Page 76 of The Champion
People screamed when the soldiers spread out in teams and marched in different directions. Standing in a group of people, I was pushed aside when five passed us.
“They spoke English,” a man next to me said to the group of strangers. “Then they can’t be aliens.”
“Aliens are intelligent and have superior powers. Maybe they can morph to human shape and speak like we do on earth,” a woman speculated.
“They can’t be very good at geography then or they would have chosen to speak French,” I remarked before assuring them all. “Those soldiers are Northlanders.”
“Ah, that would explain their size,” the woman said. “But why are they here? What do they want?”
Me!Hope screamed in my chest.
Behind me, someone began shouting in French and we all turned to see, Frédéric Nattier from the government come running in his sleepwear and slippers. Frédéric was in his early forties, but already gray-haired and a man radiating authority. Although he held up both hands and demanded that they stop, he didn’t manage to slow down the five uniformed soldiers who moved down the street with stern expressions. While walking backward he shouted at them in English. “I’m a member of the French parliament and I demand to talk to whatever fool is behind this charade.”
The soldiers pushed him aside and kept moving straight for the building that I had left minutes ago. Following them, I called out to get their attention, “Who are you looking for?”
They ignored me.
Screams from people around me made me look around to see them pointing to the sky. From the drones came what looked like a swarm of large bees.
At least a hundred tiny drones came flying down and circulated above our heads. When one of them came by Frédéric it paused and addressed him. “Sir, confirm your identity.”
“I’m Frédéric Nattier, esteemed member of the parliament. I demand to talk to Khan Aurelius. I know that he is behind this.”
“You are requested to go to the parliament building and wait for instructions.”
“I will not be bossed around by a drone!” Frédéric argued in French, but the drone kept repeating its short order until he threw up his hands and hurried down the street toward the parliament building.
Thinking that Freya was behind this, I stopped when a drone came close.
“Identify yourself,” it ordered.
For the first time in four months, it felt wonderful to say my name. “I’m Victor Xavier.”
“Stay where you are. Someone will come to see you.”
Looking ahead, I saw the five soldiers now two blocks away come to a sudden halt and turn around. Around me people were pressing themselves against the walls of the buildings to stay out of the soldiers’ way, but I stood smiling, knowing that soon I would see the woman I loved.
The soldiers surrounded me, and the apparent leader asked me to identify myself. After confirming that I was who I said I was, they asked me to follow them.
“Where are you taking me?”
“To see the Commander. There’s no need to be afraid of us. We’re here to help you.”
Dipping my head to the blond man who had spoken, I smiled. “I appreciate that, but I’m not afraid. I understand that Freya is behind this.”
“You’ve got that wrong. Freya isn’t in charge. It’s her father, Khan Aurelius, who has issues with the French government.”
“I understand, but Khan is doing it for Freya. She and I are in love.” It felt strange to announce it publicly like that, but these were Northlanders and would understand.
One of the soldiers stopped and stared at me. “You’re joking.”
“No. It’s true.”
“Freya Aurelius fell in love withyou?” The soldier had a full beard and piercing blue eyes. Staring at me with disbelief, he wrinkled his nose and upper lip.
“Bastian, don’t. We all know you have a crush on Freya, but that’s not his fault. Our orders are clear. Nothing you can do about it now that she has made her choice.”
“I didn’t even get to fucking meet with her.” He snorted and walked on with the rest of us. “There’s no fucking way she would choose that guy over me. Not if she saw us standing next to each other.”
