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"Tch" Nicodemus playfully huffed. "I see how it is..."

He shoved Riot's head forward sightly and returned his hand to his side. "I was going to give it to you anyways." Nicodemus shrugged. "Not that I can think of anything productive you would do with a mansion... but I'm sure it would be more useless in my hands."

There was some truth to that. Nicodemus was home less and less between the Doctor's tests and the military missions. Things were becoming more complicated... But now that Riot was old enough to be in the military he would get to see a lot more of his brother. Probably convince Dr. Fox to have him accompany him through some of the tests. The ones he would be allowed any ways. Some of them were so secretive not even the staff were allowed to be present.

Nicodemus took a deep breath. "You don't have to worry about that 'crap hill estate' much longer bro. Soon you'll get to live in a bunker. And we can just live on base after your training..."

That would royally piss their parents off, not that Riot moved out, but rather he moved out with Riot. The pigs. Nicodemus could care less what they thought... He had been looking forward to this for a long time. Riot would get the respect he deserved from everyone around him in the military. Nicodemus was positive of this. Riot's time to make their parentals eat their words.

"Well, Willium can have it than..." Nicodemus chuckled.

The old liger grumbled with a low mechanical tone. The comment unamused him. What would a ZOID do with a human house? Nicodemus only shook his head at the liger's response. Of course he wasn't serious about that. If the unwanted event should happen where he inherited the estate, he would turn it into something that would be more meaningful... something not pinned with the harsh memories of clashing with their parents over petty issues.

"Course you're right. Ieh-" Nicodemus stopped in mid word as a flash of crimson eyes briefly appeared in the distance below the cliff. The eyes seemed to be glaring right at the trio with blood list.

They were only there for a blink's moment and left him wondering what he had just saw... William growled, but was quick to be silent once more. " It's going to be a Riot." He continued hesitantly as he tried to comprehend what he might have just seen.

"I think... I did." Nicodemus frowned. He was still unsure of what he had seen. "William, take us out of here."

The liger growled as the canopy dropped once more and the liger turned around.

"It could just be a wild ZOID... but still. We should get back. The sun will be up soon." Any joking manner had left his tone. It was far more serious than Riot had seen all night. Nicodemus didn't want to figure out of that was an illusion or not, they both needed to get to safety in case the worst was realized.

Nicodemus used the controls in the co-pilot panel to search the sensors for any ZOID in the area. He was in soldier mode now, his purpose was to keep his little brother safe. The most confusing part was nothing came on the radar. It was as if nothing was out there... The liger was old, but it had quite the advance radar system.

The further away they drew from the cliff side the more he relaxed, though he would never fully relax until he was certain they were completely safe. "Well, there's one way to end a birthday..." Nicodemus spoke in a weak attempt to lighten the mood.

Nicodemus reached forward and gave Riot a shove to the back of his head. "Hey, common now. You get to brag to everyone how you bested me in drinking." His bear like hand ruffled Riot's hair rapidly.

"And we got some cool tats that are gonna piss dad off for sure. It'll be fun." The uneasiness of what they had seen did not leave the tone of his voice.

The com screen appeared in the cockpit once more. Though they were a while away from home William was able to pick up images of what was going on. Military vehicles were outside of the house, the same kind that too Nicodemus to and from Dr. Fox's labs. They were all ready to ship him away as soon as he got there. And without chance of a rest.

"And you should have this.." His other hand reached around and dropped a familiar key in Riot's lap. It was the infamous key to Nicodemus' room. It was always locked, it treasures unclimbable until now. He had given it to Riot before to give him a place to hide ( As they had removed the locks on Riots door a long time ago)... but there was something different about this time. "Keep anything you want in the room alright. " He ruffled Riot's hair again. "Happy birthday bro and a pre welcome to the military."

"I'm always serious..." Nicodemus laughed than ruffled Riot's hair again. "It's probably going to be a while, by the look on Dad's face this is going to be one of those 'intense' trips."

And by intense that meant long never ending tests as punishment for their shenanigans. The fact that they were all ready to go now was proof enough that they wanted him gone for training as soon as possible.

He let out a sigh and looked back at the slew of military trucks. "You just be careful, you'll be at basic training soon enough. So... you won't need to worry about them much longer." His grin widened. "And best gift for last, once I get back have your stuff packed and ready to go. The general has approved a town house on base for us to move into once you are enlisted and this current 'test' is over. Haven't told Dad yet, but he can figure that out when it happens. "

William walked slowly up to the house, taking his time for the brothers to have a bit more time before the inevitable. Soldiers were already starting swarm the ZOID to extract the precious cargo. Their Dad was standing near the door of the mansion with his arm folded and a scowl on his face, mother behind him with a worried expression.

"Ready for this bro?" Nicodemus placed a hand on Riot's shoulder and stood slightly as the canopy opened. He was ready to defend Riot in case their parental should attack.

Riot's slug was meet with a manly chuckle. He didn't retaliate though, the soldiers were already looking in his direction and preparing for extraction. It was at this point he had to be a soldier.

"It was." Nicodemus gave the shoulder a pat before he exited the cockpit.

Soldiers swarmed him like bees to honey. He was quickly prompted to remove his jacket and shirt to prep for transport. One soldier prepped his arm for the incoming I.V. Whatever strange liquid was in it would be for whatever experiment the Dr. had planned and no doubt would make him drowsy or woozy. Perhaps a combination. What ever it was, Nicodemus was ready. Other prepped certain points for sensors where his vitals could be monitored. All the while they hurried him toward the large military Gustave, especially rigged in the back for this kind of transport.

Nicodemus couldn't help but look over to his father as he heard a gasp. Yeah, he had caught sight of the fresh new Tat... and looked to be furious about it. An Alicorn, black and furious alicorn. Ah, but the look was bitter sweet. Nicodemus was sure that Riot could handle himself.

He gave Riot a salute as hes he could before more scientists and soldiers swarmed him and prepped for take off.

Nicodemus was quite proud and even brought the sight of his brother's attention to some of the soldiers. They looked and laughed about something, which amused Nicodemus as well. He had no doubt Riot would pass his own popularity in the military some day. He even got his salute down!

But the moment was short lived and the group of scientists and soldiers cleared out as quick as they had assembled, leaving Riot and his parents alone.

Luckily they didn't even acknowledge his existence before they turned back into the mansion to begin their day. Riot's father looked furious... little did Riot know a 'talk' was coming, like a storm it was coming.