Don’t think of it that way, Rick, came Nickelo’s thought. You’ve been on a score of missions for ‘the One’ that have been infinitely more dangerous than anything the others have done. You’ve been doing your share.
Those don’t count, Nick, Richard said heatedly. Those missions seem more like dreams than reality. Sometimes I wonder if they really happened. Besides, I’m an Empire soldier. Nothing I do for ‘the One’ is helping our war effort. Last I heard, a third of my class was dead or disabled.
“You don’t answer,” said Councilwoman Deloris. “But you don’t need to answer. I can see it in your eyes. Of course you’re not happy. So I’d like to make you a proposal.”
She paused as if giving Richard’s curiosity time to draw him in. After a couple of seconds, she said, “Why don’t you leave the wizard scouts and come to work for the Conglomerate? I’ve a lot of pull on the Imperial High Council. Getting you out of your commitment as a wizard scout would be no problem. With the Conglomerate, you’d have missions more suited to your abilities. And, the pay would be much better, I can assure you of that.”
My, she is full of surprises, said Nickelo.
“I’m a soldier,” Richard said as if trying to convince himself as much as the councilwoman. “I have no desire to be some bozo security guard for an overpaid vice president in charge of making widgets people don’t need or want.”
“Oh, Rick,” said Councilwoman Deloris with a tolerant smile. “You underestimate us. The Conglomerate wouldn’t waste your talents, I promise you that. And, you’d still be a soldier. We have every branch of the military in our forces as I’m sure you’ve noticed. We could use a man like you.”
Richard noticed the councilwoman glance back at the clock display inset in the top of her desk. She looked back at him and said, “I have a meeting in twenty minutes with the other council members. Would you mind walking with me part way? We still have a few items I’d like to discuss, but my time is short.”
“Of course, councilwoman,” Richard said, “I–”
“Please, Rick” admonished Councilwoman Deloris. “Call me Diane.”
“All right, Diane,” Richard said. “I was just going to say the whole purpose of my trip was to meet with you. So, I guess I’m at your disposal.”
The councilwoman gave a halfhearted smile. “Ah, you overestimate my importance. There are others who wish to see you as well. I was just first in line.”
Without waiting for Richard to ask ‘who’, the councilwoman gestured to the door.
“Shall we?” she said. “The time is short and our needs are great.”
Chapter 9 – Matthew
_____________________________________
Councilwoman Deloris led the way out of her office. Richard moved over to her left side. Just outside the door were four guards in the light blue of Conglomerate security personnel. Richard noticed the four guards fall in behind the councilwoman and him. When they did, Councilwoman Deloris stopped and held up her hand at the shortest of the four guards. He was an older man, probably in his sixties.
“Not this time, Carlos,” said Councilwoman Deloris. “I’m heading for the council chambers. You know they don’t allow private security personnel there.”
“That’s a dangerous rule,” said Carlos with obvious distaste for the rule in his eyes and voice. “The council’s guards aren’t concerned enough about your safety. As many times as your life has been threatened, they should allow an exception in your case.”
Smiling, Councilwoman Deloris turned to Richard. “Carlos has been watching over me ever since I was a child. Sometimes he’s worse than a mother hen.”
“Your security’s no joke, councilwoman,” said Carlos. “At least let us escort you to the hallway outside the Imperial High Council’s chambers.”
Richard thought he saw concern in the old man’s eyes. Richard had a feeling the old man would lay down his life for the councilwoman if necessary.
“Nonsense,” said Councilwoman Deloris. “All the councilmembers get death threats from time to time. We can’t please everyone. There will always be a few disgruntled souls out there.”
“These latest threats haven’t been the normal ones from some nut job, councilwoman,” said Carlos. “They hinted you wouldn’t live the week. I must insist we accompany you.”
The councilwoman’s smile disappeared, and her voice took on an edge. “And, I must insist your guards and you stay here.” After a second, the councilwoman said in a much gentler voice, “Besides, I will have the best wizard scout in the Empire at my side. Won’t I, Rick?”
“Err…,” Richard stammered trying to figure out how he’d gotten involved in the exchange of words. “Actually, I don’t even have a weapon.”
“Ha!” said the councilwoman with what sounded like a geniune laugh. “You’re far too modest, Rick. You’re the Hero of Velos, remember? You are a weapon.”
“Err…,” Richard said again trying to stall for time. He didn’t like being called a hero. In point of fact, he tried to go out of his way not to be heroic most of the time.
Carlos eyed Richard as if sizing him up. Richard had a feeling the old man found him lacking. Carlos’ words confirmed Richard’s suspicion.
“If he’s such a hero,” said Carlos, “what’s he doing here? He should be on the frontlines, not back in the rear taking R&R.”
The animal which was Richard’s temper rattled its cage a little. Richard forced his anger to stay in check. He consoled himself with the fact the acidity of the security-guard’s comment was due to his concern for the councilwoman.
“That’s enough, Carlos,” said Councilwoman Deloris. “You’ll stay here. I’ll call you after the meeting, and you can escort me back.”
Richard noticed Carlos press his lips together as if trying to hold back a retort. The old guard apparently succeeded in his efforts because he just nodded his head.
After motioning the other three guards to return to their stations, Carlos looked at Richard. “You’d best keep her safe, wizard scout, or you’ll have to deal with me.”
Richard chose not to reply.
That’s smart, Rick, came Nickelo’s thought. No use escalating the situation.
When Richard didn’t answer the old man’s challenge, the security guard snorted and headed back to join his fellow guards.
Councilwoman Deloris began walking again. As she walked, she talked. “I must apologize, Rick. Carlos has always been very devoted to the Deloris family. He’s been with us so long you’d think he was an adopted member of the family.”
“Understood,” Richard said although he really didn’t. “Err… what was that about death threats?”
“Ah…, that’s one of the things I wanted to discuss with you, Rick. And, it’s one of the reasons I’m allowing my son to go with you.”
“How so?” Richard asked.
“How much do you keep up with politics, Rick?” asked the councilwoman.
“As little as possible,” Richard admitted. Politics had never interested him. And, it didn’t help that ‘the One’ sent him on missions back in time every two or three weeks which could last for months or years.
“That’s probably wise,” Councilwoman Deloris laughed politely. “Politics aren’t for the faint of heart, so I’ll spare you the details. Suffice it to say the Empire has several camps, each of which strives for the political soul of the Empire.”
“And the Conglomerate is one of those camps?” Richard said knowing full well it was.
“Ah…, I sense a hint of bitterness in your voice,” said Councilwoman Deloris. “Yes, the Conglomerate is one of those camps. There are always opposing views in government. That’s just the nature of politics. But in the end, we’re still on the same side, are we not? Take the Commandant for instance. He and I had different views on the fate of the Academy, but neither of us doubted the other’s commitment to the success and wellbeing of the Empire.”
Easy for you to say, Richard thought. The Commandant’s not ar
ound to naysay you.
As they talked, the councilwoman led them deeper into the planetary administration building. As they walked, the crowds thinned until the corridors were nearly empty. They took a high-speed elevator down. When it stopped, Richard guessed they were at least five hundred meters below ground level.
The door of the elevator opened to reveal a large, stonewalled chamber over a hundred meters across and two hundred in length. Richard figured the ceiling was at least fifty meters high.
Actually, it is fifty-two meters high, said Nickelo. But who’s counting?
The councilwoman stopped a few paces past the elevator door. Richard joined her. The door shut as the elevator rose to attend to someone else’s needs. The large chamber was devoid of life. The councilwoman and he were alone. She turned and faced him.
Councilwoman Deloris must have seen a questioning look on his face, because she said, “This is an emergency shelter in case of attack.”
She pointed at an enormous stack of metal cases located about twenty meters away. It was one of dozens scattered throughout the chamber.
“These cases contain emergency supplies,” she explained. “We can shelter five thousand people here for a week if necessary. A corridor on the other side of this chamber leads directly to the hallway outside the council chambers. I like to use this place as a shortcut when I go there. It avoids the crowds.”
“So I see,” Richard said in a voice loud enough to echo in the vast space. “I’m surprised there aren’t guards.”
The councilwoman looked around. “Hmm…, so am I. There are usually two outside this elevator. It’s just another reason I’ve been trying to convince the Imperial High Council our Conglomerate forces should be providing security for the more important Empire facilities. This war has created a shortage in the active military forces. They aren’t even able to provide adequate security. The absence of guards only reinforces my point.”
Richard was unsure of his position. The councilwoman was a high-level politician, and a very powerful one at that. Despite her insistence on calling him by his first name, he had no illusions he was treading in safe waters. Still, he refused to let her comment go unchallenged.
“Are you saying you want your Conglomerate forces to replace the active-duty security personnel like they did on Velos?” Richard said. “That didn’t work out too well.”
Just before the Crosioians had attacked the Academy the previous year, Conglomerate forces had completely taken over responsibility for security on Velos. All active security personnel had been shipped off planet to supplement the military on the frontlines.
“Ah, Rick,” said Councilwoman Deloris in what Richard assumed was supposed to sound like a hurt voice. However, he had a feeling it would take a lot more than a few words to hurt her. She gave him the impression she was a very tough woman.
“Let’s be frank,” said the councilwoman while she continued to stand facing Richard. “First off, they’re not my Conglomerate forces. I’m the head of Deloris Armaments Corporation. I don’t run the Conglomerate. I know people call it the Deloris Conglomerate on occasion, but that’s far from the truth. It’s a completely separate entity. And secondly, the attack happened the day after the Conglomerate had taken over planetary security. They didn’t even have a chance to get settled before the attack occurred.”
The councilwoman looked Richard in the eyes. “You fought alongside some of the Conglomerate units. Are you saying they didn’t fight bravely?”
Richard thought back to the battle at the Academy’s airfield. He actually owed his life to some Conglomerate fighter pilots who’d knocked out some Crosioian heavy cats at the cost of their own lives. He couldn’t fault their courage.
“No,” Richard admitted. “They fought bravely enough. They lacked experience though.”
“Exactly,” said Councilwoman Deloris. “And that’s why I… err…, I mean we…, need you. I could pretty much guarantee your assignment as a general in our organization. We could use you.”
Richard said nothing. He wasn’t foolish enough to think he was qualified to be a general in anybody’s military. If the councilwoman was dangling such an assignment in front of his eyes, he had no doubt she had ulterior motives.
Now you’re thinking, Rick, said Nickelo. I knew if you listened to me long enough you’d learn a thing or two.
When Richard didn’t answer, Councilwoman Deloris placed a hand on his chest just over his heart. She drew closer. He felt her warmth through the thin cloth of his jumpsuit. Although Richard knew the councilwoman’s age was in her forties, the best cosmetic surgery the Empire could offer had kept her face youthful. She still maintained the looks of a beautiful woman in her late twenties. But Richard wasn’t impressed. He stepped back.
“I work for the Empire.” Richard said.
“And what is the Empire, Rick?” said Councilwoman Deloris in a sharper tone. “This war has stretched the Empire to its limits. We’re near financial ruin. Some new blood needs to take charge. I…, err…, the Conglomerate has many ideas which could end this war and bring back the glory the Empire deserves.”
She took a step forward and placed her hand on Richard’s chest again. “And just think, Rick. You could be there to help. I could reward you in many ways. Won’t you at least consider it?”
Before Richard could answer, he heard the clang of a bell behind him. When he turned, the elevator door was just opening. A blonde-headed, young man in his late teens stepped out. Richard thought he looked vaguely familiar.
“Matthew!” said Councilwoman Deloris as she quickly drew her hand back. “What are you doing here? And where’s your guards?”
Although he wasn’t sure, Richard thought he heard fear in the councilwoman’s voice.
Hmm…, she sounds concerned, said Nickelo. Councilwoman Deloris must think there’s more to those death threats than she was letting on.
“Mother,” said the young man, “I thought you’d be here. Everyone knows you love to take this shortcut.”
“I told you never to go anywhere without your guards,” said Councilwoman Deloris. “You can’t be here.”
The young man, Matthew, was unperturbed by his mother’s outburst. “Nonsense, Mother. You’re just going to the council chamber. I left my guards with Carlos. If you can roam around without guards, then I can as well. Besides, I wanted to meet Wizard Scout Shepard again.”
“How’s your arm?” Richard said hoping to prevent an argument between the two. He’d just remembered the young man had been wounded during the battle at the airfield the previous year.
Matthew raised his arm high above his head. “Good as new. One of the wizard scouts healed it after the battle.”
Walking forward, the young man smiled and held out his hand. “Since my mother has forgotten her manners, I’ll introduce myself. I’m Matthew Deloris. But, please call me Matt.”
Taking the young man’s hand, Richard shook it. “I’m Richard Shepard. My friends call me Rick.”
“All right, Rick,” said Matthew apparently assuming Richard considered him a friend. “I understand we’ll be trav–”
“You can’t be here, Matthew,” interrupted Councilwoman Deloris. “Err… I’ve important things to discuss with Wizard Scout Shepard.”
Turning back to the elevator, Matthew pushed the button to send the elevator back to the top floor.
“Fine,” said Matthew as he turned back around. “Discuss away. You’re always telling me I need to learn more about the family business.”
The councilwoman looked at her son for a good eight seconds. The young man didn’t flinch. To Richard, the two seemed to be having a battle of wills. He got the feeling they were evenly matched. Finally, Councilwoman Deloris turned away and glanced nervously around the chamber.
“Fine,” she said as she looked back at her son. “But stay close. I don’t like you being away from your guards. Some of the death threats I’ve received included you. That’s the only reason I’m agreeing to you going
on the Defiant. I want to get you out of the Empire’s territory for a while.”
Rolling his eyes so only Richard could see, the young man said, “Sometimes Mother thinks I’m helpless. I keep telling her she can’t keep me locked up behind brerellium-steel doors all the time. I’m seventeen now. I’m not a boy. Tell her, Rick.”
Richard didn’t want to be drawn into a family squabble. Growing up in the orphanage as he had, he wasn’t used to it.
And why does he think I’ll stick up for him anyway? Richard wondered. I just met him.
Maybe he took a look at you and just assumed you’re as hardheaded as he apparently is, said Nickelo. Or maybe he’s just grasping at straws. Or maybe–
Enough, Nick, Richard said. Just forget it.
Consider it forgotten, oh greatest of wizard scouts, said Nickelo accompanying his reply with a series of not so subtle laughs.
Councilwoman Deloris inserted herself between Matthew and Richard. She wrapped an arm in each of theirs. Her son tried to pull away, but the councilwoman held on tight.
“I mean it, Matthew,” said Councilwoman Deloris. “If you’re going to be here, you’re staying close. You have no idea how dangerous the Empire is right now.”
“You worry too much, Mother,” said Matthew. “We’ve got a wizard scout with us. What could go wrong?”
Chapter 10 – Assassin
_____________________________________
The assassin rose slightly from his hiding spot behind the set of storage boxes. He sighted down the scope of his Deloris sniper rifle. The rifle was top-of-the-line as was the silencer at the end of the barrel. The version of sniper rifle he’d chosen for his task fired solid, stealth-slugs designed to be non-detectable by either electronics or wizard scout scans. His target was nearly two hundred meters away and partially hidden by boxes. But he was confident in his ability to make the shot. He wouldn’t miss. Still, the presence of the boy was unexpected. The assassin had planned too well, and he didn’t like the introduction of unknowns into his calculations.
Wizard Omega (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 4) Page 13