3Below: The Adventure Continues

Chapter 12: New Eyes, New World, New Threats

"So, let me get this straight; there's a bounty hunter in Arcadia? Great, and here I thought we were all good," Steve said as he paced back and forth across the room as the Aliens looked at the photo displayed on Eli's phone while Eli and ARRRGGHH watched him and Toby kept his gaze at their new alien friends, as they sat in silence with fear looks, "This is just perfect! Since they're not here to turn us into alien zombies, then these bounty hunters will!" Steve added with his hands on his hips. That's when Toby look back at him, "Steve, calm down, alright? We'll figure this out," Toby said to him, calmly, "How? We don't even know where this guy is!" Steve said, "Then we'll start looking for him. Look, we survived an attack by a power-hungry troll warlord and psycho magic lady, I think we can handle a measly bounty hunter," Toby reasoned with his friend with determination gracing tone. However, his words finally broke the aliens of their fear induced trance, "Uh, I said "bounty hunters," plural and I wouldn't describe them as "measly"," Krel clarified as Toby turned back to the alien, "Wait, you guys think there's more than one?" Toby asked them, concern. "We don't think," Vex started as Toby turned his gaze onto him, "we know. The Dictator must have sent out a wanted claim throughout the galaxy after we got shot down," Vex explained as he looked back the image, "But what's the point in that? I figure he would think you guys didn't survive the crash," Eli piped him, concern. "He wants proof," Aja said to him, "It's obvious, he wants make sure that we're dead, so he doesn't have to worry about us coming back," Aja said to him. "It was rather foolish of us to think that he wouldn't," Krel added, with his arms crossed with a worried look on his face. However, Toby remain determined, "Come on, I know this is bad, but we can stop them," Toby said to them, trying to perk his alien friends up, "You don't understand, galactic bounty hunters are extremely competitive and relentless. Especially if the price is high. We're not just talking about one or two bounty hunters, we're talking about every bounty hunter in the galaxy coming here to this planet as we speak," Vex said to him in attempt to enlighten Toby of the impeding situation, "And given the fact that you already had contact with their field bots, proves how determine they really are in finding the prince and princess or at least whoever owns these bots that is," he added as he handed Eli back his phone, "All the more reason we should stop them," Toby said back to him in determination, "Toby, I understand you want to help them but you have to understand what Vex is saying as well," Dictatious piped in as he looked towards him with his arms crossed, "This is an entirely new threat. Much different from fighting goblins or even Gunmar himself. They only thing you've experience from these bounty hunters is destroying their toys," Dictatious said to him in attempt to get Toby to think about the situation, "You need to take it slow and figure out what you're dealing with. Your knowledge of the Troll world won't be much use in this world," he added on. Toby sat there a moment to process this information, "He does have a point, Toby. We haven't face anything like this before and as Steve mentioned, we don't even know where these bounty hunters are or how many even," Eli piped, seeing Dictatious's point, "Yeah, we don't even know where to start," Steve added on. Toby took in their words as he stood there with a thoughtful look. He soon concluded that they're right. Where can they start? How would they get started? "Wait, do you still have those robot parts, Eli?" Krel ask as he looked towards Eli's direction, "Um, yeah, they're at my house, why?" Eli answered, "If the base isn't too badly damaged, I might be able to hack in it and see if I can find the coordinates to pinpoint where it was deployed," Krel explained to him. "I don't know, we really put a pummeling on those robots. I don't know if you'll be able to turn it on," Steve piped in, doubt gracing his tone. Krel merely scoffed, "Please, if I can make a capacitor to capture over a hundred million volts of lightning from just a microwave, then I'm confident that I'll be able to get this bot up and working long enough to hack in it. Although, it might take some time," Krel explained to him. "Then we'll head for Eli's house and grab all the parts so that way you have everything you need," Toby piped in. "That can wait until morning. For now, I think it's best that you get your friend back to your domicile before the Pharmakon releases from his face," Vex piped in as he gestured towards Dictatious, "It's best if he starts resting now in case he does end up with migraine later," he added on. Toby looked over to Dictatious and watched him for a moment. He noticed him winced here and there a few times as he concluded that Vex may have a point, "I recommend a day's rest and adjustment just to be safe to prevent any unwanted effects," he added once catching Toby's attention, "Uuuh, "effects"?" he questioned, cautiously his face full of concern for the soon-to-be sighted troll. "Admittedly, this is the first time I've ever seen Pharmakon cure blindness. I've heard it could but other than it causes a severe migraine, I know little of its effects. Let alone the effects on Earthlings. Especially, uh, Earth trolls," Vex said honestly, but still maintaining his stern tone. Dictatious scoffed in reply, "Well isn't that reassuring? You threw sentient slime at my face that's currently having a smorgasbord on my eyes and you have no clue how it's going to affect me. That's nice, that's real nice," Dictatious said to him, sarcastically with his arms cross over his chest as he cringed slightly. Vex glared at him in response, "You know you could be a little more grateful. You're going to see again, for Kleb sakes," Vex said to him. Dictatious merely huffed at him, "I'll be grateful once when this goop is off my face," he said to him gruffly with a frown on his face, "What's a "Kleb?" ARRRGGHHH!! questioned. Vex in return glared at him but said nothing, "He's right. We should probably get you home, Dictatious," Toby said as he walked over to help Eli guide him. Steve looked back at the alien briefly before following Toby's pursuit. "We'll be back tomorrow," Toby said to them as help Dictatious on his feet, "And I'll bring those robot parts for you to look at, Krel," Eli piped in. "If it's no trouble, I think it's best if we meet at your house, Eli. Since the parts are already there," Krel said to him while Aja stared at him with a small glare on her face. Toby wasn't entirely surprised by this request as they started to head for the door. "Uh, it was nice to meet you all or...uh...the "real" you, I guess," Toby turn to them with a smile on his face, "Same to you and thank you for helping us," Aja said to them as Krel stood next to her, "They haven't done anything yet," he mumbled. Aja heard this and elbowed her brother, "Ow, what?" Krel protested as he rubbed the side of his arm as Aja glared at her brother briefly before turning back to Toby with a smile on her face, "Well, we'll see you guys later," Toby said as he followed everyone else. Briefly glancing towards Vex who was still giving him a wary look as the door shut close. "Good, they're gone. For now, at least," Krel said as he walks back to the living room. Aja turn towards her brother, "Must you be so rude? They want to help us," Aja reasoned with him, "They followed us to our ship, Aja. Now, I know we're still learning the customs on this planet, but I don't think stalking is part of those customs or at least it shouldn't," Krel said back to her. Aja merely sigh, "Little Brother, if we are to get off this planet you have to learn to trust them," Aja countered gently, "Me? What about you? I saw you made no attempt to be honest either. Especially since we're still referring to our planet as that ridiculous name.... or the details of our parent's fate," Krel said to her, sadly. Aja looked down sadly as well, "Look, they may not be bounty hunters but that doesn't mean I trust them," Krel added, "Princess Aja, I understand you want to see the best in these humans but until they prove to be worthy of our trust, we must remain cautious," Vex said to her. As much as she wants to disagree with her brother and Vex, they may have a point. Afterall, they hardly know them, but that doesn't mean she's not willing to give them a chance.