It's My Life

Chapter 41 - History revealed and the Finale.

Twenty minutes later Vance arrived at Westlake and stopped by his lab.
"Run every test you can on that. Every known test." He ordered, and left before anyone could object or ask questions. Heading into his office he poured himself a glass of brandy, ready to toast his own success. He cursed himself though, he'd nearly worried about the...girl. He couldn't even bring himself to call her a brat anymore. Mentally shaking himself, he picked up the phone and dialled the embassy.
"Crystallia Embassy, how can I direct your call?" Vance heard.
"Put me through to the Ambassador at once." He said.
"Who may I say is calling?" The voice asked. He nearly gritted his teeth in annoyance.
"The man holding the Princess. Just put me through." Vance barked. He could almost feel the woman's fear.

That morning Arnes, Mallora, Shanthe and Leira had arrived early at the embassy. Andreas and Cora having already been there all night.
"Today is the day. The troops are ready, once he calls I will get everyone to move." Andreas said. He then frowned.
"What?" Arnes asked.
"He always calls me first, and then gets me to transfer the call to you. So I can't head the team on the lab. I will call Tom, I trust him." Andreas said.
"I don't like it, but we have no choice. Tell him, but don't tell him anything that will ruin our chances. Tell him he is observing only or he'll go in half cocked." Arnes ordered. Andreas relayed the instruction to Tom, keeping it purely private, and the separate groups left. Cora assured them all that she wouldn't return without Cassi. After bowing to the royal family, Andreas went to his office, preparing to count down the hours. But within ten minutes his phone rang.
"Ambassador White." He said.
"Sir, I have a call for you from him...that man..." The secretary stammered. Andreas sat up straight.
"Put him through at once." He said, and heard a click.
"Ambassador White." He repeated.
"Good morning, Ambassador. I trust you are well today." Vance said.
"My health isn't important today, Mr. Ashton. Only Cassi's is right now. How is she?" He asked.
"Still alive, though seriously declined. Put me through to the King and Queen." He said. Andreas felt anger course through him, but he kept his mind fully shielded from Vance.
"Very well." Andreas said, and hit the transfer button. Arnes picked up the phone.
"Your Majesties, it's him." Andreas said. He felt Arnes's icy demeanor.
"Put him through, and give the signal. Now." Arnes ordered.
"Yes Your Majesty." Andreas said and hung up. The minute the call was transferred, Arnes sent out his mind to Tom and Cora.
"Move in, now." He said. He got responses of affirmation from both, and settled back. Now it was in the hands of the King, Queen, Tom and Cora. He prayed it worked.

"King Arnes." Arnes said, his eyes moving to Mallora and his older children.
"Your majesties, highnesses. How wonderful to talk to you again. I hope you're all well." Vance said.
"How we are doesn't matter. How's Cassandra?" Mallora asked.
"Mallora, it's nice to talk to you again. How are you?" Vance asked.
"How is Cass?" Arnes asked angrily. Vance chuckled.
"Deteriorating rapidly. She is very unwell. All it will take to make her better is one word from you. A simple yes to my request, and I will free her. Once the oath is spoken and the throne abdicated to me." Vance said. Shanthe stood up and paced, muttering under his breath, and tears flowed down Leira's cheeks.
"You...monster." Leira sobbed. Vance chuckled again.
"I'm not that much of a monster. You see, I'm not the bad guy. Not really. That.." Vance stopped, going quiet a moment, and then a snarl was heard.
"What have you done?" Vance said angrily.
"What we had to. There will be no further negotiations," Arnes said as he heard voices in the background, yelling at Vance to get on the floor.
"This isn't over!" Vance hissed, then the phone died. Mallora, Arnes, Shanthe and Leira looked at each other, all four starting to cry.
"We did it?" Leira asked.
"Not until she's safe here again." Arnes said. They all hugged.

When the order had been given, both troops hurried down streets to their destinations. Tom and his lot surrounded Westlake, finding all the entrances and making their way inside. The receptionist was told to stay silent and, being fully human, she had no way of warning Vance. They made their way up to Vance's office, all exits covered as they charged in, Vance turning around in shock, the phone in his hand.
"What have you done?" Vance asked into the phone as a dozen men entered, aiming weapons at him and telling him to put the phone down and get down on the floor.
"This isn't over." Vance hissed as the phone was wrenched from his hand and he was grabbed. He tried to fight back, both physically and psychically, but he was no match for the soldiers, and they managed to detain him.
"Take him away, maximum security." Tom ordered.  Vance was cuffed and taken down to an armoured truck where he was driven away in silence. Tom and the rest of the soldiers followed it back to the embassy.