by Dani Hoots
I studied his dark eyes, wondering what exactly he thought of all of this. He had been my mentor for seven years now and I still didn’t know what he was thinking half the time.
“No, sir, my loyalty is to you and you alone,” I answered, knowing I couldn’t argue with him.
He smiled and let go of my shoulder. “Good. Now, what I want you to do is to carry a tracking device at all times on this mission. When you figure out what the key is and to what it opens, destroy the tracking device. As soon as I see it is destroyed, I will send men to retrieve you and whatever it is they are trying to find, or hide.”“I presume by tracking device you mean the hairband of mine you switched out before the last mission,” I had noticed a hairband in my bag that looked a little different than the other. After careful examination, I figured out it was a tracking device that he had placed. Playing along, I kept it on me at all times. I forgot to mention it earlier. He liked playing tricks on me like that, making sure I was still on my toes.
Neil laughed. “I wondered how long it would take you to notice.”
“I noticed right away sir,” I corrected. “I wasn’t sure if it was you or someone else, so I kept it on me and waited to see if anyone was following me. After a few days I figured it had been you.”
“Good, shows me you’re hard to place a tracking device on. Even for those you trust.”
“That still doesn’t solve the problem of my brother trusting me enough to tell me, let alone show me what the key is for. The moment I find the key for them, they will dump me off somewhere or try to kill me.”
“Well then, you will have to earn their trust, now won’t you?”
Easier said than done. “Yes, sir.”
“If I were you, I would start trying to get him to trust you now, since you have him in a situation where he has to listen.”
“Yes sir,” I bowed and left him.
Chapter 5
Taking Neil’s advice, I decided to head back down to the cells and pay Rik another visit, after changing out of my muddied clothes, of course. I thought of hinting that, maybe, if life didn’t turn out the way it did, I would be with him and the P.A.E., fighting for some kind of justice and what not. I wanted to see if I could get him to trust me just a little. If I could get at least a foot in, that could open the way to enough trust to let me know what the key opened. Although, after what I had done to his people, I wouldn’t blame him if he never trusted me again.
Tapping my knuckles on the cold metal door once again, I waited for Tom to open up. He took his time. I heard a slight scream before the door opened.
“What do you want?” he questioned as he came out of the cell. He still held the same knife from earlier in his hands. The things you could get people to say while using a knife were remarkable. were
“I wanted to talk to the prisoner some more, if that’s alright with you,” I stated as I caught a glimpse of Rik in the cell, quietly whimpering to himself.
“Why? Didn’t you get your questions answered?”
“For the most part. But I did want to ask him about that waiter we found.”
Crossing his arms, Tom rested against the doorway. “Speaking of which, where did you go after you three found that body? Seemed a little weird, you disappearing out of thin air and all.”
“That is none of your concern,” I answered sternly.
He pointed his finger. “You found how he got in, didn’t you?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“Why don’t you tell us, then, how he got in?”
I watched as his eyes began to flare. “I only need to report my findings to the Emperor. If you want to know, you can ask him. As for now, you should let me talk to the P.A.E. agent.”
He shook his head. “Damn you, Arcadia.”
“Has the prisoner said anything else?”
Tom sighed, knowing he couldn’t push me farther or he would have to take it up with the Emperor. “Just some irrelevant things here and there, a few name callings. Really hates the Emperor.”
“I gathered that,” I started to enter the cell. “Take a break. It’s my turn,” I grabbed the knife from him.
“So selfish,” Tom remarked as he shoved passed me.
I shot him a look before I closed the door behind me. Nothing much had changed since I had last seen Rik. He still hung there, covered in blood.
“I didn’t think you would come back,” Rik commented as I entered.
“I didn’t think I would either, but I got to thinking about everything that has happened in the past eleven years.”
“Has it really been that long now?” As if he didn’t know.
I nodded, “It has.”
“So, why did you come down here? Just to say how much time has passed?”
“I came to apologize. I was rash earlier, I am sorry.”
He inspected me. “That’s... strange, coming from you.”
“It is, but I had to say it. It isn’t your fault I got sent to the Kamps.”
“How about you unchain me and we will call it even, then?”
I chuckled at his proposal. “Sorry, I can’t do that.”
“Too bad,” Rik went on. “It could have made this whole thing a lot easier.”
“I bet it would have,” I smiled to myself, knowing what he had planned. “But would you really believe I was helping you or would you think I was setting you up?”
He hesitated, thinking about the question I had given him. “You’re right; I wouldn’t trust you for a second if you let me go. I would know you were up to something. You always are.”
“I see stories of me have spread.”
“You got that right.”
“Then you knew I was alive.”
Rik realized his mistake and didn’t say a word. He knew I was alive.
“You did know, didn’t you? And you never came to find me. Until now,” I pushed farther.
“I heard that the name of the shadow was Arcadia but I never thought it could be you. Your last name was changed and I didn’t think my dear sister could have ever turned into such a monster.” That was a lie, he knew I was here. He knew the stories were true.
I waved the knife I held around. “Well, surprise, brother, here I am.”
“I can see that. Father would be ashamed.”
I moved the knife into my left hand and punched him in the stomach with my right. Rik spat up blood. “Don’t you dare say that to me.”
“I’m sorry but you know the only reason it gets you mad is because you know it’s true.”
I punched him again.
He just grinned. “See? Mad.”
“I still would like to know why you’re here,” I began. “Truly here. Not that lie you tell General Draff.”
“I had a feeling you weren’t here just to apologize.”
“I just would like to know what my brother is up to these days.”
“I bet you would. Then you can go report everything to the Emperor.”
Shaking my head, I replied. “You’re mistaken. I’m not telling the Emperor any of this; this is between you and me.”
“And why would I believe that, Arcadia?” he exclaimed. “What have you done in order for me to trust you? You haven’t helped me the entire time I have been down here. You just stand by while I am tortured. You have done nothing!”
“What if I did help you? What if I said I would help you escape and run away from here with you? Would you think I had a change of heart?” I questioned carefully.
“No, I would think you are planning something.”
I rubbed my temples. “All I am trying to do is understand why you are here, Rik. After all this time, why are you here? Why come now? I know you are lying about not knowing it was me as the shadow. You have probably known for a while, huh? So why now?”
Rik didn’t say anything. I knew he wouldn’t. He didn’t want me to know why they needed me, why they needed that key that they mentioned. Turning around I started to head for the exit.
“Wait!�
� he called. I ignored him and started to open the door. “You’ve been having dreams haven’t you?”
I stopped and faced him again. I didn’t understand how he could have possibly known. I had told no one. No one could have known. Especially him.
“Dreams of Sanshli,” he added.
“How... how do you know that?” I inquired.
“Someone came to me and told me you were the only one who could find Sanshli.”
I marched up to him, shaking my head. “What? Who? No one knows of my dreams, I haven’t told a soul.”
“I don’t know, they...” he stopped, as if he didn’t want to say exactly what happened.
“They what, Rik?”
“They came to me in a dream, alright?” he spat out. “They told me where to find you. They said they have been calling for you but you wouldn’t accept and have done nothing to find them.”
I studied him, trying to see if he was telling the truth. “A dream?”
“Yes, a dream. At first I thought they were just random dreams, memories of Father’s stories but they wouldn’t stop. They became persistent, Arcadia, and they won’t stop until they get what they want. What they want is you. Don’t deny it, you know it’s true. How long have you been having these dreams? A long time, huh?”
I had been having the same dreams for six years now. “That doesn’t matter. They don’t mean anything.”
“Yes they do, Arcadia! They are trying to get you to start the quest.”
“What quest?”I persisted.
“The quest to find Sanshli.”
I didn’t know what to say. All those stories that Father told us when we were younger, they couldn’t be true.
“You’re lying. None of those stories are real, Rik. That’s why they call them stories. Stories Father told us to get us to go to sleep.”
“No, Father was telling us the stories to prepare us so that we can find it.”
“Rik, think about it. What’s the possibility that any of those stories were real? That there are people out there that can control elements, read minds? And others called illusionists that can do practically anything? That if you find the planet all your dreams will come true? Your dreams of restoring the Second Republic and bringing peace to the galaxy. It’s a story to keep up hope. Besides, even if you change the past, how do you know someone else won’t come and destroy it again?”
Rik shook his head. “You’re wrong.”
“Then prove it to me, Rik,” I shot out. “What have you found that makes you think those stories are real?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Try me, Rik!” I yelled out.
“I found some documents.”
“You mean storybooks?” I asked.
“I told you that you wouldn’t believe me,” Rik retorted.
“Because it’s a myth! You are trying to get me to help you by telling me a myth! A myth our father told us when we were children. You need to work on your tactics.”
“Just listen to me, Arcadia.”
“I am through listening, Rik.” I started back for the door, but before leaving I looked back at him. “I wasn’t joking, Rik; if I could get you out of here, I would. And I would leave with you.”
“Well, I will keep that in mind.”
I smiled as I left him there. I had made my point, I got my foot in. Making my way up to my quarters, I ran into Tom again. He had freshened himself up and was now wearing his full uniform.
“That was fast,” he paused. “You left him alive, didn’t you?”
“Yes. You can finish getting information out of him.”
“Well that’s a first. Why are you being so generous all of a sudden?”
“I’m tired, I need to get some rest. Besides,” I placed my finger on his bottom lip and leaned forward, whispering, “I have to let you have some fun every once in a while.” Turning back to where I was headed, I left him standing there.
“Come back, I liked where this was going!” he called. I heard him mumble a few words and head back to the cell.
I made sure no one followed me as I made my way back to my quarters. I didn’t need any prying eyes to know where I was, not that people usually followed me. I just wasn’t sure how mad Laura and Peter were at me for leaving them with the mess.
Arriving at my quarters, I sat down on my bed. Carefully, I reached under the mattress and pulled out a small cloth bag. I kept a bag of small objects from my past. There wasn’t much in it, just a couple things I had stolen from Jack, but more importantly it was where I kept Father’s pocket watch. I took it out of the bag and lay down on my bed, examining it as I did when I was a child. I stroked it with my finger and thought back to that night. Father had given us both keys, keys to what he never told us they opened.
Time passed as I lay on my bed, thinking of what that key could open. I remembered dropping it in the orchard when the soldiers took me away that night. I played the scene over and over again in my head every night for four years as I endured the Kamps, letting that fuel my anger for the Emperor. But that was a long time ago; I wasn’t the girl who wanted to kill him anymore. I was the girl who kept him safe. I was the girl who does everything and anything he asks. No matter the circumstances.
Deciding to grab some food, I stuck the watch into my pocket and headed down to the cafeteria. It was dinner time now and I wanted to grab a seat before it filled. I hadn’t eaten much all day and dinner sounded like a good plan.
Finding the last vacant booth in the crowded dining hall, I sat down and looked at the usual menu. I didn’t really need to look at the menu since I ordered the same thing for dinner here every time, but I wanted to look like I didn’t eat there as much as I did. It was technically a restaurant with service but I considered it a dining hall since it was the only place for military officers to eat in the palace. I could go to places outside the palace but then I would have to walk further and it was just a hassle.
I gave the server my usual order of a vegetable stuffed potato and cherry tea and she left. She brought the drink a few moments later. I took a sip of my tea and closed my eyes for a moment.
I thought about Rik. I didn’t know how long it was going to take Tom to finish whatever he was doing to him and finally order the execution. Then I had to be there and hope their plan ran smoothly. A lot of things could easily go wrong. Rik could be killed during interrogation; someone else could find his men in the hidden tunnels. If they succeeded getting Rik and I out, there also was the possibility of getting caught while flying out into space, especially since everyone would be on high alert.
Furthermore, there was a chance that it would succeed and I would be stuck with my brother and his crew on the search for some mythical planet. The possibility of any of this ending well was low and I didn’t particularity want to think of the outcomes. If Sanshli was real, then Rik would try to change the past and I would have to stop him to protect the Empire. If Sanshli wasn’t real, I would have wasted my time and would have to wait for further orders from the Emperor. Either way, I probably would have to dispose of any who knew about it, and this time I didn’t particularly want to follow orders.
I opened my eyes to find Tom sitting across from me. I hadn’t heard him sneak up on me but I didn’t let it show.
“Funny, I was just thinking about you.”
He cocked a smile. “Really now? In what way?”
“What do you want?” I shot back as I took another sip of my tea.
He raised his hands in defense. “Hey, I’m not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to give you an update.”
“Trouble follows you everywhere, Tom.”
The server brought out my potato. Tom gave her his order and turned back to me.
“You’re staying for dinner?” I really hoped not.
“I haven’t eaten all day. Besides, there are no free tables left. Figured I could buddy up with you.”
I took a bite of my potato, not wanting to think of what he meant by budd
y up. “Fine. What’s your update?”
“Rik finally talked. Told me all about the attack on Ttkas,” he revealed.
“Really?” This was a surprise, Rik didn’t seem one to give up.
“Yes. But I’d rather not talk about it here,” he glanced around. “I say we take this to the meeting room later.”
“Why don’t we go now?” I questioned as I took another bite.
He stared at my dinner. “I’m hungry, I want to eat first.”
“Fine. Did he say anything else?”
Tom’s attention turned away from my food. “About what?”
“I don’t know, thought maybe he could have said something else.”
“No, we only discussed Ttkas. It took a lot just to get that out of him.”
“How do you know he isn’t lying?”
Tom smiled to himself. “Believe me, he’s not.” Grabbing my drink he took a sip.
“Did you... did you just take a sip of my drink?”
“It looked good and I was thirsty,” he licked his lips. “What was that? Tastes funny.”
I squeezed the bridge of my nose. I could feel another headache coming.
I thought for a moment. “Have you told Neil any of this yet?”
“No, I figured I would grab some food first. Then I saw you and thought I would inform you of everything so far.”
I took another bite. “I see.”
His burger finally arrived and we ate in silence. He didn’t say anything more about the Ttkas attack and I didn’t feel like starting any other conversation topics.
After we finished, Tom and I made our way down to one of the mission meeting rooms. It was where all the meetings were held for missions of many kinds. Each room was sound proof and carried any gadget you wished for. Some of the things that room possessed surprised me even now.
“So, tell me,” I began as I sat down. “What did he say?”
“He says that the P.A.E. are using all they have to destroy our armory. They think it will leave us defenseless. Then they will attack New Capital City,” Tom gave the details as he placed his hands on the table that made up most of the room.
“All they have?” I questioned carefully. They couldn’t be that foolish.
