Ai No Kusabi Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Caged ❯ Chapter 30 ( Chapter 30 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Ai No Kusabi nor do I make any money from this fanfic. But I do own all the original peeps that I've chosen to invade the AnK world.
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: Iason/Riki, Raoul/Katze, Original characters and novel character pairings.
Parts: 30 of ?

 

Edited by the lovely Scarlet Tigress

 

~~**Forever Caged**~~

Iason sat in the silent darkness of his office, smoking a rare cigarette. The light from the laptop highlighted his features, giving his face a stark and frightening cast. He stared at the cell phone on his desk, deep in thought.

 

Nothing was more important at the moment than the information Katze had given him, but he found that he still could not concentrate. He had not been able to focus now for almost two days… ever since receiving the call that had to have been Riki. The one sided conversation had lasted only a few seconds, but Iason knew it was him. Only a selected few individuals had his private number, and the fact that he had not been able to track the call back to the original caller confirmed that it had to have been his missing pet.

 

Before that brief call, he had at least been able to review the information Katze had cleverly gathered. His ex-furniture had managed to integrate the facts with the information recovered from his hacking expertly, as he knew he would have. Even if he hadn't seen it put so blatantly before him, Iason already knew that his creator had something to do with Riki's sudden need to leave him. Still…his clever little mongrel never ceased to amaze him with the unpredictable way his mind worked. The successful, if not roughly executed, escape had actually been quite brilliant once he had calmed down enough to think about it.

 

Jupiter's part in Riki's departure from Amoi, and the planet's protected space, had been cemented in his mind from the very beginning. The fact that she refused to receive him only confirmed it in his mind. Iason took another drag from his cigarette.

 

The day that Katze truly awoke and gave him the disk, the same day Riki called, something unprecedented had occurred in Eos. Something which made Iason very uncomfortable: That night Jupiter came down from her sanctuary, making a public announcement to everyone in Eos. She proclaimed that Sir Orphe Zavi had planned the whole commotion with Riki's mongrel violet eyed friend from the start. The AI assured the public that it had been orchestrated by Orphe and that the whole fiasco had been a performance, cast with professional actors, for their entertainment.

 

Those few words of praise from Jupiter had cleared Orphe's name in seconds and with the security director's exoneration came the endless calls from Orphe, Aisha, Marcus and all the others. Their creator wasn't a particularly benevolent ruler. For her to go out of her way, publicly, to silence the rumors that had been circulating of Orphe's failure had all of the Blondes demanding an explanation.

 

Jupiter's surprise speech has the Seven in an uproar, Iason thought as he tapped the ash from his cigarette into the glass ashtray on his desk. The discussion Iason had had with the rest of the Blondes in his home had left them all uneasy and filled with the possibility that their creator had betrayed them. Iason suggested that Jupiter had, in some way, taken part in the mongrels' dramatic escape… making the seven look like utter fools. After the VIP attendees all watched as a group of mongrel slum rats out-smarted the most powerful men on the planet, the swarm of rumors threatened them all. The vicious worm of doubt that Iason had purposely planted that night to gain their support was germinating and the AI's recent actions only strengthened it.

 

Leaning his head back on his chair, Iason brought the cigarette to his lips again and inhaled, watching as the blue-gray smoke curled above his head. He squinted as his ice blue eyes burned from the cloud. Iason smiled as he thought about what Riki would say to him if he could see him as he was at the moment. His attire rumpled, his shirt unbuttoned…smoking.

 

Tired Iason looked at the monitor. A Few strokes on the keyboard brought up the date that Jupiter had been suspiciously gone, the same day Guy attacked Eos. The data map showed that she had been deep under Jupiter Tower. “What do you have hidden there?” Iason whispered as he exhaled.

 

He hadn't ignored Jupiter's energy signals that had confirmed that she had been on his balcony and in his home. The first dated meeting she had with Riki had been the beginning of that pain filled look he had seen in his pet's eyes. The look he had mistakenly attributed to Guy's death and what Riki had done to protect himself.

 

A knock on the door interrupted Iason's regretful thoughts. “What is it?”

 

“Master? Sir Gideon is here to speak to you, as is Sir Raoul.”

 

“I'll be there in a minute.” Iason crushed his cigarette in the ashtray and closed the laptop. Standing slowly, Iason sighed tiredly as he straightened his clothing, smoothing his hair back as he exited his office. He donned his glacier mask as he walked out to his living room and met the pale turquoise eyes of Sir Gideon Lagat.

 

“Forgive me, Sir Iason, for coming without making a proper appointment with you first.”

 

Iason waved away Gideon's apology and motioned for him to sit. Nodding to Raoul in greeting, since his friend had already made himself comfortable, Iason sat down across from both of them. “What brings you here Gideon?”

 

“I have a lead that might prove fruitful in locating Riki. A merchant captain requested leave to land here in order to refuel and spoke of a planet called Hilio.”

 

Iason nodded, recognizing which planet Gideon spoke of. The corners of his mouth tightened. The world consisted almost exclusively of females. Their planet was rich in minerals and Amoi usually had a tedious business relationship with them, due to their distrust in the opposite sex.

 

“The merchant told me a tale of how a small group of males snuck their way into the queen's market, disguised as females, only three days ago.”

 

“Seeing that this tale is circulating means that this band of males on Hilio was caught, doesn't it?” Raoul asked accepting the drink Iason's Furniture offered him.

 

Iason knew better. If it really were Riki and his friends, he was sure they got away, but he still allowed himself a quiet chuckle. He had disregarded the insignificant, small female planet because he had believed Riki wouldn't take the chance of landing there. The arrival of males, whether babes or the elderly, never went unnoticed or unmentioned on Hilio. Never had he thought that his mongrel would lower himself to the point of cross-dressing. Again Iason marveled at the clever workings of Riki's mind.

 

“No they were not…”

 

Iason narrowed his eyes as Gideon averted his gaze from the glacial look. Gideon was not one to lower his eyes to anyone, not even him. “Continue Gideon.”

 

“The merchant and his crew confirmed this story… that the males were discovered due to their rambunctious actions at a local whorehouse.”

 

Iason's hands gripped the arms of the chair. “Did they say who exactly it was?”

 

“They did not, but it was said that five people were seen running from the establishment.”

 

“Iason…it does not mean that Riki-“

 

“Contact the queen and request an audience with her. If she refuses, make it clear that I, personally, will be greatly disappointed.” Iason said darkly, interrupting Raoul as he tried to reassure him.

 

“I have already taken it upon myself to do so.” Gideon said standing up. “I request permission to journey to Hilio and speak to the queen myself so that anything said will not be misinterpreted.”

 

“Go.” Iason watched as Gideon bowed and left before turning back to his old friend. Raoul was staring at him. “Raoul?”

 

“I'm concerned for you Iason. Your duties have tripled now that Jupiter has withdrawn from all of us and with Riki gone…You know you have us to help lighten the burden Iason.”

 

“And when need arises, I will use you.” Iason calmly said. “I am fully capable of handling my added duties Raoul.”

Raoul let the subject drop. No matter what he said, Iason would never admit that the added weight upon his shoulders was more then he could handle. Even with the added the duties that Sir Gideon would leave to Iason while away on Hilio, Iason insist on performing all the tasks by himself. Even though they were created as equals, Raoul had to wonder if Jupiter added just a little more when designing Iason. The capabilities the Blondie showed were above and beyond what the rest of them could do, making it seem as if their creator build Iason out of a finer stock then the rest of them. Still, Raoul was not envious. Hardly. To watch Iason do what he did best was an inspiring thing to behold and Raoul took pride in his friend's abilities. It was no wonder Iason was their leader. Actually Ruler would be a more accurate title now, with Jupiter withdrawing from their lives. Iason's roll had lifted since the AI's absence, hence the reason for his concern. But all Raoul could do was stand firm next to him and give him his support.

“How is Katze?”

Not expecting the sudden shift in conversation, especially considering whom he had come to speak about, Raoul was startled. The elite had to be prompted again by Iason to answer the question.

“He is well, resting at the moment. I kept him up late these past two days I'm afraid and even though he has been asleep his body still needed proper rest…that I did not allow him to have.” Raoul replied with a smirk.

“I'm happy for you Raoul.” Iason said sincerely. “Be sure to protect him.”

Uncomfortable talking about Katze and the joy he felt in his company, while Iason was without the comfort of his pet by his side, Raoul smoothly turned the topic of the conversation to other mundane Syndicate affairs. Raoul wanted to shift Iason's mind back to business before his friend brought Katze back into their discussions. Still, Iason never did anything without having a reason. Raoul's eyes hardened in understanding “You have heard something from that underling of Katze's haven't you? Has he been able to break into any more files?”

Iason nodded. “He has. Alex finally broke into a file under the subject heading of Ura'zen. It seems our guests now awaiting their fate in the detention cells weren't lying… but they didn't exactly tell us the truth either.”

“And what did they happen to forget to mention?”

“It seems that they didn't just have a “hunch” as they tried to convince us. From what I read they have been trying to get closer to Katze since he was first brought to Eos as your pet. There is even a section debasing you for your “Lack of trust in the Medical staff in Eos clinic” your “Nitpicking” and “Paranoia” and how it hampered their research.”

Raoul's mind darkened in anger. “They dared to touch him in such a way.”

“Hmm…it also seems that the blood taken from Katze was not used as they said it would be. The vials taken were switched. Healthy blood from another source was given so as not to draw attention from the Elite doctors that were attending him.” Iason nodded in satisfaction when understanding dawned upon his friend.

“Jupiter was very adamant in her demands that Katze be tested…” Raoul said almost hesitantly.

“As she was with Riki, the day she informed me and the rest of The Seven when she approved of my keeping Riki permanently as my pet.” Iason said almost nonchalantly even while his ice blue eyes blazed with unspoken rage.

“What you're suggesting is dangerous Iason.” Raoul said. Even with their close friendship, Iason had always been a closed book. An Elite amongst Elites and even as that perfect face showed not one ounce of emotion, Raoul could see the tremors that shook his friend's powerful body. The need to act that was forced down. The need for vengeance.

“There is no proof that Jupiter-“

“Isn't there? You were not there that night, Raoul. You did not see what the rest of us did, so how can you really say? I have already discussed this with the others. It is just you that needs to understand who our enemy is now.”

Raoul had nothing to say. Iason was right, he had not been there so he could not speak…but he could caution. “If you pursue this…There will be no going back Iason. Jupiter's word is law and if - no, when she discovers your blatant act of treachery…” Raoul tried to reason with Iason. “There will be no going back. If she doesn't cleanse your mind then she will strip you of your rank and possibly have you executed, to be set as an example to the rest of us, The Seven, of what will happen if we entertain thoughts of rebelling against her.”

Iason fixed Raoul in his steel glaze. “Then you're alright with Jupiter using Katze? Stealing his essence from him as she did with my Riki?”

Raoul stiffened.

“If you say that there is no evidence, think of everything that we have discovered so far as well as what Eos has been through, and tell me you can not see the path she has carved…leading back to her.” Iason continued to hold Raoul's emerald eyes with his. “Will you continue to deny the truth that is staring back at you? Or will you support me?”

Lowering his eyes from that penetrating glare Raoul did indeed recount every detail of their findings with precision. It was damning. The impossible accomplishments and situations that no mere human could ever do on their own, Jupiter had to have been behind it. Her eyes and ears were everywhere. There was too much involved to say that she wasn't.

“Failure is not something I'm familiar with Raoul.” Iason pushed. “But I will admit that I can not do this without all of your help.”

The image of his fiery redhead lying in his arms, safe, Raoul slowly nodded his head. “What do you need of me?”

Curving his lips upward, without any humor at all, Iason smiled in satisfaction. “The disk Katze gave me showed me that on the day Guy came here and harmed Riki, Jupiter had been under Jupiter Tower in what could be the base of operations for the thieves that have been conducting these experiments on what is ours. The location of where the entrance may be located, however, is still a mystery as is how they are able to enter Eos without detection.”

“What do you need from me?” Raoul asked again.

“I need you to get the original blue prints from a certain Blondie in the Architecture department, while I pay a visit to Sir Mikhale Tain.”

“Mikhale? Why?” Again Raoul watched as Iason rested his chin on his interlaced fingers.

“His lack of reaction to the fact that Jupiter could be behind this whole affair with Riki is...interesting to me.” Iason uncrossed his long legs and stood. “Once you get the architectural and mechanical drawings, please call me.”

Standing the moment Iason did, Raoul inclined his head in farewell. It was only until he was outside and on his way to the elevator did Raoul remember who was in charge of the Architecture department, and which Blonde Iason wanted him to speak to. Raoul groaned.

oOoOoOo

 

Riki pulled the collar of his leather jacket up to try and block the blistering frigid winds of the planet they landed on. The cursed place was so cold that the puffs of white stream from his breath practically blinded him.

 

Standing at the lowered ramp at the back of their ship Riki scanned the area, as well as openly studying the hard asses that stared back at him. Riki smirked at the dirty looks he got and shoved his freezing, naked hands in the pocket of his jeans. Riki tipped his head congenially, trying to look as if the cold didn't bother him to the gathering crowd that had stopped to stare at him.

 

The shipping dock was a run down trash heap. The dirty slag heap was quite a contrast to the beautiful sunset, which lit the skies with an array of soft pinks and vibrant oranges. There were no welcome parties. No gifts of appreciation for deciding to stop at their world like there had been at the last one. Only sneers and lewd gestures from blackened teethed dock workers greeted them. The stench made him want to cover his nose it was so bad.

 

“Ahhh…smells and looks like home doesn't it?”

 

Riki gave Luke, who appeared at his side, a half smile and chuckled. “Yeah it does kinda look like Ceres, doesn't it?”

 

“Home sweet home.” Luke said giving their on lookers a toothy grin and saluting them with his mug of steaming hot coffee.

 

Riki threw his head back and laughed when their audience threw a frozen chunk of dirt at Luke or at least he hoped it was only dirt.

 

“Hey! Don't piss off the natives, dumb ass, that's all we need is for them to try and get back at us by stealing our ship.” V said smacking Luke up side the head.

 

“Ow! My coffee dickhead! You made me spill it all over my hand!”

 

“What's sad is that this piece of shit is the best looking thing at this dock.” Riki said motioning with his chin to the other four ships by them.

 

“All the more reason not to screw around with the inbreeds here.” V said with a shiver. “Fuck it's cold.”

 

“…They won't be a problem.”

 

Riki looked behind him to see Sky bundled up, walking down the ramp towards them. “You got some bug repellent for the pests buzzing around here?”

 

“Yup…Something like that. I have been tinkering around with something and it might prove to be useful here.” Sky said softly, holding his gloved hand out to show what looked like insanely expensive diamond studs. Sky gestured for Riki and V to take one.

 

“What is this suppose to do?” V asked turning the earring around in his hands before putting it on.

 

“…It's your immunity from the defensive shield I had been secretly working on when we had nothing to do on Amoi…That.” Sky said pointing to the earring. “It's a transmitter crystal. Wear it always while the shield is on.”

 

“Or else?” Riki asked as he flipped his hair back, putting on the stub.

 

“…Or you'll feel a little tingle as 50mA of electricity course through your body.” Sky said with a gentle smile.

 

“Little tingle huh?” Riki chuckled. “50mA will kill you.”

 

“…Not really. It just depends a person's physical makeup.”

 

Riki looked back at the crowd that stared at them. “I don't see any healthy specimens out there.”

 

“…Do you want me to lower the milliamps on the shield? I can lower it by two or three thousand and we should still be fine…” Sky said disheartened.

 

“Ah…Yeah.” Luke said. “Who the hell do you think will have to get rid of the bodies? You lazy asses? Please.” Luke huffed. “And where is mine?”

 

“You're not leaving the ship so you don't need one.” Riki said pulling his coat tighter around his body.

 

“Waaa!”

 

“…I have others Luke. I made lots of extras after we left Amoi hoping that an opportunity would arise and we could use it.” Sky said with a happy smile.

 

“My Keito's wicked smart, isn't he?” Fidget said popping up from behind his twin, flashing everyone the sparkling bling on his own ear.

 

“…Just remember…If anyone's not wearing one of the crystal studs and comes within three feet of the ship…”

 

“ZAP!” Fidget shouted, jumping up and down, howling in excitement.

 

Riki watched Fidget run around excitedly for a minute before turning to look back at Sky. “Stop feeding your brother so much sugar so late in the day.”

 

“Umm…I don't like denying Keita…He was deprived as a child…”

 

“We were all deprived as brats!” V said throwing his hands up in the air. “You're the reason why the little fucker thinks he can get away with whatever the hell he wants. Tell him Riki!”

 

Riki smiled and slowly shook his head. He more than anyone knew why Sky spoiled his twin. When they first met there, hadn't been anything special about the boys, just another grim, ghostly face amongst many in Guardian. Not even the fact that the twins were the only ones who had a true blood brother had made them interesting to him, but the more he hung out with them the more they changed. Fidget had been a sickly little runt, always stuck in the infirmary with some kind of ailment and always the first to get picked on and bullied. Sky had always been beside him, protecting him.

 

That's when his obsession with making weapons was born, Riki thought looking up at the darkening sky and heavy storm clouds rolling in. Guardian wasn't a happy little playground filled with sunshine and lollipops. Guardian was a place that weeded out the weak from the strong before tossing them out to the predators in Ceres. Sky's crude attempts at weapons helped Guy, him and V stay alive so many times.

 

Sky's fists sometimes hadn't been enough to keep the stronger, crueler, kids from picking on his twin and that's where Fidget's ability to escape came from. Having to run and hide everyday or risk broken bones if not worse. Luckily the more time Riki spent with the sickly little Fidget, teaching him how to fight and defend himself, when the twins were being punished by being separated for weeks at a time. The kid got his ass beat a lot while Sky was away. The only way to teach someone was to throw them in the pit and make them find their own way out and astonishingly enough those throw downs made the punk stronger. Fidgets consistent stops to the infirmary ceased. Bed ridden most of his childhood he loved the fact that he could run around…he just never stopped now.

 

The older the twins got the more the adults tried to keep them apart. Sky was always taken away to be given special lessons. Lessons that Riki now knew were for Sky's compatibility in what was considered Furniture like qualities. Lovely to look upon, quiet, gentle, smart, the fact that he got into fights was blamed on Fidget. Funny thing was that Sky's temper was a frightening thing to see. Something the staff at Guardian never saw. His fuse was long but once it burned down to the end… it was difficult to imagine that the pretty, sweetly smiling face looking down on you as he was kicking the crap out of you, and liking it, was the same person. That was also when the twins started switching places. Their fear of why “they” were testing Sky forced them to do it. It had become Fidget's turn to protect his brother.

 

It worked. They couldn't tell the twins apart. The boys had learned long ago how to act like the other. Fidget wasn't stupid, his smarts were just different than his brother's, but when he started failing his brother's tests that Sky would have normally aced they'd beat him and sent him to solitary confinement. Sky never stopped trying to repay his twin for doing that for him.

 

“Get back here you little shit!”

 

Riki smiled as he watched V chasing after Fidget, who ran in circles around the group, waving the hat he snatched from V's head. Violet knew all about the twins and what they went through. Only difference was that he didn't want Fidget to rely so much on his twin, just in case something happened to Sky. As dangerously as they lived their lives the possibility that something could happen…well as the twins said before “There can't be one without the other”.

 

Violet's way of thinking was in agreement to his, but Riki wasn't going to verbally agree with him. Not in front of the twins. Sky and Fidget knew what they were doing and had long ago, in Guardian, discovered that without one the other couldn't go on. They were happy the way they were and happiness for a slum mongrel was hard to find.

 

V, on the other hand, refused to believe that they would leave him should something like that happen. Hell V had it just as bad growing up as they all did. He was tall and muscular and an enemy no one would want, but back then lovely litt'l Violet had been a short skinny runt, so pretty with those eyes and hair that almost everyday Riki or an adult had to rescue him from some perverted older kid after his ass. More often than not V was locked up by the caregivers just so they didn't have to deal with him and the trouble his good looks caused. Maybe that was why he could pick any lock there was. The hatred of being tossed in a dark room with no way to get out had taken its toll on his friend. The need to be free had forced V into teaching himself how to get out of any place with a lock on it. Need a way to break in or out of something? Then all you needed to do was call V.

 

“Hey Riki!”

 

Riki blinked and swatted the hand that V waved in front of his face. V's amethyst eyes twinkled in good humor. His handsome face split in a wide grin as he managed to keep Fidget's struggling body from getting out of the headlock he had him in.

 

“Looked like you had slipped away from us the way your eyes glazed over. Were ya flash back'n or sometin? What were ya think'n about?”

 

Riki shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing worth mentioning.”

 

“…Well we are already to go whenever you are.” Sky said butting the back of V's leg, making the mongrel lose his balance and his hold on Fidget.

 

“Where are we going?” Jade asked.

 

Riki turned, while blowing into his hands to warm them as he looked at the two young pets that had just showed up. “You're not coming this time Jade. This place isn't for someone tender hearted, like you.” Riki added after seeing Jade's chest fallen look.

 

“Oh, ho! Daddy is so protective!” Fidget said running up and giving Jade a hug, lifting the poor boy of the ground.

 

“Don't worry kid we'll get you a souvenir.” V said mussing up Jade's hair.

 

“Wait…So I'm stuck baby-sitting?” Luke `tsked'. “Shit. This is the second time I've had to stay back.”

 

“If we took you with us, we could be sure that we'd get chased out of town after they saw your ugly mug.” Fidget teased then whipped up his fists when Luke made a threatening move towards him. Luke backed off only to see Fidget grinning and make faces at him from behind his twin's back when, as usual, Sky stepped in between them.

 

“Knock it off already.” Riki said before turning to the silent Lilly. “So what? You find the shop you needed?”

 

Lilly nodded. “I found two actually. It's farther in the city so it might be an hour or two tops to search both places to see if they got what we need.”

 

“I'm going with Lilly!” Chirped V and Fidget.

 

“No.” Riki said firmly, angrily. “You honestly think I'd let you punks go off with him again?” Riki asked ignoring Lilly's embarrassed, flushed face. “Hell no. Sky you're with Lilly. The both of you are with me while we do some…sight seeing.” Riki said meaningfully not wanting to straight out and say that they'd be scoring the streets looking for targets and relieving the natives of their wallets so that they could replenish their funds. Fueling crystals weren't cheap. They left that one planet Fidget called “Femland” so fast that half the stuff they bought, such as the fuel, never got delivered to the ship. They weren't low on the crystals now but who knows what could happen. Pays to be prepared.

 

“I really can't go?” Jade asked sadly. “I can be of help to you. I won't get in the way.”

 

“I know you can kid, but not this time.” Riki said gently. “You touch him Luke and I'll rip your balls off.”

 

“Like I'd touch him!” Luke said.

 

“Damn… why don't you just say out right that you think the kids nasty look'n.” V said giving Luke a disgusted look.

 

“That's not-“

 

“And while you're at it, you might just go ahead and say you think the kid's ass looks fat in those jeans.” Fidget said copying V's look of distaste.

 

“I wasn't-“

 

“How horrible of you Luke…I didn't think you could be so cruel…” Sky said softly shaking his head in disappointment.

 

“Screw you guys!” Luke shouted spinning on his heel and stomping up the ramp and into the ship.

 

The group laughed as Luke stormed off, continuing to poke fun at him even though he was know longer around.

 

“Alright, alright fun's over. Settle down.” Riki yelled to be heard over the laughter and ribbing. “Sun's almost down and I don't wanna be on the streets too long. Doesn't matter how much like home this place resembles. We are at a disadvantage by not knowing our way around. We get our shit and we get off world.”

 

“Wait…Before we go put these on.” Sky said digging into his coat pocket and handling out more jewelry. Another earring but this time a delicate silver chain dangled from the stud that was attached to another clip like piercing.

 

“What's this?” Riki asked, catching it when Sky threw it at him.

 

“Communicators…So we can keep in contact with one another…A lovely little item that I…ahh…acquired when we were on Hilio.”

 

“Hilio?” Fidget asked.

 

“Femland.” V whispered.

 

“Ohhh.”

 

Sky cleared his throat and frowned slightly at his twin's interruption, who smiled sheepishly back at him. “I thought it would come in handy just in case we had to split up again.…I've changed the design just a little. The bottom part isn't truly a piercing. You just have to press it together so that it will securely stay on your lower lip. Press on the gem and it will turn on and the clip is your microphone”

 

“It wouldn't matter even if the lip part were fake.” V said. “Some of us have more designer holes then others.” Removing the transmitter to a piercing higher up on his left ear, V put the communicator on and attached the other end to his lip. The delicate chain hung almost wickedly on his cheek.

 

“How many punctures do you have?” Riki asked curiously, as he put his on his other ear.

 

V shrugged. “Not that many. Six total on the ears. My tongue. Belly button…Nipples.”

 

Riki raised his brows. “What are you? A masochist? Why haven't we seen any of that on you?”

 

“Oh I've had um on. You just couldn't see them on account that I was wearing clothes and I haven't been wearing any of my earrings or my tongue ring, because I tend to forget about them when I have them on. Not knowing if we would be stopping at whatever planet we cross… I thought it best to keep them off. Attracts too much attention.” V said giving Riki a charming grin.

 

“Oh boy, you should have seen the squeals he got when he flashed his nipples at the whorehou-“ Fidget grunted when his twin elbowed him in the gut to shut him up.

 

Reminded of the boys screw up, Riki scowled at Lilly. “Get back on the ship, Jade.” Watching as the kid did as he told him, Riki turned and started towards the city.

 

As Riki made his way to the crowd of dockworkers blocking his way, one overly brave slob grabbed his arm as he tried to pass him by, stopping him.

 

“Well, well ern't you a purdy thin.”

 

Riki curled his lip at the smell that radiated off the man.

 

“Howz `bout youz an I get betta acquainted? Cuz I sure wants ta get realz close to ya.”

 

“Oh, bad move old man.”

 

“This is going to be fun.”

 

Looking up slowly from the dirty paw on his arm to the man's pock scared face, Riki smiled at V and Fidget's whispered remarks behind him. A smile that had the grimy stranger nervously licking his lips as his grin dimmed. He looked into those starless midnight eyes and felt a thrill of fear.

 

“Yess.” Riki purred. “Why don't we get to know one another a little better.” Riki said as he cocked his fist back and let it fly.

 

oOoOoOo

 

Raoul checked the clock on the wall, again, while he waited in the office of Sir Gabriel Lazen. He had been waiting for nearly an hour. The muscle in Raoul's jaw ticked with barely contained irritation as the seconds counted down.

 

“Sir Raoul, please forgive me for making you wait. I assure you it was not intentional.”

 

Highly doubtful, Raoul thought as he watched the Blondie seat himself behind his desk. Their relationship was tedious at best and looking back Raoul could now see that it stemmed from the fact that Niko was his Furniture and not Gabriel's. “Considering that it was upon Sir Iason's request that I met with you, I find your lateness disturbing. Do you think it was wise to keep me waiting?”

 

“His Excellency can surely understand that keeping my department running smoothly comes first, correct?”

 

“And you don't think that I wouldn't also have my own work to see to?”

 

“Come now Sir Raoul, It has been common knowledge that for almost three weeks you have been held up in your apartment with your pet. Word is it that you have also engaged in intimacies with your pet. If you were, indeed, pressed for time you wouldn't have waited would you? It must be nice to be able to take a vacation and lounge about without a care. Unlike the rest of us.”

 

“Really? So if Iason were here in my place?” Raoul tightly replied.

 

“But he is not and you are.”

 

Raoul knew that he had the power to reprimand the obnoxious Blondie for speaking to him thusly, but held back his cutting remark. He wanted something from Gabriel and reprimands were not the way to get it. “You're right. Iason isn't here, but I am here at his request since he could not be here personally. Meaning that when you speak to me, remember that I am speaking for Iason.”

 

“I am quite aware of that Raoul.” Gabriel said in almost a sour tone. “So what can I do to help his Excellency?”

 

“We need blue prints of Jupiter Tower for a project Iason will be undertaking.”

 

“And it will be my pleasure to hand them over to you…for a price.”

 

Raoul almost gasped at the audacity of the Blondie. “You do understand that it is, again, Iason you are going against.”

 

“I'm not denying his Excellency anything Sir Raoul. Come now, the fact that you are not going through the proper channels or procedures clearly indicates that this has nothing to do with the syndicate and from what I've observed, you want this demand of yours to be kept secret, do you not?”

 

“Are you threatening me Sir Gabriel?” Raoul coldly asked narrowing his eyes at the smug face of the Elite before him.

 

“Absolutely not Sir Raoul, I'm just saying that the presence of one of The Seven here in my department has already caused quite the buzz and inquiries will be made on why. It would be a shame if your plans, whatever they may be, were discovered.” Gabriel said slyly, smiling wickedly as he looked across his desk to the outraged Elite.

 

“Unless of course I tell those seeking information that your arrival was at my request…”

 

“What do you want?” Raoul demanded.

 

“You should already know what I want Sir Raoul. I have made myself clear about it on numerous occasions.”

 

Raoul remained silent and waited.

 

“Your Furniture Niko. Give him to me.”

 

“No. I will not give him to you. Not in the permanent sense.” Raoul said, already expecting that this was what the Blondie was after.

 

“Then extend his service to me for…let's say six months.”

 

“I will consent to two weeks. You don't honestly believe that I would hand him over to you for such a long length of time, did you?”

 

“If the information you need isn't that important to his Excellency…” Gabriel smiled. “Two months I think would be adequate payment don't you think?”

 

Hating the fact that the Blondie had the upper hand Raoul lifted his chin. “We have a deal.” Raoul said through his tightly clenched teeth.

 

“Now if you conceded to three I will help you, no questions asked, with anything that you and his Excellency may need. I will also extent to you my full support and my knowledge of every building on Amoi.”

 

Raoul knew the gift that was being handed to him, but his anger in being forced to hand Niko over to Gabriel had him wanting him to beg for that extra month. “What use would that be to us?”

 

Gabriel leaned back and smiled knowing what Sir Raoul was after. “I am very satisfied with my position Sir Raoul and like all of our brethren, when we find something that interests us we seek to learn everything about that subject and if possible to possess it. You would be amazed at what I know.”

 

As much as Raoul wanted to throw the Blondie's deal back in his face he knew he couldn't. “Three months and not a day more but Niko is still to work in my household. You do not expect me to be without the comforts of my Furniture did you?” Raoul smiled smugly at the teal eyes that flashed angrily at him.

 

“That was not part of the deal.”

 

“Then put it in.” Raoul said coldly. “Niko has been a loyal servant to me and I do not want those that he has to socialize with on a daily basis to look down upon him, thinking that I gave him away because he was unworthy in his service.”

 

Unhappy Gabriel nodded in agreement. “Fine, but if I call for him, he is to come.”

 

Disgusted at how the conversation came to an end and what he personally had to give up Raoul stood to leave. “I expect Niko to always be in perfect health every time he comes back from your household Sir Gabriel. Not one mark is that understood?” Raoul said over his shoulder.

 

“I will be coming over personally to retrieve him. Five o'clock sharp.” Gabriel said instead as Sir Raoul Am flipped his golden honey locks lover his shoulder and stormed away.

 

 

oOoOoOo

 

`Looks like the pidgins are taking cover for the night. What about you V?'

 

`Yeah. Got nothing worth going for here'

 

Riki sighed from the dark corner where he stood, watching the dwindling crowd in search of Fidget and V. The two were in their own corners, waiting for another target. Riki nodded to himself. “We have enough already. Let's head towards Sky and Lilly's location.”

 

`You sure? I feel like staying out longer. Just one more big score for the night.'

 

Riki smiled at the memory that popped into his head at Fidget's words. It had been his need to find one more high roller to rob that had lead to him meeting Iason and also sealing his fate of becoming the Blondie's pet. “No more Fidg. Bring it in. You too Violet.”

 

`Roger'

 

`I've been meaning to ask, but why is it alright for Riki to call you Violet but no one else can?'

 

`Because the way you say my name makes me feel dirty.'

 

`What the hell ever. I'm going to start calling you Violet.'

 

`Fine then I`m calling you Keita.'

 

`Nah ah.'

 

`Ah huh.'

 

`You suck V.'

 

`With Skill. I get fan mail about my tongue and repeated calls for my talented mouth.'

 

Riki chuckled causing those passing by to pause and stare at the dark beauty standing in the shadows, but the aura of savageness around Riki had them retreating and hurrying to their destination.

 

“Yeah, okay kids. Let's go. It's freak'n cold.” Pushing away from the wall Riki had been leaning against, he smiled as he watched Fidget dance around people at his left, relieving them of valuables. V's calm swagger as the young man stopped every other person he came across to smile charmingly at them, seducing them with his eyes and gilded tongue, while Riki watched the mongrel help himself to their worldly goods without them even knowing was no less than inspiring. “Okay V that's enough.”

 

`Yeah, yeah. They were the last ones.'

 

`I still got more then you!'

 

`Ha! I don't think so. I've been watching you and I've seen your targets. There's no way you've won.'

 

“Made yourself a new game, have you?” Riki asked as V and Fidget drew nearer.

 

“Had to now that there's no point in playing the sex one.” Fidget said jumping to a stop next to Riki.

 

“Oh yeah? Why's that?” Riki asked as he led them away from the dwindling city square.

 

“'Psh'. Don't get pissed, but once we saw Lilly in action and asked him about his experiences we called it quits.” V said making a face. “Know way we can beat that kid's score.”

 

“It was a stupid game anyway.” Riki said thinking about what Lilly had told him about his bad habit. His liked the kid, he really did, but Elites didn't make defective pets. None that they allowed to live anyway and the fact that Lilly still wore the wide collar his master gave him…Riki couldn't help but be suspicious of the kid.

 

“Hey Riki! Let's check that place out.”

 

Riki frowned as he followed Fidget's pointing finger to a club. Riki eyed the behemoths that guarded the front doors. Music blared from the open entrance but it was the patrons that the overly muscled meat-heads allowed to enter that didn't have Riki telling Fidget no. They were in a bad part of town. The farther they walked the more bars they began to see on shop windows. Trash on the streets, the homeless watching from the dark in fear of them… but the people that lined up to get into the shady, rundown looking club were finely dressed. Riki could smell money rolling off them.

 

“What do you say Riki? Wanna take a little detour?” V asked.

 

Cheering from inside had Riki heading towards the doors and towards the giants that eyed them with equal hostility as he did with them. Fidget and V flanked behind him when he stopped at the door and he was proud of the deadly stoic expressions they both wore, especially Fidget.

 

“Never seen you before.” One of the guards growled.

 

“It's when you don't see us that should make you worry.” Riki said softly, controlling the need to roll his eyes as the guards overreacted to his lame words and shifted to their sides. Their thick hands went to their hips to where the Guard's weapons were holstered. What Riki didn't realize was that his appearance, the way the darkness hugged him almost lovingly and how he seemingly just magically materialized from its yawning mouth, seemed more than natural. The guards had thought the same exact thing.

 

“You're not scared of us are you?” V snickered; his taunting words making the guards scowl and straighten their stance.

 

“What gang are you from?”

 

Before Riki could say anything, Fidget and V said “Bison”. Not about to chasten the boys in front of the guards, Riki said nothing and instead looked away from the guards and into the club. The boys didn't think that using their old gang name was wrong, that anyone would be searching for them. They thought that what happened on Amoi was over now that they had gotten away. Riki was not so sure.

 

“We don't want any trouble you understand?”

 

Riki flicked a glance at the guard that did all the talking. The way the lights highlighted his black eyes made them shine unnaturally and again the guards took up a defensive posture. “You going to step aside or talk to us all night?” Riki asked softly, narrowing his eyes.

 

“Don't cause trouble for us and we won't with you. Got it?”

 

Riki didn't answer, but instead waited until the guards stepped out of his way to let them pass. As they made their way into the club Riki quickly took note of all the players. Boys and girls of undetermined ages milled around carrying trays of drinks. Riki saw men and even women grab hold of those kids arms as drinks crashed onto the floor. The crowd cheered as they watched the youngsters be molested. Riki held back a flinch when dead eyes of one of the poor kids landed on him. He knew that look…

 

Shouldering his way to an empty table in the far corner Riki, Fidget and V sat with their backs to the wall. The reason why he had wanted to come in was not just out of curiosity. For such high rollers to enter the part of town they were in meant money. He had seen the richly dressed snobs flash some kind of card to the guards, he hadn't thought they'd get in, but he guessed luck was on their side.

 

Riki scanned the crowd and sure enough everyone here was gleaming with, no doubt, undeserved wealth. Riki could even see some wore Amoi clothing. What he really wanted to know was what drew all these bigwigs together.

 

Riki nodded in thanks to the young girl that set three glasses of water on their table. Reaching into his pocket Riki held up a large bill.

 

“For the three of you?”

 

Riki frowned at the girl's question for a second before understanding. “No. I want to ask you some questions. How much to take you off the floor and sit next to me?”

 

The girl looked over her shoulder to some unknown pimp before taking the bill and holding up two fingers. “Two more of these and you can ask me anything you want.” The girl said jutting out her voluptuous hip, trying to give them a seductive pose. But it was the lack of emotion in the girls tone and eyes that had Riki holding up four bills instead of the two the girl asked him for.

 

V stood and went to an occupied table and stood there with his hand on the back of an already used chair until the person sitting on it nervously stood and offered it to him. V's cold expression lighted with humor and he grinned as he brought the chair back for the girl to sit.

 

“What's your name?” Riki asked as the girl passionlessly wrapped her arms around his neck, a show for the unseen pimp watching.

 

“What do you wish it to be?”

 

Riki stopped the hand that caressed his face and tipped the girl's chin up to meet his eyes. “Your name?” Riki asked firmly and felt the girl tremble.

 

“Aoi…once upon a time I was called Aoi…”

 

Uncomfortable as it was, Riki pulled the girl closer and hugged her to his side. “I just have some questions Aoi, that's all. We won't harm you.” Riki allowed the girl to continue petting him as she rested her head high on his shoulder giving the illusion that she was kissing his neck. Showing some kindness that the poor girl probably hadn't seen in a long time, Riki put up with the act.

 

“I will try…”

 

“Why are they here. What is this place truly?” Riki asked as he casually stopped Fidget from drinking the water. Riki didn't know what could be in it and didn't want his boys consuming anything in the place.

 

“It's a market.” Aoi softly said. “This place sells people to the rich.”

 

Riki `huffed'. A fucking pet auction. “So their selling pets huh?”

 

“Pets?” Aoi asked lifting her head only to quickly look away from the intensity of those obsidian eyes. “Their not selling animals. They kidnap or buy people from human flesh peddlers.”

 

“Did you get taken from your family?” Fidget gently asked.

 

“I was sold by my mother…She had found a new partner and didn't like how old she looked next to me…”

 

“Is it always this crowded?” V asked turning the conversation back to the original subject.

 

“No. I heard that a female sold today is of very high quality. The manager rushed to send the invitations out because the sellers wanted to watch as she was sold.”

 

Riki opened his mouth to ask if the girl knew who the sellers were when the crowd quieted and a cheesy suited man clapping his hands appeared on the stage in the far front of the club.

 

“Ok Ladies and Gentlemen! Time for the main event!”

 

Riki tilted his head to try and get a better view.

 

“The lovely item we are showcasing comes from the finest stock. Her blood lines can be traced back hundreds of years”

 

Whispers hissed throughout the room.

 

“Ok enough of the suspense! With out further ado let me present the item you have all come to see tonight!”

 

“STOP! PLEASE HELP ME!”

 

Frowning Riki looked to the stage where a half naked girl struggled to break free from the auctioneers guards. The voice was naggingly, familiar but he couldn't place where he could have heard it.

 

“Riki?”

 

Riki looked at V's questioning face and could see that both he and Fidget also recognized it.

 

“LET GO OF ME YOU UNWASHED MISCREANTS!”

 

Standing, Riki started to go closer and looked down when a small hand on his arm tried to tug him to a stop.

 

“Please…don't go. This place is owned by a viscous and powerful man. If you do anything…”

 

Riki patted the hand on his arm and smiled kindly down at the girl. “Don't worry Aoi. I just want a closer look.” Removing her hand and easily maneuvering through the crowd Riki made his way closer to the front, wanting to get a better look at the female.

 

A slight body bumped into Riki's back when he stopped a few feet away from the stage. Riki looked behind him to see the girl trembling at his back. Once again Fidget and V were behind him too, protecting his back.

 

Looking back at the stage Riki tried to think why the girl in dirty, ruined clothes was familiar to him.

 

“Riki the robe she's wearing.” V whispered, leaning close to him so not to be over heard by those around.

 

Amelia, Riki thought. The hooded, scarlet robed girl they had met on the other planet…one of the women that wanted Jade to be taken away from them. The moment Riki realized who she was, she recognized him as well.

 

“ANICENT ONE! HELP ME!”

 

Riki glared at the crowd as they laughed at the girl and her feeble struggles.

 

“ANICENT ONE PLEASE!”

 

“Ohh ho ho! She's a lively one isn't she?”

 

Riki ignored Amelia as she pleaded with him to save her. V and Fidget were quiet behind him as well, making no notion that they knew who she was.

 

“Let's start the bidding at a hundred thousand credits!”

 

Shouts rang out and insane amounts of money were called to try and purchase the girl, as tears made tracks down her dirty frightened face.

 

“Six million to the gentleman in the white hat going once! Twice! Last chance folks! SOLD!”

 

“NO! ANCIENT ONE, HELP ME!”

 

Riki looked at the man that had bought the girl. Then with one last look into her pleading scared eyes, Riki turned around and walked to the exit.

 

“COME BACK!”

 

Clenching his jaw Riki didn't pause as he glared at everyone staring at him to get out of his way. Once out inside Riki walked down the end of the building before stopping.

 

“Ahh Riki?”

 

Looking over his shoulder Riki looked at V and Fidget thinking that they would get on his case for doing nothing about the hooded girl's cries for help. “What.” Riki hissed.

 

“What are we going to do about her?” Fidget asked pointing down.

 

Confused Riki looked behind him and was surprised to see that the waitress still behind him shivering in the cold, holding onto the back of his black trench coat. Taking off his coat Riki forced the girl to put her arms through the sleeves. “Aoi-“

 

“Please!” The girl cried. “Please…let me go with you…please…”

 

Swearing under his breath Riki glared at V and Fidget who tried not to laugh. “You think this is funny? Give her your coats before she freezes to death in that getup!” Ripping V and Fidgets heavy jackets from their hands Riki grabbed the girl by the arm and swiftly walked across the street. Putting one jacket on the ground and forced her to sit on it then wrapped V's large coat around her. “Stay here do you understand? Whatever you do say nothing.” Riki put his hand on the girl's head. “Stay quiet and hidden in the shadows.”

 

“O-okay.”

 

Jogging back to where the boys waited, Riki rotated his shoulders in aggravation.

 

“So what's the plan?” Fidget asked grinning excitedly.

 

“What makes you think there is a plan?” Riki asked, a black brow shooting up.

 

`Plan? Riki?' Sky's voice crackled in his ear.

 

Riki frowned at Fidget who smiled innocently at him. He should have known Fidget would contact his twin and tell him what was going on. Clicking on one of the gems attached to the clip on his lip, so that Sky and Lilly would hear him, Riki sighed. ”We found one of those robed women in a bad situation and will be rescuing her.” Riki informed Sky, telling him not asking.

 

`…How much time do you have? Can you wait until we get to you?'

 

Riki watched as the door to the back of the building opened and the man with the white hat came out with five guards, the girl held struggling and being carried between them. “No time. Need to act now.” Cutting the link Riki motioned for V and Fidget to get into position.

 

Nodding V took off quietly back down the road so that he wouldn't be seen crossing the street while Fidget revealed the wicked blades he had hidden up his long sleeves. “I got first blood.” Fidget whispered as he made his way to the group.

 

Riki watched from the shadows as Fidget did his little hop and twirls, calling out brightly, turning their attention from the process of entering their waiting vehicle. It was just as Riki wanted him to do. Riki smiled as Fidget expertly managed to separate three of the guards from the tight group.

 

`I'm in place Riki.'

 

Firming his resolve at V's call, Riki checked his own blades that he had hidden in his boot, making sure that he would be able to snatch them should the need arise before stepping around the corner. “What the hell are you doing?!” Riki yelled stomping up to Fidget who teased the man in the white hat. Thankfully the girl remained silent. “I take my eye off you for one minute and I see you all over some loser.” Riki sneered.

 

“He's not a loser! Your not a loser are you, daddy?” Fidget shouted back, then whispered sweetly to the rich gent.

 

“Bitch! I should kick your ass for thinking about cheating on me!”

 

`Got your back Riki.'

 

Nodding just enough to signal V, Riki continued the charade of being a jilted lover and when Fidget snuggled up to the man… Riki made his move. Snapping an arm out, making as if to grab the blue haired mongrel Riki instead punched the amused guard in the throat. There was a frozen second before the other guards reacted and in that second Riki was able to drop another guard while Fidget wiped his blades out and snaked around the rich bastard, holding him immobile with his knives at his neck.

 

The guards holding the girl backed away and her helpful struggles, that began in earnest, stopped them from drawing out their weapons. Riki whirled around when the third guard grabbed his shoulder, but grunted in satisfaction when V appeared. With an unbreakable hold around the guard's neck, V squeezed until he went limp.

 

Riki grinned as he and V turned to the guards holding the girl.

 

“You don't know how you're fucking with boy.”

 

Riki ignored the man Fidget held captive and continued to stalk the remaining guards.

 

“Mr. Kirin won't look the other way if you do this. He wants that girl.”

 

“So do I.” Riki said as he rushed his target. The guard flung the girl away and went for his gun but wasn't quick enough. Riki kicked the gun from the guard's hand and kneed him in the balls. Fidget's shout in warning had Riki swinging his head to the side. Leaning down, he uncovered his blade and with the snap of his wrist threw his knife to the raised hand that held a club ready to swing down onto V's head. The gleam of steel protruded from the guard's hand and he screamed in pain for a minute before V knocked him out.

 

“Fools.” The man rasped. “You think you've won?”

 

Riki caught Amelia as she jumped into his arms and shakily whispered her thanks. “Seeing as I've gotten the girl, yeah I do think I've won.”

 

The man laughed. “Morons. He's watching as we speak.”

 

Riki's eyes shot up and he cursed when he saw the camera on the building. “V. Fidget.” Riki hissed but it was too late. The click of a gun being cocked echoed in the night and Riki watched helplessly as a dozen more men surrounded them.

 

“What are you going to do now kid?” The man laughed.

 

“Fidget.” Riki said calling the mongrel off the guy. Too late did Riki realize that the man was nothing but a lackey, disposable help in designer clothing. Riki growled when V was kicked to the ground before him, his violet hair grabbed and his head forced back with a gun at his temple.

 

“I'll take that from you boy.”

 

Riki had to force himself to stay still as the man took Fidget's blades from him and forced the mongrel to kneel.

 

“Yes sir.” The man said tossing one of Fidget's knives in the air and catching it while he talked to an unseen person. “Looks like you lose kid.”

 

Riki's mind raced as the man took a gun from one of the guards that had come running as back up and pointed it at him.

 

Riki's body jolted as two shoots rang out and he fell back onto the cold pavement. But it was the gasping, soft female body he held that cried out in pain not him. Scrambling out from under Amelia, Riki tried to stop the flow of blood that gushed from her body. The hot copper smell of blood filling his nostrils as its crimson wealth escaped his covering hands. Panting in anger Riki looked back with blazing eyes at the man. “Why?” Riki demanded through clenched teeth.

 

“Mr. Kirin's interests have changed.” The man said coldly as he pointed the gun next to Fidget's worried pale face. “Sorry little one. The boss only wants the black haired one.”

 

Riki shouted for the man to stop, but quieted when Fidget's face broke out into a cocky grin.

 

“I have a brother you should know.” Fidget said making V next to him start laughing. “My brother doesn't take kindly to people bullying me.”

 

Riki and the rest of the group screamed out in pain as the area was suddenly lit up. Riki grit his teeth as electricity coursed through his body. The flow of agony seemed to go on forever before he was released and collapsed over Amelia once it was over.

 

“Riki!”

 

Body twitching Riki struggled not to pass out, drawing out every ounce of strength and will power he had, when he heard Lilly shout out his name. Looking up, he watched as Sky and Lilly came running, skidding to a halt next to him. Sky immediately went to his twin and picked him up in his arms before turning to him with anger in his eyes. “We don't have much time. They'll only be out for a half and hour at best. Can you run?”

 

Riki pushed Lilly to V's still form. “Yeah…I can move. Can you carry V, Lilly?”

 

Lilly grunted as he hefted V onto his back. “I can do it.”

 

Riki looked down at Amelia who stared back at him panting.

 

“E-electricity doesn't…doesn't have th-the same…effect on…us.” Amelia softly, too softly said in pain.

 

“We need to go now Riki.”

 

Riki looked at Sky. Lilly had already started running down the road with his precious burden. Looking away Riki nodded and started after Lilly with Amelia in his arms but stopped when they came to an alley. “Aoi!” Riki shouted remembering the girl that begged him to let her come with them. He had planned on just giving the girl money and sending her on her way, but if this “Mr. Kirin” had been watching from the start, then the girl's fate would become much worse than it had been before.

 

Sky passed him as he waited for the girl to come running towards him, carrying all of their heavy coats in her arms. “Keep up.” Was all Riki said and he started running as fast as he could, knowing that stopping to get the girl meant the closer death came to claim Amelia.

 

Pain shot though Riki's suffering body as they ran the last stretch of road that would take them to the ship. “Luke!” Riki shouted hoping the moody bastard had his com on. “Start the engines Luke! Prep to take off!”

 

Riki's lungs burned as did his arms, but the sight and sound of their shitty ship coming to life had him digging deeper as he ran with Sky and Lilly in front of him. Riki's legs almost collapsed under him as he ran up the steep ramp and with a shout he made it just barely onto the landing before sinking to his knees.

 

Lilly lay panting, eyes squeezed tightly closed in pain with V's unconscious body next to him. Riki tiredly looked to see Aoi in the same condition next to him. Sky, as if unfazed by the whole thing, walked with Fidget still limp in his arms to the ramp controls. He pressed a few buttons and the ramp groaned as it lifted.

 

“Get us out of here, Luke.” Sky said onto the intercom before turning back to Riki. “We heed to stop her bleeding.”

 

Jade came running in, slamming into the metal walls as the ship met with resistance from the take off. It was a sign of just how fast Luke was going to get them off world. In the boy's arms were bandages, seeing from the ship port windows that they would be needed.

 

Laying Amelia flat Riki was thrown back as was everyone else as the ship shook violently.

 

“Thirty seconds kids and then smooth sailing!” Luke's voice shouted out from the intercom.

 

Riki crawled to Amelia and covered her body with his just incase something came falling onto her due to the shaking. Gentle hands pulled Riki away and he looked into Jade's scared, concerned eyes.

 

“Dy-dying.” Amelia's voice had a gurgling sound as if her mouth was filled with blood.

 

“Shhh. Just be still.” Jade whispered tearfully.

 

“No-not…not much time…N-nee-d to tell you.”

 

Riki closed his eyes when the girl cried out then the ship dipped suddenly, sending hot jolts of pain through her body.

 

“A-attacked…My…M-my planet…was attacked.”

 

Riki clasped the small hand seeking his own and leaned down when she weakly tugged on his hand for him to come closer.

 

“High mother…they made us watch…took her knowledge…took so many of us aw-away…”

 

Riki frowned, not understanding what she was saying. “Who? Who did this? Riki demanded.

 

“She did…she knows of you…she's coming for you…”

 

“She?” Riki asked and leaned closer, turning his head to the side, his ear over the girl's mouth so he could hear her better. Riki frowned not sure if he heard her correctly.

 

Riki shook his head and looked down at the girl about to demand a clearer answer, when the words got stuck in the back of his throat. Sightless green eyes stared up at him and Riki's breath caught. Jade sobbed next to Riki as he covered Amelia's eyes closing them.

 

“Riki?”

 

Riki stumbled backwards shaking his head over and over again. Ignoring every one's calls to him as he tried to center his raging emotions, Riki walked away. He needed to focus, to find a way calm himself down. He made his way to his room so that he could lock himself away from those that wanted answers that he did not have. Riki shut his cabin door slowly. He had fucked up…He had fucked up so bad. So swept away in wanting to rescue the girl, he hadn't stopped to really think about the opponents that they were going to go up against. He…he had been caught off guard. Now she was dead and his bleeding heart almost got V and Fidget killed. Their actions had only gotten the girl murdered while he held her in his arms. If Sky and Lilly hadn't shown up when they had… The blood on Riki's hands stained the handle and the walls as he shakily made his way to his desk and almost hysterically ripped his drawer apart to get to his cell phone. His impotency on how the night's events went down had him so enraged and the only thing he knew could calm him down was light years away.

 

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, smearing the girls blood across his face, Riki dialed with trembling fingers and waited impatiently for Iason's cool, calming voice to answer.

 

“Hello Riki.” The reply was the feminine monotone of the one being in all the universe that he never wanted to speak to again.

 

Freezing Riki's hand tightened over the cell making the plastic creak in protest.

 

“I've intercepted your call to Iason. I believe I told you that I wanted you to stay away from my child, didn't I? That includes calling him. Now, the first time you called I allowed it, but no more. Iason's anger towards you is a frightening thing to see, as you should know quite well. You betrayal has effectively eradicated any affection my Blondie may have felt for you and as we speak he has made it clear that your name is never to be spoken out loud.”

 

Breathing heavily Riki struggled to say something, anything to the hated voice in the phone.

 

“Your plan worked beautifully. Iason truly believes that your…love, as you call it, was nothing but an illusion you used to blind him from the truth… so that he wouldn't see how you really felt, which of course I told him was nothing, but hatred and disgust.”

 

“You bitch.” Riki rasped.

 

“There is no coming back here Riki. Iason isn't coming for you I have made sure of it. I suggest you forget Amoi and forget Iason quickly. I will be monitoring all incoming calls, so if you think to try and contact him again, by any means… then think again. Just be glad I gave you the first call. It's been a busy day for you, so I bid you goodnight Riki and goodbye.”

 

Riki slammed the phone into the metal wall shattering it into pieces. Not satisfied with just that small amount of destruction, Riki mindlessly ripped his room apart until the place looked like a tornado had come through it. Stumbling almost drunkenly against the door Riki slowly slid down to the floor and held his head in his blood stained hands.

 

TBC….