Chapter Text
“Aw shucks, thanks so much for the opportunity, guys.” Jabber sheepishly scratched the back of his head and while he tried to seem as innocent as an excited boy scout, the broken handcuffs rattling around his wrists ruined the leverage of immersion. “You really know how to make a guy feel special. Lookin’ at you, Zanka baby.”
At the forefront of the assembly of bystanders stood Zanka, surrounded by other members of Akuta, stunned to horrified silence.
“Anyways,” Jabber continued, shooting a finger at Enjin and Semiu, “I got a better idea. Keeping hostages can be pretty exhausting, especially when you’re tryin’ to negotiate with my people. How about we find a happy middle?”
A response grinded along the rusty gears of Enjin’s brain, lagging slightly behind as Semiu stepped forward and folded her arms.
“You sure you in the position to be making demands, little man?” One of her fingers rose to push on the bridge of her Eyes, coming into focus. “I got half a mind to kick your ass, and the other half’s comin’ around to the idea.”
Jabber held his hands up in surrender. “I don’t wanna fight. Seriously. But I won’t just sit and be your captive little princess, either. I’m willing to cooperate under certain conditions.”
Enjin finally regained some composure. “Dude, we don’t negotiate with terrorists. Or…whatever the hell you are.” He glanced at Zanka for some kind of reaction, grimacing when it didn’t offer any clarification. “Can’t you just admit that you lost and suck it up? I really don’t have the energy for this shit right now.”
“Just hear me out on this one.” Mankira stirred, morphing further along Jabber’s arm, threatening to spill over and grow. The faint light caught the underside of his face and cast a gruesome set of shadows. “I’ll play along with you Cleaner-fools as long as I get to join Zanka’s squad.”
Oh. Oh god.
“Uh…what did he just say?” Rudo watched Zanka take a staggered step backward, only for him to fall to his knees and double over in dramatic fashion. Assistaff held firm in his grasp, he hung his head in suspended disbelief. “Zanka? Isn’t that the same guy that almost killed Gris? Not to mention he almost killed both of us, too?”
“You’re damn right. That’s why I like you, Rudo,” Jabber called, “you tell it how it is. Smart kid.”
Enjin waved his hand through the air as if he could deflect the words before they reached him. “Nope. Not happening. See, Zanka rides with me and mine. We aren’t hiring.”
“I’m not askin’ for a paycheck. The way I see it, you’re throwin’ two stones at one bird- wait, how’s that go again…?” Jabber directed a claw at the building. “My point is that I’m more useful out and about than confined to a cell. I’ve never really done well in tight places; not rooms, anyway.” He flashed a wink at Zanka and the dregs of the Cleaner’s spirit dissipated. “As long as he’s around, I’ll be on my best behavior. Raider’s honor.”
Semiu ended the bewildered silence with a sneer. “There ain’t one honorable thing about being a raider. Damn, I need a smoke.”
“Going once,” Jabber sang, flexing his knuckles and wrists, “going twice…”
“You can keep on going.” Enjin propped Umbreaker at his side and small orange sparks began to crackle. “It ain't happening. Now I'm gonna have to find a new pair of cuffs…ugh. Just thinkin’ of having to touch you again makes me gag.”
“You could always pick a volunteer from the crowd. Right? Any takers?” Jabber grinned at Zanka who looked on in awful despair. “Come on. I'm actually tryin’ to be civil about this, but I'm not gettin’ captured again. Trust me.”
“How'd we even get him the first time?” Semiu questioned. Enjin shrugged and followed Jabber's gaze to Zanka. “Why's it always gotta be the weird ones? Gimme a break.”
“I dunno. I was late to the function, but I’m gettin’ the vibe there's something of an expert in our ranks.” Enjin waved Zanka closer and the young man shamefully obeyed, shoulders slumped in his approach. “Hey. What's this guy’s deal?”
“I have no idea. I swear, I've only met him once and he kicked my ass while I was down,” Zanka explained, casting nervous glances in Jabber's direction. “He drugged us with his instrument then dosed himself. Took both Rudo and I to put up a fight, but even then we were only saved when you showed up.”
Enjin grimaced. “Okay, so does he want a rematch, or what? There’s no way he’s actually willing to work with us.” He pinched his chin, deep in thought as Rudo approached. “Could be that he’s fishin’ for information. A spy of sorts, but usually spies are smart and lowkey.”
“Hey, I hear you chattin’ over there,” Jabber called, “don’t go spreadin’ any rumors about me. Why don’t you let me talk to your boss and we can work this out?”
“Also not happening. Hey man, we captured you fair and square, so can you just give up and stop causin’ problems? I got other shit to be doin’ right about now.” Enjin swung Umbreaker onto his shoulder and cracked his neck either way. “Let’s wrap this up, Semiu.”
“Me?” She snorted and gave Enjin a supportive slap on the back. “Yeah, it ain’t anything personal, but I’m not touchin’ whatever that thing is. I reckon a few Cleaners should be able to handle one drugged-out amped up little shitstain. I’ll be inside if you need anything.”
Enjin groaned, turning to address Rudo and Zanka. “Well, you heard the lady. It’s up to us to put this pest in a cage where he belongs so we can get on with our lives.” Rudo shifted his weight, squatting to ready for a fight while Umbreaker began to glow. “Poison, huh? Be careful, boys.”
“Ah, I know that look,” Jabber remarked with a thoughtful nod, “you wanna tussle, yeah? Want a piece of the Jabber pie? Okay okay, I’m pickin’ up what you’re puttin’ down.” Mankira simmered more until those gleaming claws were brought to his lip and he drew a slight droplet of blood, licking it up while his eyes lit up.
“Um, I better sit this one out,” Zanka mumbled, inching back toward the other onlookers. “Already got hurt today, you know? Plus it’s the perfect opportunity for my student to take initiative and get in the reps.” At this Enjin actually laughed and hooked an arm around Zanka's shoulders.
“I'm sorry you feel that way. I was hoping to see you in action, considering you're down 1-0 in this matchup. Hey, can't blame ya for not wanting to fight Fenty Kruger again.” He then reached for Rudo and stretched. “Alrighty then. Let's get to work, Rudo.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Woah, do you guys practice that pose? Looks pretty cool from here.” Jabber squatted and spread his claws over the dusty ground like an animal ready to pounce. “Since my man’s watchin’, I’ll make it a nice show, aight?”
Enjin glanced at Zanka and he quickly whipped his head in the other direction, feigning ignorance. “Why didn’t we take those rings when we had him in custody? Ugh, what a pain in the ass. Stay back for a sec, Rudo, I’m gonna try something. You can jump in if it doesn’t pan out.”
“Uh…okay,” Rudo agreed, retreating beside Zanka. “Hey, why does that guy keep calling you his man?”
“Hell if I know.”
“Zanka!” Jabber launched forward, leaving a plume of dust in his wake that nearly obscured his speed. Just as the tip of his talon would have reached Zanka’s skull, he was intercepted by Umbreaker smashing into his ribcage, sending him flying into the nearby mountainside. Enjin wore a firm scowl and before he continued to fight, he made sure to pass Zanka an ‘are you sure?’ glance.
No comment.
Jabber emerged from the rubble, clutching his body, tripping over massive stones and choking on debris. It coated his hair and caught in his eyelashes- an obvious annoyance, though the attack itself didn’t seem to yield much damage. Enjin met him at the edge of the pile.
“You know,” he began, “if you’re tryin’ to make a case for yourself, attacking one of my teammates ain’t the best way to go about it.”
Pounding a fist into his chest and catching his breath, Jabber waved Mankira’s claws for a bit of lenience. “Hold on…I knew you were strong since the first wallop, but damn! You got me real good. Too bad I ain’t here to play around.”
“Really? ‘Cause that’s all you’ve been doin’ aside from flapping your gums. I mean, doesn’t your leader get tired of listening to you?” Enjin shook his head. “Don’t make me sympathetic. This is getting old.”
“Well if you let me cut you, both of us could get on with our lives pretty quick. Unless Rudo wants to get involved and make it interesting.” Jabber rolled his shoulder until it cracked back into place, earning a groan and laugh. “Ah. Not half bad. Not as good as my man, though.”
Enjin flinched to a recoil. “Would you stop with that? It’s super creepy.”
“What, he didn’t tell you about me?”
“Nothing he said could possibly justify your actions, dude.” Though it did call Zanka’s hesitance into question- that could be addressed after the security threat. “Well? I’m waiting.”
Jabber eyes slid over the entirety of the scene; a small audience, a big building, a bunch of naturally protective terrain. The Cleaners had done well for themselves. They might be glorified teacher’s pets, but they could at least hold their own. “Aight, then. Last chance to back out before I get unhinged up in this bitch.”
Unhinged? The word sparked a whirlwind of recollection in Zanka’s brain and before he realized what he was doing, he’d armed himself with Assistaff and rushed to Enjin’s side.
Jabber’s talon pricked the back of his neck, sliding back down to his side as a twisted, maniacal bout of laughter wrong straight from his lungs. Rudo’s jaw tightened.
“Hold on,” Zanka insisted, watching as Jabber’s head grew heavy and his laughter trailed off. “He did this against Rudo, too. It’s his instrument; gives him a strength boost, or something. Makes him a real pain in the ass to fight.” Enjin clicked his tongue.
“Think we could manage together?”
“I think we should let him use up all that energy,” he explained, highly attuned to the twitching of Jabber’s body, unpredictable spasms running through his arms and hands. “And get him on the come-down. That’s our best shot.”
“Geez. Okay, fine.”
“Sike!” With an exclamation of pure joy Jabber appeared behind Enjin, arm wound back for a swipe at his head. While Enjin had ample time to react, Zanka still jumped between him and the attack, claws grating along the length of Assistaff, sparks flying. “You actually thought I’d dope myself dumb again? That only worked ‘cause of Rudo’s freaky hand thing. No point pullin’ that here- especially with you, Mr. Bad Attitude.”
Zanka grit his teeth. “Why won’t you just leave me alone?”
“Huh? You don’t know?” Jabber hopped away, arms hung heavy as he hunched his back. “Yeah, right. You jokin’? I doubt you want me to air out all your business in front of your…coworkers? Business buddies? Whatever.”
A pit of despair and anxiety wound tight in Zanka’s gut but he remained steadfast, encouraged by Enjin’s presence at his side. He could handle this.
“But if you wanna play dumb, I can jog your memory, lover boy.” A claw traced the sash around his hips, drawing slight imperfections as the threads were undone and Zanka’s eyes followed the trail with horrific realization. “I know you know what happened in that cave with mud girl–”
“Shut up!” Zanka burned beet red and his outburst elicited a strange, deserted silence. He hadn’t meant to be so loud but at least Jabber wasn’t talking anymore. “That- you-”
“What was that, Zanka?” Jabber grinned, “I should keep my clothes on? Haven’t heard that one before…”
He couldn’t handle this.
“...like I said, I’m down to chill with you guys. We don’t gotta fight. Hell, I’ll even let you cuff me again.” Jabber made sure to meet Enjin’s eyes as well, taunting yet steady. “Put me with Zanka and he’ll keep me in check. Trust.”
Enjin huffed. “Dude, I already told you–”
“We should reconsider,” Zanka suddenly admitted, clutching Assistaff between both of his hands, “we could…lock him up, or something. Fighting’s a bad idea.”
In his entire life, of all the circumstances to be granted the power of decision-making, this one instance ground Enjin’s brain to a halt and he stared at Zanka as if they’d never met before. “Huh? You think so?”
Zanka rushed to his own defense. “I mean, is it really worth damaging the HQ? Not to mention his toxins pack a heavy punch. Anyone here could be injured or worse. Plus, keepin’ him close would be better for when the boss eventually gets back.” Right, it made perfect sense when he put it that way. Enjin’s skepticism practically oozed from his expression but he was nothing if not considerate to his team.
“I dunno. I kinda wanna punch him for fun, now.”
“We’ll get plenty of chances in the future.”
“Seriously?” Frustration caused a vein to bulge in his neck. “Ugh. Tell ya what, if you can get him in cuffs and make him listen, we’ll figure somethin’ out. But if he swings I’m lettin’ loose.”
Zanka nodded resolutely. “Right. That would be appreciated.” He pivoted to Jabber and tried to appear confident in the face of purely dubious intent. “Hear that? Time to prove you’re more than just talk.”
Mankira immediately dissipated and Jabber held out his wrists with willing glee. “I thought you’d see it my way. Go ahead and strap me in, Zanka. Want me to bark, too?”
“Shut the fuck up.” He pulled a roll of wire from his satchel and, with everyone still watching, kicked Jabber to his knees. He faced no resistance in the arrest. Hopefully nobody was listening too close when he uttered, “I’m gonna ruin you, hear me? You’re done.”
Jabber giggled. “Please do.”