by CR Daems
"Your captain had no right to order the princess. The princess was running to where she knew the palace guard was waiting. She obviously didn't trust the Black Guard to protect her." Dogar growled. Anger burned in his narrowed eyes.
"Colonel Dogar, take me to King Machado. My business is with him not you." I understood the colonel might consider the princess above reproach and that he would be offended that Machado had hired the Black Guard instead of trusting him, but I didn't want to kill him just to shut him up. The colonel waved to the side entrance closest to the landing pad and began walking. "Franklin, wait here while I talk with the king and hold the shuttle until I tell you otherwise. I turned and followed Dogar into the building past a security checkpoint and into a long hallway which I knew, from a blueprint of the building, led to the East Wing and the king's personal quarters. We passed ten palace security men judging by their white jackets and dark green pants. They were guarding entrances to the building and specific rooms. Two security guards stood in front of an arch which I assumed defined the East Wing. Once past the guards, he chose the stairs rather than the elevator on the opposite side of the hallway. The hallway we exited into appeared newer, as if it had been recently renovated. The walls were lined with portraits of men, women, and children who looked, by their various outfits, to date back centuries. He stopped at a door with two palace security men. One opened the door, peeked in, then turned toward the colonel and nodded. I followed Dogar into the room. He bowed to the broad-shouldered man sitting in an ornate chair with a large mug decorated with painted scenes. The room looked to be an informal reception room. At one end of the room, the king sat in a slightly elevated chair. A variety of high-back chairs and small tables were spread around the room. Narrow windows looked out onto a manicured lawn, hedges, and, in the distance, a small cluster of trees. Two Black Guards stood against opposite walls. They only nodded to me as they were on duty.
"Good morning, Captain. Are you Captain Attali's replacement?" he asked before sipping from his mug. "They died bravely saving my niece and heir."
"Good morning, King Machado. No, I'm here to formally cancel your contract with the Black Guard for non-compliance," I said, and watched Machado's mouth drop open. He jerked upward spilling the liquid in his mug on the chair and his pant leg. The liquid looked like kaffa and didn't go well on the white silk pants.
"Noncompliance?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. We're not paid help. We're not servants or hired bodyguards. We have a contractual agreement which means a two-way relationship. We agree to provide personal security for one or more individuals, and you agree we are in charge of your security. Your niece broke that agreement by ignoring Captain Attali's orders to retreat to her quarters and that resulted in the death of two Black Guards."
"But her life continues to be in danger."
"She's obviously more comfortable with the palace guard, and Colonel Dogar believes his troops are better qualified than the Guard. So, it makes sense to let them protect her," I said as Isobel walked into the room.
"I panicked," Isobel gave a little girl smile and tried to look coy.
"I agree. You panicked because you aren't comfortable taking direction from the Black Guard. It makes sense that you would be less likely to panic with the palace guard, and therefore, less likely to get anyone killed." This probably wouldn't work but it was worth a try.
"Protecting me is what they were paid to do," Isobel said, as if they were pawns on a chess board and meant to be sacrificed to save the queen…or in this case the princess. Isobel's attitude made her trouble.
"Your Majesty, your palace troops are as good…no, we are better than the Black Guard. We know the building, the people, and have the same weapons they do. We can keep the princess…and you safe," Dogar said, his lip curled in a contemptuous smile. Unfortunately, the king didn't appear to agree.
"Although the palace guard is excellent, they are not the Black Guard's equivalent. Isobel is my only heir," Machado said, sounding desperate. Dogar wanted to scream his protest but knew he couldn't contradict the king. The king laughed. "Dogar, my friend, Princess Isobel wants you as her guard because she knows you'll let her do whatever she wants. I doubt Captain…" Machado looked toward me.
"Sapir," I said appraising Machado. He wasn't stupid.
"I doubt Captain Sapir will be impressed. Rulers hire the Black Guard and pay their exorbitant rates for a reason." He looked back to Dogar. "How old were you when you joined the military, Colonel?"
"Sixteen," Dogar said.
"How much training did you receive?"
"Six months initially, then field exercises and arms training a few weeks every year."
"Captain, how old were you when the Jax military drafted you?" Machado had an amused look that said he already knew the answer.
"Six."
"Six!" Isobel blurted shaking her head in disbelief.
"And your training?" Machado continued.
"Every Guard's training last for sixteen years. Except for an officer's last four years, the training is the same," I said.
"So, Captain, what must I agree to?" Machado didn't smile as his eyes held mine.
"Pay a twenty-five percent penalty for the princess breaking the contract, and you and the princess must understand the consequences of disobeying an order given by any Guard," I said, knowing the Jax Committee wouldn't sanction me refusing to initiate a new contract.
"Obey any Guard! That's ridiculous, Uncle," Isobel shouted and gave an incredulous look, as if I had asked her to undress and dance naked for everyone. "And what if I don't!" she demanded in a defiant, angry tone.
"Princess Isobel, no Guard gives orders to our clients unless he or she feels not doing so would unnecessarily endanger their live or make it impossible to protect them. But to answer your excellent question, it will depend on the circumstances." I paused to make sure I had her attention. I did. Her eyes were lasers, trying to burn through my eyes into my brain. "If you're not in immediate danger, your unwillingness to cooperate with us trying to protect you could result in the termination of the contract. If you were under attack at the time that would also result in cancellation of the contract. Under the latter circumstances, we would be justified in leaving you to your own devices, but since we do not wish you harm, we would make a reasonable attempt to keep you from getting killed," I said and her lip twitched in what she thought a small victory. "For example, Captain Attali chose to make an extraordinary attempt to save you. I would just have shot you in the leg to stop you from running and exposing yourself to the attackers. Then dragged you back to safety–reasonable versus extraordinary."
"You wouldn't…couldn't…my uncle would..." Her eyes turned toward Machado. He was frowning but not voicing any objection.
"Of course, we could amend the contract to include a separate clause that releases us from all responsibility if you defy an order relating to your safety," I looked to Machado who shook his head.
"No. Isobel must understand there are rules and restrictions that apply to kings, queens, and princesses. Without some self-restraint, we would be no better than despots and deserve to be assassinated."
"Senior Sergeant Zinn will be assigned to guard you, Princess Isobel," I said and Zinn stepped forward and proceeded to introduce her eight-person detail. "Two Guards will accompany you at all times. One must be able to see you at all times unless you are in a room alone and it has only one egress."
"What if I wish to take a man…to my bed?" She shot a nervous glance toward the king then cocked her head toward me.
"Princess, we are not your chaperones. If you wish to engage in dangerous behavior, we will not stop you. We will do all we can to minimize the risk. In your example, we will search the man, make sure we can hear a call for help, and ensure he can't leave until we know you are unharmed," I said watching her as she digested what I said and tried to evaluate how that would impact what she could and could not do. "King Machado, Senior Sergeant Wahle will be in charge of your detail,"
I said and Wahle stepped forward and introduced his team.
When Wahle had finished, the king spoke. "I noticed that several uniforms have two red dragons while others have only one. A rank of some kind?"
Wahle laughed. "No, they are a reminder of what is expected of a Black Guard. They were the last ones standing after engagements against overwhelming odds and the reason Black does not refer to the color of our uniform but to the cost of opposing us."
"Yes." Machado nodded, "Isobel, notice their uniforms. No medals, yet I would wager in any other service they would have a chest full. I would take the captain's words seriously. These are not the kind of people who bluff or repeat themselves."
* * *
Minister Pantojo was assigned to give Elijah and me a tour of the massive three-story building which looked like the letter "E." The backbone of the "E" was a long hallway that provided access to the three wings: servants, administrative, and the king's residence.
The servant's area, designated the South Wing, included the kitchens, cleaning and maintenance shops, hospital and medical personnel, sleeping quarters, and a general dining area. The middle, or Administration Wing, included the ministers’ offices, and their staff. The king's area was officially the North Wing and contained two dining rooms, guest and VIP quarters, and the king's private floor for him, his mistress, and the princess. We were assigned two vacant bedrooms with their own bathroom suite, although one would have been adequate since one detail would be on duty at all times, and the men and women had been sharing sleeping quarters since they joined the military. I spent the rest of the day touring the building on my own and checking the people I saw against Hada's database, which Lieutenant Franklin had transferred to my Mfi, (Multifunctional Information communication device) which we each carried strapped to our left forearm. Besides being a communication device, it could verify an individual's identification if he or she was in the database, and included a high-speed computer. Between palace security, who provided access to the building, and the Black Guard's individual monitoring, I thought the arrangements adequate, if I forgot that eight attackers managed to breach the building and the North Wing. The king was also aware of the weakness in palace security; hence, he hired the Black Guard.
Feeling I had my team in place, Elijah was on duty, and knowing Hada would live, I retired for the night.
* * *
I had just finished washing and putting on a clean uniform when my Mfi buzzed with an urgent signal. Zinn's face appeared when I answered.
"Sir, we have a problem. Colonel Dogar just arrived with six palace guards, and Isobel informed me that she is going shopping, and doesn't need the Black Guard." Zinn's eyes shown with amusement. He had served with me on several occasions and could anticipate my reaction.
"Tell her I hope she has a good day and that I'm informing the king she is no longer under contract with the Black Guard." I cut the connection to a smiling Zinn. I then buzzed Wahle.
"Wahle, where is the king?"
"In his reception room with Minister Pantojo, working on the day's schedule."
"Inform him that his niece is about to terminate our contract with him, and I would like to meet with him at his convenience." I clicked off and finished strapping my laser to my left thigh and Mfw to the right. Leaving the room, I used the stairs to descend to the first floor and made my way to the reception room, noting the picturesque statues of warriors thru Vargas's six-hundred-year history. Although cast in metal, they had brightly colored enameled surfaces which made them look like they had been petrified.
When I entered the room, I wasn't surprised to find the princess, Dogar, and four palace guards in addition to the king, his minister, and the king's two Black Guards.
"Uncle, I don't need Black Guards to go shopping!" she shouted and then glared back at me.
"Captain Sapir, what's the problem?"
"I believe Princess Isobel and the colonel think this is a game of some sort where they are on one side and I'm on the other. It's a game, but not between the princess, colonel, and me. It's between Princess Isobel and those that want her dead. My life isn't involved, and I have nothing to prove. To me it's just another assignment. If the Princess won't conform to the Black Guard's contract conditions, I'll send half my team home. Commander Wexler won't mind, he has many contracts waiting to be filled."
"You love giving orders to a princess. Makes you feel important–" Dogar began but I interrupted.
"I love saving lives. To me a king, princess, soldier, or maid are all worth saving. Each is a life precious to someone."
"Bitch! You have a nerve comparing my king to a maid," he shouted as one hand pointed a finger at me as a distraction and the other slowly crept toward his Mfw. I was surprised the king hadn't said anything or attempted to settle the matter. A storm was in progress. Thunder reverberated like kinetic bombs, lightning turned the sky to daylight, the wind roared with hurricane, force destroying everything in its path, while rain washed away roads, bridges, and houses; and the king sat content to ignore it.
"Don't be an idiot, Colonel. There are too many people in the room. You could harm someone with that Mfw," I said wondering if he were waiting for the king to stop it. Shit, if the king doesn't, he will take that as permission to kill me.
"The big bad Black Guard afraid?" Dogar's voice mocked in a high-pitched tone.
"What will killing me prove? I thought the object was to protect the king and the princess. Spraying pellets in a crowded room doesn't seem to make sense."
"I'm going to put one bullet between your eyes. That way no one important will get hurt."
I smiled which was a mistake. The king still hadn't intervened, Dogar could picture the fantasy in his mind, and the damn princess was smiling. Dogar thought he had won the trifecta. The problem was his wager was on the wrong race: the princess wasn't vying for his attention. She just wanted me embarrassed. Meanwhile, the king was betting I would win, indicating he didn't like Dogar's attention toward the princess. Not to mention, fantasies are distracting and definitely not helpful in a fight.
His hand grabbed the handle of his Mfw and began pulling it upward. The sergeant next to Dogar and a corporal also began to draw as they saw Dogar's hand on his Mfw.
I slapped my Mfw release and fired a pellet through his left eye before his Mfw had cleared the holster. It slid back into the holster as his brain shut down, and he crumpled to the floor. I shot the sergeant to Dogar's right next as his Mfw had cleared the holster, and the corporal last as he was slower to react. The other two guards let go of their Mfws when they saw the three men fall. Neither Wahle nor the two Black Guards on duty had fired although their Mfws were out. They stood alert and scanned the room.
"She killed Dogar!" Isobel screamed, looking more angry than sorry. "She needs to be held accountable, whipped."
Machado ignored Isobel. "The rumors weren't exaggerated." He nodded, as he surveyed the other Black Guards in the room who were now returning their weapons to their holsters. "That was your fault, Isobel. You made him think you liked him which made him work hard to please you and think he was in competition with Captain Sapir. He saw the captain as a threat to his manhood. He lost focus. His job was to provide security for you and me. He had begun to think he made the rules. He didn't. I do. That brings us to the Black Guard. If you want to leave the building, I want you to discuss it with Captain Sapir, unless you don't wish to rule Vargas someday."
Isobel stood rigid. Her face turning red hot like a volcano on the verge of exploding. Then just as quickly, she bowed her head and said sweetly, "Yes, Uncle."
Just then a slim man entered the room and looked around before lowering himself onto one knee. "Your Majesty, when I heard there was trouble, I came as quickly as I could," he said. Through the open door, I could see a couple of squads of palace security in combat gear.
"Major Gordan, I'm promoting you to colonel and placing you in charge of palace security. You're not in competition with the Black Guard. I hired them as
personal bodyguards for the princess and myself. You are to cooperate with them and follow their suggestions. Bring any problems to me for resolution. Colonel Dogar thought to take his complaints directly to Captain Sapir, and you see how that worked out." He nodded to the bodies on the floor.
"Yes, Sire." He waved to a lieutenant who came running into the room. "Holt, get the bodies removed and alert maintenance the room needs cleaning."
Isobel moved next to me while Gordan and Holt talked. "Your life-saving techniques are a bit rusty," she said in a voice dripping with scorn.
"Saving my life comes first, then my client, and then my detail. Since you and I and my troops are unhurt, I would say my skills were adequate, although I would have wished no one had to die.
"You could have wounded him," her words had a hint of anger. I thought her uncle was right and the anger was directed at herself.
"Only in the videos, Princess. If you shoot him in the arm or hand, first you may miss and then he would shoot and maybe kill you, or if he is a bad shot, someone else. Even if you hit the arm or hand you are aiming at, you may not cause enough pain to drop the weapon, in which case he will fire at you. Even if your shot causes him enough pain to drop the weapon, the pain may cause him to tighten his muscles and fire. No, you must assume he intends to kill you, is capable of doing just that, is wearing protective equipment, and you and other people will die if you do not shoot to kill," I said. "No one in the Black Guard takes pleasure in killing someone, and we have nothing to prove. Therefore, we never draw our weapons except in self-defense or to protect others. If your uncle has recording devices in the room, you would see that Colonel Dogar and the other security men drew their weapons before I did."
Isobel eyes narrowed as she examined my face as if that would tell her something. I gave her a wry smile. "Nor do we take pleasure in telling clients what they can and can't do. It's necessary. If we didn't, many of our clients would think there are times and places their enemies would not attack. Our centuries of collective experience tell us that isn't true. If fact, those are usually the best times for an attack, since most aren't prepared. Our only intent is to have you alive and unharmed when we leave." Looking into her eyes, I wasn't sure if I had convinced her this wasn't a game, or rather that it was just a more complex game. Probably the latter case. If so, I knew she intended to play to win.
