by Bob Cooper
“O’Malley’s got the amulet!” Raina screamed.
Hillary saw O’Malley running across the street.
“Billy, you have to stop him and get it back,” Hillary said.
“Okay,” he said running after him, not knowing anything about the amulet.
With no time to ask questions, Billy caught up to O’Malley and tackled him. The amulet fell on the ground next to him. They both scrambled to grab it.
Billy scooped it up and rolled back up on his feet. O’Malley reached for his blaster and pointed it at him. Billy kicked it out of his hand, running back towards Acey.
“I got it,” he said to Raina giving her back the amulet.
Acey held Raina tightly. “What the hell were you thinking?” she whispered.
“I have it on tape. I have it all recorded,” Raina said, trying to catch her breath.
Acey looked up to see several weapons of various sizes pointed at her.
“Don’t make a move,” they shouted as they pushed Hillary and Billy to the ground.
25
Acey left the classroom and walked into the crisp fall air. Breathing deeply, the scent of the desert invigorated her—feeling like a totally new person. Passing by the north tower, she looked up at the top office window. Dirk wasn’t there anymore. The office light was off with no visible signs of activity. It all happened so fast. The trial ended with the city as polarized as ever. The media whipped the various factions into a frenzy with its salacious presentation of the events. There were plenty of gory pictures of Bob Haskall with his head bashed in and acrimonious testimony from the best witnesses O’Malley’s money could buy.
It wasn’t until Tony was able to cut a deal with the District Attorney to get Franz to testify against O’Malley that the tide turned. With Raina’s testimony and recording she acquired at the bar, and with Franz’s testimony, O’Malley was put away for a long time.
Acey walked into the coffee shop to find Hillary sitting in the corner with Billy.
“Hey! Come join us,” Hillary said.
“How are you guys doing?” she asked hugging Hillary.
“We’re going over my portfolio for admission to the Art Institute,” Billy said.
Acey looked through the portfolio. There was a lot of Hillary’s influence there, but Billy’s style was very evident.
“What are you going to do about the business with your father?” Acey asked.
“Well, I’m working there part-time right now and will be training my cousin, John soon. He expressed an interest in joining the business, and my father and uncle agree he would be a good fit. My Grandmother is helping me with the tuition, so I applied to the Art Institute for this coming semester.”
“That’s great,” Acey congratulated.
“How’s Aidan doing?” Billy asked.
Hillary kicked him under the table and gave him a dirty look.
“I mean, well, I haven’t seen you two….”
“It’s okay,” Acey said, hiding her pain. “Getting discharged from the Citizen Guard was pretty much expected. When all the charges against him were dropped, even Tony was surprised. But Aidan was crushed from his dismissal. I haven’t been able to find him the last couple of days, and he hasn’t returned my calls,” Acey said, playing with the spoon in the coffee cup.
“I’m sure he will call,” Hillary said.
Acey downed the rest of the coffee in one large gulp.
“I’ll see you guys at Dirk’s retirement party tonight,” Acey said getting up to leave.
Everyone expected Dirk to return to the Academy and resume his teaching position, but he had other plans. With all that time to think in the cell, Dirk decided to retire from his tenured position at the Academy. With the deciphered information from Antares, he planned to start a foundation for the development of free, clean energy in his son’s name. With his connections, funding would not be difficult, and some well-known scientists had already contacted him about offering their services.
***
Dirk waited for Raina to show up for lunch. The outdoor café was at the north end of the campus, and he gazed at the bell tower on the administration building. It wasn’t that long ago that his life was consumed with what went on in there. That’s where it all happened—decisions that made or broke careers, the long-into-the-night debates that could crush egos, and the sweeping changes that impacted society. A few weeks ago, he was part of that machine. But today it didn’t faze him in the least to be on the outside looking in. There were more important things that he wanted to accomplish.
Raina entered through the side door, her long, black hair flowing as she made her way to the table. With the exception of her stature, there wasn’t much that resembled his son physically, but there was the drive to understand and an inquisitiveness that she must have inherited from him. Sitting at the table, she smiled.
“I’m glad you could make it. I know how busy you are,” Dirk said.
“Thanks. These last few days have been really hard. I’ve been thinking about the testimony at the trial about how O’Malley had my mother killed. Now that I know the truth about what happened to her, I can put that chapter of my life behind me, but the pain hurts.”
“It will always be there. You can choose to succumb to it, or you can move on. You have a bright future ahead of you.”
“How do you deal with all the adversity in your life?” Raina asked.
“Whenever those feelings and thoughts of loss come to me, I immediately think of everything I have—Acey, my career, and now you.”
Cheated out of a loving family life, Raina wanted desperately to belong.
“Thank you,” was all she could say, hiding back the tears and squeezing his hand.
“Enough of this mushy stuff. Are you coming to my retirement party tonight?”
“Yes, I’ll be there. Acey is picking me up.
“Good, I have some surprises.”
***
Aidan packed the last of the boxes in his apartment. It was a spur of the moment decision, but he believed there was no other way. Ever since he was a little boy, he knew what he wanted to do. Raised by a father who was a superhero in his eyes, there really was no other choice. His education, extracurricular activities, and even his friends were strategically arranged to guide him into a life as a Citizen Guard. And now, he was not only a big disappointment to his father’s memory but to himself as well.
Packing the last box, a picture of him and Acey fell from a desk drawer. He picked it up and studied it carefully. It was on their first real date—a picnic in the desert mountains. Another couple offered to take their picture just as he laid out the blanket and assorted foods. It looked staged, but it was his attempt to impress her with his spontaneity. He gently wrapped the frame and laid it in the box. Sitting on the floor with his back against the wall, he stared at the ceiling.
The last time he saw her was at the sentencing. They all showed up to lend their support. He knew what the outcome was going to be—the sentencing was only a formality. Even so, the worst part was when they took his badge from his uniform and banished him from ever serving in the Guard again. He stood there stoically as they read their proclamations—not hearing any of them. His eyes were locked on Acey, who was crying until he was unceremoniously led out the back door. He didn’t talk to anyone but left as quickly as he could. Driving around for a while, he ended up at the cemetery. Having been there many times, he pulled into the parking lot and walked down the path to the third gravestone on the left. There he cried for hours while talking to his father.
***
Acey was in the kitchen, peering out into the restaurant. It was getting crowded as the various Academy dignitaries poured in from the chilly desert night. Dirk chose this venue because it provided a friendly and warm environment to celebrate with his friends and colleagues. The Academy had too many memories—some of which he would rather forget. Dirk pared down the invitations to his closest friends and chose the intimate atmosphere of his
favorite Italian restaurant. The aroma of the sauce boiling in huge pots made her stomach growl. The cake sat on a makeshift table along with the cookies and other Italian delicacies. The place was full, and the wine flowed.
“I’m ready,” Dirk said, standing behind Acey.
Dirk was not one for formal wear, but he did have on a midnight blue tuxedo with all the matching accessories. His hair was slicked back, and he looked very regal and dashing.
“Okay, here we go,” she said, making a last-minute adjustment to his collar.
The door swung open, and Dirk walked in with Acey on his arm. The crowd broke out in a standing ovation as they sat at the head table. One of the servers laid a bouquet of flowers on the table and poured them a glass of wine. Dirk stood up and thanked the crowd, motioning them to take their seats. Someone shouted a toast from the back, and the applause started all over again. Calming the crowd again, he looked around the room. He was blessed to have such good friends. Not preparing any speech, he took a deep breath and walked out from in front of the table.
“I owe my life to all of you,” he said in almost a whisper. “You believed in me against the tide of public opinion. You supported me when very few were willing. Your actions restored my faith in society. There were times when despair got the best of me, but when I saw you campaigning for justice on the media, it lifted my spirits. The person responsible for our freedom sits right there, he said, pointing to Tony. Without his hard work and unconditional belief in our innocence, we would not be here.”
He turned to Acey. He held her hand and motioned her along with Hillary, Raina, and Billy to come up to the podium.
“This is my family. The events of the past months took us on the greatest adventure of my life. They put their lives in jeopardy for me. This adventure not only led to the truth behind the depths of O’Malley’s brutality, but also to the discovery of my Granddaughter—Raina.”
There was mild chatter as most of them got their first close-up look at her, even though the media coverage was full of her pictures. He put his arms around Acey, and Raina and the entire room broke out in applause. He walked up to Hillary and Billy.
“Hillary and Billy are also part of our family,” he said, smiling at them. “Without their involvement, I would not be standing here now.”
There was more applause as the crowd stood up. Dirk searched the room for one more person. He found him barely visible by the side door.
“There is one more part of my family that I would like to bring up here,” he said, turning to the side entrance.
Everyone turned and looked in Aidan’s direction. He was somewhat startled. Acey gave out a muffled cry. Dirk motioned for him to come up, but Aidan stood motionless—frozen. Dirk walked through the crowd and embraced Aidan, ushering him up front. He positioned him next to Acey. She smiled at him, and he smiled back.
“I want you to meet one of the finest gentlemen I have ever had the chance to meet. Aidan Carter was a member of the Citizen Guard until he was expelled because he followed his heart in doing what he believed was right. I will never forget what you did for Acey and me. If there is anything I can do for you, you can rest assured I’ll be there for you.”
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to know you, sir,” Aidan responded in true military fashion.
Aidan glanced over to Acey, who was staring at him intently. “I’d like to talk to you,” he whispered.
Acey knew what he must be going through, but this was the first time he talked to her since they were exonerated.
“I would like that,” she whispered back.
They stood there for the applause to die down and took their seats when someone from the audience shouted out.
“So what do you plan to do next, Dirk?”
Dirk turned around to address the question after everyone sat down.
“I am starting a research foundation in my son’s name to continue his work to provide a clean, free energy resource. The work that he has done and the work that Acey is doing to decipher the codex, along with the technical specs we got from the citizens of Antares will keep me busy for a long time. I consulted with some colleagues, and they are willing to back me financially. Starting next week, the foundation will be formally in business.”
This was by far Acey’s proudest moment—to see Dirk’s honor restored with new vigor and energy in his life. When the party ended, it was quite late.
“Acey, I need to talk to you,” Aidan said, mustering all his courage.
“Why haven’t you contacted me?” she asked.
Aidan could see she was upset so he suggested they walk down by the park, thinking that the walk would soften what he had to say.
“Look, I know you’re upset, and I don’t blame you, but I’ve been trying to piece my life together.”
“And how do I fit into your life?”
“You are and will always be part of my life. But I don’t know what my life will be. I won’t be any good to you or myself. Please understand. I love you, and always will. But without the Citizen Guard, I have no idea who I am or what I should be doing.”
Acey grabbed him and hugged him, tears running down her face.
“I understand. I really do, but I just wish you let me help,” she said sobbing in his ear.
Aidan held her tight and kissed her. She felt the wetness on his cheeks.
“I’m going away for a while. Up in the mountains where I can think things through. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone,” Aidan said, letting go of her and walking away.
Acey stood there paralyzed watching him leave. Sobbing, she turned and went to her vehicle. Unlocking the door, someone approached her.
“I saw you walk away with Aidan. Thought you could use some company,” Raina said, putting her sweater around Acey.
Acey turned and hugged her.
“Thanks, but I’m okay,” Acey said, still sobbing.
Raina looked at her with a twisted smile.
“Alright, so you got me at a bad moment,” Acey said, smiling back and wiping the tears.
“Hey, why don’t you stay at my place tonight? I never had a sister sleepover. Come to think of it. I never had anyone sleepover.”
“I would like that,” Acey said. “I really would.”
The Progenitor Project
Book 2
The Antares Codex Series
By Bob Cooper
1
The hovercraft skimmed across the crystalline particles of black sand and ice kicking up a small haboob from behind, making it difficult to see. With a surface temperature of minus 231°C, the dwarf planet, Eris, located in the Kuiper Belt, was the furthest from the Sun. Even with the protective spacesuit, the cold seeped in. Setting the craft down close to the mineshaft, she unloaded her tools on to a gravity sled and entered the elevator. A slight wisp of dust fell as the elevator creaked and complained about its trip down the four-hundred-foot tube. Red lights flashed, and a loud whoosh sounded as the doors opened to a more Earth-like environment. Taking off her protective gear, Acey breathed the manufactured oxygen and took out the handwritten map that mine supervisor, Joe Turner, gave to her.
Do what you need to do and do it quickly. I know you people like to doddle around examining everything you find, but I’ve got to get this Iridium ore dug up and hauled away in three weeks. And whatever you do, don’t come back and tell me that these things need to be sent back for analysis, he said to her.
With those words ringing in her ears, she walked into the dimly lit shaft. Creaking sounds echoed with every turn in the mine, and it spooked her. When the supervisor asked someone to accompany Acey, no one stepped forward to volunteer. They treated her as a necessary nuisance. The mining laws were very clear about what to do when artifacts were found, but few companies followed the rules—choosing to bulldoze over them and continue with the more lucrative aspects of their operations.
Graduating from the Academy with a degree in Astro-Archaeology over a year ago, Acey applied for work to a
ll the major corporations only to find there wasn’t much interest in Archaeology—not much money in it either. Most people in her field pursued teaching or museum work, but she wanted to travel and explore other worlds, so she chose to pursue this route.
The mining company was a small, privately held corporation with headquarters in Central America. The Brothers inherited it from their parents, but unfortunately, neither of them had a clue about running a company or turning a profit. It was at the interview when Acey examined their financial statements and asked pertinent questions about the financial condition of the business, that the Brothers became interested in her. None of the other job candidates asked those questions, and her financial savvy impressed them. Acey tried to steer the conversation back to archaeology, but it became evident they didn’t want to hear any of it. After four hours, she left totally disgusted. No sooner had she walked out of the building when her com-link buzzed. The Brothers asked her to come back. Against her better judgment, she found herself sitting in front of them with their attorney.
“I have a job offer for you,” their attorney said, handing her a one-page, hand-written document.
Taking the document, Acey studied the men. This must be some kind of joke, she thought. Reading through the scribbling, she noticed little mention of her archaeology skills. The starting salary was small, but she would get ten percent of the gross profit of any mining operations. They wanted her to spend a lot of her time as their financial advisor. She was ready to decline and walk out when she noted the last sentence; … and accompany each mining mission aboard any one of the five expedition class vessels to survey the site for archeological evidence as required by mining law 24.7-2 of the Federated Mining Treaty.
She signed the document that day. One week later, she found herself on Eris walking down the mineshaft where the artifact was discovered.