Thursday Morning

Rylan awoke startled from a bad dream he didn’t remember.

What? Oh right, I’m back home.

He rubbed his groggy eyes as he lay on his own bed in his own room. When he sat up the events of the last two days raced in his mind. He remembered Leif struck down in the desert, Chloe kidnapped by Anya, and the deal he made with Hannibal.

Right...Hannibal...But where’s Maya?

He stepped out to the hallway and walked down to the large guest room Maya slept in. He tapped on the door and opened it.

”Hello?”

He found Maya sitting at the edge of her bed staring out the window.

“Maya? I didn’t hear you come in last night.”

“I got in late,” she replied, still gazing outside.

“Alright, how’re you feeling?” he asked.

“I’m good, my strength is back.”

“Ok, good. I’ll make some eggs. Let’s not be late for school,” said Rylan, waiting for her response.

“Right, let’s not be late.”

The Ride

Rylan drove as the duo headed to school. Maya kept quiet, except to ask Rylan details of the deal with Hannibal.

“Not really a deal as much as it’s simple self interest. Hannibal needs to use two grounders to open a gate to someplace called Cambia on your planet, but he wants to use earth as a launchpad to get there,” he said.

Maya faced him.

“Hannibal told you a half truth. He wants to launch attacks from earth because no one can reach him here, especially if both grounders are here...but he’s not telling you everything,” she said.

Rylan nodded.

“I know. But like I said, it’s in Hannibal's best interest to get me and my sister back together and back to earth. Even if he has messed up plans later,” said Rylan.

“Yes, he will. So what are you going to do when it comes time for him to enact his messed up plans?” Maya asked.

Rylan bit his lip.

“I don’t know...I’ll just have to cross that bridge when I get to it. But right now I need to get Chloe home. And it seems Hannibal can help, and he’s willing to help. Even if it’s for his own reasons,” said Rylan in a low voice.

Maya gazed out the window at the moving scenery.

“Rylan?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you trust me?” she asked.

Rylan didn’t respond and turned on the radio.

“The Las Cruces police department are in a joint investigation with the Texas Rangers concerning the massacre of five members of the Son’s of Fire biker gang. The gang is believed to be behind the diamond vault heist in the Aneke exchange where three men were murdered-”

Click! He turned the radio off.

“Maya?”

“Yes?”

“I trust you more than I trust Hannibal,” said Rylan.

Maya smirked.

“That’s not saying much,” she said.

“Well, you asked.”

They drove the rest of the way in silence.

Recess

After missing a day of school, Maya found herself playing catch up as Rebecca kept her and Rylan busy finalizing the sets, script, and costumes for tomorrow’s school fair drama performance.

The ladies worked until five pm getting the auditorium set up before calling it a day. When they exited the building they noted how empty the school became.

“Like a ghost town, hee!” chuckled Rebecca as the two strolled to the parking lot.

“Yeah, almost,” muttered Maya.

As the girls walked to Rebecca’s car, a motorcycle raced into the lot. Behind the motorcycle a big black four cab pickup truck, with a large ram’s head on the front, rumbled toward Maya and Rebecca.

Rebecca stared at the motorcycle and the white haired helmetless rider as it skidded to a stop in front of Maya.

“Eh? Hey isn’t that Leif’s motorcycle?” asked Rebecca.

“Yes. It is,” answered Maya as the white haired baron Darna Benzian hopped off the bike wearing a short jean skirt, cowboy boots and a black leather jacket. She walked toward Maya, expressionless.

“Hello cousin Maya. It’s good to see you again,” said Darna, staring at Maya.

Maya completely ignored Darna and looked past her at the black pickup.

“Well, if you’re going to be rude to family, I’ll just go find my friend,” said Darna as she strutted out of the parking lot and walked toward the football field.

Rebecca turned to Maya with a puzzled look,“Did she just call you cousin?” but Hannibal stepped out of the pickup truck.

“You must be Rebecca?” he asked.

Rebecca spun and gazed at the big handsome man checking her out. Hannibal wore jeans, a peach shirt with a collar, and cowboy boots.

“Oh, umm, nice to meet you,” she extended her hand, “And you are?”

“Hannibal Ox,” He bowed. “I’m an old acquaintance of Maya’s.”

“Oh? from California?” asked Rebecca.

Hannibal smirked at her with narrow eyes.

“Sure, beautiful, why not,” he answered in a low rasp staring at her.

Rebecca turned red. The truck's passenger doors opened and the giant baron Tidus and the slim baron Zane stepped out. Each man also dressed in earth casual with jeans and stylish boots. They bowed to Maya.

“Lady Maya,” greeted both men.

Maya scowled at all of them.

“I see you idiots went shopping, bought you a new truck,” she said to Hannibal. She turned to Rebecca, “Hey, go ahead without me, I’ll call you tonight. I gotta talk to these guys.”

Rebecca glanced at all three men, who stared at her.

“Umm..ok, call me later,” she said and walked to her car.

The three barons watched Rebecca leave. Afterwards they turned to Maya, who glared at Hannibal.

“Are you here to kill me?” she asked.

Hannibal lowered his gaze.

“No lady Maya. Quite the opposite. I’m here to tell you the truth,” he answered, meeting her eyes. “And offer you aid, Marchioness.”

Maya’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m listening. What do you want?”

Hannibal stepped closer to engage privately.

“Lady Maya. We...nay...I was hired to kill your mother, your brother and you...and I’m afraid you know who hired me.”

Maya trembled with rage at Hannibal’s presence. But she heard his words.

“Who hired you?” she asked him.

“The same man who offered you the living bounty on your mother. The one who hired you,” he answered.

Maya cocked her head. Her expression warped from anger to confusion.

“What?” she got in his face, “Do you mean the man in charge of the House investigation?”

Hannibal nodded his head.

“Yes my lady. Faustino, the lawyer for the House Planters,” he lowered his head.

Maya’s eyes widened.

“But..that doesn’t make sense...I was working with Faustino to bring the nobles on board with-”

“-With legislation to help the poor or something like that?” he asked.

Maya stepped back surprised.

“Hannibal? How would you know that, they haven’t even begun-”

“My lady! Faustino lied to you! He has no interest in your legislation or your feel good politics. The only things he wants are the Alexanders and the Cesars dead. That way the corporatist can ratify the legislation to limit almost all noble senatorial power.”

“What? He can’t do that! Our constitution would never allow it. No, what he’s doing is-”

“Treason, my lady,” said Hannibal.

Maya glared at him in disbelief.

“You’re lying to me!” she screamed and punched his chest, pushing him back. “If that’s true then why did you betray my mother and Leif! The Ox’s are our sworn bannerman Hannibal!”

Hannibal lowered his head and behind him, Zane and Tidus walked away from the two. They sat in the grass at the edge of the parking lot.

“My lady, for reasons I cannot discuss with you, I...did commit serious actions against your mother and brother. However, I’m here now to tell you that I can get you close to Faustino and you can...ask that traitor whatever you like.”

“You son of a bitch!” Maya fumed. “You attacked my family and then come to me with this?” She balled her fist. “Hannibal, I’m tired of looking up at you so if you want to talk to me you get on your fucking knees, you murdering sack of shit!”

Without hesitation the tall Hannibal Ox dropped to his knees in the parking lot, with his head down.

“My lady, I have no interest in traitors like Faustino and the corporatist saboteurs who hired him from gaining power in our beloved Kella….and,” he slowly raised his eyes, “I have no interest in harming you, Marchioness. I never did.”

“So what is your endgame Hannibal? Why are you even talking to me?”

“My lady, aside from the business with your mother...I plan on using that dimensional device for my own gain.”

“You mean for plunder and murder you pirate!” she barked.

He paused.

“Alas, nothing that would concern you. But my point is, I have struck a deal with Rylan to reunite him with his sister. And, with or without you, I will go back to Eres and I will kill these traitorous people.”

Maya stared at him for a long time. Hannibal stayed on his knees and lowered his head.

“Hannibal, why are you saying any of this to me? Why would you offer to help me after what you did?”

“My lady, we are both Kellans on a strange world. And we are both nobles. And I don’t believe any good will come from killing you….my lady.”

Maya turned away from him.

“Hannibal...I don’t know..just tell me what you really want.”

Hannibal jumped to his feet and opened his truck door.

“My lady, I need you to see something.”

Hannibal reached in his back seat and pulled out the laser machine device.

“My lady, it’s damaged,” said Hannibal.

“What?” snapped Maya, as Hannibal displayed a burned out section of the machine. She snatched it from his hands and examined the area, “Oh fuck!” she barked.

“Yes my lady. I am no engineer, but it seems this section is made from earth metal and could not withstand the pressure of the device,” said Hannibal.

Maya used her wrist gear to light the section of the machine and run a reading. She grimaced.

“Hannibal, this is bad,” she said digging her fingers in the machine. “This part is new magnesium alloy. It’s the strongest metal on this planet.”

“Hmm..not strong enough for Eres technology. But can you fix it, my lady?” he asked.

“I can, but it’s gonna take a day or two to get the part. So just leave the machine with me and-”

As she said that, Hannibal gently pulled the device from her hand and placed it back in the truck.

Maya squinted at him. He smiled at her.

“Lady Maya, you’re a genius like your mother, but we all need leverage don’t we. But like I said. I am not all talk. I will help you on Eres.”

But Maya remained befuddled at his sincere gesture of help. She stared at him as he covered the item in his truck.

“Hannibal?”

“Yes, my lady?”

“..Why do you want to help me? I don’t see how that benefits you,” she asked.

Hannibal paused and said nothing. Then turned to her.

“My lady...I understand you have a performance tomorrow. You are playing the knight and Rebecca is your princess...from what I understand.”

“...Yeah, so what? It’s small town news,” she answered.

“Mmmm,” mumbled Hannibal, with his eyes averted.

Maya raised her eyebrow, “Hannibal...are you asking if you can come see me perform tomorrow?” she almost whispered.

Hannibal gulped but didn’t answer.

Maya shook her head and reached in her bag. She pulled out one ticket and handed it to him.

“Hannibal, this is one ticket. You can come, but you are not to address me. Do you understand, baron?”

Hannibal accepted the ticket and stared at it. Admittance One, stamped on the front.

“I understand. Thank you my lady. And I will cheer for your performance.”

Maya narrowed her eyes.

“Even if I’m terrible?” she asked.

Hannibal gaped at her.

“My lady, I will slay any man who jeers at you!”

“What? Haha!” she laughed but quickly scowled again. “You may watch the performance. But you are not to slay anyone,” she said with a spin as she walked back toward the school, without saying goodbye.

“Yes, my lady...I won’t!” he shouted.

She half turned and glared at him, “Hmph!” she pouted.

He blushed.

Hannibal’s Pickup

Hannibal stood still and looked at the ticket in his hand. He then turned and whistled for Zane and Tidus to join him. Once the three entered Hannibal’s new pickup, he peeled out of the parking lot with a roar of his engine.

“What’s the plan, Hannibal?” asked Tidus.

“Simple gentlemen. Lady Maya will fix the device and she will join us. In the meantime we need the other diamonds from the vault in Albuquerque.”

“So let’s crack it tonight!” said Zane.

“We will. But let’s wait for Darna and we’ll leave before midnight. By the way, where is she?” asked Hannibal.

Tidus smiled, “Seems she’s found an earth boy. Heh, heh!” he laughed.

Hannibal grinned, “Oh? ” He glanced at Zane, “So Darna’s chosen a weak earth boy over a pretty baron. I think some nobles will be upset, hahaha!”

Tidus and Hannibal laughed, while Zane sat in the back scowling, unamused.

Cheer

The football team emerged from the locker room dressed after practice. Evan walked with them, having spent the day explaining that Leif had to fly back to California for a family emergency.

I didn’t want to lie, but I have people to protect.

Evan’s face wore a heavy gloom as his teammates cheered and laughed around him. He didn’t even notice Stacy Danner walking up to him.

“Hi Evan! Is this true about Leif?”

“Eh? Oh Stacy, hey...uh..yeah I don’t know the details. He just called and was like I gotta go to California for a bit.”

As Evan spoke, his teammates walking in front of him cheered loudly and wolf whistled at someone sitting in the bleachers near the locker exit, Darna. She stood up and waved at Evan.

“Oh shit!” he muttered aloud.

“Yo Evan, you know that girl?” yelled one of his teammates.

Evan opened his mouth to speak but another teammate yelled out, “Of course he knows that girl, pretty dudes like Evan always know bitches like that hahahahaha!” The whole team laughed.

Darna stared at the jeering boys, expressionless.

“Hey! Knock it off!” Evan barked at his rowdy team.

The team snickered and joked at Evan’s threat, but they toned it down.

The expressionless Darna ran toward Evan, and nodded to Stacy. “Evan Kiley, hello again,” she said.

“Hello,” Evan muttered and kept walking.

But Stacy stopped him, “Evan? Don’t be rude!” Stacy turned to Darna, “Hi, I’m Stacy!” she greeted.

Darna stared at her and blinked. “Hello Stacy, are you Evan’s girlfriend?”

Evan stepped back startled at the blunt question. But Stacy answered, “Me and Evan? No, he’s like my brother!” she said, “Why, you like Evan or something? Hee hee!” she giggled.

Darna blinked, “Yes, I like the way he talks.”

“Ha, I’m sure it’s just pillow talk,” said Stacy with a laugh, “Anyway nice meeting you whoever you are, and nice hair, I mean it!”

Stacy walked away and Darna watched her.

“Is there somethin’ I can help you with, maam?” asked Evan.

Darna spun hearing Evan’s cowboy drawl. She reached in her tiny purse and pulled out a glossy restaurant menu.

“Do you know this place?” she handed him the menu.

He read it. “Cafe A Go Go?..Yeah it’s on Commerce,” he answered.

“Oh, ok,” she said, and just looked at him.

After a moment Evan understood her silence and responded.

“Darna, right? Do you want me to take you to that cafe?” he asked her, softly.

Her eyes grew wide and her expression....changed.

“Yes. I want green chile wontons and bubble tea,” she said, and blinked.

“Ok. I’ll take you. But promise me you won’t do anything weird,” he said.

Darna blushed, “I promise I won’t do anything weird.”

Her monotone response snapped Evan awake, and he laughed.

“Yeah, that was weird, but we'll let it go.” He smiled and walked to his truck.

Darna followed him. Still blushing.

Cafe A Go Go

Evan and Darna walked into the crowded Cafe A Go Go. A Tears for Fears song blared on the speakers. The countertops and tables were covered in eighties era new wave band photo tablecloths.

“What in the heck?” said Evan smiling at the kitsch theme decor in the usually pretty and not as crowded restaurant.

A hostess explained the eighties theme and how customers keep piling in to hear the music and drink beer. After speaking with the hostess Evan turned to Darna.

“You knew about all of this eighties stuff happening here tonight, didn’t you?” he asked her.

“Yes. I want to drink bubble tea, and hear the songs,” she answered.

“Oh. But you didn’t need me to come with you,” said Evan with a shrug.

Darna blinked.

“But Evan, I didn’t want to come here with anyone else.”

Evan didn't know what to say. He met this girl last night and she scared him to death.

Now I’m in a restaurant with her and she’s saying what? Dude, I hope this chick ain’t bat shit crazy.

“Kiley, table for two,” said the hostess.

“Yes, that’s us, were the Kileys!” said Darna with a smile.

With the Bangles’ Walk Like an Egyption blaring on the speakers, Darna clutched Evan’s hand and did an eighties girl two step dance move and a spin. And to Evan it was sexy as hell.

“Hey, where’d you learn to do that?” he laughed.

“Hee, I watched the videos online! That wasn’t weird was it?” she asked.

Evan blushed and their eyes locked.

“No, that wasn’t weird at all. Actually...

...that was kinda hot!”

EXTRA STUFF IF YOU'RE INTERESTED ^_^

Hi guys ^_^ You don’t have to read this below to follow the story. This is for readers who would like to understand how the Government of Kella, known as the House Trident operates. This is just a basic explanation.

The nation of Kella on the planet Eres, is a large representative republic and the largest economy on the planet of over one hundred nations. Most smaller nations on Eres are monarchies, limited democracies, theocracies or autocracies. Most larger nations of Eres tend to be “Strong-Man-Lite or Tribunal.” Meaning they are committee run dictatorships that respond to the needs of their restless republics...most of the time.

The House Trident of Kella: A thousand year old three party balance of power similar to eighteenth century British parliament on the planet earth. With commoners, nobles and a thoroughly vetted legal wing unbeholden to noble and common houses.

1. House Planter: The commoners. This branch of the house debates and selects legislation for law in Kella. The house consists of non-noble freely elected citizens from the Kellan prefectures. These would be professionals, farmers, narcissist, academics, citizens, etc.

2. House Noble: A senate of appointed prefecture Dukes all the way down to Barons, inherited by family. This branch of the trident can vote on or can veto planter legislation (with a bicameral majority) and in some cases present their own laws voted by the House Planter. Although there are over one hundred families of gentry in the large country of Kella, only nine are recognized as the top families.

3. House Magistrate Arbiters- Elder judges who have served elected judgeships for over thirty years on the republic level are then appointed by joint committee by the House Planter and the House Noble and approved to lifetime positions as Magistrate Arbiters. (Supreme Court).

4 The Grand Duke Presider: Typically the House Noble selects the Grand Duke Presider of Kella and she or he is approved (or disapproved) by the people’s electoral college vote. This position holds the exact executive power of a prime minister or president with direct control of the military (the Trident Guard), and foreign affairs and diplomacy. The Grand Duke Presider is usually a noble from the nine strongest noble families, but not always. The people of Kella and the House Planters hold a lot of power in the republic of Kella and have voted for “colorful” non-noble Grand Duke Presiders in the past. But historically this position stays within the nine families. Kellan’s are traditionalist like that.

There are over one hundred noble families on Kella. But nine represent the strongest families. The nine families (clans) and their banner.

1. Alexander (Leif, Maya) Banner- Sky Dragons

2. Cesar (Anya) Banner- Black Eagle

3. Ox (Hannibal)- Banner- Taurus Major

4. Brisbane (Sorcia)- Banner- Charging Wolf

5. Daidor (Zane)- Banner- Rock Lion

6. Garsen (Icas)- Banner- Scorpion.

7. Peret (Vesh)- Banner- Spitting Viper

8. Nyban (Tidus) - Banner- Steppes Bear

9. Benzian (Darna)- Banner- Fire Hawk

...