A Lesson in FriendshipA Chapter by Ben WuestThis intermission before the stunning Chapter Five shows us the origin of Rayne and Elijah's wonderful friendship, which wasn't always so sound.
Arc II The not-so-fun
party--
Intermission, A lesson in friendship
Two years ago,
Elijah was still asleep, sprawled out on his bed and snoring. He was sixteen
years old with longer, blonder hair, but was still all-around the same person.
In these days, he didn’t leave the house much except for the occasional jog in
the yards at the Crawford estate. On some days, he didn’t even leave the
bedroom, much less change out of his pajamas. Today would be
unlike any other day. He knew this because, today, his mother, Elaine Crawford,
came into his room to wake him up with a tray of breakfast. She was much
shorter than him, but had aged well for a woman nearing the age of fifty-five.
It was around eight in the morning on this particular Monday and Elaine had
already finished half of her errands for the day. Despite her husband’s
successes, the mother of three never gave up her ambition to be one with the
common people: To remain more “ordinary” than the typical, pompous housewife
like the ones she saw on television. She smiled as
she entered the room, carefully pushing the door open as she walked barefoot
across the carpeting. She placed the tray of food on his computer desk and sat
at the edge of his bed and ran her fingers through her hair. “Good morning, my
beautiful son,” she greeted him in a whisper. He yawned and
rolled away from her. “Go away, mom.” She laughed and
rubbed his shoulder with soft fingers. “When did you go to bed, dear?” Groaning, he
said, “Like… four?” “Four in the
morning?” He confirmed and she giggled. “Gosh, you’re ridiculous, son. Are you
feeling better today?” He didn’t reply.
He never replied and she frowned, looking out his window as she rubbed his
shoulder. A silver luxury car pulled in at the front gates of the estate:
Business guests here to visit the Sky Fort compound across the estate, and part
of the reason Elaine was here in Elijah’s room this morning. “Elijah… I know
you’re tired, sweetie, but we actually have some guests coming to visit us this
morning who really want to meet you.” Elijah rolled
around to face her and asked, “Who?” She smiled. She
had a kind, sweetheart smile that was popular among the media during interviews.
She leaned in and kissed his forehead and said, “It’s a surprise! Now, wake up!
You’re going to want to meet them.” Elaine rose from
his bed and started for the door, but he stopped her, speaking in a low voice.
“Mom?” She stopped and
turned to him. “Yes, dear?” He was sitting
up in his bed, wrapped in his blanket like a toga, staring at the floor and
frowning. “Am I… Do you think I’m weird?” “Elijah… You are
perfect.” He knew she
would say that. Everyone lies to him, he knew, but he accepted her answer,
nodded it off, and waited for her to leave before climbing out of bed to get
ready.
“’Lijah!”
screamed his father from the system intercom in the living room. “’Lijah! You
almost down here, boya?” Elijah was
sitting in his towel on the couch, eating cereal and watching the morning news.
At the sound of his father’s insistent, southern drawl, he rolled his eyes and
swallowed a mouthful of food. “Yes,
father!” “GOOD! I’m here
with some frenza yers ‘n they’re getting’ tireda waitin’!” “I don’t have friends, father--” “Just hurry up’n
get down here!” Elijah was
annoyed. It was now nearly 8:30 and still nobody told him what was going on
around here. He didn’t want to do anything - doing things was not what he was
known for - and especially not so early and for unknown reasons. Still, he
finished his cereal, dressed himself, and made his way over to the Sky Fort
compound across the estate from his family’s massive fortress of a home.
Jud Crawford was
sitting across the table from his clients, passing papers back and forth
between them. Sitting across from him, from left-to-right, was Rayne Sykes,
Brock Landwehr, and Tyler Stoldt, though most of the conversation was between
Brock and Jud. “Mr. Crawford,
the Axis Corporation is a multi-national, mutli-trillion dollar industry
leading the way toward huge medical advances, as you know all too well. Your
amazing accomplishments with the Lionheart
model airship has been a phenomenal improvement toward the endeavors of my
company and I am forever in your debt.” “Yeah, yeah.
Look, Brock, we all know you kids ain’t here just to shoot the s**t about
either of our businesses. Now, I’ve giv’n you the tour of this place, but I’m
goin’ to be straightforward and hon’st witcha: I ain’t got all day to yap with
you fellahs!” “I understand,
Mr. Crawford, and, believe me, your time is just as valuable to me as my own.
It’s just--” “It’s kind of
hard to explain,” Tyler politely intervened, leaning forward to control the
conversation. “We have a huge request to make from you and from your company,
but it’s a highly classified type ordeal. Do you understand the importance of
this meeting?” “Course I
understan’t! Just spit it out there, kids! This s**t ain’t leaving this here
boardroom!” Brock locked
eyes with Jud Crawford, studying him for a moment before he shrugged and opened
a folder on the table. It was filled with schematic drawings and he slid them
across the surface to Jud, explaining. “Mr. Crawford, our airship needs a good
weapons system. The more our scientists make their advancements, the more my
company’s infrastructure is at risk of being breached. Now, as my colleague
here so nicely put it, we’re really going out on a limb here with this work,
reaching out to you for your help and your advice and, most importantly, secrecy.” “I mean, I’m
honored’n stuff, Brock, but I ain’t no weapons guy, I just build the ships"” “We’re aware of
that, Jud. You see, we have some weapons clients of our own outside of Gallegos
who drew up these schematics that you see here. We don’t need you to build the weapons, we just need you to
analyze the metrics here and help us build a stronger support structure inside
the ship, should she not be able to hold all this extra weight on the sides,”
Tyler explained, pointing at the various objects drawn into the side of the Lionheart model airship. Jud looked over
the drawings, studying each of them and thinking over the plans. The three
representatives from the Axis Corporation waited patiently, especially Rayne
who said nothing at all the entire meeting. As Jud looked over the documents,
Rayne rolled his eyes and sighed. Tyler laughed and looked at him behind
Brock’s bulky shoulders. “Yes, Rayne?” “I’m going to go
get a soda from the vending machine. Do you guys need anything?” They all said no
and thanked him for the offer. He slid back in his chair, stood up, and left.
@RaynieDays Hating life right now #boring
#shootmenow
Fifteen-year-old
Rayne Sykes sat back in a chair in the Sky Fort main lobby. Two chairs down,
another young boy around his age was eagerly reading a magazine. Rayne studied
him, looking him up and down as he cracked open a can of soda from the lobby’s
vending machine. There was an
awkward silence in the air and the boy felt Rayne’s eyes staring at him. He
turned the page of his magazine, glancing fluidly at Rayne to confirm that,
yes, he was staring at him. He set the magazine down in his lap and turned his
attention to him. “Yes?” Rayne didn’t
turn away. He looked the boy in the eyes, then at the magazine, then back again
before shrugging. “I mean, don’t mind me. I was reading that before you went
and closed it.” The boy squinted
at him, folded up the magazine, and handed it to him. “Here. It’s all yours. I
wasn’t really reading it.” Rayne looked at
the magazine, considered it, and then shook his head. “I’m not interested.” The boy’s squint
turned into a glare. He had a proper, heightened accent; one that Rayne
couldn’t quite place in terms of region. He had great posture, too, and dressed
nicely. Rayne could only assume that he was a local: Everyone in Oka’pocos
dressed nicely; it was home to the wealthiest populace in the world. As he analyzed
the boy, the boy was doing the same: Here sat this total stranger who was both
a combination of strange and rude, sitting beside him in borderline military
apparel with a can of vending machine soda, talking down to the son of the
building’s owner! Surely he wasn’t from around here, as anyone would recognize a Crawford in this part of the world, but he
was too nice looking - too wealthy
and pronounced - to be from anywhere else
in the world that he could think of. “You going to
stare at me all day, man?” Rayne asked, further baffling the boy. He smiled and
held out a hand for the boy to shake and said, “I dislike your tie. What’s your
name?” “My… My tie?
What is wrong with my tie?!” The boy stood up in outrage and threw his magazine
on the chair behind him. “And no! I shall not shake your hand! Have you no idea
who I am?!” “Easy, easy!” Rayne said, giggling as he stood
up, hands out in case the boy threw a fist at him though, given his scrawny
stature, Rayne wasn’t quite sure the boy would even know how to throw a punch, let alone win
in a fight against him. “I’m just playing with you. Lighten up! Look,” he
extended a hand again, “my name is Rayne Sykes. Have you heard of me?” “What! How would
I… Why would I know who you are?” Rayne sighed and
dropped his hand. “It’s ok - I didn’t expect you would. I mean, yeah, I do a
little bit of modeling and stuff, and I’ve been on the news once or twice"” “Why on earth
would they put someone like you on
the news?” “Ok. See? Now
you’re just being condescending. I
work directly under Tyler Stoldt, you coy little flounder, and I KNOW you know
who that is! And I no longer need your introduction - I’m almost positive just
by looking at you that you’re some sort of spoiled rich kid living under
mommy’s protection with no real friends; they all probably hang out with you so
that you buy them s**t. Do you even have
any business here, or do you just hang out in office lobbies in your adorable
outfit because it’s what all the cool kids are doing in this lame a*s city?” Rayne had been
on a tirade for so long that he didn’t even notice when tears started welling
in the boy’s eyes. When he saw them, he took a quick breath and dropped his
shoulders. “Are you serious?” he asked. The boy started to walk away and Rayne
caught him by the wrist. “Come on, man! You can’t do this to me!” “Stop! Let me
go! ‘Rayne Sykes,’ you say? Well, you are very hurtful. You want to know my
name? It’s Eli. Eli Crawford. I have had a bad week, sir, and I am sorry if I
offended you. I have not had much sleep, I have not had any coffee, my parents
woke me up this morning for… I do not even know
why, my best friend shot himself last weekend on my birthday and, starting next
week, I have to start seeing a therapist because my parents do not think I am
coping well. As I said, I have had a bad week and I apologize for any
inconvenience. Are you satisfied? Good day to you, Rayne Sykes!” The boy stormed
off, slamming the door behind him. Rayne stood at his lonesome, baffled by his
own arrogance.
“So, you’ll be
able to do it?” Tyler asked. The gentlemen had gone about their conference for
some time now, but it was finally starting to come to a close. “Is that what I
understand, Jud?” “Yeah, I’ll be
able to. It ain’t going to be cheap though, boys!” “The expenses
aren’t really a problem, Jud,” said Brock, “and you and your crew will be
tipped handsomely if you can finish the installations sooner rather than
later.” “I c’n put the
other projects on hold for you, gen’lemen. That’s no problem.” Brock was
pleased. “This is wonderful to hear! So, do we have your business, Jud?” Judiah Crawford
agreed. They all shook hands on it and started packing their things. “Oh! Jud!
About your boy?” “Ah, yes Tyler!
My boy ‘Lijah should be ‘round here some’re! Let me go get him from the lobby’n
I’ll meet you guys out in the hangar, yeah?” Jud Crawford was
a strong man who valued every part of his business, with little care put toward
his demeanor or the way he looked. He was sharp, dirty, and charming and didn’t
allow his success to get to his head: He still worked hands-on in the hangar
with his crew when he wasn’t discussing business like this particular morning
with the Axis Corporation representatives. He wore a pair of coveralls, even
during meetings, because they were comfortable. He had a shoehorn bald head the
faded down to his neatly trimmed beard and a strong, farmer’s build like the
men of olden times before the innovative turn of the century. As he walked
across the hangar to the office lobby, his booted feet clopped heavily on the
glossy floor like a giant. He entered the office as Rayne exited, nodding to
each other as they crossed paths. Rayne hurried over to Tyler and Brock as they
walked in the other direction toward the hangar gates. All around them, there
were large bodies of metal being worked on by Jud’s impressive crew of machinists.
Sparks and saws and metal alloys filled the room with ambiance like that of a
factory. It was a different world to Rayne. “Took you long
enough,” Tyler greeted him as they fell into step beside one another. “Did he agree to
do it?” “He did!” Brock
said cheerfully. He clapped a heavy hand against Rayne’s back and pulled him in
closer like a father would his son. “Rayne, my boy, you’ve just successfully
witnessed your first of many great achievements in your time here with the
company! Why, some day you might just have to take my job!” “Not if I can
help it!” Tyler said and they laughed, but Rayne was still a bit uneasy from
his run-in with the Jud Crawford’s son. “You ready to meet my future assistant,
Rayne?” “Eh… Uh… I think
I already did.” “Well, what did
you think? You two going to be best pals, or what?” “Ah! Here he
is!” Jud met them in
the hangar roundabout, holding his son Elijah up against him the way Brock held
on to Rayne. “Elijah? I want you to meet some friends of mine and some of the
biggest clients under Sky Fort’s belt! This here is Mr. Brock Landwehr, Mr.
Tyler Stoldt, and… uh…?” “Rayne!” Brock
introduced. He was always such a formal man. “I think Rayne here and your boy
are actually right about the same age, aren’t they? Rayne is fifteen.” “My boy Eli is
sixteen! See, Eli? You’ve found yourself a friend already!” Elijah’s arms
were crossed and he was glaring at Rayne, who was stirring uncomfortably
between Tyler and Brock. “Yeah,” said Elijah, whose eyes were still red from
crying a moment ago, “looks like I do.” “’Lijah, these
gentlemen here were talkin’ to me ‘bout… Well, s**t. Brock! You wanna explain
it for ‘im?” Brock smiled and
nodded. “Do you know who I am, Eli? Your father says you’re pretty perceptive
and that you watch the news, so I’m assuming you know who I am.” “I do,” he
confirmed. “You’re Brock Landwehr, the founder of the Axis Corporation. You’re
also the lead spokesman for the International Coalition for Peace and a major
donor for the Revolution Fund, the scholarship that funded all those students
in Martica last year.” He smirked. “Yes, sir, I know who you are.” Brock agreed
with a laugh. “So, I assume you know my colleague here, too? Tyler Stoldt?” Elijah’s eyes
grew wide and he stepped forward to shake hands with Tyler. “Oh yes… Yes, I
know you very well, Mr. Stoldt. You are my childhood hero! The Tyler Stoldt! You came and spoke at my school once when I was
twelve. We won… I don’t know. I think it was some sort of school challenge or
something like that. You came and spoke to us about who you are and what you
do. I believe it was in your first year at the Axis Corporation. I must say,
sir; you and Pryce Edgemoor are two of my biggest heroes - it’s truly an honor
to--” “Jesus, boya!
Ease off the man!” Elijah blushed
and retreated to his father’s side. Brock and Tyler chuckled and then Brock
came forward. “We have heard much about you from your father, Elijah, and I’m
glad you’ve heard of us and of my corporation. You see, we’re undergoing some
changes in the next few weeks. I will be stepping down my position to pursue
work in the political field. Tyler will be taking my position as the leader of
the Axis Corporation, which means more work on his plate. Our usual assistant,
Laura, has been gone on maternity leave and, while Tyler and I can manage the
work together, I won’t be around much longer to help him. So, while talking to
your father, I asked him how he felt about maybe allowing you to come work with
us--” “Please, father,
tell me you said yes!” “’Lijah! Will
you please jess listen to the man?!” “Your father,”
Brock continued, “said he would be more than willing to allow you to remain
under our care, should you choose to"” “Of course I’ll
do it! Are you kidding me?! Are you guys kidding me?!” Rayne started
laughing at Elijah’s sudden burst of excitement. Soon, everyone was grinning,
but none as hard as Elijah Crawford. “I’m glad you’re
willing to, kiddo!” Tyler said. He approached him and shook hands with him,
leaving an identification holo in his hands for him to keep. “It’s not a hard
job and you’ll be paid as much as we pay Rayne, here. That there is your
identification holo card, which allows you to come aboard our airship at any
time. Take a few days to pack up your things - ake as long as you need - and,
when you’re ready, just let us know and we’ll have Rayne pick you up.” Rayne shrugged
and said, “I mean, if that’s ok with you?” Elijah looked
him over, still grinning, and threw out a hand to shake with Rayne and they
shook. “That would be amazing, Rayne.”
And that’s how it came to be between Eli and I! I
taught him how to workout and get stronger; he taught me… stuff in general,
making me smarter and wittier like him. Soon enough, it was exactly as Brock
said: Laura was down and out, Brock ducked out within the month, and it became
just me, Tyler, and our new friend Elijah. When Eli first saw Tyler in costume as the Cloud
Knight, he was nervous, to say the least. He threw up (which was hysterical)
and begged me to please, please, please not go out with him to beat up on
baddies for fear that I might die. He was silly and vulnerable back then: We
hardened him up after a few nights of running around and coming home with
bleeding wounds and broken attire. Eli made for a good PA; never quite up to
speed with us, but confident enough in his abilities to catch on quickly and
learn the ropes around the ship. It kept us alive, that’s for sure, and that’s
all that really mattered in the end. I’m glad I met him. © 2013 Ben WuestAuthor's Note
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Added on February 26, 2013 Last Updated on February 26, 2013 Tags: hero rising dc comics rayne syke AuthorBen WuestVirginia Beach, VAAboutI've been writing for some time now, mostly recreational, but with a couple serious projects. I'm in the Navy as a gunner's mate, I love to play video games, and I'm a social media brat running around.. more..Writing
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