"And then when I tried running the code, all the lights went out."
Xander was talking to Tsuki in the coffee shop trying to make casual conversation. The shop was lively enough. Mostly college aged students discussing random things Xander tuned out. Tsuki was trying to focus on the task at hand, but her Fashion Frenzy mode was in overdrive. They had to share a bed last night at the inn, and she kept moving in her sleep. Priyanka was still on lookout, keeping her best eye out for anyone who looked like Luminita. Xander knew what to look out for. Jet black hair, super pale, usually wearing white when away from her college work. Nobody matching that exact description. Tsuki was just glancing around for anyone wearing flashier clothes and checking the time on her phone every couple seconds.
"So, any idea when we're going to the castle?" Priyanka asked.
"I mean, we got here pretty late." Xander whispered. "I think today should be used to explore the castle for any entry points while I secure an escape route to our ship."
"And Tsuki?"
"Tsuki can…honestly, she can come with whoever."
"I'll just go with Xander." Tsuki added after checking her phone.
"Understood." Priyanka said calmly while taking a sip from the coffee she clearly hated.
"Hey, guys."
Xander looked up, and Gwen was standing over the table holding two small cups of coffee.
"While you were talking, Luminita walked into the store."
Waiting in line was Luminita. Her long straight hair going down to her elbows. She was incredibly pale and wearing a white cardigan with a black shirt underneath it alongside some worn out jeans. Trent got her cheap coffee, and she sat down by the window and checked her phone.
"So…what do we do now?" Xander whispered.
"Take her?" Priyanka asked calmly.
"Wait, what?"
"It makes the most sense, I think. Hold her for ransom for the shield. Marcel is a very family-oriented man who already lost his wife, so protecting his only daughter is something he might be very well inclined to do."
"Okay, but…kidnapping?"
"Worst case scenario some of the top ten fighters are brought in to rescue us while getting away with Luminita. Nobody has to get hurt if everything goes to plan."
"Right…right, yeah. Makes sense." Xander nodded. "So, how would we do this?"
"You go keep her occupied. Tsuki and I grab her when she's unaware and take her to the back. Trent and Gwen shut the store down. Gives us a whole new set of hostages to bargain with as well."
"Yeah. Yeah, you're really smart, Priyanka." Xander nodded slowly, looking around to see if anyone would actually be a good fighter. Luckily it seemed nobody was particularly well built.
Xander crept out of his seat and walked behind Luminita holding his own cup of coffee, taking a casual sip behind her while trying to figure out an approach method.
"I checked on the way here, the place seems to be closed for a while."
She whispered softly into the phone.
"Well, I can ask around, but I don't know any other places that fix electronics."
Hold on a sec. Electronics. This was his harmless way in.
"Sorry, did you say electronics?"
Luminita turned to meet him, looking confused.
"Yes? Can I help you?"
"Any idea what electronics you're having issues with?" Xander asked calmly as he sat down next to her.
"My father's having issues with a new gaming console he got recently. One of the newer disc running ones if that helps."
"So what's the deal, not running games?"
"I think so."
"Well, I am going to college for electronic repair, so maybe I could figure out what's up with it."
"Which college?"
"Hmm?"
"Which college? Very simple question."
"Um…Sum 41 college in Ropear. Very local place, doesn't even have a website yet. But it's pretty good."
"I see. May I see some ID then? Just to be safe."
Xander quickly produced his fake ID, and Luminita scanned it for a while. Priyanka walked up to her, and Xander pushed a hand out, shaking his head.
'If this works I'm getting in.' He mouthed quickly.
Priyanka gave a thumbs up, took another shot of coffee, and sat back down.
"Seems real, Mr. Dobalina." She said quietly, handing him back his card. "We can go now if you're ready."
"Yeah, just let me talk to my friends."
Xander went back to the table Priyanka and Tsuki were sitting at.
"Okay, there's an issue with a video game console back at her place, and she's letting me in to fix it. Be on alert and keep your phones on at all times. I'll call you the second I see an entry point to the shield."
"How long will you be gone for?" Tsuki asked.
"A couple hours at least." Xander replied with a quick wink.
"Okay, I'm gonna check the clothing stores." Tsuki whispered. "Just in case things go bad and we need a disguise."
"Yeah, sounds good."
"I'll check the perimeter of the castle." Priyanka announced, walking out of the shop with Tsuki quickly following.
Xander casually walked up to Luminita once they left.
"Kay, they're just gonna hang out for a while. I'm ready when you are."
The two left the coffee shop, and Luminita began the small talk.
"So, how's Ropear?"
"It's pretty nice." Xander nodded. "The steak is way better over there."
"Yes, I've heard that the cattle industry in Ropear is quite good."
"It is, yeah." Xander nodded. His parents worked on a farm in a simple housing ship. If he remembered correctly the meat was considered pretty good. But then the question of whether or not his parents were even alive came into his head for the first time in…fifteen years, when he was brought onto the cluster. He hoped so, so he could find them once the whole New Legion thing blew over.
"Fashion. Fashion."
Xander snapped back to find Luminita continued her conversation.
"So, what are your thoughts on the new ShiShi fashion store?"
"Yeah, my friend and I were there yesterday. It seems pretty cool, but I don't know much about it."
"Was it true the Zeus group was protesting there?"
"Suit guys?" Xander asked. "Yeah."
"I'm trying to get my father to do something about them, but he isn't listening."
"Is your dad a good person?" Xander asked.
"I'd say so. He's fair to the people and well liked by most, and he has a good relationship with all the other Lux members. But his age is beginning to show, and he doesn't know how to navigate these new power preachers and weird cults that have been springing up lately."
"Power preachers?" Xander asked.
"People get popular preaching their god of choice over TV and the internet. They ask for donations and the wealth just keeps pouring in the more powerful they get until they have entire housing ships loyal to them. I heard they've been popping up in Saoloro and Gurut too."
"Well, I haven't been paying that much attention to them." Xander sighed. "Back home it's the same as ever. Hera fans, you know how it is."
"I thought Ropear people worshipped Demeter."
"Do they?" Xander said nervously. "Really shows how little attention I pay, right?"
"Clearly." Luminita nodded calmly. "It's fine, I never paid much attention to it either."
But they finally made it to the castle. Two guards in bulky clothing holding spears stood in front of the closed door leading to the courtyard.
"Lady Luminita." One said calmly.
"Greetings." She replied calmly as her and Xander walked past. The courtyard was mostly empty with the exception of several intimidating looking soldiers doing training drills.
"What's with those guys?" Xander asked.
"New soldiers in training. Brought in to offset any invasions by the New Legion."
"Ah, right." Xander said, trying not to panic at what he'd face should anything go wrong.
"Anyway, I should probably tell my father I'm home." Luminita said, dropping a quick text just before they went into the door.
In front of Xander was an empty entrance room, beautifully lit up with a gold-plated chandelier and red velvet curtains at each side of the oval windows, with a grand staircase in the centre leading to the next floor, with a red carpet leading upwards to the next floor. A little excessive, but still a pretty nice place.
"Luminita!"
The voice bellowed from upstairs, then quickly ran downstairs to meet them. King Marcel. Wearing a plain white t-shirt and shorts with short and curly brown hair that was noticeably starting to grey. If not for how jolly his face was, he'd probably look fairly intimidating. The dude was pretty muscular.
"How are you doing?" He asked as he enthusiastically went in for a hug.
"Good, good." Luminita replied, trying to pry herself out of his grip before eventually giving in and sinking deeper into his chest.
"And this must be the new helper!" He said, going over to shake his hand. His grip was strong as the hands shook.
"Yep, that's me." Xander said nervously.
"Oh, no need for formalities!" Marcel replied. "Now then, you mind seeing the issues the old console is having?"
The three made their way up the staircase onto the second floor. A small walk through a regal hallway with the same design as the entrance and they were in the kings room.
The room was about as large as the airship he came here on. One half of the room was a shelf full of books about politics and other worldly pursuits. On the other side was a shelf full of consoles and video games, with an incredibly large TV in front of his bed.
"Okay, so which console is having problems?" Xander asked, sauntering over to the one plugged into the TV. "This one?"
It seemed like a Turbostation, new console that read discs as opposed to cartridges. He had managed to 'source' a few games onto his computer, but he'd only seen a broken one beyond repair up close.
"That one, yes."
Xander took a screwdriver next to it and opened the console up after unplugging it. His guess as to what was wrong was the laser that read the disc wasn't working. So he made a slight adjustment to it hoping it worked the same way. He closed the console, plugged it back in, and waited with bated breath as the console turned on.
The Turbostation logo started up…and then the game itself.
"You genius!" Marcel yelled out as the title screen loaded in. "Now, what can I pay you?"
"Uhh…thirty luxa sounds good, I think." Xander whispered.
"That all? Whatever you say!"
He handed Xander the thirty luxa out of his pocket.
"Thank you, Mr…can I have a name?"
"Bob Dobalina." Xander replied casually, hoping he wouldn't catch him out.
"Actually, Mr Dobalina, I have a small request of you."
"Shoot."
"Are you aware of the Vannana Ball?"
"I know…of it." Xander replied. This was a lie, but it seemed like the kind of thing all Lux-associated airships would know about, so best to just play along.
"Well, it's a gathering of all the lux members to signify the peace between us. It's custom to bring a date for most people, and Luminita hasn't had the time to find one. So if it's okay with you, we could have you escort her."
A date? In Vannana?
"I mean, if you give me a while to think about it, that'd be nice."
"Absolutely! Feel free to stay the night in a spare room while you think about it. But we're leaving tomorrow, so be sure to have an answer by then!"
Xander was left inside one of the spare rooms while he was supposed to 'think about it.' If he remembered correctly, the Vannana spear wasn't taken yet. This could be his chance to take two weapons, but it was way riskier. If he was found out he'd be on his own, and probably imprisoned at the very best. Finding Tsuki and Priyanka wouldn't be too hard either. It wasn't worth it. Separating himself from the group would be a really bad idea. He stepped out of his room and into a bathroom once no guards were about. He took out his phone and called Tsuki.
"Where are you?" Tsuki asked as she picked up.
"Look, slight issue." Xander replied. "Marcel and Luminita invited be to a ball in Vannana. They leave tomorrow."
"So what, do we wait until they leave to take the shield?"
"Well, they probably won't let me in the castle again. Look, I understand if you're not up for it, but I think tonight is our best chance to get it while most of the guards are asleep."
"Wait, tonight?"
"Where's Priyanka?"
There was a slight pause as Xander waited for a response.
"Give us an hour to get there, have an entry point ready by then."