| Chapter 12 Nick lay on the top bunk staring at the white painted ceiling. Below him his roommate snored loudly. Nick, himself, couldn’t fall asleep. Neptune had such short days and nights and he couldn’t get used to the odd hours. Besides that, his head was pounding with thoughts. How could there be so much trouble over such a small object, he asked himself. And how could his roommate sleep so soundly knowing that he was going to ambush a budding nation. Again. He sat up in bed and ran his hand through his short-cropped blond hair. Perhaps he could stop all of this from happening. Yes, that was exactly what he would do. He leapt from the bunk and landed noisily. His roommate continued to sleep soundly, though. Nick grabbed his leather jacket and pulled it on over his white t-shirt. He slipped on his soft leather boots and crept out into the hall. The corridor was dimly lit by a series of white candles. The floor was covered by a deep red carpet. His ears were strained to hear any noises. He walked slowly, he was careful to be quiet, and the carpet helped to keep him noiseless. He called to mind a mental map of the palace. If he was correct, Hannahoko’s room was down the hall and two flights up. He met the first flight and climbed the spiral staircase. Once he was at the top another long corridor lay in front of him leading to another spiral staircase. His footsteps landed lightly as he slinked along the hallway. Without warning he was grabbed from behind. “Hey, how’re you? You’re Hannahoko’s friend, right? I thought I was the only one who had a squirrel with a late night craving for yummies. But I think you’re going the wrong way to the kitchen. Or maybe they moved it, sometimes I think they move room. So maybe they moved the kitchen. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to follow you.” Nick turned his head and saw the blue-haired drifter out of the corner of his eye. “Matt?” he asked, his eyebrows were knit in confusion. “Yes?” “Are you Matt?” “I think so, unless they changed my name, too. I suppose of they moved my room they could change me name. I think that costs 500 dollars though, maybe only in America.” “Don’t you remember me?” Nick implored. “Yeah, you danced with Hannahoko. That was nice of you. But then she got shot. I was wondering, if you don’t mind telling me, how many children did you save?” Nick turned around and clutched the Kidd’s shoulders. “Don’t you remember me, Matt? It’s me, Nick! It hasn’t been that long.” “No, a few nights ago wasn’t very long ago.” Nick dropped his gaze to the floor and spoke to himself, “He doesn’t remember me, yet he remembers Hannahoko, I wonder how far back his memory travels?” He looked at the Kidd intently and eased up on his grip. “Matt, this is very important. How long have you known Hannahoko?” “Awhile, I guess, at least a year. She has silver in her hair, I don’t know why. Maybe she likes it. And she has a ninny. Matt is my hero, he has white hair.” “How long have you known Matt?” “I don’t know. He calls me JJ. I’d better go though, Chibi is very hungry.” “Matt! You have to remember!” “Yeah, I think Hannahoko said that once. She’s my height, I thought she was taller..” “You recall that?” “Recall what?” He pulled away from Nick’s clasp. “Are you coming to the kitchen, Nick?” “No, I have something else to do.” “What?” “I can’t tell you.” “Please?? Can I go too??!” Matt said excitedly. “No,” Nick replied shortly. “I want to go with you!” “Keep your voice down, Matt.” “Okay, but only if you let me come.” “No, let’s just go to the kitchen.” Nick resolved himself to talk to Hannahoko the next day, face to face. “Okay, I guess you’re right, Chibi will probably get angry if I don’t feed him.” ********************* Nick opened is eyes and for a minute forgot where he was. But then it all came back to him in a sickening rush. “Luitenant Armstrong,” said Erika, “You are finally awake. Get dressed and meet me in my quarters. I wish to speak with you.” Nick’s first reaction was to panic. For himself first, and then for Hannahoko. Slowly he relaxed himself so he could appear calm. “I’ll be over soon,” he said. “Good,” said Erika and she left his room. Nick dressed quickly and strode down to Erika’s room and office. “Please come in,” she spoke in Russian, “And close the door behind you.” Nick did what she asked. “You are probably wondering why I called you here.” Nick nodded slowly. “You are very close to this Hannahoko, aren’t you?” she asked. He chose not to answer right away. “It’s alright, you can be honest.” “Yes, we are fairly good friends.” “Oh come now, Nick, you can tell me the truth. You are very close to this girl?” “Yes,” he replied warily. “Now, you are very loyal to your country, are you not?” “Yes, of course.” “Then we can use your relationship with that young naive queen to our advantage.” “What are you getting at?” “Must I explain everything to you, Armstrong? If you get her to trust you she will surely tell you where you can find that penny.” “And you promise not to harm her?” he narrowed his eyes. “What is more important to you? Your country? Or your precious queen?” The Lueitenant pounded his fist on the President’s desk. “Swear you won’t hurt her!” “I can’t do that. I will level with you. Hannahoko may appear to be innocent now but things will change. Once she realizes the power she holds at her fingertips she will become a different person. She will be greedy for power. I’ve seen things like this before. And you know what Mona says..” “Why are you trusting that tyrant anyway?” “Mona has had a rough past but she has reconciled for her crimes. I used to know her long ago. We were both so young then. Deep down I know Mona is a good person. I believe she is genuinely concerned about what will happen.” “Whatever you may say I do not trust her more than Hannahoko.” “I’m not lying to you, Armstrong, Hannahoko is going to change. Nick, she has more power than you comprehend. She has the power to rule the galaxy. No-one should have that amount of power save the High one Himself.” “How could she hold such power?” “It was passed down through her family. Her ancestors put a great amount of energy into a small object. As it passed through the generations the power is placed into a new object and more energy is added. They prophesied that one day a girl in the future would released the energy. And if she dies, then someone else-it is unknown who- will wield it. The prophesy says that she would have brown eyes and would be leader of a nation. The prediction also says she will only have half-elf blood running through her veins. These visions were so vivid that pictures were painted of her, and they are a replica of your Queen. “So far Hannahoko has grown up knowing very little of the story or her part in it. If we destroy her and the penny now it will save generations and generations of persecution and slavery.” “Hannahoko would never do that! And why can’t we just destroy the penny?” “Because she may still have a way to summon the power.” “You’re going to kill her because she MIGHT do something?” “It will no longer be Hannahoko, it will be the energy through her. She does not have the experience to control such a power, no-one does.” “I can’t help you,” Nick finally said. “I’m sorry you feel that way, but I can tell you I didn’t expect it. Rodka, come here. This is for your own good, Nick. Please don’t have any hard feelings.” Before he could put up a struggle strong arms seized him from behind. A needle was stuck in his arm. He fell to the ground and knew no more.” |