Chapter Text
Peg followed Clutch into the cave, minding her step as they made their way over the loose rubble from Clutch’s last venture. She didn’t necessarily need to accompany him- his little mishap last time had taught him not to get too greedy- but she figured it couldn’t hurt to tag along in case Mama Rock Monster got a little territorial. Besides, she kind of wanted to see the little tyke.
And perhaps she had another, ulterior motive.
Clutch had been resolutely silent the entire trip though, refusing to give her the opening she was waiting for. He probably already knew what it was she wanted. It wasn’t like this would be the first time she tried to get him to open up.
Finally he paused before the chamber filled with the power crystals they were after, heaving a sigh. “Clutch?” she questioned.
“I know what you want, Peg,” he murmured. “And it’s not just to see a baby rock monster.”
She reached over, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You know we’re just worried about you, right?”
“I know.” He reached up and patted her hand before continuing on.
Their team leader had been so gung-ho about searching for his father, after Mallock had revealed that Rock was still alive. But as time passed and they continued to fail to recapture Omega, he became more and more resigned to the idea that they might never find his father. Not alive, at any rate. He was taking it even harder than when he’d originally thought his father to be dead. Kjeld was keeping his eyes and ears peeled for even a rumor of a lead on the renegade’s whereabouts, but it had been a long time since anything had turned up. And Omega was the only one of the trio of troublemakers who actually knew where Rock was being held.
“Oh my,” Peg gasped as they emerged from the other end of the tunnel, the passage opening into a massive chamber so filled to the brim with power crystals that there was barely any space for them to put their feet. Clutch smirked as he carefully picked his way across the cavern.
“Yeah, that was about my reaction last time too,” he teased.
“Well at least you’re man enough to admit it,” she teased back. She smiled as his laughter echoed across the cavern. They both paused when they heard- and felt- heavy footsteps approaching. Clutch aimed a sheepish grin in the rock monster’s direction.
“Uh- yeah, hi, it’s me again-”
“Oh my goodness is that your baby?” Peg gushed, spotting the toddler clinging to its mother’s shoulder. “What an adorable little tyke!” The rock monster stared at her for a moment, taken aback by her enthusiasm, and then began to preen when her words registered. “Please excuse our intrusion, we’re just here for some power crystals. We’ll be back out in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.” The rock monster nodded, eyeballed Clutch for good measure, then wandered away again. Clutch let out a breath of relief.
“Thanks for that,” he said.
“Always glad to help.” Clutch finally picked one of the larger crystals from where it clung to the wall and tucked it carefully into his pack. “Ready to go?”
“Yep, this one should keep us powered for another two years.”
“How did you even find this place, anyway? These are the most impressive power crystals I’ve ever seen.”
Clutch shrugged. “I think some surveyors’ instruments picked up on their resonance. Kjeld sent me with a mining drill to scout the place out.”
“Alone?” Peg teased. He huffed back at her.
“Yeah, alone. Kjeld tried to insist I take a team with me. I didn’t need the help.” Peg snickered. They made their way back out of the cave and to where Peg’s car waited for him. Clutch hopped into the passenger seat, removing the crystal to get a better look at it in the sunlight. It shimmered and sparkled, casting spots of green light across the car’s interior.
“Buckle up,” Peg reminded him before starting the car. She drove them back to Lego Corps to deliver the crystal.
“Just who I wanted to see,” Kjeld greeted them with as they stepped into the lab.
“What’s up?” Clutch asked as he handed the crystal over. Kjeld took it, but didn’t move to replace the old one yet.
“We just received some intel not even an hour ago. One of our undercover agents in Blacktron has a lead on Omega.”
The two friends stared in stunned silence. “Truly?” Peg finally managed to get out. “After all this time?”
“I’ve already sent a call out to the rest of your team. Time is of the essence; it is imperative that you follow up on this lead immediately. We can’t afford to let Omega slip through our fingers again.”
“Of course,” Clutch agreed numbly.
“Artie should be done with the pre-flight check already. Go get suited up.”