Unexpected

Chapter 9: Striking A Deal

Yamiko Akuma

April 28th 2304

6:30AM

“Do you think they will come?” I asked my brother. He looked at me with dull eyes, this what the meds do. “You gave them...an offer they could not refuse,... they will come.” he answers me weakly. I walked his frail body to his sleeping quarter and wrap him with some blankets. When I reached the lounge, Loki had brought in the elf and her companions. “So, I’ve seen you made your decision.” I try to sound confident. “Yes, we would like to discuss the matters quickly.” said the Elf. “Oh, but you have not introduced yourselves; what am I to call you, Elf?” I questioned her.

“FIne, my name is Felizita Amsel.” the Elf introduces. “I’m Ak-” one of the young men were going to speak but I interrupted. “No, I want to know full names, and planet of origin.” I eyed the one with the black cloak.

“I’m Felizita Amsel from Velanos.” the Elf repeated.

“Akio, no last name, no planet of origin.” said the boy I seemed to know, from where I don't know, but there is something familiar about him.

“Akihito Himura from Earth” said the boy with the outgrown bowlcut. Really, Earth? that’s surprising.

“I’m Dahlia Spyros, from New Earth.” said only other girl in the crew.

“And I am, the great Lucius Spyros.” said the shortest of the boys. He had the same dark hair of his sister.

“Alright, please seat down.” I said. They all sat down Felizta and Akio at the ends of the long sofa. “You have a wrecked ship and we have the supplies to fix it. The thing is that nothing in life is free, so the real deal is what will you gives so that we can fix your ship?” I told them, looking at each of them in the eye. “How much is it going to cost.?” said Felizita. “Oh no… we don't need money.” I said as I looked at Loki and the others standing around me, save for Karasu. “We would better like some information. Maybe you, Akio, could tell us all who you really are?” I pointed to the covered male. “Have any of you seen him without this get-up?” they all shook their heads. “Hmm, what are you hiding, Akio?” I asked him in a more of a rhetorical manner. “Is there something else you might want to know, something that might not concern with me?” Akio said and I heard the hate seethe through his lips. “No, now I’m really set on knowing who you really are?” I answered.

“How about a compromise?” Loki’s voice caught me off guard. “They give you another piece of information, but Akio will need to take off that stupid costume and take his hair off his face.” Loki finished.  “Good idea, so what information are you going to offer?” I turn back to the other crew. “We don’t know, I could tell you about myself, if what you want is to collect information of us.” Felizita said.  “We already know about you, Queen. I guess, we would like to know about Earth. How is it like, Akihito?” I decided that it would come in handy to know how Earth is doing now. “Well, last time I  was there was about 3 years ago, but I don’t think it could have changed much. It was covered in smog and there were very little people left, most were too poor to leave the dying planet.” Akihito answered. “Really, that’s a bit boring but I guess you kept to your part of the deal. Now Akio show us your face.” I said. “Not until you fix our ship after you fix it I’ll show you how I truly look.” Akio told me and I agreed with the new condition.  

Yamiko Akuma

May 7th 2304

2:45PM

It took a little over a week for the guys to finish repairing the ship and we were all having an afternoon snack in the lounge before Akio had to reveal his true identity. Karasu had chosen to eat with everyone even though I tried to keep him in bed today, his cough was getting worse. We were all eating simple ham and cheese sandwiches, “The last repair has been made. You’re free to go after Akio reveals himself.” Fuwa said happily. Sometimes I think he’s too happy for a thirty year old that rarely sees his family. I see the other crew perk up at the news, but Akio continues to take a bite from his sandwich. “Show us how you truly look, Akio.” I told him. He then stands up and takes off his cloak, under it he was wearing a simple black t-shirt and black pants. His body build told me he worked out. “Ok, now the mask and hair.” I said, awaiting to see his face, but instead of taking his mask off, he takes off running pulling Felizita by the wrist. Akihito had picked up Dahlia and was running with her in his arms as Lucius follow close behind. “Aren’t you going to do something?” said Karasu. “No... not right now. Let them have their false sense of security. We’ll strike when they least expect it.” I answered, staring motionlessly at the place where they had been. So close.

Felizita Amsel

May 7th 2304

3:00PM

After some ten minutes of flying I decided that we were far away enough and put the ship in autopilot. I walked into the lounge and saw the kids talking about how they had made it. When I heard something that made me stop my tracks, “Why is it you’ve never shown us your face, Akio?” Dahlia has questioned Akio. “Hey Feli, has Akio ever shown you how he looks?” Dahlia turned her question toward me. “Well, truthfully, no I’ve never even seen him without that cloak of his till this day.” I answered. “What are you hiding, Akio?” Lucius then joins the topic. I looked at Akio’s face, no emotion was conveyed. As much as I wanted to believe Akio had a good reason to hide his face, I could not see why he couldn’t trust us to see him as he really was. “Do you not trust us?” the words slipped out my mouth. Akio just turned and walked away, presumably to his room.