Chapter 21: A new enemy

Everything had gone according to plan. Lawrence was happy. The recent events would force the pirates to expose

themselves, and Sonny. To finalize his plan would be easy. Lawrence smiled as he checked the new fuel he had created

from the minerals in the mines in planet x, the fuel would leave the titans nearly indistructable. And with the new kind

of skin he had prepared for them, all he needed was the one person that held the right knowledge to finish up the work.

That, and the plan he had made to become the most mighty emperror the galaxy had ever seen, was within reach.

'Sonny Blackbones, you may have illuded everyone till this day, but it has to end. As soon as you're in my custody, you

will make the final preparations of what will ultimately be your disgraceful death. You never should have crossed me in

your younger days. I underestimated the guardians. But now, you stand alone. It's time...'

An evil laughter filled the room, as a robotcat jumped back to avoid the mad man...

****The Black Manta

Sonny was lost in his own minds world as the Black Manta left Genesis. All the information Duke Maddox had put

forth, completely changed his wiews of the man he had once concidered his mortal enemy. For sure, Duke Maddox had

done many wrongs, but so had he. But what troubled the pirate chief was that all the memories he had lost from what

had happened the day his father died, was now seeming to come back to him.

Sonny lay down on his bed, staring at the celing. He closed his eyes, and tried to set himself in a stage where he could

relax. For any pirate, to relax this much, was a very difficult task to handle, for Sonny Blackbones, even worse. Years

of being on the run, constantly on alert, had taken it's toll. Sonny sighed and sat up, assuming the lotus position to

meditate on the problem. Sonny focused on breathing, and relaxing, slowly. As his mind and body relaxed, Sonny

could see his own childhood pass by. A good childhood, where he had been a normal teenager, doing normal teenage

things, up till that very day. Sonny remembered meeting Lawrence Maddox, and he recalled how sceptical his own

father had appeared. Now, as an adult, Sonny could imagine himself looking at the same scene, but with the eyes of an

adult. It was almost like standing on the outside, looking in on what had happened. From the moment Lawrence

Maddox had made contact with his teachers at school, and took an interest in his education, till the first visit in the

family home, his parents shipping his sister off to a remote location, the nervous looks in their eyes when Lawrence

came to visit, his father's tense behaviour for hours to follow a visit from Maddox, the pressure he had felt like he was

under... Sonny delwed deeper. There was something he had to know, something that kept illuding him. Sonny knew the

answer was there, right in front of him, he was just fumbling blind as he was searching. Slowly, the images was coming

to him. It was like seeing a movie played at a real slow speed. Sonny opened his eyes in share terror as the erased

memories was finally unlocked and the grueling truth hit him hard.

'This can't be, I have to stop this madness' Sonny tried to get free of the trail of memories.

But he couldn't break free. There was memories coming up, that showed the full truth, and Sonny realized what danger

the galaxy was really in,

'May the galaxy have mercy on us all' whispered the horrified pirate chief...

Tia, Artie and Corso were in the galley eating. A mission always required the pirates to eat afterwards, since the diet

they were at, only gave the necessary amount of everything, not extras.

'I swear Corso, the footballteam of ours eats better than we do' complained Artie.

'Stop whining kid, you know your place and your role. If it was up to you, you'd eat like a horse all day' grunted Corso.

'Oh will you guys stop. There is plenty of soup and sandwiches for everyone, I'll bring some for Sonny too' said Tia.

Corso nodded.

'Funny you should mention it Tia, I haven't seen Sonny since you came back from the mission' said Corso thoughtfully.

'The way things 'dragged out in Maddox office, I felt sure Sonny had been arrested' said Artie.

'Don't worry about that Artie!' said a voice from the doorway.

'Sonny! Didn't think you wanted to eat' said Corso and made room for Sonny to sit down.

Sonny took a sandwich and started eating.

'Men, we have a situastion on our hands. And unlike anything we've dealth with before' Sonny said.

'This sounds serious' Corso stated as he sat down.

'Yes Corso. We have to abandon our usual way of handling matters, and think new' said Sonny.

Tia looked at Sonny, studied the lines in his face, looking for an answer.

Then she glanced over at Corso, wich did the exact same thing.

'Sonny, is something wrong?' she asked carefully.

Sonny looked up, his hazel eyes looking deep into her green orbs.

'Yes Tia. And somehow, we all have to be prepared for great changes' he said.

Corso and Artie looked like they wanted to know more, but Sonny made it clear that they were done with the subject for

now. He turned on the tv in the galley.

'this is Calleigh Mystic reporting live from Genesis general hospital, where his Excellency, Duke Maddox, head of

technoid, is now undergoing lifesaving surgery'

'What? what's happened?' Corso kicked his chair back as he rose.

Sonny too grew tense as Calleigh continued to speak about how Duke Maddox had been found in the hallway of his

office, suffering what seemed like a heartattack.

Sonny turned up the sound.

'so, who found his Excellency?' calleigh asked as she held the mike to the doctor next to her.

'he was brought in by his own staff, who claims this could be the work of the pirates' said the doctor.'

'The pirates? Could this be somekind of revenge for what happened to Sonny Blackbones recently?' asked Calleigh.

'I'm a doctor Ms Mystic, it's not my job to make any judgementcalls on the reason behind his Excellency's illness, I'm

only here to treat it'.

The doctor looked very uncomfortable. The pirates looked at eachother.

'What does this mean Sonny?' Corso asked confused.

Sonny rose to full height. And clearly, he had made a decission.

'Artie, tell Bennett to get a team ready and set a course for Genesis and the hospital!' he ordered.

'But, why Sonny?' asked Tia.

Sonny turned to her.

'Duke Maddox may well hold information on this case, and everything that's happened, that he is not yet aware of. For

' him to stay in Genesis, is leaving him a sitting duck. Whoever did this to him, once he or she finds out he's alive, they

will try again. And untill we know everything Duke Maddox knows, he needs remain alive' said Sonny.

'So, what are you gonna do?' asked Tia.

Sonny looked away. He had not really thought much of this. But he knew he couldn't just sit around and do nothing.

'The way it looks, and we have to assume untill we can get it confirmed, Duke Maddox knew I was still alive inside the

cryotank. Why else would they supply me with oxygen to breathe?' he asked.

Corso nodded, he was following his leader now.

'And you want to settle that debt?' he asked.

'Yes, and give the Duke a chance to tell me everything in connection to this. I only know bits and pieces so far Corso,

but what I've been told and shown makes sense. And if I'm right, Duke Maddox saved my life, it is only fair I do the

same' said Sonny.

Corso nodded.

'Anyone else would have just left him to die Sonny, you know that right?' he asked.

Sonny nodded.

'Yes Corso. But we're the pirates. And we still need to tie up all the loose ends in this' he said.

Corso nodded.

'I had a chatt with Magnus, who shed a light on several things' said Corso.

Sonny turned to look at his friend.

'Corso, we need to talk, in private' he said.

Tia took the cue to leave them. Sonny would tell them soon enough what was going on. But for now, he needed to speak to Corso.

Tia decided to go find pregnant mother to be, Mei...

'Tia! I'm so glad you're here' cheered Mei as Tia knocked the door to hers and D'Jok's cabin.

'I see the black Manta is getting fuller and fuller' joked Tia.

Mei grinned.

'I already rearranged the entire room, D'Jok's gonna grow bald in no time if he is to keep up with my demands' she

laughed.

'And as a pirate, he's sure to grow poor with your spendig budgets' laughed Tia.

'Well, it does cost to have a baby. I'm sure Sonny can find something for him to do, so he makes what he needs to

support us' Mei smiled.

Tia looked at her stomach. Sure Mei wasn't too far into the process, but her otherwise flat tummy was staring to show a

little bulge now.

'Maybe, when this is all over, we can all return to Genesis' Tia wondered.

She missed her parents nowdays. Sure, Sonny was still acting very polite and friendly, he hadn't told her to go sleep in

her own cabin, but Tia missed the hot flame of passion she felt with him. Was Cerine right? Was Sonny already bored

with her?

'Stop thinking that Tia' she told herself.

'Sonny's just been through hell, and almost died, on top of that, there is an unknown enemy in play, and all you can

think about are your own desires and wishes? Just how selfish are you?' she mentally yelled at herself.

Mei looked at her.

'Tia, I love you, you know that, but after all that's happened, do you think it would be safe for you to ever return to

Genesis? I mean, you have taken part in things here, that is illegal. Doughter of diplomats or not Tia, you do risk being

made to stand trial. And you won't have diplomatic immunity for the things you've done with the pirates' Mei looked

concerned.

'What are you saying Mei? That the choises I made, have led to the doors that used to be open for me, are now shut

close?' Tia's green eyes nailed Mei's blue.

Mei nodded.

'Tia...'

Mei walked over and sat down next to her friend.

'D'Jok and I have to face reality. Chances are slim that we may ever return to Genesis. And even if we do, if this enemy'

is who Sonny seems to think he is, Sonny is litterally the last one standing between him and a full galaxy takeover. If

Sonny fails in any way this time, who knows if we even have a Genesis to return to? If we ever get to see our kids grow

up as free citizens, not as slaves?' Mei said.

Tia looked at her. This was a new side to Mei, it had surely always been there, but Mei had never let it shine through.

To Tia, it was seeing her friend in a new light.

'You and D'Jok, don't you want to go back to Genesis at some point?' she asked.

Mei looked away.

'At some point, off course we would, but that may not be an option we have to explore' she said.

So, your son or doughter may be raised as a pirate?' Tia looked at her.

Mei nodded.

'I've accepted it Tia, it's time you do to' she said.

Tia sighed.

'I don't know Mei, maybe I was wrong in pushing for Sonny to give this a chance. Maybe he was right' she said.

Mei looked at her.

'Tia, you made a commitment with Sonny. Sonny's asked you to honor that agreement, and you owe him that much now'

she said.

Tia nodded.

'I only wish I knew how to. He doesn't let me any closer than arms lenght, I don't know if this is normal behaviour or

not' she whispered.

Mei looked at her.

'Sonny's under a lot of stress. Give him some space, he'll come around' she said.

'You know Tia, when I first started dating D'Jok, my first meetings with Sonny, he was like that to me too. Watchfull, he

always brought Corso or someone else with him, and always met us in places that we usually wouldn't think of going

to. Come to think of it, it was only after he and D'Jok built the secret room in our house, that Sonny loosened up, and

relaxed more' she smiled.

Tia smiled.

'You think he'll come around, don't you?' she smiled.

'Sonny always does, it's what he does best' agreed Mei with a smile.

Tia had to smile. Mei always knew how to cheer her up when she was down.

'Wich reminds me Tia, have you and Sonny ever been on a date together?' Mei asked.

Tia laughed.

'Mei, we kept what was going on between us a secret to everyone onboard. How were we ever to be able to do such a thing?' she asked.

Mei smiled.

'Then I have a mission to undertake' she smiled slyly.

Tia sensed the trap she had just stumbled into.

'Mei, you wouldn't..' she started.

'You both need it, after this is over' said Mei stubbornly.

'Don't you dare tell me that you don't want to go on a date with my hot father in law' threatened Mei.

Tia couldn't help but smile.

'I'd love to, but it''s not up to me alone. Sonny...' she started, before Mei cut her off.

'Sonny will love the idea, and he will love what I have in mind for the two of you' Mei promised.

'I don't suppose I should ask then' said Tia.

'You better not, it's a surprise' said Mei.

She looked through her dresses, before looking at Mei.

'We need to go shopping at some point Tia, I'm gonna make you compliment Sonny perfectly' she promised.

'Really?' Tia sounded sceptical.

'Like yeah! As hot as Sonny is, he is even more hot when in a tuxedo' Mei said.

Before Tia could reply, or object to her plans, Mei continued.

'Meanwhile, I'll teach you all my tricks to keep a guy interrested' offered Mei.

Tia couldn't help it, she burst into laughing out loud...

***Sonny's cabin

Sonny was in deep thoughts, as he looked over at Corso. Both pirates seemed lost in the same trail. This was a new

enemy, one they knew very little about. And the stakes were higher than ever.

'I'm sorry Sonny!' Corso spoke.

'For what Corso?' Sonny looked surprised at his friend.

'For being unable to shield you from all of this. You put in way more than anyone could ask for in the pirates Sonny, I

just wish you could have a chance to finally have a life back' Corso said.

Sonny understood his friend and second in command perfectly. Gently, he placed a hand on his shoulder.

'Corso, with the threat we now face, if we don't defeat Lawrence, there won't be a galaxy left to live in. Lawrence has a

different wiew on the world than we do. He wins, it is all over, for all of us' Sonny said.

'And what will happen to the pirates if captured under his reign?' Corso had to ask.

Sonny's hazel eyes locked with Corso's one functioning eye.

'None of us will live to see a new day' he stated.

Corso nodded when he heard that.

' And, what would happen to you Sonny? Do you have any ideas?' he asked.

Sonny nodded slowly.

'Corso, the guardians have protected me for as long as they could. Their range exceeded his expectation. But when he

learned who they were, he butchered them, one by one. Except for Duke Maddox and Magnus, there are none of them

left. We are on our own' he said.

'But what does he want from you Sonny? It makes no sense that he waited for all these years' Corso said.

'I agree Corso. I need you and Artie to use all possible entries to try to track down any piece of information you can get

on Lawrence Maddox. He surely has slipped up somewhere, and we need to find out as much as we can before we

confront him.' Sonny looked very determined when he spoke the words.

Corso nodded as he rose from the bed he had been seated at.

'And if we can't stop him Sonny?'

Sonny looked gravely serious as he spoke.

'Then, hope for a quick and painless death Corso!' he said in a meere whisper...

***Somewhere in Genesis.

'Duke Maddox is still alive!'

'Good, I wouldn't have it any other way'.

Lawrence Maddox grinned into the dark as he was smoking his sigar. Soon, his masterplan would be fullfilled. He only

needed for the pirates to mess up, and when they did, to save their own lives, they would hand him Sonny Blackbones

on a silverplatter. Lawrence was so cought up in his plans to become the next emperror of the galaxy, that he forgot the

fact that Sonny Blackbones had remained hidden, despite his injuries, and blown the plan to have his second in

command, Corso, transported to his special facility prison, where Lawrence had planned on how to make Corso tell

him everything. No one had foreseen Sonny's intervention into Corso's case, or how Cerine had been detected. But it

had proved how tight nit the pirates actually were to their leader.

'Then, there is the doughter of the Obia moon ambassadours' said Cerine.

'Ah yes, Sonny's little girlfriend. I wonder how deep that runs' said Lawrence.

Cerine looked at him.

'A child from that union would be perfect' Lawrence thought out loud.

Cerine hissed.

'Calm down. Genetically, you and Sonny would not match, no children would have come out of such a union' he stated.

Cerine left the room.

'You'll pay for this Lawrence Maddox' she thought to herself.

Lawrence turned to his masterplan. He looked over at the specially made cell, the soon to be home of the ex leader of

the pirates...

*** Clamps lab

Clamp was finishing up for the night. Sonny had asked him to use the diluted samples of his blood for further medical testing, to find a cure. Clamp knew Sonny would normally have done this himself, but the chief of the pirates needed rest, since he was still not recupperating fast enough. Clamp rubbed his tired eyes. Then he looked at the progression on the samples. The old man's eyes widened in shock.

'Oh My... SONNY!'...

the first chapter in a very very overdue time, but I am back, and with a plan to finish this story. So, what is it Clamp found in the samples? Whatever it is, it is no good news. And how will Mei and Tia's plan for a date for Tia and Sonny fare? And the little baby blackbones on it's way, not to mention the pirates most guarded secret so far. What is the sanctuary, and is it really as safe as the pirates hopes for. And can Sonny win this battle, or is all lost? All of this is to come in the future chapters. Happy reading.