by Chris Red
" I present myself. I am general Ribardielli. "
Jérémy had good aptitude. They knew the name of the general of armed forces, but they had never seen the face. This costume, this imposing presence, this aura stinking of the sadism with full nose ... The general, personally, had come see him.
" Please, don't hold it against me, but I am not enchanted general. "
"all the pleasure is mine. You are called good Jérémy don’t you?
- it is exact general, answered Jérémy who knew perfectly well that to lie would not serve his interests.
- But you are also known under the name of Umberto Regazzi. explain me why young man.
- the subterfuge is not subtle to the point that somebody as you did not understand you the operation.
- what about Regazzi? You killed him?
- You care about your men, general? After what I saw, I thought that the human condition did not prevent you from sleeping.
- You wish to die then? Responded Ribardelli.
- No, but having got this far, I do not see what will take me away from it.
- Nevertheless, your sense of the cooperation could save you from this day this time.
- I would not betray Phoenix. You can torture me , make me undergo the worst atrocities if you want ... You will obtain nothing of me.
- I suspected it. I had something else in mind to tell the truth.
- you wish to do your good deed of the week?
Ribardielli sketched a smile in this provocation of the Frenchman. However, he knew how to remain calm: "I thought rather of exchanging your life for that of Regazzi."
Jérémy was not fooled, it felt the trap all over. Regazzi was a very ordinary soldier. It is not good to hamper him to sacrifice a pawn of this quality. Maybe he was afraid that Regazzi does not speak too much. Jérémy tried to think fast to analyze well the ins and outs of the situation in which he was. He tried to understand the behavior of the general. But he did not see coherence ... In every case, he would leave somebody too much informed alive. And it did not seem even inclined to torture him. He suggested downright him leaving the prison. From his part, Ribardielli was not foolish, he saw well that even if Jérémy
Had jumped into the lion's den, it was not someone idiot for all that. He expressed all the advantage and the disadvantages and had identified the trap which he tightened to them. Thus he decided not to force him the hand.
"I leave you one night to think. I shall see you tomorrow morning. Beyond this deadline, if you do not wish to cooperate, we shall act, we shall do everything in our power to dislodge Phoenix and make so that they come to visit you in this cell."
He did not leave the time him to react , he executed the military salute and withdrew from the room, leaving Jérémy again in the most total solitude. Finally, almost He was not completely isolated. The confusion accompanied him. He tormented him even. He tried to assemble the rooms of puzzle. The last sentence of the general had to be the pure and simple intimidation. If he could do something against them, he would not certainly propose him such an exchange. In the look of this man, he had felt no sign of condolence. Feelings such as the empathy were not apparently a part of his nature. On the contrary, he seemed ready for anything to carry out his slightest intentions. He thinks certainly that the end justifies the means. However, he had a possibility there of taking out of his cage, of inhaling new open air. Ribardielli needed him, or Regazzi. But he did not undertake to save their lives wholeheartedly. If he had been able to condemn them, him, as his soldier, he would not have hesitated, and with an undisguised pleasure. Even if everything carried to believe that he got ready to fall into a trap, this situation did not seem wished by the general. He had also found in his attitude the impression that he was back to the wall. He took certain risk. He was in full game of chess. Up to there, the militia had made its affairs from their part without anybody comes to disturb them. Phoenix had developed in secret and had fed certain suspicions about the lack of morality and loyalty of their government. But there, they had finally taken action Finished the time of observation. The part had finally begun. Every blow owed carefully thoughtout. The general personally made his first travels. After all, he did not have
too much choice. Anyway, by accepting the deal of the army leader, he did not betray his friends. But, he would know how to stay on his guard. He thinks nevertheless a large part of the night before falling asleep, once his taken decision.
The following morning, Ribardielli was not a long time coming. Every second which shelled was crucial for him, he wished to avoid wasting time as possible. Thus He went to the prison at first light. Jérémy was anyway already woken when the latter came to visit him. He open the door then entered. He contemplated the Frenchman with a condescending air and did not make effort to greet him.
" Then, you made your choice?
- I accept. But you should let me contact my boss.
- It was obvious. "
Ribardielli tapped in the door and communicated through this one.
" You can pick him up."
Two men had been posted behind the door of the cell. They waited for an order, knew about nothing, ignored the identity of the prisoner and contented by obeying. They entered the cell, seized Jérémy, stuck him the face against the wall and handcuffed him hands in the back. Then, while the general led the way, they took him in a room, bigger, more modern, in which they made him sit down. There was a table, two chairs on each side. Ribardielli settled down in front of Jérémy. Both henchmen removed him, but stayed behind to watch him. Ribardielli spoke:
" Let's go Jérémy, you can contact your boss. Please let him know, that we wish to exchange your life for that of Umberto Regazzi. "
Jérémy took a breath of air, it blew profoundly then he put the fingers on his temples and tried to contact with Temba.
" Temba, you hear me? "
" Jérémy! We worried sick! "
" I was captured Temba. "
" Good. He should release you then. "
" No. It is not necessary. "
" The general offered me a deal. "
" Good. I am listening. "
" He wants to exchange me for Regazzi. "
" It is annoying. Regazzi is now one of us. Let us accept all the same. We are going to set them a trap. "
" Good. Be malignant, this general is the real stone marten, he certainly simmers something. "
" Do not worry. We are going to find a way. "
" All right. "
" Good luck Jérémy. Do not forget that if one of us fell, we fall all with him. "
" Thank you Temba. "
And the connection stopped between both men. Jérémy removed the fingers of his temple, moved back slightly and crossed a hand on the forehead.The discussion had exhausted him. Ribardelli fixed him insistently and impatience.
" Then?
- It's OK. My boss accepted the deal.
- Good. You are going to return to cell. I would make you go out when the time comes, and you will contact your boss at this moment so that we prepare the exchange. Tell him to be ready. "
Jérémy sighed and recovered in position.
" Temba. A last thing. "
" Yes, Jérémy? " " Be be ready all the time. He will make me look in cell when he will have decided so that the exchange takes place. "
" Good. Whether he is there so. Courage Jérémy, courage. "
And the contact got lost for good. Jérémy, fatigued, made a sign to the general that he had made the message pass. The latter made a sign for both cupboards who squeezed him closely behind to return him in cell. They grasped him not without vigour and took him back him to the cell.The general, left serenely to his office. He did not stop thinking about the operations. He shot his movie in the head, a movie which, of course, would be successful. Once arrived in his personal fief, he did not lose one second. He contacted Jesus Gutierrez.
"Alfonso. Here Ribardelli."
"I listen to you boss." "We are going
to proceed an exchange between our prisoner and Regazzi. You will lead the exchange with one of your men."
"Well, and the others?"
"Others, they will come to sabotage the operation. I do not want none of the two hostages alive, understood?"
"Received leader. We are ready."
"Perfect."
Ribardelli returned to him. His right hand stirred fervently on his right thigh. He stopped him by means of his left hand then took a few moments to calm down. He eventually releases shyly his hand, but he watched her, being afraid that she does not start again trembling in a uncontrolled way. It was not the case. He sank profoundly into his armchair, raised eyes in the ceiling. Then he regains self-control, rushed on a drawer on the right of his office. He extirpated a box wider than top and caressed it with the fingertips before opening it. The ornaments engraved in the wood were a delight for eyes. He put the box crush in front of him on his office and opened it. He took out a beautiful cigar of it. He contemplated it a few moments before lighting it.
Chapter 12: the training
The forest compound of conifers which sheltered the small village of Edwin Peters and it was plunged into a profound sleep. A lead silence and a peaceful atmosphere reigned within the small community. Everybody slept at this hour very late hour of the night. When suddenly, Natan jumps up violently from his bed, He had recovered, bare-chested, and perspiring. His body was clammy, beads of sweat gleamed on his front, his shoulders, his arms, his pectoral muscles and his sheets were wet; that didn’t prevent Ieleana from sleeping as a baby. Natan’s eyes had as contorted. He just had a nightmare and realized hardly that it was a vision and not a reality. He had seen a city plunged into flames of hell. Fire everywhere, shouts, panic, riots, people who killed each other. And the city host of these slaughters saw itself fired and in blood. He was, right in the middle of the hysteria, with Edwin, Kerian and another man there by his side. They observed a man on the knees, holding a woman in his arms and roaring from her death like a wolf. The death was everywhere. The blood and the fire dirtied the walls of red and black. This city fell ashes there, He woke up when he saw this man appalled, reached by the despair caused by the loss of the one that he liked apparently, turn around towards him, eyes as bulging. A mixture of terror, hatred and suffering was expressed. When he had recovered, he noticed that he choked with heat, as if he had really found himself in a furnace. His breath was panting. The noise caused by his inspirations and expirations eventually wakes Ieleana. She reopened half eyes and distinguished a seated form by her side.
"What is it my darling?" She mumbled.
When he heard the voice of his sweet heart, he felt recovering.
"Nothing, my dear . I ha a bad dream. Go to sleep again."
Then she grumbled expressing a sort of difficulty understandable dissatisfaction, before turning around quickly on the other side. Natan had calmed down, his pulse had stabilized and his internal temperature had decreased from the fresh air invading the room, he felt it making shiver on his hair and caress delicately his ears. His eyelids closed and he was taken again by the malefic disorders of the sleep. And he reopened them only when he felt the soft hands of Ieleana shaking him.
"Wake up Natan! Salina is waiting for you
When he regain consciousness, his first reflex was to think again about the nightmare he had come torment him last night. He wipe his face, rubbed his eyelids of which seemed stuck. Ieleana fix it for him. At first, she did not appreciate Salina's presence and now she is who encouraging him to go to find her. It was the world upside down. It was necessary to say that the situation had set a funny form. Ieleana had run away after the departure of the small trio, she had decided to follow them, she could bring her self to let Natan go; and furthermore, together with such a creature. Finally, we could say that she had left to the meeting of her own fate. When been in hiding in wood, she observed the brief fight between Salina and Edwin, a click took place in her. She was suddenly transformed. The truth had pierced him such an arrow shot of a bow which skewered its target. His element had re-appeared deep down in her heart. To tell the truth, he had always been present. Simply, he was buried in the depths of his being. She felt immediately in total adequacy with the environment which surrounded him and perceived the water presents everywhere under his feet. She felt in total harmony, she had seen a white light and felt a rise of heat invading him. This moment was brief, but intense. She took a few moments to realize the scale of the effects on her own person who had caused this vision. Then, she became aware that they were in danger. But love makes selfish sometimes, she thought especially of Natan, the others come next.
However, she does not act in a mindless way. The elements of the water are so made. It is often rational beings endowed with a powerful instinct, that think of the consequences of their acts before acting and so it did not rush idiotically, as would more have been susceptible to make it an element of the fire in such a situation. its instinct had brutally developed, it understood everything. His its capacity of analysis and reflection had accelerated. So, she it knew how to make a way with a brilliant suppleness to succeed in freeing the one with which it was crazily in love. Once gathered, they developed a plan to come to free Yizrah and Salina. But this one showed itself obsolete. In fact, this interaction with Edwin Peters was a new start for them. It was the confirmation of all that Aaron and Salina had revealed them. Except that Edwin had shown himself less miserly in confessions, he had not informed them sparingly, he had shared with them all the extent of his knowledge, The reincarnation, the third eye, four elements, the fifth element, the fourth dimension, etc. Everything was evoked. But, while he seemed to receive an immense strength, Natan still did not feel the click which had struck her uncle and his girlfriend. So, Salina took him under her cup. He became her personal follower. She was responsible to take care of him personally to allow him finally to touch the grace. From his part, Edwin had taken Yizrah under his wing. The progress shown by the latter was lightning. Yizrah had acquired a maturity and an experience allowing him to leave his ego aside without the slightest concern. So, he was not absolutely jealous or envious of the knowledge of Edwin or the ease with which he controlled his element. He was in perfect harmony with the water. For Yizrah, it was a source of inspiration. Under the aegis of Edwin, he did not stop improving. It was indubitably the reflection of a good French wine: he improved over the years.
They had all merged with a disconcerting ease within the local population, what was a resounding exploit. Actually, Edwin, Kerian and him had shown themselves up to now very protective of their well-being and the forest and had
Thus showed a certain hostility to all those who ventured into their sector. Exceptionally, they had thus opened their doors to foreigners. Yizrah, Natan, Salina and Ieleana were so friendly, their presence was warm and brought of the good mood to the village. It was refreshing for people who were ceaselessly closed on themselves. Among this small world, Ieleana had made friends with one of theirs, Joana. This one had been intrigued by the mission rescue which had brought to a successful conclusion soft Ieleana. She had felt an irresistible desire to get acquainted with her. So, this girl in the rich forms, which was also an element of the water, had been responsible for the initiation of its new friend Joana had a very communicative laughter, she inhaled a certain joy of life(living). Ieleana and Joana were on the same wavelength. What was not necessarily the case between Salina and Natan. They got along well, but the situation was very exhausting nervously for Natan. And as long as this one had not reached the illumination, Salina felt useless, she could only lavish on her advice. But her directory diminished as days scrolled.
what concerned him, was in the grip of a new feeling: the doubt. It is about a terrible predator. When it takes you as target, it does not leave you anymore. it pursues you without being allowed of respite, You are no longer hungry, you are sleepy not any more. Your certainties evaporate. All that you had been able to build collapses. There is nothing more terri
ble than to doubt oneself. It is because of this painful feeling that the man misses sometimes certain opportunities. To evolve, it is to exceed the own limits, to go beyond what you have already realized. But if you do not believe any more in yourself, the evolution stops there and you rest on your experiences. Now, Natan had arrived at this stage where he did not any more manage to eat, this stage where we are ceaselessly in the doldrums. His nights were shaken and the apocalyptic visions of this city in the grip of the flames of the evil did not stop coming to haunt him. This nightmare had become recurring. Natan possessed all the symptoms of the man who doubts. And he was even confronted with what there was of worse a man who does not believe in himself, worth knowing the blooming of others ...
Terrible report to see the others succeeding while it failed affected its morale like a dagger which strikes you in full heart. He could not decently blame them for their smiles or for their scenes of enjoyment during the moments of ecstasy shared together with their respective initiators. He could not either blame Ieleana when in the evening, once intertwined in the bed, she told him her exploits. However, the problem did not come from them, but well from him. He tried hard not to give up to the jealousy. When you let in the jealousy, it became very difficult to get rid of it. Natan was completely aware of it and did not let go his efforts to keep inspiring others. Did not miss the positive examples .