Return Of The Fontalo
by Linda Rigsbee
Chapter 13
Donte sent a wire message to all the leaders, explaining what the captain had demanded. After sending the message, he gathered the cabinet and explained the visit by the captain.
They looked at each other, clearly alarmed. Cariel stroked his beard as he looked at the others. “I don’t think Donte can make this decision without our vote.”
Donte felt sick to his stomach. He thought the cabinet would stand behind him. Regardless of what they decided; he wasn’t going to let The Fontalo forcefully remove anyone from Purlieu. They could do what they wanted, but he was not going to back down.
He stood. “I’ve already made the decision, but just in case some of you haven’t considered the total impact this could have on everyone; if they get what they want, they will not only take me, but every Mascot. That includes Rianne and our children. If that’s all right with you, think about the fact that they could come back and take your homes and everything we have, because they own that too. Where do you think it will end?”
Bastiaan stood. “Take it easy Donte. We’re not going to let anyone take you, much less women and children. That wasn’t what Cariel meant. As the senior cabinet member, I also realize that this is something that needs to be put to a vote. It’s a formality, Donte. You need our backing to make it lawful.” He looked around the room. Let’s see a hand for those who support Donte’s decision.”
Without hesitation, every cabinet member lifted their hand.
Bastiaan looked at Donte. “Now it’s lawful and proper.”
“Thank you,” Donte said. He should have trusted them, but when it came to his children, there were few people he would trust.
Bastiaan motioned to Donte’s chair. “Sit down, Donte. I think we need to discuss getting some security for the Groot Thuis and the tram station. I think both are likely targets.”
Donte sat in the chair Bastiaan indicated. Bastiaan was right, of course. The captain had been inside it. He could simply walk in and find…. Donte frowned. The captain was only interested in Mascots and the only Mascot left in the Groot Thuis on a regular basis was the ruler. He looked at the others. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt trying to protect me.”
Bastiaan grinned. “Donte, I think we each have a right to decide who we’re willing to risk our lives for.”
Donte smiled and shook his head. “Am I interrupting your meeting?”
Bastiaan laughed. “I’m sure we can take care of this. I’m equally certain that you have more important things to do.”
Donte sighed and stood. “I don’t know if it’s more important, but I do have a lot to do in my office. I’ll talk to you later.”
Donte left the chamber and went to his office, where he found a scathing message from Chait. He was tempted to wad it up and throw it in the trash.
“Donte, I warned you about confronting The Fontalo. Now you have put my mate and child in danger. You had no right to take them from me. I demand that you return them to Lochfowk where we can protect them. I am sending a formal complaint to Commanders Adriaan and Cadha requesting that you not be permitted to represent Lochfowk.”
Donte sat down and hand wrote a message to Chait.
“Since you feel so strongly about it, I will not represent you. I will tell The Fontalo that the rest of the colonies are not going to surrender our Mascots. They will have to go to Lochfowk if they want Mascots, because that’s where the majority of them are anyway. Donica and Tavin are still in Lochfowk. I’m sure you can find them using your incredible instincts."
He signed his name and read it aloud before tearing it in small pieces. He felt better simply getting it out of his head. He wrote several messages, but all ended with sarcasm. He finally turned to the message machine and sent one of them to Chait.
“Donica and Tavin are in a safe place and they will remain there until this situation is resolved. Protest as you wish, but I will not consent to The Fontalo forcefully taking Mascots from any of the colonies, including Lochfowk. However, feel free to volunteer yourself if you wish. I’m sure they would be happy to pick you up at the airfield next week."
He wanted to add that the The Fontalo probably only wanted to administer a serum, but he had probably said too much already. He couldn’t decide if Chait was that stupid or simply a coward. Of course, there was a third possibility. He was willing to sacrifice the Mascots for the colonists…but that certainly didn’t sound like Chait.
Donte read the rest of his messages. Kafil and Halisi wanted to send Heri to the safe place Donte had mentioned, but they would not hide. King Neirin again pledged his support as did Quade, Isis and Damian. None of them wished to hide.
Donte stacked the messages in a desk drawer and glanced up as Beier entered his office. Donte smiled. “How did that go?”
Beier shrugged as he settled into a chair. He went straight to his airship and left the planet. He was quiet all the way there. Either he was in a reflective mood or he was upset. What did you say to him?”
“I imagine he was both reflective and upset. He called me an insolent Mascot, as if Mascot were an obscene word. I reminded him that I was a leader and to talk to me respectfully. I don’t think he liked that.”
Beier grinned. “I don’t imagine he liked it at all. So why did he think you were insolent?”
Donte related much of their conversation. “He said the fact that I wouldn’t lie was a weakness.”
Beier watched Donte for a few minutes, obviously mulling that idea over. “I suppose it could be, but I don’t think it is in your case, and I suspect he will discover that eventually.” He hesitated, as if not sure if he should address something.
Donte lifted his brows. “What is it?”
“His ability to lie convincingly could become a weakness for you.”
He was right about that part, but there was something else that had been troubling Donte. He looked at Beier. “Remember when we were on the mission to rescue Celyn and the man fired a musket at me? I knew when he was going to pull the trigger. My balance is increasing and sometimes I can actually identify people when I can only sense their presence. When the spacecraft flew over and Rianne thought it was a shooting star, I knew it wasn’t. I sensed a presence and ill intent. When I was talking to the Captain, I could sense when he was saying one thing and feeling another. It’s as if my senses are getting stronger.”
Beier smiled. “Perhaps you’re becoming more aware of the senses, or learning how to use them. I suppose it’s even possible that it is a mutation intended only for the duration of The Prophesy.”
“I don’t know,” Donte said. “It’s actually a little unnerving.”
“I can see how that would be. On the other hand, it must be a comfort to know that you will sense these things in time to do something about them.
Donte grimaced. “That is assuming my reaction is appropriate.”
Beier’s smile was wry. “If you didn’t question your judgment at times, I would be concerned. You’ll be all right.”
They could only guess and that was a waste of time when they had so much to accomplish in so little time. Donte changed the subject. “Are you tired of running yet?”
Beier shook his head. “After thirty years captivity in Lochfowk, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of traveling.”
Donte could understand that. Still, Kenyon had been captive for thirty years and he was ready to settle down in one place. It probably had more to do with Beier’s personality than anything else.
“Halisi and Kafil want to put Heri in the shelter. If you could pick him up in Playa, I can arrange for the Premier Infantry to meet you at a rendezvous point in Bergen.”
“When do you want me to leave?”
“Would tomorrow morning be too soon?”
Beier stood. “I’ll catch the morning tram to Libertad.” He walked to the door and paused, looking back at Donte. “You might think about sleeping somewhere besides the Groot Thuis.”
Donte smiled. “The cabinet is working on security.”
Beier nodded. “Good. Let me know where you want me to meet the Premier Infantry.”
After Beier left, Donte contacted Dalziel by wire message and made arrangements. In the morning he advised Beier where to meet the infantry.
The week passed without a word from the captain. If he didn’t know better, Donte would have thought the ship departed. No such luck. The two shuttles had remained at the island. No communication had been detected between the shuttles and the space ship. That meant that they either were not communicating or they had a more sophisticated system. Donte had no doubt the latter was the situation.
Donte put the waiting time to good use, continuing to teach Kenyon, Celyn and Beier as much as he could about the old language. Kenyon and Celyn learned fast, but Beier struggled with it. He could speak it enough to communicate in brief and simple conversation. They set up an alarm system for the entire village and established safe havens in cellars. Donte thought either the Groot Thuis or the tram station would be the most likely targets, but The Fontalo might strike anywhere – or nowhere.
There was no action on the seventh day, but early on the eighth day Donte’s medallion beeped and Adriaan warned him that the spacecrafts had left the island and were headed his direction. Donte sounded the village alarm and sent Kenyon and Celyn to get everyone to the cellar while he sent a message of warning to Libertad. Once that was done, he headed for the cellar. They had barely shut the door when they heard the first explosion. The second came immediately afterward.
Kenyon swore, deep and bitterly. Donte looked at him. “We couldn’t give up all the Mascots.”
Kenyon groaned. “I know that and you did the right thing, but this…” He paused as Donte reached for the door. “You should stay in here.”
Donte shook his head. “I don’t think so. I think they’ll hit once and see if that makes me change my mind.”
Donte left the cellar to discover there was no damage to the Groot Thuis. When he exited the building, the damage was apparent. Smoke was billowing up from the tram station. Donte headed that direction in a full-out run; Beier; Kenyon and Celyn not far behind him.
When Donte entered the station, it was to devastation. A huge hole had been burned through the roof and into the floor all the way to the ground below. The message center had been destroyed and an examination of the tram lines revealed it would be a while before any trams used the station.
Donte’s medallion beeped and he answered it.
“Give me a report,” Adriaan said.
“The tram station is non-functional and the wired message center has been destroyed. We discussed this possibility.”
“They’re on the way.”
“Keep me advised.” Donte shut the communicator off.
Beier joined them, his expression indicating comprehension. Kenyon looked at Donte and lifted a brow.
Donte grimaced. “Adriaan dispatched airships to destroy the Fontalo shuttles.
Celyn caught her breath. “They will retaliate.”
Donte nodded. “But not with those two shuttles.”
Kenyon whistled through his teeth. “That should give them reason to pause.”
They surveyed the damage to the station while they waited for news. It could have been a lot worse. No one had been injured and the building didn’t catch fire.
Donte’s medallion beeped again and he tapped it.
“Mission accomplished,” Adriaan said. “Hold on while I transfer you to the captain.”
That was a fast response. Donte waited while Adriaan made the connection with the captain. When the Captain finally reached Donte, he wasn’t simply angry. He was livid.
“You have destroyed two of my shuttles! You have no authority to command hostilities against Fontalo.” He launched into a tirade of accusations.
Donte waited for him to finish his rant, wondering all the while if the captain ever listened to his own words. When the Captain finally stopped talking, Donte spoke in a calm voice. “You knocked over my toys and I stomped yours. Now, can we stop acting like a couple of children and start talking like adults?”
“I’m not…you’re the one…” the captain sputtered, apparently unable to find the words to express his fury. “You are the most insolent…”
“I wish you would stop using that word,” Donte interrupted. “I’m beginning to get the feeling you don’t like me.”
Kenyon put curled fingers to his mouth, his eyes freely expressing the humor that he refused his lips. Celyn obviously didn’t know what to think, but Beier merely shook his head.
“Don’t like you?” The captain hissed. “I’m beginning to regret not terminating you the first time I saw you!”
Donte didn’t respond for a moment. He was beginning to wish the man had tried to terminate him. When he did respond, it was in a cool tone. “Since you seem to have a personal vendetta against me, why don’t we meet somewhere to settle this and keep the rest of the people out of it?”
For a moment the captain was quiet, but when he did speak, his voice was controlled. “I don’t want to kill you. I’ll negotiate with you. If you surrender to me, I’ll let the rest go.”
Donte immediately sensed foreboding. The man was lying again. Kenyon was vigorously shaking his head no. Beier met Donte’s gaze. His unspoken comment was that Donte wouldn’t be alone.
Donte smiled. “I might consider that under other circumstances, but since it is coming from someone who considers honesty to be a weakness, I think I’ll decline.”
“You ins… I don’t have to negotiate with you. The Mascots belong to Fontalo. I’ll send more ships and reduce your colony to rubble.”
“How many ships are you willing lose?”
“You…I’ll send troops in to collect the Mascots, colony by colony. You’ll be the first.”
“I wouldn’t advise sending troops.”
“Exactly what would you advise?”
Donte lifted his brows. “Are you suggesting that we negotiate? If so, I would suggest that you acknowledge our right to freedom.”
For a moment the captain was silent. Eventually static indicated the communication had been terminated. Donte tapped his medallion to end the call.
When they stepped outside the station, a crowd had gathered. Donte lifted a hand for silence.
“It is likely that the colony will be attacked again soon. I advise you to take the women and children to the outlying farms - or even better, to caves in the mountains. Go as soon as possible.” When they continued to stare at him with blank expressions, he concluded. “Like, right now.”
People looked at each other before turning and hurrying in different directions to gather supplies. Donte looked at Beier.
“Is the militia ready for action?”
Beier nodded. “Where do you want them?”
“I won’t know until they come at us. My guess is that he will make an assault with both troops and ships. Right now, I want the militia assembled and ready for whatever happens.”
Donte tapped his medallion. “Can you connect me with Commander Adriaan?”
After a few minutes Adriaan answered. Donte explained the situation. “Watch for any activity and warn me.”
“Yes Monomi.”
Kenyon and Celyn were watching the crowd, but Beier frowned and turned to Donte. “Wouldn’t it be prudent to have a few ships of our own ready?”
Donte nodded. “Yes Beier. I have already discussed this possibility with commanders Adriaan, Cadha and Vidal. They know what to do. My instruction to watch for any activity and warn me was their cue. Dalziel has been instructed to listen to the communications, but remain silent except for wired messages.”
The frown slowly evaporated from Beier’s face as he listened. He nodded approval. “You have finally learned to be a leader and let your subordinates do their job.” Beier studied Donte’s face. “So, where do Kenyon, Celyn and I fit into your plans?”
Kenyon answered. “We fit into all the gaps - all the unexpected things.”
It was a good explanation. Donte turned back to the station. “We need to get the wire communication in service as soon as possible.
“I make a good messenger,” Beier said behind him.
Donte turned and looked at him. His tone sounded mildly sarcastic and his expression was discouraged.
“Beier, when I need someone to turn to for frank advice, I always know I can count on you. When I have an important mission that I can’t do, I know I can rely on your loyalty and good judgment. You’re always there when I need someone to protect my family. I asked you to be my second. You’re not simply a messenger to me, Beier. You’re an extension of me.”
Beier looked embarrassed. “I never thought of it that way.”
Donte smiled. “When you’re away on a mission, I often reach to tap my medallion before I remember you’re not around to assist me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Beier lifted a hand in protest. “I get your point.”
He didn’t want to embarrass Beier, but he wanted him to understand how important he was – not only personally but to Bergen.
Donte tapped his medallion and asked to be connected with Damian. When he answered, Donte told him what had happened and requested Nieke to help with repairing the communications. Damian immediately agreed and offered his militia. It was a good idea. The captain had said he was going to start with Bergen.
Soft Science Fiction
