A yacht took shore to the beach on the S-1 island. A squadron of Ardvenian army stood by as Julien, Dahlia and Jennifer made their way off the yacht. Jennifer was smoothing out her pencil skirt and Julien nodded at the Captain who greeted them with a salute and led them to a military jeep.
Dahlia wrapped her overcoat tighter around herself as they passed by the army men all standing by at attention as the vehicle passed by. "The security down here is on another level," she said.
"It's the safe haven for the Firsts of course." Julien nodded as the jeep made its way down a dirt road through the forest.
The dirt road gave way to a smoother tarmac. The tarmac led them up a gentle hill where the Township of Authority stood proud. A colony of palatial villas dotted the hills. The road up the hill was shaded with olive trees and lined with dogwood. Blue breasted weavers sang their shrilly song as they flew around.
A reinforced steel gate slid open to let the jeep through. They parked in a driveway that was big enough for an elephant to sleep in. And the villa was three stories tall.
Dahlia had been inside the Seat of Authority a few times. She had been in premier Ozaan's aerial plaza. Yet something about Julien's villa was breathtaking in a different way. Maybe it was the serene face carved into wood on the eastern perimeter wall or maybe it was the cobblestone pathway that was flanked by the lavender brush. It might've been the fact that she could see the clear turquoise water after climbing the porch steps to the building. Either way, there was no denying, the place was majestic in its natural glory.
A young woman in an immaculate silk gown held the door open for the three of them. Another young woman in a similar gown brought them a glass filled with an amber colored drink with ice clinking within. "It's the Ardvenian summer," the woman said as Dahlia took the glass. "Blended from the fruits grown only on this mountain."
The Nesokan heir took a sip. It was smooth as honey and had the oddly pleasant texture of ice lined with fire. Dahlia couldn't help sighing in content. "You're quite the host, Mr. Varon." She smiled at Julien. "We really should've invited premier Ozaan."
"Maybe some other time." Varon shrugged off his coat and handed it over to the girl in the gown.
Dahlia took another sip and giggled. "This place feels less like a safehouse and more like a holiday resort for a king."
"What can I say? The utilities are wide ranging on this island." Then he turned to Jennifer. "You need to stay with Dahlia and make sure she has everything she needs until I come back."
"You are gonna head for the Republic of Vardin right away?"
"Yes, I won't be able to sleep until I finalize the Fragment deal with Ozaan." Julien turned to leave when Jennifer's phone buzzed in her pocket.
"Sir, wait," she called out. Then she turned on the television mounted on the wall.
The National News channel was showing a pile of burning rubble. It didn't take them long to figure out that the burning heap used to be the Seat of Authority.
The repeating clip was followed by the ominous message: "...you can't keep running forever."
Julien scoffed and turned to Jennifer. "Tell them to initiate Phase Two of Silver Lining. Also, command the troops within Moudrin to keep charging. Flatten any city that gets in the way."
Jennifer just nodded and started making her calls.
"Also, Ms. Esker," he said, "if something were to happen to me, you are the one in command."
Dahlia nodded. As soon as that was said, the front door swung open. Eli Hodges walked in.
Dahlia blinked at the old man. "Mr. Hodges? What a pleasant surprise."
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When the rains may come (Science Fiction)
Science FictionFeatured in Wattpad's Speculative Fiction Reading List. Featured in Wattpad's Science Fiction Reading List Cathy is the last person left in Sector 21 after her father contracted the virus that consumed half of the nation. She watches the planes fly...