“Aiy. Are there any others that I should know of?”
The detective pulled the pen out of his pocket and twisted it. “A personal favorite.” He pulled up a chair. “I’m not kidding on the conspiracy theory.”
“I was passed two messages that morning, the second saying that she twas the target. If a mosca had buzzed towards her that morning, I would have taken her down. I saw a dark spot behind her at ground level that suddenly twas not as dark anymore. Twas not until after I jumped at her that I saw the flash of something in his hand.”
Detective James asked several more questions about the incident, then stood up to go. “Oh, are they giving you sleeping agents?”
“Aiy. Nasty drugs. I have to fight to wake up in the morning.”
“You might not want to take the medicine tonight.” He touched his lapel with two fingers of his left hand and Nik nodded once in understanding. “I’ll let you know if we need you to testify in court.”
They said good bye and the detective left, politely saying good bye to everyone in the waiting room. Angel hurried in to Nik.
“What did he want?”
“Just to know what I saw. Nothing much.”
That evening, Angel resisted leaving, but Dr. Williams insisted so that Nik could sleep. “I’ll send the nurse with some medicine for you.”
“No sleeping medicine.”
“You must rest in order to get well.”
Mischka asked, “You remember your training?”
“Aiy. I can sleep without drugs. Just something for the pain.”
“Alright. But if I may ask, why?”
“I do not like the way I feel in the morning. Tis too hard to come out of.”
The doctor nodded, guessing at the training a bodyguard might go through. He called the nurse over, then left the room after saying good night to all.
“Nik, are you sure?”
“Aiy, Angel. I’ll be fine.”
“Then we should leave so that you can sleep. We will be here as soon as we can in the morning.” She kissed him on the cheek again, then turned to leave before she gave in to other impulses.
Gillian and Mary hugged and kissed Nik’s cheek as well, then they all left as the nurse arrived with the pain medicine. Once the nurse administered the medicine, Nik asked her to turn down the lights and close the blinds before leaving the room.
Part of the Apaugalla training involved learning to meditate to lower a body’s heart and respiration rates. Nik had learned that lesson well and began to meditate, though until now his attempts had been with less physical and more mental distractions. The monitors soon showed all signs of a person in a deep sleep.
Several hours later, the door opened and a man silently entered the room. As he approached the bed, Nik whispered. “Hail and well met, friend.”
Ethan chuckled low. “You have to teach me that trick sometime.”
Nik opened his eyes. “Someday when you have more time. The recorder switch is behind the bed.”
Ethan reached back, but noticed that it was already off. “Checked. I can’t stay long. What happened up there?”
“The shot missed the armor jacket by a hairs breadth. It entered just past the neckline.”
Ethan whistled sharply. “And at close range. How do you feel?”
“A bit cooked.”
Ethan produced a small package from a pocket somewhere. “You’ll want these back.”
Nik opened the package to find his insignia, recorders, and other devices. “Thanks. I haven’t been alone long enough to check the bag that the nurse said they put my clothes in.”
“One of our operatives spotted this in the ER and kept everything safe. Any word on how long until you are back on your feet?” Ethan pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down.
“I know not. The doctor is not predicting anything.”
“I will guess at two months at least. Which leaves your client unprotected and vulnerable.”
“Aiy,” Nik said grimly. “And convincing her to stay home for that entire time won’t happen.”
“I can’t protect her everywhere.”
“Aiy. There are others at home that might, but they are not trained even a little. I will ask them as soon as I get home.”
“Others? How many?”
“Aiy. I do not know how many will agree, but I believe a team would be best.” Nik had seven of their friends in mind, but he was not sure how many would accept. “One problem. I cannot train them.”
Ethan nodded and handed him a data crystal. “I will train them. Once you assemble the team, use a vidphone and insert this. It will handle the rest.”
Nik nodded and laid the crystal with the recorders. “Her safety is assured right now?”
“I have several on the task, both here and at the DeWitt’s apartment. We took the shooter down. The police caught the other two suspects. He was working for the Drotz, but we do not know the full chain of command yet. We know that his was a suicide mission to get her and the leader of Parrhesia, though why we do not know. I also have a detail assigned to the Chancellor.”
Nik nodded as Ethan stood to leave. “Take care of her, friend.”
Ethan nodded touched two fingers to his lapel. “As if she were my own.”
Nik touched two fingers to the neckline of his hospital gown, as if it were a lapel, to echo the salute.
Ethan flipped the recorder button back on, then slipped silently out of the door.
Nik pinned the insignia to the inside of the hospital gown, then gathered the remaining tools of the trade. He managed to lean over the bed enough to reach the bag containing his clothes, despite the pain caused by the movement. He carefully tucked the devices into a pocket, then resealed the bag and set it in the chair. Sharp pain stabbed at his lungs, but he ignored it and began meditating again, hoping the pain would go away with rest. Slowly the pain subsided and he drifted into a light sleep.
Angel skipped breakfast, preferring to get to Nik as soon as possible. The others relented and set out, knowing they would only agitate her by waiting. Mary wrapped up breakfast to take with them.
As the party neared Nik’s door, Dr. Williams pulled Jason and Mischka aside. He waited until the women were inside Nik’s room before he spoke. “Gentlemen, we have a serious problem. The statement you made yesterday did not appease the media and they are creating havoc outside with other patients’ access to this facility. The Board has decided to move Nik to a more secure hospital on the southern edge of the city.”
“They can’t seriously be thinking of putting him into the maximum security prison hospital?”
Dr. Williams nodded. “I don’t think he has healed enough to move him such a distance. The scar tissue the nanites build is fragile. Not to mention that the facility does not have the necessary equipment and staff to handle a trauma, should the need arise.”
“There must be another alternative.” Jason ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
“The media is demanding to see the Cerato. We could hold a press conference between her and the media and it might get them to go away.”
“No,” Mischka said. “I will not allow her to be subjected to the harshness of their questions.”
Jason agreed. “Are there any other alternatives?”
“Aiy. We take him home.”
“You’re joking, right? Nik isn’t strong enough to make such a journey, even by transporter.”
“He will make it if he has to.” Mischka crossed his arms stubbornly over his chest.
Dr. Williams looked from Jason to Mischka. “I say we let Nik decide.”
The others reluctantly agreed and entered the room. Dr. Williams cleared his throat to get the attention of the women. “If you ladies will excuse us, we need to talk to Nik. Alone.”
Angel looked from Jason’s grim face, to her equally grim grandfather, to the expressionless face of the doctor. Evidently this was bad news and it obviously was not medical since Mischka was allowed to stay. She stood up out
of the chair and turned to face the three men, crossing her arms stubbornly across her chest in a perfect imitation of Mischka. “No. I will not leave.”
“Tis none of your business, Angel,” her grandfather started.
“If it concerns Nik, then tis my business. I am the reason he is here now and I am the leader of our people. I will not be dismissed like an errant child.” Her eyes flashed with anger.
Gillian looked from the men, to Angel, then to Mary, and stepped beside Angel. “I’m staying.”
Mary followed her lead. “I as well.”
Grinning impishly, Nik crossed his hands behind his head.
“Pah!” Mischka exclaimed as he threw up his hands in disgust. “Do you see what I have to put up with?”
Jason fought to keep a straight face. “Then stay and here the news. Scott?”
Dr. Williams had seen similar situations many times. He quickly explained the media situation and the hospital’s Board of Director’s decision.
Angel paled, but stood her ground. “He is not well enough to travel.”
“Agreed. And this new facility is actually a prison hospital,” Jason added.
“No. What are the alternatives?”
“He can go home,” Mischka said.
“No,” Angel shook her head. “That would be worse. There must be another alternative.”
“Tis no other good alternative.”
“Your grandfather is right,” Jason said. “There is no other good alternative. However, there is a third option. The media may agree to go away if they get a press conference with you.”
“No,” Nik said from his bed. “There must be another option. She cannot appear publicly right now. Tis too dangerous.”
“Agreed,” Mischka said flatly.
“Then not publicly, but maybe a private conference in a secured area,” Gillian offered. “Jason, does this hospital have a conference or training room large enough?”
Jason looked at Dr. Williams. “Yes. Can we get the room and have the guards check it out?”
“Possibly. We could also call the police to scan everyone as they enter the facility.”
Angel brightened. “Then please ask. Tis time we show your media that the Cerato of Llanelyn is not afraid. Tis obvious that Nik took the shot intended for me. I need to prove I will not let that sway me away from the Peace talks.”
Jason and Dr. Williams nodded, planning the conference as they walked out of the room.
Nik clasped her hand. “No, Angel. Tis too dangerous. The detective yesterday indicated that the shooter was not working alone. You cannot risk this. I can make it home.”
Angel turned and smiled at him. “Nik, tis the only way. I will not let you risk yourself for me again. If the police secure the facility, twill be fine.”
Nik wanted to tell her what he knew, but he could not. He looked at Mischka. “Call the detective from yesterday and ask him to secure the room. He will handle it well.”
“Aiy.” Mischka left to call the detective, trusting the younger man’s choice of local professionals.
Nik started to protest again, but Mary interrupted. “How about breakfast? We have not eaten yet, as Angel wanted to eat with you.”
Gillian nodded. “Why don’t we go find plates for everyone.” She left the room, taking Mary with her.
Angel looked at Nik, hoping he understood how important this was to her. “Nik, since the start, no one has forced me to speak and tell the viewpoint of our people, not that I really wanted to. Tis my chance to talk now. They will listen. Twill be fine. I need to do this.”
Nik did not argue. The determined look on her face was enough to convince him that he would lose the argument. “Trust the detective. He knows much about the man’s motives.”
Three hours later found Angel sequestered in a small room behind the conference room, being instructed in the proper way to wear an armor jacket as the media reporters and camera crews were scanned and led into the conference room. Jason, Dr. Williams, and Mischka were to escort her into the room. Mary and Gillian remained with Nik, who asked to be able to see the conference. Jason found a viewing screen and had it set up in Nik’s room for them to watch on the hospital closed circuit system. A female detective helped Angel don the jacket under her robes to hide it from the media.
Detective James gave some last minute advice as he double checked the straps on the armor jacket through her robe. “They feed on any information that you give them. Don’t volunteer any information that you don’t want to answer fifty more questions about. Keep as much to yes/no answers as you can and you will be fine.”
Angel smiled warmly at him. “I’m counting on it, but thanks.”
Once everyone was settled, Dr. Williams entered the room and stood behind the table. “The Board has asked that once this press conference is over all media personnel and equipment be removed from the hospital grounds. Anyone who has not vacated the premises by two this afternoon will be arrested for trespassing. Are there any questions?”
No one moved. He motioned to the guard at the entrance door, who opened the door to admit Jason, Angel, and Mischka. Dr. Williams sat down next to Angel, Jason sat on the other side and Mischka stood behind her, his hands behind his back. Lights flashed and microphones were pointed in the direction of the table. Her throat suddenly dry, Angel briefly wondered why she had suggested this path.
Reporters clamored to be heard above each other. Dr. Williams recognized one woman and indicated for her to ask her question.
“We heard he is your bodyguard. Is this true?”
“Yes.” Angel knew the questions would not remain easy for long.
“What is his current status?”
Angel looked to the doctors and Dr. Williams spoke for her. “Critical but stable.”
“Will he recover?”
“It is too soon to tell.” Dr. Williams said, hoping that this tidbit of information would not panic Angel.
A reporter on the left side of the room stood and shouted over the others. “Cerato, the police have mentioned that they believe there is a conspiracy being plotted to kill some or all of the visiting leaders in opposition to the war. Some have suggested that your bodyguard is part of this since no one besides him saw anything. What are your thoughts on the matter?”
Jason leaned towards her and whispered. “Jim Dailey of the Enquirer, a disreputable tabloid. Beware.”
Angel thought for a few moments before she responded. What would President Liacomo say to the press in this situation? Nik would never be part of such a plan, but where had he been recently in the evenings? With all the secrets recently, did she really know him anymore? But he took the shot intended for her. “No,” she said flatly. “The people of Llanelyn do not kill. We believe in peace, above all else. We only fight when absolutely necessary to protect ourselves from aggressive peoples.”
“Can you tell us about Llanelyn?” several people shouted out.
Angel smiled, hoping for just this opening. “We are a peaceful people who exist in harmony with the natural world. The elders lead the people and the Cerato brings all villages together in times of strife. There are no domes, but beautiful lakes ringed by trees and meadows full of flowers and animals. There is no poverty and no crime. Everyone works at a job and everyone gets the basic necessities of life for free.”
Mischka maintained his outward calm demeanor despite the sudden burst of pride he had in Angel. He brought his hands around in front of him slowly, brushing gently through her loose hair to let her know he approved.
“For free?” someone called out. “You don’t use money?”
“Aiy, those who have always lived and worked on Llanelyn have no need of money. We trade for the outside technology or supplies that we need.”
Jason scanned the crowd, quickly locating Ryan in the second row. He indicated for Ryan to ask the next question, trusting him to ask what they had discussed earlier.
Several flashes temporarily blinded Angel and she could not see the next
man who yelled out. “Cerato, what are your thoughts on the proposed war to liberate the Parrhesians?”
Angel recognized Ryan’s voice and the question she had discussed with Jason. She had not fully prepared her answer, but she knew exactly what she wanted to convey. Smiling and holding her head up like the President always did, Angel faced Ryan. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are already at war.” A gasp sounded throughout the room, while several flashes went off. Angel continued, “The Drotz made the first strike and their weapon of choice was one that hurts the eldest and the youngest first. My people had firsthand experience with such as a naturally occurring phenomenon many years ago. We lost many people before the solution was found.” She paused amidst another barrage of flashes. “Do I like war and killing? No, I do not. Do I want this war?” Her voice shook with the passion in her heart. “No, I do not. But will I stand by while an aggressive people harm the elderly and the innocent babies of another race? No, I will not.” She paused, trying to regain control of her emotions. Her grandfather’s approving caress through her hair helped her. “I can only hope and pray that the current diplomatic talks find a peaceful solution to this problem before anyone else is hurt.”
Jason covered the microphone and leaned towards her. He whispered, “I think you have given them what they want. You can end this any time.”
Angel nodded and returned her attention to the reporters. When their questions stopped being about the shooting or the peace talks, she indicated she would take only two more questions.
Jason acknowledged Ryan again. “I was wondering if you knew if anyone is searching for the remaining five Lost Colonies?”
Before Angel could say anything, Jason said a quiet, “I’ve got this one,” to her. He leaned towards the microphone. “The Task Force has discussed this and is reviewing the original NASA records to see if any of the flight plans were documented, but has not decided to take any specific action.”
Before Ryan could ask the previously agreed upon follow up question, someone hollered out, “But what of the conspiracy theory? Are you afraid that someone might try to kill you again?”
The room fell expectantly silent. Dr. Williams covered her microphone. “Jim Daily again. You can refuse to answer that.”
War of the Innocents Page 30
