by C. R. Daems
Just then my Mfi beeped. "Captain, the attack has been neutralized. What’s your status?" Ceder’s voice said.
"Speaker, I’m informed that the attackers are dead, and the immediate threat is over." I said loud enough to be heard by everyone. He said something to the guards as he came walking over to me.
"You responded very quickly, fortunately for us. What warned you?" he asked.
"I doubt you were ever in danger. It was a planned assault, timed to occur just as the noon break was announced. The door would be unlocked and Prince Badal in full view as he walked towards the door to his wing."
"But how did you know?" he pressed.
"I’m a trained observer. The signs were many, if you were watching." Like Fermin and Hadarek preparing to duck under the table.
"It appears you are more dangerous than one would assume," he said before walking away.
"He doesn’t know the half of it," Badal said with a snort. "Is it safe?"
"Yes, I’m informed the entertainment is over for now." I said as I approached the door. Lieutenant Ceder was standing in the middle of the entrance talking with Colonel Jarde when Badal and I exited the conference room.
"Prince Badal, thank God you’re safe. Captain Sapir was right to have us on alert. Even with us on alert, we were lucky the door was closed when they attacked. They were well organized and overwhelmed us at first. Only the instant response of the Guard enabled us to recover."
"The door was open. Captain Sapir closed it," Badal said, shaking his head. "Her reputation is no accident."
He entered his wing past Sergeant Zinn, who had been waiting in the doorway, following behind him.
"What’s our status?" I asked.
"Private Toch was wounded in the shoulder and he may have a cracked rib. Corporal Cerff was wounded in the thigh; it’ll be painful for several days," Ceder said. I shifted my glaze to Jarde.
"Three dead, three wounded, one serious but they think he will recover." Jarde remained silent, looking towards the floor. Then he looked up and gave a wry smile. "But the Prince is alive so it’s a good day. He will make sure their families are looked after." He looked a little older as his eyes scanned the blood splattered across the floor and on the walls. "Tomorrow, Captain. I need to see to my men," he said as he entered their wing. I turned to Lieutenant Ceder.
"I had Private Toch leave the door into the foyer open and stationed the rest of Badal’s team in the reception room because of your concerns." Ceder smiled, "Toch hit the emergency code when he saw the outer door explode inward. That and your emergency signal already had Badal’s team moving to take up positions at the door: two firing—one high, one low on the left side back towards the entrance from outside, two on the right facing towards the entrance to the conference room door, and two in the hallway in case they rushed the entrance to the family wing. I also put the other two teams on alert. It would have been much worse if they had tried to breach the prince’s wing. As it was, they were intent on reaching the conference room and only tried to keep us and the Surat troops from entering the foyer. Jarde’s troops would have fared better if they hadn’t rushed into the foyer. Typical army reaction—meet them man-to-man."
"Yes, tradition."
"After the conference room blew, Glick, Ganz, Zinn, and I rushed the foyer and finished those remaining… except for the two you killed." He laughed. "I could have told them they didn’t want to go through that door."
CHAPTER EIGHT
Molova: Hezou. Revenge
The Speaker postponed the meeting for two days so the damage could be fixed. He was concerned the damage to the doors provided too easy access to the meeting room. I would have preferred they continue because it provided Badal’s enemies time to plan—never a good thing. It was far better when your opponents operated on impulse or emotion.
"What do you think, Captain Sapir?" Sophia asked the next morning as she entered for breakfast with her husband.
"About what, Princess?"
"What will they do next? You seem to have anticipated each of the previous… attacks."
"They probably feel that way also, which means they will be more careful next time. And, no, I didn’t anticipate their attacks. You hired us, so an attack was likely, which means giving in to our paranoia. We succeed because we have been well trained. Every one of us entered the Jax military before the age of eight. The Guard isn’t an occupation; it’s our life."
"My God, you were only a child," Jovana said, shaking her head in disbelief. Yes, an unwanted child, I mused, surprised by how much the pain had diminished over the past few years.
"So, you think there will be more attempts on my life?" Badal asked, frowning.
"I would say you will hear from your enemies again. Those who do things in God’s name do not recognize man’s laws. They only believe in their right to achieve their goal by any means. In that they are very predictable."
The rest of the day was uneventful. The princess and her daughter stayed inside the wing reading, eating, and playing a tile game. Everyone retired early.
* * *
The next morning, I was notified that the Speaker wished to see Badal.
"Sir, the Speaker is here to see you," I told Badal, who was in his upstairs study discussing the family’s planned itinerary.
"Have him taken to the drawing room," he said, rising from his chair.
When we arrived, the Speaker stood. "Prince Badal. I am concerned about your safety and have been considering how best to proceed. The recent events prove how desperate… your enemies are and also the danger to the people around you." He gave a lopsided smile, then looked to me. "Captain Sapir, would you have killed my guards?"
Badal laughed. "Yes, Mr. Speaker. She would have."
"I thought so, after my talk with Colonel Jarde. He indicated he is comfortable with the Black Guard being in charge. He’s right, when the space doss hits the fan you must know who is in charge. If it weren’t for her quick action, I’m afraid you and others would have been killed, so I’ve decided to authorize Captain Sapir to be armed in our meeting, and I’ve informed my guards to support her if trouble happens inside the conference room."
"Thank you. I know that couldn’t have been an easy decision," Badal said.
"No, it wasn’t and won’t be popular. But I am more concerned about everyone’s safety than appearances. The work on the doors will be completed today, so we will resume the conference tomorrow."
After he left, Badal turned to me and smiled. "Congratulations, you impressed the Speaker. He could have just added twenty commandos to the meeting. Of course, that would have put twenty more military grade weapons in the room." He laughed.
* * *
The first hour of the meeting the next day was taken up with objections to me being in the room, then with me having weapons, and when that didn’t work, the threat of walking out. The Speaker pointed out that would still leave a quorum to vote. Those that left would have their vote registered as "Declined to vote" and if the bill received four votes it would pass. Then hours were spent arguing about the changes. By the end of the day only one bill had been passed. I sat there bored, not that I wanted another incident like the other day, but the arguments weren’t even stimulating. "The followers of Azaria won’t accept…" I hadn’t even received anything on my Mfi.
"Thankfully, we only meet in person twice a year. All the decisions seem to revolve around Azarias versus Nomiko with no effort to compromise," Badal said as we left the chamber for the night.
"Would you?" I asked since he brought the subject up, and I was interested in understanding the players. The Guards were taught to do more than stand around armed, watching for something to happen. Even the newest recruit was taught to observe not only the people they guarded but those who interfaced with them and to share that information with the other team members. Understanding the players could make the difference between stopping an assassination or failing.
"Yes. I might be willing to compromise, but I’m
afraid Fermin and Hadarek have over the years endorsed more and more extreme interpretations of Nomiko’s teaching, which leaves little room for compromise. But even if I were willing to compromise, Galkin, who supports a liberal version of Azarias, and Poloka, Atilio, and the Speaker, who support a more liberal version of Nomiko’s teaching, wouldn’t. Galkin would vote against any change Fermin and Hadarek supported since he views them as too radical. So you see, we are locked into place until the players change."
"So Galkin, Atilio, Pokora, and the Speaker have no apparent reason to kill you," I said. Badal laughed.
"No apparent reason… You are paranoid, Captain."
"It serves you and your family best if I trust no one. I’m merely trying to ascertain who ranks as the least trustworthy of those I don’t trust."
The next day was more of the same mind numbing boredom. Two more bills got approved. The Speaker designated the next day as a day of rest, to everyone’s relief.
* * *
"Where are you going to be today, Captain Sapir? I’ll be meeting with Atilio and Poloka for most of the day, and Princess Sophia and my daughter are insisting on going into the city shopping," Badal asked at breakfast. Well there goes boredom, I swore. His wife and daughter didn’t have a vote, but that didn’t mean they were safe wandering the streets. In fact, there was little value in killing Badal at this point since the really contentious bills that impacted Xintoism had been passed. But hate, righteousness, retribution, and hope for the future were alive and well. As I saw it, Badal wouldn’t be safe anywhere, just less so away from his estate. And his family could be seen as an extension of Badal whether they were or not. I called a meeting of Jarde, Ceder, Solow, Wahle, Zinn and the women from their teams. When Jarde arrived, I began.
"Colonel Jarde, as you are aware, Princess Sophia and her daughter are planning a trip into the city. That is not normally the Guard’s responsibility. However, this is not normal duty. We don’t usually travel with our clients. Our specialty is providing in-structure security," I said, and waited for Jarde to comment.
"But you feel it’s your duty in this case."
"Yes and no. I believe you should provide your normal security; however, with your permission, I would like to have a few of my Guard go along."
"That might cause trouble, especially with women guards," he said, looking around the room.
"Agreed. I and three of the princesses’ guards will come along dressed as their guests."
Jarde laughed. "You’re not only paranoid but sneaky. I approve and would appreciate your company. I’ll have some of the servants donate you clothing to wear."
"Thank you, Colonel. We both want the same outcome—returning the Badal family home safely." Jarde nodded agreement and left a room of smiling faces. "Zinn, Haber, and Nadel. Wear your body armor and carry a laser, knife, and three flash stars. If there is a next time, Glick and Volpe can have the honor."
* * *
Colonel Jarde provided a detail of six, which he said was normal. In the end, we decided to cast Haber and Nadel as friends of Jovana and Zinn and I as servants. We left just after lunch. The colonel and his troops rode in a military vehicle and the Badals and us in a limousine. The city was very modern although the buildings seldom exceeded ten stories and were predominately stone. The cathedrals were many and beautiful with their multiple spirals jutting fifteen to twenty stories into the sky. Their white marble surfaces glistened in the sunlight like beacons. We were dropped at the entrance to a large three-story shopping area that looked several times larger than the House of Princes complex. Inside, four-person carts were available for shopping on the ten-meter wide walkways along the shops on the second and third levels. The first floor was wide enough for eight lanes of traffic and had trees, fountains, and food stands with a variety of snacks.
Sophia rented four carts: one for herself, Jovana, and me; one for Zinn and the other two Guards; and two for her official security. We immediately used the ramp to the third level, which I was told contained the high-end stores. In each store, I followed Sophia while Zinn tagged along behind Jovana, acting the dutiful servants there to fetch and carry. Jarde’s troops either remained in the carts or at the entrances, while Jarde walked along with Sophia.
I continued to speculate where a possible attack would most likely occur, if one were to happen while they shopped. Inside a store seemed unlikely. It could only be one or two people, and it would be a suicide mission with so many troops outside. A mass attack was more likely to occur on the walkway, but that would be conspicuous because of the numbers and difficulty in concealing their guns, especially military weapons. Speculating kept me alert while I played the dutiful servant, fetching her selections and carrying them to the dressing room for her.
"You make a good servant," Sophia said, smiling. "I haven’t noticed one strange look in your direction. Must feel strange being out of uniform."
"Very, except for my workout outfit, I don’t own any other clothes."
"You’re joking… No, I guess you’re not. Do you regret the life?"
I laughed. "I had no choice, but to answer your question, I’m content."
"That’s more than most people I know. I had my doubts at first, you being a woman, but I’m glad you’re here." Sophia lapsed into silence as she tried on the outfits she had selected. After a half hour in front of a mirror, she bought two silk outfits, and Jovana bought one after consulting her mother. As we started towards the exit, two men entered, stopped, and stood to the side waiting for us to pass. Politeness? I doubted it based on the way the men’s eyes were tracking Sophia and on the group of men milling around just outside and looking in our direction. Zinn was a couple of steps behind with Jovana and couldn’t get to either man in time to help, so I stumbled, lurched ahead of Sophia, and dropped the bundles I was carrying. Sophia froze.
"You clumsy—" She blurted in reflex. After a second’s hesitation, knives appeared in the men’s hands, and they lunged in Sophia’s direction. I pushed her backward towards Zinn with my arm and stepped into the closest man with my shoulder. His knife glanced off my body armor as I drove him into his partner. I stopped to draw my laser as they stumbled backward, which proved unnecessary. Multiple laser strikes from Zinn, Haber, and Nadel obliterated the men’s heads. Outside, the troops were under attack by the group I had noticed milling around. Two tried to enter but between the four of us, they never got off a shot. Jarde rushed out, but by that time it was all over and bodies lay everywhere.
"Why didn’t you help them?" Jovana’s voice was harsh, and her eyes misty.
"Because we would have had to leave you unprotected," Zinn replied.
"We weren’t in any danger after you shot those men," she persisted.
"Enough, Jovana," Sophia said, clutching her hands to stop them shaking. "The Guard is here to protect us, not the soldiers."
Smart lady, I mused. "Harber, Nadel, see if Colonel Jarde needs any help."
The city police arrived several minutes later and shortly afterward medical personnel. We remained in the store while the wounded were attended, loaded into a medical cart, and taken away. Jarde entered as the city police were loading the dead onto carts.
"What is your status, Colonel?" Sophia asked, concern evident in her face and voice.
"Two troopers dead and two wounded. They will recover." He paused for a deep breath to steady himself. "Six of the attackers are dead and two wounded, one probably won’t recover. The other one said they were here to punish Badal for his sins against Azarias."
Sophia walked past her packages scattered on the floor and directly to the troopers. There she spent several minutes talking with the men and ensuring them their wounded comrades and the dead men’s families would be taken care of. Jarde had them collect her packages, and we returned back to the House of Princes.
When we arrived back, Badal, Sophia, and Jovana retired to the upstairs drawing room, and I brought the team up to date on the day’s activities and made sure the teams were in
place for when the Badals exited the room.
Two hours and several drinks later judging by their expressions and movements, they left the room and entered their own rooms to dress for dinner. An hour later, they met for dinner.
"How would you describe today?" Badal asked, sipping a glass of red wine. Sophia and Jovana’s eyes locked onto me.
"Since you and your family are alive and unhurt, I’d say it was a good day."
"What if one of your… team had been hurt… killed?" Jovana asked. She was still mad about us not helping the troopers.
"Princess Jovana, my team is my family. If any one of them were killed, a part of me would die. But our profession is war; therefore, dying and killing are an inevitable consequence. My first responsibility is to protect our clients. That is the Black Guard’s tradition, but my second responsibility is to minimize the loss of Guard lives."
"How can you do that given your first responsibility?" Sophia asked.
"By being vigilant and anticipating our enemies’ actions."
"Like dropping my packages."
"Yes."
"What if they hadn’t been trying to kill us, but just being polite?" Jovana asked.
"They would have helped pick up the packages," I said. Badal laughed.
* * *
The doors to the conference room had no sooner closed than Fermin pointed a finger at me, looked to the Speaker, and shouted, "I want her arrested. She wantonly murdered two men who were merely being polite and standing aside to let Princess Badal and her daughter pass before entering the store. I knew those men. They weren’t killers."
"I received the city police’s report this morning, Prince Fermin. Witnesses saw those men attack Princess Sophia with knives, and their friends killed two of Prince Badal’s security guards. The report concludes the attack was a planned attempt to harm Princess Sophia to punish Prince Badal." The Speaker sounded tired. "If they were friends, Prince Fermin, perhaps you could help the police determine who was behind the attack."