by Aline Riva
“I'm okay... Thanks for asking, Violet.”
It was all he could think to say as he looked at her and the memories of those stolen moments made his face flush.
Then he looked up and Violet looked around as they heard shouts from a nearby crowd who had come along to watch the rehearsals - there seemed to be some kind of a fight going on a short distance away on the field close to the stage.
Then as a woman lashed out and pushed her way through and someone yelled in panic Stop her, Violet looked in alarm to the tall, dark haired woman who she recognised from ECL meetings back in the city. She had not been present on the morning that most of the terrorist cell had been killed, and rage burned in her eyes as she glared at Jekel. As she raised her gun, Darren Lynch ran across the stage, his eyes on the target, ready to take aim and fire.
“End Cyborg Life!” she shouted, “Your son's next, Jekel!”
And Violet Silver screamed No and launched herself at the anti cyborg extremist, as the crazed woman fired and Darren Lynch fired, taking out the terrorist with one shot as Violet fell to the ground, a bullet wound spreading crimson from her chest.
Darren called to nearby guards and ran over to the would be assassin, gun still held in a two handed grip as he stood over her, to be sure she was dead, then looking to the nearby gathering as the guards covered the area.
Jekel jumped down from the stage and fell to his knees beside Violet, and then, as Kade ran to join him and said medics had been alerted, Jekel stripped off his jacket and pressed it to the wound as he cradled her head.
As she took in a breath she looked up at him as her face paled.
“I stopped her...”
“You took a bullet too,” he said, and she glanced down at his fine suit as the fabric soaked through with her blood.
“Sorry about your jacket,” she whispered, then the ghost of a smile appeared on her lips that was quickly snatched away as she gave a gasp, “I don't want to die...”
“You won't,” Jekel said, knowing it was a lie as he held back from weeping, “You'll be okay, Violet. You held me, I'll hold you now, okay?”
“Okay...” she murmured, falling limp as her eyes closed and her breathing slowed. That was when Jekel let the tears he had held back fall from his eyes, and at that moment, he had never been more thankful for Kade's presence as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You couldn't have stopped it,” he told him, “You couldn't have saved her, Ash.”
Then Kade heard Steph call his name in alarm and he turned his head to see her standing on the stage, looking on in alarm.
“Are you okay?” she said, sounding frightened.
“Yeah, I'm fine, so is Ash,” he called back “Terrorist attack...some girl got shot.”
Jekel was still holding Violet's lifeless body as he silently vowed that to him she would never be just some girl, then he laid her out on the grass and got up, stepping back to let the medics confirm what he already knew – Violet Silver was gone.
Later as the sun lowered on a troubled day, Riley was in his study lost in quiet reflection as Lynch, whose damaged wire had now been repaired, paced to the window and looked out towards the field where the festival would be held the next day.
“I've run through security measures with my son,” he said, “I may not be in power yet but trust me, no more weapons will get through screening tomorrow.”
“She died in my arms,” Jekel said quietly, “She saved me from the ECL and then she took a bullet that was meant for me...”
As he sat on the sofa beside Joy, she gave his hand a squeeze.
“But the ECL are gone now – there's just a few random nutters left out there, and we can handle that, right, Ash?”
He looked into her eyes, keeping her hand in his grip.
“Joy, I'm a high profile cyborg. I'm always going to be a target for anti cyborg extremists. But that woman said something before she was taken out – she threatened Travis! She said, Your son is next!”
Joy's face paled in shock.
“End Cyborg Life is a movement that could spark splinter groups, as well as actions by lone attackers,” Riley said, “I know Felix will work well with Sylvia back in Freedom to keep the unity going between our peoples but we need something to cement the peace and the unity and set it in stone. We need something to unite everyone. Someone give me an idea, because I have none left!”
Lynch turned from the window.
“One month from now I take over as King of Cyborg Valley. Six weeks after that I marry Elise. That should help to unite our territories, strong emotions always do...perhaps we need to work more on the idea of both cities united in common ways...” he paused and then as he spoke again, Riley listened in admiration as he instantly knew beyond any doubt that Felix Lynch was certainly going to be a fine leader...
It was much later when the others had left the room and Joy had lingered behind, telling Jekel she wanted to thank Riley for saving him. But her real reason had been far from the truth – she had an unanswered question, and it was one best asked alone as she lingered back, closing the door and turning back to Riley, who was sat at his desk looking weary.
“After everything he just came out with, I know Lynch is going to be a great leader,” she told him, “I knew that anyway – he was born for this, it's the right time, too – he's older, he's got a family, he's ready to run the Valley, but why are you standing down? You're King Steel! You're the man who built the first androids and created the first cyborg when you saved my Ash!Why are you doing this, Riley? Why are you giving up your title?”
Riley got up, went over to a drinks cabinet and poured himself a scotch. He gestured to the bottle and Joy shook her head, then he went over to the window, sipped the drink and turned to meet her gaze as she joined him.
“This goes no further,” he said, and Joy nodded.
He drank from the glass again.
“You know me, Joy. But not as well as you think you do.”
He drank some more, pausing to watch the jewelled rings on his fingers catch the light.
“This is me, the flamboyant King of Sanctuary...I've done the family man thing, lost my wife to illness and my son to battle...built myself Mandy One, a proper sex droid...found no love there...” he paused again, swirling the drink in the glass, then he downed the rest and met her gaze as tears burned in his eyes.
“When I did find love it was unexpected. A meeting of minds, mutual respect...one powerful leader to another...”
Joy's eyes widened.
“You're not...you can't be having an affair with one of the ruling circle in Freedom? Is it Sylvia Payton? Does Kade Silk know?”
He laughed through his tears then wiped his eyes.
“Oh no...no, not her! Joy, you're miles out, my dear...I've got several long term patients at the med centre...One of them is the person I love dearly. Wounded in the battle for Sanctuary...and the main reason I'm standing down – apart from the fact I think it takes a stronger man than me to lead and handle politics. My lover has been in a state of heavy sedation for many years and I'm very close to finding a way to cure some terrible wounds and now is the time to devote my life to that possibility.”
“Who is she, what happened to her?” Joy asked.
What Riley said next stunned her.
“My lover is a gentleman. Like me, he was also a leader. He ran the town of Bullet and was terribly burned in the battle for Sanctuary. I'm very close to creating semi organic skin that can function over the scar tissue...He looks terrible...he has no skin left, Joy. He was thought to be dead after the truck exploded but his heart was still beating and as long as it beats, there's hope.”
Joy's eyes widened in surprise.
“Dixon Featherstone? I thought he was dead! Oh god, Riley...I'm so sorry!”
Riley blinked away the threat of more tears and forced a smile.
“We met back in the old days, when I slipped into Bullet to take a look around. I stayed for several months but then I had
to leave because I had to go back... I never even told him about the shield system because I couldn't be certain the secret wouldn't get out – if Bullet had been attacked they all would have been vulnerable – and indeed, they were...I regretted leaving like I did. I just went back, on my own, closed up the doorway behind me – but I made sure I sent Mandy One out there, so Jekel would find me one day. I was hoping when he did, Dixon would follow – but I never got the chance to tell him I was sorry for shutting him out like that.”
“He never said a word,” Joy replied.
“Because he didn't know where I was. He was hardly going to tell you how we met or what happened, he was tough Dixon of Bullet, leader of men... and not one to show much emotion being in charge of that lot. I should have trusted him! I loved him, I should have taken that risk. I want to make that up to him so very much. And I haven't given up on him. Like I said, I'm better off serving the community the way I do best – as a cybernetic surgeon. And if I can help Dixon to recover, standing down from power will be absolutely worth it and I have no regret.”
“And I'm sure you will get there,” she assured him, “You never gave up on Ash, you saved him in the end. You'll do the same for Dixon.”
“I hope I can,” he replied, and Joy gave him a tight hug.
“I know you will,” she told him as she let go, “Because you don't give up. I bet Dixon knows that, too. I really hope there comes a day when he can be at your side, Riley.”
He smiled on hearing those words.
“That thought keeps me going, Joy. And thanks for listening.”
“Any time, Riley. If you need to talk, if it gets too much, just come and find me.”
“I'll do that,” he replied, then Joy left the room and Riley poured himself another drink to ease the ache in his heart that had not gone away since the day Dixon's truck had exploded in a ball of flame.
Next morning after tight security checks, the Firelight Festival began. As Jekel was greeted by a crowd who went wild as they applauded, he stood centre stage and waited for the crowd to settle, and then he began to speak.
“What a difficult time it's been here in the Valley,” he said, “And not just here – in Freedom too!” he paused as the crowd stirred again, agreeing with his sentiments, then the as he raised the microphone once more and held up his hand for quiet, and they fell silent, as he watched from the wings Kade looked on in awe as he wondered how it felt to have such a presence that the whole of the vast audience was at the command of one man – as Jekel spoke again, they all listened, as his words carried across the vast gathering:
“But times are changing,” he announced, “And on this day while we remember those who have lost their lives due to terrorism, we also remember that we are moving forward not only as a nation but as allies with our friends in Freedom City!”
There was a feeling in the air, like a crackle of electricity, it was the sheer warmth and enthusiasm of the atmosphere, and as Jekel spoke again, Kade watched, realising this was the most unforgettable opening speech Ash had ever made, at a time when it was needed the most.
As he stood there looking dashing in a tight suit that emphasised his willowy frame, Jekel paused for a moment, then stepped from the middle of the stage towards the edge as he looked out at the vast crowd.
“If I had one wish for every single person here today – from here to Freedom City – it would be that we can all live together in peace and unity. It's all I've ever wanted for the Valley and for the City, too. We are all the same and we all need unity because that world we used to know is not coming back - this is it, folks. It's all we have so let's build on that and make a better tomorrow!”
And the crowd went wild, whistling and cheering and applauding.
Jekel watched them, smiling as he waited for the excitement to die down and then as as he spoke again, he could be heard clearly as every person standing in the crowd fell silent.
“And this is also my last public appearance,” he added. Then he paused again, knowing this was a bombshell no one had expected.
“What?” said Kade as he watched from the wings.
“And I don't want to say any more about that,” Jekel said audience as he blinked to defy the tears that stung at his eyes, “But it's been a struggle for me since I was wounded many years ago...and it was resolved and sometimes when things get resolved it's not always as perfect as it might first seem...things go wrong. But it's been a fantastic nine years and very soon I'm going to introduce you all to a good friend of mine.”
Kade stared in disbelief as Ash turned around and looked back stage, meeting his gaze.
“What's going on?” Kade called to him, but as Jekel caught his words he ignored his question, turning back to the audience.
“But before I do that,” Jekel told them, “Let me say something for the very last time: Welcome to Firelight, ladies and gentleman – let's get this show started!”
Then as behind him the screen lit up with Firelight Nine in sparkling letters, he put the microphone back on the stand, bowed to the crowd who a gave him a standing ovation, then slipped into stealth mode and vanished.
“What the hell is going on?” Kade said to Steph as she stood beside him back stage looking bewildered.
“I don't understand any of this! Riley fixed him...you said so...”
“I know, Riley told me that too! He's fine, what's he on about?” Kade thought for a moment, “I hope he's not quitting because of what happened yesterday – he can't!”
“It's not about yesterday.”
Jekel reappeared right beside them, and as Kade looked into his eyes he saw an expression in his friend's eyes that he could not read – somewhere between sadness and calm resignation.
“Riley lied,” he said quietly, “He did it so I could have a bit more time with Joy. Even she doesn't know yet – no one does. Yes, I saved Lynch - but that wire cluster is lasting on residual power from the use of the Protocol Five unit...It won't last much longer. I won't last much longer. Don't tell anyone, just...take this.”
And Jekel took out his tie pin and fastened it to Kade's tie.
“No don't do this...” Kade said as his voice trembled “Please, tell me this is a bad joke, I can't imagine you not being here any more!”
“I'm back on stage now,” Jekel said, “And you're out there with me. Don't let me down!”
Then he vanished, and moments later reappeared on stage as the crowd cheered and he picked up the microphone.
“Before I go, I'm going to remind you all we have some brilliant acts to look forward to, we have some great music, we have a farewell speech from King Steel and later on, we will be welcoming on stage the soon to be new King of Cyborg Valley, the legend himself, Felix Lynch!”
The crowd went crazy as they cheered and clapped and whistled and Jekel noticed, more than a few women were getting rather worked up at the thought of Lynch appearing on stage. He then noticed many women in the audience still looked broken hearted since his announcement, and so he spoke up again.
“I've had a remarkable life, I can't be sad that this is my last performance. It's all been wonderful. You've all been wonderful too. And now...” he started to smile, “Moving very quickly onwards...I want you to meet my very good friend...Mr Kade Silk!”
Kade hurried on to the stage to join him, he still looked shocked as Jekel hugged him tightly, holding the microphone away as he whispered his ear:
“Take this, it's yours, you've earned it, mate.”
Then he handed him the microphone, smiled warmly and instead of performing his signature routine of vanishing, Ashley Jekel turned away and walked off the stage.
As Kade took a moment to recall what came next, he ran through his own version of what Jekel would have said, then introduced the first act. By the time he had left the stage, Jekel was nowhere to be seen.
Later that evening, as the Festival wound down for the night, the lights were on at the mansion house where Riley was holding a cocktail party for a few of the mo
re influential guests who had attended the first day of the festival - some cyborg, some not - and by nine thirty, Felix was already looking towards the door and dropping hints to Elise that he wanted to leave, as a Freedom City journalist closed in on him again, smiling warmly as she looked at him in admiration.
“I'm going to be running an article for my female readers,” she said, looking at him with more than a hint of interest as Elise looked on, smiling in amusement to see the woman with the long blonde hair in the black cocktail dress trying to make a play for her Felix – who was clearly not interested...
“And I would love to include you in that article...” the journalist added, “It's about powerful and influential cyborg men who women most fantasise about...like yourself, Ash Jekel, and now most likely Kade Silk, too – I wanted to catch him after the show but he said No comment and took off with the former Culture Minister... By the way, where is Mr Jekel?”
“I have no idea,”he replied, “And no, before you ask – I don't know why he quit the festival today.”
Just then, Jekel walked into the room.
Joy stormed over to him looking dark and shimmering in her black outfit that caught the light with tiny silver sparkles dotted about its fabric, and she quickly grabbed his hand and led him out to the hallway.
“Oh shit,” muttered Riley, who had been having a drink with a young woman who had been a wealthy countess before the end of the old world, “Sorry,” he told her as he looked to the hallway, “Difficult situation here...excuse me...”
And several guests looked around as Riley followed them outside, and the door he intended to close didn't quite shut, and swung part way open again – but the trio in the hallway didn't even notice as a heated discussion began.
“What the fuck is going on?” Joy demanded, “Why did you quit? You said you wanted to do the show forever, you said you was going to stand on that stage today and announce you'd been cured, you wanted to tell the world the good news!”
