After everything that happened it's Isabel that you focus on. Nice.
xmag
Most nations have a dirty history with expansion and conquest against those who are weaker than them. I don't think you can judge them based on the actions of people that lived hundreds of years before.This doesn't depict the Antarian's royal house as good guys. They seeked expansion and they conquered those who didn't want to give up their planets.
keepsmilling7
More interest in Isabel...hmm.
Alien_Friend
Glad you didn't mind the extra long chapter. Prepare for another one.
begonia9508
Well those boys, who know what they are thinking? Oh that's right ME!I love the fact that - being the aliens there - Maria and Liz are doing so well in defence matters!.....as well as Kyle!
Obviously for some reasons Michal and Max doesn't agree!!!!
cjsl8ne
Yeah little Maria, dropping those large men would be quite a site.
Timelord
Glad your enjoying it
DeDe PR
Those guys would never admit to being jealous. I like that you noticed Serena. She's my favourite character in this story. You should always know where Serena it...
Authors Note:
I will have to prepare a paper for publication so I probably won't be posting anything over the next couple of weeks. That is unless I put in some serious procrastination. I've left you with an extra long chapter with nice little teaser so enjoy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 11
The man tied to the chair was balding. Battered and bruised he hung limply forward against his binds, his head hanging down revealing only the sparse stubble that covered his scalp. The slow constricted movements of his back and shoulders gave the only indication that the man was alive.
Light suddenly engulfed the room as the only door was opened behind the tied man. The light revealing bloodied cuts and bruises on the back of the man’s head and the side of his face. Walking into the room a tall lean woman took her place leaning against the wall next to the door as it closed while the other circled around behind the mans chair grabbing’s his head from behind and pulling the body upright, causing the head to drop listlessly back on the neck. As the man’s eyes slowly fluttered the other figure gave the mans face two slaps bringing him back to consciousness.
“How are we feeling today Cal?” his interviewer asked as they continued the path around his chair. Watching for his captor to reach the front, Cal held their gaze for a moment before spitting what he was sure was a collection of stale blood from his mouth.
Seeing Cal’s response, the other person gave an amused chuckle “Very dramatic” turning around to grab a straight back chair sitting neatly under a table further back in the room his interviewer continued “So it’s the silent treatment. Classic” they finished dryly. Turning the back of the chair to face Cal his interview straddled it, resting their arms against the top.
“So” they drew out taking in Cal’s carefully studied defiant expression “Gotta ask. LA? I know the moneys good but how can you stand to be around those people?”
A ghost of a smile crossed Cal’s face “Oh you’re too young my dear. You’ve got to be on this planet for a bit longer before you might understand.” Passing his eyes over his interview he continued “Develop a sex drive.”
“Ooo Ouch” his interviewer replied “I don’t have a problem in that department. But the plastic, isn’t it just like a blow up doll?” they continued enjoying the veiled insults the two were exchanging.
“Oh but they are so well trained.” Cal gave a chuckle of appreciation becoming more at ease with his interviewer.
“You can’t even feel the difference can you” his interviewer replied seeing though Cals façade. He may have had knowledge of some of the Earths carnal pleasures in the past but not recently; they didn’t need any special skills to read the anger and loss that travelled across his face.
Seeing his interviewer had cut through his lie Cal responded honestly “We both know who’s to blame for that.”
“The ‘Child-like Empress’” his captor supplied with a knowing smile
“Couldn’t have put it better myself” Cal chuckled. Honestly they both hated the same person, he didn’t see why they couldn’t work together to achieve the same end.
Getting down to business his captor asked him the question he’d brought him here for “So tell me where they are.”
“You know as well as I do that I can’t do that” Cal responded hating that he had volunteered for this job.
“See I don’t understand you.” His captor replied “You were one of the Bodymen right? One of the most trusted protectors, that was an honour and then you were sent to this...” struggling for the right word the interviewer cast their eyes around the room in disgust “…Rock. To protect a handful of over-bred children who shouldn’t even be alive. It’s a false loyalty Cal” his interview reasoned.
“It’s not false loyalty.” Cal explained, “I want that little shit to pay for everything he’s done to me. But I can’t tell you” he ground out.
“Hatred nice” his capture observed in appreciation “Seems you’ve developed some feelings down here Cally.”
Looks directly at his captor with hatred and disgust he replied “I’m a good actor”
“Oh really?” laughed his captor. Picking up on a gap in Cal’s mental shield they got a quick insight into Cal’s thoughts. “Oh I didn’t think he had it in him” they replied in both shock and excitement at what they had just seen.” Standing they repeated their question again in sing-song voice “Tell me where the King is Cal. You know where to find him.”
Panic stated to seize him as he realised what was about to happen “I told you I can’t. This programming won’t let me!” he shouted. Watching as his interviewer threw their chair away he started to really panic “Don’t you think I’d tell you if I could!”
As a malevolent smile overtook the interviewers face they reassured Cal “Don’t worry you will. You’ll tell me everything.” As their hand extended towards him, Cal’s eyes grew wide in genuine fear as he tried to move his head out of the way of the approaching hand. Hearing a quiet chuckle his captor whispered, “It’s alright” before pain ripped through his head.
~*~*~*~
That morning when everyone gathered for the training session the crowd seemed to have increased, both in the courtyard and around the balconies. That three of the Royals would be training with the Guards this morning was big news and even though this was their first training session, everyone wanted to see them, to see their potential.“Were they like this yesterday?” Michael asked taking in their spectators
Quickly looking up at the gathered crowds Kyle gave him a slap on the back “Sure man.” Giving a short laugh he explained “Come on, the stars have come out today what do you expect?”
Looking around Michael couldn’t believe the numbers that were there to watch their practise session. It’s was a bit intimidating to think about what their watchers might be thinking or expecting of them. It was that expectation that he didn’t like. The shear numbers of people that had greeted them when they first arrived had scared him. The unspoken expectations, are what he feared the most and as they stood in their hundreds waiting to watch them he wondered again how much they expected from them.
They were just three people, how could they free a planet, five planets really, after what Terrence had told them. How could three people do what thousands of people had failed to do over the last fifty years. People with much more experience and knowledge hadn’t succussed, he didn’t know why they thought they would. Feeling a sharp pain in his ribs, he quickly turned around, Kyle had just elbowed him.
“Your not getting stage fright are you?”
Giving Kyle an incredulous look, he rolled his eye “Does sarcasm get you far with the ladies Kyle?” he joked elbowing Kyle in return.
“Low blow man” Kyle told him. During their time on the road Kyle and Michael had become good friends. They had developed a loyalty that only comes from trusting your life completely to someone else. The dry spell in Kyle’s love life had become an in-joke amongst the group. Kyle had initiated it, using it as an excuse to getting out of work, and over time the rest of the group had picked up on it also, until it became a friendly insult. Letting out a small laugh he continued “I sacrificed my sex life for you.”
“I don’t wanna hear that” Michael replied dryly as they both laughed. Their laughter was joined by Max and Isabel who were standing next to them, while the others just smiled at their comments.
Turning around to watch the Guards, keeping an eye out for an indication that their training was about to start, Maria spotted Suto standing by himself nearby. Indicating for him to come over she introduced him to the group “Guys this is Suto.” Having drawn her friends attention, she introduced Isabel before turning to introduce both Max and Michael. Turning her attention to the boys, she was caught off guard by their stony appearance. Faltering momentarily she continuing her introductions while giving Michael a questioning look. She didn’t know Michael had seen her afternoon training session so his reaction to Suto made no sense.
Bowing to both Max and Isabel, he greeted them with a “Your highness” each before saluting Michael “Sir.”
During these introductions Michael eyes remained on Maria, he was watching her to gauge what she was thinking, why she had introduced this man who just yesterday had been all but beating her up. If he admitted his feelings to himself he was jealous and protective, but as he stood there he didn’t understand why he was so concerned about her. While Michael and Maria remained staring at each other, Isabel greeted Suto warmly. Her greeting was followed by Max’s, which was stilted, remembering the treatment both Maria and Liz had received from this guard yesterday. Trying to cover for both her brothers’ manners, Isabel made small talk asking Suto about his life in the Guards and his family. Quickly running out of things to say she subtly surveyed her brothers, they were still glowering. Casting her eyes to her other friends she silently begged them to help.
Michael was broken out of his questioning challenge, by Kyle slapping him on the chest. Reached his hand out to Suto he gripped the other mans hand tighter than was necessary while grunting “Hi”.
“How did you guys meet?” Michael asked with forged innocence, not releasing his grip. As Michael asked this question Max stepped up next to him. Despite the height difference that left the two just under a foot shorter that him, Suto appreciated the full meaning of their intimidation, as did Liz who had both been watching the exchange and reading Max’s emotional response.
“Don’t worry about them their just jealous” she interrupted before any more could be said. Directing her attention to her husband and Michael she continued “Well don’t you two make great first impressions”. Continued her criticism she explained “He’s one of our training partners, as you well know” she articulated the last part, particularly directing it at Michael.”
Understanding drawing on Maria she exclaimed “Is that what this is about!” Turning to face Michael directly she explained “Michael you were fore this. If I’m to get my speed and strength up as quick as possible then I need to train against bigger and stronger opponents.”
“I was fore you learning to defend yourself not for getting thrown around” he murmured for only her ears.
“You think the Skins are going to take a punch but kindly not throw me around?” she asked sceptically while still admiring the sweet sentiment behind his actions.
Not meeting her eyes sheepishly, he gave a noncommittal shrug of his shoulders.
Smiling at his stupidity, she stood on her toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek “That’s so sweet” before turning back to the group. Having received a far more direct and subtle warning jab from Liz, Max spoke up “You better not hurt her”
“Either of them” Michael continued rejoining the conversation.
“Never Sir” Suto replied in fear. He had not been a member of the Black Guard when they were killed but the story of their power was legendary. To have one of his Royals mad at him was something to fear but two was terrifying. Worse than that was the knowledge that he had offended his military Lord and the man that was essentially his King.
He had not expected their human emotions to take such control. The technology that allowed human emotions to be replicated and implanted was only in the development stage at the time of their recreation. It had been theorised about, in the time since their arrival on Earth, the extent to which those emotions would be present in the newly created clones. The popular opinion was that their emotional development would be limited and to fit in, based on the extent of that development, they would most likely have to feign strong feelings. But both Max and Michaels reaction suggested a different situation, the unexpected development of human emotions. The shock at this development was only short lived as the fear he had initially felt from their emotional reaction returned in full force with the knowledge that if controlled by these emotions they won’t necessarily be acting rationally. “I guarantee you. I will protect them” Suto continued hoping to reassure these Royals which he now feared and respected to a greater extent.
Accepting this reassurance Max nodded his head. About to continue talking he was interrupted by Kyle. Behind him, he had noticed the massed movement of the surrounding Guards into the centre. Seeing that people were preparing for their morning training session he cut in “It looks like this fitness convention is about to start.”
Turning around, everyone took in the movement around them. Suto was the first to take his leave. Bowing, he turned and disappeared into the moving crowd. Stepping forward, and prompting the rest of their group into movement, Kyle made his way to the edge of the massed Guards where they had assembled yesterday. Taking up their position, many of the Guards from yesterday circling them, and as one the training started.
~*~*~*~
The sound of a child’s laughter echoed around the playground. Every morning Kate and her son would go to the park after her husband left for work. Her son John loved to play on the equipment and their early morning trip had become a tradition that they followed daily. Collecting a coffee and a muffin from a nearby bakery the two would walk from their home to the park every morning around 9 o’clock. The park was full of the regular walkers and joggers who made their way along the many paths. But the playground, which was usually covered with two or three laughing children was empty today except for one boy swinging slowly back and forth on the swings. Setting herself on the bench to eat her muffin she watched as her son ran towards the playground and pulled himself up the ladder onto the first landing. Running around the landing he found the spiral slippery-dip and jumped down it letting out an excited cackle as he spun down the slide. Toppling out of the entrance he got back to his feet straight away before running back to the ladder and pulling himself back up.
As she watched her son she couldn’t help smiling as he enjoyed himself on the equipment. Casting her eye to the other boy at the playground, he was ignoring her son and she assumed that he was just skipping school. He looked to be twelve or thirteen and as he moved back and forth she could see the white headphones coming out of his ears and falling inside his jacket.
Not overly concerned with him she turned her attention back to her son who had now made his way to the second platform of the playground and was running across the rope bridge to a set of outlying platforms that had a set of monkey bars and a flying fox leading back to the main playground. Standing on the outlying platform, John reached his arms up, stretching to grab the flying fox that hung above his head.
Putting her coffee down Kate stood laughing. Hearing the frustration in her son’s voice as he tried to reach a bar that was well out of his reach she called out “Wait a second sweetie” as she made her way to him. Playfully fixing the hat on her sons head she counted “1, 2, 3” and lifter her son with ease so his little arms could reach the bar. Holding his body loosely, so he could still feel the freedom of the flying fox she whispers “Ready?” in his ear and feeling the definite nod of his head she whispered “We’re off” and gave her son’s body a tug. Flying along the bar, John again let out an excited squeal of laughter as he moved along the flying fox. Reaching the end he called “again, again” as he tried to twist his body in the other direction to fly back. Turning him around, they went along the flying fox and came back again before John tried to wriggle out of her hold and ran around to another platform. Returning to her seat she picked up her coffee and had a seat as she noticed what looked like a large group of workmates setting up to play soccer nearby.
Turning her attention back to her son, she could see him now on the third and highest platform looking through the coloured windows with painted faces on them. Standing up he waved at her over the top of the balcony before ducking back down to pull a face at her through the windows. Pulling a face back she watched as he ran around the corner, crawling through a plastic tunnel and popped up again at the big slippery-dip. Seeing what he was about to do too late she jumped up just as she saw him launch himself head first down the slid. Rushing around the playground to check on what she was sure was to be her crying son she found him face to face staring at the other boy.
She could see that his hands were bleeding, but he didn’t make a sound as he stood stiffly facing the other boy. The boy was no longer on the swing, instead he stood watched her son, a mixture of surprise and interest on his face. In contrast John, slowly tried to back away in fear. Reaching her hand out to him as she moved closer, she watched the boy suspiciously while murmuring “Come here buddy” to her son. She was not sure what made her son uneasy but she would trust it and took it as a signal that it was time to go.
“Where do you think you’re going” the boy asked, his demeanour changed completely as he watched them menacingly.
Uncertain about the change in this strange boy she opted for the scolding mother “None of your business young man”
“None of your business young man” he repeated laughing “you think I care? The kids coming with me.”
Reaching his hand out, the boy grabbed John’s arm. Not crying like she suspected he would, he stood in silence glaring at the older boy with unbridled hatred. “Let go of me” he said in a commanding voice that she was shocked came from her four year old son.
Stepping forward she ground out “Let go of my son” as she reached towards where the boy was holding her son.
Laughing again and yanking her sons arm so he now stood beside him, the boy replied “But he’s not really your son is he?” before laughing again.
Reaching out with her hand she was going to grab the boy and physically separate them “He’s my son now let go of him.” As her hand grabbed at the boys arm she noticed her son also reaching around to push at the boys chest. Grasping his arm she felt herself pushed backwards as she noticed a soccer ball fly into view and collide with the boys head. Feeling his grip release on her son, she held on as she was thrown back with what she assumed was inertia.
Sitting up she noticed that the boy had also been thrown backwards over the swing. Pulling himself up he brushed the sleeves of his jacket before readjusting the cuffs. Keeping his gaze firmly fixed on her and her son he threatened “You’re going to pay for that.” Reaching into his jacket at his chest near where John had pushed him away, fear suddenly shot through her – he had a gun!
Pulling John behind her, her vision of the boy was obscured as she felt herself thrown backwards again. She’d been shot. That was the only explanation for what had happened, but before she could register that she felt no pain, her body was harshly pulled upright and between two people she was carried away. It took her a second to realise that she no longer had hold of her son before she started screaming for them to give him back. As she struggled against her captors she kicked and twisted, turning her head to see her son.
Twisting her body to the side she finally go a glimpse of her son. Carried by one man, they were surrounded by a large group of men and women who were variously dressed in sporting and business attire. Held in the arms of a man in a business suite her son was laughing happily as they raced across the park.
Seeing her son safe, Kate calmed down enough to stop struggling against her captors and for her to ask fearfully “What do you want with us?”
Receiving no answer, and seeing a black van pull up she started struggling again, screaming in the hopes that someone might hear and come help. Seeing the sliding door to the van open the man holding John placed him on one of the bench seats. Seeing the man step out of the way, she launched herself at him as soon as she felt her captors grip loosen.
Hearing the door slide shut behind her she collected her son in her arms and held him tight as tears, which hadn’t fallen before, ran down her cheeks. Feeling John’s fingers grip her arm as he hugged her back she felt the van lurch into action, pulling out of the park and onto the road they moved with great speed along the streets.
~*~*~*~
Getting herself under control, the van moved further along the city streets. Sitting forward in her seat she tried to figure out where they were going. Having moved to Boulder only one year previous she was at a disadvantage, she wasn’t familiar with every part of the city and looking through the front window Kate found herself travelling throw an unknown part of town. Moving out of the town on one of the lesser-used roads she gripped her sons hand tightly as she made the decision to speak up before they both disappeared and became a missing persons re-enactment.“What, do you want with us?” she stammered, regaining the use of her voice again after screaming and crying. Seeing a road sign pass on the side of the road she realised they were heading north towards Jamestown.
“We’re taking you to safety” their driver said. Looking at him properly for the first time she realised that their driver was the man who had carried John into the van.
“He was just a kid” she said in confusion. Thinking back on the events that had led up to their kidnapping she remembered the gun. Quickly checking herself and then John for any gunshot wounds she murmured in shock “He had a gun.”
“Humh?” the driver asked is question, turning again from the road to look at her “Oh yeah. A gun”
“Well thankyou” she said confused. She didn’t want to appear rude considering these people had saved both her and her son. But nothing about this situation felt right. “If you don’t mind I’d feel better if we could turn around and go to the police”
“It’s not safe” came the reply from the drivers seat as they continued along the road.
“It’s not safe” she repeated in confusion “It’s just a kid with a gun, the police can handle that. And what about other people, if they come across him?” she asked, hoping to persuade him to change his mind. “The police need to be notified”
“The police will not be able to help you Mrs Harris” the driver replied in a wry voice.
Gripping her son’s hand tighter she asked in renewed fear “How do you know my name?” Reaching across to the sliding door she pulled on the clasp only to find it locked. “I want you to let me out now” she demanded, the panic simmering just below the surface.
“Mrs Harris, I am sorry but this is for both you and your sons safety. We must get you to a safe place. That boy was more than he appeared to be.” Wanting to see if she had any questions or objections the driver watched Kate through the rear view mirror “We have been watching you for sometime in case something like this happened”
“But what did he want?” she asked in confusion “Why was he after my son?”
“I’m sorry Mrs Harris I can’t answer that”
“You can’t answer that?” she asked dubiously “or won’t” she continued to herself, thinking that it would be easier to teach a snail to curtsy than get information from this man. “What about my husband” she asked in a forced calm voice “We’re meant to be meeting him for lunch. We do it every day, so he’s expecting us” she added the last part, still hoping that she could get him to turn around.
“You lying Mrs Harris. And we’ve already picked him up” the driver replied without a second thought
“Well when will I see him?”
“Soon. When we meet up with the other van we’ll stop quickly and he can get in here.”
As they drove on in silence, Kate started to look around the inside of the van. It was a family mini van that had had its side windows removed and replaced by panels. From her position on the bench seat behind the driver she could see the scenery pass them by through the front windscreen.
Beside her John had started to fidget. Pulling on her hand, where she still held his tightly, he started to complain. After the excitement of their abduction he had sat in silence instinctively knowing that he needed to be quiet, but now he was getting inpatient. Pulling again on her hand he leant forward with his little arm extended, his fingers straining in front of him, towards the pocket in the back of the drivers chair. Visible, sticking out the top of the pocket was a thin blue book featuring a partial cartoon image. Releasing her son’s hand, Kate rested it on his leg, stopping his movement as she reached for the book. It was a colouring book, handing it to her son she reached into the pocket again and found a case with crayons in it. Opening the book she laid it on his lap as he took up the crayons. Happily entertained, John quieted again allowing Kate’s suspicions to take hold.
“You were expecting to take us, weren’t you?” she hissed leaning forward in her seat to speak in the driver’s ear.
“I already told you, we were watching you for any dangers”
“No but you were expecting it to happen.” She accused keeping her voice low “You wouldn’t have had a colouring book if you didn’t think something would happen. That you’d be taking us. Normal people don’t have that stuff in their car”
“We all have them in our cars Kate” the driver said with an air of smugness “Be prepared” he said with the same smugness, turning to face her momentarily with a half smile and giving the three-fingered salute.
Sitting back in annoyance, she leant over John’s shoulder watching as he coloured. Trying to calm herself down she started talking to her son quietly about his drawing. Pointing at one of the picture she commented on how well he was colouring. But despite what she was saying her mind was still analysing everything the driver had told her. He kept saying ‘we’, ‘we are protecting you’, ‘we have them’ and the large number of people which had appeared in the park suggested that some organisation or large group was behind their abduction. She still wasn’t certain if these people meant any harm or were telling the truth. There was nothing she could do at the moment. She was trapped in this van with her son.
They continued to travel for another half hour, as she watched her surroundings trying to keep track of where they were. Turning onto a dirt road south of Winter Park the van stopped suddenly. Hearing movement outside, the door suddenly slid open revealing the worried face of her husband.
“Jack” she cried in both shock and relief as he stepped into the van, reaching for both her and John even before he had sat down. Hearing the door slide closed behind her and the jerk of the van moving Kate kept her head buried in her husbands neck, not wanting to let go. “I’m so glad your here” she whispered not releasing her grip “What have they told you? I have no idea what’s going on.”
“They came into work and told me that you and Z had nearly been hurt and were being moved to safety.” Sitting back he brushed her fringe as he quickly checked that she was alright. “They asked me to come with them. They said someone had tried to hurt us and while they searched for them they had to get us to a safe location.”
Nodding her head as she took in his information, she appreciated the irony that she had just received more information from her husband who had also been abducted that from her apparent rescuer. She also noticed her husbands reference to additional people involved in this operation. Suddenly feeling the answer was important, Kate leant forward again “How many of you are there?” The more she thought about it the more bizarre this situation felt. No government organisation would carry on in this way, she was convinced this had to be some large private organisation but she could not understand what they wanted with her and her family and why anyone would want to hurt them.
Answering obliquely, her irritation at the driver returned “Enough to keep you safe.” Kicking the back of his seat in frustration, her son looked up from his colouring to see what the fuss was about. Getting herself under control she allowed herself to be drawn into Jack’s arm where she tried to calm down under his soothing touches. Taking a deep breath she lay her head on his chest as she watched their van turn onto the highway behind a silver SUV, telling herself there was nothing she could do until they arrived at their destination.
~*~*~*~
It was mid morning and their training had progressed to choreographed fight scenarios. Starting out slowly they walked through the moves, a series of punches and blocks parried back and forth. Perfecting their execution their speed increased until they were moving in real time. Moving smoothly, confident in their actions they stepped and punched, aiming accurate blows at their partners face and body. These blows were counted by their partner who swerved and blocked, before jabbing and punching in return.While they practiced a drone started coming from the entrance tunnel. Echoing, the noise built and amplified as it approached. The sound of the approaching vehicle drew the attention of many of the Guards who stopped their training or stood on the balcony. As the noise became deafening Max noticed Terrance had also appeared on the balcony accompanied by Solon, both of them stood watching with shared troubled expressions on their faces.
Turning back to the tunnel the sound suddenly became clear as a black van appeared, driving into the courtyard followed by a silver SUV. A shout from Jaris drew the Guards back into their training. Despite this Max, and Michael remained standing watching the parking vehicles.
Something about the van drew Max’s attention, he wasn’t sure what it was but he couldn’t look away. The door to the SUV opened and a woman stepped out wearing three-quarter tights with a singlet top and a baseball cap. From the passenger door another woman stepped out wearing a brown pencil skirt with a navy ruffle shirt. Two men in business attired also stepped out of the SUV, moving quickly they ran past the van into the main entrance hallway and disappeared.
Not realising what he was doing, Max had moved towards the van. Feeling Michael’s hand on his arm he turned to look at him before tuning back to the van after hearing the slam of the car door. Ignoring Michael he took another couple of steps forward meeting the suited driver in front of the van. “What happened?”
Stepping around him, the driver gave Max an incredulous look “That’s none of your business Guardsman.”
Stepping up to Max’s side in his defence Michael spoke with authority “I think it is.”
Standing with his hand on the door the man gave them an annoyed look before pulling to door to the van open “You have no right to question my authority on this”
Speaking from behind them, Terrance’s voice came as a shock “They have the right Sooen”
Giving them a questioning look he took a stepped forward away from the side door of the van. “Sir.” He addressed Terrance before again returning his eyes to the two men.
“This is Max Evans and Michael Guerin” Terrance said, introducing the two men in front of him.
Looking at them, the shock registered on his face. He appeared lost for words as he took a step back his mouth slightly open in confusion. “I – I had no idea” he stammered quickly trying to amend his last statement. “Sir…” he started but the rest of his apology was lost as Max looked past him.
His attention was caught by a young man appearing at the mouth of the van. The man was in his mid twenties, dressed casually in a pair of cargo shorts he stepped out of the van cautiously taking in first, the massed Guards dressed in their black uniforms engaged in a continuous cycle of combat, before turning around to see the black figures gathering on the balcony. Dropping his eye to their small group, Max saw that his attention was drawn by someone else in the van. Turning to the van he said something, too quietly for him to hear before extending his hand inside.
Feeling Liz approach, he extended his hand behind him without looking. Feeling her hand slip into his she gave it a squeeze asking quietly “What is it?”
Looking back at her he answered “I don’t know” confused why he was drawn to the van. “I just can’t…” he trailed off not sure what he had been meaning to say.
Nodding her head in support Liz watched as Max’s attention was drawn back to the van. Standing next to the man now, was a young woman. Looking younger than the man, her red hair was cropped short in a stylish boys hair cut. Holding his hand she spoke into the van before standing with her back turned to the entrance, taking in her surroundings.
Hearing someone approach from behind Max turned his head slightly to see Michael moving towards him closely followed by Terrance with Maria and Kyle bringing up the rear. A look of excitement was on Maria’s face, but as he turned his attention to Michael he saw a troubled expression cross his face. Terrance or Sooen seemed to have told them whatever had happened. Forcing himself not to look at the van, he asked “What?”
“Max there’s something you need to know” Michael said slowly, standing at his side.
Holding Liz’s hand tighter he nodded his head “Ok”, waiting for Michael to continue. Whatever he had to tell him was important so he waited patently feeling the nerves build. Michael seemed to take forever to start talking, he looked troubled as though he didn’t know how to start. As he waited, the need to turn back to the van built. Of their own accord his eyes slipped back to where the couple stood close together watching them.
“The van has…” Michael started but trailed of. Turning away, searching for the right words, he looked towards the van and saw that the woman had started to move towards their group. Breaking off whatever he was about to say he watched as she drew near, her husband following slightly behind. “Can I help you?”
“Yeah. Do you want to explain to me why we are here?” she demanded of them.
“You don’t know?” Max asked confused. These people obvious had no idea who or more specifically what they were, so he was unsure why these people had been brought here at all.
Immediately turning to Max, Michael lay his hand on his arm and tried to pull him off to the side “Man, there’s something I need to tell you” he said emphatically. “Now” he added giving his arm another tug.
“No you don’t get to walk away” she said, her hand reaching out quickly to grab Max’s wrist. She wasn’t going to let another person walk away from her and not explain what had happened.
“Hey!” Liz exclaimed, reaching to remove the woman’s hand.
Immediately letting go, she took a step back with her hands raised “Sorry”. Directing her gaze a Max, she spoke emphatically “We were taken from the park. I think I’ve been more than patient after me and my son were abducted.” Needing air, she took a ragged breath, her eyes shone with unshed tears. “We deserve an explanation.”
“You’ll get one” Michael cut in stepping to the side indicating for the couple to make their way past them. Standing her ground she looked at Michael sceptically “I swear” he assured her, indicating for her to move past him.
Remembering the woman talking to someone when she first stepped out, Max looked behind the couple back to the van. Seeing movement near the open door of the van a small hand appeared on the frame before a small capped head looked out.
The shock that travelled through Max was paralysing. That face was uncomfortably familiar. The soft angled jaw of youth hinted at the chiselled feature that the boy would soon grow into. Peeking out under the sides of the cap, small brown ringlets curled at his ears and framed clear blue eyes that were wide in a mixture of curiosity and fear. As he looked around the courtyard his eye eventually travelled to their group and stopped on Max. Locking eyes with him, the boy smiled and gave a small, uncoordinated wave with his little hand before gripping the frame and dropping his foot over the edge, reaching with his toes for the ground.
“Let me get my son” the man said, breaking Max out of his shock as his head whipped around to see the guy turning and making his way back the van.
Realisation then hit him, all the pieces coming together clearly in his mind. These people had been under their protection and something big had happened. That little boy whose face had haunted him over the years. He knew who these people were, and the fear, pain and nerves, which attached his entire system caused his throat to constrict, choking out a single word like a plea “Zan”.
~*~*~*~