by JB Penrose
James acknowledged their acquaintance with the young woman and hugged her with a fatherly touch. “Dera is close family, just someone we haven’t seen in a while.”
She leaned toward James and whispered. “I can’t believe you’re here, poppa. We all thought you launched with the Aurora.”
“God’s will,” he pressed her hands between his own. “Things changed at the last minute.”
“Scott,” Alexadera held the couple tightly around their waist and rocked on her heels with glee. “You were right how they are a very important couple; these are my parents, well, my foster parents, or something. My family,” she proclaimed proudly. With a deep breath, she regained her stately composure but squeezed Mags’ hand before she stepped away. Her face was fixed in a smile and she playfully bowed to the couple, hiding her true reaction of emotion with her back turned to the President-elect.
Cauthron joined them. “I can hardly believe you call her mother,” he eyed Mags with curiosity. “You look more like sisters,” he noted.
“Again, I say,” Mags flipped her hair back with unusual casualness. “Almost a curse.”
James laughed and winked at Dera. “Mr. President,” he laughed. “You are in very good hands.”
“No doubt,” Cauthron looked sideways to his Chief-of-Staff. “Alex can find a way to accomplish anything. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like her. And of course, that makes her the perfect Chief-of-Staff; no one can say no to her.”
“You hired me to fight the battles so you didn’t have to,” Dera reminded him. “And there’s one right outside your door. We’re on a tight schedule today.”
“James has agreed to help get the OneWorld Conference on track,” the President told her. “He’s going to join me on the trip to see Asaad. I guess you two, or three, are going to work very closely on this project.”
“We are in the very best of hands.” James reassured him with pride. “And we are excited to work with Dera.”
“Are you coming too?” Dera asked.
Mags shook her head. “No,” she laughed. “But now I’m tempted.”
“Just seeing you in town, and I have so many questions – well, just not here and,” she sighed, “not now. Scott, you have a big announcement and everyone is waiting. I can’t make you late just because I want to stay and gab.”
“Alex?” Scott laughed, “I have never seen you gab!”
“We have to go.” She started gathering the papers on the President’s desk into a briefcase. “This announcement will be the surprise of the century,” she added.
Scott Cauthron turned to the couple with a grin. “It shouldn’t be. She is more qualified than any Congressman or Senator’s name submitted. Would you care to join me, us,” he included Dera in his glance, “to meet the new Vice President?”
Mags immediately shook her head and backed away. “No thanks,” she held up her hands in protest. “This is your moment of triumph and we want to see it on the telly, just like everyone else.”
“The telly,” he laughed. “I remember that term.” He straightened his tie and crooked his arm to escort his Chief-of-Staff. Dera strolled past him with a scoff and activated her notepad as she held open the door for him.
“Barbara,” she looked outside the room for a staffer. “Would you make sure this wonderful woman whom I love like a mother, has my contact information. Full access,” she instructed, and then waved the President-elect through the office. “Make sure I can contact, or be contacted by either of them at any time of day or night.”
Mags and James kissed her cheek as they strolled to Barbara’s desk. “It’s so wonderful to see you in action, my dear. You are a beautiful surprise.”
“God’s Will,” Dera smiled. “And that makes you the answer to my prayers.”
It was almost noon when Mags and James left the building. The sun was high overhead but there was no sign of thawing on the snow bank. The PROBE-Tech vehicle had been valet parked at the office complex where the President-elect set up his transition headquarters, and James handed over the claim ticket for the car.
“I can’t believe Dera is the Chief-of-Staff.” James remarked, “and that Lucas hid that from us!”
“She has certainly put her talents to good use.” Mags drew the scarf tighter around her and thrust her hands into her coat pockets. “We’re going to have to catch up on a lot of news so this kind of surprise doesn’t happen to us again.”
James smiled at her. “But wasn’t it wonderful that it’s Alexadera? We’ve always wondered how she faired.”
“Dera, sweet Dera.” Mags smiled. “We have wondered how they all have fared since graduation.”
A crowd was beginning to gather at the makeshift stage where the press conference was being held. As the reporters and technicians set up their transmissions, the atmosphere was alive with activity.
“Is that Chief Justice Kay Shawnee?” James watched the President Elect and another woman approaching the stage area. Dera was behind them, followed by a score of security agents. “No wonder his Vice President is so qualified; she’s stepping off the Supreme Court.” James held open the door for his wife. “I really like President Cauthron. It makes me wish I had known President Young.”
“John and Andrew certainly trusted Scott,” Mags agreed. “I’m sure Dera trusts him as well or she wouldn’t work for him. With her it’s never been about the money or ambition.”
“Not with Dera,” James agreed. The valet returned with the car and refused the cash tip James offered when he took the keys. “I hope you don’t mind if I join them on this trip?”
“Of course not,” Mags brushed his cheek with a kiss. “It’s been a long time since I had to share you with the world but this is what is called for at the moment. I’ll be just fine.”
“I know you will,” James squeezed her hands before opening the car door. “And as always, you will find something important to fill the time.”
“You just do what you have to do in getting the OneWorld Conference back on track.”
James started the car but he held it in park. “Hirundi will be surprised to learn we didn’t launch on the Aurora. It’s been almost fifty years.”
“I’m sure he kept up on our news through John and Andrew,” she told him. “You know you’ll eventually have to explain to Scott why all these people, young and old, still call you Poppa!” Mags bit her lip and thought as her mood turned serious. “I sense great change coming.”
“Yes,” James agreed. “And in a way, I also feel responsible for it.”
“You’re not responsible,” Mags patted his arm. “None of us are.”
“Or all of us are,” James laughed. Mags closed the passenger door and James put the car in reverse and headed for the exit. “We are here to participate in this Life,” he answered seriously, “and we’ve made the best choices we could.”
“Our world has changed many, many times. Someday I hope to understand why we’re here-”
“Why we’re still here, you mean!”
“We’ve seen so many amazing things and met so many amazing people,” Mags agreed. “I always felt like it had to mean something. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Rachel and Dera could meet?” Mags mused.
“Won’t it be wonderful when,” he accented, “those two women meet! That introduction is pre-destined.”
The car wound slowly through the traffic of vehicles and pedestrians headed toward the stage for the Vice-Presidential announcement. Uniformed patrols tried to control the flow but the throng of movement paid no heed to the directions shouted or the shrill whistles blown to grab their attention.
Thump!
It was a startling surprise and they bolted upright in their seat, not knowing if they had hit something or themselves been hit.
A reporter’s badge hugged the windshield as a young man in black shirt and pants rolled across the hood of the car. Cameron Simpson. He caught their photo through the windshield before he jumped off.
He paid no heed to the brus
que vigor of the patrol officer who pulled him from the car. Mags waved her thanks with a shaky hand as the guard pushed him into the crowd going toward the stage. The reporter continued to stare, his feet going in one direction but his eyes fixed on Mags until he was pulled from sight.
Mags gave a slight shiver. “That seemed a bit odd,” she admitted.
James agreed. “I’m not at all sure his landing on the hood was an accident.”
The drive was quiet once they were past the crowds of the press conference. They stopped at a four-way corner and James hesitated before activating the turn signal.
“I should probably stop at PROBE-Tech and pick up a few things. I’m sure John has some clothing I can wear on the trip, and I want to start the computer re-boot with the disk drives Peter gave me. If you’d like, I can drop you at the apartment first.”
“No, I think I’d like to see PROBE-Tech in the daylight. We also need to start meeting the staff; there’s only a few beside Donnally who know us.”
“You’ll have everyone eating out of your hand the moment you say hello.” James smiled. “I know where Dera learned that trick.”
“It’s not a trick.” Mags hit his shoulder with a fond tap and smiled. “Dera just learned how to unfold her heart. Who can say no to God’s Love?”
The car they drove was registered to PROBE-Tech so passage at the gate was quick after showing their ID. “Welcome, Mr. Zebede; Ms. Dayln.” The guard tipped his hat brim as the gate opened. “Just call me Charlie. If you need anything, send word to the front gate. It all starts here,” he added with a wink.
“Thank you, Charlie.” James passed through the gate with a wave. “We’ll do that.”
“One more of John and Andrew’s most trusted employees,” Mags noted.
“I’m sure there are others,” James agreed.
He drove the winding road to the main building without attention to the illumined arrows. Even though James had not visited PROBE-Tech, he intimately knew his way around the compound. A sense of pride filled them both as they passed the many structures that comprised the international village. John and Andrew left behind a legacy that would thrive on its own.
After parking in the reserved lot, they made their way up the steps to the executive office building. In this international setting, their choice of wardrobe was not out of style; still, Mags felt the curiosity of the guard at the reception desk who looked twice at their priority security clearance.
“Mr. Zebede; Ms. Dayln,” he returned the ID’s. “My name is Gleason; please let me know if you need anything. Your badges are active now. The elevator over there,” he pointed, “will take you directly to the corporate office. And,” he added, “in the future you can access it directly from that outside entrance.” He pointed to a door in the corner. “Your badge will access everything at any time of the day or night.”
“Thank you, Gleason,” James told the guard. “I look forward to being here more often.”
When they stepped off the elevator to John’s office, James whistled appreciatively. The conference room was more like an apartment, and more spacious than the one Gail had given them.
“I don’t think I’m going to be as lucky to find a suitable wardrobe at PROBE-Tech,” she answered glibly while surveying the room.
“You know we can replicate anything you can think of,” he quipped, pointing to the machine on the wall.
“Yes,” Mags sighed. “I just don’t know what to imagine.”
James brought up the computer screen hidden within the desk surface and began to program a sequence of commands. “What will you do while I’m gone?” he asked Mags.
“We should probably think about a public announcement. PROBE-Tech has international ties; it’s better if we announce our management than to slip in quietly,” she admitted. “Maybe I’ll invite the emissaries here to a function of sorts, and then write an announcement for a press release.”
“Maybe Lucas could join you,” James suggested. “Five days isn’t a long time to be gone but I would feel much better if he was in your company.”
“Five days without you will feel like eternity,” she laughed. “And it’s an excellent idea to share it with Lucas,” she said. “But not because I might be in any danger.”
“I know you can take care of yourself,” James kissed her playfully, “but that reporter did start me thinking. Cameron Simpson – remind me to look him up, later.”
“Don’t worry,” she said. “I remember how to take care of myself, and Lucas!” she told him. “Maybe we can start some research on the DayStar. We don’t need to wait for the Aurora to get all the answers.”
“Especially since the world is reverting to fear,” James agreed as the phone in his pocket gave a quiet chime. It’s from Dera’s office,” he looked at the screen. “Details about the departure.”
“Then you’d better finish up here. It takes a lot of packing for five days of travel.”
“You’re sure you’ll be alright?” he asked her again. “I’m sure Dera could make some fast arrangements if you wanted to come with us.”
She had a thousand answers, but shook her head to decline. There was one answer she couldn’t explain; the DayStar called to her and Mags was truthfully grateful for the time alone. His absence gave her the time she needed; time to do research, time to remember.
There was no traffic on the tarmac as they approached the presidential plane, but there was a large crowd of press corps gathered at the vehicles parked around it. Although the weather was typically dismal for January, the DayStar found a way to break through the clouds even when the sun could not, and that was one of the many things Mags found interesting about the star overhead.
“Come with you?” she said to James, and laughed. Out the car window Mags saw Dera wave to her, surrounded by a team of Secret Service agents who held back the reporters by the scowl on their face. “No thanks. I’ll leave politics to you. But give my love to Dera.”
“Be sure to stay in touch,” he told her. “Leave messages if I don’t answer.”
“You’re only interested in making sure I’m alright, not in what I’m doing. And I will be just fine. Honestly, James! You haven’t changed in two thousand years!” She straightened the lapels on his suit and pulled him closer for a kiss. “But you do clean up nicely.”
“Thank you, my dear,” he smiled. “And my thanks to John for his wonderful taste in fashion.”
“You are enjoying this more than I thought,” Mags pushed back and eyed him seriously. “See? I always said you were just like him.”
“No need for two media hogs in the family. While he was doing such a good job I didn’t have to step into the action.”
“But now that he’s gone?” she laughed. “I see that nothing has changed. You are definitely brothers.”
James took her hands in his. “Seriously,” he said. “Things are changing. I feel it and I know you do, too. I just want to be sure you’ll stay alert. This is a new world and I don’t want anything to happen.”
“Things are going to happen, my dear. But I promise I’ll be ready for them.” She kissed his forehead. “You’re the one headed out to save the world,” she said. “Go now, and make your brother proud. Make me proud. And give Hirundi my love.”
“Won’t you stick around until the plane takes off?”
“No, I don’t really want to stand around in this weather, or that crowd. Besides,” she admitted, “we’ve never been good at goodbye.”
“There’s no such thing as a good-bye,” he told her. “I’ll be home soon.”
In her rearview mirror, he waved as she drove away. Even after all this time, after all these goodbyes, Mags knew she would be tearful at their separation.
Mags relied upon the navigation system to get her home, thankful James had pre-programmed the address. She was capable of driving in any kind of traffic or condition but today her mind barely focused on the surroundings. She looked forward to some quiet moments, time to think of Rachel, time to
think about the DayStar; a quiet time to pray.
She was almost disappointed to recognize the parked white limo Cardinal Lucas Jackson used when she approached Gail’s apartment. The driver popped out of the vehicle and opened the car door for Lucas as soon as she was in sight. The Cardinal’s imposing figure was at her car door as soon as she parked, and his gentle hug was reassuring.
“James called you, didn’t he?”
He draped his arm around her shoulders and started toward the front door. “He was not concerned, but just thought I could keep you company.”
The young man who was his driver kept a respectful distance but when Lucas motioned he reached inside the car for a leather case with the emblem of the Church and locked the vehicle remotely as he strode up the stairs to the apartment.
“Michael is my assistant,” the Cardinal introduced him.
Mags let the young man take her keys and open the door. He locked it from the inside after Lucas followed Mags into the apartment. She kneeled to pick up the cat. “Hello, Honey. I’ve brought you some more company.”
As Mags stroked the cat’s ears, Lucas began to remove his coat and the young man rushed in to assist Cardinal Jackson peel off his accoutrements of the church. For each item he removed, Michael carefully folded and placed in order on the table.
“Mother. I hope you don’t mind that I brought Michael?” The Cardinal gently pushed his assistant toward Mags. “Michael, this is Rachel’s mother,”
“Why would I mind?” She offered her hand to the young man, who still in his shyness could not look at her. Mags stepped forward and took his hands in both of hers. “Hello, Michael. Everyone calls me Mother,” she told the young man with a smile.
“But you’re so-”
“Yes, I know,” she hugged him lightly. “Everyone still calls me Mother.” She drew him into the dining room to a chair at the table but he wouldn’t sit.
“Thank you, Mother,” he hesitated slightly at the name. “I am honored to meet you. I met Rachel, and Peter a few days ago; I see now the Source of her Grace.”