by F Stone
“Computer, place comlink to Admiral Garland’s residence. Scramble code.”
While the connection was being made, Sam dried himself off and sat in front of the monitor. His long hair had come loose and hung wet on his bare shoulders. This is the moment. The beginning of the end. His freedom would be won by feeding the admiral’s paranoia. If Moon had communicated with Butchart in the last hour, Butchart would be putting severe pressure on the admiral to ensure the prisoner was eliminated. Now Sam had to convince the admiral that Butchart couldn’t be trusted.
The comlink sounded and Admiral Garland’s sneering face appeared on Sam’s monitor.
“Well, Sam,” he growled. “I’ve been advised you didn’t follow my orders to execute the prisoner. I demand an explanation!”
Sam was almost disappointed his suspicions about Commander Moon were founded.
“Admiral, there’s been a significant change in her willingness to cooperate.”
“Goddamn it, Waterhouse. I’m not interested in her cooperation. I want her miserable hide fed to the sharks.”
“Admiral, I’m looking out for your best interest. Suppose you could put an end to the underground for good. Wipe out the nest. What then?”
The admiral reined in his impatience. “I’m listening.”
Sam had cast the bait. It meant throwing the lamb into the path of the lion, but his lamb had powers beyond anything he understood. Sidney could survive.
“I know all about our prisoner and her underground group,” Sam said, twisting the truth. “I know the where, who, and how many. And, I know what and who they’re after. And … ” Sam hesitated. “Admiral, are you alone?”
“Yes, of course. Get on with it.”
“Sidney has declared she’s something called a Guardian. They have a hidden colony, and Captain Butchart is one of them.”
Admiral Garland sprang from his chair. “Just a goddamn minute. Are you suggesting Captain Butchart is that woman’s accomplice?”
“Sir, Captain Butchart has powers he’s kept secret from you. The Guardians have unusual powers. I’ve already reported to you that our prisoner can easily unlock doors. I’ve witnessed it.”
“You’re delusional.” The admiral smirked.
“Admiral, listen carefully. Captain Butchart recognized Sidney as a Guardian. He couldn’t afford the risk that she might reveal his true identity. He first tried to kill her using the truth serum. That didn’t work, so he convinced you to have her executed. Normally, for trespassing and interfering with weapons, you’d only have her locked up for a long time. Is that not so, sir?”
“Waterhouse, Captain Butchart has never failed to ensure the safety of our operations. I trust his decisions. Completely! And he’s certainly not involved with any witchcraft, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”
“Sir, it was your decision to receive information regarding the prisoner directly from me. How did you discover that the execution had been delayed? From Captain Butchart? Sir, is he usurping your authority over this investigation?” Sam watched the admiral’s eyes dart back and forth. “Sir, would you describe Captain Butchart’s response to the execution’s delay as bordering on significant agitation? Or was he only concerned with my apparent dereliction of duty?”
Sam knew he’d successfully planted a seed of doubt in the admiral’s mind. That seed would take root over the next few days. When he arrived on the base and had a face-to-face meeting with the admiral, that doubt would escalate and become the admiral’s undoing.
“Captain Waterhouse, you’re making a serious allegation.”
Sam sat forward toward the monitor. “Admiral, I know you’re skilled in detecting lies. I suggest you ask Captain Butchart if he knows about these Guardians. He’ll deny it, but you’ll know if he’s lying. Sir, only a Guardian knows about Guardians.”
“Captain Waterhouse, as soon as you arrive in New Seattle, report to my office.”
The connection was terminated, and Sam was elated. It was the first time in a long while he’d felt in control of his life.
He realized the cost of his plans. He was surrendering to the impulse to do whatever it took to get his life back and putting at risk the lives of Sidney and her people. Sam also knew, without any doubt, his career as a naval officer was coming to an end. From this day on, his life would never be the same. There would be no military rule book to fall back on. Fear and doubt flashed through his chest. He went into his private quarters and found Sidney in his bathroom, drying her hair. She’d changed into her blouse and shorts and left her underwear hanging on a hook to dry.
She doesn’t need my protection. She has powers.
She made him uncomfortable. He felt it when she was close. He felt it in her words, as if something within him was listening and understood their meaning. Was he a truly Guardian? The thought made his head swim. Sam continued on to his deck’s railing and waited. Sidney arrived at his side, but before she could make any comment about their play in the ocean, Sam quickly returned to the business of the day.
“I’m still curious. How can I help you stop the admiral’s project with the crystals?”
“I’m not sure you can or, more precisely, if you should. Besides, getting involved with another problem will only complicate your situation.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be the best judge about whether or not I should get involved. Besides, you said the admiral has plans to do live demonstrations within a week. There’s no telling how soon disaster may follow. We’d better be prepared, maybe even warn others if he can’t be stopped in time.”
Sidney could see that if she wasn’t careful, a nasty argument would erupt, transforming the most wonderful evening she’d ever experienced into a lifetime of regret.
“You’re right, Sam.” She took his hands into hers. “You know what’s best for you. Please understand why I’m reluctant to pass over these troubles to you.”
Sam pulled her closer to him. In spite of his skin being saturated with the ocean’s salt-water smell, she could still smell his scent. His dark eyes looked softly into hers. She felt the brief caress of his hand on her cheek. If only … she thought.
She considered confessing that she loved him, but reconsidered. It would only give him doubts about her rationality. Determined to end the picnic on a positive note, Sidney walked back to the blanket and picked up the crystal. It was sleeping again, still beautiful as it received the setting sun’s energy and reflected its brightness and power. She thanked the crystal for its service and placed it on a table before she folded up the blanket, hoping he’d take her actions as a hint that their time together had come to a close.
“You’re ready to return to your cell?” he asked.
“I’m ready to return to my room,” she said, emphasizing that she didn’t think of herself as a prisoner. She picked up the crystal and handed it back to him.
Sam called for the guards on his comlink, and then told Sidney, “I’ll accompany you back to your room. I guess it’s really never been your cell since you can leave any time you wish.”
“Well, at least it keeps out the riff raff.” She grinned.
They returned to Sam’s office where he placed the crystal back onto its pedestal.
“It wouldn’t hurt to thank your crystal for its service to you,” Sidney said. “A crystal tends to work better for those who express their gratitude.”
“Uh huh. And shall I give it a name and feed it too?”
Sam’s remark reminded Sidney of Danik’s casual approach to the Guardian’s sacred truths. She cocked her head.
“You remind me of someone. He tends to be rather nonchalant about the forces of energy. It’s nipped him in the butt a few times.”
“Who’s this someone? Someone special?” asked Sam casually.
She’d told Sam everything else about her Guardian people and community, but she hadn’t revealed her brother. Danik was off limits for now, especially since he was too involved in helping her.
“Yo
u could say that,” she answered. “Anyway, crystals do become tuned in, so to speak.”
“Holding something back, Sidney?”
“What do you mean?”
“God, sometimes you’re impossible! Who do I remind you of?”
“Oh, mostly Greystone.”
“I doubt a Guardian Elder is nonchalant, as you put it, about crystals.”
The guards arrived and escorted Sidney and Sam to the cell. Sam entered the code and pulled the door open.
“Remain near this door,” he ordered the guards before following Sidney in.
Sidney hoped Sam would drop the subject of Danik.
“Will I continue to have my breakfast in your boardroom and all that other stuff afterward?”
“Yes. There are still some unanswered questions.” Sam partially closed the door behind him. “How much more are you not telling me, Sidney?”
“Outside the Guardian community, I’d say you know more about me than anyone else ever has. As far as my assignment goes, you know the how, where, when, why, and that I failed.”
Sam walked back and forth in front of her for a while. Finally, he stopped.
“I doubt you fail at anything. At the very least, the assignment, as you call it, isn’t finished. Either you intend to finish it or someone else will.” He smiled at her. “Perhaps this someone is the man who I remind you of, no?”
Sidney focused on producing a poker face. She’d learned that if she said nothing, he’d take her silence as admission of guilt.
Casually, she replied, “The underground has plans that I was never privy to, and frankly, I wasn’t interested in getting any deeper.”
“Nice try.”
“What do you mean? That’s the truth!”
“I don’t think you’ve lied to me. But you’re really good at diversion tactics.” He lowered his voice. “I have come to the conclusion that there are things still in play, and since the base is under strict security protocol, one of your Guardian friends, not the underground, will finish what you started.” He whispered in her ear, “I have an idea who that is, actually.”
Sidney was startled. “What do you mean?”
Sam put his index finger to his lips. “Shh. Let’s discuss that over breakfast.”
“But you don’t — ”
Sam interrupted. “This discussion is over. How does Greystone end a discussion with a stubborn Wild Child?”
Hands on her hips, she sheepishly replied, “You really don’t want to know.”
“Yes, I do.”
Sidney hesitated and felt the color of her face blossom to crimson. “He gives me a kiss.”
“A kiss?” Sam moved closer to her and tilted her face to his. “Like this?” Tenderly, he kissed her forehead. He held her face in his hands briefly before letting her go. “How’s that?”
Sidney’s heart raced. The floor seemed to move this way and that. She heard him, smelled his skin, and felt the imprint of his lips on her forehead. But no words would serve her.
“My god, it works. That kiss was for trusting me. Good night, Sidney.”
In the next moment, Sam was gone. As the door closed with a thud, she murmured, “Good night,” as she stood still and focused only on the spot on her forehead.
She was embarrassed at having become so bowled over by her emotions. The tenderness of the kiss had taken her by surprise. She reminded herself that Sam was doing his job, and she had to admit, maybe even manipulating her. She trusted him enough to reveal certain secrets, but in case she was wrong, she wouldn’t put Danik at risk.
Sidney prepared for bed, but as flustered as she was, she wasn’t the least bit tired. She decided to put a blanket on the floor and simply focused on her breathing. In time, she reached for Danik and barely got a wink and a grin. He was busy, or so it appeared. She reached for Greystone. He sleepily conveyed that he was pleased she’d finally followed his advice. She reached for Seamus. He was there. Surprisingly, he was seated on the floor not far from her with a rather smug look on his face.
“Got yourself in a pickle, haven’t you?” he said.
Tired of the male perspective, she waved him away. The sole remaining guide available to her was Celeste. Celeste acknowledged her without passing judgment, or any comment whatsoever. Sidney simply felt Celeste’s huge wings wrap around her shoulders and lift her above their valley. Gracefully, they floated as one out toward the ocean with the sailboats rocking in the waves.
18. The Missing Prisoner
Thursday Morning, July 11, En Route to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: In the early dawn Sam quietly entered Sidney’s cell. He opened the door just wide enough to enter and let the light from the hallway sift into her room. She was asleep on her bed, lying naked on her left side facing the wall. A sheet loosely covered her legs up to her hips. She hugged the pillow underneath her shoulders. The light from the hallway delicately traced the contours of her body revealing only her back, shapely and long.
Carefully, he placed the blue lace bra and panties, rolled up tightly in his hand, onto the chair beside her bed. He inched closer to see her face. She was indeed asleep and making the soft noises one does when in the depths of slumber. Her arm and pillow hid the remaining secret parts of her body. The warm glow of her skin and the softness of her curves begged to be touched. He breathed a sigh and left, closing the door quietly behind him.
Sidney entered Sam’s office for the routine breakfast interrogation. “Good morning, Captain. Thanks for returning my undies.”
“Morning, Sidney. Don’t mention it.” He barely looked in her direction, preoccupied with reports on his computer. “We have a celebration today.”
“Really?”
Glancing at her, he said with just a trace of a smile, “It’s our anniversary.”
He returned to some documents on his desk and placed them in a neat order. Sidney decided to play the game with him.
“Anniversary? Oh, I’m so embarrassed! Here I am with no gift to mark the occasion. Golly, how time flies when you’re having fun. Let’s see, this must be our what?”
Sam rolled his eyes. “Very amusing. The fact is it’s been one week to the day since you arrived on my ship. You haven’t escaped, you’re still alive, and the admiral hasn’t called for my arrest for delaying your execution — yet.”
“Uh huh. And are you planning to celebrate all by yourself, or will there be invitations to this grand occasion?”
Sam smiled briefly. “Go have your breakfast, and we’ll talk when you’re done.”
Sidney quickly ate and returned to his office. He asked her to sit down while he finished up with something at his computer, after which he turned to her.
“Enjoy breakfast?”
Sidney wanted to believe Sam’s jovial mood was real and not a performance. The tone of his voice was deep and mellow. His face had softened. She noted the way he allowed his body to relax into the contours of the chair rather than fighting its comforts.
Yesterday’s picnic had created a wave of confusion within her. Her emotions were doing a dance, shifting from being rigidly focused on her assignment and Danik, to seeing Captain Waterhouse in a new light — as a waking Guardian, and as someone with whom she was hopelessly, deeply, breathlessly in love.
“Yes, thank you. Breakfast was great. What’s up?” She sat down.
“Why, Sidney,” he teased. “You of all people know the value of not revealing all your secrets at once. Some should remain, ah under cover until the right time,”
She maintained a straight face as if his remark meant nothing more than a reference to her stonewalling of his questions. Still she felt her face become warm and rosy at the thought of him watching her sleep in her nakedness when he’d returned her underwear.
Sam stood up and went to his credenza to pick up the photo of his family. “You’re a lot like Joy, headstrong and with high ideals.” He placed the photo back on the credenza. “You picked up where Joy left off. Do you deny getting the file from the admiral’s computer?”
/>
Sidney could no longer evade telling the truth. “Yes, I did copy that file, but the copy’s still on the base and will probably never be found.”
“Can you be certain that copy won’t fall into the wrong hands?”
“No.”
“Then tell me where it is.”
“Captain, as powerful as the Guardians are, there are others who fall equally on the Dark side of power, lethal beyond description. If you become involved, you’ll be killed. Anyone who has had anything to do with the crystal’s file has died or disappeared. I’d regret it for the rest of my life if you died as a result of that file. I just couldn’t live with that.”
“Sidney, I’ve been involved for the last year with that file.”
“But not directly. You’ve been kept in the dark about the meaning of the contents.”
“If you have friends planning an attempt to retrieve that copy, they’ll fail. The admiral is ready and willing to hang anybody who threatens his security. I can get in and out of the Naval Base as easy as a bird. Perhaps Badger did have a reasonable concern. Perhaps people with wiser council need to know what the admiral is planning. Can you not see that?”
“Sam, if you’re caught with that copy, you’re as good as dead.”
Sam placed a chair beside Sidney and sat down. He took hold of one of her hands. “Without any doubt, I’d rather regret the things I did, than the things I didn’t.”
Sidney swallowed. She looked away from his tender, dark eyes. The hand she’d normally bring to her chest to seek guidance was tucked snugly in Sam’s.
“Sam, please understand that if I reveal everything to you, others who are involved — especially someone I care deeply about — may get hurt. If you go charging in, they may get caught in the crossfire.”
Sam quickly withdrew his hand and stood up. Her reference to this someone, obviously a lover, pierced through his chest unexpectedly.
“I want you to think about regrets for the rest of the day, regrets about things you should have done,” he said. “You have the rest of the day to yourself. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Dismissed.”