          
|
|
By Chris Lilwall
|
Only a small handful of the crowd applauded. The nightclub was so crowded the bouncers were turning customers away. Yet only a few applauded. Five seekers on the main stage sighed, their performance obviously went unnoticed. "Come on girls, let's get out of here." The largest of the seekers said. He wasn't that much taller than the other four. His body was typical for a seeker, his paint job was like a mixing of colours. And his chest was a darkish blue, while his torso was a lighter blue. He led the four female seekers off the stage and to the back room. Like the larger seeker, the girls also had strange paint jobs, they resembled gemstones from Earth in pattern and colour. The five were talented dancers, two of which were also exceptional singers. Quartz Lock sat down in the back room and sighed, "Why do we even bother. No one gives us the credit we deserve." Quartz Lock was the only male in the group of five. And lead in the group. He had just preformed a duet with his comrade, Opal. A green seeker sat at her desk and mirror. She took a plastic crown off her head and sat it on the desk. "Not only that, Upbeat is cutting our pay rates again." Her name was Emerald. A pinkish and gold seeker threw her arms up in the air, "That's the fourth time in two months! Any more and we won't be able to afford the rent." "Not only that Inca-Rose..." A red and blue seeker started, "We won't be able to repay Upbeat for those credits he surprisingly lent us." This was Sapphire, sister to Inca-Rose. Opal sighed and turned to the group. "I hope everything turns out ok for you guys." "So do I Opal, have you told Upbeat yet?" Quartz Lock asked, but Opal shook her head. "No, I'm waiting until he hands over the pay for tonight." "How do you think he'll take it?" Inca-Rose asked. "I don't really care." Opal said with a sigh, "Maybe with me gone he won't have to cut your pay rates. Besides that I'm giving my last cheque to you guys to help out." "Opal no, you worked your tail pipes off to earn that, we can't take that from you." Emerald said, the others agreed. "Please, I insist. It's not like I'm going to need it anyway." Opal said, the others sighed and Opal continued, "Well, Crystalline is waiting with my stuff outside. So I better go get the cash and be on my way." Opal left the room in search of Upbeat, the nightclub manager. The other seekers were silent for a moment. "I've got an idea..." Quartz Lock said, the others listened in. "Your what?!" Upbeat exclaimed, Opal leaned over the desk with a grin. "That's right Upbeat, I'm leaving. I just can't work for you anymore." "But the show..." "The show is a farce Upbeat!" Opal now exclaimed, "If you'd given us the proper dues it might be a success, but your greed won't allow it." "Hmph. Fine, go ahead and leave. You'll never get anywhere anyway." Upbeat said as Opal neared the door. Opal turned to him with a cheeky grin, "Stick up your tail pipe loser." Giving a quick wave Opal left the room giggling to herself. "So, this is it." Quartz Lock said as Opal returned. Nodding with a nervous smile, Opal gave her last pay to Quartz and gave him a hug. "I'm gonna miss you guys." She said. Hugging Emerald, Sapphire and Inca-Rose, Opal grabbed a few of her small items from her desk and looked around the room one last time. "Good luck to you Opal, keep safe ok?" Emerald said. "You'll do fine girl, your voice will make it for you." Inca-Rose said, Opal gave her last good-byes to the group and left. Opal met with Crystalline outside. She was about to speak when another robot approached her. "Opal?" The bot said, Opal turned to him, "Um, yeah?" "Wow...I just saw your show! You were great! Did you write that song? It was great! I'm such a fan of yours!" The bot blurted out so fast Opal could barely understand him, she chuckled slightly. "Slow down handsome! Let's see, thanks, sure did, thanks again and you're probably the only fan at that." She said with a smile, the bot seemed like he was about to bounce around madly with excitement, "Wow! It's such an honour to meet you! Could I...I mean if it's ok, could I get your autograph?" If the bot could blush he's be glowing hotter than a star. Opal chuckled, "Sure thing!" Opal took out a writing implement and held up the bot's forearm, "Who do I make it out to?" She said gently stroking his arm with a grin. The bot nearly collapsed, "C c c c Clutch..." He stuttered out. Opal scrawled a few words onto Clutch's forearm --To my dear Clutch, with all my love, Opal.-- Opal looked into Clutch's eyes, "There you go Clutch, now run along so you can explode with excitement." She said with a smile, but Clutch didn't notice her words, "Wow! Thanks! Man the guys will have to believe me now! Thanks!" Clutch ran off and disappeared around a corner where he stopped and leaned on the wall cradling his arm. "Sigh...she called me handsome! I'll never polish my arm again!" Crystalline chuckled, "Your terrible." She said, "I know, but he's probably my only fan, so I had to make sure he would remember this moment." Opal said grinning. She transformed to jet mode and opened her canopy. Crystalline loaded their things into the cockpit and then transformed into engine form, attaching to the back of Opal. Closing the canopy Opal took off to the stars. "Hey Lil, that Opal recruit is requesting landing clearance." Stardrive said turning from the comm station. "Granted, I'll meet her on the flight deck. Keep the chair warm eh?" Admiral Lilwall said as he left the bridge. Stardrive nodded and sent a message to Opal before moving to the command chair and sitting in it, "Ah..." He said relaxing into the seat. Admiral Lilwall exited the lift and watched as Opal made her landing. Crystalline removed the items from the cockpit and Opal transformed. "Welcome aboard Opal, I'll show you to your quarters." Lil said as he helped Opal with her things. Opal smiled and tried to look innocent. "Sure thing big red." She said sweetly, while Crystalline shook her head trying not to giggle. A short time later Opal was settling herself into her new room. "Well, it certainly has more class than that slum of a hotel on Nelvada." She said to herself, Crystalline was exploring the ship. Opal opened the last of her bags and took a few items out before noticing something that she hadn't put in there. The ship wide comm was activated and Waitstate spoke, "Attention all crew, we are now leaving Nelvada. And this time, please stay away from the airlocks. Especially you Ruse." The comm ended and Opal could feel the ship begin to move. Opening the small package from her bag, Opal found an amount of cash and a note. She unfolded the note and read it. --To our dear Opal, best of luck for the future, enjoy the adventures that await you. Your friends, Quartz Lock, Emerald, Sapphire, Inca-Rose.-- Opal held the note close to her and went to the window. She leaned her head against it and watched as Nelvada became smaller and smaller as the Freedom left the system. The cash was enough to be one pay cheque from each of the four friends she was leaving behind. "Oh...damn you guys. Thanks...and goodbye." |