Sophia Mertel stood by the roaring fire upstairs she gazed into it thoughtfully sipping the scotch from her crystal old fashioned glass. Her long blonde hair gleamed in the fire light. Her presence carried authority even if she hadn't been wearing the military dress uniform. She turned around an looked back upon the room were she started to pick faces out of the room she noted the secret service operative. The girl who she presumed to be Lord Tarrants daughter after she had been clinging off of him for dear life last time she had seen her in the establishment. Her gaze however found an focused on the figure she wanted her brother Sampson Mertel who the young girl had been talking to she covertly walked over to him her brothers back was turned as she came she put an arm around him careful not to spill the scotch in the other an knelt her head next to his ear an whispered, "Hey little brother." Sampson Mertel visibly jumped Sophia carefully protected the glass of scotch so as not to spill it on anything.
........................................
Afterwards Sophia Mertel headed back down stairs she had enjoyed seeing her brother an meeting Lafiel Tarrant who had given Sophia much to think about as she stuck her head in at the bar weaving her way through people dancing drinking the crowd seemed to naturally part for her till she arrived an sat at the bar to keep her eye on the various people of the establishment more so that the members of the armed forces were behaving themselves apropriately. A red light under the bar whirred a soft alarm went off the cold metallic voice of a computer spoke, "Kusari DNA string detected targeting scanners locking on" an suddenly various laser lights targeted on a single black haired man drinking with a lieutenant of the armed forces Sophia noticed various hidden turrets pop out of the roof. There was the sudden clicking as many standard issue projectile side arms were loaded an safety's kicked off. Sophia reacted to late armed forces officers suddenly noticing the lights as well as a few bretonian citizens piled in to encircle an attack the offender. It was an establishment guard whom had gotten there first like a trained assassin the guards gun had blurred in an out of his suit. The man was suddenly slumped dead in his seat minimal blood in result from the gun but none the less instant result a second guard came an the incident was cleaned up within seconds it was like nothing had occured at all the patrons resumed what they had been doing an the turrets went back into their respective hiding places. Sophia let out a soft sigh, he could have been interrorgated an made useful but no naturally boys an their toys shoot first ask questions later.
#######End of Sophia Mertel perspective back to Lafiel#########
Lafiel entered the bar downstairs an strolled leisurely with grace amongst crowd to a lounge by a window over by the far end of the enormous room she was carefully making sure she didnt slip on any spilt drink in finely crafted shoes. Her long blonde hair flowed down her back as she went her fine white dress with a thin deep red belt which fastened behind a deep red rose an was left to dangle loosely down a third of her dress it had white lace an slightly puffy shoulders made her stand out like a sore thumb against the population of general common folk an off duty soldiers an police. Upon arriving at the seat she sat to the far side against the wall looking inconspious an carefully scanned the crowd for familliar armed forces personel there was no sign of any of them not even blake owen who she swore was a heavy drinker by the way he spoke an larked about. She looked at the small console in the table an went to input an order for a drink when suddenly a large man who must have been 7 foot tall sat in the chair opposite her an a arm suddenly came around her shoulders as she tried to stand the arm pushed her with ease back down she looked to the opressors face it was nasty an the eyes lacked any colour they were more pitch black to the point the whites were dissapearing his lips were curved in a malicious grin that mirrored the voice that spoke she realised the voice was accented deeply it wasnt the deep rough rheinlander nor the sleezy libertonian an it by far lacked anything within the bretonian empire with that realisation shock an dread suddenly hit her,
"Why don't be going anywere miss Lafiel Tarrant. My associate an I have been just dieing to meet you in person. You are so delicate an so tasty can't have you escaping us now you have no idea how hard you have been to track down especially when you had us running all around Sirius."
Lafiel shivered at the grip an the voice she was in dire trouble her father wasn't here, she was sure Oliver was still upstairs an this was not an enormous drunk man looking for a laugh an a gal this was if she was correct which her mind never seemed to make mistakes on things of such importance these were two Kusari operatives. How the sensors of this establishment had been fooled to not see who these people were she didn't know the only thing she knew she was in very very deep trouble.
"Were going to have a little talk now then we are going to walk through the crowd you will remain under my arm like a lover as we walk outside you will talk quietly you will not make eye contact with anyone or raise any alarm should you find the need to I will find the need to kill you no matter how much you are worth. Is this understood."
Lafiel looked away to the small gap between the table an the two lounges to the man preparing to try an escape her mind paniced as she tried to think of the best course of action. As if reading her thoughts she suddenly felt something sharp nick just under the right side of her ribs she felt the sharp thing push ever so slightly into her she had to dearly supress a scream as she looked down to see a sleek little knife whos tip was slightly dancing against her side.
"Do you understand? Know that I do not like to repeat myself little girl an that I have no qualm in killing girls the young or the elderly so I would behave now before I decide its too late." The man let his statement sink in to her mind Lafiel's Alibaster skin turned a paler shade of white. Lafiel nodded slowly an hoped that her father wasn't anywhere near the establishment.
"Now girl first an foremost were is your father now we saw him enter?" The mans face became numb an impassive.
Lafiel shook her head an softly said, "I don't know I haven't seen my father in months?"
She felt the blade ever so slightly dig further into her ribs she had to supress a yelp that almost escaped.
"Lies, I can smell his unique cologne on you supplied to only him as a private buyer now tell me the truth were is he." The man let the knife retract a little. "You know that you will find it almost a pleasure to answer quickly an honestly after the crew of a certain ship are finished having their way with you little girl you will begin to see things more clearly."
The enormous man sitting opposite them broke out in laughter as he kept eyeballing Lafiel's his head to Lafiel's sudden shock an horror exploded suddenly in a red fountaining mess as the first of two slugs hit him in the head an the heart. The man holding Lafiel at knife point suddenly fell forward as a familliar figure leapt on him from behind the lounge the man that had been holding Lafiel hostage flung his arm up with the knife seeking his assailant. Oliver swiftly disarmed the man restraining his arm the knife dropped skidded along the table out of harms way. Oliver turned to Lafiel an commanded her sharply, "Stand against the window an look out of it cover your ears."
Lafiel suddenly aware of what was about to happen leapt up from the lounge an crouched leaning against the window slamming her hands hard against her ears an trying to focus on the beautiful garden. There was two sharp cracks as the sound of a small side arm went off as Oliver Executed the man shooting him through the head he then pocketed something out of the mans jacket that looked like a mini PDA he vanished as quickly as he had arrived melting unscathed an unoticed into the crowd to were ever his observation point had been. Lafiel was unaware of what had happened she felt terrified an her mind was racing on images of what had happened she almost wanted to smash through the glass window an run as far away as she could get. She suddenly felt a gentle arm embrace her. She turned to her right as she smelt a familliar perfume she had smelt it once recently but it had vaguely hinted at something she remembered of long ago. She looked up into the steady but warm an caring eyes of Lady Mertel who she glimpsed make a gun she held dissapear on her person. They had just recently met but she felt a sudden deep comfort an the feeling of an unspoken bond she was becoming dimmly aware of that she felt to this person. she began to think over what happened again an as she did she felt a trickle down her cheek an a second before trickles gave way to a flood an that flood wouldn't stop. Sophia pulled Lafiel close to her an let her sob her heart out as Lafiel clung to her she brought them to a stand an gently guided her towards the upstairs area of the nobility.
Guards had already moved in on were the two men had been they had mysteriously vanished without a trace by the time the two ladies had navigated halfway through the crowd.
Lafiel was nervous she piloted her small fighter craft slowly through the co ordinates that was constantly streaming from the battleship Triumphe that would keep her safe from harm. This was her first mission on her own that the foreign office had appointed her to it had been a day since she had arrived in Orkney she never thought in the end that she would find someone from this foreign land but she had if only by chance. The Triumphe had come through the mine field and she had made first contact in the name of the crown at the helm of that ship was Vice Admiral Dulac second in command of the council. She had then been escorted through the mine field at first she was reluctant to go it made her nervous being cut off so far from home and the armed forces would not be able to come and retrieve her. They had arrived at a small station which she was invited to dock with there she was amazed she was treated with the utmost polite manners. The vice Admiral was the most courteous person she had ever met doing all he could to put her at ease and people sort to her comfort. The discussions and negotations had taken what seemed like hours in which time there had been interruptions by people known as the Gallic Royals and Pirate Corsairs. She was amazed she learnt so much about Gallia and her people and in exchange gave all she knew about the houses of sirius. In the end she was most please with the outcome and at this point although the mine field made her nervous she couldn't wait to return to Bretonia and home especially as she had such wonderful news to tell.
After a days hard flight she arrived home sitting in her fathers apartment on New London she sat behind his desk its tall chair towering over her she always felt like she was a child back home when she sat in it an identical one sat behind the desk in her fathers enormous library back home on Cambridge in the manor of Araluen Estate. She began writing pen to page she prefered to write in this olden style of communication or at least to draft out the report it was another thing that her father had instilled in her along with the rest of his love for history.
*************************** Report to the foreign office***********************************
To the foreign office it is with great news that I return to New London an report with success upon my first mission as Brettonian Diplomatic Envoy to the Council of Gallia an mission in the Orkney system.
I admit at first it is most hard trying to find representatives of these people every person to enter the system of Orkney had little to no information regarding Reunion or the council or anything of the Gallian people.
How ever it was in my great luck that I found such a representative by the name of Vice Admiral Dulac of the council whom had the ability to diplomatically speak on their behalf. I was escorted by him in his battleship the Triumphe through the mind field into the Languedoc system it was there how ever we came under heavy attack by the faction of gallians known as the gallian royals this attack was repelled an we landed on the Guard station Monpellier.
Opening discussions we first launched into a more direct enquiry as to the council itself. It would appear although the Vice Admiral Dulac has the right to speak diplomatically on behalf of the council he is not in fact the leader of the council. The leader of the council is the admiral of the forces however he has been aparently been missing for sometime now he commanded the battleship CLS Guillotine maybe if our boys back home hear any news upon were abouts we can forward it to them however in hindsite Dulac is current acting head of the council and will speak on their behalf to us.
General information about Gallia. The Gallian Royals or the original government before the more democratic liberal council came into play has soley rulled gallia the current head King Louis rules 6 systems 3 core systems are sealed to all outsiders. The Gallian royals are hostile to all outsiders an I have been informed by the council that its intent is to wage war upon the whole of Sirius an its houses. The council holds two systems an they have their two reunion stations in respective places outside the minefields. These two factions are at war an are currently in the second year of the second gallian war between the Royalists an the council. The council have failed to conquer Dauphine an Lorraine. The councils weakness is in industry but there biggest weakness by far is their lack of man power.
The Council's agenda is to make better friends with the houses of Sirius an their two fold goal of preventing Junkers from supplying the Gallic Royal Navy. It might be but a rumour but apparently by far the biggest station of the Junkers an their presence happens to be in Gallic territory we can only hope for the worse that the junkers must have some sort of alliance with the Gallic Royals if the rumours are true. Their second goal is to prevent Nuclear devices to come into the hands of a group known as the Marquis which are a splinter group of the council who seek to defeat the Gallic royals by any means possible even in the mass extermination of their own people as it is apparent to them any none council member is a royalist we may need to be wary of them. The council does not want to see people hurt it is also a personal view of vice admiral that the Marquis has no place in Gallia an should have not part in it. Yet there are other council members whom would disagree.
He then questioned me about our war with the Kusari as should we lose their would be a major change in space in the star maps an he was quite interested I gave him an objective point of view. In a remark to my explanation of our waiting for the right time to remove the Kusari from Leeds he remarked that it mirrors their own battle an their deep patience to pick the right time in their own struggle to move once again on the systems they had failed to conquer.
In regards to the Sovereignty of Orkeny the dispute has been resolved an a treaty been made.
Article 1
Her Majesty the Queen an the empire of Bretonia shall retain sovereignty over the Orkney system
Article 2
The council of Gallia will retain the ownership of Reunion
Article 3
The Council will maintain a force of bombers an fighters that may patrol within 14k from the station or Council owned structure within the orkney system
Article 4
Reunion will not be permitted capital ships within the confines of the orkney system this how ever has been temporarily amended they are permitted Destroyers an gunboats to protect transports an trade vessels of high value as they are under heavy attack by the Outcasts so until that is resolved the temporary amendment stands.
It is also with great news that I have opened trade with the council in a second treaty
Article 1
The Empire of Bretonia an Council of Gallia both open their borders to both free an fair trade amongst the planets an stations of the respective houses.
Article 2
If we produce or Sell devices of Nuclear in nature they are to be well protected an it is illegal to trade nuclear devices in Council territory with the exception of Macon Base in the Burgundy system.
Article 3
The supplying of Nuclear device to the Marquis is forbidden
Article 4
Both Houses will respect the Laws regarding trade for either house less the offender be subject to the law of that house
It is on this day that these treaties are signed we open our arms to new friends and allies in share prosperity. It is my personal view that we have gained the beggining of a very good friendship an potential ally should we be mutually supportive of one another.
The Admiral Bestowed upon me 4 gifts the gift of a substance for our scientists at Cambridge to inspect an make use of. The gift of Knowledge. The gift of a military weapon from the Council armaments and the gift of a new found friend.
Before I finish this report two more incidents occured The colonial Remant interrupted our talks as did a Corsair gunboat known as the Neu later on they claimed to be on a mission of exploration The Vice Admiral did not like this gunboat which was blatantly not on a mission of exploration in council space an sent him out. I believe we should solify our friendship some more as it would appear the vultures are circling.
The Admiral at the end of our talks escorted me back to the Tau jump hole in orkney before returning through the minefield upon our parting he gave best Wishes to Carina Our Queen.
This is the end of my report
Sincerely
The Countess of Araluen
*********************************END OF REPORT**************************************
The hour was late in the evening Lafiel had copied her draft report she yawned as she looked over it for the 10th time she was nervous now how would her report look to Lord Canning a fellow member of the nobility she put her PDA down with the report in it moved from behind the desk and suddenly discarded everything as she worried she headed off to the calming waters of the shower leaving the report sitting there.
She returned about an hour later wearing an expensive night gown it was too hot to sleep in winter night clothes it was a rather humid temperature compared to Cambridge. She resumed her spot sitting in the chair she pulled her knees upto her and reached for the photo on her fathers desk it was one of the photos of back in the day when she was part of a true family she was a lot younger then only seven she stood with her fathers arm around her she half stood behind him very shy of the camera her head peaked around him but she was smiling and so was everyone else her father carrying that regal air around him his face wasn't as hard it was gentle a lot more kindly as if the moment was perfect for him her mum stood there to smiling her brother tall and full of life a young man by then stood flanking Lafiel it didn't show but Lafiel distinctly had remembered her brothers hand gently placed on her back as if to prevent her from escaping all together. There was something wrong Lafiel suddenly realised her brother had his left arm around something no someone about the same height his head was slightly turned as if he were about to speak but the photo distorted it was as if it suddenly stopped or the edge of the photo screen had been damaged or even the data corrupted at the very edge there was what seemed to be a line of blonde hair Lafiel suddenly felt really strange she couldn't explain the feeling but it made her uneasy and she quickly put the photo back on the desk. She didn't remember any of the other photos of that time being like that or at least she didn't think she remembered this photo of the picnic being like that.
She quickly turned gave her PDA one more look over and sent the report onwards she felt troubled now and hurried to bed were the first of a series of dreams began.
It was cold Lafiel found herself running along a dark hallway with many doors it almost felt like one of the hallways that would be more fitting of the Araluen Estate Manor. She hurried along the passage a figure in a black cloak was running ahead of her she couldn't understand why she had to reach the figure but it was urgent there was an unspeakable strong yearning. Lafiel saw a corner just ahead there was a door facing her she suddenly found herself sprawled on the ground the wind knocked from her lungs the door in front of her opened and the figure of her father stood before her his eyes gazing lifeless at her Lafiel went cold inside the pit of her stomach she could barely hold back a scream as the figure moved forward she picked herself from the floor and ran around the corner she caught a glimpse of the cloaked figure and descended a little stairwell she suddenly noticed coffins lining either side of the pathway before her their lids slowly began to open she ran on after the figure she was finally catching up. The figure looked back Lafiel couldn't make out the face the figure turned back as if to run again Lafiel dived at the figure wrapping her arms tightly around the figure its hood fell back. She saw the ground suddenly end to the edge of a cliff too late she let out a scream as she fell with the figure. She tried to look up at the figures face and was suddenly shocked at the face she beheld the blonde hair. Her fathers voice spoke gentely in the back of her mind, " I love you my daughter this was for the best. To deliver you from pain." The pair hit the bottom of the gorge.
Lafiel suddenly sprang up in bed beads of sweat on her brow she suddenly felt shaky and cold she brought her knees up to her rubbing them before slipping over the side of her bed to put on the hot water for some tea. She made her tea and sat on the lounge pondering over the dream sipping slowly.
Lafiel was worrying she wanted to get to Leeds were her father was stationed and speak with him over this photo or maybe she should have spoken to Oliver he would know about such thing he's an agent he would know what to look for in falsified images.
As she flew her paladin to Southampton enroute to Leeds she saw a large gathering of many armed forces vessels a battleship, Goodmen's Destroyer the Invictus, ensign bridge in his fighter a few other officers two mandalorians and a rheinland officer.
It was at the point Lafiel had finished trying to identify if she knew any of the people onboard the vessels gathered here that she realised there was messages coming through on the public channel it was flooded out. She instantly recognised the voice of Mr. Goodmen, "All vessels in the vicinity New London is now under immediate Lock Down. Civilians are to leave for the other houses immediately." Lafiel gaze shot to the scanners of the little paladin they were tapped into the scanner telemetry of all the military vessels in the vicinity she suddenly noticed hostiles all over the system. "oh my." Lafiel sighed suddenly feeling a bit nervous. she tuned back into the public frequencies and suddenly picked up a voice she recognised it was the voice of someone she hadn't expected to see in New London she had only seen his ship once. He had foiled the plans of a Gaian holding her hostage albeit his reasons weren't for saving her more of killing them both. Ever since that day she had been curious about this man for all he meant to kill them both she had escaped albeit in a pod later to be picked up by the armed forces. He seemed to be arguing with someone The Joker.
Lafiel looked up out to space as she remembed oh she remembered The Joker she had only caught a glimpse of him her armed forces and Liberty security had made sure she had gotten to Manhattan safely passed this person she hadn't taken a second thought to him at all. Now though he apeared to be something different to what she had put him down to he seemed to be part of a gang of some sort and him an his companions were causing havoc. That familiar voice didn't appear to be happy apparently he deemed bretonia his hunting grounds.
Lafiel turned her ship to head back towards New London just as an urgent priority transmission came through on a military frequency it was Goodman ,"Lady Tarrant we can't have you getting yourself killed you are to stay with the fleet understood." Lafiel spoke calmly she realised she was now stuck in a potential battlezone and was feeling rather anxious now, "As you wish Sir I will remain with the fleet."
Mollies had entered the system and scouts reported they had joined up with the joker Kithe had started talking to Goodmen but for the better part Goodmen ignored all transmissions. Lafiel asked curiously even though she surmised at least part of the reason why the man with that familiar voice was here from all the fuss the military was making, "Excuse me sir but who are you and why are you here?"
They had been absolutely surrounded around Southampton there were just so many enemies and Lafiel was able to do nothing but watch.
She suddenly Screamed as her ship took hits battle always made her a bit jumpy but now it was on for one and all and the armed forces couldn't protect her. She saw the enemy it was a Molly who was attacking panicking she set a course for Southampton Shipyard Itself she went for the giant dry docks weaving her way through them the enemy right behind her.
She thought she was gonna die or have to eject she was really nervous she was a good flyer and yet she was doing something crazy like weaving amongst the enormous dry dock moorings suddenly the enemy pulled off as he came under fire. Lafiel breathed a sigh of Relief she was later escorted home to Cambridge.
Lafiel lay on her bed in her enormous room on the second floor gazing through the window as night fell she lay captivated in her own thoughts how much this Mr. Kithe intrigued her oh indeed what would father or anyone else think if they knew a terrorist intrigued her and that he was on her mind for reasons other than resent hate and a thirst for his end. She wondered deep down why would this individual swear and oath never to harm me. I mean if it's true and he has done what so many people say and what he himself says I'm not that special and he had even offered her a drink offering up his hospitality at a restaurant on New London Lafiel was slightly nervous at the idea what if it was true what people said about him but it faded away under her curiousity surely he couldn't harm me in public nor someone be as unique as what people say he is but she wouldn't have Oliver with her that made her a little anxious either him or father had travelled with her or even her brother when they were little with a contingent of guards but no Oliver was here in Araluen Estate for some reason she hadn't understood nor did he elaborate why he was spending the last week of his only holiday there rather than being out at some of the more popular holiday destinations.
It was going to be just her and this Mr Kithe oh well worser things could probably happen couldn't they I mean that Gaian could kidnap me again or actually one must say not many bad things happen asides I almost lost my father that is really the only bad thing to happen in recent times it might even be a lovely drink and dinner whats the worse that could happen she might even learn a lot about this individual it's very exciting when one thinks it over.
A shiver suddenly went along her spine goosebumps ran along her skin even along her body which was covered by her long blue nightie she got up and closed the tall arch windows to stop the breeze coming in. Anyone would think it was winter with such a cold wind she didn't feel any warmer sitting down again.
She suddenly remembered the photo she had brought with her she she picked it up from her desk were she had absentmindedly left it she ran up the enormous grand staircase which ascended to the very top of the manors seven floors but got off on the third. She found Oliver right were she expected him to be at this late hour sitting in the room her family had given him she didn't knock as she entered she could smell the smoke of his pipe which by some miracle of technology gave him everything but the negative health benefits. He looked up breathe from behind the newspaper he read sitting in his favourite arm chair by the small fire.
Lafiel leant against the butlers desk clinging to the picture as she waited for Oliver to finish.
"Yes? What can I do for you Lafiel is there something you need?" Oliver spoke around his pipe as he folded up his news paper before gingerly chucking it on the small fire which greedily consumed it. Lafiel spoke stammered her words she suddenly felt nervous about what this might mean, "Oliver I have this photo I believe someone's tampered with. It strange because it looks like.. someone else should be in the photo but you can't make out the image it is like it gets hazy and you can only get a glimpse of hair. I um was wondering if you could take a look at it. I thought you would be an expert on this sort of thing the whole clue and falsification of photos you are an agent after all..."
Oliver looked her in the eyes taking a puff on his pipe, "An what photo would that be young lady." Lafiel brought her arms away from covering the frame and glanced at it briefly before handing it over. A look of pain was it or shock or maybe even both crossed his face briefly it was quickly covered up again by an impassive front. Lafiel pointed a finger at the source of her skeptisim for it not being an original image, "There are four of these same picture of this same moment in time around the manor and none of them have any sign of this in the image. I want you to fix it if you could bring back to me the original image."
Oliver shook his head, "I can't do that for you my dear I'm sorry I don't know were you got this photo but you must put it back were you found it an never bring up the topic again. It is for your own good."
Lafiel suddenly snapped, "Everything is for my own good, how would you know whats good for me. You are not me what you mean is you won't do this for me because your tied up in some secret plot with my father as usual. If you don't bring me an original image of this photo I will find someone who can do you understand me I won't let this small insignificant thing slip by just because you tell me its for my own good."
Oliver stood up placed the photo on his desk and put a gentle arm around Lafiel slowly guiding her to the door of his room as he spoke, "Now young lady there is no good that will come from you digging up the past only pain and you are a rather fragile little thing. It is best you forget about it please my dear know that it's for the best it is out of love that this is the done. I know you might not like it but somethings you have no control over. Good night and sleep well my dear countess."
Lafiel suddenly found his arm removed from around her and that she was facing a closed locked door. Lafiel stood shocked that not only had she gained no useful information from Oliver he had managed to take the only evidence she had and then lock her out of his room leaving her with even more questions.
Lafiel suddenly hurt yes that was the correct word she felt hurt that nobody was ever on her side she felt betrayed she thought that Oliver would have helped her. Her hands balled into tight little fists as she Looked at the door so many thoughts began to well up in her and over flow she pounded the door screaming and yelling, "Let me in Oliver! I'm not such an innocent little fragile porcelin doll that you and father make me out to be. Open this door this instance and tell me who's in the photo. I demand you tell me. You both can't keep it from me forever. Please don't do this. Your being so unreasonable and unfair. I want to know. I'm not a child anymore I don't need protection I want answers!"
Lafiel felt tears well up in her eyes as she thought of her father how for some unknown reason he was doing this again to her without her even knowing why or that it was torturing her. She suddenly felt really tired something was wrong her vision started to blur and it was a scream of alarm as she suddenly felt faint the last she knew as she began to fall was strong arms catching her under her arms and around the waist and the smell of pipe smoke.
Lafiel heard voices she couldn't make them out it was like hearing words through water she couldn't see clearly she felt so groggy and weak. She tried to open her eyes more wide but everything was bright and blury she felt dizzy her head was swimming. Lafiel murmured softly almost to herself unaware she was doing so, "Papa papa I feel so cold.. it hurts... it hurts... no needles... hurts its so cold PAPA! make them stop it hurts! make them stop!" Lafiel felt her face wet now as tears made the blur worse. She reached out her small hands reaching out to the blury nothingness as she weeped.
***
Distant voices echoed that Lafiel could not hear or see the people to whom they belonged, "My Lord your daughter she is concious we don't understand why her body isn't reacting to the sedation or pain killers we are going to have to try another method or her body is going to into shock and she could very well die. We are having a very hard time trying to combat the cold an pneumonia mixed with this foreign agent in her blood stream its a foreign virus we've never seen such a complex virus as this before her body is fighting it yet at the same time its working with it. It is almost like something compatible has infected her body and her immune system recognises it as foreign but at the same time isn't challenging it the funny thing is her Immune system is off the chart and something is happening here." The Doctor brought up various scans of DNA and other medical scans. Lord Tarrant's voice suddenly boomed in rage and pain, "Is this the same infection and virus that killed my wife a few years ago?" The doctor as well as many medical scientists turned to regard the Marquis who's authority suddenly made the room run cold Lafiel was the only one to not have notice her father or everyone's reaction. The doctor looked over the top of his spectacles at the Marquis before bringing up two strains of DNA on a screen, "Look at this an see for your self they look identical don't they well at least at first glance but then look at your daughters see its different its altering its keeping the original structure of DNA it's as if her DNA is overiding the virus she has though I do not know how a young girl as she is her body must be under extreme pressure from the pneumonia and a lot of our drugs are not working it is as if she is suddenly metabolising them and they are being used to fuel the intergration of this virus and her original DNA." Tarrant's green eye's pierced through the doctor who quickly looked aside from his gaze his eyes were cold and his gaze would cut through the strongest of willed person he grabbed the doctor by the collar with both hands lifting him slightly off the ground, "Tell me now doctor is my daughter going to live can you do anything for her. You have managed to take one of my daughters from me by half killing her in a comma will you do the same to the other." The doctor managed to get out a few words, "She will i believe...Its not killing her...Doing the contrary." Tarrant let him go his brows furrowing with pain, "Then why is she in so much pain?" The doctor looked at him sideways, "Imagine one big delirous fever she is experiencing that I imagine the foreign virus feels like fire in her system but that should pass and she is no doubt suffering from all the afflictions of pneumonia and she took in a lot of river water but we managed to remove it. She needs but time now rest and sleep all these things should pass in time none of our drugs are working so we are going to have to try and put her into stasis sleep till her body steadies out otherwise i imagine being concious is going to be like living hell everyday." Tarrant glared at him, "Do what you must to save my daughters life and keep her from suffering pain. If you need blood or organs take them from me we are of the same blood type." The doctor nodded and everyone who had frozen was busy back at work to which the doctor returned.
Tarrant pulled over Lafiels desk chair to his daughter's side her bedroom was now a small hospital. Nobody saw beneath the facade that he had put up the first of tears to flow from his eyes that mirrored his own daughters. He gentlely Leaned over to his daughter who lay on her bed grabbed her hand with his gentley and kissed her on the forehead as Lafiel let out more whimpers.
***
A familliar touch graced her hand that strong hand one of a pair that for however strong they would seem were always gentle the pair of hands that would pick you up sweeping you up into the sky in that warm hug as you screamed father with all the affection an joy as he returned home through the door to the manor. A gentle whisper caught by her ear, "Lafie my little princess I love you so much my dearest, it will be all over soon. It will all be over soon your going to have a little sleep it will be alright theres going to be lovely dreams but I will be here no matter what I won't leave your side my dearest daughter." Her other hand searched desperately for that cheek a gentle touch from a hand an she had made it the familiar face the familiar smell of home and of father. Pain suddenly lanced through her body as new needles entered her arm, " Papa whats happening. Make them stop there hurting me there hurting me make it stop. Mumma I want my mummy and sis were is big sis. Papa were is S....." A sudden whimper cut through her words as yet another needle entered she felt her body shaking spasming she couldn't stop it her teeth chattered uncontrolably. She heard his voice again but she couldn't answer she suddenly felt so weak and sleepy. She felt a few locks of hair being moved away from her face as she felt herself suddenly rising as strong arms encircled her in the warmed of a hug she was gently lowered back down. She felt the breathe touch of lips on her forehead an saw in the blur gentle fingers close her eyes before stroking her forehead and soft words reached her," I love you so much my daughter. Shh sleep now I will be by yourside till you wake up again."
***
Lord Tarrant broke into heart felt sobs he couldn't take seeing his daughter in pain both of his daughters would now sleep. He knew not how long for. Sophia had been so brave jumping in the river after Lafiel he should have been with them not in his study working. Now he would have to pay the ultimate price no no he would not let his girls die from his failure he resolved Lafiel might be on the mend she just needs sleep and Sophia Sophia will be harder to heal it will just take time and study to rejuvinate and resurrect she isn't dead she is still alive she is just sleeping. I will not let my girls die yet now here they lay both in comas.
Doctor Lord Tarrant looked over to him, "I wish you to suppress the memories of my daughters let Lafiel not remember this day or of her sister. Let Sophia not remember any connection to us till until it is time when it is most apropriate and both of the girls can cope. Can you do this?"
The doctor nodded, "It will be done my Lord."
Little did Lord Tarrant know that this would not be the only memories of hers he would have to supress but a connection that had mysteriously come about connecting Lafiel to his own memories of this day.
The doctor looked at the progress of the stasis it had reached one hundred percent for both of the Tarrant girls. "I must say at a crude observation for its time I do believe she will out live us all albeit she might be a lot lighter than a normal human being she might be stronger she might be weaker than someone of her age but I'm sure we will find this out as she develops her immune system seems to be going through remarkable changes yet I have no idea how this is with the original DNA pattern staying the same something our instruments are not detecting must be changing."
...............................................
Lafiel suddenly awoke wide eyed thrashing and screaming loudly her hands shot about her body to yank at were needles penetrated her arms and tear at medical equipment penetrating deep into the top of her skull. She kicked something hard which made her yelp in earnest it took her moments to calm down as she realised from the cold sharp pain which brought her mind to clarity that it was just a dream nothing had happened Lafiel panted as the last of the adrenaline wore off whispering to herself, "I'm ok I'm ok it was just a dream." She sceptically looked over herself along her body before jumping up to go to her dressing table were her gaze darted along her body her hand following along her forehead. It was far to real to have been a dream it feels like a memory but surely I would have scar's from such medical instruments. She caste one more gaze around her room finding herself in her room with nothing out of place the room was exactly as she had left it before she had gone to visit Oliver. Oliver the name jumped sharply in her mind as she realised he must have sedated her and put her to bed. She ran out of her room in search of him he had gone too far sedating her like that it was just wrong.
Lafiel had given up on Oliver he had vanished from the estate whether he was just out wandering the planet or he was just hiding from her she didn't know either way she couldn't find him. He would have to turn up again father was holding a dinner inviting many of the families of the nobleborn as well as military officers of significance and I'm sure he would not disrepect father so as to not turn up but what to do for four days it was plain and simple she would return to New London and indulge Mr. Kithe.
It wasn't long Tuesday had arrived and she would meet Mr Kithe at a restaurant of his choosing she was following the instructions on her PDA as she walked to the restaurant.
Salazar seated himself silently in the chair, waving for the waiter to bring him some champagne.
He waited quietly, thinking to himself, and when the door opened, revealing Lafiel, he stood gracefully and pulled a chair out for her to sit in.
"Greetings Ms Tarrant, I hope you are well today?"
She nodded, looking a little nervous as she sat in the presence of this ageless, calm killer.
"I took the liberty of ordering for you, I hope you don't mind. The chef will bring us a selection of dishes, you are welcome to eat and leave whatever you wish."
She nodded again, and Salazar smiled to himself as he sipped the champagne. He tilted the bottle towards her glass, silently filling it. The restaurant they were in was an incredibly expensive establishment, but Salazar had his ways to pay for it.
"So, I suppose you are wondering as to the reason you are here?"
Lafiel had found the place Mr. Kithe had said to meet at it was one of the most expensive places in new london her father had taken her to the establishment a lot when she was younger and he had more free time.
She wore that lovely white victorian dress such a timeless design now much like the person she was about to meet the little red belt sat on her hips tieing behind a rose the ends left to dangle along the rest of her white dress. Her long blonde hair flowed gentley around her while her expression remained open an warm.
"Good day to you Mister Kithe, it is a pleasure to meet you in person. I must say I am very well this day for is it not a lovely day outside not a cloud to have been seen unusual for such a rainy climate and you sir how fair you this fine day?"
She sat in her chair looking at him she was nervous yes but not quite for the reasons one would expect meeting such a person. She sat there nervous more out of shyness and of nerves for meeting someone new face to face for the first time other any fact of what he might actually be.
As he explained to her the food arrangements she nodded smiling almost excited by the idea of such a surprise.
She looked around the place relaxing suddenly she thought to herself its so much like being here with father she quietly thought to herself as Mr Kithe poured them both champagne. She mused to herself in her own thoughts their manners are the same even their voices are similar.
As he suddenly queried her as to her curiousity of why she had been invited here she looked at him his aglessness and gazed not in awe but pure curiousity and wonder.
It took her a moment to respond ," Yes Mister Kithe I am most cuirous as to why you would extend such a generous offer to me to come to such a fine establishment?"
![[Image: sig-15633.jpg]](http://www.clintonio.com/sig-15633.jpg)
![[Image: SethSig.png]](http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p272/Sedrander/SethSig.png)