Chapter 10

Hiccup had been lost in thought as he was mopping the floor in his assigned area. After his conversation with the A.I.,.... 'No, Astrid', he went back to finishing his assigned task. Cleaning the corridors in this area would take hours and his stomach was rumbling. A rumbling which Astrid picked up on.

"You are hungry," She said matter-of-factly. "You should eat."

"Lunch is in an hour," Hiccup answered back as he continued mopping.

"A human needs food three times a day," Astrid stated. "Nutritional values demand it. So far you and your people only eat once a day. Why is that?" The genuine curiosity had Hiccup looking up from his work. Even though he couldn't see where exactly the voice was coming from.

"When we left the settlement we only could get one meal a day. We needed to be able to stretch our rations in case we couldn't find supplies along the way." Hiccup explained. "On some days the men would go hungry just so that the women and children could eat. It's not out of ignorance that we avoid three meals a day....." Here Hiccup paused. "It's just, what we're used to."

"I see...." Astrid said and was quiet for a few seconds. "Will this be changing in the future?"

"Who knows," Hiccup shrugged. "I guess once we know how much food this place can generate and how much we can consume things might change. People need time to adjust."

"I wish to see more meat on your bones as well. You are way too skinny."

"Hey, this is all Viking muscle you're talking about!" Hiccup shot back as he laughed and flexed his non-existent-muscles.

"You look like a toothpick," Astrid shot back and Hiccup imagined the A.I. rolling her eyes. "You do not have to answer me if you do not feel comfortable but I do wish to inquire about your family. They seem...... disconnected." Astrid paused a bit, not sure of the word she had to use.

"I guess I could tell you," Hiccup shrugged. "I mean.... The others in the Caravan already know the story." Hiccup thought for a moment before explaining. "So you've met my dad already. Also watching him get tased was funny."

"A man should not insult a lady," Astrid huffed. "He had it coming."

"Right, so Stoick 'The Vast' Haddock," Hiccup mumbled. "His father, my grandfather, Old Wrinkly, was a military General so dad grew up in a strict household." Hiccup stated. "The world was pretty much heading into oblivion and in the settlement where he lived he met Gobber, Valka and Spitelout." Hiccup paused for a moment thinking. "Gobber was dad's best friend and they consider themselves brothers. He's also my Godfather."

"So he's family but he's not a blood relative?" Astrid asked.

"Blood isn't the only thing that determines family." Hiccup mumbled. He did consider Gobber much more a father to him than Stoick. "Uhm... where was I... oh yes." Hiccup mumbled. "Uncle Spitelout is mom's older brother. Mom was the adventurous type and often went exploring. That's how she met dad. All three of them ended up in the same scouting party."

"I am sensing there is some animosity here?" Astrid stated.

"Uh yeah, from the way Gobber told it to me Uncle Spitelout had seemed less than pleased that his sister was attracted to dad." Hiccup said. "Gobber said that they came to blows over it but later they reconciled. Something about mom, a broom, and pepper."

"Peppers?" Astrid asked.

"I don't know that part. I was too afraid to ask and Gobber shuddered remembering what mom had done." Hiccup explained. "And I guess Uncle Spitelout finally backed off and mom and dad married. They were genuinely happy. That was until I was born." Hiccup told her sadly. "You see...... mom went into labor early. They couldn't save her from bleeding out."

"I'm sorry Hiccup," Astrid said. "I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No... NO. It's alright. I don't even remember mom. That's just the sad part. Gobber showed me drawing dad made of mom though." He mumbled as he continued mopping. "I guess, all the hate I get is because Uncle Spitelout blames me for the death of his sister and dad just can't look at me." He said sadly. "Gobber always told me I take after mom." Hiccup knew it was supposed to be a compliment but he just couldn't help thinking that his actions reminded his dad of everything he lost. "Dad raised me....." Hiccup said and then he felt wetness in his eyes. He brought his hand up and realized he was crying. "He just never said he loved me!" Hiccup finally broke down and leaned against the wall as tears streamed down his face. All the pent up emotions just burst out.

Hiccup didn't know how long he was leaning against the wall but Astrid's soothing voice brought him back. "Hiccup, I'm sorry," Astrid told him gently. "I.... I shouldn't have asked."

"It...it's alright," Hiccup mumbled. "I never really told that story aloud before." He said while wiping his eyes.

"I am still sorry for asking such a personal question," The A.I. stated. "Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" She asked. "Maybe tase Mildew?"

Hiccup choked a bit at that suggestion before he snorted. "How did you even tase dad?"

"Each room and corridor has several security measures and countermeasures. I just utilized one of them." Astrid stated. "I took his rant as a personal affront. Such language according to my database would be considered coarse and not suitable to be uttered in front of a lady."

"HAHAHA HAHAHAHAHHAHA!" Hiccup suddenly burst out in laughter after that statement. It was all just too funny for him. He imagined Astrid pouting and just lost it.

Hiccup got himself back together and then continued on with his job. He had even started humming as Astrid and he shared a companionable silence. The silence however didn't last long as footsteps could be heard. The footsteps were hurried and they were getting closer. Hiccup looked up, the mop stopping mid-dunk, as Uncle Spitelout and Bucket approached him.

"Boy! There you are!" Spitelout shouted as he pointed at Hiccup. "You have some explaining to do."

"Me?" Hiccup asked looking utterly lost. "What did I do?"

"Don't you dare play innocent with me!" Spitelout shouted and then grabbed Hiccup by the arm. "We have witnesses!"

"Wait what?! What are you talking about?!" Hiccup shouted as Bucket grabbed his other arm. The men made him drop his mop as he was dragged towards the elevators.

"Save your prattle for the Chief. You aren't getting away with it," Spitelout growled.

"I don't even know what you're accusing me of!" Hiccup countered as they entered the lift. He saw Bucket press the button for C-1 which Hiccup knew was the Command center. The hub where most of the facility's data was displayed and could be monitored. When the elevator reached its destination Hiccup was being dragged through the corridors. The Berkians who were helping within the Command Center turned and not so discreetly started whispering as he was shuffled past. Spitelout and Bucket stopped at what must have been Stoick's office. But it wasn't an office per se. The room, once the doors opened, looked like something from a spaceship bridge. His dad was at the monitors on the third row. The two rows of monitoring equipment below were occupied by others.

"We brought him," Spitelout stated as he got Stoick's attention. His dad turned and that famous scowl was on his face again.

"Hiccup how could you!" Stoick asked.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Hiccup said.

"Don't you lie boy! We have witnesses!" Spitelout cuffed him upon the head.

"Hey!" Hiccup turned back to look at his uncle. "I have no clue what is going on here!"

"So you are saying you didn't ransack one of the storages in the facility? Those were precious supplies!" Stoick asked as he looked at his son. "We have three witness statements saying that they saw you do it."

"Dad I was mopping the floor 2 levels below! I swear!" Hiccup said. "Ask Mildew! He assigned me there!"

"What's to say you didn't slip out when no one was watching?" Spitelout asked. "You have no alibi. There was no one around when we tracked you down."

"It wasn't me I swear!" Hiccup shouted. He didn't even notice that the other Berkians had stopped working to look at the spectacle. Hiccup didn't know what to do. His Dad seemed to have witnesses that placed Hiccup there even though he wasn't. He however, had nothing as counter evidence. Looking at his father he saw something in his eyes that might have been doubt but the evidence seemed to be overwhelming.

Hiccup thought all hope was lost when a familiar female voice spoke up "I will be Hiccup's alibi." Hiccup looked up as he recognized Astrid's voice. His Dad did as well and asked "What do you mean computer?"

"I prefer the name Astrid now," she corrected him. "And as I previously stated, I shall be Hiccup's alibi."

"What does a machine have to offer?" Spitelout asked rather contemptuously.

"How about video footage during the time of the crime and Hiccup's location?" Astrid sounded rather smug as two holographic screens popped up in front of both Stoick and Spitelout. The screen was split into two sections that showed Hiccup working on one side while the area of the crime in question was shown on the other side.

"Those are... Those are....." Spitelout sputtered as he watched the footage. "Those are our three witnesses!"

"It may not be common knowledge as of yet but this facility employs state of the art surveillance." Astrid explained as the footage showed three teenage boys, slightly younger than Hiccup's age, go in and out of the storage unit. Another camera then panned to the inside and displayed their actions. "As you can see, your three 'witnesses' are the actual criminals. They just needed a convenient scapegoat."

"Astrid, thank you," Hiccup said as Bucket and Spitelout let him go. Spitelout was still gaping at the footage however, and Hiccup guessed he hadn't known about the surveillance.

"Spitelout don't just stand there. Get those boys in here!" Stoick ordered.

Spitelout grumbled but he and Bucket did mutter an "I'm sorry Hiccup" before leaving. Hiccup gave a small nod and then turned to his father. He blinked at Stoick, who just blinked back.

"That will be all, return to your post, Hiccup," Stoick said as he then turned back to his work.

"That will be all?! That will be all?!" Hiccup suddenly shouted startling everyone in the room. "That's it?! How about an apology, Dad!"

"Hiccup... I.. Uhm.. what?" Stoick said as he turned back to face his son.

"An apology," Hiccup prodded. "You know... like the one even Uncle Spitelout said to me when they found out the truth?" Hiccup dryly stated.

"Hiccup, we will talk about this later," Stoick responded.

"No... NO! We will talk about this now!" Hiccup shouted causing Stoick's red bushy eyebrows to shoot up. "All I want is an apology. You accused me and I was innocent. Uncle Spitelout doesn't like me but even he said sorry! WHY CAN'T you?!" Hiccup's previous conversation with Astrid and all the stress from all those years of being put down finally surfaced. Hiccup was breathing hard as he stared his father down. There was a rant on the tip of his tongue that was just itching to be let loose. "Do you hate me so much that you can't even apologize when I'm innocent?" Something stuck in Hiccup's throat as he looked at his father. "I know I'm probably not the son you wanted! I know that you probably don't even care about me! THE LEAST YOU COULD DO IS APOLOGIZE!" Hiccup's green eyes narrowed and blazed with silent fury.

"Hiccup.." Stoick started but Hiccup cut him off as everything bubbled to the surface. "No, Dad. No. You don't get to talk to me now. You don't get to make decisions!" Hiccup uttered. "You've been making them for me all my life and it stops now!"

Stoick wisely clamped his mouth shut as Hiccup heaved while wagging a finger at his father. "You've ignored me! You've belittled me! It all stops now! You are supposed to be my Dad! But you aren't! You're Chief first and I'm just a nuisance! Well no more!" Hiccup grit his teeth as a stream of tears rolled down his cheeks. He probably wasn't even aware of it. "You only treat me like I'm extra baggage! And I don't know what I actually did wrong apart from being born-and that wasn't my fault. I wish Mom was alive as well because I am sure she would have cared about me. But she isn't...and I know you never will. Not.... Not now. Well then so be it! I Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the 3rd disown myself from the Haddock family and the Berk tribe!"

Gasps could be heard from all over the room and Stoick looked pale at Hiccup's words. "Hiccup please,...."

"No, Dad. This is it," Hiccup stated. "You obviously never cared so I'm giving you what you wanted. You no longer have a son that you see as a disgrace."

"You... you can't leave!" Stoick shouted.

"Who says I'm leaving." Hiccup shot back. "I discovered this place. I have every right to be here. I just won't answer to you anymore!"

"Hiccup...."

"You don't have to worry about me," Hiccup said. "That is if you ever did. I will find my own way through this world." Hiccup steeled his resolve. It was painful watching his Dad sputter and stare wide-eyed at him, but this was a long time coming. Without another word Hiccup left the Command center and a speechless Stoick behind. He quickly made his way back to his room, grabbed his duffle bag, that he still had to unpack, and walked towards the Engineering section in Area B. Hiccup let out a long breath he was holding and knocked on a door.

"Hiccup?" Gobber asked as he was suddenly enveloped in a hug by the auburn once the doors opened.

"Gobber...... can we talk?" Hiccup mumbled as his face was still muffled against his Godfather.

AN: Next update either Wednesday or Friday (I have a lot of work to do inbetween)