“What had the orator been talking about?”
Angel thought back. “Something about another treaty. Something like the Chantis Accord.”
“Ask Ian when you see him tonight. He might be able to explain more.”
“Well, the President ended the proceedings a day early. She said that something had come up and she and some of the delegates were needed elsewhere. Though she did request my presence at a press conference tomorrow morning, followed by another meeting on the identity records. The President again challenged the Drotz orator to answer the question as to why they declared war in her closing speech, which actually had several delegates clapping. Joel made a recording of the entire conference for grandma again.” The more Angel watched the President take command of a room, the more she wanted to be like her. She wanted to make speeches that stirred emotions and achieved goals.
“So what do you want to do tomorrow afternoon?”
Angel grinned. “Shopping with Aunt Morgan.”
“Then you should rest tonight.”
“But I promised Cecelia that we would meet her for at least a short time.” Angel yawned. “Though I am tired.”
“Then stay in tonight. She will understand. If not, then she is not a good friend.”
“But I like getting out with the group. Let’s go for at least a few minutes. It’s supposed to be a really fun, chilling club, whatever that means.”
Nik acquiesced, knowing he could not dissuade her. Angel quickly readied herself to go out and they left. Ian met them in the lobby and as the trio hurried to the nightclub, Angel asked Ian about the Chantis Accord. He said he had not heard of it, but would do some research for her.
After Joel dropped Angel and the Chancellor off at the hotel that third day, he returned in the transporter pod to the conference center. He hoped Phil and Miranda were waiting for him, as he had requested earlier. As his grandfather had often remarked, divide and conquer. And Joel planned to do just that – divide the allies of the Drotz away to reduce the armada that his fleet would have to face. A war was coming and the Peace Conference could not stop it. The orator’s carefully chosen words that were meant to sway the delegates to his cause were driving them away further. And Joel knew just how to use that to Earth’s advantage.
He parked the pod, then strode rapidly past security to the Presidential Office. An attendant at the door let him in. “They are expecting you.”
Joel entered the room and greeted the others. “I’m glad you called the conference a day early, Miranda.”
“Given the animosity rising in the room, I thought it prudent before the war broke out in the room. That pompous windbag is only making the situation worse. What did you want to talk about so urgently?”
“The Chantis Accord. When the Drotz delegate mentioned that, I knew we were right. They are after the trillium on Parrhesia. So I went to the Bengali and told them to double check on the Drotz trillium capabilities. I’m sure you remember that Chantis was their colony before it was bombed by trillium warheads until the planet exploded. I told them that our recent intel showed increased trillium warhead production on Drotz.”
“You gave away our intelligence to a Drotz ally?” Miranda asked incredulously.
“Yes, but only that tiny bit. Let them check for themselves. The Bengali Ambassador was not receptive of my visit to his table until I told him this. His tone changed. If I recall correctly, he lost family on Chantis.”
“Why? You had better have a good reason for betraying Earth.” Miranda’s tone was cold.
“Miranda, calm down. The Bengali are a proud race and demand honesty, though they are warlike. The Bengali Ambassador was the main proponent for the Chantis Accord. He detests trillium warheads more than you or I. When he finds out that the Drotz, his ally, lied to him and have increased trillium warhead production instead of dismantling their production plants as their orator said, he will withdraw his support from Drotz. And probably take two or three other worlds with him. Perhaps without their support, the Drotz will think more about peace.”
Phil stepped in. “I missed the orator’s talk. What specifically did he say?”
Joel tossed a data crystal to Phil. “Pull up the recording and double check, but he said they had dismantled their trillium plants.” He removed his dress jacket and started rolling up his sleeves.
Phil accessed the vidphone and Joel waited while he found the orator’s speech, including the statement on the Chantis Accord. “I’m not sorry that I missed his full diatribe again.” Phil removed the crystal and handed it to Miranda. “So what is your plan?”
“Not much immediately. Miranda, in your speech in two days, mention the Chantis Accord. I’ll contact Dr. DeWitt’s reporter friend Ryan Jute and see if he is will to work up a short article on this. But let the Bengali do their own investigation and let the media chew on it for a time. There are many people who get very vocal about trillium. Let’s use that outcry. If that doesn’t work, we will need to bring the Drotz production plants into the spotlight.”
Miranda nodded thoughtfully, thinking through the many facets of Joel’s strategy. “Time to craft that speech.” She kicked off her shoes, knowing the hours that lay ahead.
Ryan repeated Joel’s request. “So you want the Times to print something on the Chantis Accord even though the anniversary is months away and we have nothing to link it to?”
“Correct. And do not say anything about Parrhesia or Llanelyn. I do not want the two stories tied together in any way.”
“Which means that they are. I can make a few guesses as to how, but I won’t.” Ryan fell silent, contemplating what Joel was and was not saying. Finally he nodded. “I’ll draft something up and run it by you before I send it to my editor. Will that work?”
“Yes, just don’t use your byline. And if you could list the main signers and main opposition, that would be helpful.”
Ryan grinned boyishly. “I’ll use one of my pseudonyms. Can you tell me, off the record, what your goal is?”
Joel hesitated. “Prevention of a war, or at least a reduction in the forces of our opposition.”
Ryan whistled. “’Nuff said. You’ll have it in a few hours. I need to do some research.”
Joel nodded and disconnected the vidphone.
Chapter 13
Trouble in Zanzi-Bar
On that third night Angel and her new friends met at The Zanzi. Cecelia called it the most popular nightclub in the city. If the crowds were any indication, Angel had to agree. The place was packed from the bamboo bar on one side to the crystal bar on the other. The live band was already playing at a deafening volume behind the tiled dance floor. Glowing lights in a rainbow of colors were mounted everywhere, signs that advertised many different products and places. Spiral steps led up to raised dance platforms or tables at different heights inside the cavernous room.
Ian stayed close, until Angel said she was thirsty.
“Stay with her. I’ll go,” he all but yelled into Nik’s ear to be heard above the band.
Cecelia and the others headed to the dance floor, taking Angel with them.
Nik watched as Angel danced with one of her new acquaintances from the inner political circles. From his current position, he could see the entire dance floor, stage area, and almost half of the tables. Nik kept a sharp eye out for anything that might harm Angel. If he had to endure this loud music, at least he could keep her safe. He almost jumped when a voice spoke directly in his ear.
“She’s a pretty one, isn’t she?”
“Aiy,” Nik responded cautiously.
“I bet it’s tough being her bodyguard.”
“I manage.”
“And what would you say if I told you that she could be in danger at this very moment?”
Nik scanned all the exits to the room and saw nothing. “Why would you say that? Are you threatening her?”
“Look up, friend.”
Nik looked up and after several seconds, his eyes adjusted, and he could see a ma
n sitting up in the beams. A firm hand on his shoulder kept him in his seat.
“And behind the band, near the drummer.”
Nik saw another man, dressed in palm tree green to match the stage curtains standing to the side, watching the dance floor.
“You see them now, don’t you? They are friends of mine. She is in no immediate danger.”
Nik forced himself to remain calm. “What do you want?”
“To teach you how to better protect your client. To help you. Meet me tomorrow night at eight in the lobby of your hotel.”
“How do you know our hotel?”
The man chuckled low. “I know much about you Nikolatai that you would rather I not know.”
“Why should I meet you?”
“Because you want to be better at your job and I can train you better than Pieter at the hotel.” The voice receded and the hand was removed. Nik turned, but the man had melted into the crowd.
Nik swore under his breath and went to find Angel on the tiled dance floor.
“Come to join the fun finally?”
Nik responded in the tongue of Llanelyn. “We must go now.”
Angel responded in their native language. “Why? Tis early.”
“Angel you must trust me. We need to go now.”
Angel nodded and said good night to Cecelia and her new friends. Ian followed them out, leaving Angel’s glass of water on their table.
She waited until they were outside the building and away from the crowds before she spoke again. “Why, Nik?”
He could not come up with a plausible excuse quick enough, so he used a lame one. “Because I’m tired and you have an early meeting. You said earlier twould be just for a few minutes.”
Angel glanced at him and knew she would get no better answer. Something had scared him, but what?
Ian looked from one to the other, noting Nik’s tension and Angel’s annoyance. “I’ll say good night now.” He paused, then spoke before he could argue himself out of it. “Honestly Angel, that place is too crowded to keep you from harm. Next time, opt for Barristers again or Saturn’s Rings. Nik’s job will be easier.”
“You really think Cecelia would hurt me?”
“Her? No. One of the others, maybe. Someone in the crowd, yes. Notice that the doormen barely checked anyone’s id. If someone wanted to kidnap you, that would be a good place. It would be very easy to break Nik’s line of sight on you and whisk you into the crowd and out of the building before he realized it.”
Angel looked at Nik and he nodded in agreement.
“Then if you two agree tis dangerous, I won’t go back to The Zanzi.”
Ian nodded and said goodnight, leaving Nik to finish explaining the dangers if he choose to do so. Or whatever had suddenly frightened him into action.
Silence reigned as they walked to the hotel. Angel contemplated what Ian had said, wondering all the while why someone would want to kidnap her. She was a nobody from a small planet light years away. Ian must have been joking.
At the hotel, Nik doubled checked the windows and doors before settling onto the sofa bed to sleep. He knew that Tashi’s training on Llanelyn only prepared an Apaugalla for part of their mission. Each Apaugalla had to learn the rest as they worked their area. Unfortunately, he had not had much time to travel and work an area before setting out to the proverbial lion’s den with Angel. He decided to meet the man, if only to ascertain for himself if the man was friend or enemy. For tonight, he would meditate and sleep lightly, just in case.
The next day, Nik continually scanned the crowd, wondering if the man would appear. Angel stood with the other dignitaries at the press conference on the top step of the capitol building. Nik had chosen a position off to one side, to gain a better vantage point.
Once the speeches were over, the dignitaries headed inside to the identity record meeting and Nik ambled towards the building. A man brushed passed him, shoving a small piece of paper into his hand. Nik looked for the man before he looked at the paper, but the man was gone. The slip simply read “8:00”.
At the first break, Nik pulled Angel aside. “We should eat dinner tonight at your Aunt Morgan’s place, instead of going out,” he said in their native language.
“That would be fun and the volume last night at the nightclub gave me a headache. I’ll call and leave her a message.”
Nik interrupted. “No, allow me.”
Angel nodded and returned to the meeting chamber. Nik hunted for an out of the way vidphone and placed the call.
That evening after dinner, Nik excused himself.
Angel followed him to the door. “Where are you going?”
“I have something that I have to do. Stay here.” He left before she could protest.
Nik hurried across town to their hotel, entering the lobby from the transport pod area. He looked around and saw a few people lounging on the couches, reading. As he scanned the room a third time, a man stepped out of the shadows. The man looked at Nik, then nodded towards the nearest door. Nik took a step towards him and the man turned, exiting through the door.
Nik followed the man into the large garden behind the hotel. Several trees and many shrubs offered privacy to the few benches along the sidewalk that ran through the middle of the garden. The man stopped in the center of the garden, allowing Nik to catch up.
“So, you’re interested?”
“Let’s just say intrigued. What can I learn from you?”
“I can teach you better ways to fight, to not be seen, and to detect danger.”
“Who are you?”
“Who I am is not important. What I can do for you is.”
“Why?”
“You don’t trust me, do you?”
“No.”
“Good. Don’t trust anyone.”
Nik folded his arms across his chest. “And yet you expect me to come with you even though I do not trust you. What happens if I say no?”
“Where’s the Cerato, Nik?”
“Someplace safe.”
“At the home of Dr. Jason and Morgan DeWitt.” At Nik’s slight jump, the man chuckled. “I have three men watching the home now, keeping her safe while you are here. She is in no danger from me.”
“And if I say no, she will be in danger.”
“Not from us, though I may not assign as many to her protection. Join us and I will guarantee her safety while you train. You will understand more after you see our operation.”
“When?”
“Her schedule is free tomorrow. Meet me here at five in the morning, if you are interested.”
“And if I don’t show?”
“Then you will never see me again.” He waited for Nik to respond, then continued. “Think it over tonight and give me your answer in the morning.”
“Aiy. I will.”
The man said good night, then turned and melted swiftly away into the darkness. Nik returned to the hotel and gathered a few things for tomorrow morning before heading back to Angel. He knew little more than he had earlier in the day, yet he instinctively trusted the man.
When he returned to the DeWitt apartment, Angel hurried towards him. “Nik, where have you been?”
Nik responded in their native language. “Doing my job.”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing that you need to worry about.” He handed her the bag. “I must go out again tomorrow. You will stay here with your Aunt.” He turned to Morgan. “May we sleep here tonight?”
Morgan nodded as Angel argued, “But we had planned on going shopping again.”
“No. I cannot go with you. You must stay here where you are safe. Now, if you will excuse me, I must get some sleep. I will be gone before breakfast.” He turned to Morgan and Jason. “My apologies, but I must go to bed early. I have someplace to be very early in the morning.” He turned on his heel and left the sitting area.
Angel watched him go. His manner and the tone in his voice spoke of fear again, but why? Nik was usually tense during their short stays
on Earth, especially at the clubs, but this was different.
Morgan came over to her. “What was that all about?”
“I’m not sure.” Angel paused, choosing her words carefully. “But I suddenly feel very cold.” Angel wondered if it was his job of protecting her or something for the Apaugallas. Nik had never not answered her questions before.
“We can shop from here and relax tomorrow. Trust Nik. If Mischka is training him, Nik knows what he needs to do better than you or I.”
Angel nodded and forced a smile. “How do we shop from here?” What her aunt said seemed logical. And this was Nik. She trusted him implicitly.
Morgan grinned at her. “I’ll show you tomorrow.”
The computerized alarm woke Nik at the appointed hour. He dressed and headed out, ensuring that the doors were secured behind him. As he left the front walk, a man stepped out briefly from behind the tree across the street. Nik pretended not to notice and headed away. Whoever the man was, he was true to his word of protecting Angel. But was he merely watching her, waiting for the chance to kidnap her? Nik intended to get more answers today.
The man was already in the garden area. As Nik approached, two other men stepped silently out of the shadows.
“Goesh muirnon, Nikolatai.” Nik merely nodded in response, eliciting a chuckle from the man. “Aiy, I have learned some of your language. So what is your answer?”
“What if I do not like what you show me?”
“It’s a one way door. Once in, you will always be in. But I’m not worried. I think you will appreciate our display. Come, we can talk as we walk.”
The man turned and Nik fell into step beside him. The other two men followed. Nik watched as the man pulled a small device from his pocket and pushed a button. “There, we can talk privately now.”
“Why do you do this?”
“Do what? Scout for new people to train?”
“No, offer protection in return for my cooperation.”
War of the Innocents Page 25
