“You’re not so intimidating without your uniform,” Gillian commented, a quiet reminder to Angel that Joel represented Earth Federation military.
Everyone sat down to eat, catching up on recent events of family and friends. Gillian and Mischka avoided the subject of the change in leadership, preferring to wait until absolutely necessary to tell him.
The table was cleared of the dinner dishes and dessert was served before Joel took charge. “Ok, we’re all friends here. What’s going on? What’s the real reason for this reunion dinner?”
Jason looked to Gillian who nodded once. “We need your help.” At Joel’s nod, Jason continued. “I’m sure you’ve seen the recent headlines about the Sleeping Sickness on Parrhesia?”
“Yes. You were able to cure them like we did on Llanelyn?”
“Yes, though they have no planetary defense shield like Llanelyn’s. Parrhesia is an agricultural, peaceful society, much like Llanelyn.” He paused for effect. “And like Llanelyn, everyone there is human.”
Joel grinned. “I guessed as much. The pulse wave affects so few species and none of the others are genetically compatible with humans,” he said looking pointedly at Angel.
”I’m glad the media hasn’t figured it out yet.”
“What I never figured out was how those human colonies got started.”
Gillian took her turn. “From what Jason and I have discovered through the years, Llanelyn is one of the Seven Lost Colonies.” At his surprised look, she continued, “And we suspect Parrhesia is another of the Seven.”
Joel let their revelation sink in before asking, “So with that significant find, why do you need my help?” He reached for his water glass.
“We need you to get us a meeting with the President.”
Joel choked on the water. “And you think I can get it just like that?” he exclaimed, snapping his fingers.
“The pulse wave affecting Parrhesia is not naturally occurring. It is being projected at the planet by their neighbor.” Jason picked up his water glass.
“Who is?”
“The Drotz.”
Joel stifled several explicatives. “Of course it had to be them. They are well placed with many allies who don’t like us. So why do you need me? Gillian, you could push for that meeting. Or the Parrhesians could.”
Gillian shook her head. “I’m not the Cerato anymore. And you know how long it will take to go through the diplomatic channels. Parrhesia doesn’t have that kind of time.”
“Who is the Cerato now?”
“Angel.”
Joel looked to Angel and remained silent at her confirming nod. He leaned back to stare at the ceiling. “Anything else I should know?”
“That is all the basics. We have proof, should it be needed.”
Joel contemplated the situation for several minutes before leaning forward. “Right. So this is what we should do.” And he outlined his plan for the group.
Gillian smiled when he finished. “That sounds like something your scheming grandfather would come up with.”
“He taught me well.” His boyish grin reminded Gillian of the Tech Lt she had met so many years ago after he had modified the defense shield to block the pulse wave.
“How long will that take?”
“Probably two to four days. It depends on how excited everyone gets.”
“Do you need me for any of that?” Jason asked.
“I shouldn’t, but I will let you know if I do.”
“And as much as I don’t want to, I should probably return home tomorrow,” Gillian said. “When the meeting occurs, I need to be on Llanelyn with the books.”
Jason and Joel agreed.
“Go,” Morgan said. “It sounds like we will have plenty of time over the next several weeks to months to be together.”
“Any questions?” Joel asked. When no one spoke, he turned to Angel and changed the conversation. “So, how was the ascension ceremony and why wasn’t I invited?” he asked with his boyish grin.
Angel told him about the ceremony and the customary trip to the villages, yawning frequently. “Sorry, but I’ve been up almost thirty six arns now, I think.” She turned to Gillian and Morgan. “Would you mind if I went to bed now?”
“Let me show you to your room,” Morgan said.
Mischka nodded to a drowsy Nik. “You too. Tis been more arns than that for you now.”
Nik did not argue and headed for the room he had been staying in.
Once Morgan came back indicating that both were tucked away, Jason turned to Mischka. “So what is the story with Nik? He doesn’t look like a body guard to me, assuming that is his role.”
Quietly so that his voice did not carry into the bedrooms, Mischka explained what he and Tashi had already learned about Nik.
Jason nodded. “Reminds me of someone else,” he said with a grin, glancing to where Mischka sat clasping Gillian’s hand.
“Caution. Angel knows nothing of this yet. I instructed Nik to tell her that I thought she needed a friend with her rather than an old greybeard like me. She does not need the distraction right now of anything else. And we know that she has confided in him. Tis enough for now.”
“So who decided that now was a good time to change leaders?” Joel asked.
“The Gods of Llanelyn,” Gillian said. Mischka squeezed her hand gently to signify his agreement, so she explained the Cerato story and everything Angel had relayed about her visit to the Gods. “Since everything in my dream came true, I believe that war is eminent, most likely to liberate the Parrhesians.”
“That sounds too fantastical to be believable,” Joel commented, “though I know you are telling me the truth.”
“Your grandfather thought as much years ago as well. We have kept that knowledge to ourselves and will continue to do so. Can you image how many would attempt to take over by claiming the story and even figuring out how to fake the aura?”
Joel nodded as Jason spoke up. “Oh, and before I forget, I’ve promised an exclusive to Ryan Jute of the Times.”
Joel sighed. “Yeah, the media is going to have a grand time with all of this.”
“Yes, but at least I trust him to tell the facts.”
Joel looked at the ceiling again for a few seconds, then turned back to face Jason. “We can use that to our advantage. Tell him to leak some information, something about newly found human colonies, breaking news, buzz in the capital, that kind of story. It will play to our advantage.”
“When?”
“The late edition tomorrow or at the latest the morning edition the following morning. That should be ahead of anyone else and still give me time to make it factual.”
They talked about things past and present until midnight when Gillian began to yawn. Joel said good night and left, accepting hugs from Morgan and Gillian before he left. The four friends said good night and headed for bed.
Over breakfast, Jason asked Gillian to delay her trip home until the afternoon. “I’d like you to meet Ryan Jute and when that happens, he will have many questions for you and Mischka.”
“Meaning that you want us to give him an exclusive interview.”
“Yes. Nothing for him to print just yet, but I made a promise that he would know everything he wanted to unless it pertained to security or personal issues. I have full editorial control over what he prints.”
“Basically you want full disclosure and credit for something you should have had thirty plus years ago.” Gillian turned to Mischka, “Tis the best way to get the story told, provided that we like and trust him.”
Mischka nodded grimly.
“Do I need to be there as well?” Angel asked.
“Aiy. You are part of this story now,” Mischka turned to Nik. “Might as well be all of us.”
After breakfast, Jason escorted them to his office at the university, leaving the outer office door open.
“So this is where you work?” Gillian asked as she glanced at the walnut furniture and sturdy leather chair and bookshelves f
illed with medical books.
“I’ve moved offices a few times, but pretty much.” He settled into his chair and brought up a computer screen. He tapped out a quick message to Ryan. “Urgent. Need to talk. Just you. How soon can you meet?”
Jason talked about his office, answering Gillian’s questions until the terminal beeped. He chuckled as he read Ryan’s short response. “Give me ten minutes.”
“He works that close?” Mischka asked.
“The transporter is at the end of the hallway and another is near his office.”
Ten minutes later there was a knock on the inner office door. Jason nodded to Nik to open it and escort Ryan in.
Ryan ignored the student who opened the door and strode straight to Jason’s office. He stopped short at the site of three strangers dressed in robes standing next to Jason. The door closed behind him and he looked startled when the student joined the trio.
“Come on in,” Jason said. “Let’s all sit and be comfortable.”
“Your note indicated it was urgent.”
“It is.” Jason explained the situation as Joel had said to.
“So you want me to print a rumor?”
“It won’t be a rumor. Trust me in that.”
“Who is your insider in the gov to ensure that it isn’t?”
“Off the record and not in the article?”
“Sure.”
“General Joel Peterson.”
Ryan whistled. “You go straight to the top of the power chain don’t you?” He typed on his datapad for a minute or so, then held the pad up. “How does this look?”
Jason read the brief lines and suggested a few editorial changes to add facts that he had not relayed yet. Ryan made the changes. “You’re not a bad writer doc.”
“Years of practice.”
“I’ve already told the editor that I’m working on a new exclusive. He wanted to know the details. Mind if I tell him?”
“I’d rather you didn’t. Just tell him that this is related. He should get a few clues from this.”
“That wasn’t too urgent though,” he said as he looked pointedly to Gillian and the others.
“You did ask to meet my sister-in-law at some point.” He paused for effect. “This is Gillian Caylen. Her husband Mischka. Their granddaughter Angel. And a friend of the family, Nik Landis.” He turned to Gillian. “Gillian, Mischka, Angel, Nik this is Ryan Jute, the only honest reporter in Chicago.”
Ryan rose and offered a hand to each person. Gillian and Mischka shook his hand but Angel held back. Nik reached instead. “No one may touch the Cerato.”
Ryan looked from Gillian to Angel as he shook Nik’s hand automatically. “But I thought . . .”
“Things have changed,” Gillian said smoothly. “I understand that you have questions about Llanelyn.”
Once the initial shock wore off, Ryan switched into reporter mode. “So how did this happen? How are leaders chosen on Llanelyn?”
“Strictly off the record,” said Jason.
“No,” said Mischka.
Gillian kept her smile in place and reached over to take Mischka’s hand. “Mr. Jute . . .” she began.
“Ryan.”
“Ryan, while Jason trusts you, we do not know you. Give us some time and we may or may not answer that question.”
“Fair enough.” For the next couple of hours they discussed the Sleeping Sickness, Parrhesia, and Llanelyn’s culture and scenery. Ryan stuck to innocuous questions and did not delve into any sensitive areas. As they talked, Jason handed Gillian the few previous articles on Llanelyn and Parrhesia that Ryan had recently written. Jason told her what he had already discussed with Ryan, both on and off the record.
“So, doc, what do you want me to do with all this?”
“I suggest you start with the understanding that there is more to come.”
“You mean the buzz.”
“That and more.”
Ryan paused then asked. “Off the record, what is the buzz about? And who is buzzing?”
Jason shook his head. “I can’t give you the scoop here. I don’t know who and the full disclosure belongs to someone even you won’t go against.”
“Who?”
“If we are successful, the President.”
Ryan whistled sharply. “You do dream big.” He paused. “How much does General Peterson really know?”
“Everything. He’s been to Llanelyn many times, including being there for the Sleeping Sickness.” As Ryan raised an eyebrow, Jason continued. “He was attending the university at the time and he devised the shield modulation to block the pulse wave.”
“So what is the buzz about? Really about.”
Jason considered his options. To keep Ryan on their side would be a huge benefit. But to keep him, he needed to give him enough to whet his curiosity even more. “No scoop or leak. And still strictly off the record for now.” Ryan nodded and turned off the recorder.
Jason looked to Gillian and Mischka, who both nodded. “If we are successful, the President will be announcing that Earth Gov has found two of The Seven Lost Colonies.”
Ryan blinked twice. “What?” Jason merely nodded, allowing the reporter to recover from this shock. “Llanelyn?” Again Jason nodded, along with Gillian and Mischka. “And Parrhesia?” A third set of nods. “Damn doc. And you’ve been able to keep this secret for over thirty years.”
“Not exactly. Thirty years ago we had an undocumented human colony. Three weeks ago, we finally had the last proof.”
Ryan sat back and considered everything he had been told, as Jason continued to explain. “Given what you now know of Llanelyn and Parrhesia, can you understand what such a revelation would have been thirty years ago, especially with just one being found? A completely free society living a simple life with minimal defense systems. Now you see why I never answered your questions. To do so would have ended up with this full story, only Llanelyn would have been overrun.”
Gillian spoke up. “Llanelyn is prepared now for most of what this information will cause. Parrhesia isn’t however.”
Ryan sat forward again. “But they have no choice because of the recent events.” He looked around at everyone as they nodded in agreement. “I understand, more than you think I do. Would it be possible to visit with my team and take pictures to go along with the story?”
“No,” Mischka started, only to be stopped by Gillian.
“Perhaps. We will need to think on this.” She turned to Mischka. “If we show the people at work, this could reduce visitors. You know as well as I that the visitors do not want to work.”
Mischka nodded.
Ryan smiled at her. “We normally use pictures that portray the aspects of the situation that we want to emphasize. We will only publish what you want us to. That is my agreement with Dr. DeWitt, though my personal curiosity goes well beyond what I will publish.”
Gillian smiled. “Good. May I tell you a story from our culture?” As Ryan reached for the recorder, Gillian said, “Strictly off the record.” Mischka squeezed her hand gently in agreement.
Ryan sat back, the recorder untouched.
Gillian relayed the Cerato story, watching the reporter closely for when he finally grasped the meaning of the story. “A long time ago a girl had a dream. She was in a boat on Islet Llanelyn, rowing out to the center. When she reached the center, a large whirlpool opened up and drew her in. The whirlpool drew her into the land of the Gods and they told her that she was to be the Cerato and that she must lead her people to safety. For a mighty struggle was coming that only she would know how to save the people from.”
Ryan looked from Gillian to Angel, who nodded. “So this is how the next leader is chosen? From a dream? But anyone could come forward and say they’ve had a dream.”
Gillian felt Mischka’s hand grip her hand tighter. “Yes, they could. That is why this story is only told to Llanelyn children.”
Ryan considered the implication of the story. He turned to Angel. “So you’ve seen the God
s? What do they look like?”
“Just like us, though I suspect they can look anyway they want.”
“Sounds like the proverbial heaven.”
“To some perhaps,” Gillian said. “But not to all. The one that I spoke to, her spouse was an off-worlder and was not able to make the transition. She has to spend eternity without the one she loved.”
“And there didn’t seem to be much to do. Everything just appears when needed,” Angel supplied.
Mischka’s timepiece started beeping. “Tis time.”
At Ryan’s inquisitive look, Gillian said, “I must return home now. I am needed there.”
“Which is the real reason for the urgency this morning,” Jason said.
Ryan nodded and stood, as did everyone else. “It was a pleasure to meet you at last.”
“I’m sure we will be talking more,” Gillian said as she shook his hand.
“Ryan, would you give me a few minutes to escort them out.” Ryan nodded and Jason held the door for Gillian and Angel. Mischka offered his hand to the reporter. “Do not betray our confidence,” he growled.
Ryan felt the enmity of the older man. “I will hold to my agreement with Dr. DeWitt. You can trust me.”
Mischka nodded once and left.
Nik shook hands with the reporter and followed Mischka. “I wish I could do that.”
Mischka chuckled low. “Tis not something easily learned.”
Jason led the group through the crowded hallways to the main doors, “I believe you know the way from here to my apartment. Morgan will meet you there. She wants to see Gillian before she leaves.”
“Aiy. Nik and I will show Angel around some until tonight.”
Gillian offered a hand to Jason, aware of the very public area filling with students and teachers. “See you soon.”
Once they had left, Jason returned to his office. He and Ryan chatted briefly, then said goodbye. Jason headed to his class. After class he had a message from Ryan that made him laugh. “Tonight’s edition. And boy did he ever get the clues. He’s almost salivating. I didn’t even tell him anything about the interview.”
Morgan walked with Gillian to the transporter around lunchtime. “See you in a few days sis.”
War of the Innocents Page 12