Back at the repairmen headquarters, hours had passed excruciatingly slowly. Inside the council chamber, the council members were still huddled together, their faces pale and sweaty under the bright lights. They had finally reached an agreement, mostly because they were terrified. Whatever happened next, one thing was certain: Zevran’s treacherous acts could not leave this room. The integrity and reputation of the organization had to be protected at all costs.

Commander Melvin, looking like he had aged twenty years in a single day, reached out and rang a small silver bell. The sound chimed through the heavy silence. A guard stepped in, and Melvin gave a stiff nod. "Inform the King and his companions that they may return to the council chamber."

Nine was the first one through the doors. He didn’t just walk; he strutted. He was flexing his biceps and grinning like he had just won the planetary lottery. Behind him, the others followed silently, their faces like stone. Sunshine looked small between the King and Nine, but there was a new spark in her eyes, the look of someone who finally knew her own worth.

The King didn’t wait for an invitation to sit. He stood at the head of the long table, his presence filling the room. "Well?" he asked, his voice echoing. "What have you decided? How do we proceed?"

Melvin cleared his throat, a dry, raspy sound. "We have considered the gravity of the situation. We agree that what Zevran has done must stay indoors. For the sake of this organization’s reputation, this scandal ends here."

The King let out a short, sharp bark of a laugh. "I agree. Having secrets on this council increases my leverage. I like a council that owes me a favor."

Melvin flinched but continued. "In return for your silence, we are prepared to offer a deal. We will train Sunshine on how to repair the giant rift, the big one and tell her where the very tiny ones are. And" he paused, looking pained, "we will return at least half of what went missing from her grandfather’s vault. We believe this is more than fair."

A heavy silence fell over the room. It was so quiet you could hear the hum of the overhead lights. Everyone looked at Sunshine as if to see her reaction. She blinked, looked at the high ceiling, and then back at Melvin.

"Is that... it?" she asked softly, "I thought that maybe you were still adding to that offer because I don’t think even you would be dumb enough to think that is enough."

Commander Melvin closed his eyes like he was praying to the heavens to get him through this trying moment. "That is the best that we can do to compensate you for all the stress that has been caused to you. We can’t replace all the things in that vault Sunshine. We can only compensate you with so much."

"Compensate?" Vortan said with a scoff, "Someone on our council tried to kill her!"

The King burst into mocking laughter as he stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "The council asks for so much but gives so little in return. It seems you don’t realize something very important: Sunshine has the upper hand here. You aren’t in a position to haggle like you’re at a street market. There are only two options here. She says jump and you say how high."

Melvin flinched.

The King cleared his throat, and his voice dropped into a tone that meant business. "Here are our terms. First, you aren’t just training Sunshine to repair those rifts. You are going to provide Grand Masters, the best you have. They will repair the big rift and any other rifts that you said were in earth’s sky, starting immediately.

And don’t give me that neutral ’we don’t take sides’ bullshit. You are on our side now Melvin. In the words of my good friend Maximus whenever he had the upper hand," He cleared his throat again, "you are our bitch. The entire council is."

Melvin opened his mouth to protest, but the King held up a hand. "Second, you will return all the treasures from her grandfather’s vault. Not half. Not most. Every single item down to the last bronze coin. I believe Zevran the thief sold them. Use Cobra to track down what was sold and return it. These things were not lost on Sunshine’s watch but yours so it is your duty to find them. As for the gold and pearls, sell off Zevran’s properties and give Sunshine the proceeds."

The King turned to Sunshine, his expression softening just a fraction. "Did I leave anything out?"

Sunshine nodded, her face turning serious. "Mavielle," she said firmly. "She gets full immunity. No one ever finds out she is Cobra. That secret stays buried. And all the masters who are ready to be Grand Masters? They need to be trained and promoted immediately. No more holding people back because of politics or rules that were made before real civilization.

The law on the waiting period should be changed to at least ten years. You can’t have us here waiting forever for a chance to be grandmaster when some of us are aging. If we follow old rules, I will be dead before I become grandmaster. Also, we need one of our people to take part in the investigation into Zevran. Justice must be served."

The King nodded in approval. "Is that all?"

Nine suddenly piped up, waving his hand in the air. "Hey! Don’t forget the most important part! We should get free passes to the VIP canteen. I want to eat anything I want, three times a day, for a full year. No, make it two years!"

Vortan, who had been standing quietly in the corner, shook his head so hard his neck cracked. Of all the things to ask for in a high-stakes negotiation, Nine was thinking about his stomach. Still, Vortan didn’t complain out loud, as long as he finally got the training to become a Grand Master, he could live with Nine’s constant snacking.

The council members shifted uncomfortably in their high-backed chairs. They whispered to each other; their faces twisted in grumpiness.

Commander Melvin let out a long sigh through his nose. "These requests are... very difficult. You are asking for us to break so many rules."

"I am asking you to make the rules flexible." She snapped.

"You talk like you have a choice," the King said, leaning over the table. "Where were the rules when Zevran sticky fingers was robbing my goddaughter and sending a squad of Noxian hit men after her? And she killed at snail too. Your rules, your organization, it all needs an overhaul. Start afresh."

Melvin looked at the King, then at the determined look on Sunshine’s face. He also saw the stand Vortan had taken and guessed other repairmen would take the same one if they heard of what Zevran had done. Even if they got rid of Sunshine, Nine, and Vortan to keep the secret, the King was different.

His people probably knew about what was happening already. If the council said no, their business would be blasted all over the galaxy within an hour. He drew a sharp breath. The organization could not fall, not under his leadership.

Change was inevitable. "You’re right your majesty. We don’t have a choice." He said faintly.

Sunshine and Nine immediately turned to each other and shared a loud, stinging high-five. "Yes!" Sunshine cheered, her face lighting up with pure joy.

"Wait," the King interrupted, his voice cool. "Melvin, your word is about as solid as a cloud. We need this in writing. A contract. Drafted, signed, and stamped."