Angel smiled up at her grandfather. “Aiy, Papa. Should I tell Uncle Jason or Joel about this?”
“Aiy. Forward them the recording and see what they say. But fret not, aiy?”
“Aiy.”
Mischka released her and turned to Nik. “Let’s talk about the screening if you have time.”
Nik recognized the command and nodded.
Distracted, Angel turned back to the vidphone. “Go. I’ll not answer any more calls today. I’ll just forward the recording then head home.”
Satisfied, Nik left with Mischka.
“Any ships nearby?”
“No. I checked before I notified you.”
“Goesh. When next you visit Earth, show his picture to Roth and see what he can find out.”
“Aiy. I had thought of that.” Ethan might know something.
Later that night after his parents were asleep, Nik left the house and headed to the Training Center. He accessed the recording and started the encryption sequence to contact Ethan. The computer began jumping communications hubs, making the call difficult to trace. Nik opened his codebook and found the correct greeting, then enabled the screen blackout as the last jump was made.
“Hello?”
“Heho, what’s today’s news?”
Seconds later, the blank screen responded. “Not much new news here today.”
Nik entered the letters into the converter, then entered the generated number into the channel scrambler. He waited until the channel number started changing rapidly, then disabled the screen blackout.
“Nik, glad to see you figured it out.”
“Torvuld explained much. I could use your help. Can I send you a recording?”
Ethan agreed and stored off the recording once the transmission finished. He whistled sharply as the recording ended. “How’s your client?”
“Shaken and angry.”
“What do you need?”
“Do you know who he is or at least who he might be representing?”
“He is a Drotz, though I’ve not seen his face before. My guess is he is working for them.”
“Is that conspiracy theory real?” When Ethan agreed. “Perhaps he tis part of it, the one in charge even?”
Ethan hid his surprise. Nik had made the obvious connection between the threat and the shooting, but had taken a leap at the leader. “Possibly. Let me see what I can find out.”
“I will check back in with you in a few days. My client does not have to travel just yet.”
“Do I need to send someone out to help train the team?”
“No. For now they are practicing what you have already taught them. I have shown them some other skills. Tis enough for now. Though they need more weapons training.”
“I’ll arrange it for their next trip. The JRU representative was attacked yesterday in his hotel room. He was alone at the time. His bodyguard happened upon the struggle and prevented the attacker from killing his client. Tell Sirvana that she needs to always stay near your client until we get this guy.”
“Aiy. I will.”
They said good bye and Nik returned the vidphone back to its normal configuration.
The following day, Angel visited her grandfather at the Training Center. The ominous feeling had increased since the threat the day before and she hated feeling powerless.
“Please teach me at least some self-defense,” she requested.
“Why? You have a team now?” Mischka inquired, loath to have to inflict on her the pain the training would require.
Hesitantly, she admitted the truth. “Papa, I’m scared. I have this black feeling that I cannot shake. The team cannot always be with me. What if the one who called to threaten me takes action against me at a time when no one tis around? At least I should try to defend myself.”
Mischka noted the fear in her eyes and pulled her in for a hug. “Aiy, rosso coch. Though your grandmadret may object. Tashi tis a better teacher, but Andrei and I will do what we can.”
Angel pushed away from his embrace. “Now.”
“Come. You will need to change into a training suit.”
Once they had both changed into training suits, Mischka led her to a small room at the back of the building and closed the door. Thick tapestries padded the walls and floors.
“Tis a room for private lessons. We seldom use it,” he explained to her silent inquiry. He hoped never to reveal the nature of those lessons to her. Or to Gillian.
Hours later they slowly walked home, the exercise of the day telling in their stiff movements.
“Tomorrow twill be Andrei, not I. I’m too out of practice to be of much good to you.”
Chapter 19
Fishing with the Proper Bait
The day before the fourth Peace Conference, Dr. Trakus gave Nik medical clearance to travel via the transporters. “No training yet,” the doctor admonished. “Walk as much as you can though to start rebuilding your endurance.”
Torvuld led the way on the transporter. Nik complacently agreed, knowing that, in his weakened condition, he could not prevent an attack on the other end should there be one.
They checked in at the hotel, dropped their bags in their rooms, then headed back to the lobby to meet Joel. Torvuld and Sirvana accompanied Angel to the Peace Conference as Nik took Brok and Tork to Ethan’s training facility. He wanted to check in with Ethan on the threatening caller and the conspiracy investigation.
“Hey, Nik. How are things going? Back on planet for the Peace Conference?”
“Aiy, more meetings. Anything new on that recording?”
“Very little. We know that there are several beings involved in the conspiracy, but the police have only located one. We located another and are watching him. Any more threats or problems?”
“No. Everything else tis quiet.”
Ethan led the way to his office as they chatted about nothing in particular. Once he closed the door, he indicated for Nik to sit. “I have something for your client.” He opened up his desk drawer and removed a small box, passing it to Nik.
Nik opened the box and found an exquisite but simple brooch. “She will like it. But why?”
“It contains a tracking beacon, same as your lapel pin. Just in case she ever gets in trouble. See if you can get her to wear it all the time,” Ethan said as he pulled a gadget out of another drawer. “Considering the recent threat you reported, I thought it might be best. We haven’t found anything on that person yet though.”
Nik tucked the box in a pocket. “Aiy.” Curious, Nik remained still.
Ethan turned the gadget towards Nik. “This is a new detector for you. It’s still experimental, but it works off the chemical compounds and detects most body armor. There are only a few out, but I thought you might like to test this one out for us.”
Nik took the instrument, a black box about the size of his hand. “Why me?”
“Well, it’s so bulky that it looks old-fashioned, perfect for someone with older technology. The R&D team is trying to make it smaller for wider use, but they need to be sure that it works properly.” He stood up. “Try it.”
Nik stood and activated the device. The image on the screen showed various levels of body armor on Ethan, some that Nik did not know about. To be sure, he turned it towards himself and it showed only the armor jacket. “Seems to work.” He turned the detector off and pocketed it as well.
Ethan hesitated, then finally asked, “Could you do me a favor?”
“Aiy. What do you need?”
“Get your client to walk through the hotel’s garden on Thursday night, around nine.”
Nik hesitated. “Why?”
“I need her out there.”
Nik shook his head. “Why? I do not like the sound of this and I will not put her at risk.”
“I have little choice in the matter. You just have to trust me in this.”
“I still want to know why.”
“I can’t say, so don’t ask. And tell her nothing.”
Gruffly, Nik s
aid, “I will think about it.”
Ethan nodded and Nik turned on his heel and left the small office. Anger lent speed to his steps and he quickly changed into training attire. Ethan had always been straight with him before and had never made Nik suspect anything underhanded. But this request without even partial information struck Nik as odd. He would discuss it with the team tonight. For now, some light training would help alleviate his anger and frustration, despite the doctor’s orders.
Angel relayed the events of the day over dinner in their suite. “Just more chest thumping on the glories of war to resolve disputes where the parties cannot come to agreement. Honestly, if the Drotz would just explain their reasons we could end this.”
“The Drotz want this war to happen,” Torvuld observed. “They profit off the selling of the warheads they make. My bet is that they are behind the recent attacks, trying to stir up trouble enough to incite the war. In peacetime, no one buys warheads. But during a war, they will sell many.”
Angel blanched. “I hope you are wrong, but I fear you are right.” She paused. “Enough war talk. Where all did you go today?”
Later that evening, as Angel headed for bed, Nik indicated to Sirvana that they needed to talk. She acknowledged him, then headed in to help Angel. Sirvana returned several minutes later.
Briefly Nik explained Ethan’s request.
“Smells like a trap to me,” Torvuld said.
“Aiy, I agree, but for who? Ethan has never led me wrong in the past and he could take Angel at any time. We saw that.”
“She could be in much danger.”
Nik sighed. “That I realize. I have not agreed to this, but my instinct says to trust Ethan. He did not seem happy about making this request.”
“We could put her in the armor to protect her,” Sirvana suggested.
Nik remembered the armor detector and shook his head. “No. Ethan warned me about that.”
“Well, I say we at least secure the area beforehand. And we should be with you.”
“No,” Nik said. “Not with us, but hidden nearby. If the four of you secret yourselves in the garden before that time, you should be able to be present without being seen.” Though Nik knew that the team could not hide from Ethan’s scanners.
“Aiy. I will investigate the garden and find some hiding places for us.” Torvuld rose, preparing to head to the garden.
“Goesh. Then tis settled. I will tell Ethan that I agree and we must be ready for whatever will happen.”
The following evening before dinner, Nik presented the brooch to Angel in private. “I wanted to give this to you.”
“What is it?” Angel asked as she opened the small box.
Nik smiled at her. “You’ll see.”
“Nik, it’s beautiful.”
Her delight was obvious and yet his heart felt like lead. What if this was not really for her safety? “Will you always wear it? For me?”
“Aiy, for you I will always wear it.”
“Even while you sleep.” He took the brooch from her and slid the magnetic clasp open.
“But I might roll on it and break it.”
“I doubt that. Promise me you will always wear it on your person.” He clasp it onto her white robe with half the magnet on each side of the material, his hand lingering near her face. When she would not look at him, he lifted her chin gently with one finger. “Promise me, Angel.”
“Tis that important to you?”
“Aiy.”
“Then I promise.” She wished she could tell him how she felt, but this was not the place. He was so serious that she suspected this was not an ordinary brooch.
“Goesh.” Nik caressed along her cheek briefly before dropping his hand away. “Come, let’s join the others.” He had to get her someplace where he would not be tempted to kiss her.
They all relayed the events of the day over dinner. More war talk in the diplomatic circles, with a few diplomats leaving the conference early. Another accident that killed the staff of one of the delegates. Additional training with Ethan’s men. Investigation of the hotels many entrances and exits, along with escape plans.
After dinner, Angel insisted on no more war talk while they played games. She suggested inviting Cecelia to join them one night and the others agreed, provided it was just her and maybe one other.
The third day on Earth, Torvuld headed to the training center early. During a break, he spotted Ethan. Ethan noticed him as well and indicated for Torvuld to join him in his office.
“Your day off, is it?”
“Aiy, tis. Nik is at the conference with our client.”
Ethan leaned back and waited expectantly.
“What tis your plan for tomorrow night?” Torvuld finally asked.
“So Nik told you did he? I assume that he told the whole team.”
“Aiy. While he may trust you, we do not yet.”
“Good.”
“So what tis the plan?”
“Before I answer that, what are your plans for the future? What do you want to do when this is all over? Do you plan to return home, find a wife, raise some kids, and farm?”
“Aiy, tis what we all do.”
“I didn’t ask what everyone did. I want to know what you want. Do you really want to settle down and raise crops?”
Torvuld paused a few seconds, contemplating Ethan’s motives. He finally decided that the truth would not hurt. “No. I want to travel. To visit other worlds and people. I do not want to be a crop tender. Even with my knack for tech, I hated working on it.”
Ethan smiled. “I figured as much.” He paused. “What has Nik told you about my organization?”
“That you train security guards here.”
“Well,” Ethan said dryly. “At least he followed that order. I choose those I wish to tell and those I do not.
“His client will be in no real danger on Thursday, but she will be the bait to a trap.” Briefly he explained the plan for the evening and the reasons why, before confirming that the team would be on hand as well.
Torvuld listened intently, reading as much behind the carefully chosen words as the words themselves meant. He doubted that Ethan ever told anyone the whole story. “Why? What tis this person?”
“He is the ring leader and mastermind behind the previous assassination attempt on your client, the one that injured Nik. He is also the one who threatened her recently and who is organizing the attempts on the other dignitaries. If we can get him, all the dignitaries will be in much less danger.”
“Why not simply tell Nik?”
“Rumor has it that this person is a telepath, that he can read minds within line of sight. Nik and your client must know nothing or the whole plan will backfire.”
“So we should not put her in armor?”
“No. That would be in her thoughts and betray the plan. I will have enough men in the area that she should not need anything personally.”
Torvuld fell silent and contemplated the plan. There were many places where the worst could happen, but Ethan had planned for as much as he could. “I will tell Nik that we spoke and she will not get hurt.”
“No, you can’t. If you tell him anything, he will pester you until he gets more information than is good for him. He must know nothing beyond what he already knows.”
Torvuld nodded. “The others must know or they will act.”
“I would not tell them until they head to the garden. They might let on to Nik.” Ethan waited for Torvuld to agree before he changed the subject. “Would you like to be one of us?”
“Who is ‘us’?”
Ethan smiled as he explained the organization, much as he had to Nik several months ago. While he had recruited Nik to get closer to Angel and more information, he recognized Torvuld as someone suited to this line of work. He answered the usual questions as he started pulling the standard issue equipment from the cabinet on the wall.
“So what’s your answer? I warn you though, it’s a one-way door. Once you are in, there is no w
ay out. Unlike Nik, you have a passion for this work. Nik is simply doing his job.”
Torvuld nodded, lost in thought. Ethan’s description of an elite security force fit what he knew so far of the organization. He could be an Apaugalla back home or join Ethan’s group, possibly both. The extra information and the equipment on the table intrigued him. “Does Nik know of this?”
“Yes. But he is not allowed to tell the rest of the team the secrets of my organization. If you join, you would be able to provide better security for your client.”
Torvuld nodded, already having decided. “Aiy. I’m in.”
Ethan grinned. “I thought you would say that.” He picked up the equipment pieces one by one and explained them to Torvuld. Once he was satisfied that Torvuld understood everything, he indicated that he had to leave for a meeting. “Oh, and do not tell Nik until after Thursday evening. It would raise his suspicions.”
“Aiy. Will I be contacted when you need me?”
“Yes. But you will need additional training before any critical missions.”
Torvuld walked with Ethan to the door where they said good bye. He knew Nik would not approve, but the work intrigued him much more than farming or the Data Center ever had.
More diplomats walked out of the conference, desiring peace not war. The President quietly convened a separate meeting to begin discussing a war effort with those allies who had warships.
Thursday morning, Nik handed Torvuld the body armor detector and showed him how to use it. Wisely, Torvuld did not ask where Nik had gotten such a device, assuming that Ethan had provided it.
The President’s closing remarks of the Peace Conference left little doubt in anyone’s mind that war was eminent. Her words at the resulting press conference foretold the coming war. “Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming. I would also like to thank the visiting Ambassadors and their staff for taking time out of their busy schedules to be here.
War of the Innocents Page 35
