The small yellow submarine scuttled deeper into the ocean. R0-RY was behind the controls while Arch-Ie navigated using the holographic map display.
ARCH-IE
So this is fun huh? R0-RY and Arch-Ie on another whirl wind adventure.
She grunted then proceeded to steer the submarine harder to faster get to its destination.
ARCH-IE
Feels good that the cat’s out of the bag huh?
R0-RY
You’re ridiculous.
ARCH-IE
It might be your favorite past time, but I’m not into doing lascivious things behind the backs of people I care about.
R0-RY
There was nothing lascivious about it, you heard Pat-Ree you’re not even a real member of this family.
ARCH-IE
It hurt when he said it and it doesn’t feel any better when you do.
R0-RY
It doesn’t feel any better knowing how ashamed you are of us.
ARCH-IE
That’s not fair, especially how this started.
R0-RY
It was after my mother’s funeral! I’m allowed to get as drunk as I want and sleep with whomever I want. Who cares about how this started, all that matters is you kept coming back.
They turned from each other, nothing but silence and a suffocating tension between them.
ARCH-IE
We’re really messed up aren’t we?
R0-RY
At least you’re lucky enough to be adopted.
ARCH-IE
Lets not bring any of this the base when we make it down there, deal?
R0-RY
Sounds good to me, anything else you’ve been dying to get off your chest?
ARCH-IE
No…you?
R0-RY
No!
The submarine was silent again save for the whirling of the propellers.
R0-RY
You know that I’m totally in love with you but I’ve never been good at dealing with my feelings and its making me crazy right?
ARCH-IE
Noted, I’m obsessed with you, I always have been and the mounting pressure of that coupled with all the apocalyptic stuff is really stressing me out.
R0-RY
To be continued.
ARCH-IE
Then concluded in the spin-off.
R0-RY
The what?
ARCH-IE
Nevermind.
Aqua Village came into view, the under water city was stacked glass pods spread out. The moment of awe was cut short after the tiny submarine was hit from a charge on its right. R0-RY attempted evasive maneuvers, a large net sprang forward pulling them in.
Antag stood at the podium; he was the only one who seemed to intimidate the Elders.
ELDER #5
A…Antag-
ANTAG
Sir Antag to you!
ELDER #3
Sir Antag Archy you stand accused of tri-multiple counts of murder, revenge, extortion and general mayhem, how do you plead?
ANTAG
Which one of me is standing accused?
ELDER #1
Excuse us?
ANTAG
Thirteen years ago I was murdered, and five years ago I was resurrected. Myself that existed thirteen years ago is assuredly guilty of every crime mentioned, however, he died, as of right now I have only upheld the law.
Le-Thario called out from the bench.
LE-THARIO
And been the best Cop this city has seen!
Le-Thario was zapped with his eightieth plasma blast for the day.
LE-THARIO
KEEP IT COMIN’ LOVE!
ELDER #7
You do have all of the memories from your violent self do you not Sir Antag.
ANTAG
They replay over and over in my programming, serving as a memory of the monster I once was.
ELDER #6
Then the murderer still lives!
ANTAG
AS Only a memory.
ELDER #6
Then perhaps we should erase your mind.
ANTAG
Lay another abusive hand on me, my siblings or Doctor Mann and prepare to face the consequences.
ELDER #4
You dare threaten us!?
ANTAG
I have already died your honor; I have no issues taking a few others with me this time.
ELDER #6
Dismissed!
ANTAG
Good day!
Antag marched back to the bench, dropping in between Protag and Le-thario.
LE-THARIO
Way to go bro, you went HAM up there.
ANTAG
I was just killing time; this tribunal is a very bad joke.
PROTAG
Tell us something we don’t know.
ANTAG
I always envied your height.
PROTAG
Excuse me?
ANTAG
I spent so many years on a quest to appear the things of nightmares, never thinking of functionality before form. You always accepted who you were, and you look phenomenal.
PROTAG
That is so kind…and disconcerning.
ANTAG
Sister KVXIV, I am ashamed that the first time we met my interest in you was purely physical, after all of these years I only look at you with pride and respect.
KVXIV
I always preferred the murderous Antag, and I stand by that to this very day.
LE-THARIO
Ant, are you okay?
ANTAG
This might be the end Le-Thario, I want to make sure I say all I have ever wanted to say. Which reminds me, I know you always thought I hated you and your wild antics but secretly I was jealous. Out of all of us you got to be the most care free with your life.
PROTAG
Snap out of it Antag, we’re going to need you when the rest of the family breaks us out of here.
ANTAG
Foolishly optimistic to the end, so inspiring.
PROTAG
I felt the Archy Link go online during your deposition.
Antag quickly turned to his brother, if he could he would be making an expression that read ”are you serious?”
KVXIV
He’s right, I feel Or-I-On.
LE-THARIO
I’m getting Moms…and Pops!!!
PROTAG
Quiet down, they’ll hear.
ANTAG
I sense them all as well; the signal is not strong enough to communicate with them. It is incredibly faint for my offspring.
PROTAG
I’m getting that with Arch-Ie’s signal as well.
HUGH MANN
What’s the game plan?
PROTAG
We have to keep stalling to give them enough time.
LE-THARIO
You and Kayvee are the only ones left. I quit betting years ago but I’m pretty sure its one hundred to one odds that after this we’re getting executed.
HUGH MANN
I have a plan, its not great but it should buy us some time.
KVXIV
Then get on with it.
HUGH MANN
Excuse me Quorum!?
The Elders stopped talking amongst themselves, staring at the accused with now bright white eyes.
ELDER #6
WE TOLD YOU TO….
HUGH MANN
Speak when I was spoken to, yeah I get it. Only this time I’m actually speaking for my clients.
ELDER #1
And who might they be?
HUGH MANN
Well the Archy family of course.
ELDER #2
Excuse us?
HUGH MANN
It occurred to me that if this group is so bent on justice, then it behooves them to follow the laws of the land which happen to be those of the United States constitution, even though that country was destroyed multiple millennia ago, its doctrine has remained the same for Ultra City through out the ages.
LE-THARIO
For real?
The Elders all went silent in a trance wirelessly accessing the historical archives of Ultra City.
ELDER #1
He is right.
HUGH MANN
My clients are entitled to a fair trial with fair legal representation, they have nominated me.
LE-THARIO
Ah yeah we did!
A murmur erupted amongst the Elders, who then went silent.
ELDER # 5
We shall take a forty-five minute recess.
The Elders floated from their posts exiting the courtroom. Le-Thario called after them.
LE-THARIO
YOU THINK MAYBE WE CAN GET THESE CHAINS OFF!? Man I hate those guys.
KVXIV
Well-done.
HUGH MANN
I really missed hearing you say that.
ANTAG
Is that time sufficient.
HUGH MANN
We’ll keep stalling; I have another trick up my sleeve.
ANTAG
Hugh, when I found out about you and your marriage to my sister I was disgusted.
HUGH MANN
There’s a but coming right?
KVXIV
You could never tell.
ANTAG
Over the years I have grown impressed with how much knowledge can come from such a lowly brain of flesh.
HUGH MANN
Antag, the situation is no longer dire, you don’t have to keep revealing your thoughts.
ANTAG
I don’t have to, I need to.
The Drewniverse 44 