Time Force Delta Squad: Trapped (S2 Game)

Alluka grow intrigued by this. While Soujiro has the opportunity to learn more about his heritage, she wishes she can meet her own kind in this time. But sadly, it won't happen until seven centuries later, which she remains disappointed by this. The Umekian looks at Soujiro, wondering what his ultimate decision will be.
_______

"So."

"So."

Cody and Rolo are sitting on the edge of the water fountain, outside of the facility. Rolo's body language remains tight and anxious, Cody’s the same thing albeit subtle.

With a deep breath, Rolo stops fiddling his fingers and turns to face his uncle. "Tell me what happened to t-that day. Not, you know, not vaguely." He bravely requests.

For a moment it seems as if Cody can’t answer, that whatever it is will crumble down from inside. But he begins eventually, eyes diverted elsewhere as he slowly explains, "I’m going to be completely honest, and it is going to be hard to hear some of it.”

Rolo nods his head, his face is set, “I understand.”

“Well. I was at the lab, doing maintenance work. I just finished talking with your dad. While I cleaned around his lab, I stumbled upon his creation, the Neurotomic Protocore. Something about that got me hypnotized and I wanted to touch it.” Cody pauses, watching Rolo as he absorbs this information. He gives him a nod to continue.

Taking a deep breath, the Blue Ranger does, “At first I stopped. I couldn’t touch it because it belonged to your father and your father only. But it drawn to me. Just when I was going to touch it, I heard your father and mother calling my name. I felt your father pushing me away from the Protocore. Not before I touched it and… it was all a blur. I woke up to see smoke and fire and debris. I didn’t see your parents to be honest. I hadn’t had any idea but just ran as my body would carry me. By the time I stopped at the alley, I passed out. Only to wake up not remembering everything...” Cody isn’t looking at Rolo anymore, he can’t look at him. He needs to watch the grass blowing, needs to not feel his guilt over Ephraim’s death so potently few years later.

“I recognize glimpses of him. Some parts were there. Always has been. Some of your father’s belongings did help me. I tried to look for answers, tried to look for your parents but there’s none. I couldn’t Rolo.” Cody’s voice is getting thick, he needs to move forward, but golly, this is hard.

“Your father’s belongings did help me look for you. Even though I couldn’t recall, I had to at least know if you’re alive and well. Your situation wasn’t pleasant as I thought. Even though you had a roof over your head, your life was ripped away to begin with. Because of me, I failed your parents. I failed you most of all. I failed you and I’m sorry.” Cody wants to touch Rolo’s hand but he doesn’t think he’s allowed. Suddenly, he feels his hand gripping him.

Through tears Rolo says, “It’s an accident. You didn’t know. It's not your fault.”

“It is. You should be mad at me. I did this to you.”

“Well, I did. I thought Galilee was right about you. But after a while, I realized I couldn’t be mad at you forever. I didn’t give you a chance to answer. I shouldn’t have listen to him.” Rolo bravely explains through the tears. “My dad tried to save you. Mind you, I didn’t know my mom was there with him. I hadn’t seen her since we left. Anyway, he saved you. You save me. You come back for me..”

“I guess I- I guess I do. Of course it’s a few years late but not because I never wanted you or because I never loved you. Rolo, I have always loved you.”

Rolo is hugging him now, crying into his shoulder. He is so good, he is so strong. Cody holds him tightly, his hand cupping the back of his head, stroking the hair there. He feels the weight lifting off from him as his own tears fall. It isn’t the end of this story. They still have a long way to go. But it’s a start.

"The colony. There are about fifty of us living in an area just on the outskirt of town. We all work in Silver Hills, and we get passed by every day. We can control our forms, and I want to teach you the tricks we've learned," Grilos said. "Will you trust me to help you?"

Sojiro nodded fully, "Yeah. I will give you my trust," he spoke to Grilos.

"He made that part clear." Kari said with a slight shrug. "We can't count on that happening in the future, which means we have to get better on all fronts to keep any of us from dying as well." She said with a shrug.

"Like being shot in the chest," Tanjiro said with a small smile.
______

Sojiro nodded fully, "Yeah. I will give you my trust," he spoke to Grilos.

Alluka lets out a smile, happy for Soujiro to accept Grilos's offer. Averting her eyes to the floor, she thinks of asking Grilos if she'll like to accompany her friend to the Agronite community but she isn't sure she's allowed to come. She's going to have to try. "Grilos, will it be alright for you if I can visit the community as well?" The Umekian asks.

Grilos looked at Alluka and smiled. "Of course. We don't normally have outsiders visiting us, so this will be a treat," he said. "And never an Umekian."

Sojiro turned to Alluka, "Luka. Are you sure about this?" he asked, looking concerned.

"When it comes right down to it, I do not have anyone outside you and me to connect with other kind here. Besides distant calls from my sisters, I feel lonely. I think by going with you and Grilos, I will learn about myself as well." Alluka answers with a small smile. "For you, this is your opportunity to learn about your heritage, Soujiro."
__________

Both uncle and nephew remain in their embrace until the tears are spents, and Cody lifts his head to check the time on his wrist. He doesn’t want to let his nephew go, but there are matters that required to be dealt with before they continue on their day. So he holds him for a moment before pulling back, hands holding onto his arms.

“So, you didn’t kill them at all then? With that itch Galilee mention? Just an accident.” Rolo speaks up first.

Cody strokes the boy’s arm and takes a breath as an attempt to try to center himself before beginning again. “What Galilee said about the ‘itch,’ i-it’s from my habit of scratching my skin. It’s been this way since I was a kid. Not the pleasant time of my life.”

“I see. Since you say having your ‘itch’ is not the pleasant time of your life, it’s okay to not tell me about this. It’s too much for my brain to swallow.”

Cody looks away and smiles subtly, relieved that Rolo opts to not know about his habit. Telling him more trauma will put too much strain for him mentally. “Understandable. At least you have the answers you’ve been looking for.”

“Yeah." Rolo smiles, stands up from his position and reach a hand out to his uncle. "All this talking and tears makes me feel in the mood for ice cream. Can we go there?"

"Can't argue with this one." Cody agrees, accepting his nephew's hand to get up.

"Well.." Kari said taking a second to take in his smile, though small, it was still a smile. "Stop getting shot?" She asked with a shrug and a humorous smile plastered on her lips. "No but for real, please don't do that again. I don't think my heart could actually take it again. It's one thing to work on strangers, it's another when it's your team mates or family." She said with a slight shake of her head.

"Let us go, Soujiro." Alluka says, allowing her Yellow friend to lead while she follows. While she does this, she takes out her phone to let Cody know she finds Soujiro and will be leaving with him to the place where his kind lives. The last she doesn't want to leave him in the dark.

"Right, I'll let Kari and Tanjiro know as well," Sojiro said as he followed Grilos and Alluka to the car.

Once Alluka sits inside Grilos's car, she take a exhale to relax in order to bide some time. She wonders what's going to be like over there. Will the community be vibrant or not? One has to know. She needs people here she can relate to sometimes. In the meantime, she distracts herself by checking her phone, reading the reply from Cody with a smile.

Grilos got in after Sojiro, starting the car and taking off. he drove through Silver Hills, the city starting to get more rundown as he drove. The Argonite sighed to himself, hoping that he was doing the right thing. After a few minutes of driving, he stopped outside of a large building, wide enough for a community.

"This is us," he said, stepping out of the car and walking around the front, waiting for Sojiro and Alluka.
______

"Well.." Kari said taking a second to take in his smile, though small, it was still a smile. "Stop getting shot?" She asked with a shrug and a humorous smile plastered on her lips. "No but for real, please don't do that again. I don't think my heart could actually take it again. It's one thing to work on strangers, it's another when it's your team mates or family." She said with a slight shake of her head.

Tanjiro snickered. "I'll try to avoid getting shot in the next battle," he said. He stretched and sighed, rubbing his chest. "Dunno about you, but I'm kinda hungry."