I turned to one of my guards. “Do you think we could make one little stop at the Grand Salon? I just want to look at some of the paintings. This will be my last chance to be in the city for a long time.”
The guard looked at the other, taller guard, the one who seemed to be more in charge, and shrugged, as if waiting to be given orders.
When the taller guard glanced my way, I stared up at him with big, innocent eyes. “Please...” I said. “Just five or ten minutes?”
He exhaled tiredly, and said, “Five minutes.”
I grinned and immediately started down the hallway toward the Grand Salon.
Once we were inside the large room the guards stood to the side and waited while I positioned myself thoughtfully in front of the portraits of Jane and William Fairbanks. I wondered what their lives were really like back in those days, what it would have been like to literally be the very first people to discover Ambrosia, marveling that they were the ones inspired to create the Water Keeper program in the first place.
Thinking about their efforts motivated me to focus on my work at the Academy even more. For some reason, I wanted to make them proud, to live up to our family name and all they had accomplished. It felt like a lot to live up to. These two people had achieved such great things, but knowing that just inspired me to try harder. I didn’t want to let them down, or let my parents down either. I would work as hard as I could in order to make them all proud and live up to the Fairbanks name.
I remembered the vision I had seen the last time I stood in this spot, staring up at Jane’s portrait. It was as if she had flown right out of the painting to talk to me. I held my breath a moment as I looked. Was the vision I had even real, or had my mind been playing tricks on me?
Then, my concerns were erased as Jane’s figure appeared before me once again, seeming translucent like a spirit, just as ethereal and beautiful as she was the time before. Her iridescent gown billowed around her as she floated toward me. I was too stunned to move. Her presence was captivating.
All the other people in the room faded to the background, as if Jane and I were alone in our own little bubble of light.
“Are... are you real?” I finally stuttered.
Jane smiled. “Don’t be afraid. I’m meant to help you.” Her voice was so sweet and light, it was almost angelic.
“I... I don’t understand,” I stuttered again. “Help me with what? Becoming a Keeper?”
Jane’s expression barely moved. “When the time comes you will know,” she murmured. “Listen to your heart. Follow the light within.”
Without another word, Jane’s form started to fade.
“Wait,” I said. “I don’t know what you mean.” But it was no use. Jane disappeared almost as quickly as she came.
I stared at the empty space, not sure what to think. Was I seeing things? Was I going crazy?
Jane’s words echoed through my mind. “Listen to your heart. Follow the light within.” I repeated them in my head over and over again. What could it possibly mean?
A voice came from behind, breaking me from my thoughts.
I turned and flinched when I recognized the face of Naples Dupree right in front of me.
“What did you say?” I asked in surprise.
Naples tilted her head toward Jane’s portrait on the wall. “I said... the two of you look so similar you would think you were related.”
A nervous laugh escaped my lips. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Immediately, my father’s words flashed through my mind. When it came to reporters, he said I had two choices—either do everything I could to stay out of the spotlight or embrace who I was and deal with the consequences. Everything about Naples Dupree made me uneasy. My first instinct was to run away as quickly as I could. I knew right then that I didn’t want the spotlight.
What was this reporter-woman even doing here anyways? Was it just some unlucky coincidence, or was she purposely tracking me?
Despite the fact that there weren’t any cameras in sight, Naples took a step toward me as if she was about to spew off her usual barrage of questions.
I stumbled back.
Suddenly, my two guards were by my side. “It’s time to go,” the taller one said. And then he pulled me past the reporter to hurry out of the room.
I was glad for the escape. I wanted to do great things at the Academy and I wanted to make my ancestors proud, but I didn’t want the whole world of Ambrosia watching and scrutinizing me every step of the way. All I wanted to do was focus on becoming a Keeper, so I could travel back to Earth and help people to heal. I didn’t want everyone pointing at me as the scandalous, illegitimate Earth-child of the ex-Ambassador Hamlin Fairbanks.
We didn’t stop our rapid pace until we made it to the entrance of the building. My guards pushed through the heavy wood doors, ready to escort me home to campus, but I froze as soon as we stepped outside. Suddenly it made sense why Naples Dupree was here at the Court of Ambassadors.
Just across the street, the entire park area was crowded with people and cameras. My guards looked just as interested in the commotion as I was.
“Do you guys know what’s going on?” I asked.
The taller guard answered. “It’s Councilman Bennett. He’s making a political announcement.” The guard hardly looked at me as he spoke, his eyes scanning the stage with interest.
I was intrigued. “Would it be alright if we stayed a few minutes?” I asked. “This looks like it could be something important.”
The guard looked at me firmly. “It is important.”
My brow lifted. “So then, we should probably stay and watch, right?”
He paused. “Okay... but you are not to leave my side under any circumstances.”
I nodded emphatically. “Of course. I promise.”
I followed closely as the two guards made their way across the street.
The crowds were all gathered around a stage that was surrounded by barricades. The place hummed with energy and the sound of conversation.
As we wandered through the crowd I wondered what this announcement could possibly be that Orion was making. When we made our way closer to the front, I could see two podiums with microphones positioned on the stage, one off to the side and the other at the center.
The mass of people grew dense as we came closer to the stage. My two guards stopped and stood near the front, one on either side of me. I watched the stage intently, waiting for something to happen.
No more than five minutes later, a well-groomed man in a nice suit appeared on the stage. Cheers shouted up from the crowd as the man held up one hand and waved with a huge, official smile on his face.
After several spirited waves to the crowd, the man made his way to the podium positioned at the side of the stage.
“Good evening, people of Ambrosia, and welcome,” the man announced in a loud appealing voice. “I’m Birch Parker and it is my great pleasure to host this exciting event for you tonight.”
I realized I had heard the man’s name before. He was a well-known radio host that Rayne often listened to while we were driving in his truck. Birch’s show always featured controversial issues, and he always opened the show up to callers that would dial in to give their opinions on the subject.
“As you all know,” Birch went on, “this is an election year, and the time is close approaching for us to elect our next Ambassador.” He paused as the crowd cheered again. “Will we elect Councilman Zieg Thompson, who valiantly stepped up to the position when Hamlin Fairbanks confessed of his crimes, or will we elect Councilman Orion Bennett our trusted Head of Security?”
A mix of chanting roared from the crowd, some calling out for Zieg Thompson and others for Orion. Even my guards called out Orion’s name.
“Well,” Birch said into the microphone, “I’m sure you’re all anxious to hear why Councilman Orion Bennett himself has arranged this conference for you tonight. I have been informed that he has an important announcement to share with you all. An
d, as is the custom at these types of gatherings, after Councilman Bennett’s announcement has been made, we will open up the floor to representatives of various political groups to join us on the stand and state their reactions and concerns on the subjects presented.”
I glanced back and forth at the sea of people around me, all hanging on Birch Parker’s every word, some chanting and cheering, others waiting with anticipation to hear what special news was going to be shared with them tonight.
“And now,” Birch said with animation, “it is my great pleasure to present to you, our very own... Councilman Orion Bennett!”
Birch held out his hand as Orion made his entrance from the side of the stage. Cheers erupted all around me. Orion smiled largely and held one hand in the air to greet the people as he made his way to the podium at the center of the stage. Once he was there he paused, nodding graciously at the crowd, allowing their cheers to linger a moment longer.
Finally, Orion signaled with his hand for the cheers to quiet, and then he gripped both sides of the podium. “Thank you,” Orion said as the noise started to fade. “Thank you so much for such a warm, wonderful welcome.”
I continued to watch intently as Orion began his speech. Before now, I had no idea he was planning to make a special announcement. I was just as anxious to hear what he had to say as all the people around me.
“Thank you all for coming out tonight and showing your support during this important election year,” Orion went on. “My message is not a lengthy one, but it is one that I feel very strongly about, and I hope you will treat it with your deepest consideration.”
Orion paused and looked down. “As you all know, just this last week, in this very spot, we held a memorial service for a great man who died in the defense of our way of life. This courageous fallen agent died to protect our many secrets from Earth, to protect the safety of the Healing Water and the Sacred Pool.”
My body tensed. I glanced back and forth at the hushed crowd. All of them had looks of solemn veneration on their faces. My two guards looked particularly solemn.
But I knew this supposed great agent that Orion was referring to was the man I had let die at the testing center. Everyone was immortalizing him as some kind of martyr, but I had seen inside that man’s soul, and it was dark as night.
“Unfortunately,” Orion continued, “this is not the first of our agents to die in defense of our planet’s survival, nor do I believe, if we continue on the path we are on, that this will be the last of the tragic deaths to fall upon our agents working courageously on the other side of the Threshold.”
Orion clutched the podium firmly. “I ask you,” he said fervently, “how many of our brave agents will we let die, before we step forward and make a change? How many men and woman of the uniform will be asked to sacrifice the ultimate sacrifice?” Orion paused as the people cheered loudly in agreement.
Orion’s voice continued strong. “That is exactly why I am here to speak with you today. I believe there is a simple solution to our concerns, a solution that will greatly reduce the risk of our agents out in the field by minimizing their level of interactions on Earth. We have been stuck in the past for years now, following the old traditions of our fathers for much too long. It is time for Ambrosia to take a step forward, to leap into the future and make a real change.”
The crowd exploded with cheers once again. All I could do was stare at them, wide-eyed. What was this all about? What kind of change did Orion want to make?
Orion stared out at the people with satisfied determination. “I am here tonight to announce that if I am elected as your next Ambassador, I will be your advocate for change. We can no longer afford to drag our feet in old ways. We have Water Keepers out there on Earth, day in and day out, with barely adequate training, putting our people at risk. And for what? To help a tiny handful of Earth-people? I am here to tell you that we are sacrificing much more for them than they are giving back to us. If I am elected the next Ambassador I will ensure we will take greater measures to safeguard our people.”
Orion’s voice grew even stronger and more intense. “There is too much at risk for the safety of our people. There is too much at risk for the safety of our children. There is too much at risk for our entire planet. But I’m not here to give you excuses. I’m here to give you a solution. If I am elected the next Ambassador of Ambrosia... I will see to it that we abolish the Keeper Program.”
The wild noise of the crowd bellowed in my ears. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My heart practically stopped beating. My mouth opened wide. Did I hear Orion correctly? Was he seriously suggesting that the world would be better off without the Water Keepers?
Orion continued to speak, but I barely heard a word he was saying. How could he do this to me? How could he do this to the people of Earth as a whole? Orion was my mentor at the Academy. He knew my whole purpose of going there was to become a Keeper. All this time he was encouraging me to further my training, when all along he knew he was planning to shut the program down.
Feelings of betrayal poured over me. No wonder I was feeling so many negative feelings around Orion. All this time he was basically lying to me.
I wanted to scream. I had to do something.
My head was in a daze. The crowd seemed to move in slow motion around me.
Orion must have finished his speech. I watched blankly as he finally exited the stage.
Birch Parker returned to the side podium to speak. He announced that those who had registered to comment would now be allowed to come forward to voice their support or concerns.
I listened numbly as several commenters came to the microphone. I could hardly believe it. Only one of the commenters voiced any opinions against Orion’s plans, the rest of them full-heartedly agreed with his intent.
They kept saying that the Scout Program was crucial to their survival because of all the technology and resources they brought back from Earth, but they all thought the Keeper Program was just a waste of resources. How could they think that? How could they not see how much good they were doing for the people on Earth?
The final commenter finished her address and began to walk off the stage.
“Well, that was quite an eventful evening,” Birch Parker declared.
As Birch continued on with his closing remarks a strange burning grew inside my chest. Somebody had to get up there and say something. Somebody had to defend all that was good about the Keepers.
Without thinking, I started to wind my way through the crowd, using all my determination to push myself forward. This just wasn’t right. I had to try to fix it.
I felt my guards close behind me, calling for me to stop, but I just kept moving.
By some miracle I made it to the front corner of the stage, on the opposite side of where Birch Parker was speaking, the side where all the commenters had come on and off the stage to make their comments.
I wasn’t sure what to do. Aside from my own guards coming up fast behind me, there were several official guards posted near the waist-high barricade that separated the people from the stage. All I knew was that somehow I needed to get up there.
My head jerked from side to side, searching for a solution.
Then, I saw the last woman who had gotten up to speak. She was just to the side of the bottom of the stairs which led up to the stage. She took off some kind of special pass that she wore around her neck and held it in her hand by her side.
I didn’t hesitate. I needed to get that pass. If I threw myself over the barricade in an attempt to charge the stage, the guards would probably stop me and tackle me to the ground.
Instead, I weaved through the edge of the crowd and found a massive speaker to hide behind that was positioned off to the side. Then, a huge grin took over my face. Just behind the speaker I spotted a break in one of the barricades.
The next thing I knew I was squeezing my body through the opening behind the speaker. I ducked my head as I ran along the side of the barricade until I blended into the crow
d of official people who stood backstage.
I stepped quickly and quietly through the commenters and staff until I was right behind the woman whose pass dangled loosely at her side.
Then, I grabbed the pass right out of her hand and ran to the stage before the woman could do a thing. I shoved the cord over my head and hurried up the steps.
“Wait!” I said to Birch Parker. “I didn’t get to comment.”
Birch stopped talking right in the middle of a sentence. I strode to the podium at the center of the stage. Birch stared back at me in surprise.
“I have something to say,” I said into the microphone.
Birch cleared his throat, clearly thrown off his game. He laughed nervously as he spoke. “It appears we may have missed one of our speakers. Tell us, Miss, which political group are you representing tonight?”
I stared out at the massive crowd as my legs began to shake. “I... I... don’t represent a political group.”
Birch paused, looking confused. I glanced down to the side of the stage where the woman I had stolen the pass from was complaining to one of the guards.
“Uh, I’m sorry,” Birch said. “We restrict comments to those from the respective political groups who have pre-registered to participate.”
The guard speaking to the woman rushed onto the stage, causing me to panic.
“Wait,” I yelled in desperation to Birch across the stage. “I represent the people of Earth!”
Birch threw up one hand, motioning for the guard to stop. The guard paused, still looking ready to pounce at the signal.
“What did you say?” Birch asked.
I swallowed hard and pulled the microphone closer to my mouth. “I said... I represent the people of Earth.”
“What do you mean?” Birch asked. “Are you an agent of some kind?”
“No, not exactly,” I squeaked out.
“If you’re not an agent, then, what authority do you have to speak on the matter?” Birch questioned.
I could feel all the eyes of Ambrosia staring back at me, waiting for an explanation.
Flood Rising (The Water Keepers, Book 4) Page 28