War of the Innocents

by Michelle Breon

  “Good morning, Nik. What can I do for you?”

  “Goesh muirnon, Ian. Angel would like for you to join us tonight. Her new friends have invited us to join them at Barristers Libations. She would like for you to be there.”

  Ian laughed at the absurdity. “They won’t let me in.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The doormen are not there to just check id. They are there to keep out people like me, shall we just leave it at the less than desirable people.”

  Nik merely shrugged. “I don’t understand, but Angel will be disappointed if you do not come.”

  “I’ll consider it.”

  Nik nodded and signed off the vidphone. He and Pieter had found a room at the hotel with equipment they could use for sparring bouts and he headed there to meet Pieter.

  Ian sighed. The doormen would never let someone from his low societal stature into one of most the exclusive nightclubs in town. He hated the idea of the scene it would make, not only for him, but for Angel as well. But leaving her alone in that den of political cutthroats and vipers troubled him.

  Unsure, he pushed aside the idea to call Dr. DeWitt. When a woman with purple highlights in her hair answered the vidphone, Ian scrambled to cover his mistake in calling the home vidphone.

  “Sorry to bother you Mrs. DeWitt, but is Dr. DeWitt home.”

  “No Ian,” Morgan smiled. “He is at the university. Something about a department meeting. And it’s no bother. How is your visit at home?”

  “Oh, uh, fine. Could you let him know that I called? I need to discuss this next term with him. He called the other day, but I was out.” He sighed unconsciously.

  At the distracted look in Ian’s expression, Morgan replied, “I’ll tell him. But something else is bothering you. I can tell. Is it anything that I can help with? Anything about Angel?” Before Ian could protest, she continued, “It’s not a bother to help a friend. What you’ve done for Gillian’s family is a huge debt of kindness on your part that I’d like to help repay.”

  Reluctantly, Ian told her about Angel’s invitation. “These young politicians that she is calling friends will simply use her and throw her away,” he explained. “I won’t be allowed in, and Nik is as naïve as she is.”

  “I understand what that party scene can be like,” Morgan said. “But there is a simple solution for you. Dress like you are on Llanelyn and meet Angel outside. You’ll blend just like you are another one of her staff. They won’t refuse admittance to her staff.”

  Ian considered the suggestion. “That might work. Thanks.”

  “Keep her safe,” Morgan replied, “and that will be thanks enough. Now, I do know one thing Jason wanted to talk to you about. We have an extra room that is empty. You are welcome to live here. Or at the dorm if that is your preference. As to this term, I believe Jason has your full schedule of classes ready for you.”

  Ian started to say something, stopped, swallowed hard, and tried again. “But I can’t afford a full schedule.”

  Morgan smiled reassuringly. “I recall Jason saying that he has already paid for the tuition. I believe that was part of the agreement with you for accepting the tutoring position.”

  Ian stammered out, “I … I don’t know what to say.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll tell Jason that you called. Did you have any other questions?”

  “Uh, no, I don’t think so,” he managed, hesitantly. “I’ll call Dr. DeWitt again tomorrow. Thank you.”

  “Enjoy the party tonight,” Morgan said laughingly as she signed off the vidphone.

  That evening Ian met Angel and Nik outside the upscale bar wearing the tunic and loose pants that Gillian had provided on Llanelyn. He ignored the stares of the other patrons waiting on admittance.

  At his chosen form of attire, Angel quirked an eyebrow. “Goesh nicht. You did not have to dress like home for me.”

  Ian half smiled to hide his nerves. “You aunt thought it would be easier if I appeared as part of your entourage rather than someone just trying to get in.”

  Angel gave a small shrug. “Aunt Morgan would know. Years ago, this was her scene.”

  Cecelia Young, the young woman from the conference, waved to them and hurried over. “I’m so glad you could come. Everyone wants to meet you and talk to you. Come on. Let’s go in.”

  The burly guard at the door checked Cecelia’s identity record, listened intently to who her guests were and let them all pass without hesitation or checking their identity records. Ian simply walked in as if he had the right to be there, despite the nervousness that had him quaking inside.

  The entrance was screened by a wall of potted plants and trees. Cecelia led them down the wide entranceway and around the plants. Mahogany wooden benches formed booths along the walls of the dimly lit cavernous room. Between the booths, more plants and trees isolated the booths from each other for private conversations. The large central dance floor was lined by a brass railing with a gap in each side to allow access to the dance floor. Small two and four person round tables lined the railing, with more trees at the corners of the area. Larger tables dotted the area between the booths and the small tables, providing spaces for groups from four to twenty. Crystal lamps on each table provided some light while overhead orbs of light floated. Musical equipment and instruments rested on the raised platform behind the dance floor, ready for the live band.

  Cecelia led them up to a small group of about a dozen people. Introductions were made, though Angel was not sure she could put the correct name to the correct face later. Angel introduced Nik and Ian as friends, the men nodding and shaking hands but saying little. Angel answered the multitude of questions the young politicians had regarding Llanelyn, avoiding the ones she did not want to answer much as she had sidestepped Torvuld’s questions during graduation.

  Drinks were ordered and when Angel merely asked for water, Cecelia looked at her strangely. “They will serve you anything you want. They have everything here.”

  Ian whispered in Angel’s ear, “She means anything alcoholic. Stick with water, no matter what.”

  Angel nodded. “Water is fine,” she said. “Tis what we drink at home.” Both Nik and Ian nodded in agreement.

  That simple comment spurred another round of questions about food and drink on Llanelyn. Angel described the fresh foods she was used to, eliciting sighs and wishes for the same from some of the group.

  “Fresh foods are more expensive here than the protein synthesized foods. Most of us cannot afford them on what we get paid,” Cecelia explained.

  Angel stayed silent. She was starting to understand her grandparents concerns for their society being overrun by those who just wanted the free things, but not the work involved.

  By the time the band took to the stage, every table was full. They tuned up and started playing a song with a fast beat. Several of the group headed for the dance floor, but Angel held back. She had no idea how these people danced. Their bumping gyrations were nothing like the dances back home.

  Eventually one of the young men held out his hand and asked Angel to dance. Nik interceded. “No one may touch the Cerato.”

  Taken aback slightly, he dropped his hand away. “This is a fast song, so no touching is required. Come on. I’ll watch out for you.”

  Angel looked to Nik, her feet already moving to the music. Nik shook his head slightly, but Angel merely said in the language of Llanelyn, “We will stay by the edge. I’ll be fine.” She followed him onto the dance floor.

  One of the other young men sidled up to Nik. “She’s a pretty one, eh. You are one lucky person.”

  Nik kept his face impassive. “How so?”

  “You get to wake up to her every morning. I bet she’s sexy without that shapeless robe.”

  Ian caught the comment and quickly whispered to Nik. “Do not agree but claim her as your wife.”

  Nik considered Ian’s words. Mischka had warned him of the dangers from strangers, but could even her new friends be a threat. “Aiy, I a
m lucky to be with her,” Nik said. He would have to watch her, and them, carefully.

  Nik remained off to the side and alert, no matter how many times one of the girls invited him to dance. He finally told Cecelia that he was also Angel’s bodyguard. “I cannot watch for trouble if I am distracted trying to watch my feet.”

  Cecelia nodded. “I wish someone would watch out for me that way.”

  Anytime one mentioned something about the conference they were immediately silenced by the others. “No work talk. We’re here to have fun and relax.”

  Breathlessly Angel returned from yet another fast dance. “I need to rest for a few minutes.”

  “You need to sleep. Twill be a long boring day tomorrow and you do not want to fall asleep during the Peace talks,” Nik growled.

  “Aiy. Danku for the reminder.” She turned to Cecelia. “I really must go. Nik is right. I do need to sleep before tomorrow.”

  “That’s fine. I’m leaving as well,” Cecelia said through a yawn. “Senator Holmes expects me to be in early tomorrow.”

  They said good night to those who were staying and Cecelia walked with them to the sidewalk at front. “Will you join us again tomorrow night? We generally do a different club each night.”

  “Aiy, I’d love to. Twas fun.”

  Cecelia smiled. “See you tomorrow then.”

  Nik escorted Angel and Ian to the hotel.

  Angel yawned as Nik opened the hotel room door.

  “Good night,” Ian said. “Time for me head home.”

  “I’m glad you came tonight. Goesh nicht, Ian,” Angel called as she entered the room.

  “Danku for your help tonight.” Nik spoke low so that Angel would not hear.

  “You’ve tried talking her out of this, right?”

  Nik nodded grimly. “I spoke to a deaf ear.”

  Ian shook his head in disgust. “Let me know when to meet you tomorrow night in the lobby and I’ll come if I can. Mind if I try to talk to her?”

  “You can try. Hopefully you will have better luck than I.”

  They said good night again and Nik closed the door as Ian headed out.

  The next morning Angel awoke on time and smiled so much, Nik begrudgingly admitted that the evening had been worth the worry to have her relaxed and cheerful despite the boring day of discussions ahead. He again escorted her to Joel, then he and Pieter headed for the sparring room.

  That evening, as Angel changed to go out with her new friends, Nik waited patiently. He still thought this was unsafe, but she insisted. And she still smiled despite the boredom she had professed for the day’s discussions again.

  Finally she emerged from her bedroom.

  “Ok, you’re changed to go now. What were the topics today?” Nik asked.

  “The morning was spent discussing interplanetary travel and identity records. Several worlds including Earth want to standardize them such that every planet has the same information on their cards. I’ll need to tell Grandpa as this will affect the Apaugallas. Joel said something about using biometric security and providing only the same bits of data, then having a second chip with all the other bits. He thinks it will provide better security from those who spoof the cards with bad data which causes the card to not read correctly so that they get to talk their way through.”

  Nik knew how much Mischka relied on that talking. “Twill affect the Apaugallas significantly,” Nik said. “What of the peace talks?”

  Angel flopped on the sofa dramatically. “Two of the Drotz’s allies spoke, then the orator finished out the day. Their allies claim they are benevolent. Pah. The Prince of Krandul seemed very agitated at their claims. I don’t trust the Drotz or any of the allies.”

  “You’re not alone. I’ve talked to several people who feel the same way.”

  “Oh, and the Voutii Ambassador mentioned to Joel something about losing contact with their border outpost. Joel seemed somewhat concerned. I can’t help but wonder if the Drotz are behind it.”

  “How important tis the outpost?”

  “It seemed to be a minor outpost. Joel did say he could not get involved, since it was not an Earth outpost. Twas still disconcerting to the Voutii.” Angel looked to her timepiece. “We need to hurry if we are going to meet the others.”

  “Same place as last night?”

  “No. A new place called Saturn’s Rings. Tis not as stuffy as last night’s place. Cecelia says tis a retro space theme, whatever that means.”

  “Ian is meeting us in the lobby.”

  “Goesh. He needs some fun.”

  Nik knew that Ian did not have fun at these places, but he also knew that Ian refused to let Angel go into these places alone. Nik had needed Ian’s advice last night and gladly accepted the native born insight that Ian had.

  Angel hurried to meet Cecelia and the others. She liked the camaraderie of the group, even if Nik was uncomfortable around them. Not someone who liked change, Nik would warm up to them eventually. She could only keep pushing him to open up.

  The walk to Saturn’s Rings took longer than the previous night and landed them in an upscale section of the city away from the government buildings. Ian chuckled at the old-fashioned neon sign depicting the planet with its multi-colored rings, instead of the major shipping space station that also orbited the planet. Cecelia was waiting out for them outside and again the doorman did not check their identification.

  Inside the décor maintained that old-fashioned space theme with pictures and memorabilia of Earth’s many space programs prior to the Great War of 3012 decorating the walls and hanging from the ceiling. Softly lit from below in ever changing colored lights, the dance floor occupied more area than at Barrister’s last night and was already crowded. Cecelia finally located her friends and led them over, introducing them to new people who had not been able to join last night.

  Someone asked how she became the leader, and Angel hedged simply saying that she was chosen to succeed her grandmother. The group asked more questions about the government structure of Llanelyn and volunteered information on several other planets, including the stratocracy of the Drotz. Angel chuckled as Nik and Ian both stifled a yawn, and changed the subject to the identity record debate, as she knew Nik would be able to help her relay anything to Mischka. That topic was quickly discarded as few cared what their card held.

  After that, Angel kept the conversations away from the conference and away from Llanelyn by asking instead about their lives on Earth. Cecelia was happy to talk about anything. The others mostly drank and danced, often asking Angel to dance.

  As Angel headed to the dance floor again with a different new acquaintance, Nik kept his expression neutral while inside he fumed. He only wanted Angel to dance with him. But as Ian had already warned him, he could not show any emotion. He had claimed her the night before, but that was insufficient to keep the lechers at bay. Despite claiming her, he still heard the comments that the other men said when Angel was out of hearing. They wanted more than just friendship and an innocent dance. And Angel was oblivious to their advances. Nik did the only thing he could do, sit by silently and watch Angel to keep her safe.

  Nik tapped her timepiece and Angel nodded, feeling tired. She turned to Cecelia and started to say good night when Cecelia suddenly said, “Great, the table is empty. There is something here I wanted to show you. Come on.”

  As Angel left the table, Ian hissed at Nik. “Go with her.”

  Nik was already moving and followed the two girls to a table in a dark corner. Nervous he looked around, alert for trouble.

  Cecelia knelt in the booth and turned one of the lights mounted on the nearby wall until it shone on a picture. “This is a reproduction of a picture of one of the ships from the Seven Lost Colonies.”

  Angel’s breath lodged in her throat as she read aloud the caption below the old picture. “Workers strive to complete the ship on time despite mounting protests. The as yet unnamed ship will carry settlers to distant worlds in hopes of a better Earth.” She turned t
o Cecelia. “How do you know this is one of the Seven?”

  “My father is a space historian and archeologist. I brought him here once on a lark and he spent days perusing every picture and object here. He said that only the Seven caused protests that were newsworthy. It was something about the commercialized, philanthropic voyage and the way in which the settlers were chosen. Evidently many more people wanted to go than the ships could hold and the few that were chosen to go were hand-picked instead of an open lottery, whatever that might have been.”

  “Could I talk to him?”

  Cecelia shook her head. “He’s off planet at a dig somewhere and will be for several years yet. But when he calls next I’ll let him know. I haven’t talked to him since the news about you and the other planet was dropped.”

  Angel knelt there for several minutes, simply staring at the picture, until Nik reminded her of the late hour. They said good night to the group and headed out.

  Ian had watched them constantly wondering what could make Angel speechless and teary eyed in an Earth nightclub. He waited until they were alone outside before asking about what Cecelia had shown them.

  “It was a picture of one of the ships from the Seven,” Angel said almost reverently. Briefly she explained what Cecelia had said about her father.

  “I’ll see what I can find,” Ian offered.

  “Danku.”

  Chapter 12

  Divide and Conquer

  The following day passed much as the previous two. The third evening Angel dropped onto the sofa as Nik closed the door behind her.

  “How did it go today?”

  “The orator spoke again, with the same tired declarations,” Angel started, then stopped. “Joel acted weird though.” She stopped lost in remembering the incident. “At one point during the orators talking, he muttered something then quickly excused himself and left the box.”

  “I thought he wasn’t supposed to leave you.”

  “He wasn’t gone long. He wandered around the chamber a bit, then stopped in another box, spoke quietly to the delegates there, then came back. When I asked him what was wrong, he said twas nothing.”