The Secret Weapon

by Bridget Denise Bundy

  “Maybe, they don’t remember or don’t know.” Coraset remarked.

  “They remember, Coraset. They haven’t forgotten about American history in the least.”

  “Malie threatened to kill you if I didn’t agree to help them.” Coraset joined him on the sofa. She crossed her legs and leaned against the back of the couch.

  “She did, huh?” Brecco chuckled inwardly. “Her threats are empty.”

  “I’m not taking that chance with her.”

  “This is absolutely crazy. If Dominic Erato figures out what you’re trying to do, he’ll kill you.”

  “I’m very aware of the danger.”

  Brecco continued to drive the point home, “They will not arrest you. They will not take you to trial. Your sentence will be played out immediately.”

  “I know,” Coraset commented.

  “Go into hiding,” Brecco stated in a low voice.

  “I can’t. Malie will take you away from me, and I’ve lost too much as it is.”

  “I’ll deal with the consequences.” Brecco remarked.

  “No, you’re not going to deal with anything. I’m going to do this and hope I get out of it alive.”

  Brecco asked sadly, “If you succeed in the mission, will you come back to Barat?”

  “If my life is in danger, no,” she answered.

  Brecco nodded, accepting Coraset’s decision. He stood from his seat and went to his desk. He opened the top drawer and brought out a flat blue canister. Brecco returned back to the sofa and placed it in her hands.

  “Is this it?” Coraset held it gently.

  “Yes,” Brecco answered. “It looks just like the insulin vial Dominic takes for his diabetes.”

  She opened the canister. Inside were three needles and three vials. She closed it back up and set it on the sofa.

  “Coraset, I wish you would reconsider.”

  “You’re my only family. I can’t let anything happen to you.” Coraset patted his hand gently.

  “There’s something else on your mind,” Brecco noticed.

  “Malie says that you’re not yourself. What’s going on?”

  “I’m fine,” Brecco managed a quick smile, but it faded quickly. “I work. I come home. I live like always.”

  “Please, don’t keep secrets from me. If you’re not feeling well, I need to know.”

  “No secrets, Coraset,” Brecco remarked as he threw his hands up in mock surrender.

  “Are you going to be alright?” Coraset asked. It almost sounded like it was a final question.

  “I’ll be right here. I’ll be alright.” Brecco tried to hide his tears. He was afraid for Coraset.

  She leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek, took the canister from the sofa, and rushed out the door without saying good-bye. She entered the elevator. Once she was enclosed inside, she leaned against the back mirrored wall and closed her eyes.

  When she got back to the car, she told Brochudo she was ready to leave. She sat in the passenger seat this time. Her thoughts consumed her as he drove them out of Barat to Bel Air once more.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Xavier knocked and waited patiently for Coraset to open the door. He knew she wouldn’t be very happy to see him after her discussion with Malie. Coraset swung the door open after he knocked again. She appeared refreshed and well rested.

  With a guarded smile, Xavier greeted her, “Good morning, Coraset. May I come in?”

  “Of course, you can. This is your home.” She moved out of the way.

  He stepped into the room. His focus was mainly on Coraset. He wanted to come to an amiable understanding with her. He worried about her being angry with him and holding a grudge. She was all so important to him and his cause, and he didn’t want to move forward on a bad note.

  Xavier adjusted his tie and said, “I hope your stay has been comfortable.”

  “You like to threaten your guests and their family members?” Coraset asked as she went around him and sat down on the sofa.

  He shifted his shoulders, feeling the discomfort of the conversation and said, “Malie is very zealous in her belief of the cause. She means no real harm.”

  “Yes, she does, Xavier, and you’re a terrible liar. If you were against the assassination plot, she’d find a way to get rid of you.”

  “You may be right about that.”

  “You know I’m right.”

  “Anyway, beside all that, I just want to make sure you’re entirely aboard with this plan.” He slowly sat beside her and continued, “I know I’ve made your life much more difficult than it should, but I promise after you do this job, I will set things right.”

  “I don’t believe you.” Coraset spoke frankly. “Your actions and lack of has proven that you are selfish and a coward. I can’t depend on you, and I won’t.”

  Xavier exhaled with defeat.

  Coraset shifted away from him and revealed, “I will try to do what you want, but only to keep Brecco safe. I’m not doing this for you or your cause.”

  He smiled with relief.

  “Have you ever thought about the possibility that killing Dominic Erato won’t change the government?”

  “This is simply the first step. Once he’s out of the way, we can move forward more easily with the necessary steps to form a democracy.”

  “I don’t think it will be as easy as you think, Xavier. You will not be able to change the government simply by changing the person in charge of it. The Erato Government was set up by more than just her Chancellor. There are others that believe in it and work hard to keep it going.”

  “I know you’ve been educated in international studies-”

  “It’s common sense, Xavier.” Coraset threw up her hands and remarked, “You know what, it doesn’t even matter. I don’t know why I even try.”

  “Everything will go as planned. You watch what I tell you.” Xavier asked in an upbeat tone of voice, “Did your Brecco give you the vial?”

  “Yes, he did.”

  “That’s all you have to do is replace one vial.”

  “I know what I need to do, Xavier.” Coraset remarked impatiently.

  “After the job is done, you will need to get out of the palace. I’m not sure how the Elite Guards will react to his death. So, you might want to plan an exit just in case it gets hectic in there.”

  Coraset shook her head and said, “You act like I’m some kind of expert in this. Plan an escape, are you serious?”

  “It’s in your best interest-”

  “It’s in my best interest if I’m not in there at all!” Coraset screamed angrily. “Get the hell out, Xavier. Just go away and worry about yourself like you always do.”

  Xavier tried to say more, but Coraset walked away. She went to her bed and sat down, not even bothering to look in his direction. He got the message and walked out. Xavier was on edge, not really sure if he made the right decision to send Coraset into the fire. She was tough, very capable of taking care of herself, but she was no operative. She wasn’t highly trained to infiltrate a dangerous environment and find her way out of it safely, but Xavier didn’t have much of a choice. She was a black woman, beautiful, single, and she didn’t have children. She fit the perfect bill that Dominic Erato was looking to be in his harem. The plot was simple in planning, but in action, he was depending upon an amateur.

  Malie met him in the hallway on her way to Coraset’s room, and she had a woman with her. Malie asked him, “Is she up, Xavier?”

  “She’s up and not in the best of moods,” he confirmed.

  “Would you be under the same circumstances?”

  “Just get her ready for tonight. She has to be chosen, or this plan is dead in the water.”

  Malie and the woman continued to Coraset’s door. After a knock, they entered into the loft not even waiting for an answer. Coraset rolled her eyes upon seeing Malie and the woman. She figured it was someone new to piss her off even more.

  “Coraset, this is Parion Middleton,” Malie introduc
ed. “She is here to prepare you for this evening’s ball.”

  Parion was in her late fifties. She had jet black shoulder length hair, and her face was heavily made up. Her blue eyes were marked with thick eyeliner, and her lipstick was bright red. She was shorter than Malie but taller than Coraset.

  She sauntered over to the bed, and she stared at Coraset taking in her facial features and size. The woman commanded, “Stand.”

  Coraset cut her eyes at Malie who was still standing behind the sofa.

  Parion remarked smartly, “Lets not begin this day on the basis of rudeness.”

  Malie smiled at Coraset, and without saying a word, Coraset did as she was told.

  “Thank you,” Parion remarked as she stepped closer. She touched her chin, moved her head side to side. She moved Coraset’s arm making her twist from one side to the other.

  “You’re right, Malie. She’s quite beautiful, almost frighteningly too thin, but Chancellor Erato will not choose her. She’s too old. He wants women under thirty.”

  “But she does look like she’s in her twenties. Don’t you agree?” Malie asked as she approached the women.

  “Yes, I do agree. She does look younger.”

  “I can make the necessary changes in the database to reflect she’s under the age requirement. I just need for you to make sure she doesn’t get passed up at the ball.”

  Coraset crossed her arm and sat back down in disgust.

  “I’ll bring in my team. We don’t have much time.”

  “What team?” Coraset asked as she stood back up.

  Malie quickly added, “It’s a beauty team, not an assault team.”

  As soon as Parion opened the door, ten people burst in. They were all carrying thick briefcases, linens, a hairdryer chair, or other contraptions Coraset never seen before.

  A rectangular table with a white cushion top was unfolded, and two other large briefcases were opened up. Coraset went over to peak at what was inside, and she was instantly pulled away to sit in a chair. Her hair was pulled from its rubber band restraint, and fingers dashed through her hair and scalp.

  For the next three hours, Coraset was the center of attention for ten different people. One person did her hair. Another picked at her face destroying every pimple he could find. After that was done, a woman did her makeup. Two people waxed her legs. The other five people took out and hung numerous formal dresses on portable racks.

  Parion was watchful and very direct in what she wanted Coraset to look like. Twice the hairdresser had to redo the hair because it didn’t fit Coraset’s features. She tried on countless dresses until Parion settled on a gorgeous black mermaid style dress that was lined with diamonds across the sweetheart bodice.

  By the time Coraset was completely dressed and ready to go it was late in the afternoon, and she was irritated and exhausted from all the poking, pulling, and prodding.

  Parion circled her with pride, like she created Coraset herself. She straightened the diamond necklace, and lightly tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear. She checked the make-up to make sure it was flawless. No streak lines, no lipstick on the teeth, and no running mascara. As a finishing touch, Parion handed Coraset a silver clutch and nodded with satisfaction. Malie was amazed. She saw a completely different woman.

  A full length body mirror was rolled in front of Coraset so she could see herself. She was absolutely stunned. She’d never seen herself so dressed up before. She was afraid to move, afraid to breathe.

  “What do you think?” Parion asked Coraset with pride.

  She couldn’t form a single word, but her silence spoke volumes.

  “Mm-hmm,” Parion remarked with a nod. “I know.”

  Coraset turned to see the back. She smoothed her hands against the sides, and she looked at Parion. Despite the reason for dressing up, she loved the way she looked.

  “Thank you,” Coraset remarked, truly meaning it.

  “You’re welcome, my dear. Well,” Parion clapped her hands together, and her team began cleaning up and preparing to leave. “I wish you luck, Coraset.”

  She only smiled.

  The beauty team started filing out one by one, taking everything they came in with, and Parion was the last to leave. Malie looked at Coraset impressed with her finished look.

  “I have to go get ready myself. I’ll be back to get you within the hour.”

  Coraset sat down on the sofa being careful not to slouch or step on the back hem of the dress. She was uncomfortable, but she didn’t want to mess up herself. Sometimes Coraset stood and paced just to practice walking. Other times she simply stood.

  Eventually, Malie showed up. She had on a one shoulder red silk dress that stopped at her knees. Her blonde hair was swept around to her bare shoulder in cascading waves.

  “Are you ready, Coraset?”

  “I supposed so.”

  Coraset walked carefully, making sure she kicked out the front part of her dress. They met Brochudo in the foyer who whistled his approval. He opened the front door for the ladies, and he continued his gentleman gestures by opening the back doors to the car.

  They rode in silence as Brochudo sped through old L.A. to the outer gate of the Utura Region. As soon as they entered, the royal palace with its majestic glimmering domes, towers, and beautiful Greek Doric temples began to appear in the distance. The closer they got, the more nervous she became.

  Usually, Coraset was a cool person. Nothing bothered her too much, but the enormity of the situation was getting to her. She felt her face warming up, and she began sweating on her back and shoulders. She shifted in her seat, pulled and adjusted her dress trying to find some kind of comfort.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Malie asked as she looked at her strangely.

  “Nothing,” Coraset quickly answered.

  They reached the northern gate to enter the Erato Government Center, and Coraset took in a deep breath. The royal palace loomed higher in front of them set within its own set of walls. Brochudo got into a long line of limousines and cars as they waited to be checked at the palace gate.

  Coraset readied herself. She wondered if she would be able to pull it off. She wasn’t so sure.

  PART 3

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “Scan your forefinger,” a brunette commanded from behind a table.

  Coraset placed her finger on a square fingerprint machine. It beeped an agreeable jingle.

  “State your name,” the brunette remarked after she read the name on the screen.

  “Coraset Prescott,” she answered as she looked around at the entrance hall.

  Bureaucrats were dressed in their finest attire from majestic headdresses of feathers and sequenced appliques, flowing gowns and suits, to equally expensive heels and leather shoes. People stood in lines awaiting their turns for their identifications to be confirmed so they may enter the great hall of the first Doric temple.

  A black woman name Sekai came from behind the brunette signifying for Coraset to follow her. Coraset took one last glance back at Malie, who had a subtle smirk on her face, before rounding the table to follow the woman.

  Sekai led Coraset into the elaborate decorated great hall that expanded as far back as half a football field. Marble columns stood on both sides of the room, equal in diameter and length apart. Erato red banners with gold tassels trim hung high near the ceilings and draped in the middle with streamers flowing gently. Erato’s national flag hung in the distant wall stretching from ceiling to floor behind the Chancellor’s chair. Tables were dressed in the best of ivory linen tablecloths and elegant flower bouquets. The floral centerpieces spread over their bases creating a stunning show of natural color in the midst of fine china and silverware. The center floor was cleared, shining from being waxed, with expertly detailed images of cherubs, falling petals, and linear curves and decorative flares.

  Coraset barely had a chance to take in the opulence before she was taken to a side room, where other women waited. She surmised they were all in the bid to be
in the harem, as well. There were nearly a hundred women in different sizes, heights, and ethnicity. Most were in groups whispering and giggling. There were others that stood alone, lost in their thoughts. Perhaps they were afraid, nervous, or guarded about their decision.

  Without a doubt in Coraset’s mind, she did not want to be there. She’d never been the type of person to be second hand choice to any man. She had to be first and foremost, or there was no relationship. Just standing in the room made Coraset angry inside. She couldn’t understand why any woman would fight for a man or wait on one that wouldn’t do the same for her? Why be with a man where on any given day you’re not even considered because other women demand his attention. She settled near the window in the short span of the rectangular room. No one noticed her.

  Sekai left the room, and before long the door came open with another young woman stepping inside. She had a baby face with soft blue eyes, tiny lips, and a small nose. Her hair was alive with uncontrollable blonde curls that had a tiger lily hidden within it. The blue dress she wore was ill fitted, and she fussed to keep the spaghetti straps on her shoulders. When she turned to walk, the young woman slid on her heels and hit the floor. Laughter erupted in the room, and the young woman had to pick herself up off the floor with heated red cheeks. Coraset wanted to help her, but she didn’t want to draw attention to herself. The girl stumbled to the nearest corner, and she cried into her handkerchief she’d pulled out of her small purse. Coraset stole a glance at her from the corner of her eye, feeling pity for her. Why was that young woman even there? Who was she anyway?

  Sekai came back inside and announced above the women’s combined voices, “Ladies, thank you for coming to the Chancellor Ball. So there are no misunderstandings, you are here to be in the Chancellor’s harem. If you do not wish to be here, now is the time to leave.”

  Coraset quickly looked over to the sobbing girl. She was sniffing and wiping at her face, but she didn’t leave.