by T. G. Ayer
Max grinned.
“It proves nothing, Max.” She gave him a sad smile. “I was hoping for that outcome so naturally I chose yes.”
Max sighed and sat back. “Would you be willing to enter a trance? Trance states are quite pure in that they don’t allow interference from the conscious mind.”
Despite her misgivings, Allegra gave a tiny nod. “I’ll think about it.” Max’s jaw tightened just the tiniest bit. “I’m sorry, Max. This is moving a little too fast for me.”
“I know it is. But you must also understand that we don’t have the time left to squander on uncertainty and hesitation.”
Allegra swallowed. Max was right.
She was being selfish.
There was more to the situation than just Allegra’s own indecision.
When she didn’t reply, Max leaned forward and rested his elbow on the table. “You need FAPA’s protection, Allegra. As the most powerful Seer in the world, you’ll be sought after, a prize to be taken.”
“By who?” Allegra laughed. Her head was beginning to heat up with Max’s latest revelation.
Abducted?
Could this get any more insane?
Max smiled. “Various governments, some of which find nefarious conduct acceptable, crime syndicates. Honestly, the list goes on. Which is the reason you need our protection.”
“I’m a martial arts champion, Max. I can take care of myself,” she scoffed. “And besides, according to you I have a gigantic, hairy and scary familiar, remember. I’m pretty sure he’s going to be enough to protect me.”
Allegra got to her feet. She could see the disappointment in Max’s face, the war inside him; wanting to convince her but not wanting to force her.
Yes, she respected him for that, but right now she needed space.
“I’ll be at my villa if you need me.” With that she left him sitting alone at the table, watching her as she disappeared into the street.
Chapter 13
Surveillance Report:
Agent 2481-K, Level 7 International
Location:
Khan’s Koffee, Barbarina Town, Fornia, New Germanic States
Target:
Citizen Allegra Damascus - Age 24. Physiotherapist. Parents deceased. Possibly the new Pythia
Description: blonde, gray eyes, tall.
Surveillance:
Observed target residence. Target subsequently acquired by FAPA agent, identity unknown.
Followed agent and target to Khan’s Koffee. Acquired table beside them. Agent changed plans, concerned with being overheard. Target and agent obtained table inside.
Decision made not to follow inside as agent would have been alerted. Unable to listen in on conversation but visual observation sufficient to determine general content of discussion.
Agent performed standard Negative-Affirmative Seer Test. Target passed.
Target may be the new Pythia. Surveillance continues until Priority 1 enabled.
Priority 0: Identify FAPA Agent
Priority 1: Acquire Target
Caveats: Any means necessary. Target required alive.
Chapter 14
Max strode down the corridor to General Cornelius Aulus’s office, still slightly nauseous from his four-hour flight from Las Suertes.
Despite his feeling of urgency, of time passing inexorably, Max had forced himself to gather all available evidence and write up a detailed report while on the plane.
Cornelius was cold, pedantic and old-fashioned, stuck in the old ways of doing things. He often made it difficult to push through cases that needed a little more than the cursory touch.
And he’d never been sympathetic to FAPA relations with the Pythia.
Max was grateful Aulus had never interfered with Max’s ongoing relationship with Aurelia. Now, as he reached the General’s domain, he wondered what Aulus was going to say about the existence of a new Pythia.
On entering his boss’s office, Max performed the standard military greeting. And waited for Aulus to lift his eyes from his reading material. The man had always impressed Max with his bearing.
Tall, slim, his balded head giving him an imposing air, Aulus was of Moor-slave stock, his prominent family tracing their lineage all the way back to servitude in the house of Julius Caesar himself.
But there was nothing humble about this man.
A few moments later, Aulus sat back and waved Max to one of the two wooden chairs in front of his desk. The General liked his decor à la ancient Roman military, and the two stools were more serviceable army than comfortable office furniture. They proclaimed ‘say your piece and leave’ rather than ‘come in and let’s talk’.
Max set the folder in front of Aulus and took his seat. “I do believe we have located the next Pythia, Sir.” He waited as the general’s eyes skimmed down the report’s contents.
“Convenient that she’s living in our own nation.” Aulus spoke almost under his breath and Max stiffened at the sarcasm layered within those words.
He ignored the tone. “I’d like to return to Las Suertes and remain until I can persuade Citizen Damascus to tell us something more helpful about the source of the coming epidemic.”
Aulus merely grunted and Max took that as encouragement to continue.
“She has refused a security detail but I’m confident I can change her mind. She’ll realize soon enough how vulnerable she is.”
The general leaned away from the file and lifted his dark eyes to Max’s face. One could almost forget Aulus’s African ancestry. Until he narrowed his eyes and stared at Max like a Kemet king.
“On the off-chance that you are onto something, I’ll supply two non-seer agents. That should be sufficient while only we know of her existence. At this point, I can’t afford to spread the resources of our Sighted Force too thin.”
Max sat forward. “But sir, that would be a mistake. We’re leaving her wide open in case someone hostile realizes who she is.”
“I’m sorry, Commander Vissarion.” Aulus closed the file and got to his feet. “But that’s as much as I’m able to give you right now. My hands are tied. Unless there is a more substantiated threat to her safety than your vague fears, I cannot justify additional reinforcements for this unknown woman’s security.”
Max sat back, knowing any further argument with his boss would just make things worse. The man disliked being pestered.
Yet Max couldn’t help but ask, “So, only if someone tries to abduct or kill her will we give her a decent security detail?”
Aulus gave Max a sharp nod, then took an irritated breath. “You may attend to the new . . . the alleged . . . Pythia personally as long as you have your department’s affairs in order.”
He waved Max off, leaving him with little choice than to salute and head to the door. As Max reached the threshold, Aulus called out. “Vissarion?”
Max stopped and glanced over his shoulder.
“Do whatever is necessary to retrieve as much useful intelligence on the epidemic from this . . . oracle.”
Max nodded and headed back to his office, wondering what exactly Aulus had meant about ‘doing whatever was necessary.’
Max was finalizing the last of the files for close-off before he left for the airport when his office phone rang.
“Hi, Max?” Her voice was soft, tentative and hesitant.
“Allegra.” He smiled at the mere sound of her voice. “I’m glad you called. Are you alright?”
She let out a soft laugh, then cleared her throat. “I wanted to let you know . . . I’ll try the trance you mentioned.”
Max let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Allegra-”
She cut him off. “On one condition.”
“Name it.”
“I want a friend of mine to be present.”
Max nodded to himself. Allegra certainly had a good head on her shoulders. “That’s absolutely no problem.”
Allegra paused for a moment and the crackling of air came down the telephone line.
Max smiled.
Allegra wouldn’t know that Aurelia’s voice often set off electrical charges when she spoke on the phone or used a microphone. Max focused on Allegra now.
“Can I suggest tomorrow afternoon? At the old ruins of the Apollo Temple in the Daryan Hills?” suggested Max. “It should provide us with the right vibes.”
“That’s not far from my villa,” Allegra said. “I’ll meet you there at sunset?”
“I can pick you up,” Max replied.
“Thank you. I would appreciate that.”
“And Allegra?”
“Yes?” she asked, a little wary now.
“Watch your back.”
Chapter 15
General Aulus surveyed the room.
The morning was warm in the Capital and the sun streamed into the President’s boardroom. On walking into this hall, one would be forgiven for wondering if one had been transported into the days of Caesar and Antony.
A large stone table took center stage inside a sunken meeting area, which was surrounded by dozens of columns and statues of white marble.
All that was missing to complete the illusion were the obedient slaves, tongues conveniently removed in order to keep the proceedings secret.
The eight most powerful Senators running the New Germanic States were gathered, along with the President, as well as the directors of the Internal Security and the Military.
Aulus wanted to laugh at the pretentious lot of them. Still in their purple togas, having come straight from a Senate session, the senators were a perfect example of ostentatious, old-fashioned foppery.
But Aulus understood their need to cling to tradition. The purple togas, forbidden to lesser functionaries, announced their importance at first sight. Something the Senators enjoyed very much.
Yet despite their positions of power, these politicians were as ignorant as blind sheep. If they knew the truth about the coming end of days, they would continue to behave in an irresponsible and unworthy fashion. No need to scare them, especially when considering their unpredictability.
Still, it was a little difficult to take their plans to make war on several other countries seriously, when Aulus knew the likelihood of any one of them living to see those plans realized, were slim to none.
Not unless they found a way to stop the impending plague.
The buzz of conversation settled into a smooth rhythm of reports and responses, first from the senators and then from the President.
The man was a mere figurehead. A puppet seated at the head of the States, whose strings were pulled as and when the Senate saw fit.
The fool was far too self-centered to even realize it. And if he ever did, he’d never admit to such a blasphemy.
The President shifted his watery gaze to Aulus and gave him a solemn nod. With his height, and slim physique, and all that gray hair, the man came across as distinguished. Until you looked into his eyes.
“General Aulus, do you have good news?”
Aulus nodded as the room turned its attention to him. “Bear in mind that I still require proper verification from my field-operatives, but it does look increasingly likely that the new Pythia has been found. And for the very first time in history, she is a citizen of the New Germanic States.”
A chorus of muted clapping echoed around the room as the gathering voiced their approval.
One of the Senators grinned and slapped the table. “Excellent! This will give us a serious advantage over the rest of the world. The new Pythia can do well to advise us if our war plans are going to prosper.”
Imperial Councillor Brutus, the Director of Internal Security, leaned forward. Aulus hid a smile. The man was a trained lawyer and never failed to provide his unwanted opinion on the legality of any proposal being tabled.
“We should consider the ancient International Treaty of the Oracle of Pythia. It still binds us all, including the New Germanic States. The Pythia is, and always will be, free to move and live wherever she so chooses. Not to mention the fact that access to her power is never ever to be restricted. We do not want to be found in breach of this Treaty. The penalty is being banned from access to her visions.”
There was reluctant assent, although many of the senators were scowling. Then Senator Nikolos leaned forward. “We may know all that, but the treaty is very old and obscure. Neither the new Pythia nor any of her friends or advisers will be aware of its existence or provisions.”
Nikolos glanced at Aulus. “Can we verify if she is trained or educated in any way with regard to the Pythia’s lore and her rights?”
Aulus shook his head. “I believe she grew up isolated from the traditions of her ancestors.”
Nikolos sent a triumphant smile to the gathered senators. More mumbles of assent, although Director Brutus didn’t look all that happy.
The President nodded. “If she could be . . . convinced . . . to sign up with FAPA before she learns of these rights, then I’m sure we can keep her under our control. We need to remain ahead of the rest of the world in this battle for supremacy. We ought to do whatever it takes.”
He smiled, looking very pleased with himself. Amazing how the man had missed entirely how well he’d been manipulated into making the suggestion.
Senator Nikolos sat back with a smile.
The meeting broke up soon after and Aulus walked off, still feeling the thrum in the spot on his shoulder where Senator Nikolos had slapped him happily, eager to know what Aulus was doing to ensure the new Pythia would remain compliant.
While he’d reassured the Senator that all was in hand, Aulus was beginning to wonder if Vissarion was the best agent to bring the Pythia under FAPA’s control.
Vissarion was not the most cynical of men, and might feel reluctant to manipulate or trap the girl. On the other hand, there was no guarantee that another agent would even get along with her.
And unfortunately, Vissarion had a lengthy term of experience with the last Oracle. Which made him the best, and likely the only, man for the job.
Before he left the building, Aulus decided to leave Vissarion in the dark regarding the Senate’s decision to control the Pythia.
Perhaps it would be best to encourage Vissarion to foster a more personal relationship with her.
If she lost her heart to the agent, like most women she’d be more inclined to be loyal to her lover and, by extension, tied to her native country and its rulers.
A convoluted plan, but Aulus could not replace Vissarion now. He could end up losing the cooperation of the Pythia entirely, and he couldn’t afford that.
Besides, it was all moot until they were able to identify and avert the coming epidemic.
Treaties and senate decisions were worth nothing, if the world was truly about to come to an end.
Chapter 16
Xenia, Allegra and Max stood basking in the glory of a red-gold sunset. The temple of Apollo dominated a clifftop that looked out at the Endless Sea.
The majesty of the view and temple would have been the architects’ original focus when they had designed their masterpiece nearly a thousand years ago, but now the temple complex was sadly dilapidated and crumbling, a testament to the diminished status of religion in these decadent times.
Nobody had bothered to remove the rubble heaps scattered inside the temple grounds. Allegra stepped gingerly around them, glad of her choice of footwear - sturdy, low-heeled pumps - as she kept a wary eye out for rattlesnakes.
The temple still retained its classical proportions and sense of beauty though, reminding her of the majesty of the ancient Greek and Roman dominion over the world.
Now, Allegra picked her way closer toward the main building to the stone altar in front of the temple steps. When had the derelict priests last conducted sacrifices on it?
“Here?” she asked Max as Xenia tottered closer on her high heels. Trust Xenia to dress totally inappropriately for outdoor activities.
Max studied Allegra’s face. “What do you think?” He meant for her to tell him.
&n
bsp; With a hesitant nod, Allegra acknowledged his meaning, and scanned the grounds of the temple, taking a deep breath. She exhaled and calmed herself, sensing more than asking, for the right spot.
From within the center of her calm, something drew her to the peace and tranquility of the temple itself. She moved as though in a dream, stepped across a broken column, picking her way between the shattered remains of the once-stunning ceiling.
The inner sanctum of the temple lay open to the sky, and Allegra stood on the cracked mosaic stone floor, staring up at the already rising sliver of the moon.
A large portion of the presiding god’s statue, Apollo's chest and waist, lay on its side. Allegra used it as a seat, not trusting that her legs would hold her. Hopefully the God would not mind, if he existed . . . but then, if there was a Pythia, surely he had to. The Pythia’s power was supposed to come from him.
Her mind was still wrestling with the implications.
Xenia, her head wrapped in a pale blue turban, eyes covered in gigantic sunglasses, headed over to the edge of the temple building with Pepper at her heels. The dog watched Allegra with a worried expression as Xenia carefully dusted the stone before sitting down. She smoothed down her ankle-length silk wrap skirt, giving Max a wary glance.
With her friend’s eyes hidden by those glasses, Allegra wasn’t sure if she was scoping the commander out, or watching him in case he made any sudden moves.
Allegra would have bet on the latter.
The commander in question strode closer and crouched beside Allegra. “Probably easier said than done, but try to relax and remain calm.” When she nodded, Max said, “I suggest you lie down for this.”
Allegra raised an eyebrow, a little suspicious now.
“I’d prefer not to have to clean up the mess if you pass out and crack your head open on the stones.” He gave her a half smile.
Allegra laughed, feeling a little bit of her tension dissipate. She shook out her hands in an attempt to relax her stiff arms. She was wound up far too tight for this.