Strange FAE (sample)

Prologue

"Lo! Death has reared himself a throne

In a strange city lying alone

Far down within the dim West,

Where the good and the bad and the worst and the best

Have gone to their eternal rest."

The City in the Sea by Edgar Allan Poe

Seventeen years ago . . .

A newborn's cry rings out as her shaking father steps forward to hold his child for the first time. He smiles as tears fall from his eyes, giving his daughter her first baptism.

Joy and sorrow clash as he glances from the tiny bundle in his arms to the silent, unmoving form of his wife on the cold white bed. Her eyes, so recently filled with the pain of childbirth and the joy of new life, now stare unseeingly into the bright lights of the hospital ceiling.

"Chancellor . . ." his aide, standing quietly nearby, motions toward the door, "the public is waiting. They have questions that need answering, and I can't hold them off forever."

Shaking off his emotions, he places his child in the waiting nurse's hands and steps toward the door. Looking back over his shoulder at his motionless wife and crying daughter, he hesitates.

"Robert," looking toward the aide he gestures at his child, "with our world's current political climate, I'm worried about her safety. Work with The Four to find a safe place for my daughter. We may need to temporarily relocate her until the rogue element has been dealt with. I'm sure my wife's death was no accident. Aetlantis is no longer an option. Have them look outward, to Earth if they need to."

Robert stares at his ruler in disbelief. "Earth," he asks hesitantly, "are you sure, Sir? I know they have made great strides in the past century, but Earth is still so primitive. She may be at risk."

The Chancellor sighs, "No more at risk than she is here, Robert. With what has happened to my wife and the attacks on the capital, I can't risk it. We need to move her to ensure her safety. My soul would never rest if my inaction caused her injury."

Clasping Robert on the shoulder, the Chancellor steers him toward the door. "We need to get in front of the public and try to rectify this situation before it worsens. Put in a message to The Four on the way."

Touching his temple, Robert concentrates for a moment. "I have notified them, Sir. They are ready to move now. Are you sure? What if something goes wrong?"

"My daughter's safety is of the utmost importance. Getting her away from here is the first step toward ensuring her survival. I won't risk losing her, Robert. I've already lost Samantha, and I won't lose Brighid."

With one last glance back at his daughter, the Chancellor leaves the room, the closing door cutting off Brighid's quiet cries.    

*****

Two Days Later . . .

The silence of the room is broken by the creak of an ancient door. Looking up from his book, the Chancellor greets his aide with a pained smile. "Robert, more news regarding the election?"

Robert stiffens and looks toward the floor. Straightening his shoulders and taking a bracing breath, he steps forward. "No, sir. Nothing further on the election . . ."

The Chancellor, seeing his aide's unease, shifts forward in his chair. "Well, Robert, spit it out. What's the matter? Is the city on fire? Are pigeons roosting in Parliament?"

Giving an uneasy chuckle and taking another breath, Robert replies, "I don't know how to tell you this, Sir, but the Four reported several hours ago that the rebels were attacking and we have not heard anything from them since."

His grip whitens on the arms of his chair. "My daughter . . . ?" His question escapes as barely a whisper.

Robert's shoulders fall, "Sir, we won't know for certain until we can retrieve the bodies, but we can't lose hope. The Four were the best, and I can't see them letting their guards down before the mission was finished. We must have hope."

Taking a fortifying breath, he nods his head. "Hope, yes, but we should also focus on the rebels and how to keep a situation like this from happening again. This cannot be the way the opposing party furthers their agenda. Once we have retrieved The Four, we can use their Vid technology if the lenses are still operational to see what they saw and track down the guilty parties. Make this a priority."

Turning to leave with a decisive nod, Robert glances back at the Chancellor. "As you will, Sir. But don't lose hope. Trust that The Four were able to complete their mission. Your daughter could still be alive."

*****

Twenty-Four Hours Later . . .

A bell rings out across the city just as the sun kisses the top of the parliament building. Vid screens flicker to life on walls and screens throughout the city. Images branded with the word traitor race past as the guilty parties are led through the city toward the Tower.

The list of crimes is extensive, from murder to kidnapping, with treason topping the charges. Images of the Four flicker past, with today's date marking their deaths. A picture of a small bundle, wrapped in white streaked with crimson elicits shocked gasps from children and adults alike.

The Chancellor steps to the front balcony of Parliament. "Citizens, today, we have learned of a great evil committed against our nation. The guilty have committed treason against Aetlantis and against each of you. Their names and faces will be wiped from the public record, and the rest of their lives will be spent in the Tower as living generators powering our civilization."

Cheers and angry shouts rise in a mingled chorus from the crowd below. Furtive glances are shared, out of sight of the general public, celebrating the success of a dangerous mission and mourning the loss of efficient operators. He holds up his hand, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"My daughter . . . ," the Chancellor pauses a moment to clear his throat and gather his composure. "My daughter was that bundle you saw on the Vid screens. She was being moved to safety by The Four when the attack happened. . ."

He chokes up, unable to say any more, and the cries from the crowd grow in volume.

Robert advances, placing his arm around the Chancellor's shoulders and leads him away from the balcony. A member of the military steps forward.

"Thank you for your time. That will be all. Please respect the Chancellor's request for privacy in this time of mourning." With hushed murmurs and backward glances, the crowd begins to disperse.

Inside the small room off the balcony, he shakes off Robert's arm and stretches, letting out a sigh.

"Well, that should satisfy the Rebels and ensure her safety for the time being. Do we know where The Four were able to place her before the attack?"

Robert pauses a moment to communicate with his military contact via his comm. "The best we were able to determine, Sir, is that she is somewhere in the North American continent. We have teams searching for any traces or clues left by The Four, but have not been able to find anything yet."

"Keep on it, Robert. We need to find her before the Rebels determine she is still alive. Help me keep my Brighid safe." Robert places his hand on the Chancellor's arm.

"We will find her. I promise you, Arthur, your daughter will be safe."