by C. C. Monö
CHAPTER 9
PRESENT MOMENT
The business card felt heavy in his hand. Maybe he should just apologise. What harm would a little information do? After all, there wasn’t much to say. Axel had received an e-mail, instructing him to log on to a specific E.K.A. webpage on the 14th of October, at 7.45p.m. sharp. At the given date and time, he’d followed the instructions and found three questions on his screen: What makes someone a leader?; Why do we need leaders?; What would make you a good leader?
There had been no other instructions; nothing stating how long the answers should to be or how much time an applicant should spend on each question. To make matters worse, three minutes after the questions appeared, they had faded away, leaving just two options: “Cancel Application” or “Attach file”.
Axel had spent over an hour contemplating what to write, trying to find an angle that would guarantee his failure without making it obvious. In the end, he’d written a single essay instead of three, hoping the Academy would regard this as laziness. He’d also made a silly analogy about good leaders being the roots on a large tree, holding the entire structure in place. He’d been certain it was ridiculous enough to make him fail the application. And as the months passed without a word from the Academy, he thought he had made it. He thought he’d found the perfect way out of his dilemma.
Axel was still staring at the business card when the door opened and Nicole entered.
“Thank you, Mr Prime Minister! That will do.” With haste, Axel slid the card into his pocket, earning him a tiny nod from the man beside him. Nicole didn’t seem to notice. “And congratulations to you, Mr Hallman. You have just passed phase eight of the application process. Now you’re officially part of the Eagle King’s Academy.”
Axel stood dumbfounded, trying to understand what was happening.
“I hope you accept my apologies,” the prime minister said, pulling out a small remote from his coat pocket and handing it to Nicole. “When the Academy asks you to help, you help.” He fished out a small microphone from the breast pocket of his suit jacket and placed it in Nicole’s open hand. He gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Ms Swan. I didn’t turn it on in time.”
“So I noticed, sir,” Nicole replied, placing the microphone and remote in her pocket. “You had me a little worried for a moment.”
“Yes, well, my only excuse is that I got a call from the Minister of Defence just as I was about to enter. The topic we discussed…” He shrugged. “Anyway, I got the important bit, didn’t I?”
Nicole’s dimples reappeared. “You did, sir.”
“Good.” The prime minister pulled out his handkerchief and turned to Axel as he dabbed his nose. “I was afraid you’d suspect something when I couldn’t find the remote in my pocket.”
“I can see you’re confused, Mr Hallman.” Nicole laughed giving him a flash of her white teeth. “You’ve just passed the last phase of the application, which is a confidentiality test,” she explained. “It’s a final assessment to ensure that we indeed picked the right candidates.” She paused and held up her buzzing phone with a puzzled expression. “Oh, excuse me. I need to take this.”
As soon as she was out of ears’ reach, the prime minister turned to Axel with a grim expression.
“Remember what I said about the business card,” he whispered. “That card is yours and I want you to keep it safe and hidden.”
Axel fingered the card in his pocket. He didn’t believe for a second that the prime minister had “forgotten” to turn on the microphone. I better start paying more attention, he thought, with a sour feeling in his gut. After all, he was entering a world where power ruled.
He took on his turbulent emotions with determination, and managed to give the prime minister a little nod. “I promise. I’ll keep it hidden.”
“Good.” Satisfied with his answer, the prime minister began putting on his coat. “It’ll be our little secret.” Glancing at his wristwatch, he continued, “Now, I have to go. I have a meeting with the president of Latvia in forty-five minutes.” He turned to Nicole who was approaching with long, elegant strides. “Well, Ms Swan, don’t forget to tell Principal Cunningham that I’m expecting a dinner with him next time he’s in Scandinavia.”
Nicole positioned herself next to Axel, her shoulder touching his arm. “The principal is a man of his words, sir. I’ll contact you soon and arrange something.”
“Very good.” The prime minister pulled out a pair of leather gloves from his coat. “Axel, it’s been a true pleasure! I look forward to meeting you again.” They shook hands before the man hurried off towards the door.
“He hated the idea of deceiving you,” Nicole said as the door closed behind the man. “I think he was afraid you might hold it against him some day. But we needed someone influential enough to test your integrity.”
“I thought there were only seven steps in the application process.”
“No, there are eight, but the last one is more of a quality control on our side. Oh, I see you’re surprised, Mr Hallman, but I told you, you’ll never know when the Academy is testing you. Besides, I knew you’d pass. I’ve done this for quite a while and not once have I met a student who passed all seven steps but failed the eighth.” She took him by the arm and nodded towards the door. “Come, we must go.”
“So what would have happened if I had told the prime minister about the fourth phase,” Axel asked as they walked down the wide stairs. Nicole gave him a playful look.
“I would have given you some money for a taxi and you would have gone back to your old life.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes, just like that.”
In his mind, Axel cursed himself and his righteousness.
“Of course, you would have been prosecuted and jailed for having breached the confidentiality contract.”
“Oh.” Axel fell silent for a moment. “The prime minister; he was a little…strange.”
Nicole seemed amused. “What makes you say that?”
Axel could feel the business card in his pocket, pressing against his leg. “I don’t know. He just was. Anyway, so what happens now?”
Nicole laughed and squeezed his arm.
“Now, Mr Hallman,” she said, her eyes twinkling, “we head for Brussels.”
CHAPTER 10
Dark, menacing clouds engulfed the Belgian capital. The sapphire black BMW pushed on as cold rain pounded the busy streets. Somewhere in the distance lightning struck, followed by the deep roar of thunder.
Nicole took her eyes off her phone and wrinkled her nose at the raging weather outside.
“My God, perhaps Julien should have picked us up in a boat instead of a car.” Julien, the E.K.A. driver, threw her a fleeting glance, visibly unimpressed by her humour. “He’s the silent type,” Nicole continued with a whisper and a wink. She then nodded towards the window and pocketed her phone. “Anyway, we’re almost there.”
Axel peered out. It was hard to see anything in the pouring rain. From what he could gather, they were entering an exclusive part of town, lined with impressive buildings, fashionable shops, and small restaurants.
“Where are we?”
“This is Avenue Louise. And over there…” she waited until a stunning white building with great exterior detail came into sight “…is where we’ve set up the Academy for the next three years. That, Mr Hallman, is your new home.”
Axel cringed at the thought as Julien pulled off the main road, stopping outside a large, double-door entrance. This was it. There was no turning back.
Grabbing an umbrella from underneath the seat in front of her, Nicole gave him a questioning look. “Are you ready?”
A wave of nervousness swept over Axel. He dug his fingernails into his palms. Whatever happens, I’ll deal with it, he thought, in an attempt to boost his confidence. I’m doing it for Talk Thirteen.
“Yeah, I am.”
“Good, then let’s get you settled in.”
Rough winds and cold rai
n struck them with force as they stepped out into the storm. The massive wooden doors were already opening, exposing nothing but darkness. A lightning bolt forked across the menacing sky, joined by a hellish rumble. To Axel it had the sound of a warning: a warning not to enter.
“Oh, my,” Nicole exclaimed and gazed at the heavens above. “Such weather.” She took him by the arm and they ran across the broad sidewalk, entering a short dark corridor, guarded by two large men in black suits. “This is the main entrance security checkpoint,” Nicole explained while shaking off her umbrella. She nodded towards the guard closest to them and laughed. “That’s why these boys have such serious faces.”
The man gave her an impassive nod and turned to Axel. “May I have your bag, sir?”
“Afraid I might be smuggling drugs?” Axel said in a nervous attempt to make a joke.
“It’s policy, sir,” the guard replied, with a stony expression, and began to dig around in the small backpack.
“It can be a little annoying sometimes,” Nicole explained, “but it’s for our own safety. It’s stated in our Physical Defence Policy that security must search any bag brought into the premises. They look for all kinds of threats, including drugs, weapons, and explosives. It doesn’t matter who you are, it’s the same for everyone; staff, students, and professors. Even Principal Cunningham is searched.” She pointed at a number of panels, embedded in the dark-wooded walls. “And do you see those black plates?”
“Yes.”
“The first row is a body-scanner, combing you for weapons. The second searches for technology that can be used to record or transmit data, for example phones, cameras, hand recorders, etc.”
The guard zipped up Axel’s backpack and handed it over. “You may proceed,” he declared.
Axel took the bag and, together with Nicole, he made his way down the short distance towards the second guard.
Passing the black metal plates, an aggressive red light began flashing, accompanied by a pulsating, buzzing sound. Nicole laughed as Axel stared at her with startled confusion. “Don’t worry, sir. It’s your phone. It’s not recognised as part of our internal communication system.” She held out her hand. “Here, I’ll hold it for you while you clear the checkpoint.” She motioned Axel to repeat the process. When he was done, she returned his phone and beamed like the sun. “You’ll be given a new one today, one adapted to our security system.” Behind her, the second guard shifted his weight, which caught her attention. “Well, Mr Linch. We’re all clear to enter.”
The guard eyed Axel with a wolfish grin. “Mr Hallman…” he said with a stark, reverberating voice and gave the large inner doors a firm push. “Welcome to the Academy.”
Like a lover’s embrace, warm light spilled into the little entryway, trailed by the sweetest scent of flowers. In an instance, Axel forgot his apprehension. He could hear birdsong and the soft murmur of running water, begging him to enter.
His mouth ajar, Axel walked into an enormous foyer with marbled floor and sand-coloured walls. High above, vast chandeliers hung from an arched ceiling, glimmering in gold. “Wow,” he gasped.
Nicole turned. “It’s unique, isn’t it?”
“It’s amazing!” he managed, staring at huge trees and thick bushes that stood clustered on each side of the room. “It’s…wow.”
Nicole laughed. “Shall we?” She pointed towards the end of the room. “The reception desk is over there.” They began to stroll down the centre of the foyer while Axel gaped at everything he saw. There were birdcages among the greenery; massive things made of gold, in which colourful birds sang as they passed. Huge pillars stood here and there, covered with great climbers reaching for the ceiling. “You can’t see it from here,” Nicole said, nodding to the right in the direction of a wide waterfall, “but there’s a pond over there, filled with water lilies, turtles, and fish. It’s a fabulous place for a quiet cup of tea. There is also a newspaper stand with all the necessary papers at hand. Oh, that reminds me, you’re expected to keep yourself updated with current world events, meaning everything from sports and entertainment to business and politics.”
“Uhu…” Axel mumbled.
They were now halfway to the reception desk. There were plenty of men and women moving about in the foyer, and they all greeted him with respectful bows. He felt like a king returning from a long trip abroad. It made him uncomfortable. He was just about to point this out when he saw something that made him stop dead in his tracks. In the middle of the great hall was an enormous gold statue of a crowned eagle with its wings spread wide. It was mind-boggling.
“You got to be kidding me.” He laughed. “It’s the size of a van!”
“Yes. It’s one of the few things that gets shipped to each new E.K.A. location.” Nicole snickered. “The employees call it Jackson, after Professor Jackson. I think it’s because of the eyes, but don’t tell anyone I said that.”
Axel considered the eagle with its unyielding eyes.
“And who’s Professor Jackson?” he wondered out loud.
“You’ll meet him soon enough.” Nicole picked up her speed. “Come, let’s get you registered.”
“Was that thing made out of real gold?” Axel asked as he hurried after her.
“But of course.”
“Through-and-through?”
“I wouldn’t know, sir.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Axel smirked. “There’s still more gold here than I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
Nicole led him to the reception desk, manned by a young woman and a short, stout man in his mid-thirties. Both appeared busy behind their computers until Nicole and Axel approached.
“Ah! Mr Axel Hallman,” the man exclaimed with a bright smile. “At last!” He bowed his head. “It’s an honour, sir; a true honour. We’ve been preparing for your arrival for so long it feels as if I’ve known you my whole life.”
He spoke with a near-perfect American accent. In fact, everything about him was perfect; from his white shirt, red tie, and grey suit, to the inky black hair, pedantically combed to one side. Despite his meticulous appearance, there was something about him that made Axel think of a grinning opossum.
“My name is Mr Henry Milton,” the man continued. “I’m the concierge manager here at the Eagle King’s Academy.” He pushed up the seemingly expensive glasses on his nose and nodded towards a young woman next to him. “And this is Miss Davis, one of my assistants.”
The woman blushed and reached for the gold scarf around her neck but, after a discrete ahem from Mr Milton, she dropped her hand as if burnt.
“It’s an honour to meet you, sir,” she said with a curtsy.
“Likewise,” Axel replied, feeling a little uncomfortable with the formalities.
“I’m running a little late, Mr Milton,” said Nicole while checking her watch. “I’m off to Paris in an hour to pick up Ms Baton. Professor Jackson also wanted to see me before I go. Would you mind showing Axel to his new home?”
“It would be my pleasure, Ms Swan.”
“I appreciate it. And do you know if Principal Cunningham is back yet?”
“No, ma’am. According to Mr Hennigan he’ll arrive around five-thirty tonight.” There was obvious awe in Mr Milton’s demeanour as he spoke about the principal. “Everything has been prepared in detail for his arrival. As always.”
“Excellent.” Nicole turned to Axel with her warm smile. “You and I will meet later tonight at the introduction dinner, Mr Hallman. Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I must see what Professor Jackson wants of me.”
She left with her signature long, confident strides. Axel watched her go, feeling both abandoned and empty inside. When she swept across the floor towards the two elevators behind the reception, Axel’s eyes widened. They were the most bizarre-looking elevators he’d ever seen, with the doors shaped like colossal eagle wings, glimmering with gold. The detailed feathers interlocked in a zigzag pattern at the front, creating doors with a slight curved shape.
“Wha
t’s the ‘introduction dinner’?” Axel asked, still staring as a pair of wings closed around Nicole.
Mr Milton frowned.
“Haven’t you heard of the E.K.A. introduction dinner before?”
Axel gave the stout man a little shrug. “I must have missed it.”
Mr Milton pushed a pile of papers aside and grinned. “That’s odd since it’s a well-known sadistic E.K.A. ritual in which all new students are whipped.”
Behind Mr Milton, Miss Davis covered her mouth and tittered.
“Funny,” Axel replied, shaking his head at the poor humour.
“My apologies, Mr Hallman,” the concierge manager chuckled. “It’s just a little joke. As the name implies, the dinner is a welcoming feast for all students. No whipping included. Now, shall I show you your apartment?”
Axel was stunned.
“Did you say apartment?”
“Yes, sir!”
“I’m getting my own apartment?”
“But of course! Now come with me. We’ll take the elevator.”
A few minutes later Axel stepped out into a narrow, window-less space on the ninth floor, to a large extent occupied by a huge marble statue. He regarded the thing with both scepticism and amusement. It showed a great lion bowing to the King of Eagles that was resting its wings on the hilt of a long sword. “Our Future; Our Hope” was inscribed in gold letters on its base.
“Your neighbour, Mr Reed, is an American,” Mr Milton explained pointing at a white door to the left. “He’ll arrive around four this afternoon. And this…” Mr Milton nodded to the door on the right “… is your apartment. All you need to do is press your thumb against the scanner.”
Axel studied the thin, metal plate attached next to the door handle. It didn’t look like much, but placing his thumb against its cool, black surface resulted in a faint click.
“There you go,” Mr Milton said as the large door swung open.