I could count the number of times I’d been in the Military Intelligence building at Ft. Chelsea Piers. It was the most secure building in New Aeterna. Five stories of sealed shut, floor-to-celiing bullet proof tinted glass windows. Top secret shit went on here. Things like figuring out what to do when extra-national organization is trying to destroy the peace between humans and Angels.
It doesn’t help when the head of said extra-national organization is sitting at the head of the conference table right beside Paris Prince. General Kellers had kept his mouth shut when Paris came into the SitRep meeting with Anne Lynne by his side. As the head of the New Aeterna military, General Kellers liked protocol, tradition and order. Having Anne around was none of those things.
Auxiliary military generals and military police chiefs were also around the conference table. Rows of military officers were seated behind us, all the seats were filled except Vassey and Seraphina’s chairs. The assistant warden had given the update on the teenagers we’d arrested during the raid.
“After questioning the teenagers who took part in the attacks at the parade.” The assistant warden said, “We can’t confirm that they were recruited by The Unification Party . . . we have no physical evidence to prove it. At this point we can’t get charges to stick against the kids for the explosives or treason, if anything we can just charge them for the vandalism.”
The assistant warden sat down and Paris cleared his throat.
“What about Ravi?” Paris asked turning to look at General Kellers who was running the investigation into the attacks.
“We can’t find him.” Kellers said, “Since the Unification Party is U.S based, I’m not sure what else we can do.”
“… I’ll have to talk to the U.S ambassador.” Paris said.
“Good luck”, Kellers said, “The Unification Party has been keeping to themselves since Giuliani’s death. No one knows anything. “
Anne shifted slightly, fighting the sly smile that wanted to creep on her face. I can only assume The Unification Party closing ranks was her idea. She was particular like that. Earlier, an aide had set water in front of her. She’d inspected the glass and promptly asked for a bottled water.
“I don’t understand”, Anne said snapping her silk fan shut and looking up at the sea of uniformed men.
“Excuse me, ma’am”, Kellers said fighting to be polite.
“I mean”, Anne said, “A hostile organization comes into our country on our day of celebration and creates millions of dollar in damages, injures hundreds and kills . . . how many was it Mr. Kellers?
“9 deaths and that’s General Kellers.”
“Kills dozens”, Anne says without missing a beat, “and we’re just going to talk to the ambassador?”
“I’m sorry, who are you ?" Kellers asks but he is looking at Paris.
“Anne is an old friend of mine from the resistance”, Paris answers, “She has.... valuable insights and I’m bring her in to . . . consult.”
“Well, she’s running her damn mouth.” Kellers said. His
thick New Jersey accent coming through.
“Excuse me, Sir”, Anne says slamming her hand down on the table, “But I will
not have you address me that way. I can clearly see that this room is a boy’s
club but perhaps you can show some respect or you can be dismissed from your
position, General Kellers.”
Kellers smiles and shakes his head.
“And what give you the authority to do that, lady?”
“I do”, Paris says clearing his throat but I can practically see Anne squeezing his balls beneath the table.
“Sir?” Kellers says.
“If you can’t respect Ms. Lynne’s opinions as I do, General Kellers I may have to dismiss you. Anne please continue.”
Anne smiled. .. Lovingly at Paris. Kellers looks around for one of his colleagues to back him up. Even though the guy hates me he gives me a long look . . . and I kind of want to help him out, so I direct my eyes to the row of officers behind us.
Kellers ungracefully turns in his chair and his eyes roam the crowd and stops at Sera and Vassey’s empty chairs. Then he turns back around, the wheels in his head turning. He shakes his head and slides his eyes back over to Anne. I’m sure he and a few others who are smart enough can figure out that they are looking at Anne Lynne, the future queen of New Aeterna
“My apologies . . . you were saying Ms. Lynne”, Kellers said with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes, as I was saying General Kellers I think we need a show of force, before the “Unification Party” can attack our citizens again. Evasive action.”
“Ma’am are you suggesting we bomb The United States of America.”
“Of course not… just the Unification Party headquarters.”
There is a strong steady silence. Kellers is waiting for Paris to say something but he’s too busy trying not to fall out of his chair, Paris' eyes were dropping and I told him if he thought he was going to pass out again to tap the table three times and I’d get him out the meeting.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Kellers says and some people laugh nervously.
Anne cleared her throat and pulled out her fan, “I don’t see how it’s any different than Clinton’s Operation Infinite Reach or Operation Active Endeavor after—“
“Those countries didn’t have nuclear weapons”, Paris said looking Anne in the eye, “That’s the difference.”
Anne frowned and I could see Paris holding his shaking hand under the table, his anxiety was off the fucking charts.
“The U.S wouldn’t dare drops nuclear weapons on us and if they did we could just—“
“I’ll talk to U.S ambassador”, Paris cut Anne off, “This is no longer a military matter. It’s a diplomatic one. The U.S will deal with the Unification Party, we will keep the search for Ravi open and let the courts have their way with the teenagers.”
Kellers nodded in agreement, Anne deepened her glare at Paris.
“I don’t suppose I need to remind anyone that these meetings and are top secret and confidential. I think this meeting is over”, Paris said.
Everyone stands to leave. I stay seated until it’s just Anne, Paris and I alone in the conference room.
“Anne what the hell was that? Are you trying to start a
nuclear war?” Paris asked as he takes off his overly complicated jacket.
Anne stands up and experimental swipes at the one of the large screens, filtering through all the maps.
“Why, would I start a nuclear war Paris dear? So my only subjects will be cockroaches? No dear. This isn’t about war.”
She keeps swiping and finally stops at a map. She moves to sit on the edge of conference table.
“Then what is this about ?” Paris asks.
“The only thing war really is about, dear.”
Paris and I turn our chairs to look at the screen. Anne has paused it on a glowing map of the United States of America.
“Land.”
“That’s not what New Aeterna is about”, Paris said, “It’s about peace and prosperity.”
“Please, Paris. This little speck of an island is nothing compared to our homeland. What you deserve … is an empire. Even if we have to start a war to get it. New Aeterna will retaliate for the attack America dropped on us.”
“The attack you planned”, I reminded her, “Also you’re never going to get the military to agree to fly drones over America, they are too loyal to Kellers and Kellers was born and raised American.”
“Please, dear”, Anne said, “I have my ways.”
+++
General Jaden Kellers was found deceased this morning at Columbus & 73rd. Police say Kellers was the apparent victim of a robbery. According to police, evidence at the scene shows Kellers resisted his attackers and was fatally beaten.
Police currently have no suspects, if you have any information please contact the New Aeterna National Police. Kellers was born an American citizen in Hoboken, New Jersey. A former construction worker He joined the U.S Marines in 2001 and served for twelve years. In 2013, Kellers lead attacks against the occupation of New Aeterna and was held as a POW for 3 years.
After the liberation Kellers was promoted to NADF First General and worked with the new government to create a world class military for New Aeterna.
Kellers’ former wife will be holding services for Kellers in
Hoboken, NJ.
+2+
Picnics in November weren’t really ideal, at least for humans anyway. Something about the cool air just appealed to our kind. I put Aria’s tablet back on the blanket and Athena immediately started playing with it.
“Did you read it?” Aria asked. She adjusted the shawl around her shoulder, covering her breast and Helena’s head.
“It was Anne”, I said. “Kellers got in her way and she took him out. He was a … jerk, but a good guy.”
Athena had gotten bored with the tablet and was now running laps around the blanket.
“There is a beer in there”, Aria said angling her head to the picnic basket.
“I’m good—“
I got the air knocked out of me when I felt Athena jump on my back. I dramatically doubled over and fell forward
“I can’t get up”, I said and Athena giggled, “You’re too heavy you’re taking me down, sweetheart.”
Athena climbed over me, then got distracted by some wildflowers that had somehow managed to survive the autumn. Aria was laughing and Athena seemed proud to make her mother laugh. We hadn’t talked about how Aria started “working” a few days ago to save up for school. She said she just did oral, something I never even asked for when she was with child. I didn’t like it. I kept hoping she’d change her mind, but the money was really good and the girls liked the daycare.
Aria had dyed her hair pitch black and with her skin pale from all the time she spent indoors, she looked mysterious and sexy as hell.
“You almost did it”, she said unlatching Helena and letting Athena help her sit up.
“Almost did what” I asked.
“Laugh.”
“I laugh all the time.”
“Not with me”, she says carefully watching Athena 'hold' Helena.
“I got a real dark sense of humor”, I tell her.
Aria secures her shawl then she pushes me down and her sudden weight catches me off guard, not enough to knock me over but I fall on my back on purpose. I can feel the friction of her soft curves through my t-shirt. Her shawl had shifted and she hadn’t worn a bra and was one wrong move from popping out of her top. Her long black hair flows perfectly down her shoulders, back and breasts.
Then I realize her fingers are running up and own my side and chest.
“The fuck are you doing ?”, I asked confused.
“Tickling you”, she said, “Come on, girls. Help Mama—Oh, be careful with Helena.”
I feel Helena supporting herself on my arm and Athena joins her mother trying to tickle me. Despite myself I start laughing, I can’t even really feel their fingers against my muscles but I want to give Aria what she wants.
“Now I really can’t get up with the three of you”, I said.
“There is four of us”, Aria reminds me.
Aria picks Helena up and rolls over so she was lying next to me with Helena on her chest. Athena, feeling jealous, crawls on top of me and I sort of bring my arms around her and hold her close; carefully mimicking the way Aria is holding Helena. It felt nice but I had to be sure not to crush her.
The laughter had caught the attention of Anne Lynne who was also in the private courtyard of the Angel’s apartment building. She gave me a disapproving glare. The courtyard was a secure and private area where Anne could interact with her former pupils without human eyes.
Anne sat on a little bench (that had not been there last time I checked) and the Angel women were introducing her to their children and bringing her gifts and cold drinks. They were all trying to please her, show her they hadn’t forgotten her. Some Angels were still paired, mostly out of habit or complacency. Either way all the male Angels knew to keep a distance from Anne.
“You should talk to her”, I said looking over at Anne Lynne.
Aria shook her head.
“I saw photos of her at that New Aeterna United game last weekend and the grand
opening of that Wal-mart downtown. She’s been here for a while. If she wants to
talk to me she knows where I am.”
“She hates me “, I said
“It’s because you were Helios’s second in command”
“I hate me to for that.” I said.
"Well, I was Helios' wife.", She said
"I hate me for that, too."
Aria twirls a piece of her hair, "Anne and Paris look . . . interesting together. Are they . . . together. I mean it's just Seraphina is like a sister to me and--”
“No”, I said, “ I mean Anne’s blackmailing him.They just both put on a good face.”
“Sera is okay with this?”
“Sera just wants him to reap what he sows. I think she finally realize the man she fights so hard for, the man she fights so hard to protect isn’t worth it.”
Aria sighs and gathers both the girls in her arms for hug. I sit up and search for Seraphina on the courtyard. She hadn’t wanted to come to the picnic if Anne was going to be there, but she’d been separated from her sisters for so long she never missed a chance to spend time them.
I spotted Sera sitting on the grass with some of the older second generation Angels, thirteen and fourteen year olds. It was getting unnervingly hard to tell some of them apart from their mothers. Sera was braiding one of the older girls’ long hair into an elaborately patterned fishtail. For some reason the teenage girls flocked to her, maybe it was because she was so different from the other Angels ; she cut her hair, she cursed, she wore pants and she was married to the man she loved. Or maybe it was because she was a queen. Their queen. Sera and I hadn’t even shown up together but we were wearing the same dark red NADF shirt. I’d worn black cargos and she had on shorts with Lycra leggings underneath, she’d also taken scissors to hair again, much to Anne’s chagrin.
I catch Seraphina’s gaze even though she’s wearing mirrored aviators, she has a bobby pin in her mouth and she halfheartedly salutes me and I do the same back. She smiles a little and holds up a mirror so the girl can see her hair.
“She should have invited Paris”, Aria said twisting the wildflowers Athena was playing with into a ring.
“No, He’s not one of us. Wouldn’t be right.” I said.
“I know Angels and Demons are different”, Aria said touching my arm, “But Look at how we’re growing, how we’re surviving. A Demon might be in power but its clear the Angels won that war from so long ago.
“You don’t remember the war like I do. You don’t want to. The Demons were monsters.”
“Paris Prince is not a monster. He’s alone… still in hiding. With what? 10 other brooding Demon men as kin? With no chance for a second generation. This is his legacy. Sera and Paris’ marriage should have united us. Not divided us. Invite him next time. Invite all the Demons. That’s an order, Captain. ”
God, she’s so beautiful.
“Yes, ma’am.”
+++
Solstice
“I want her Anne. When do we take her out?”
Anne jumps when she hears my voice, like she’s forgotten I’ve been hiding out in this over consumerized plastic happy town that was the suburb of Port Chester for more than a week. Anne sniffs at me and shuts the door.
“Honestly, Solstice”, she says handing me bag full of wrapped sandwiches, “Must you be so harsh with your language?”
“Don’t start with that. Seraphina Grigori killed Giuliani. I know she did and you’re just going to let her get away with it. I want to question her.”
“You aren’t going to get anything out of her, Solstice. Just be patient dear.”
There is a double knock at the conjoining door and Ravi pokes his head in.
“Is that food?” Ravi ask.
I toss the plastic bag to him.
“I can’t wait any longer, Anne. When is the time going to be right? I’m tired of waiting.”
Waiting.
All I’d done for the past week and half was wait. Anne had
set me up in the room next to hers where I had the pleasure of sharing the space
with s 20 year old firebug. She’d gotten him a new identity and he’d cut his
hair and dyed it blonde. Not that we left the hotel that much.
Ravi had stacks of books and manuals all over the place and boxes of wires and chemicals, some of which I recognized some of the stuff from an FBI class I’d audited. He was always tinkering with things and begging me to drive him out into the country in the middle of the night to test his new toys.
I’d made it my job to monitor news coming out of New Aeterna and keeping Ravi in line. Little things like stopping him from flirting with girls in the lobby and texting to check on his friends, most of whom were still in New Aeterna’s prison complex.
“What the fuck are these?” Ravi asks tossing out the contents of the bag.
“Cucumber sandwiches, dear”, Anne says like it’s obvious, “Very good for the skin.”
Ravi frowns and disappears back into the other room. Now the adults can talk
“Anne I can’t wait any longer. All you’ve done is cozy up to the king while that bitch murderer is still going free. I’m going after her and I’m using these.”
I show her the case of white gold bullets I’d found in
Giuliani’s safety deposit box before I came to New Aeterna.
“Where did you get those?” Anne asked flinching at the white gold bullets.
“That’s for me to know.”
Anne sits down and looks at herself in the mirror. She sits up very straight and studies her portrait.
“Solstice, dear . . . there has been a slight change of plans. Instead of Prime Minister. Paris has graciously offered to make me his queen.”
“What? Queen Anne? Like the candy?”
She pursed her lips then thought about it.
“...Only sweeter.”
Anne was crazy. They were all fucking crazy.
“Congratulations? I guess?”
“What I’m saying dear is Seraphina will in inconsequential soon. I’ll exile her, she’ll be penniless and then you can do whatever it is you want...”
“No”, I said, “We deal with her now. I want her now, Anne. If she killed Giuliani then I want everyone to know how dirty their queen is. Think about it, she’s the only real thing standing between you and your crown. The sooner I get rid of her . . . the sooner you get your crown.”
Anne’s eyes slightly light up at the mention of a crown. It was subtle but I saw it.
“Fine.” Anne said, “If it’s Seraphina you want here is what we are going to do.”
+3+
Leon
I was at lunch when I got the call. I’d spent the past few days trying to stay awake in meetings discussing General Keller’s replacement. Not that there was much discussion as Anne had situated herself at the table, dressed appropriately in a black pant suit and black sapphire jewelry.
She’d come to represent Paris, who hadn’t been able to make the meeting. He’d gotten too sick to make a lot of meetings. Those who’d been at General Kellers’ last meeting knew to keep quiet around Anne, those who hadn’t learned quickly.
“Now has anyone looked at Major Richards?” Anne asked, “He’s been in New Aeterna for a few years and I find his resume quite impressive. I know our dear King thinks very highly of him. I think he’ll make a wonderful replacement for Kellers"
One look at Richards’ profile and I’d bet he was one of Anne’s men. Maybe even the one who’d put the drill in Sera’s mouth. I just up and walked out of the meeting. When I get outside I see Paris’ SUV outside and Anne’s ‘guardsmen’ standing out front flirting with some female cadets. Car was still running . . . odd.
I found my key in my pocket and opened the back door of the SUV. Anne’s crony saw me he didn’t try to stop me. Paris was laying across the backseat while his phone lit up like the Fourth of July. He was sweating and his lips were dry
“You need to go to a hospital, boss.”
“No”, he said, “I just . . . sleep”
He closed his eyes and tried to get comfortable in his black three piece suit with more buttons and buckles than I really thought were necessary. His collar was high and his tie was tight. Everything was new . . . polished. Stately.
“Anne’s been going around saying you’re being held under doctor’s supervision.”
“She’s mistaken . . . we have a full schedule today and Anne promised to stay out of the way.”
“Paris . . . what do you have today?”
“Um, perspective prime minster meetings, meeting with OTEC, a few off the books meetings with the cartel and nominating Kellers’ replacement and buying Sera flowers.”
“You want her to set them on fire again ?”, I asked.
"If it makes her happy. . ."
Paris sat up for a second. Opened the window and threw up very loudly and unstatesman like.
“And let me guess, Anne is going to take your place at all
of your appointments”, I said.
He shook his head
“No, my first meeting isn’t until ten so I’m getting some rest.”
“It’s 3pm”, I told him
“Shit”, he sat up to quickly and hit his head on the car door, “I don’t understand I closed my eyes for two seconds.”
“Fuck, she’s drugging you, boss”
“No”, he said, “I eat as little as possible and the only thing I take is my—“
He reaches into his pocket and takes out the small orange medicine bottles. I take out a Prozac and examine the plastic casing. Anne must have tampered with the meds.
“You need to stop taking these”, I said
“I can’t. I need them. I need to not. . . I just. You wouldn’t understand Leon.”
“This is going to be the rest of your life if you don’t put Anne in her place. Her ruling the country while you’re in a drug induced daze. I’m telling Sera she needs to do some—“
“No”, he half heartily knocked my phone out my hand, “I don’t want Anne to do anything to Sera. I don’t want Sera to know.”
“I’m sure she’ll wished she’d gotten the idea to drug you first.”
Seraphina was still on leave from her job following the explosions at the parade. Despite being in the same hotel suite as Paris, she made it her mission to avoid him. She kept herself busy taking long runs in the morning and at night. She spent most of the day in the gym or locked in her room reading. Vassey told me rumors were already spreading about Paris and Sera possibly divorcing.
The backdoor of the car opened and Anne slid in, she hadn’t
expected me and her hip accidentally met mine. She recoiled, then went back around
and slid in on Paris’s other side.
“That was very rude of you, Captain Argos.” Anne said, “What is with you and Sera and walking out of places?”
“We call bullshit when we see --”
“Paris, dear. Are you alright. Here have some tea.” Anne said.
She handed him a clear glass thermos and I took it from her.
“This is a dangerous game you’re playing Anne.”
“This is not a game, Captain Argos. Don’t’ you have a bus to catch? Paris and I have important matters to discuss . . . like the ball.”
“The ball?” Paris said his head lulling to Anne’s side.
“I mean we are going to do the first dance together. I was thinking something classic like Chopin.”
His eyes opened for a second
“Sera and I have already been practicing and I--”
“That’s enough, dear”, Anne said pressing a finger to his mouth, “Just rest.”
“If he dies you’re going to be mine, lady.” I said.
“I would never wish that on Paris. We have so many years . . . decades to rule together.”
Anne runs her perfectly manicured nails through his hair, he was complete unconscious. He looked very calm and peaceful though. Anne took the moment to take his wedding ring off.
“You don’t want to miss the bus, Mr. Argos”, Anne said.
I pushed open the door and stepped out the car. The minute the door shut the car sped away.
I went back to Brooklyn and grabbed lunch in the Lullwater Hotel Restaurant. I sat at the bar with a bunch of well-dressed skinny people eating salads. Some of them recoiling at the military t-shirt and cargos I’d stopped by my apartment to grab.
I’d been spending most of my time running security in the suite Paris and Seraphina were staying in. I set up a nice security system in the third bedroom. I switched shifts with Sera’s guardsmen and made pit stops at my apartment, I still hadn’t had time to pack a proper bag.
I texted Sera to join me for lunch, but she said she was too busy in the hotel room opening the presents that were still being sent from officials. I just figured she was getting high cause I'd never seen her open a present since I'd known her. My phone rang just as my free range organic egg salad sandwich arrived. I thought it might be the call that Paris was dead.
“Leon”, it took me a while to place the voice.
“Aria”, I said.
She made this painful sound, like she had when she was in labor. I heard her crying into the phone and a flurry of voices.
“Where are you? What’s wrong, Aria.”
“I’m at the daycare. They’re gone. She—they took my girls. They’re gone, Leon—“
I didn’t even pay for my meal, I just ran through the dining room, shoved a politician over and stole the first cab I saw. I cursed at the driver, he was taking his sweet time getting Uptown. On 72nd Aria was waiting outside the gated group of row houses that housed Mrs. Charmont’s services. There was a group of gorgeous really classy women standing with Aria. Aria broke away from them and before she got to close to me, she seemed to remember I wasn’t the guy whose arms she could just run into.
“Leon”, she led me down the street
“Did you call the police?”
“I’m not going to call the police. Someone... took them during naptime. Someone in a uniform, they said it was a measure of national security and the bitch who runs it just let someone take my babies."
“Did they have guns . . . were their faces covered like at the parade?”
She just stared up at me confused.
“Why would you say that? What does that have to do with Anne? .”
“I’ll explain later. We need to call the police—“
“No”, Aria said
“Aria, what the hell.”
“I don’t trust the police. I want you, Leon.”
“Aria”
“I want you to find our girls, Leon. I don’t care what you have to do. Just find them and bring them back to me. Because if this is Anne, no humans stand a chance.”
Aria wiped the black tears that rolled down her cheeks. There was no way in hell I was the guy she thought I was. But I sure as fuck was going to try.
+++
I know Leon has turned into Liam Nesson