“Natural Disaster”
“You have about three minutes before I kick you out of my club.” Kaitlyn spat the chewed gum from her mouth and smacked it towards Air’s feet. A grin on her face, hoping she would take the bait. This was an itch she had been wanting to scratch for years. She felt her own nerves jittering. The traitor was in front of her, and she didn’t even have to wait for Nike to set up the match.
Aira looked at the wad of gum by her big toe. Lifting her eyes from it to Kaitlyn. With a smooth motion, she stepped over it and approached Kaitlyn. Slowly. Until they were face-to-face.. Kaitlyn was taller as she leered at the smaller but more solid Aira—no fear, just like her fight with Miho. Kaitlyn was impressed. She noticed the rest of the room was watching on.
“Poor, Kaitlyn. Looking for a fight as always. It’s a wonder how we survived so many heists back when we were kids with you and your headstrong attitude.”
“One Minute.” Kaitlyn sneered. Clutching her fists. Her eyes never leave Aira. Aira looked over at the boys and threw her hip to the side.
“The last time Dr. Ray was seen was at your brother’s club. The Gridiorn.”
“What was he doing there?” Apollo asked.
“I would assume doing what he always does. Checking up on us. Even if we are all being forced to keep the peace in these underground fights, you know he cares about us.”
“How do you know this?” Kaitlyn shot. “Because your time is up.”
Aira, without batting an eye, went into her jacket pocket. Pulled out a phone and handed it over to Kaitlyn. Reluctantly, Kaitlyn reached out and then snatched it from her hand.
“Rude, much?”
“all the time.” Kaitlyn punched back. She scrolled back up through the text message from a few weeks ago. Dr. Ray told Aria he was going to conduct all of the checks. He was going to start with Flint. There was also a conversation about Nike’s control over the underground and how he wanted to free them, as they were never meant to be forced to fight in the underground business she created.
“Well? Yohsi asked. His arms crossed as he stood between Aira and the others. Making sure they didn’t get in Kaitlyn wasy. She always loved that about him. He was their real planner; she was the tactician. She tossed the phone back at Aira, who caught it without concern.
“She’s telling the truth; it was his number. Apparently, he felt that Nike is starting to abuse her power and was going to reprogram her after visiting Flint.”
“And that was the last I heard from him. Aira posted herself against the wall by the door. “Whether ya’ll trust me or not. Nike is up to something, and Dr. Ray.” She stopped as Kaitlyn heard a sob. Aira looked at them. “I know you all hate me. That’s fine. But Dr. Ray is in trouble, and I can’t do this alone.”
“So, Nike wants the doctor out of the way. Making us dependent on her. She means to use that to force us to kill the humans.” Apollo said. Plooping on a nearby green couch. Dust and particles sprayed upward, making him cough.
“Apollo’s right, that’s what Iceberg basically told me. The fleshbags won’t see it coming. Except those who have earned favor like Iceberg.” Miho moved from near Apollo. Kaityln could see the annoyance on Miho’s face, but noticed that her guard was down around Apollo. Something she would have to keep an eye on.
“Do. Do you think he’s dead?” Princess asked.
Silence crept into the room. Only the faint sound of the crowd from the hall and the rhythmic thumping of dancing and music filtered in. Cold hugged them as their despair started to rise. Kailtyn remembers this feeling. When she and her brother came home to find their foster dad dead. They were warned it would happen, but Dr. Ray tried to stop Nike and her goons, but they got him. She could feel that rage growing in her. They were betrayed, just like when Aira betrayed their group.
She took a deep sigh. Sat in her chair. He wasn’t dead. But he probably was close. Nike made her move. It was time for them to make theirs.
“Yoshi, you are liable for the broken arm. Princes, take him back to his place. I want you two to use you to run mission control. When she locked eyes with him, she could see Yoshi’s fear as he adamantly nodded his head in agreement. Princess also responded the same way. They got up and left the door without glancing at Aira.
“We will keep you guys in the loop.” Yoshi waved with his good arm.
“Miho, I wouldn’t dare to give you orders, but if Iceberg wants you to help us, then I need you to try and get as much information as possible from him. He’s part of her inner circle; he might be able to get more information from Nike.”
“And why would i listen to you?”
“‘Cause you get a rematch.”
Miho smirked, and a small, violent laugh erupted. “You’re on. I’ll keep in touch with Matchstick.”
“I appreciate it.” Kailtyn nodded as Miho also ignored Aira. but turned to wave at Apollo before ducking out the door. Apollo seemed like he wanted to smirk, but looked at Kaitlyn.
“What do you want me to do, and what about the traitor?”
“The name is Aira, please use it, you’re not that immature.”
“You’re both coming with me.”
“Oh, goody goody gosh!” Aira pretended to smile. “is this the whole keep your enemies closer?”
“No, not at all. I know you and the Doctor are close. Maybe closer than the rest of us. I don’t know why, but it’s something we all always noticed. Despite you being the 5th creation.
“Good thing we all had different donors. I hate to call you sister, like how other robots think.”
“Apollo, stay focused.” Kaitlyn shook her head. “We’re going to go to the GridIron. See if Flint can give us more insight.”
“Do we have to do that?” Apollo crossed his arms. He looked concerned as he turned to Aira. Aira also appeared to be worried.
“You’re not wrong, I just don’t think you should go there. Maybe Apollo and I can handle it?”
Kaitlyn pushed past Aira. She knew they thought she was upset, but further from the truth. “You both are worried too much. All we are going to do is visit my twin brother.”