War of the Innocents

by Michelle Breon

  Angel barely breathed. “Then grandmother and Jason are right.”

  “Seems that way.”

  Excited, she turned to face Ian again. “When can you reach your friend on Earth who can translate this book?”

  “I can try tonight after the usual banquet.”

  Eager to hear what the book might contain, Angel chaffed at the delay. The day suddenly loomed long and boring in front of her.

  Two villages and banquets later, Angel borrowed the vidphone in a quiet room and pulled Andrei and Ian inside with her. Andrei set the vidphone to hide the transponder code. Angel stood where she could see the vidphone while Ian called his friend, but she could not be seen.

  “Ian, what a surprise, especially this early in the morning. What’s up?”

  “Sorry Doug, but I need some more Gaelic translated for me.”

  Doug rolled his eyes. “Not that boring stuff again.”

  Ian grinned. “I don’t think this will be as boring.” He held up the page with the captain’s name on it to the video screen. Ian held his breath as he watched Doug start reading the text.

  Chapter 6

  Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

  When he reached the captain’s name, Doug’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Where did you get this book?”

  “It’s a personal diary passed down through generations,” Ian supplied.

  “Do you realize what you are holding? It talks about Captain Llane Lyn, the Welsh captain for one of the flagships that later was lost. You must have heard about the Seven Lost Colonies in history class.” He scanned the text again. “This talks about his murder during the riots and then goes on to talk about boarding the ship.” He looked up from the text. “Ian, you are holding a record of one of the Lost Colonies.”

  “I thought as much. So, do you want to translate the rest of the book?”

  “That’s goes without saying. Can you send it to me?”

  “No. It cannot leave this place. You will have to come here.” Ian understood Gillian’s restrictions on the books, even more so at the speculative gleam he read in Doug’s eyes.

  “Where? I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  Ian glanced to Andrei, who shook his head. “Um, I can’t tell you on an open channel. Do you know Dr. Jason DeWitt?”

  “He’s the professor you went on this sabbatical for?”

  “Yes. Talk to him. Tell him about the book and that you spoke with me. He will handle the rest.”

  “Why the secrecy?” Doug asked hesitantly.

  Ian closed the book with a wry grin. “That should be obvious.”

  “Right. Kindda goes without saying.”

  “How soon can you get ready to leave?”

  “It will take a few days. You’ll not let anyone else at that book will you?” His dark blue eyes glittered with excitement. Or greed. Angel could not tell which.

  “It will be kept safe. You can’t reach me, but I’ll try to call Dr. DeWitt and let him know as well.”

  “Right. See you in a few days.”

  Ian said good bye and clicked the vidphone off. “I think I got his attention.”

  Angel laughed. “Let me call grandmother.”

  Angel relayed the conversation and the discovery, holding up the page so that Gillian could see it.

  “Tis as I had hoped,” Gillian said. “I’ll let Jason know to be expecting a visitor.” She turned to Ian. “Do you trust this person?”

  “In some ways, yes.”

  “But not in all ways.”

  “No,” Ian replied, unwilling to supply the details. “Dr. DeWitt should be able to handle him.”

  “Aiy,” Gillian said cautiously. “I’ll discuss this with Jason. Thank you though. This is the proof that I had hoped the book contained. Somehow I always knew it would.”

  They disconnected and Angel turned to Ian. “What do you know about the Lost Colonies, Parrhesia, and the Drotz?”

  “Personally, only the history that the ships left and little on the other two. If I can use a computer here to access the computers back at the university, I’ll find what I can.”

  “Danku. Tis normally something I would ask of the Apaugallas, but they are already on assignments.”

  “Who are the Apa . . .?” his voice trailed off as he struggled to mimic her pronunciation.

  Angel smiled at the fact that he could not say a word she had spoken all her life. “They are our information gatherers. They visit other worlds and bring back information of what is happening out there, where it might concern Llanelyn.”

  Ian thought of two different terms to summarize this job. He chose the lesser of the two. “You mean like news reporters?”

  “Aiy.”

  “Wouldn’t it be easier to just get a news feed on the vidphones?”

  “Perhaps, but the people don’t care about such information, only the Elders and then only certain ones. And the Cerato of course. Grandfather says that the best information does not come through the news channels.”

  Ian swallowed his concern. Every planet employed spies and had for millennia. “Well, I can only get knowledge that is publicly available.”

  “Tis all I ask. Andrei will help you with the computer connections.”

  Angel opened the door and returned to the main area, but Andrei blocked Ian from following her. “Tell no one of the Apaugallas. Certainly not your friend.”

  Ian remained calm. “So you are one of them? A spy for your world?”

  “We are not spies and do not go after government secrets. But we wish to remain hidden so that we may travel freely.”

  “I understand, more than you can imagine. My job here is to teach, not to learn your secrets. I will not speak of this, or anything else I heard this morning. You have my word.”

  Andrei nodded. “A man’s word is his bond.” Andrei offered his hand as he knew was customary on Earth.

  Ian clasped his hand. “Yes, it is.”

  Their third day on Earth, Mischka showed Nik the way to the underground, as everyone termed it. Ran by the black marketers and thieves and endured by those who had no other choice, the dank dark streets teemed with all manner of crime. The first two days Mischka had shown him around the government areas, their tall stone structures with large glass windows and metal shields made Nik feel small. The clean, unblemished walls stood cold and aloof, ignoring the masses of people below. Though a few trees dotted the crowded streets, no one seemed to notice or care as they hurried on using the moving sidewalks instead of walking. Nik sorely missed the green tilled fields and wide open space of home. Far above the buildings and the skyways, Mischka had pointed out the glass and metal structure of the dome that held the poisoned world outside at bay.

  “Curious, I went to the edge of the dome one time. The structure tis thick, but clear to see out. Outside tis a world ravaged and barren of all life. Tis said that clouds of deadly gas drift across the land.” Mischka’s voice hardened. “Tis this destructive tendency that scares me the most if Earth should decide to invade our home. I fear they have not learned to look beyond their need today to the best for the future.

  “Even more so the area that we must go to today. Stay close and do not look around. Tis not a place to wander until you have more training and experience.”

  Nik had met only middle and upper class citizens until he followed Mischka down the dark alleyway that had led to the underground. The buildings were shorter, but dirty and in need of repair. A pallor hung over the area, the stench of decay mixed with other noxious odors caused Nik to want to gag. Trash littered the area and scribbles crisscrossed the buildings. Brightly lit signs seemed incongruously cheerful in this dismal area. The narrow streets held similar crowds of people as the more affluent areas, with many different races visible in the throngs. Nik noted many different styles of clothing, some that covered little of the body, while others appeared to function as protection as well, and all showed signs of much wear. Some people hid in corners, dressed in rags, the dirt encrusted on their s
kin such that Nik realized they had no home and no one to care for them.

  “Tis here that you will find the most information at times and the most danger,” Mischka said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Tis information I want today. Be watchful.”

  They walked down the dark winding streets, avoiding contact with the inhabitants. Mischka met his informant in a bar, his back to a corner and his face in shadows. “There is little news,” the man said softly. “No meetings. No unusual visitors or ships. All is quiet.”

  Mischka left and Nik followed. “Good news, I hope?” Nik inquired.

  “Aiy y niet. Roth watches certain allies for me. I added our newest two people to his list. I fear tis the quiet before the storm.”

  As they continued to retrace their steps out, Nik noticed that Mischka was suddenly alert. “We have a tail,” the older man whispered.

  Nik caught the reflection of the man following them in a nearby dirty window. Then as suddenly as he appeared, he disappeared.

  “Twas probably a thief, looking for an easy target,” Mischka offered as he continued forward.

  The man in question motioned to his disheveled partner. “See the two pigeons ahead?” At his partner’s nod he continued. “I want to know their home roost.” As the man started to follow Mischka, he added, “Full report.” And he turned in the opposite direction.

  Three weeks later, a disheveled man knocked on a nondescript door. “Yes?” came the query from within.

  “Your report on the pigeons, sir.”

  “Thank you.” The man left and the resident of the office glanced over the report he had been handed. As he read the full details of Mischka’s and Nik’s visit to Earth, he finally dismissed them as distant relatives of Dr. DeWitt, visiting and sightseeing. He had not heard of the planet they were from before, the name so unusual. Llanelyn. Must be a small remote colony. He filed the report with so many others, under tourist.

  Since he had time, he settled back in his big black chair and turned on the video screen to watch the President’s important press conference, not stopping the recording he had set to start earlier. The media had hyped this conference highly because the military had kept everything very quiet. Not a single one of his operatives had been able to learn anything prior. Which meant it probably was unimportant. One day he vowed to have an operative on the inside.

  Angel arrived home around lunchtime and Mary welcomed her with a hug and a terse command to sit down.

  “What tis Mama?”

  “I just received word that Elder Oksana passed away this morning.”

  Angel closed her eyes to absorb the news, slumping back in the chair. “I just saw her the day before yesterday. What happened?”

  “Twas old age. Her daughter came in to open the windows so that she could watch the sunrise as usual and said that her mother spoke about the beautiful light and was gone.”

  Angel smiled, remembering the guiding words that Oksana had said. “I will always remember what she told me. She said to ‘Watch the sunrise. Never forget to take time to enjoy the simple pleasures life has to offer.’ She felt that Mema had forgotten that through the years.” She paused, then asked, “Should I return to her village?”

  “No. Tis not expected of you. And you have talked to your grandmother in the last few days?”

  “Aiy. Twas about four days ago, just before she left for Earth. She told me that Bethanae passed away also.”

  Mary nodded. “She was with her til the end. Her loss greatly affects your grandmother.”

  Angel sighed. Nothing would ever be the same again and this was only the beginning. “Has anything else happened that I should know about?’

  Mary nodded and reached out to clasp her hand. “You must leave for Earth immediately. The timetable has been accelerated according to your grandmother.”

  Angel made a face, but nodded. “Can I at least shower and change?”

  Mary grinned despite the seriousness of their situation. “Aiy. Your escort is not expected for a few arns yet. I have already packed your bag for you.”

  Angel hugged her mother again, then headed for her room.

  Ian had watched the exchange, feeling like an outsider in a family filled with love. His own family was dysfunctional, merely co-existing in their small apartment, each moving in different directions and different circles from the others. He pulled himself back from his regrets as Mary addressed him.

  “Ian, welcome back. There tis time for you to cleanup and rest as well, if you like.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I was told that you will be staying here.”

  “Yes, if that is acceptable.”

  Mary smiled at him. “Twill be just us, so I welcome the company. Lunch twill be ready soon.”

  Ian nodded and headed for his room, closing the door softly. He removed his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. While he would miss the loving dynamics of this family, he missed his own family. But he hated the cramped quarters of his family’s apartment back home and was loath to return to the tiny room he shared with his brother and two cousins. He would have to quit hiding out here some time, return home, find a job and figure out how to afford the remaining education that he wanted. For now, for as long as he was needed, he would remain here with people who cared about each other and the world around them.

  Nik arrived a few hours later, after escorting Ian’s friend, Doug Ghant to the hotel. Mary led him into the main room and Angel looked up, surprised, “You’re my escort? I was expecting grandpa.”

  “He stayed with your grandmother and sent me. Are you ready to go?”

  Angel smiled and grabbed her bag and hugged Mary, then turned to Ian. “What lessons do I have to do?”

  “None. Take a vacation and relax.”

  Angel breathed a sigh of relief. “Danku.”

  “Ian, your friend Doug is at the hotel. Gillian would like for you to remain with him when he has the books. She said that you could take them to him at the hotel and work there or bring him here, but he tis not to be left alone with them.”

  Ian realized that Jason had figured out not to trust Doug and relayed to Gillian. “I understand.” He turned to Mary. “I’d prefer here so that the books are kept out of the weather.” The less Doug saw of the village the better off everyone would be.

  “Tis acceptable.”

  “I’ll handle Doug,” Ian said grimly.

  Angel resettled her bag on her shoulder, eager to be headed to Earth. “See you in a few days.”

  Nik held a rapid pace as he led Angel across the village to the transport chamber, both ignoring the people who knelt before her. Angel recalled her grandmother’s warnings about public conversations and decided to wait until they were alone to ask the myriad of questions she had for Nik.

  At the transport chamber, Nik signaled the operator and went first, as instructed by Mischka. Once Angel arrived at Tuttenrock, Nik relaxed. “We have a few minutes to wait here.”

  No one else was around, so Angel began firing questions at him faster than he could answer them. “When did you decide to change guilds? Why? How do your parents feel about the change? Where have you been? Why are you my escort when you’ve never even been off the planet? What . . .”

  He put up a hand to silence her. “Whoa, slow down.”

  Angel took a deep breath and nodded at him.

  “You need a friend with you. The Gods sent me a message to change guilds. Mi famiglia is accepting of my decision, though they do not like me being away so much. Both your esteemed grandfather and Tashi believe that tis better for you to have a guide your age than someone much older.” Nik waited for her to accept what he said, and what he did not say. “Mischka felt that I should know more of Earth before I became your guide, so he took me to Earth to show me around while you toured the villages. I met your aunt and uncle and have been learning all the areas that he thinks you will need to know. But since there is a time difference, they are all sleeping right now. So of course the younger night owl w
as sent.”

  Angel knew he was not telling her the whole truth. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “The Apaugallas are more than guides and well you know it.”

  “Tashi has been training me to guard as well as guide.” He continued in a soft voice, “Consider this location. We can discuss this more later.”

  Angel fell silent for a few minutes, then whispered, “You’ve changed.”

  Nik did not reply. He would not confess to her the images in his dreams of her hurt and alone. “Let me check on when we may go.” He rose and crossed to speak to the operator, then signaled for her to join him. Again he went first, waiting for her to join him before the last jump to Earth.

  Morgan met them at the transporter on Earth, greeting Angel with a hug. “It’s so good to see my favorite niece.” Morgan kept up a running conversation about the family and Llanelyn in general in the short walk to her apartment.

  Gillian, Mischka and Jason greeted Angel with hugs. Morgan served breakfast and everyone settled down to eat.

  “So what was the emergency?”

  “General Peterson is coming to dinner tonight,” Jason said.

  “Which one?”

  “Joel. His grandfather is too old to leave his bed and is really living on borrowed time. Joel’s wife and son are out-of-town so the timing is good.” When Angel merely looked at him confused, he continued, “We need his help to get the meetings started that will get support for the Parrhesians and us.”

  “What are we going to tell him?”

  “Everything,” Gillian stated.

  Chapter 7

  Earth Federation

  Promptly at seven, the computer announced the arrival of General Joel Peterson to everyone in the apartment. Jason approved the entry and instructed the computer to allow elevator access as well.

  Joel greeted everyone in the main room and Jason introduced Angel and Nik. Without thinking, Angel shook his offered hand.