped up to the two pets sitting next to each other. “Smile, I need to take your pics so my partners know who to grab.” V snapped a few shots and sent them to Sky. “Ooh that's a screen saver.” V said smiling charmingly at the small light brown haired pet, winking at him while the other pet rolled his eyes.

 

“Violet.” Riki warningly hissed.

 

Pocketing his cell V looked at Riki apologetically. “Plans have changed; we are jetting today not in two.”

 

“Not that I'm complaining but what's the rush?” Lilly asked patting Jade's shoulder when the smaller boy sobbed in relief.

 

“Ahh, well…” V looked at Riki while answering the pet's question. “Seems like Riki's warning on not making the Blondes take a liking to Fidget and Sky came a little too late. Very soon there will be a hunt for our frisky twins and before that goes down we need to get out before they are caught.”

 

Riki narrowed his eyes at Violet. “Just the twins?” Riki asked raising a black brow.

 

“Yeah, seems like while playing like they were one person they took on two Blondes and now the Blondes have found out about each other.”

 

“Really…You said yesterday that you had a meeting with Sir Orphe before coming to see us. Where else did you go?”

 

V looked at Riki with a befuddled expression on his face. “I didn't go anywhere else. I got here did a little work, had the meeting with the Blondie then came here.”

 

Riki walked up to Violet and pulled his collar down. “If you didn't meet anyone then how did you get this?” Riki asked revealing a small hickey that had been party covered by V's shirt, the mark was bright and new and the skin was still damp from someone's lips. “What have you done Violet?”

 

V laughed and covered the mark with his hand; backing out of Riki's striking distance. “Come on…The Blondie is hot damn it, I couldn't help myself.”

 

“Did you fuck him?” Riki asked bluntly.

 

“No! We kissed and maybe touched a little that's all but because of that we really need to jet fast. I mean it was a little, well maybe not a little, the fucker can kiss, but after that kiss he started talking about me permanently “working” under him, what kinda clothes he would be dressing me in, what kinda jewelry would look nice on me! That's just way too much commitment for me; I'm like a butterfly, baby, I like to flutter to the next flower that catches my eye, I need my freedom. Not to mention the fact that I'm no man's bottom and from how he acted he's all top.”

Riki cursed. “It's bad enough if a Blondie is curious about you but now you tell me that all three of you fuckers have tongued, not one, but three of those fuckers.” Riki smacked Violet up side the head before he could dodge him. “Do you know what you have done?”

“They won't stop in getting you back now.” Lilly whispered.

“Oh come on! It's not like we screwed them!”

“Moron! What did I tell you? I said, and you've even heard, that Elites don't have sex with anyone, not even themselves. Going from experience once they've crossed that line with the one they have chosen they won't let you go. Ever.”

V laughed nervously when the two pets nodded in agreement to every word Riki said. “…you're just shitting me when your saying that right?...Trying to freak me out?”

“I'm fucking dead serious.”

“Well why the fuck didn't you warn me better!” V pulled at his hair as it dawned on him the depth of the shit he and the twins got themselves in. The crap he told the twins this morning about the Blondes putting them on leashes, making them pets, all of it had been a joke, he had just been messing with them.

“You were dealing with Elites! You should have known better when you stepped into their world! I haven't seen you guys in how many years but you three still can't keep out of trouble!”

V sputtered. “Us!? Look at yourself before saying anything!”

“Uhmm…Riki? I don't have very much time so…”

“Jade's right. None of us have very much time to spare. I don't even know how I was able to get out of the apartment at all today; I thought I wouldn't be able to make it.” Lilly said, looking up at the clock on the wall again. “My Master will be home in three hours so if we could get on with it?”

“As will mine.” Jade whispered.

We'll talk about this later. Now what's the new plan?” Riki said going back to his seat and sitting down.

V buttoned his collar all the way up before taking the seat next to Riki and across the two pets. “At first when I came in this morning I didn't think it would be possible to leave today but miraculously all the programming problems I've been having disappeared. While in the meeting with the Blondie we were thankfully interrupted by Valarus with the check list of things to do and what not and everything…was done…I'm not sure how but we are now clear to go. A presentation has been set up to show case the new shield that I have installed from the ceiling in the lobby amongst other stuff. Because of the amount of Elites and pets the light show has been split up into five groups so what I need to do, once I get out of this place in an hour, is go into the security system, which is easy to do since I have clearance already, and change some of the names for the first showing to put that one,” V pointed to the light brown haired pet named Jade. “In the first group because Riki and Lilly are already in that one and that is also when we will be making the break.”

“Wouldn't it be better to be in the last group? Won't there be more people around if we are in the first?” Lilly asked, tucking a long strand of dark hair behind his ear.

“Yeah, normally that's what we would do. Last show would have less people because the majority would have already seen it as would the curious onlookers of staff but we can't do that this time. We need to have the element of surprise on our side. After being with my Blondie…err…with Sir Orphe, I realized that having the Elites be aware of how the shield works and with all those perfect brains in one spot, we would only have a few minutes, if that, before they find all the weak spots and break through.” V paused taking a breath. “We will only have a margin of time to do this so you two,” V pointed to the two pets. “Need to listen very carefully and do exactly as I tell you because once the shit comes down and your not on the other side your stuck, we wont be able to get you out.” Gathering everyone close V laid the plan out before them, the do's and don'ts and also what to expect as well as what not to. “Sky and Fidget will be in the crowd, you need to get to them to get out. Riki you're with me and I'll be close you just need to get to the marker and you'll be fine.”

Riki rubbed his face and looked at Jade and Lilly's sober faces. “This is your last chance to back out. If you have any second thoughts, if you don't wanna do this then now is the time to voice them.”

“I'm in.” Lilly said firmly.

Jade nodded. “I am also in. I don't want to stay here any longer.”

V clapped his hands to gain their attention. “Okay kids the ride is about to start. Get your shit together; we have exactly less then three more hours until its party time.”

 

oOoOoOo

 

Katze threw the empty disposable cup of medicine into the trash. Frustration filled him as he looked at his people fight amongst them selves reminding him why he kept them in separated pairs. Having them all in one room always spelled disaster. Fighting, bickering, insults that escalated into blood shed.

 

Rubbing his pounding head Katze pounded his table with his fist shooting more pain into his brain. “Shut up all of you! One hour! It took over an hour just to get all of you here then another just to set up your gear when it should have only taken you ten minutes tops.” Katze massaged his temples.

 

“I'm on a time crunch which is the reason why I called you all here because I need speed. I need all of you to track the energy signal that you already have loaded and reviewed on the way here and we only have two minutes, three max if we really need it then everyone will have to disconnect. I don't care if you're hot on a trail or not, you will follow my orders and cut off.”

 

Katze held up his hand to silence one of his best hackers when he started to talk. “No you cannot know the why's or what's of what we are doing and knowing all of you, you will find out once we start but I'd advise you to keep what you see to yourselves because if you don't then nothing I can do will save you if you open your mouths.”

 

“Don't worry boss, we didn't get to were we are now by yapp'n it to every Tom, Dick and Harry that walked by.” One of the six hackers called out.

 

“Good because if you did Tom, Dick and Harry would also be erased along with you.” Dizzy Katze sat down with his hands above his keyboard. “Remember find the signal, tag it on the map. Jeeyo, Alex, and Mark you are in charge of dates and times. Everyone else finds the signals.” Katze nodded to Yayoi, a kid that showed promise breaking code. “Yayoi hit the timer. Everyone GO!”

 

A thunder of fingers pounding on keyboards filled the little room as everyone got into the zone.

 

“One minute left!”

 

Sweat dripped down Katze's forehead and his brows furrowed in concentration as he found, tagged and sent the information to Alex to complete before going onto the next one.

 

“Thirty seconds!”

 

Katze pushed him self to go faster until he all he could see was the next bleep saying that showed him another location.

 

“Five.”

 

“Four.”

 

“Three.”

 

“Two.”

 

“One!”

 

“Disconnect now!” Katze yelled pulling out.

 

Cheers rang out.

 

“That fucking rocked.”

 

“Shit my hands are shaking so bad from the adrenaline is fucking pumping from that mad rush.”

 

“Good job guys.” Katze swayed when he rose to his feet.

 

“You okay boss? You look like shit and you're sweating like a race horse.”

 

Wiping the sweat from his forehead Katze waved his man away. “I'm fine, don't worry abut it. More importantly how much did we find?”

 

Alex took Katze by the arm. “You need to see a doctor Katze.”

 

“And I will, I promise.” Kate stressed when Alex looked at him in disbelief. “How much were we able to get?”

 

“Not really sure yet but maybe, roughly, we were able to get two weeks.”

 

“That's it?” Katze sighed. “How long before I can look at the data?”

 

“Five minutes tops. Why don't you go lie down in your office and when it's done I'll bring it to you.”

 

“Look that much like shit, do I?” Katze said with a small smile.

 

“Yeah you do. The guys and I will break everything down and while the program is doing its thing I'll ship them back to their warehouses before they kill one another and Katze, happy birthday my man.”

 

Katze mumbled thanks and walked off. He couldn't put off his sickness any longer and fully planned on calling Raoul the moment he got out of here. Katze swirled around when he heard whispering behind him but there was no one behind him. “Fucking losing my mind.” Making it to his office Katze went to his desk first where the other cup of medicine Niko made for him was. Gulping it down Katze sat down and lay his head back on the couch.

 

When he left Eos he had started to hear whispering off and on. The medicine Niko made for him stopped them after he drink them but the way his body was heating up it was burning through it fast, he had a half an hour at tops with the last drink before they came back.

 

He just needed a little more time to review the data before leaving. Needed to make sure what was on it was what Iason needed.

 

A knock sounded on the door and Alex's head popped in. “Hey boss.”

 

Katze groaned as he forced himself to stand. “Give it to me.” He said holding his hand out for the disk.

 

“Is it because you're twenty-five today that you're all achy? You're not that over the hill.”

 

“Thanks Alex, did everyone leave?”

 

“Yup.”

 

“Good. Now get back to watching the other program.”

 

Alex cursed. “Can't I do something else and occasionally check on it? That thing moves so slow that I've been entertaining my self by watching mold grow and even that is faster then the infiltrator you created.”

 

“Shut up and do it.” Katze took the disk from Alex. “The reason why someone needs to watch it 24/7 is because once it breaks in it will download every file in their system and once it's eaten everything it can you need to manually code it so that it destroys it's trail then goes invisible and attach its self in a safe place just in case we need it again.”

 

“Yeah, yeah…I'm going…”

 

Katze looked at his watch when Alex shut the door. It was already past two thirty he was going to be late know matter what he did but what he was doing mattered more then attending some presentation. Putting the disk in Katze sat and put in his passwords and rubbed his eyes as the information loaded.

 

Katze jerked awake when the computer beeped and drew up a 3D of Tanagura. Bright lights and dates popped on the screen and Katze narrowed his golden eyes as he zoomed in on Jupiter Tower and the light that bleeped under the building, deep under the building. “What the hell…” Zooming out Katze eyes widened at the light that shone at the top of Eos. Typing Katze cut off the rest of the building of that only Iason's penthouse was on the screen. Jupiter's energy signal showed that she had been on Iason's balcony a total of two times and even once inside Iason's apartment.

 

Katze took off his jacket and unbutton the first four buttons of his shirt. His fever had already burned off his meds, the heat making him uncomfortable but Katze pushed it aside and focused on the dated and times Jupiter was at Iason's apartment then stood up fast. Taking the disk out Katze and made a quick call to Alex and told him to come back up and shut down lock up his office. He didn't have a second to waste.

 

Calling his driver while he rushed out Katze tried to call Iason but when his call was blocked remembered that Iason was in a meeting so none of his calls would be going through.

 

Katze tapped the disk in his hand after he got in the backseat of his car and they drove out. Jupiter had been in Iason's apartment this morning and he knew that it wasn't to see Iason because if she had been visiting him then Iason would have told him, so that he could mark that time and dismiss it but not only this morning she was also there now and if Iason wasn't there then there was only one other person she could watching and even talking to right now…Riki.

 

 

oOoOoOo

 

Coming back to the apartment Riki called out to Cal but was met with silence. Looking at the fancy clock on the wall Riki saw that he had been gone for a little over two an a half hours. It hadn't seemed like he had been gone that long and Cal should have been back already.

 

Stepping out onto the balcony, after grabbing his pack from the drawer from the table by the doors, Riki lit up and slowly looked at the beauty before him. Exotic plants and foreign flowers, greenery that only someone like his Blondie could afford to decorate his home and yet treated them like weeds. Riki walked to the large fountain and calmed as he always did listening to the water splash into the pool. Thunder rumbled and dark clouds from the distance echoed reflecting his troubled state of mind.

 

Exhaling Riki rubbed his chest and the ache that just wouldn't go away. “This is it,” Riki whispered, the time to leave was already upon him.

 

“Yes it is.”

 

Riki brought the cigarette to his lips and inhaled. “What do you want now?”

 

Jupiter smiled looking at the black haired child that reeked with defiance and almost purred in pleasure as she was basked in it. The human emotions she had learned so long ago had been slow to return but in the little time she was in his presence the faster they came back. “Your meeting with your Mongrel friend was very interesting.”

 

Riki `hmpt' and flicked his half smoked cigarette into the fountain. “I thought you might be watching.”

 

Jupiter floated in front of Riki. “The Mongrel's turning off the surveillance cameras did nothing to stop me. I can easily turn them on as I can turn them off.”

 

Riki nodded, he had figured as much. “You still haven't answered me. What do you want now?” Riki asked glaring up at the silver glowing form.

 

“I did not approve of you taking those two pets with you.”

 

Riki leaned back and looked up at the darkening stormy sky and smirked. “So what if I am? What should it matter if I do or not? They're just pets, a dime a dozen, right?”

 

“Why those two pets?” Jupiter asked curious. Since the Riki came to Eos she had been experiencing a lot of it. She knew, of course, that Riki had met the fruit of his loins but had not realized the extent of their personal involvement with one another. It was interesting how the gravitated to one another.

 

“Why not? Can't I take a souvenir when I leave?” Bitch can kill him for all he cared Riki thought scratching his inner elbow. When the A.I didn't respond to his smartass comment Riki looked at her. Those eerie mercury eyes watched him and his skin crawled as they glowed slightly, a smile of sickening satisfaction shone on her unnaturally beautiful face. Prickles of unease filled Riki.

 

“The problems your Mongrel friend had have been fixed. “Jupiter suddenly said.

 

“How-“

 

“What he was trying to accomplish was an easy matter to solve. If I did not intervene it would have taken more then the two days you had originally planned before leaving.”

 

“…If it was so simple for you then why didn't you do it in the first place?” Riki asked.

 

“Besides using this opportunity to get rid of you?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Growth.”

 

“Come again?” Riki said confused.

 

“Everything I do is to simulate growth in my children. If I do it for them they will not learn hence they will not grow to reach their potential.”

 

Riki could understand that, you don't learn shit if someone always did if for you…but…

 

“Your taint is impairing my golden child, hand picked to lead the rest of my other perfect Elite children. That taint you've placed upon Iason is also infecting everyone else.” Jupiter said changing the subject yet again.

 

Riki glared at the A.I. Bitch made it seem like he was some kind of disease.

 

“Already I have sensed that four others have come close to loosing their purity. I have cleared the way for you to leave and expect you to do so today.” Jupiter didn't want the Mongrel to think to closely on what she said only to concern him self about leaving. The connection she now had with Riki told her that he didn't have very much time left before his rebirth. If she allowed him to think about her words then his clever mind would discover her threat to kill her beloved child and all in Ceres to be nothing but a bluff, then she would fail and she had worked to hard, planned and even hoped, for this day to come for it to come crashing down, especially now when a pure blood of an ancient race stood before her. She had failed her children once; she would not do so again.

 

Riki taking his offspring, if one could call the pet such, had been a surprise, yes, and it would not take longer then a second to change the gathering list back to its original format so that the pet couldn't escape but she hadn't. Maybe allowing the pet to escape with Riki would awaken him. He already showed promise by seducing his Elite and breaking the Onyx's conditioning. As for the other pet there could be something interesting about him as well. The strange way her Blondie's body sexually heated then fell silent was not normal. Last night, once again, he had come close to breaking free of the invisible chastity belt she had placed on all her Elites. Letting Mikhale's pet leave might just push her Blondie over the edge and take him.

 

“I said I'd fucking leave and so I am.” Riki stood. “I already know, you just remember you side of the deal. I leave, Iason and Ceres is safe.”

 

“Once you leave all will be as it should,” But don't worry you'll see Iason Mink again.

 

“Bitch.”

 

“Who are you talking to?”

 

Riki jolted in surprise and snapped his head to the balcony doors to see Iason standing there. “What are you doing back here?” Riki asked not needing to look to know that the A.I had vanished.

 

“It's time to get ready. Answer the question.”

 

“Just because I'm talking doesn't mean I'm yap'n to someone.” Riki said with a shrug as he waked up to Iason. Had he been talking to the A.I that long?

 

“What are you keeping from me?” Iason demanded grabbing Riki's arm when he tried to brush by him. The look of pain was still in those beautiful black eyes.

 

“What am I keeping from you? Shouldn't I be the one asking you that question?” Riki said pulling his arm free. “You think I don't know about the secret meetings or the hush, hush conversations you have been having with Katze?” Riki didn't wait for Iason's reply but continued on his way to the bedroom.

 

“What do you know?” Iason asked following Riki to the room, closing the door behind him.

 

“I know that it has something to do with me and it concerns my blood.” Riki removed his shirt and pants, throwing it to the side. Opening his dresser drawers he pulled out a black dress shirt and matching slacks.

 

“How?”

 

“I wasn't sleeping when Katze came the last time.” Riki took a gamble, hoping that he had been mentioned when Katze had come. Other wise he was screwed, literally, Iason would fuck the truth out of him. His body might be healed but his mind wasn't, not enough time had passed, his mentally wasn't prepared for another ten to twenty rounds with Iason. And what could he say? That Jupiter, your beloved mother, the entity that created him, threatened him and told him all about it? Iason would never believe him.

 

“You want me to lay it all out for you, what you think I'm keeping from you, but here you are keeping something this important from me. I'm not a fucking kid Iason. Something like this you should have told me from the very beginning.” Even though I don't know what the hell it is, Riki thought.

 

Iason spun Riki around, taking the clothes from his hands and tossing them onto the bed. “I won't apologize for keeping it from you. What I did, I did to protect you. I still don't know what they did to you or that kind of tests or what they may have given you, Katze and Raoul are working on it now.”

 

Tests? Given him!? “…what the fuck…” Riki looked down at his arm. What the fuck did she really juice him up with? I didn't even struggle Riki thought.

 

“You didn't know …” Iason said looking down at Riki's lowered eyes, following his glaze Iason hissed and yanked Riki's arm up, forcing him on the bed to better control his Mongrel's struggling body. “Who!? Who did this!?” Iason demanded glaring at the bruised, swelling, punctured mark.

 

Riki thought fast. “I don't know who. I don't!” Riki yelled when Iason's grip tightened painfully around his wrist. “Someone came this morning while Cal was out. I don't know who he was. He wasn't a Furniture, he was plain in looks but his features were still perfect in its blandness and he was wearing a syndicate embalmed uniform.” Riki said, he could never lie to Iason, well he tried but he never could get away with it so he tried to tell him as much of the truth as he could hoping Iason wouldn't sniff out the deception.

 

“And you just allowed him to give it to you?”

 

“I wasn't really in any condition to resist or did you forget how you left me this morning?”

 

Iason closed his eyes and hugged Riki. The android Riki described was one of Jupiter's personal servants. He had still held onto the hope that his creator had nothing to do with harming Riki but from the lies she told him to this he could not deny the facts that were adding up against her. Many missing pieces of the puzzle that circled Riki fit perfectly when he placed her in. “What did it do to you? How do you feel?” Iason whispered against Riki's neck.

 

Riki, not wanting to fight, not when this would be the last time he would be seeing his Blondie smoothed Iason's silky hair back and lifted his face until he could look into those crystal blue eyes. “It made me better.” Riki whispered a small lie mixed with the truth. He did feel better but the paranoia that what Jupiter really gave him was still there. Riki pushed all the other crap Iason told him out of his mind for the time being. He only cared about now and the trickle of time he had left in Iason's strong arms. Cupping Iason's cheeks Riki leaned up and kissed him softly. “Whatever is happening I know you will find it and stop it.”

 

Iason searched those shining onyx eyes that look of pain and sorrow was back. “What are you hiding from me that cause such anguish?” Iason asked leaning away.

 

Riki shook his head sadly. “Just thinking about all the shit we have gone through. You kidnapping me, breaking you Elites biggest taboo by tapping my ass…almost dying for, and with, me…Guy messing up your home and trying to kill me and now someone, from what I'm hearing from you, is playing mad scientist on me.”

 

Iason narrowed his eyes, he didn't like the way Riki was talking, didn't like the defeat he heard in his voice.

 

“We can never just get a break can we…”

 

“Together when this idiotic presentation is over you will sit with me this time with Raoul and Katze and we will go over everything. No more secrets, I promise not to keep anything from you.”

 

Riki caressed Iason's strong jaw. ”You know I love you, right Iason? That I can't live if living is without you?” Riki knew Iason expected him to repeat the same promise back to him but couldn't make him self say it, not even to reassure his Blondie. “I always will.” Riki pulled Iason back down to his lips and kissed him almost in desperation, wrapping his legs around lean hips, needing Iason's touch. He wanted to feel Iason's skin against his, wanted to love him differently then they had this morning. Wanted to show him with his body and not just with words how much he cared for him. Hoping it wouldn't be the last time but treating it as if it were, fearing that it would be.

 

 

 

oOoOoOo

Alex leaned back in his chair, feet up on his desk, as he threw a ball up in the air and catching it repeatedly. Bored off his ass with the snail pace the program Katze had designed to infiltrate the enemies system.

His redheaded boss had rushed out half an hour ago after getting the information he had needed from his world class team of hackers. Boss didn't look good at all when he had gotten here and that already pale skin paled even more until Alex thought that he would puke right in front of everyone. Before the redhead had left he had forced a promise from him that he would see a doctor when he got back to Eos when Katze had called him to lock up his office.

Sitting up straight after hearing the computer beep signaling the program had run its course, had broken into the other's fire walls and sneaked by undetected, Alex continued to throw the ball up and catch it with one hand as he typed in a few codes in. The ball bounced and rolled under the desk as Alex stared in horror at what he read.

Alex knocked over his cup of coffee as he rushed to grab the phone, cursing he ignored it and dialed as fast as he could. “Pick up, pick up! Damn you Katze pick up your damn phone!” After no one answered the sixth time Alex slammed the receiver down and rubbed the stubble on his chin. Pulling at his hair Alex dialed the other number he had hoped he would never have had to ever call.

“May I please speak to Sir Raoul Am. Please tell him that Alex is one the line and it is an emergency regarding Katze.”

oOoOoOo

 

Katze barely closed the apartment door before collapsing in the foyer. His cell phone had been ringing none stop but he couldn't find the strength to answer even with the knowledge that it could be Iason that was calling him and that was if it really was his phone, he couldn't tell with the ringing he already heard in his ears. “Niko,” Katze called out hoarsely, when the nosey Furniture didn't come Katze, with as much strength and dignity as he could muster, got to his hands and knees and tried to crawl as far as he could before collapsing again.

 

Rolling to his side Katze spied Niko unconscious on the living room floor. “Niko….” The pressure in his head was worse; the cold floor cooled his heated flesh and his body refused to budge from that spot.

 

“Quickly we need to scan him, take his blood and if need be give him the shot before Sir Am returns. She says that he has already been notified of the Ura'zen's condition.”

 

Katze groaned in gratitude when cool hands touched his burning forehead, the fact that he didn't know who was talking or if they were enemies didn't matter only the scorching heat that rolled through his body. His head fell limply back as he was picked up and carried farther into the living room.

 

“Put him on the sofa.”

 

Katze's heavy eyes lids were lifted up and he flinched at the bright light that was shined in them.

 

“Amazing…Even though he is a half breed his eyes are glowing as if he was a pure blood. Remove his shirt and pants.”

 

“His pants?”

 

“She wants a semen sample from him. With how closely the Blondie looks after him as well as the fact that we can't get to him from the clinic, since Sir Am has also taken over his healthcare, this might be the only time we can get it from him.”

 

Feeling like he had lead for blood his limbs felt paralyzed, unable to fight as his clothing was removed. Somewhere within him raged at the humiliation but it quieted as his eyes closed and the light he saw behind his lids hypnotized him, it was like an unknown universe flashed by. Brilliant stars lit his way in the darkness. Katze still could feel the breath of the two strangers on his sensitive skin the soft leather of the sofa against the naked skin of his back and instantly knew that if he let go of the fragile control he had then all the answers he sought would be in his grasp. He just had to let go.

 

“Shit, scans show that he's going to go under. We need to give him the shot or he'll slip in a coma. He's not strong enough to handle his heritage yet.”

 

“Take his blood first.”

 

Katze flinched at the sharp pain in his arm. Not knowing why Katze panicked and blindly tried to reach the shining balls of lights. The second shot had him plummeting from the stars and he screamed, reaching blindly out to try and stop the fall, wanting to stay where he was. Holding tightly to a shinning light he was able to get a hold of, not caring about how his hands seemed to burn, ignoring the smell ignoring of his searing flesh, just wanting to stay in that world and the loving voices he heard bidding him welcome.

 

“Shit he's slipping.”

 

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HIM!?”

 

Hearing that familiar voice raised in fury shook Katze's determination making his grip slip as cries of pain rang out and soon he felt someone pull him in their arms.

 

“Katze…Katze…”

 

Katze head thrashed, wanting the person holding him to stop calling his name. The voice was drowning out the others, their whispers were soothing and he didn't want to leave. They made him feel at ease, at home.

 

“Come back to Katze.”

 

Katze sobbed in despair as his fingers slipped from around the light again.

 

“Come back Katze. Come back!”

 

“Go to him my child.”

 

The light Katze held twinkled in his hands, speaking to him.

 

“We will always be with you.”

 

“Who…?”

 

“You are our last.”

 

“Who are you…?”

 

The brilliance Katze tried so hard to hold onto broke apart, holding him up it sparkled around him, caressing his arms and face as it danced and swirled around him then shot towards the others. Katze screamed again as he plummeted again down into the ice cold abyss.

 

“Sweet child, we are with you.”

 

Unsurpassable loneliness crushed Katze's heart in and unyielding grip as the beauty of the stars disappeared.

 

Raoul held onto Katze tightly as his body's temperature dropped dangerously from scorching hot to ice cold. He had been already on his way out of the lab, late for the presentation in the lobby when he had gotten the call from Katze's underling, Alex. He would have ignored it if Katze name had not been mentioned. The conversation lasted no more then thirty seconds once he heard that Katze was in danger and hung up on him and turned on the GPS in Katze's pet tags. He had felt a moment of ease when he saw that Katze was at the apartment but when he arrived, seeing Niko unconscious on the floor he still acted calmly and cautiously until he stepped forward and saw his Katze only in his underwear with two strangers hovering over him, touching what was his.

 

Hearing Katze screaming had ripped away any rational thought from him and he attached but just when he was about to snap one of the men's neck his Elite upbringing kicked in whispering to his animal that raged within that dead men did not talk.

 

Struggling with the need to terminate any threat that could take his mate from him, Raoul in the end satisfied his need by breaking their arms and legs and left them in agony, delighting in their screams.

 

Now he held his treasured one in his arms as his redhead sobbed and stopped him as he tried to claw at his chest. Golden eyes glowed unnaturally as he stared, with unshed tears, unseeingly up at the ceiling.

 

“Alone…so alone…”

 

Raoul gathered his lover's body tightly to his. Katze shivered and his teeth chattered. “I'm here Katze. You're not alone. Come back to me.” Raoul repeated those words over and over again, rocking him in his arms.

 

“The…shot…give him the rest…give him the rest of the shot.”

 

Raoul growled a threatening rumble that came forth unconsciously at the intruder that was bleeding and gasping in pain on his expensive imported rug.

 

“He'll be…lost…must save…can't fail…death….must protect the blood line.”

 

Raoul bent down and picked up the half emptied syringe on the floor.

 

“Must trust…here to save…half breed…not ready for the full…rebirth.”

 

Raoul kissed Katze on the temple. The time he had to rush Katze to the hospital had already passed. Katze had stopped shivering, which was a bad sign, his breathing became hollow, he needed to act now. Sticking the needle in Katze's cold arm Raoul looked at the man on the floor next to his silent partner. “Death will be the least of both your problems if this harms him.” Pressing down on the syringe Raoul gave what was left on the shot then threw it down.

 

“Wake up Katze, I need you…wake up.”

 

 

oOoOoOo

 

 

 

“I love you Keito.”

 

“Not as much as I love you Keita.”

 

“No matter what happens we'll forever be together.”

 

“Forever.”

 

“Yeah, can you two cut it short? I have to get this fancy car back before the prostitutes we hired to distract the owner and driver are done fucking around.” Luke said looking at the twins through the rear view mirror. Luke sighed, glad that the car was darkly tinted and know one could see inside as the twins continued to stare at one another, hands held up and intertwined, their heads bowed, foreheads touching.

 

“Are you ready?”

 

“As ready as I'll ever be.” Fidget looked up and kissed his twin softly on the lips.

 

“Okay, now I know your just fucking with me by doing that.” Luke hissed rearranging his package as he got hard watching the twins kissing.

 

The twins snickered; spring green and corn flower blue eyes met his.

 

“Remember the plan Luke. Go straight back to the ship and after you start her up immediately turn on the devices. You'll need ten minutes to warm them up before taking off and then you'll have another ten to get here. Take any longer and we are dead.” Sky said, playful mood gone.

 

“I know. You three drilled it in my head to the point that everything else is gone. Now get out, there are people waiting behind me!”

 

Fidget and Sky looked at each other one last time before exhaling and squeezing each others hands then nodded to Luke that they were ready.

 

Getting out, Luke hurried to open the back passenger door for them.

 

“Bow to your betters' fucker,” Fidget whispered smiling as he twirled the end of his fake mustache.

 

“Asshole.” Luke whispered back as he bowed.

 

“Game faces Keita.” Sky scolded gently to his twin.

 

Luke chuckled then paled when Sky's contact corn flower blue eyes narrowed at him. Bowing lower Luke waited until they stepped away and walked off before closing the door and calmly getting back in the car. Making sure he obeyed every traffic law, even the stupid ones, Luke parked the vehicle back where he had stolen it and walked away.

 

Fidget and Sky strode confidently to the doors of Eos; other visitors were stopped at the door by security when the first doors chimed an alarm when their retina scans signaled to them that they were outsiders and directed to the hand scanners. But not them, the flying orbs did a quick scan of their eyes and were fooled into thinking that they were Elites and welcomed them as if they were.

 

Separating, Fidget went left while Sky took the right. Crowds were their friend and with the richness of how they were dressed they fit in with only the occasional glances of appreciation that raked their slim bodies and attractiveness.

 

Reaching the elevators Sky discreetly reached up and turned on the communication device he had created, that was disguised as an earring. “Destination reached.” Sky whispered smiling and nodding to a few Elites that walked by.

 

“Mine as well.”

 

Sky tried to be as inconspicuous as possible even talked to a few guests that came to watch the “Big Show”. They pissed him off with their snobbishness so he lifted their wallets, he wanted to take the jewelry they wore as well but he wasn't like V who could strip someone down of everything, even their underwear without them noticing.

 

Smiling Sky bowed gracefully and thanked them then excused him self. Pick pocketing honored guests of the Tanagura Elites in their home had his blood racing with adrenaline, but the real reason he ended his conversation with them, not only because it was boring and brainless spewing of words but because he finally saw a familiar face in the crowd. “Target assigned has been located. Going in.”

 

“Negative on mine. I see him but I am unable to extract him.”

 

Taking a flute of Champaign from a passing waiter Sky made his way closer to the enemy and his captive prey. Mingling with the crowd Sky walked up behind the pet and lightly touched him on the arm as he passed by him to gain his attention. Walking a little farther away Sky turned and smiled with a nod when the pet was still looking at him.

 

Raising his glass Sky saluted the little pet, holding his glaze, hoping that Violet had remembered to tell the boy that, that was his signal to him so that he could identify him from everyone else.

 

Jade's eyes widened at the attractive man that raised his glass to him. Remembering what he was to do if he saw someone did that to him, he ran his fingers threw his hair then tugged on his ear lob twice. When the man nodded discreetly at him Jade felt like sobbing in relief, he had worried that he wouldn't find anyone and would be left behind.

 

“Do you see anyone of interest?”

 

Quickly breaking eye contact with the person Riki's friend Violet had told him to keep his eyes peeled out for Jade smiled up at his master and shook his head. “No Master Jerico, I just didn't think there would be this many people here today.”

 

“Yes, the turn out for this was a little unexpected.”

 

Jade turned with his Onyx to the voice that spoke and paled. It was the Blondie he had encountered, the one that had striped him and examined him the day after this master had…done what he had to him.

 

“Sir Gideon Lagat, it is a pleasure to see you here and yes, I also found it surprising that this many people came to see this. I would not have thought it would be of great interest to anyone but Sir Orphe.”

 

“True…who is this with you?”

 

Jade looked up but quickly averted his eyes when he saw the Blondie gaze was fixed down at him.

 

“This? This is my pet Jade. Lovely creature isn't he?”

 

Jade tried not to flinch when the Onyx caressed his bare back.

 

“Jade?”

 

“Yes, my pet has very lovely eyes, they far surpass the gemstone don't you think?”

 

Jade's chin was grasped and forced up so that the Blondie could see his eyes which he used to beg the Blondie silently so please not say anything of their meeting of each other.

 

“You are correct they are lovely. Where is his pet ring? Or do you have something scandalous on him like his Excellency does on his pet?”

 

Jade blushed furiously as the Elites talked about him as if he weren't there and as did he had when the Blondie looked down his near naked body the other day, he could feel those pale turquoise eyes caressing where ever they went.

 

“Nothing of the sort, I had an ankle bracelet made for him. My Jade has very beautiful skin and I hate to distract its perfection with ornaments when it is a jewel by its self.”

 

“I have never seen him before. Have you just gotten him?”

 

“Not at all, I've had Jade in my household for three years now.”

 

“Really? That long? I would have thought that in that time I would have seen him in a performance or heard about him from another Elite. When was his last one?”

 

“My Jade is resting right now so he hasn't been in a performance in a few months.”

 

Gideon narrowed his eyes at the Onyx who only had eyes for his trembling pet. He wanted to interrogate him about the mistreatment he had witnessed with his own eyes the other day when he had forgotten himself and touched the pet.If Jade had not been harmed by another pet in a performance then the only other explanation was that his master did it to him and seeing that the damage had magically disappeared only met that he sought to hide it.

 

Bondage and other harmful sexual acts were not forbidden but it was now frowned upon and from the bite marks he had seen meant that the Elite was taking pleasure from the boy. “I very much like how this pet looks. Would you consider selling him to me?” Gideon watched testing the Onyx and was rewarded with the reaction he wanted.

 

The pets whimpered as the hand on his shoulder tightened painfully. “I have no plans to sell Jade, not now or in the near future. Jade, go to the pet area and wait for me.”

 

Jade bowed and turned, looking over his shoulder at the towering Blondie who glared at his master but thankful that it gave him the opening he needed to get to Violet's man.

 

“You are a cutely aren't you?”

 

Jade blushed when he got to the older boy. “Are you…?”

 

Corn flower blue eyes twinkled at him. “I am…don't worry we won't harm you. Go over to the bar and ask for a drink. Stay in sight of your owner but don't make eye contact with him, doing so might make him motion to you to come back to him. V has created something that will destroy the locking mechanism on your pet ring so we, my brother and I, can take it off once we leave.”

 

“Thank you.” Jade whispered as he walked to the bar as he was told, keeping his head down he couldn't help himself and peeked to where his master and the Blondie still stood. The talk they seemed to have became heated and pale turquoise eyes looked over at him making him freeze then sigh in relief when the Blondie took his master away to the direction of where all the other Blondes were sitting.

 

 

oOoOoOo

 

Lilly sat still on the pillow next to his Masters feet looking at everyone that passed him by. Lilly played with his pet ring on his left hand on his ring finger. Mikhale refused to let him out of his sight making him panic. He needed to get to the marker to meet with them; he could only hope that the person would find him from the picture Violet took of him a few hours ago.

 

The chain connected to the collar he wore yanked him back making him realize he had been inching off the pillow, away from the Blondie. Long fingers tangled into his long braided hair, forcing his head to rest on a strong thigh.

 

“Stay close to me Lilly.”

 

Lilly looked up at his Blondie's forbidding face and nodded. They, all the High ranking Blondes sat together at a sitting area that had been created just for them to lounge.

 

“Such open possessiveness Mikhale.”

 

Peeking up Lilly looked at the beautiful pale perfection of the Tanagura Syndicate Leader and the dark Mongrel beside him. Lilly inwardly gave a sigh of relief that Riki was with him.

 

“There's nothing wrong with that, right Aisha? After all he no doubt has the right to do so since he's laid claim to him first.”

 

“Did he? Or did he steal him from another because they didn't know what was a good thing and walked away only to come back when another showed interest?”

 

“Both of you stop your bickering.” Mikhale scolded. “You've been attacking one another since you got here and I'm tired of listening to it.”

 

“Problems?” Iason asked sitting down with Riki next to him.

 

“Riki tell me. Do you know all the Mongrels in Ceres?”

 

Lilly tensed when Sir Marcus spoke to Riki. He had understood every snide little remark he and Sir Aisha Rosen had said to one another and why they said them but he never would have thought that the Blondie, widely known for his hatred of his Excellency's pet, would speak to Riki. He could even see the surprised look on Riki's face when the Blondie asked him that question without sneering at him.

 

“At one point I did.” Riki said to the Blondie with an amused knowing look. “I haven't been back to Ceres in a long time.”

 

“But when you took that breather for a year, before coming back home, you must have reacquainted yourself with everyone and even took note of new faces.”

 

“True…”

 

“You would know if there are any Mongrels with light blue hair with the tips of their hair being silver would you?”

 

“He's not a Mongrel!”

 

“He is!”

 

Riki leaned back in the chair and shot Lilly a glance and pointedly looked as his wrist as if there was a watch around it. “We got lots of Mongrel's with light blue hair you have to be more specific.” Riki said to Marcus. “But if you want I can take a trip down there and ask around. What do you say Iason, care to let me go so I can help out your fellow Blondie?”

 

“I see you humor is back.” Iason smiled, happy to finally see Riki in a good mood. The tender moment they had before coming down had seemed to wipe that look from his eyes for the time being.

 

Riki laughed. “Wouldn't you? I got my most hated fan talking to me and not in that “disgusting bug” tone he normally uses. Shit, I need to circle this day on my calendar to mark the occasion.”

 

Putting his arm around Riki, Iason caressed his jaw line. “I also see it as you do.”

 

“It's not that amazing.” Marcus scoffed.

 

“What is not amazing?”

 

Riki looked at Violet as he walked up with Sir Orhe Zavi. Violet looked and bowed to all the Blondes before looking at him and then Lilly. Another Blondie and an Onyx were behind them and Riki narrowed his eyes at the hand the Blondie placed on V's shoulder, pulling him closer to his body to give the two Elites room to pass by so the could sit with them. Stupid V did more then just kiss the Blondie if Orphe was acting that way towards him Riki thought.

 

“Nothing important or even worth repeating.” Marcus huffed.

 

“Is this the brilliant Tech you been raving about Orphe?” Aisha asked standing and walked around the shorter man.

 

“Aisha.” Orphe warned the other Blondie in a low tone.

 

“Protective of your little Tech, are you Orphe?” Aisha grinned raising an eye brow but sat back down. His grin faded to a scowl when he looked at Marcus.

 

“His physical attributes are not what is on display here today so please refrain from ogling him.”

 

“Wow Orphe, you're really hard up on this dude aren't you. To think that you would go after a piece of ass like his, not that there's anything wrong with him, his freak'n hot to be sure but I would have thought your tastes ran to the more pale, wimpy and stupid, ” Riki viscously teased. “You get some of “that” yet?”

 

“If your asking if I have taken Lawrence as my sex partner then no I have not done so…yet.”

 

Strangely none of the Blondes gasped in outrage that their comrade uttered what they probably considered blasphemous words. Lilly looked around the group, from his Excellences amused approving look to Sir Marcus and Sir Aisha as they glared at one another then up to meet his Blondie's heated aqua eyes. His Blondie caressed his lower lip before he could turn away.

 

“Ho,ho Orphe!” Riki cheered and clapped. “Scandalous!” On the inside Riki felt like beating the crap out of Violet and knew the Mongrel also knew it as well which was why after the Blondie's little announcement he hadn't looked back at him. After what they planned to do Orphe the Blondie would soon be after Violet's head and not his ass.

 

“I'm just following the example of our esteemed leader.” Orphe said with a tilt of his head towards Iason.

 

Lilly felt sorry for the violet eyed Mongrel as the Blondes inspected him from head to toe, knowing the humiliation of always having others doing the same to him and even though Riki laughed and joked he could see the hard look in his eyes and knew the constant cutting remarks were to punish Violet forcing him to see what he had done by gaining the interest of a Tanagura Elite, the life he would be looking forward to by tasting a Blondie if they failed.

 

“Yeah well as much fun as I am hanging with all of you I want to get a drink.” Riki said lapping his knees before standing and walking up to V then turning to look at Lilly. “Come with me to get something Lilly.”

 

Lilly got to his knees but was forced back down with another yank from the chain.

 

“Lilly is staying here with me.”

 

Panicked Lilly looked up at Riki for help.

 

“Come on Mikhale, Sir Mikhale, I promise to look after him.” Riki said charmingly.

 

“Jackson?”

 

Everyone turned to the voice that called out.

 

“It is you! I want my money and jewels you stole you bastard!”

 

A man that clearly was not an Amoian shouted as he pointed accusingly at V.

 

“Do you know this person Lawrence?” Orphe asked.

 

“Don't listen to him, he's a thief! He charms his way in and then cleans you out of all your possessions! He may call himself “Lawrence” with you but with me he was Jackson and from what I found out he also called himself Shawn, Jeremy and Jacob! I have proof of all that I am saying!”

 

V laughed then grabbed Riki and ripped out a gun he had sneaked in and pressed it to Riki's head, backing away. “Play times over I see.”

 

“Fucking idiot!” Riki hissed as he stumbled back with V.

 

“BACK OFF NOW!” V shouted when the Blondes stood as one then pointed the gun to the guy that broke his cover and shot him without a shred of remorse. The man screamed then slumped to the floor. The crowed screamed in terror and ran to the front door to escape.

 

oOoOoOo

“Shit!” Fidget said throwing his drink to the side as he stepped out of the way of the panicked, terrified crowed that ran over each other to flee. Shoving his way to his twin Fidget grabbed Keito and the pet by the arm.

 

“Take him!” Sky yelled pushing his twin's and away and shoving the pet in his arms. “Take off the pet ring and get to the ship! Stay on the ship when you get on!”

 

“No! We need to stay together!” Fidget yelled but did as he was told and connected the device on the pet's ankle, a loud whine filled the air and with a snap the anklet fell off Jade.

 

Sky grabbed his twin and hugged him tightly. “I need you to be safe Keita! And if it all goes wrong I need you to get us out! GO NOW!” Sky pushed his twin away and ran to the doors the guards would be coming through and shot the locks, jamming the heavy doors so that they would have hopefully enough time to escape.

 

Sky looked and saw that his twin listened to him and was pushing his way with the pet to get out. Running to the other end Sky did to those doors the same as he did the others then proceeded to take out his own gun and take out unsuspecting guards that only had eyes for V who held Riki as his shield. So not what they had planned Sky thought.

 

 

oOoOoOo

 

“Everyone back the fuck up or I'll blow his head off!” V yelled. “Sit down pretty boy or do you want your boyfriend headless?” V threatened pointing the gun from Riki's head to the huge ice blue eyed Blondie that shot daggers at him. “I shot that guy with stun but what do you think will happen if I shoot sexy here at such a close range?”

 

“Lawrence, stop this, this instant!”

 

“Sorry boss man but that isn't going to happen. You see I've been planning this for a very long time and everything was going according to plan or at least everything would have if I didn't get fingered from the victim of a past job.”

 

“I'm going to fucking kick your ass if you don't loosen your grip from around my neck asshole.” Riki hissed.

 

“Sorry.” V whispered moving his arm to wrap around Riki's upper chest. “I want all of you Elites to back up closer to the back windows. Do it now!”

 

“Do as he says.” Iason said eyes locked on the supposed Technician and the gun that threatened his Mongrel. “You don't really think you'll be able to escape do you? Soon more guards will get in and you'll be captured. If you let him go now I'll be lenient with you.” Iason's lips curled up cruelly. “But if you don't…”

 

“Yeah, yeah you'll rip me a new one, like I've never heard that one before.”

 

“Stop now Lawrence before it's too late.” Orphe stepped forward and hissed.

 

“I was over the moment I got made by those chumps Orhpe, baby. There's no saving me now. I saw a way out and I took it.” Holding the gun back to Riki's head V reached into his pocket and pulled out the third controller he had told the Blondie he had destroyed. “You must already know why I have this in my hands.”

 

“Don't Lawrence.”

 

“Quiet Orphe, the man has already signed his death sentence; there is no saving him now.” Iason coldly said tracking the Tech's every movement.

 

V backed up with Riki cursing when the security guards in the room slowly began to close in on them. “Back up!”

 

“Yeah like the man said,”

 

V heaved a sigh of relief as he heard Sky's voice ring out as did shouts of denial. Swing the gun back to the where the Elites were and the two unfamiliar Blondes that stood up. “Shit you bastards just don't listen, do you? I said stay back!”

 

“Hi Marcus, hi Aisha!”

 

“Joshua!”

 

V shook his head as Sky waved in greeting to the Elites. “Fuck this whole thing has gone to the crapper.” Violet held the controller up in the air again. “Sorry but we have to go now.” V whispered and looked apologetically at the pet they had to leave behind. Pressing the button V activated the shields and shut off the alarms that rang out. “I think it would be best if we had a little separation between us.” V called out as something like glass came down from the ceiling.

 

Lilly's breathing became labored as he watched in panic as the shield came down. Wrapping his braid of hair around his fist he slowly unhooked the chain from his collar, hoping he planned it just right Lilly waited until the shield was almost to the ground then dug his feet into the carpet and dashed between Aisha and Marcus who were to busy arguing to stop him. Mikhale shouted his name, which was too close for comfort; he was too scared to look over his shoulder to see how close he was.

 

The shield was coming down faster now and Lilly dropped, sliding and then rolling the rest of the way. Lilly cried out in pain and grabbed his head when he tired to move, the shield came down on his hair he had let go when he dove to get under the shield, pinning him to the ground. “Riki!”

 

Distracted by watching the pets flight V never notice the guards getting closer; Sky held the guards to the left of them at bay had his hands full could only call out in warning. Tackled from behind the gun and controller flew from V's hands as he and Riki fell and he wrestled on the ground with the three guards.

 

“Riki lift the shield!”

 

Riki stood from where he fell. He looked behind him as Sky shouted out and more guards, which broke through the doors, rushed in and Sky started firing stun shots at them. Riki walked over calmly to where the gun lay and looked up into ice blue eyes. Lifting the gun Riki shot the three guards with electric pulse rounds sending them flying back, away from V, unconscious. While V caught his breath Riki shot another four more times at the last of the guards that came after Sky's unprotected back.

 

Keeping his head lowered, not wanting to see the look of betrayal on Iason's face Riki walked over to Violet and tossed him the gun then upholstered the knife on V's hip. “You ok man?” Riki asked V holding his hand out, helping him up.

 

“Shoulder's been dislocated but it's nothing a few pain killers can't cure and a couple knock out pills so I won't have to hear the teasing from Fidget about how I got taken down.”

 

Riki patted V on the back. “Go help Sky will ya? I'll go get Lilly.” Riki watched as V jogged over to Sky who in turn pointed and laughed at him then turned, still not looking at Iason, and went over to were Lilly lay stuck. “Sorry kid, no beauty parlor for you.” Holding the knife close to Lilly's head Riki started to saw the pet's hair off.

 

Lilly jerked forward once he was free and felt the back of his head. The hair in front was long but the back was so short that he couldn't really even run his fingers through the silky strands. A tap on glass had him looking up and paling, backing up as his Blondie stared at him holding the long braided rope of his hair. “Riki lets go.” Lilly whispered.

 

“Go to Sky, Lilly.” Riki said putting his hand on the shield wall staring sadly at Iason behind it. “Go on Lilly, I'll just be a minute.”

 

Taking another look at the furious Blondie Lilly backed up then turned and ran to the other two men.

 

“You were right Iason…I was hiding something big from you. Although it wasn't suppose to go down like this, we were just going to walk quietly away while Orphe showed everyone the new gizmos my boy hooked you up with. This,” Riki held up the small controller he also picked up along the way. “This was plan B. It was never suppose to come to all this,” Riki said again waving to the unconscious bodies lying on the marble floors.

 

“You won't get very far Riki.”

 

“Yeah…this time I will.” Riki reached into his back pocket and flipped something shinny into the air then caught it into his fist, after a few seconds he opened up his hand and held it up for Iason to see the pet ring on his palm. Jupiter had kept her word. After they had sex and he went to the bathroom to clean up the thing had loosened and fell off. “Looks like I had a guardian angel watching me.” Riki put the cock ring on the floor; with Guy gone Iason stopped putting the pet necklace on him so there was no need for V to waste time on him taking it off.

 

“Riki.”

 

Swallowing Riki rubbed his chest with his other hand. Closing his eyes he turned his back to his Blondie. “Good bye Iason.”

 

“There is no walking away from us Riki. You're mine and that will never change.”

 

Riki looked over his shoulder. “Yeah, I know that…I know that.” Riki ignored Iason when he called out to him, steeling his spine, closing his heart, as he walked away.

 

“Got Lilly's ring off now all we need to go is leave.” V panted in pain, holding his arm to his chest.

 

The lobby echoed with thunder and the four of them snapped their heads to the western side.

 

“Shit they are coming through, run.” V grabbed Riki's arm and forced him to run, just as Sky did with Lilly.

 

“Luke is here, we just need to get outside.” Sky ripped his coat and dress shirt off revealing a metal vest.

 

Outside Sky wrapped his arms around Lilly and jumped up making the pet hold him up as he also wrapped his legs around him. “Not trying to get fresh with you…I need to hold onto you tight so you're taken with me.” Sky said smiling.

 

Riki looked at V and raised his brow. “Looks like you will be playing bottom.”

 

“With this bum arm it's you that will have to hold onto me.” V grinned as he winched taking his shit off.

 

“Not unless you want that other arm fucked up.” Riki said wrapping his arms around Violets waist. “Oh and if you think your off the hook with what happened in there your sadly mistaken.”

 

“Damn it! Cut me some slack will you? We got out didn't we?”

 

Rain pelted down on them soaking them. “What the hell are we waiting for?” Lilly asked nervously looking at the doors that would at any moment burst open.

 

“For that.” Sky smiled pointing up into the air.

 

“I don't see anything.” Riki shouted as the sky exploded in thunder and lighting flashed across the heavens.

 

“I know!” V shouted as the thunder grew louder and a light flashed down upon him from seemingly nowhere.

 

Large disks were lowered on cables and if V didn't wrap his legs around his waist he would have been left on the ground as V flew up, his back connecting to the disks and all of them were pulled up. Riki looked up in wonder then turned to Sky whose eyes were shining with pride. “You fucking made a ship some how invisible!?” Riki shouted.

 

“Building a stealth machine was boring!” Sky shouted back.

 

“Yeah, fucker can build all these high tech gadgets but put him in front of an engine and he becomes stupid!” V yelled.

 

Fidget was waiting for them and closed the hatch under them. “Hit it Luke, get us out of here!” Fidget said in the intercom then ran to his twin and hugged him and Lilly as well since Sky still held onto him. “Baka…baka, baka.”

 

Sky hugged his twin back. “Everything is alright now Keita. I'm sorry that I forced you to board the ship with the little pet but I have better aim then you do and if it came to firing, which it did, I would be the one that V would need more…Sorry Keita.”

 

“Awweee, lovely fucking story but can you punk asses come to the cockpit now? We got some major fucking problems and we are about to approach the fleet that Jade here knows is orbiting the planet. Cloak is failing and if this tin can gets hit we are dead.” Luke's voice rang out from the intercom.

 

Rushing to the cockpit Riki shoved Luke out of the captain's chair and took control of the ship. Alarms and red light flashed and were blaring. “SHUT THAT SHIT OFF!” Riki yelled as he maneuvered the ship into space and to the new threat that awaited them.

 

“What's happening?” Jade asked from on of the navigator chairs by Riki.

 

“Buckle up everyone.” V said and he took the chair next to Jade and struggled to lock the straps across his chest.

 

“I was afraid this might happen which was why I told Luke that the timing had to be exact.” Sky said as he looked at the ships systems. “I haven't gotten all the bugs out of the cloaking device yet. It'll fade in three-make it two minutes.”

 

The ship rocked and another alarm sounded.

 

“What the hell was that?” Luke yelled.

 

“The cloak is hooked up in the engine room and just went off line. The strain of it being connected to the engine must have overheated or something and exploded.” V said hitting buttons at his station.

 

“Where is the engine room?” Lilly asked unlocking his chest harness and getting up.

 

“Why?”

 

Lilly grabbed the man that had been flying the ship. “Just take me to it now!” Pulling him to the doors Lilly shoved him in front of him and made him run and show him the way.

 

“They see us Riki.” Fidget said gripping the arms of his seat.

 

“You know what your doing Riki?” V asked nervously as the ships in front of them got bigger as they got closer.

 

“Please I've ridden bicycles more complicated then this.” For once Riki was happy about the training he had gotten in the past from Katze and the Black Market. The ship was ancient compared to the shit he had to fly around in.

 

“They are hailing us Riki.” Fidget said turning to him, wanting to know what to do.

 

“Riki I'm in the engine room now. The damage isn't severe. I can repair it but you'll need to give me time, maybe five minutes.” Lilly's breathless voice rang out from the intercom.

 

“Holy shit…they teach mechanical engineering in those pet academies?” V asked.

 

Riki was amazed as well. Hitting a button on the captain's chair Riki opened up a line to Lilly. “Fix it and quickly, I'll try to give you the time that you need.” Riki said looking at Jade when he said it. Closing the channel Riki nodded to Jade even as the pet shook his head at him. “I need you Jade. I'm going to open a line and I want you to “talk” to them.”

 

“It's not that easy Riki.” Jade looked at the curious faces around them. “They could fall under me.”

 

“I don't know about under you but I'm willing to fall over you.” Fidget said with a wink making Jade blush.

 

“Not now dumb ass.” V muttered.

 

“We get boarded and it's all over Jade. You'll end up back with your Elite.”

 

“I know that,” Jade whispered. “But I'm sacred.”

 

“Look I don't know what the hell you two are talking about but if whatever it is you can do saves us then do it cuz I like my head on my neck.” V said.

 

“If you're scared that we'll think you're a freak, then join the club baby.” Fidget said grinning. “All of us are freaks in some way.”

 

“Yeah like Sly Sky our friendly neighborhood closet dom.” V whispered to Jade making the young pet's eyes widen and cheeks to flare bright red in understanding.

 

“Careful Violet or you'll find yourself gagged, in handcuffs, with Keito standing over you.” Fidget warned V.

 

“Quite all of you! Jade we need you to do this there is no other option, scared or not.” Riki nodded to Sky. “Open a channel.”

 

“This is Captain Anderson of the Amoi fleet. By order of his Excellency Iason Mink you are ordered to land you ship back on the planet.”

 

“We have something to say to you first.” Riki nodded to Jade who took a beep breath.

 

oOoOoOo

 

“Captain I order you to open a channel to every ship and connect us to them.”

 

“Copy that, opening a channel.”

 

“What the hell is that?”

 

“It's all right Fidget just hang on.”

 

“Channels are open for you.”

 

“This is…ahh…”

 

“You don't have to say your name just tell them.”

 

“Sorry. Captain I want you to and everyone else to break formation and give us space to get by.”

 

“We're already in space, what we need is for them not to fire on us.”

 

“Shut up V. But what he said is true Jade, tell them not to fire.”

 

“Engine and jump capabilities are fixed!”

 

“Sky, hit the damn button and get us the hell out of here. Lilly, Luke, strap your selves down.”

 

Jupiter opened her eyes and looked up to the sky from the rooftop of Jupiter Tower when the connection to Riki broke. The nanomites she had her servant inject Riki with, when traveling at the speed Riki was going, she could not maintain contact with them. Jupiter smiled, she would have to withdraw again and let her children take over because she would need all the energy she had and might even need to borrow from every city on Amoi to continue to watch Riki and his crew.

 

Jupiter left the roof top and reformed in her sanctuary. Riki's offspring was special as she had thought but what he had was something he should not be. “Bring me the scientists that took part in the success of the male child of Riki's.” Jupiter said to on of her servants.

 

“Absolutely know one is to disturb me for any reason, not even my golden one.” Jupiter said to another plain android. “I will need all my strength following the black haired one until I see that it is time to bring him home.”

 

“Yes Jupiter.”

 

Lying up in the air as if she were on a bed Jupiter began the slow process of pulling all her feelers, tentacles, from every corner or Amoi. “Enjoy your freedom while it lasts Riki.”

 

TBC……